Health & safety update

 

Community Update

January 11, 2022

This is an update on our continued efforts to maintain the health and safety of our students, staff, and community.  Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in Pacific County and have severely impacted neighboring school districts, resulting in high numbers of student absences and staffing issues.  No public school or agency is immune to these impacts, but we can continue to work to keep our school buildings as safe as possible with the goal of maintaining student and staff health and in-person school.

As a reminder to parents, please re-emphasize to your students the importance of adhering to the required health protocols, including proper mask use and required distancing.  Talk to your student about good hand-washing and hygiene.  Most important, please do not send students to school who are ill, have a temperature, or who are showing other symptoms.  All students are screened prior to entering buildings and will need to be sent home if symptoms are present.  

We are doing our best to maintain in-person school and we are requesting everyone's help in these efforts.  If you have any specific questions, please feel free to contact your respective school office at 360-875-6041.

Esta es una actualización de nuestros esfuerzos continuos para mantener la salud y la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes, el personal y la comunidad. Los casos de COVID-19 están aumentando en el condado de Pacific y han afectado gravemente a los distritos escolares vecinos, lo que ha resultado en un gran número de ausencias de estudiantes y problemas de personal. Ninguna escuela o agencia pública es inmune a estos impactos, pero podemos continuar trabajando para mantener nuestros edificios escolares lo más seguros posible con el objetivo de mantener la salud de los estudiantes y el personal y la escuela en persona.

Como recordatorio para los padres, vuelva a enfatizarles a sus estudiantes la importancia de cumplir con los protocolos de salud requeridos, incluido el uso adecuado de máscaras y el distanciamiento requerido. Hable con su estudiante sobre el buen lavado de manos y la higiene. Lo más importante es que no envíe a la escuela a estudiantes que estén enfermos, tengan fiebre o muestren otros síntomas. Todos los estudiantes son evaluados antes de ingresar a los edificios y deberán ser enviados a casa si presentan síntomas.

Estamos haciendo todo lo posible para mantener la escuela en persona y solicitamos la ayuda de todos en estos esfuerzos. Si tiene alguna pregunta específica, no dude en comunicarse con la oficina de su escuela respectiva al 360-875-6041.

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