BEND, OR -- Bend's new elementary school, under construction near O.B. Riley and Cooley roads, still doesn't have a name. School Principal Kevin Gehrig hopes families will help come up with some options, "That idea that the whole community is given an opportunity to submit names, I'm sure there's going to be some great names that come out of it that I would've never thought of if I were doing it on my own, or the committee itself. To have the opportunity to just get the input and the thinking from the community about a name, is going to be great."

Ideas can be submitted online, "There was a press release that went out and it's asking the community to give us suggested names. And then, ultimately, they can click on a link in that press release - it will be out on Facebook and school newsletters, as well - to submit a name, and then also the thinking behind why they're submitting that name," says Gehrig. He tells KBND News there are guidelines, "The board policy looks at soliciting names for People, so names of distinguished individuals; Places, names that recognize historical, geographic landmarks in the area; and then also Themes, that reflect the cultural or historic character of the community." Click HERE to access that naming survey. 

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Gehrig leads the naming committee that will then take all suggestions and narrow the list down to the best three names. Those will then go to the Bend-La Pine School Board for final consideration. He hopes they'll be able to announce the new school's name by mid-December. It's scheduled to open to students in the fall of 2019.