TikTok Threats

 

Community Update

South Bend School District was made aware of nationwide school violence threats seen on various social media platforms.  This update is to inform parents, students, staff, and community members we are not aware of any credible threats toward our schools, and these threats appear to be part of the nationwide circulation.  We have been in contact with SBPD and they are informed on these nationwide threats.  We take all threats seriously and will continue to work with local authorities to ensure school safety.  Thank you for continuing to be vigilant and we ask that you please report any suspicious behavior to school authorities or local law enforcement.

COVID-19 vaccination data

On October 30, 2021, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) released individual school district data on the vaccination status of Washington school employees.  Though South Bend School District provided vaccination data to OSPI within the requested timeframe, the data submitted was not accepted.  As a result, South Bend is listed as not having complied with the data requirement.  We believe our parents and community deserve the same access to information as school districts whose data was accepted.  Therefore, this update is provided.

The data for South Bend is below:

For reference, "Classroom" defines: teachers, para-educators, and other classroom assistants; "Building" defines: principals, counselors, librarians, social workers, secretaries, bus drivers, cooks, custodians, maintenance workers, and other non-classroom-based district staff.

Why was South Bend's data not accepted by OSPI? Several of the employee categories OSPI asked for consist of less than 10 employees (n<10).  South Bend School District chose to suppress the information of these employee groups to protect the individual privacy of these impacted employees.  OSPI was informed (before hand) of our intent to protect these employees, and we asked to be given the ability to submit data in a manner that ensures employee privacy.  Our request was denied.  Though we were told by OSPI that they would suppress any identifiable information, South Bend School District believes we have an obligation to protect employee privacy at the lowest level, thereby better ensuring employee privacy is maintained and not inadvertently disclosed.

Recognizing our principals this October--National Principals Month

 

Early Learning Director Amy Nelson, Jr. Sr. High Principal Jason Nelson, Jr. Sr. High Asst. Principal Jon Shray
Mike Morris Elementary Principal Kresta Byington, & Mike Morris Elementary Asst. Principal Alyssa Olsen

Great schools have great principals...

October is National Principals Month and I want to recognize our incredible principals at South Bend School District.  The building principals set the tone for the school they run and have one of the toughest positions in the district.  Principals provide educational leadership, and provide resources for quality teaching and learning while serving our community's students, parents and families.  

Our principals in South Bend are true professionals, work tirelessly to provide for the needs of students and staff, and they always work in the best interest of kids.  I am grateful for each one of these school administrators--they are good people, great leaders, and they love kids.

Kresta Byington, Principal, Mike Morris Elementary

Mrs. Byington has worked in education for 24 years, and is in her 17th year as principal.  Kresta is one of the hardest working people I have known in my career.  She is an example of a true servant-leader, always putting the needs of others before her own.  She is an excellent educator and excels at knowing what her students need to be successful.  Kresta is a great role model and mentor to others, is an ardent advocate for students, and would do anything to help the kids in her school.  She possesses insight invaluable to our team.   

Jason Nelson, Principal, SB Jr. Sr. High School

Mr. Nelson has been the principal at South Bend High School since 2010, and was worked in education for 24 years.  Jason is a great example of what every high school needs in a principal.  He is an excellent communicator, he inspires and maintains a culture where teachers and students are free to pursue and expand both curricular and co-curricular opportunity, he provides leadership that encourages the personal and academic development of his students, and he excels at seeing all sides of a challenge while facilitating creative solutions.  Jason has a great sense of humor, is always dependable, and cares for those he leads and serves.

Amy Nelson, Director, SB Early Learning

Mrs. Nelson has been with the district since 2010, and has lead our early learning program since 2015.  Amy works tirelessly to provide the very best for her students and staff, and has built our early learning program to be a leading example of quality pre-K education.  Amy is thoughtful, caring, and selfless in all aspects of her leadership.  She is a hard worker and excels in supporting her staff so that the very best services are delivered to students and families.  Amy is innovative, relentless in her pursuit of resources, and possesses a meaningful vision for early learning.

Jon Schray, Assistant Principal, SB Jr. Sr. High School

Mr. Schray has been the assistant principal at South Bend High School for the last three years and has worked in public education since 2008.  Mr. Schray oversees the district special education program and is the school athletic director.  Jon is a hard worker, strives to always provide for the needs of his students, athletes, and staff, and he is a great role model to all.  He has a tough job, though I have never heard him complain.  He has a genuine care for kids and never stops in his pursuit to provide the very best opportunities for all.  Mr. Schray is loyal, kind, and serves a vital role to the district.

Alyssa Olsen, Assistant Principal, Mike Morris Elementary

Mrs. Olsen is serving in her first year as assistant principal and is in her 10th year working in education, all at South Bend School District.  Alyssa is a hard worker, an optimistic educator, and is a positive role model to all.  She is always willing to serve any way she can, and strives to ensure every student is accepted, cared for, and loved.  Alyssa is well respected in our school and community, and is a staunch advocate for all students and staff.  She is always willing to learn, she is energetic, and is dependable.  Alyssa's future as a school administrator is bright.

I'd like to thank these school leaders for everything they do for our community and for our students.  They are among the best people I have ever worked with in education, and it is a privilege for me to work with them each day.  South Bend's principals embody all of what National Principal Month stands for, and they truly make a difference in the lives of many, day in and day out.

Please thank these individuals for the service they provide to South Bend School District when you see them.  Great job Kresta, Jason, Amy, Jon, and Alyssa!

 

2021-22 School Year Updates & Information

 New School Year Update

2021-2022

We are excited to welcome our students to the 2021-2022 school year!  School starts on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, five days per week (kindergarten start Friday, September 3; preschool start Wednesday, September 15).  School days will begin at 8:30 am and dismiss at 3:14 pm.  All school buildings can be reached by calling 875-6041.  This community update provides some key information for South Bend parents, students, and community members.

Specific school details, registration, & school supply information can be found below:

Mike Morris Elementary School & Principal Byington's welcome letter

Principal Kresta Byington: kbyington@southbendschools.org

Assistant Principal Alyssa Olsen:  aolsen@southbendschools.org

Secretary Tammy McDougall:  tmcdougall@southbendschools.org

South Bend Jr. Sr. High School & Principal Nelson's welcome letter

Principal Jason Nelson:  jnelson@southbendschools.org

Assistant Principal & Athletic Director Jon Schray:  jschray@southbendschools.org

Secretary Susie Williams:  swilliams@southbendschools.org

Secretary Theresa Mee:  tmee@southbendschools.org

New Faculty

New SB Teachers  Top L-R: Joel Bale, Kristina Spoor, Kendra Schray
Bottom L-R:  Brittney Buchanan, Thomas Sanborn, Jessica Capps

We are welcoming six new teachers to the district this school year, and we are excited to have them on our faculty.

Mr. Joel Bale

Mr. Bale is returning to South Bend after a six year absence, last teaching for South Bend in 2015.  Mr. Bale will be teaching high school CTE classes and junior high science.

Mrs. Kristina Spoor

Mrs. Spoor comes to South Bend from the Raymond School District and has been teaching for the past 11 years.  She will be our new junior high science teacher, replacing Mrs. Olsen who is now the assistant principal at Mike Morris Elementary School.  

Mrs. Kendra Schray

Mrs. Schray is our new 6th grade teacher, filling in for Mrs. DeLap this school year.  Mrs. DeLap will be serving as our elementary math specialist.  Mrs. Schray has been substitute teaching in South Bend and is excited to have her own classroom.

Mrs. Brittney Buchanan

Mrs. Buchanan is our new 2nd grade teacher, filling the position vacated by Mrs. Seaman who recently retired.  This is Mrs. Buchanan's first year of teaching, and recently completed her student teaching at the Willapa Valley School District.

Mr. Thomas Sanborn

Mr. Sanborn is our new music teacher, who is moving to South Bend from the Spokane area.  This will be his first teaching position and he is very excited to revive the music program after last year's pause due to COVID-19.

Mrs. Jessica Capps

Mrs. Capps is our new junior high special education teacher.  Mrs. Capps has worked for the district for the past several years as a para educator, and is currently in the process of finishing her teacher endorsement focusing on special education.

In addition to the full time faculty noted above, we also are happy to have Mrs. Julie Haugan on staff half-time this school year.  Mrs. Haugan is a former English teacher at South Bend and is coming back this school year to assist with Title 1 and learning loss recovery.

Mike Morris Elementary New Assistant Principal

We are happy to introduce Mrs. Alyssa Olsen as our new assistant principal at Mike Morris Elementary.  Mrs. Olsen has been a teacher with South Bend for the past 9 years, teaching junior high science and student leadership.  Mrs. Olsen recently completed her Washington State principal credentials through Grand Canyon University and completed an administrative internship at South Bend last school year.  We are excited to have her on the elementary school staff and the South Bend district leadership team.

Millam Field upgrade nearing completion

Millam Field synthetic turf upgrade

South Bend School District is wrapping up a major athletic field upgrade that began last May.  Contractors are scheduled to finish the project on or before September 6, 2021.  The project includes the removal of all previous natural grass and the installation of new drainage and synthetic grass turf.  Also part of the project is all new field events for track, the integration of a softball field, and new Musco LED field lighting.  The project was primarily funded by capital project grant funds, legislative grant funds, and the Ben B. Cheney Foundation.  We are very excited for this facility and the benefits it will provide the South Bend and larger Willapa Harbor community.  Millam Field is used by all SB physical education classes, and hosts football and soccer contests for the Raymond-South Bend Athletic Combine.  It will also see use by the Willapa Harbor Youth Football organization and the Willapa Harbor Youth Soccer Club.

South Bend Early Learning

South Bend School District provides comprehensive early childhood education and child care to the South Bend and neighboring Willapa Harbor communities.  The 2021-22 school year begins on September 15, 2021.  Parent and student visits and conferences will take place between September 8 and September 14.  Contact Director Amy Nelson with questions, or call 875-5327.   

Director Amy Nelson:  anelson@southbendschools.org

Secretary Mackenzie Trotter:  mtrotter@southbendschools.org

Secretary Krystal Madrid:  kmadrid@southbendschools.org

School Board of Directors

Chairman Chuck Spoor

cspoor@southbendschools.org

Vice Chairman Todd Strozyk

tstrozyk@southbendschools.org

Director Wendy Manlow

wmanlow@southbendschools.org

Director Dave Eastham

eastham@southbendschools.org

Director Andy Seaman

anseaman@southbendschools.org

 

Superintendent Jon Tienhaara

jtienhaa@southbendschools.org

875-6041

On behalf of South Bend School District, thank you for entrusting your students' education to us.  We strive to provide the very best education and student opportunities possible, and we hope to partner with parents, community members, and stakeholders to ensure our schools are safe, welcoming, and supportive of student success.  If at any time you have questions, concerns, or ideas as to how we can better serve, please free to contact me at jtienhaa@southbendschools.org, call me at 875-6041, or drop by to visit.

Have a great school year!

Jon Tienhaara

Superintendent

Board of Directors statement on school team name

 

July 23, 2021

    During the recent Washington State Legislative Session, the legislature passed SHB 1356, which prohibits the “inappropriate use of Native American names, symbols, or images as public school mascots, logos, or team names.”

In compliance with this law, South Bend School District formed a committee of community members, school staff, and students to propose possible team names that would replace “Indians”.  The committee completed this task late Spring, and put forth a process for students and the overall community to vote and provide input on a new school team name.  

The results of this process were provided to the school district board of directors at our regular July meeting, and consisted of 189 Jr. Sr. High students/staff votes, 88 elementary students/staff votes, and 77 South Bend community member votes.  The combined votes did not produce a clear favorite among either group.

The board takes the SHB 1356 requirement seriously, and at the same time understands and hears a strong sentiment from the community that does not desire a new team name be selected at this time.  Numerous community members have provided input to the contrary, and the fact that only 77 votes were returned (out of over 1400 ballots distributed) shows a current underwhelming enthusiasm among the people of our community.  

The board acknowledges and respects its responsibility to represent the community and to make decisions based on both legal requirements and the majority will of the people, with the overall goal of providing for the best interests of students.  Though we are not allowed to keep “Indians” as our team name, and, based on the feedback we have received on this issue, and the apparent lack of an overall mandate from our students and community, we do not believe we have a clear direction at this time in selecting a replacement.  

With all this considered, the board has decided our school teams will be known as, “South Bend”, and will remain such until the board authorizes a new team name.  The details of this decision can be found in Board Resolution 09-2121 as provided below.

Respectfully,

Chuck Spoor, Chairman Todd Strozyk, Vice Chairman David Eastham, member

Wendy Manlow, member Andy Seaman, member Jon Tienhaara, Superintendent

RESOLUTION 09-2021 

School Athletic Team Name

SOUTH BEND SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 118

A Resolution of the Board of Directors setting the athletic team name of South Bend Jr. Sr. High School.

WHEREAS, the South Bend School District No. 118 (District) is a public school district in the State of Washington; and

WHEREAS, the team name for athletic teams at South Bend Jr. Sr. High School is, “Indians”; and,

WHEREAS, Substitute House Bill 1356, as passed by the 67th Washington State Legislature, and signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee, prohibits the District to use “Indians” as an athletic team name; and,

WHEREAS, no Federally recognized Indian Tribe has agreed to authorize the District to continue use of the athletic team name “Indians” as authorized in SHB 1356; and,

WHEREAS, SHB 1356 requires Washington public schools and the District to discontinue the use of “Indians” as an athletic team name before January 1, 2022;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Directors (Board) of South Bend School District No. 118 directs that “Indians” not be used as the team name for any District athletic team, club, or group, unless authorized as described in SHB 1356; and,

THEREFORE, BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that District athletic teams, clubs, or groups, will use “South Bend” as their name, other than team names as established by the athletic combines with Raymond High School, until a new team name is authorized by the Board; and,

THEREFORE, BE IT ALSO RESOLVED that this directive is implemented prior to the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.

Dated this 22nd day of July, 2021, at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors, South Bend School District No. 118.

Community team name information & ballot arriving in mailboxes

 

Community Update

June 25, 2021

As stated previously, South Bend School District is required to change the team name, "Indians" to a name that complies with SHB 1356.  The team name committee met in early June and selected five possible names.  These names include: Seawolves, Riverhawks, Tsunami, Storm, and Kings.  There is also an opportunity to provide a write-in name.

The naming committee would like to give South Bend community members an opportunity to provide input on which team name they support.  Further information and ballots will be mailed to South Bend community members on Friday, June 25, 2021.  The ballots will need to be post marked and mailed to PO Box 437, South Bend, Wa, 98586; or delivered to the South Bend Schools district office, located at 405 E. First Street, South Bend, by July 7, 2021.

Community results will be combined with the student\staff vote, and the top three choices will be presented to the school board of directors for a first reading on July 22, 2021.  The final selection will be made in August.

Committee working on required team name\mascot changes

 

Community Update

School Team Name\Mascot & Substitute House Bill 1356

During the recent session of the Washington State Legislature, SHB 1356 was passed and subsequently signed into law by Governor Inslee.  SHB 1356 goes into effect on July 25, 2021.  The bill prohibits Washington schools from using Native American names, symbols, and images as school mascots, logos, or team names, and requires all schools be in compliance by January, 2022.  Being the "Indians", South Bend High School is required to change its team name under this new law.

In compliance with the law, the South Bend School District Board of Directors has directed the formation of a committee to conduct a process for selecting a new school team name\mascot.  The committee has been formed and consists of school staff, community members, alumni, tribal members, and students.  At their first meeting held this week, the committee identified several possible team names with the additional option of a "write-in" choice.

South Bend students will now have the opportunity to give input before the school year ends and the South Bend community will have the opportunity to provide input in the coming weeks.  Once input from students and the community is collected, a recommendation from the committee will be made to the board of directors.  The goal is to select a new team name prior to the beginning of the 2021-22 school year.

Information on how the community can provide input will be forthcoming.

$761,000 in grant funding for Millam Field upgrades

 

Millam Field will soon be under construction

    South Bend School District is slated for over three quarters of a million dollars in grant funding to apply toward the renovation of Millam Field at South Bend High School.  The completed project will include a synthetic turf multi-sport playing surface and new LED lighting.  The facility will be set up for football, soccer, and girls fast-pitch softball.  Estimated completion is set for late August, 2021.

With the construction of the new Mike Morris Elementary School, the district lost the site of the former football/soccer practice field.  That site also hosted several community youth soccer and youth football practices and contests.  Because of limited space on campus, the board felt the district should have the goal of installing synthetic turf on Millam Field, which would allow multiple and repeated use activities that would typically be difficult for natural grass to withstand.  With the large amounts of rainfall each year and the water-saturated grounds that follow, South Bend's new facility will allow for increased use and accessibility to school programs, physical education, community youth programs, and other recreational activities.

The project also includes new Musco LED field lighting.  The current lights are obsolete, have annual maintenance issues and deteriorating wooden light poles.  The new lighting will be installed using steel poles and will carry a 25-year full warranty, while saving electricity demand.

The school district obtained combined grant funding totaling $761,000 from the Ben B. Cheney Foundation and the Washington State Legislature's Capital Budget---additional grant funding is also in the works.  Grant funding is slated to pay the majority of the field costs of approximately $1.3 million dollars.  The lighting project will cost approximately $450,000.  All additional monies needed will come from the district's capital projects fund, which include remaining grant resources from the recently completed elementary school construction project.  No special levy or additional funds from district tax payers will be needed.

Rognlins Inc. will be the contractor used to install drainage and prepare the field for turf.  Turf will be supplied and installed by SprintTurf, and architectural\engineering is provided by Harbor Architects of Aberdeen.  Rognlins will break ground on May 19, 2021.

We want to again thank the Ben B. Cheney Foundation for their generous support of the district and our 19th District state delegation led by Representative Jim Walsh for helping to secure state capital budget resources.  These investments will make a lasting impact on the students of South Bend School District and our South Bend community.

 

Grades 7-12 returning to 4 days of school per week May 10

 

Community Update

  South Bend Jr. Sr. High School will be welcoming 7th-12th grade students back to 4 days of in-person school per week beginning Monday, May 10.  

All students (K-12) were previously scheduled to return to 4 days per week on May 3, but grades 7-12 were delayed due to COVID-19 case rates in Pacific County being above 200 per 100,000.  Grades K-6 (and preschool) returned to 4 days per week on May 3.

County case rates have been below 200 cases per 100,000 for the last four days and look to continue that trend.  As of today, the case rate is 143 and there are 22 current active cases in the county.  Under these conditions, the health department allows for 3 ft. distancing, which enables us to have both A and B cohorts on campus concurrently.

As noted previously, students will be in-person on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  Wednesday remains a remote learning day and dismissal remains at 2:20 pm.  All other safety requirements remain in place.

Please contact your respective school building at 360-875-6041 with any questions.

Preschool, K-6 returning to 4 days per week, grades 7-12 on hold.

 Community Update

    We are excited to be welcoming back our preschool, and kindergarten through 6th grade students to 4-day per week in-person school beginning this coming Monday, May 3.  As noted previously, both A and B cohorts will be attending school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.  Wednesday will remain a remote learning day and school will continue to be dismissed at 2:20 pm.  This change is allowed due to our new ability to reduce student distancing to 3 ft.  All previous safety measure are still required.

    Due to the county-wide case rates of COVID-19 being above 200 per 100,000, the health department does not allow reduced distancing for grades 7-12.  Therefore, we are required to delay 4-days per week in-person school for older students; we simply do not have the space to bring back more students at this required distance.  7-12 students will continue the AA-W-BB hybrid model until further notice.  We are watching the county data and will update students and families in the days and weeks to come.  

    If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your respective school building by calling 360-875-6041.

    

All grades returning to 4-day in-person school May 3

 

April 14, 2021

Community Update

On March 25, 2021 Governor Inslee announced Washington State would reduce school distancing standards for students as recommended by the CDC.  As a result of this change, and with the support of the Pacific County Health Department, South Bend School District will offer in-person school four days per week for all grades beginning May 3, 2021.  Both A and B cohorts will be meeting in-person Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 am to 2:20 pm.  Wednesday remains a remote learning day.

Though the distancing requirement for students who are wearing face coverings is being reduced to 3 ft., all previous health precautions remain.  A summary of these are found below:

1.  All students and staff on campus are required to wear face coverings;

2.  Distancing between adults and students remain at 6 ft as required by WA Dept. of Health;

3.  Students unable to wear face coverings (such as when eating) must remain 6 ft. distanced;

4.  Daily health attestations are required prior to entering school buses and/or campus;

5.  Students and staff are still encouraged to practice safe hygiene, wash their hands, and remain vigilant.

As mandated by the governor, parents who wish their children continue distance learning will have that option for the remainder of this school year.   We will continue to cooperate with the health department and will follow their continued guidance.

The schedule for all schools will remain largely the same.  In-person school will continue on Mondays and Tuesdays, Wednesday will be a remote day, and in-person school will resume again on Thursdays and Fridays.  Dismissal remains at 2:20 pm.

School administrators have planned different eating arrangements in order to safely welcome back both student A and B cohorts concurrently.  Athletics remain under the current guidance and no additional changes are expected at this time.

We are all excited to see our students 4 days a week!  We are hopeful school conditions continue to improve and that we are allowed to continue movement toward normality.  If anyone has questions, please feel free to contact your respective school office.

Thank you for your continued patience and support for South Bend students and staff!

-Jon Tienhaara

Superintendent

WALK TO THE BEACH - Virtual fitness challenge!

South Bend High School is challenging all students and staff at South Bend School District to walk to the beach! That’s 35 miles!

The virtual walking/running challenge is about being healthy, having fun, and being part of the South Bend Schools community! It’s a virtual challenge, so you can walk or run in any location, at your pace, outside or on a treadmill, alone or with a group of friends. You don’t have to do all 35 miles in one day! Walk or run a bit every day or every other day; even if it’s only a quarter of a mile!

How to submit your Miles:

You keep track of your distance every time you take a walk or run and submit your distance at this link. Or, you can find the Walk to the Beach Button on the district webpage at www.southbendschools.org!

When you get to 35 miles, you will be awarded a special South Bend water bottle!

For more information, please contact South Bend teacher Jana Johnson at jjohnson@southbendschools.org

Plan for inclement weather

 

Plan for Inclement Weather

We are approaching that time of year when inclement weather could impact the school's ability to safely transport students to campus.  Given our unique school schedule under the hybrid in-person/remote model, we need to be prepared for how inclement weather might impact this schedule.

Traditionally, if the school district deemed roads too dangerous for travel, we would call a 2-hour delay to better watch changing road conditions.  If the conditions did not change for the better, we cancelled school and made the day up at the end of the year.  With our current AA/BB hybrid school model, cancellations become complicated with make-up days, mixing remote days with in-person days, as well as other considerations.  Therefore, the following plan will be implemented in the event of a school day being impacted by inclement weather.

If inclement weather occurs and safety precautions do not allow us to bring students to our campus:

1.  School will move to remote learning, meaning students will "attend" school online as currently done under our hybrid school model;

2.  There will be no child care provided on an inclement weather day;

3.  There will be no food service or meal delivery on an inclement weather day;

4.   There will be no 2-hour delays called; instead, we will move immediately to a remote learning day;

5.  The inclement weather day will not be made up at the end of the school year.

6.  We will notify parents before 6:30 am via our automated phone call system, the SB Schools app, and social media.

If you have any questions, please contact your respective school office at 875-6041.

Thank you-

Jon Tienhaara
Superintendent

South Bend Returning to In-Person Instruction

 

January 4, 2021

Community Update

South Bend School District will be reopening all schools to in-person learning beginning Monday, January 11, 2021.  The Pacific County Health Department notified the district the county is in the "moderate" activity level as defined by the governor's K-12 In-person Learning Provisions Tool Kit, which allows in-person learning.  Schools will again be operating on the AA/BB hybrid student schedule.  

Monday and Tuesday will be for the A student group, and Thursday and Friday will be for the B student group.  Wednesday will be a remote learning day for all students.  As before, students and staff will be required to wear face coverings and comply with distancing requirements and other health measures as required by the state.

Parents or students with questions should contact their respective school at 360-875-6041.

We are very happy to have our students return to campus!  

Happy New Year!

Jon Tienhaara

Superintendent