South Bend & Raymond schools developing joint Vocational (CTE) program

South Bend & Raymond School Districts, Port of Willapa Harbor, Collaborating on 

Career & Technical Education Partnership

At their regular March school board meetings, South Bend School District and Raymond School District approved the implementation of a joint CTE (Career & Technical Education) partnership between both school districts.  Targeted to begin the 2019-20 school year, Raymond and South Bend will use engineering curriculum from Project Lead the Way, as well as both schools' current Construction programs. 

Harbor Trade & Technology Center

Over the last several months, school superintendents Dr. Steve Holland and Dr. Jon Tienhaara have worked to identify ways to provide increased vocational pathways to high school students.  This work included visiting other school programs, researching curriculum, and brainstorming possibilities with both high school principals.  

The result?  A concept called, "Harbor Trade & Technology Center" (HTTC), a program designed to provide students meaningful vocational training and work skills in various industrial trades and technology careers.  Ideally, the HTTC will allow students to earn core high school graduation credits in science, math, language arts, and vocational areas through a non-traditional pathway, while learning valuable vocational skills that can be used immediately after high school. 

Partnership with Port of Willapa Harbor

One of the goals in developing a joint school district program included finding a central location that could accommodate the type of hands-on learning and vocational training desired.  We approached Rebecca Chaffee at the Port of Willapa Harbor and learned about a 9,000 square foot Port building

Port of Willapa Harbor building considered to house Harbor Trade & Technology Center

that could potentially be utilized.  The building includes ample space, utilities, and room to expand the program.  Its proximity to the Willapa River and adjacent docks also provide expansion possibilities into marine and maritime programs.  Personnel from both school districts are currently evaluating the building to determine needed retrofitting.

 Next Steps

In the coming weeks and months, we will be evaluating facility needs for housing the HTTC, and will work with the Port to create an adequate learning space.  In addition, we are taking steps to procure curriculum and materials, and will be developing curriculum frameworks to submit to the state for approval.  Staff from both school districts are working the logistics to create a flexible program that can accomodate students from both schools.


South Bend and Raymond School Districts believe in the importance of providing students relevant learning opportunities.  Our school boards agree, we need to find ways to teach meaningful, hands-on, vocational skills that can be directly transferred to post-secondary vocational schools and/or career pathways.  We believe a joint partnership between our two school districts can provide stronger opportunities for students, and lead to increased possibilities for future program expansion.

Questions on this program can be directed to South Bend superintendent Jon Tienhaara or 

Raymond superintendent Steve Holland.

2019 Wall of Fame Inductees announced

South Bend School District's committee for the Ben B. Cheney Wall of Fame is pleased to announce members of our 2019 induction:

SBHS 1982 Girls Basketball

Julie (Rose) Struck

Jackie (Curtis) Sanchez

Mike Morris

Elroy Thompson

Kurt Esveldt

George Esveldt

Lester Johnsen

The induction ceremony is being planned for September 21, 2019 at the Willapa Chamber of Commerce in South Bend, Washington.  Further details will be announced soon.  Congratulations to all 2019 Inductees!

Seeking Career & Technical Education (CTE) teacher

South Bend School District is seeking CTE teacher applications for the 2019-20 school year. 

To be considered, applicants will have strong innovation skills, a vision for equivalency\competency-based crediting, and will appreciate the importance of working with students to teach work ethic, career skills, and teamwork through various trades, field-based learning, and lab/shop experiences.

Required Qualifications:

-Bachelor’s Degree

-Washington State teacher certification in

 Agriculture\Technology Education

-Ability to teach in one or more of the following career clusters:

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources;

Manufacturing;

STEM

Qualified applicants should contact:

Superintendent Jon Tienhaara (jtienhaa@southbendschools.org), or

Principal Jason Nelson (jnelson@southbendschools.org).

This position will be posted until April 1, 2019.

First Lutheran Church of South Bend providing food for kids, needs support

Chauncey Davis Elementary School in South Bend, Wa

First Lutheran Church of South Bend providing food for kids

Schools in the South Bend, Raymond, and Willapa Valley area are fortunate to have many community-minded organizations and individuals who provide generous support to our educational programs and students.  Kids in our schools are cared for by our communities, and one such example is the Backpack Food Program operated by First Lutheran Church in South Bend.


What is a "Backpack Program"?

Essentially, the program provides weekend food to children in need as well as food when school is not in session.  Each Friday, backpacks are stocked with a variety of food items and left at Chauncey Davis Elementary.  Identified students take the backpacks home with enough food for the weekend.  When school resumes the next Monday, backpacks are brought back to school to be restocked for the next weekend.

Typical backpack with weekend food

The need in South Bend

According to the 2016 Census update, 31% of the residents in South Bend are living in poverty.  With a P-12 student enrollment of approximately 600 students, close to 200 students attending South Bend fall within this spectrum.  According to district data, 74% of our students K-12 qualify for Free & Reduced lunch.

I had the opportunity to talk with Pastor Dale Larson (of First Lutheran) this week and received some good information on the vision of the Backpack Program.  Started in 2015, First Lutheran began providing backpacks for 10 students.  The numbers have grown each year, providing 33 students with weekly backpacks this school year.  "In our third year we were able to expand again to reach as many as 33 students with continued support from the Elks, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs, the Legacy Community Outreach Fund, and a new gift from the Eagles Club," says Pastor Larson. "With costs rising to an anticipated $380 per student per year, our current caseload of 34 youth requires $18,050 for this current school year."  "We would love to eventually expand the program into other communities," says Pastor Larson, "there is a big need".

The Backpack Program is seeking additional support to sustain the program currently in South Bend.  Anyone interested in providing support can sponsor a child for the year at $475, food for 34 children for one weekend at $425, or food for 34 children for a month at $1870 dollars.  However, any amount folks would like to contribute is welcome.

Questions about this valuable program can be directed to Pastor Dale Larson, Program Chair Deb Sturgill, or Program Coordinator Tina Kebow.  The First Lutheran office phone number is 360-875-5700 and the email address is office@harborlutheran.org.  Tax deductible donations can be mailed to: First Lutheran Church, PO Box 598, South Bend, Wa 98586.

New elementary school moving to next phase

 South Bend's new elementary school moving a step closer

North facing view of new South Bend elementary school

South Bend's new elementary school project moved to the next phase today as school officials and architects submitted plans to South Bend City Supervisor Dennis Houk for building permit review.  The city will work with an outside consultant to review the plans, a process expected to take four weeks.  South Bend School District plans to bid the project in March, 2019.


Getting to the drawing board

City and school officials reviewing design plans

Initial work began almost two years ago when we were (at the time) working to secure substantial funding through the state capital budget.  Passage of the capital budget was ultimately delayed until after January, 2018, and the district received a special appropriation of just under $8-million dollars.  With state match and the passage of a $4.95-million dollar bond initiative last April, the district has an approximate $16-million dollar budget.



After passing our bond last April, the district hired Tacoma-based Erickson McGovern Architects (EMA) to design the new school.  Work began almost immediately in hiring several consultant firms to conduct site studies, including: geotechnical, hazardous materials, topographical survey and utility location, and civil engineering.  In addition, work with building staff began and was completed in June to determine the educational specifications of the new school program.  Initial work with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) began in July to establish timelines and processes with respect to our unique funding.  Along with the successful sale of bonds in early August, everything needed to begin building design was completed by September.

Rear view of new SB elementary school

Detailed Process

Having the site studies completed by late summer (2018), we began building design.  This phase of the project took almost five months, as all aspects of the project moved through several rounds of specifications, engineering, cost estimating, reductions, and additional value engineering. 

I have been amazed at the amount of planning and analysis our design team at EMA has conducted in conjunction with the project engineers and consultants.  Everything from kitchen design, lighting, security, HVAC, and all systems in between, it has been a long and arduous process getting to this point.  I am very pleased with the work of the design team and feel we will have a building that will support a quality, safe learning environment for our students and staff.  In the end, our goal is to build a functional school our community will be proud of for years to come.

What next?

As soon as the city approves the plans and issues permits, we will put the project out to bid in March.  We are already receiving inquiries from several general contractors, and we hope to have a competitive bidding environment.  As soon as we have a successful bid outcome, we will proceed with the project and accepted alternates--planning to break ground in April.  The project is estimated to take 12-14 months to complete.  This is an exciting time for all of us in South Bend, it will be fun to see construction crews arrive later this spring!

Questions about the project can be directed to superintendent Jon Tienhaara at jtienhaa@southbendschools.org