Substitute Teachers & Paraeducators Needed

South Bend Public Schools is looking for substitute teachers and classified staff!

With a teaching staff of 40 teachers and approximately 60 classified staff, we often have a need for a substitute.  If you have interest in working with kids, we may be a good option for you.

What Does it Involve?

If you work as a substitute teacher, you follow prepared lesson plans left by the regular teacher.  Students still report to each class and school continues as if the teacher was still there.  We have excellent students, and staff are on-hand to assist and support you.  We are told that South Bend is well known as a great place to substitute teach!

Substitute classified staff work to assist classroom teachers, office support, kitchen staff, transportation, special education, early learning, and custodial.  Hours vary from 8:00 to 4:00.

What Does it Pay?  What are the Qualifications?

South Bend School District is increasing our daily substitute teacher wage to $145 dollars per day.  Classified subs' daily wages are set by union contract and vary according to position.

If you have a Bachelor's degree, South Bend School District can help you receive an emergency substitute teaching certificate, which will qualify you to teach in South Bend.  After obtaining this certificate and passing a required background check, you can substitute teach in our schools.

Please contact the South Bend District Office at 360.875.6041 if you are interested or have questions.

SB Moves to 7 Period Day

A change we are implementing at SB Jr. Sr. High this school year is moving from a 6 period day to a 7 period day.  For a variety of reasons, going to the 7 period day does a lot of good things for our kids.  We are excited to offer several new courses and opportunities to our students here in South Bend!  With the change, school K-12 now begins at 8:30 and ends at 3:14.

What is a 7 Period Day?

Prior to this fall, South Bend has operated on a 6 period student schedule, where periods ranged in length from 55 minutes to just over an hour.  Full time students took six subjects/classes per day.  The 7 period schedule will consist of seven, 50 minute periods.  This year's periods will be slightly shorter, but will allow students to take an additional class/elective.

More Electives and Opportunities for Kids

It is important to offer a variety of classes in order to best provide for student interests.  One of the benefits of the 7 period day is that it allows us to offer more opportunities to students.  Each teacher has one additional class which provides more options for our kids.

Below are some of the new classes we will be offering 7-12 grade students:

• JH Health
• JH Spanish
• JH Geography
• 8th Grade Algebra I
• HS Art (Drawing)
• HS Drama (Theatre)
• Horticulture/Greenhouse Science
• 2 periods of Robotics
• Increased Vocational Offerings

These offerings provide opportunities that both students and parents have requested.  In particular, I am excited that we now have an Art class, Horticulture, middle school Spanish and 8th grade Algebra 1.  In addition to our other new offerings, these classes will help our students better prepare for future years, and will allow them to pursue more advanced courses later on.

Positive Impact for Elementary Students

Adding the 7 period day at the Jr. Sr. High level also has a positive impact on our elementary offerings.  For example, the music and PE teachers now have more time to offer the elementary school.  This allows us to offer music for all grades Kindergarten through 6th Grade.  We will also be offering additional PE time, as well as adding keyboarding classes to the upper elementary grades.

Elementary Teachers Now Have Daily Planning Time

Because of the added specialist (music, PE, keyboarding, and library) time in the elementary school, we are able to provide a daily planning period for all of our elementary teachers.  South Bend teachers now will be able to collaborate with each other on a regular basis during the day, coordinate and plan curriculum, and work to better prepare instruction.  It is important to provide time for teachers to adequately plan and collaborate with each other.  I am excited to see the benefits of this play out for our students.

Why the Change?

I do not believe in making changes without good reason.  The above offerings for our kids and increased planning time for our teachers are certainly the primary reasons for moving to the 7 period schedule, but there other reasons as well.  With the upcoming changes from the State requiring more credits to graduate, and increased instructional time, we feel this is an opportune time to make the switch.

With any change comes uncertainty and questions.  Teachers, principals, and staff have worked hard to plan a schedule that best provides for the needs of our students.  We are excited to provide these additional offerings and look forward to seeing our students develop their abilities and skills with these new opportunities!

If anyone has questions about our new schedule or would like to talk about anything else, please feel free to contact me or drop by the office for a visit.

"A Passion for Early Learning"

Preschool Open to All

"My goal is to give back to our community the same excellent care and education my own two kids have received," says Amy Nelson, South Bend Public Schools former school counselor, and new Director for Early Learning.

Currently serving up to 100 students ages 3-4, the Early Learning Center (ELC) of South Bend Public Schools has been operating for 20+ years.  A staff of twenty Early Learning professionals care for and educate children from the South Bend community and beyond, reaching into Willapa Valley, Raymond, and Naselle School districts.
"We deliver a comprehensive program to 3 and 4 year olds consisting of language fundamentals, math & science, gross motor play, and social skill development," says Mrs. Nelson, who started officially as Director July 1.  In addition to these curricular components, South Bend ELC also provides wellness check-ups for dental and vision, as well as medical follow-ups.  "Our kids receive the whole package here in South Bend," she continues.  "We take special care in providing our kids a quality education, one that is well-rounded and meets their comprehensive needs."  "We also offer services to families to provide needed support and parent engagement opportunities."

 Tradition of Excellence

One of the first federally funded preschools in the state, South Bend's ELC is one of the most recognized programs in Washington.  "The ELC was started and built by Laurie May and Barbe Porter early on," notes Nelson.  "Those ladies were the pioneers and what you see today is a direct result of their and many others' hard work."

And hard work it is...

Offering both full day and part day sessions, the ELC offers full pre-school service with an added dual language Spanish component.  "Each classroom has a Spanish speaking adult who only speaks Spanish to the kids," she explains.  "All children are exposed to this and are learning both Spanish and English at the same time."  The ELC also offers full food service (free of charge) and provides transportation to and from school.

Passion

In talking with Amy, you will quickly learn her heart's desire, and that is to love all kids--a trait all staff at the ELC demonstrate daily. "Pre-k education and kindergarten readiness are so important," she says.  "Speaking of my own kids, I have seen how this program has impacted their success and growth."  "The staff here are truly amazing, and I want all kids in our community to have access to receive what I believe is an essential component of primary school readiness."

Not only does Amy oversee these "little's" early education, she and her staff also provide parent education, family support, and help manage the transition between her program and the elementary school just across the street at Chauncey Davis Elementary.  "Our curriculum is aligned to the elementary, and we help transition all students into kindergarten," she explains.  "Our students are ready when they leave our program."

Early Impact

As superintendent, I am thrilled that South Bend provides pre-school to our community children.  Investing in early learning indisputably helps ensure all children are prepared for primary school, and will have lasting impact on their lives---this is an investment we will continue to make in the South Bend School District.

Classes are filling up fast

My youngest daughter will be attending the preschool this fall, and I encourage all parents to take advantage of the exceptional opportunity we offer right here in South Bend.  As of early August, there are only about 10 slots left in the program.  Parents should not delay and register their kids in the next couple weeks.

As an educator and parent of three young daughters, I understand the importance of investing in early education.  Beyond sending your son or daughter to preschool, be sure to read to your children, spend quality time with them, and show interest in what they are doing, learning, and exploring.   The opportunity you have right now is one you will never have again.  Invest in your child's early education and expect future reward.  You won't find a better support for your preschool student than Amy Nelson and her caring staff at the South Bend Early Learning Center.

If you have questions about the Early Learning programs at South Bend Public Schools, please feel free to call us at 360.875.6041.

2015 Fall Newsletter / Revista del Otoño 2015

2015 Fall Newsletter

The 2015-16 school year is fast approaching!  Please find our Fall Newsletter outlining school updates, annual notifications, and other information below:

Para Español, por favor haga clic aquí.

For English, please click here.







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