Junior-Senior High School curriculum & instruction changes

To All South Bend Students, Families, & Community Members:

I want to provide an update on our academic program as it continues to evolve during this statewide school closure.  Though we still hope to come back to school on April 27, 2020, schools are being asked by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to ensure instruction and learning meets specific standards, and to further our planning in the event the school closure extends beyond April 27.  To that end, South Bend administrators and teachers are working to build upon our initial education program to not only continue meaningful instruction and opportunities for student growth, but to meet the potential needs necessitated from an extended school closure.

I want to recognize and thank our incredible South Bend Staff for their hard work, continued ability to adapt to change, and their unending care for our students.  South Bend continues to be, "A great place for kids."

A change in instructional delivery

Our school program will look different depending on the age of students.  This update focuses on junior and senior high students, grades 7-12.  An update focusing on elementary grades is forthcoming.

Beginning Monday, March 30, Principal Jason Nelson and South Bend Jr. Sr. High School teachers and staff will be implementing an online academic program through Apex Learning (for most classes).  South Bend has used Apex Learning for the last 10 years for both credit recovery and supplemental instruction.  The program is delivered via the Internet, and will be specific to each student.  Teachers will be overseeing student learning, providing instructional assistance, and maintaining student accountability.  Student participation is required and will be directly linked to earned credits and grades.

The Apex program will provide core subject content (math/English Language Arts/science/social studies/etc.), and class elective content will be provided separately by our elective teachers.

A few things to note:

1.  Information about these changes was emailed to all students, and a robocall was sent to all parents;

2.  Students will be emailed their individual Apex login information;

3.  Teachers are available to students, Monday-Thursday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm;

4.  Student participation is required.  Students who have challenges with Internet access or technology should contact their advisory teacher, or email Principal Nelson to arrange assistance.

Thank you for your continued patience

We expect there will be both benefits and challenges to this learning platform, and we will adapt to these as we move forward.  Thank you for your patience as we attempt to provide continued learning under unprecedented circumstances.

Please feel free to reach out to your student's teacher or to anyone below for more specific questions or assistance:

Principal, Jason Nelson:  jnelson@southbendschools.org

Assistant Principal, Jon Schray: jschray@southbendschools.org

Counselor, Adrianne Lynch: alynch@southbendschools.org

Secretary, Susie Williams:  swilliams@southbendschools.org

Secretary, Theresa Mee: tmee@southbendschools.org

Teacher Librarian, Lori Dearmore: ldearmore@southbendschools.org

Alternative Learning Teacher, Dan Raymond: draymond@southbendschools.org

Update-March 17, 2020

To All Parents, Families, & Students-
UPDATED 03/17/2020  12:20 PM

As promised, this update includes the latest information on our educational programs, food service plans, and limited child care plans.  Again, thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate these circumstances.

First, I want recognize and thank all of our staff for the amazing work they have done these last several days.  Staff at all levels of the district have pulled together and made incredible progress in preparing for this state-wide school closure.

Educational Programs

Our educational programs can be found on our district website: http://southbendschools.org, where you will find: Preschool Instructional Resources, Elementary Instructional Resources, Jr. Sr. High Instructional Resources, and resources for our 12th grade Seniors.  It is our intent to maintain consistent teacher communication between students as best possible, in order to ensure students get any help and assistance they need.  Our teachers are available on a daily basis, and will be reaching out to students and families as needed.  Please encourage your children to remain active in their learning, and to focus daily on specific tasks.  Also, please follow health department guidance and prevent exposure by limiting unnecessary student-to-student contact outside the home.

Food Service

We have been gearing up since last Friday to organize food service.  Food service will be delivered to student homes according to this schedule, and will begin tomorrow, March 18, 2020. For anyone desiring to pick up food from the school it will be available every day Monday-Friday from 7:30 AM to 10:00 AM.  Food will consist of a breakfast and a lunch in each delivered sack.  Please call 875-5000 for questions about delivery.

Childcare

We are working on a limited childcare program for emergency providers and healthcare workers.  We hope to begin this service on Monday, March 23, 2020.  We are working now to determine the number of children we can accomodate.  We will publish more information as planning continues.

Building Closures

Our school campus is now closed to the public, and school office phones will not be monitored.  If you need to contact the school, building office staff will be working remotely, and can be accessed at the following email addresses during normal school hours:

Jr. Sr. High School

Susie Williams, swilliams@southbendschools.org

Theresa Mee, tmee@southbendschools.org

Elementary School

Tammy McDougall, tmcdougall@southbendschools.org

Early Learning

Mackenzie Trotter, mtrotter@southbendschools.org

Thank you again for your patience as we implement these services and resources.  Conditions are changing on a daily basis and we will continue to update you as more information becomes available.

Finally, please take care, and I encourage you to follow the instructions of our health professionals and government.  If anyone needs help or assistance concerning student education and/or health, please contact us and let us know so that we can offer resources.  

Update--March 16, 2020

To All South Bend Parents, Families, & Students:

Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate the state required school closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  As you can imagine, school staff are working hard to finalize plans for a continued, but different, educational program while schools are closed. 

Today, administrators and teacher leaders met to develop an educational program for all grade levels.  These programs will be shared tomorrow, March 17, 2020.  In addition, food service and transportation staff have been working to structure food service preparation and delivery, which will begin on Wednesday of this week, March 18, 2020.  Finally, we are structuring a program for child care to be available for all emergency responder and health care agencies.  More information on this will also be available tomorrow.

Please understand that our situation is very fluid and is changing as we receive more information and guidance from our government officials.  We will communicate changes as necessary.

Emergency Update

To all South Bend Families, Students, and Community Members-

Today at 1:30 PM, Governor Inslee issued an executive order that closes all public and private K-12 schools in the State of Washington.  Though his order is effective beginning Tuesday, March 17, South Bend Schools will close after students are dismissed today (Friday, March 13, 2020).  The Governor's order closes schools until Friday, April 24, 2020.

I know all of you have many questions, and we are doing our best under these fast-changing circumstances to provide answers.  Please see below for some initial information:

1.  School will not be in session starting Monday, March 16, 2020.  This closure will remain until April 24, 2020 (unless informed otherwise).

2.  District administration and teacher leaders will be meeting to consider what educational programs we will be able to provide via remote/distance means.  More information to come.

3.  The District intends to offer continued food service, most likely similar to our Summer Food program.  More information to come.

4.  All athletics are suspended.

5.  We are looking at logistics for providing daycare services to emergency responders and healthcare staff.

Finally, you can expect regular updates from me.  I will communicate via our district website, the South Bend School App, social media, and via our automated calling system.  Thank you for your patience as we navigate these unprecedented times.

Jon Tienhaara
Superintendent

Health Update

This update is to inform families, students and community members on the status of the COVID-19 situation as it currently stands in the South Bend School District.  As you may have heard, there are increasing cases of this virus in neighboring counties.  This has caused us to take certain actions to help keep everyone safe and healthy within our schools.  These actions include increased cleaning of school spaces and buses, educating students and staff on proper personal hygiene and self care, and contingency planning in the event of a directed school closure.

We continue to monitor the situation in our community and county, and we have regular contact with the Pacific County Health Department and other public safety agencies.  We will continue to provide information as the situation evolves.  

After school events are being considered on a case-by-case basis with regards to postponement or cancellation.  We will be utilizing the South Bend School District 118 App, our website, and our automated calling system to communicate any changes to our planned events.

Please understand that this is a fluid situation and we will respond to changing circumstances and developments as they present themselves.

Health update

To All South Bend Parents, School District Staff and Families:

We are writing to you because we value the health and well-being of our students, staff and families.
As you are aware, there are confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Washington State. We want you to know we are working with our local county and state health agencies to remain informed on the latest developments.  As an increased precaution, our district maintenance staff are also taking increased measures in sanitizing classrooms and other spaces within our school buildings.  

The following practices are extremely important to remember for all students and adults:

·       Do not bring your student to school if they do not feel well or have cold or flu-like symptoms (elevated temperature, fever, cough, shortness of breath).  Keep your student home.

·       Do not come to work at the school if you do not feel well or have cold or flu-like symptoms (elevated temperature, fever, cough, shortness of breath). Stay home.

·       Wash hands often with soap and water. If you do not have soap and water, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

·       Sneeze and cough into a tissue, elbow or sleeve instead of your hands. Throw used tissues in a garbage container immediately after use. If you use your hands to cover a sneeze or cough, wash your hands immediately with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

·       Avoid rubbing your eyes, touching your nose or putting your fingers by or in your mouth.

·       Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.

Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) share information about COVID-19 at:

·https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/Coronavirus#beprepared

·https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

·https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html

A Washington State DOH phone line is also available for any questions. Call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.

The district takes all health risks seriously. If and when additional information with regards to the current COVID-19 situation becomes available, we will keep you informed.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions.