Koplitz Field House Update

Floor buckle on north end of KFH

As you can see in the picture to the left, we have some serious buckles in the gym floor at Koplitz Field House at South Bend High School, resulting from the severe flooding we had on January 5.

 We have at least three issues related to the floor: "cupping", "buckling", and support damage under the floor on the stringers.  As the floor continues to dry, a lot of the cupping is laying down.  However, the major buckles are not so forgiving.  Fixing these will require cutting the floor and correcting the expanded wood causing the buckle.  We are in the process of doing this as of today.


What Will the Flood Insurance Cover?

The national flood insurance adjuster visited KFH and indicates our claim will contain the following:  complete floor replacement, replacement of all damaged sheetrock/insulation, floor tile/carpet, bathroom stalls, all interior/exterior doors, as well as servicing bleachers and all electrical devices/panels exposed to water.  Though the district has a $10,000 deductible and must also pay calculated depreciation (approximately 10%), we are very fortunate to have the flood insurance policy.  The insurance representatives have been good to work with and quite helpful.

Crack shown in KFH purlin

Structural Problems?

After the flood we noticed specific areas in the building with cracks and separation.  Of course these types of things concern us, and concerned the insurance company as well.  Last Friday, we had structural engineers on site evaluating the building.  Though the engineer did note we may have some structural issues to deal with, he did not think we have any urgent hazards.  He told us it is safe to use the building and there are no immediate safety issues.

Structural engineer assessing KFH

We have ServiceMaster of Seattle on site as of today.  They completed a full building inspection and assessed all possible drying and disinfection needs.  They are making flood cuts in all walls damaged by water and will be drying the walls out.  We hope to have the walls completely dry by Monday of next week.  

We are working with Northern Hardwoods to select our new gym floor.  Though we are able to fix many of the observable buckles, we still have water damage underneath the floor.  We hope to begin gym floor construction in June.

ServiceMaster of Seattle making wall repairs

When Will You Be Able to Use the KFH?

Having one gym down is causing a problem with scheduling classes and activities.  Because the engineer told us we have no urgent safety hazards, we hope to start using KFH for PE classes and practices this Wednesday.  We have Mr. McMurry's construction class and Gary Wilson temporarily fixing the major buckles in the floor.  Though these are band-aid fixes, we will be able to utilize the KFH for these activities once the floor is safe.  We are also planning to hold graduation in KFH as usual.

Mr. McMurry fixing the floor buckles

Thank You for Your Patience

As we move to make repairs to the Koplitz Field House, I would like to thank everyone for their patience and accommodations.  Specifically, I'd like to thank Willapa Valley School District, Raymond School District and Montesano School District for allowing us to use their gyms.  I would also like to thank Phil Davis for his excellent service as our insurance agent.  

We are fortunate to live in such a helpful and caring community.

Major buckle fixed

Chickenpox Update

Picture and information taken from CDC:  http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/

I wanted to provide an update to staff, parents, and community members on a recent diagnosis of chickenpox at Chauncey Davis Elementary.
This information is to provide the facts as we know them, as well as some resources for anyone interested in learning more about the varicella (chickenpox) virus.

Current Concern

A student at Chauncey Davis Elementary has a diagnosed and confirmed case of chickenpox.  Measures have been taken by the Pacific County Health Department to prevent further spread of the disease.  Students who are not vaccinated or who have not had medically documented immunity should take appropriate precautions.  This may include a restriction from attending school until 21 days after last exposure.



Isn't There A Vaccine for Chickenpox?

Yes.  There is a vaccine that is available and recommended, however parents have the right to opt out of vaccinations in consultation with a physician.  Receiving the chickenpox vaccine does not guarantee full protection from the virus.  Most children receive the chickenpox vaccination prior to entering school.  We do have several students who have not been vaccinated for chickenpox.

What If My Child Has Not Been Fully Immunized?

The Pacific County Health Department has identified students who have not been immunized for chickenpox, and have instructed that these students be excluded from school until February 2, 2015.  This is to help aid in curtailing the spread of the virus.  You should have received this letter (click here).  Non-vaccinated students and staff who have been in contact with exposed elementary students or who have ridden the school bus with exposed students are at risk.

What If I think I or My Student Have Chickenpox?

If you think you or your child have chickenpox, you should consult with your physician.

My Student Has Been Excluded From School, What About Schoolwork?

Principal Byington and teachers at Chauncey Davis are organizing schoolwork for all students excluded from school.  Please contact the school office to arrange details in getting schoolwork for your student.

What Other Resources Are Available?

The following resources are available for more information.  If you have further questions, please contact the school office.

Center for Disease Control (CDC) :  http://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/
OSPI Guidance for Schools in Dealing With Chickenpox

Student/Staff Health Is Our Primary Concern

Being restricted from attending school is understandably a severe inconvenience.  The school district is abiding by State laws and following directives as given by the Health Officer of Pacific County Health and Human Services.  We want to do what is in the best interest of all students and staff in trying to prevent the spread of the disease, and therefore must comply with these directives.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call your school office or the county health department.

Strive To Be the Best in 2015

Often when I visit classrooms, students are engaged in activities, striving to be the best. Though their desire to achieve can stem from parent expectations and competition amongst peers, it can also be inspired or hindered by the learning environment.

Because teachers arguably play a major role in shaping students' lives, it is vital teachers be the very best at their craft.  And, logically, for teachers to be the best they should be supported by the best principals and the best staff.

I was reading a blog post written by a elementary school principal, Keith Peters, entitled, "Be the Best in the World".  Among many excellent points, he states that he wants all students in his school to get the kind of education the students in his best teachers' classrooms receive.  All teachers and staff should strive to be and give their best.  Sometimes people are uncomfortable thinking of themselves as being "the best".  They might feel others will view them as arrogant, or they might feel like they will offend colleagues or others working who may not think they achieve at the same level.  However, should being "the best" bother us?

Being the best is more than a final destination, and is not defined by overcoming others.  Being the best is a continual process with attributes of integrity, passion, and desire, with a willingness to help others achieve this status.  For students, being the best results in their wanting to come to school to see and learn from us.

Why be the best?  I guess I should ask, who wouldn't want to be the best?  Do parents send their children to school hoping their child's teacher is just average, or would they rather have the best teacher in the school?  Does a supervisor hope for employees who do the bare minimum, or would they prefer employees who strive to achieve with pride?

As educators, we have chosen this field of helping students become their best.  Why shouldn't they expect us to be the best?  If we do not strive to be the best in our profession, what business do we have working in education, or more broadly, why should any parent or community member want us working in their school?

A school district should be a community partnership supported by teams of the best educators and staff working to promote and provide the best learning opportunities for students.  I want to encourage all teachers, school staff, and principals to work toward being "the best" in 2015.  Be the best teacher, the best classroom worker, the best office staff...  The list can go on and on.

Are you committed to being the best?

If you are, show it in 2015.

Update on South Bend School Flooding

Last night's sleep was cut short when I received a call from district Maintenance Director, Gary Wilson, at 1:45 am, "You better come check this out--we are flooding bad," he said.  And we were...

Gary and his team, consisting of Al Lewis, Joe Dokter, and Doug Sands, and transportation director Wyatt Kuiken, worked all night long sandbagging the school and gym.  However, with water coming into the buildings through drains, sewer holes, and under the walls, there was not a whole lot to be done.


Damage So Far

At this point, we have water damage in the west end of the elementary school hallways and office.  Though the water has now been removed, the carpets are wet.  We have a carpet cleaner currently enroute to help us clean and restore the hallway and office carpets.  We also have water damage in the vocational building consisting of the wood shop and Dan Raymond's classroom.  Sump pumps are currently working to remove the water.

The Koplitz Field House is another story.  Water completely surrounds the building and the water level inside the building stretches across half of the gym floor.  I could literally see water bubbling up through the volleyball standard holes.  We believe the entire underlayment of the gym floor is under water.  At this point, there is nowhere for us to pump the water, so it is impossible for us to remove the water.  Even so, with the building surrounded and the underneath full, the water is not going anywhere.  We are waiting for the water level outside to subside so cleanup efforts inside can take place.

Gym Floor

Koplitz Fieldhouse Lobby

Will There Be School Tomorrow?

UPDATE (7:46 PM, Jan 5): we will have a 2 hour delay tomorrow to allow us to assess our facility.  We will inform parents as soon as possible if school is to be cancelled.

This is the million dollar question!  At this point, we are waiting to see what the water levels do.  One thing people might not realize is that when water gets to a certain depth, our toilets can not flush and our drains do not work.  If we do not have functioning bathrooms, we will not have school.  Gary Wilson and Wyatt Kuiken will be monitoring water levels and school bus routes this evening and into tomorrow.  We will make a decision when we have more information.

What If I Want To Help Out?

We have been thankful for the many people who came out to help this morning.  At this point, we simply have to wait for the water levels to drop before we know what type of cleanup we will face.  Once we understand what we will have to do, we may be able to use some help mopping up the gym.

Elementary Clean Up

Tomorrow's Boy's Basketball Game

Tomorrow's home game with Ocosta will not take place in Koplitz Fieldhouse.  Athletic Director Tom Sanchez has arranged for us to play at Willapa Valley School.  JV game time is 5:45


Thanks

Again, I would like to thank Gary and his entire crew, along with the school administrative team, several teachers, and other staff and community members who helped us out this morning.   It was a great effort and everyone's help and support is very much appreciated.

I would encourage people to also offer help to anyone living around the school or in the surrounding area, whose homes may have been damaged by the flood.  I have heard that several homes have water inside.  There are most likely families that could use help.

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