Planning for Fall

Community Update

June 22, 2020

This is the first of a series of regular community updates pertaining to the reopening of school in September for the 2020-2021 school year.  All of us at South Bend School District have missed our students, and we cannot wait to see them again in our schools and classrooms.  We are working very hard to ensure our reopening plan is safe, efficient, and meets the needs of all families, students, and staff, while complying with health requirements.

Principals are meeting with teachers this week to begin formulating our plan of face-to-face instruction for next school year.  In addition, they will plan for distance learning should we be forced to close school at some point during the year.

Last week, building administrators and I met to study the recently released rules and guidance for the reopening of school.  We discussed essentially three areas to plan around, with the understanding that some areas can overlap and expand, and potentially change as the summer progresses.  These areas include:  health & safety, instruction, and communication. 

Health & Safety

In conjunction with health department staff, we will be developing health and safety protocols to be followed on campus.  These will align with the required Health Department, Labor & Industries, and other regulations, all of which will be approved locally by our county jurisdiction.  I have a meeting June 29 with Pacific County Health Department and other county school district superintendents to begin work on developing some of these protocols.  The protocols will cover everything from transportation, school building/classroom processes, food service, and other related school logistics.  

Instruction

We have to assume the state will require adherence to strict health guidelines and safety measures for Fall.  Principals are working with teachers to develop a face-to-face, blended instructional program that conforms to health and safety protocols, as well as a distance learning plan should we be forced to again close our buildings. Another part of this work includes identifying core learning standards that depend most on face-to-face instruction, as well as the essential standards to be taught within next school year.  

Communication

We desire parent input as we plan, and communication is key as we keep parents, students and community members informed.  Parents will have a voice as we develop our reopening plan, and we will be very transparent with parents and our community as planning unfolds.  Part of this includes a survey on parent perception of school during these last several months, as well as an opportunity for parents to express input on school reopening this fall.  

As our first week of planning begins and as we continue to plan during these next several weeks, I will provide regular updates.  Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate these times.  If at any time you have questions, concerns, or ideas, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at: 360-875-6041 or at jtienhaa@southbendschools.org.

Thank you,

Jon Tienhaara

Superintendent

Community Update

Update for Parents, Students, & Community Stakeholders

June 12, 2020

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) released the Reopening Washington's Schools District Planning Guide yesterday, June 11, 2020.  This document provides Washington school districts the required guidance and rules to be followed as school reopening plans are implemented this fall.  These requirements come from OSPI, the Washington Department of Health, and the Governor's Office, informed by a workgroup of statewide education stakeholders.

All of us at South Bend School District desire to have our students back.  We do not desire to see our schools closed as we experienced these last four months.  Though school closure is a direct result of state directives from the governor's office intended to keep students safe, we are hopeful we can develop safe, acceptable plans that allow us to open this fall.  Please understand that our plans must be approved by the health department and align with state guidelines.

South Bend School District administrators and staff are currently in the process of reviewing the OSPI planning guide and will be working with teachers, staff, and school stakeholders to create a school plan for each of the governor's Safe Start Phases, including contingency plans to implement mid-year should we be required to respond to specific health concerns.  

 As we plan, the following will be at the center of our efforts:

1.  Student and staff safety will be the priority.  We are working with the Pacific County Health Department in conjunction with other county school districts to help ensure school planning and implementation conforms to required health guidelines.  I am hopeful this group will also bring consistency between South Bend and neighboring school districts.

2.  Student learning, health, and well-being will continue to be our mission.  Decisions and actions will be centered on what is best for all students.  

3.  We will support staff and provide what is needed to meet instructional requirements.  We are committed to providing the materials, training and support that is needed to help with new modes of instruction, and we will make intentional, informed decisions to be sure our educational programs are the best possible. 

Please know that as we receive further instructions from OSPI and the health department, we will adjust our plans accordingly and communicate needed changes.  We will also adapt our plans as we develop more effective means and efficiencies.  We recognize and acknowledge that parents, families, students, community members, and school staff have both individual and shared concerns and viewpoints with regards to the covid-19 pandemic.  Though there may be differences in some of these concerns and viewpoints, we all share the important commonality of desiring the best possible outcomes for our students.  I encourage all to engage with us as we approach the 2020-2021 school year, and communicate any questions, ideas, or concerns.  

Please feel free to contact me directly at jtienhaa@southbendschools.org, or at 875-6041 with any questions.  Thank you for your patience as we continue to work in these times.

Jon Tienhaara

Superintendent

  

Elementary Teacher Opening

South Bend School District is seeking applicants for a 3rd grade teacher.  The position will begin the 2020-21 school year.  

Qualified applicants should contact Superintendent Jon Tienhaara for application instructions. Please email to: jtienhaa@southbendschools.org

Position closes June 19, 2020 at 2:00 pm