South Bend and Raymond School Districts team up for Girls' Basketball

Community Update

November 15, 2023

South Bend and Raymond School Districts have combined to launch the RSB Ravens girls' basketball team as the newest addition to the RSB Ravens programs.

The combine is rooted in a shared commitment to student opportunity and inclusivity, ensuring that every high school girl has the chance to participate in basketball, regardless of the number of players each school can field independently. Initial discussions to merge the teams began over the summer, with both districts agreeing to a seamless transition. However, the Raymond school board later withdrew from the initial agreement due to unforeseen circumstances, only to reapproach South Bend on November 10, 2023, with a renewed proposal in light of low student turnout.

In a cooperative spirit, and acknowledging the past success of other RSB Ravens teams, both districts have expedited preparations to facilitate the new girls team. Joint practices will be conducted at both South Bend and Raymond facilities. The coaching staff will be a blend of Raymond's current staff—Jason Koski, Makenna Williams, and Butch Betrozoff—and South Bend's Macy Karlsvik will be an assistant coach.  Athletic Directors Jon Schray from South Bend and Mike Tully from Raymond have both been working hard with program logistics and support.

The RSB Ravens' first practices have already kicked off with a spirit of teamwork and camaraderie, mirroring the previous RSB combines. The promising start signals a season of unity and strength for all girls.  New uniforms representing the RSB Ravens have been ordered; in the interim, athletes will don South Bend and Raymond uniforms alternately, symbolizing the unity of the new program.

"We recognize the less-than-ideal nature of the timing of this change and are grateful for the community's adaptability and support. Ensuring the student experience remains the focal point of these efforts is a priority," says South Bend superintendent Jon Tienhaara.  "The Raymond school administration and superintendent K.C. Johnson have been great to work with and have been working hard to make the transition as best as possible." "As the season unfolds, we anticipate the community's continued support for the RSB Ravens and the deepening of the ties and teamwork our shared athletic programs have cultivated between our two schools and student bodies."  "Our decisions are always with the best interests all students in mind.  We have a lot of hope the girls from both schools will have a good experience and successful season," Tienhaara concludes.

A revised game schedule will be forthcoming.  Please watch for further information on school district social media and website channels.

Notice of Active Shooter Full Scale Exercise September 30

Saturday, September 30, 2023

South Bend School District Campus

The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with the Pacific County Sheriff’s Office, Raymond Police Department, Long Beach Police Department, South Bend Police Department, Pacific County Communications, Ilwaco Fire Department, Pacific County Fire District 1, the Raymond Fire Department, Naselle School District, Ocean Beach School District, Raymond School District, South Bend School District and Willapa Valley School District along with the Washington State Patrol, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police and a variety of other partners will conduct a multi-agency active shooter training and crisis management full-scale exercise. The exercise will take place on Saturday September 30, at South Bend High School.

To avoid any confusion during the exercise, PCEMA is notifying the public and community ahead of time. The exercise is closed to the general public.

The training exercise will focus on emergency response to an active shooter incident on campus and is being staged by PCEMA in collaboration with other area first responders and law enforcement agencies. It will involve a simulation of an active shooter on both campuses. The exercise goal is to test existing plans to  assure a coordinated, timely and effective response in the event of a major incident.

Volunteers are being sought to act as role-players for the exercise. Role-players under the age of 18 will need to have signed permission from a parent or guardian.  For the South Bend portion of the exercise contact the South Bend School District at 360-875-5707.

Media Availability: Because of the sensitive nature of the activities, media presence will be limited during the exercise as it unfolds. Members of the media wishing to observe the exercise should reach out to Public Information Officer Hollie Billeci at 360-875-9300 extension 2293.

2023-24 Early Learning Information

South Bend School District

Early Learning

360-875-5327 option 1  409 East First St  South Bend, Wa 98586

Para español, vea abajo.

August 15, 2023

Dear Early Learning Parent or Guardian,

As the 2023-24 school year approaches, I wanted to share some important dates and details concerning our South Bend Early Learning Programs.

Preschool

• South Bend School District provides preschool for children aged 3 and 4 by August 31st.

• Our District participates in the ECEAP and Transitional Kindergarten programs through WA State. Upon completing the enrollment process, many families discover they're eligible for FREE preschool.

• Preschool runs from 8 am to 3 pm, Tuesday through Friday, for both 3 and 4-year-old classes. For Monday childcare needs, please inform the ELC. If you prefer a shorter preschool day for your child, we'll accommodate your preference. Contact the ELC at (360) 875-5327 opt 1.

• Our teachers will contact enrolled families between August 28th-31st to inform you of your child's class and schedule a Soft Start Parent-Teacher Conference/Classroom Orientation for the week of September 5th-11th.

• The first preschool day is Tuesday, September 12th.

Child Care

• We offer child care for children aged 12 months to 6 years, who haven't yet started kindergarten.

• Enroll in child care if your child needs Monday care (when there's no preschool), wrap-around care, or full, part-time, or per diem care.

• The District is a part of the Washington State Working Connections Child Care Subsidy Program, which offers free or reduced rates to eligible families. Apply at 1-844-626-8687 or www.washingtonconnection.org.

• Child care operates from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. It aligns with the South Bend School District calendar, observing Federal Holidays and school breaks. Child care is available on District early release days.

• Child care begins on Thursday, August 31st.

Junior Preschool

• We offer junior preschool for children aged 30 months to 3 years, who are not yet in 3yo preschool.

• Junior preschool is available two days weekly for two hours each day.

• Transportation to and from junior preschool must be arranged by parents/guardians.

• Enroll by calling the ELC at (360) 875-5327 opt 1.

• Junior preschool starts on Tuesday, October 3rd.

Playgroup

• Our playgroup caters to children from birth to three years and their caretakers.

• Join us for the first playgroup session on Monday, October 2nd in Room 270 at South Bend Jr/Sr High School. No registration needed; feel free to attend.

Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT)/Birth to Three Programming

• We provide ESIT/Birth to Three services for Raymond, South Bend, Willapa Valley, and North River School Districts.

• The Early Intervention Program supports children from birth to three years needing developmental assistance. Post-screening, qualifying children receive these services for free.

• For a FREE screening, call the ELC at (360) 875-5327 opt 1 and ask for Alexis Hood.

We're also searching for dedicated individuals passionate about working with young children. Consider joining us as a substitute by contacting the ELC.

For more information, visit the South Bend Early Learning Center, open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. You can also call us at (360) 875-5327 opt 1. Stay updated by liking our @SouthBendElc Facebook page.

We eagerly anticipate partnering with you to enrich your child's learning journey.

Sincerely,

Amy Nelson,

Early Learning Director

15 de agosto de 2023

Estimado padre o tutor del Programa de Aprendizaje Temprano,

A medida que se acerca el año escolar 2023-24, quería compartir algunas fechas e información importantes sobre nuestros Programas de Aprendizaje Temprano de South Bend.

Preescolar

• El Distrito Escolar de South Bend ofrece preescolar para niños de 3 y 4 años hasta el 31 de agosto.

• Nuestro distrito participa en los programas ECEAP y Kindergarten Transicional a través del estado de WA. Al completar el proceso de inscripción, muchas familias descubren que son elegibles para el preescolar GRATUITO.

• El preescolar funciona de 8 am a 3 pm, de martes a viernes, tanto para clases de 3 como de 4 años. Informe al ELC si necesita cuidado infantil los lunes. Si prefiere que su hijo asista menos horas al preescolar, adaptaremos según su preferencia. Contacte al ELC al (360) 875-5327 opción 1.

• Nuestros maestros contactarán a las familias inscritas entre el 28 y el 31 de agosto para informarles sobre la clase de su hijo y programar una Conferencia/Orientación Suave con el maestro para la semana del 5 al 11 de septiembre.

• El primer día de preescolar es el martes 12 de septiembre.

Cuidado infantil

• Ofrecemos cuidado infantil para niños de 12 meses a 6 años, que aún no han comenzado el jardín de infancia.

• Inscriba a su hijo en el cuidado infantil si necesita cuidado los lunes (cuando no hay preescolar), cuidado envolvente, o cuidado a tiempo completo, parcial o por día.

• El Distrito participa en el Programa de Subsidio para el Cuidado Infantil de Conexiones Laborales del Estado de Washington, que ofrece tarifas gratuitas o reducidas a familias elegibles. Aplique al 1-844-626-8687 o en www.washingtonconnection.org.

• El cuidado infantil opera de 7:30 am a 4:30 pm, de lunes a viernes. Coincide con el calendario del Distrito Escolar de South Bend, observando días festivos federales y vacaciones escolares. El cuidado infantil está disponible en los días de salida temprana del Distrito.

• El cuidado infantil comienza el jueves 31 de agosto.

Preescolar junior

• Ofrecemos preescolar junior para niños de 30 meses a 3 años, que aún no están en el preescolar de 3 años.

• El preescolar junior está disponible dos días a la semana durante dos horas cada día.

• Los padres/tutores deben organizar el transporte hacia y desde el preescolar junior.

• Inscriba a su hijo llamando al ELC al (360) 875-5327 opción 1.

• El preescolar junior comienza el martes 3 de octubre.

Grupo de juego

• Nuestro grupo de juego es para niños desde el nacimiento hasta los tres años y sus cuidadores.

• Únase a nosotros para la primera sesión de grupo de juego el lunes 2 de octubre en la Sala 270 en South Bend Jr/Sr High School. No es necesario registrarse; simplemente venga y participe.

Apoyo temprano para infantes y niños pequeños (ESIT)/Programación de Nacimiento a Tres años

• Proporcionamos servicios ESIT/Nacimiento a Tres años para los distritos escolares de Raymond, South Bend, Willapa Valley y North River.

• El Programa de Intervención Temprana apoya a niños desde el nacimiento hasta los tres años que necesitan asistencia en desarrollo. Tras la evaluación, los niños que califiquen recibirán estos servicios de forma gratuita.

• Para una evaluación GRATUITA, llame al ELC al (360) 875-5327 opción 1 y pregunte por Alexis Hood.

También estamos buscando individuos dedicados con pasión por trabajar con niños pequeños. Considere unirse a nosotros como sustituto contactando al ELC.

Para más información, visite el Centro de Aprendizaje Temprano de South Bend, abierto de lunes a viernes, de 8 am a 4 pm. También puede llamarnos al (360) 875-5327 opción 1. Manténgase actualizado dando "Me gusta" a nuestra página de Facebook SouthBendElc.

Esperamos con entusiasmo la oportunidad de trabajar conjuntamente con usted para enriquecer el aprendizaje de su hijo.

Atentamente,

Amy Nelson,

Directora de Aprendizaje Temprano

SB receives planning grant for Vocational building

 

South Bend High School Vocational building

South Bend School District was recently awarded a Small School District Modernization planning grant targeting the “vocational building,” which currently houses the wood shop, metals shop, and some classroom space.  According to Superintendent Jon Tienhaara, the district applied for the grant in April of 2022 and just received formal notice of the award.  “Our vocational building is basically the last building on our campus needing a remodel.  It was constructed in the early 1950’s and has served the district in multiple capacities over the years.” “Because of its age, it needs a lot of work, and our intent is to be able to complete a full remodel without adding any financial burden to our local taxpayers.”  

Grant funding

Grant funding has played a large role in many projects on the South Bend School campus over the last many years.  Since 2017, the district has received over $12 million for capital project funding. “We’ve been very fortunate with our funding efforts”, says Tienhaara. “Since 2016 or so we've been busy with a seemingly continual list of projects, from the baseball field to the new elementary school, Koplitz Field House, the football field, several infrastructure projects, and most recently our fitness building."  "Except for the bond we ran in 2018 to help fund part of the new elementary, the lion share of everything we’ve done has been from outside grant funding."   

Vocational building constructed in 1954

The current planning grant will help identify the scope and costs for remodeling South Bend’s vocational building. “We applied for the Small School District Modernization grant that is funded by the state legislature.  This is the grant program we were able to benefit from as a pilot school back in 2018 for the elementary, where we received just under $8 million dollars in funding,” says Tienhaara.  “The program has now been in place for several years and we’re eligible to apply, our vocational building is a perfect candidate for a competitive application.”  

The current building was constructed in 1954 and has had little to no remodeling since.  Though the district has made minor improvements over the years and has conducted regular maintenance, the building is showing its age.  “The district has done a tremendous job these last 70 years maintaining the building,” Tienhaara adds.  “But when it’s time, it’s time.”  “Every building component needs to be replaced and the building floods almost every year.”  “I’m hoping we can come up with a good proposal that will extend the life of the building for years to come.”

Next steps

With the planning grant, the district will now hire a consultant to develop the modernization scope and related costs. Superintendent Tienhaara concludes, “We will be hiring a firm to help us with the scope and costs of the project.”  “Typically this specific grant is used for individual building systems, but we petitioned the state to allow us to apply based on a square footage estimate due to the fact our building needs so much work.  The state approved our request and we are now moving forward.  It is my hope we can do the preliminary work this coming year and be ready for a construction grant soon after, much like the Koplitz Field House grant worked.”  “In our initial grant application, we submitted an estimate of just under $5 million needed for the project, but we expect that number to grow based on inflation and other soft costs.  This grant will help us now fine tune the project planning."

New logos released for South Bend Jr. Sr. High

 

Update from Superintendent Jon Tienhaara

As everyone knows, South Bend School District is required by the State of Washington to change the school's mascot.  In 2021 state law was passed that required we no longer use Indians.  We spent significant time and explored every potential option prior to making an official change.  Ultimately and with no other alternative, the board moved forward in compliance with the law and selected Bears through an extensive process--selecting our students' combined recommendation and preference.

Since the selection in March, we have been working with our logo committee and contracted with VIP Branding to design a logo package for future Bears merchandise, school branding, and other items.  The graphic above shows some of the results of this work.  I want to thank the committee for their efforts in undertaking this task.  It was not easy coming up with the logos that will now move South Bend forward, but it was work that needed to be done and I am proud of the group's results.

South Bend School District has trademarked the work above, and at this time all products and merchandise using these logos will be available exclusively through a school team store that will soon be available to students, parents, and the overall community.

Again, I want to express gratitude to the logo committee for their work and to VIP Branding for their expertise in developing our logos.  We are glad to be moving forward and can't wait for the 2023-24 school year to begin this fall!

 

CTE program hires Mr. Tim Bale

 

SOUTH BEND, WA - May 26, 2023 - South Bend School District is excited to announce the hiring of Mr. Tim Bale as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher for the 2023-24 school year.  Mr. Bale was hired by the South Bend School Board of Directors at their regular meeting May 25, 2023.

South Bend's newest CTE teacher, Tim Bale

Mr. Bale comes to South Bend with extensive experience in a variety of industries, and will join CTE teachers Mr. Aaron Blevins and Mr. Joel Bale, also teaching for South Bend. Mr. Bale brings expertise in civil engineering, welding, metal fabrication, computer-aided design (CAD), and various construction experience, all skills valuable in helping to prepare students with the skills needed to pursue the industry workforce or post-secondary training.

"We're thrilled to have Mr. Bale join our teaching team," said Jon Tienhaara, superintendent. "His skills and experience will be instrumental in achieving our vision for the CTE program, ultimately providing our students with additional learning opportunities that directly translate to real-world applications."  “Personally, I see our CTE programs as a critical pathway for students.  For too long the public education system as a whole has seemingly emphasized the “university” path as the gold standard.  We need to re-think what has been traditional education and develop quality vocational programs that work alongside the university path, with the goal of developing all student interests and abilities.”

South Bend seeks to develop a unique instructional approach that includes the integration of a business model allowing students to produce goods for sale to the public. “The eventual goal is that our students will design, make, and market products such as custom fire pits, outdoor furniture, custom signs, and other products that align with our vocational instruction,” says Tienhaara. “This hands-on learning strategy reinforces technical skills while encouraging entrepreneurship and the development of marketable products.”  “We have the equipment and staff, now we need to put everything together with our students.”

School district staff led by Principal Jason Nelson are currently working on developing curricula and projects, and will be working on potential expansion efforts as the program evolves. Superintendent Tienhaara met with new Grays Harbor College President Carli Schiffner earlier this week to discuss future partnerships. "Our school board agrees on the significance of providing meaningful, hands-on vocational skills that can be transferred to post-secondary vocational schools or career pathways," says, Tienhaara. “We have had a productive relationship with Grays Harbor College in the past and we are looking at re-establishing and expanding our partnership.  Dr. Schiffner is very interested in our programs and I think we have the potential to build some even greater programs for kids.”  “Now that COVID is completely behind us, we can re-start where we left off in developing our hands-on programs. The addition of Mr. Bale to our staff, along with our other CTE teachers, provides a lot of opportunity for us to build upon.”  “I look forward to everything that’s to come for our students,” concludes Tienhaara.

2023 Wall of Fame

 

Ben B. Cheney Wall of Fame

2023 Induction Ceremony

The committee for the Ben B. Cheney Wall of Fame at South Bend School District is proud to announce the following inductees for 2023:

Gary Wilson

Kasey Wilson

1979 Boys Basketball

Mark Madison

Larry Lunke

Ray Lorton

Mike Rogers

Karen Richey

Linda Brown

We are tentatively planning for the ceremony to be on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Willapa Chamber of Commerce building in South Bend.  Dates and times will be confirmed soon.  

Congratulations to all!

Building lockout cancelled

For Immediate Release

Update on South Bend School District Lockout

SOUTH BEND, WA, May 11, 2023 - South Bend School District is pleased to report that the precautionary building lockout, initiated earlier today across the district, has been lifted without incident.

At approximately 11:05 am, the district received information about a possible active shooter situation at Ilwaco School District. Similar threats were also reported at neighboring districts in the region. Though no threat was made toward South Bend, given the circumstances and in the best interest of student and staff safety, a decision was promptly made to initiate a building lockout. This meant that no one was permitted to enter or exit the buildings.

Shortly after, we received information that the reported incident in Ilwaco was not an active shooter situation. The initial report was based on a 911 call during which gunshots were heard on the phone before the call was disconnected. Similar incidents have occurred in Washington State this week.

Despite the updated information, the lockout was maintained until South Bend Police Department (SBPD) officers could verify that no threat was imminent for South Bend Schools. At or around noon, SBPD's Chief Luke Stigall confirmed the situation in Ilwaco was all-clear and that there was no threat to South Bend schools.  SBPD officers arrived on campus to provide support, the lockout ended at approximately 12:10 pm.

Throughout this event, communication remained a top priority. All building administrators were consistently updated and parents were promptly informed of the lockout and reassured that all safety precautions were being taken. Information was also disseminated via the district's social media platforms. A second call was made to parents notifying them of the end of the lockout.

South Bend School District would like to extend its gratitude to all building principals, administrators, office staff, teachers, and other personnel for their professionalism, dedication, and quick response during this event. Their efforts ensured the safety of our students and a smooth operation under challenging circumstances.  We also wish to thank South Bend Police Department for their constant communication, and Pacific County Emergency Management director Scott McDougall for his prompt response.

Questions or concerns regarding this incident can be addressed to your respective building principal or directly to the district at jtienhaa@southbendschools.org.

 

Buildings in Lockout

 

May 11, 2023

[Update:  the lockout at South Bend is over as of 12:10 pm]

SOUTH BEND SCHOOLS IN LOCKOUT

At 11:05 am we received reports of shots fired at neighboring schools within the county and region.  There are no threats to South Bend Schools.

Out of an abundance of caution, we have implemented a building lockout, which means no one may enter or leave the buildings.  This will continue until we have an all-clear from South Bend Police Department.

Again, there are no threats to South Bend Schools.  Parents, please do not come to campus.  We will send out a call to all parents when the building lockout is over.

School mascot update

 

March 7, 2023

School Mascot Update

        South Bend School District is now proceeding to the next phase of the mascot/name selection process. The school board of directors selected 'Bears' as the school mascot at their February meeting, and we have now engaged professional designers to furnish us with various options for imagery, logos, and branding. After the production of initial imagery options, students will be given the opportunity to provide input on the design.

        We have had numerous vendors contact the district asking to print and sell various merchandise items.  We want the public to know that any merchandise marketed and sold prior to the District's formal selection is not sanctioned by South Bend School District, and may contain designs different from the District's eventual mascot image that is currently being developed. 

        We kindly request that any merchandise marketed and sold before the District's selection of the new South Bend Bears design\logo be considered unofficial.

        Please direct any questions to Principal Jason Nelson at 875-6041.

School Board Unanimously Selects 'Bears' as New Mascot

For Immediate Release

School Board Unanimously Selects 'Bears' as New Mascot

South Bend—At their regular February meeting, the South Bend School Board of Directors unanimously voted to adopt 'Bears' as the new school mascot. The decision comes after months of community engagement and input from students, teachers, and alumni, after being required by the State of Washington to change from Indians.

"We are happy to announce that the Board has selected the 'Bears' as our new school mascot," said Jon Tienhaara, Superintendent of South Bend Schools. "This decision represents a collective effort to choose a mascot that is inclusive, representative of our area, and reflects the desires of our students." "The bear is a symbol of strength, determination, and resilience, and we are confident that it will inspire our students to work together and strive for excellence throughout their entire experience at South Bend."

The selection process involved extensive research and consultation with stakeholders to determine the most fitting and unifying mascot for South Bend Schools. The school board's decision was based on a number of factors, including the mascot's ability to inspire school spirit and pride, its potential for visual representation, and its relevance to the local community.

"I want to thank school director Wendy Manlow for leading the selection effort these last several months.”  “Wendy has done a tremendous job collecting stakeholder feedback.”  “I also want to thank principal Jason Nelson for his work in facilitating the focus group, which consisted of community members, staff, and students.”  School director Manlow added, "I was very impressed with the students on the focus group."  "They clearly communicated their desire and did a good job explaining their thinking on the matter."  The focus group’s work was the final step of the selection process, and ultimately made two recommendations to the board for final selection. 

South Bend School District will now begin the process of transitioning to the new mascot, which will include updates to the school's logo, uniforms, and other branding materials. The district is committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition and will provide regular updates to the community throughout the process.

"We want to thank everyone who participated in the selection process and provided valuable input and feedback," said Tienhaara. "We are excited to move forward as the South Bend 'Bears' and continue to build a strong, vibrant, and inclusive school tradition."

Campus lockdown drill conducted

 

Community Update

January 18, 2023

SOUTH BEND--On Wednesday morning, 1.18.23, South Bend School District initiated a planned campus-wide lockdown/intruder drill.  The drill concluded at 9:15 am.  The drill was conducted to test building/classroom procedures and internal/external notification & communication.  South Bend Police Department was notified of the drill in advance.  For security purposes, further details will not be shared with the public.

Questions can be directed to Superintendent Jon Tienhaara at 875-6041.

Mascot update

 

Sample mascot images for South Bend High School

Mascot Selection Moves to Next Phase

SOUTH BEND--South Bend School District has moved to the next phase of the mascot selection process.  In 2021, a Washington state law signed by Governor Jay Inslee banned all Native American related names and images from being used as school mascots within the state, forcing South Bend School District to replace Indians as the longtime South Bend High School mascot.

As detailed previously, the current phase is now to take community input on identified mascot names/images.  The mascot names receiving the most support from recent community, staff, student, and alumni polling conducted last summer include:  Timbers, Bears, WarHawks, & RiverHawks.  Image samples are installed at Koplitz Field House, where community members can view and provide input at upcoming home basketball games.  Input can also be provided to school director Wendy Manlow at wmanlow@southbendschools.org.  

A focus group will be appointed this month to review feedback and recommend two possible mascots to the South Bend School board of directors, who will make a mascot selection before March 1, 2023.  After the mascot name is selected, final mascot imagery will be determined.  Individuals who have interest in serving on the focus group can contact Wendy Manlow at the email address above.