South Bend Board recognized as State Board of the Year

From Left Directors Dave Eastham, Todd Strozyk, Steve Rogers, Chuck Spoor, Andy Seaman

South Bend School District's Board of Directors was named a Board of Distinction and subsequently 2018 State Board of the Year at the annual WSSDA (Washington State School Directors Association) Conference in late November.  The board was recognized at their latest meeting in January in conjunction with Board Appreciation month as proclaimed by Governor Jay Inslee.

The Boards of Distinction recognition program awards school boards that demonstrate alignment with the Washington School Board Standards. Any board that applies is eligible to become a Board of Distinction if they meet certain scoring criteria. The top scoring boards in small, medium and large sized school districts may be honored as Boards of the Year.

Board of the Year judges recognized the South Bend board for demonstrated willingness to listen to staff, review data, and make decisions in order to bring about positive change.  Among other outcomes, this led to the adoption of new curriculum in South Bend, supports for ELL (English Language Learner) students, and hiring a school social worker for the elementary school to implement evidence based programming to address barriers to successful learning.

In addition, South Bend school directors were honored for their work in providing high quality facilities.  This work (beginning in 2016) resulted in the district's ability to replace the aged Chauncey Davis Elementary School, through securing state capital budget funding and the overwhelming passage of a $4.95 million dollar capital project bond last April, 2018.  The project is slated to break ground Spring, 2019.

South Bend board members have tremendous experience in working with the public (two board members are current police chiefs, one a fire chief, one a county employee, and one a retired school teacher, principal, and county commissioner).  The knowledge they bring from their careers to their role as school directors is extremely beneficial, and provides a solid grounding for the work they do on the board.  

As superintendent, it is a privilege to work with a board who understands and acts on the responsibility of providing for the needs of students.  In working with our board these last five years, they have not wavered in their goal of putting students first and working to ensure students have a positive educational experience.

South Bend schools initiated a building Lockout

This morning (January 14, 2019) at approximately 10:15, South Bend Schools went into Lockout.  Lockout results in the securing of all campus exterior doors, where staff and students remain inside their respective buildings.

Just prior to the Lockout, superintendent Jon Tienhaara received word from South Bend Police Chief Dave Eastham about a threat.  The threat was made from a student who attends a neighboring school and allegedly was directed toward a South Bend student.  At the time, the whereabouts of the student who made the threat were unknown.

Upon receiving this information, a decision was made to go into an immediate Lockout at all SB campus buildings.  Within two minutes, all school exterior doors were secured and students and staff were safe in class and in normal operation.

At approximately 10:30, South Bend police were notified that the threat was NOT directed at a South Bend student.  Instead, the threat was directed toward a student at a neighboring district.  Police Chief Eastham reported to South Bend administrators that no South Bend students were in danger.  After confirmation, the Lockout was ended.

South Bend School District wishes to thank Chief Eastham and the Pacific County Sheriff's Office for their immediate action from the perceived threat made toward our school.  Due to preparation efforts made by South Bend teachers, staff members, and administrators, we were able to act swiftly and effectively, securing our students from the perceived outside danger.

Further information on the Standard Response Protocol used by South Bend School District can be found by clicking here.

If there are any questions, please feel free to contact your school office or superintendent Tienhaara at 360-875-6041.

School closure & delay notifications

As we begin our season of colder weather and winter storms, I want to remind folks about our school delay and cancelation protocols at South Bend Schools.  

Typically, the best and quickest manner of notification will come through the South Bend School District App, which can be downloaded at the AppStore for Apple devices and the Google Play Store for Android.  The app notifications come out as soon as decisions are made.  If you have a student attending South Bend Schools, you will also receive a automated phone call sometime after 6:00 am.  You will find notifications on our school website, updates on the local radio and television stations, and by searching social media for #SB118.

As we often experience, weather can and will change after decisions are made.  Usually, we will call 2-hour delays to allow us more time to assess road conditions, and to allow daylight to develop.  That being said, anything can happen!  We ask for your patience as we strive to ensure the safety of our students and staff the best we can.

If you have questions related to school cancellations or delays, please contact your respective school office. 

SB receives over $370,000 in latest grant funding effort

SB Early Learning Center and Elementary playshed

Grant funding received for SB capital improvements

South Bend School District received word this week of being selected to receive over $370,000 in competitive grant funding to improve several campus facilities.  

Early Learning Center

The first project consists of replacing the heating system in our early learning facility.  The grant will upgrade the current system which was installed in 2000, replacing the old system with a heat pump solution.  District officials are currently working to develop options with HVAC contractors, and expect to begin the work in early 2019.

High School Chemistry Lab

The second project funded includes installing a fume evacuation hood in our high school science lab.  Currently, the science room does not have a fume hood, limiting the science experiments and labs in which students can participate.  The project will add a workstation to the classroom that will safely filter and dispose hazardous fumes resulting from chemical reactions.

Elementary Playshed

The third project funded through the grant includes significant upgrades to the elementary playshed.  The current playshed, built in 2010, was designed to eventually become an enclosed gym space for the elementary school.  The $200,000 grant will enclose the building, insulate the walls, install heating and air circulation, update lighting, and install a gym floor.  The district is currently working to design the project in a manner that sustains our ability to continue use as a play area, but also provides enclosed/heated physical education space.  Completion of the upgrade will provide South Bend Schools with a third gymnasium, completing the initial 2010 design.

The above projects are not included in the new elementary school construction, which is currently in design with Erickson McGovern Architects.  The new school is scheduled to break ground Spring, 2019.

These grants bring South Bend's grant award totals to over $500,000 since June, 2018.  Previous awards funded vocational equipment and program upgrades, and underground powerline replacements feeding district buildings.

Questions related to South Bend School District may be directed to Superintendent Jon Tienhaara at jtienhaa@southbendschools.org

Veterans Day Assembly November 9, 2018

Looking for Additional Veterans

South Bend School District will be hosting our annual Veterans Day assembly this November 9, 2018 at 9:00 am at Koplitz Field House.  Principal Jason Nelson and South Bend leadership students are putting together the program and are looking for any additional veterans who would like to be included and/or recognized at the assembly.

Our current list of veterans can be accessed here:  Current South Bend Veterans List

If you know of a veteran (not on our list) you would like to be included in our assembly, or recognized in our program, please submit your information here to update our list.

Please contact principal Jason Nelson at 360-875-6041 for questions or more information.