Board approves Rognlin's Inc. as general contractor

North side of the new South Bend elementary school

New SB Elementary School Construction Update

On April 22 at a special meeting, South Bend School District's board of directors accepted a bid for the construction of the new elementary school, which will replace the existing Chauncey Davis Elementary.  Rognlin's Inc., of Aberdeen, submitted the low bid of four general contractors, and is slated to build the new school.

Now that the board has accepted the bid, we will move to get final state approval allowing contract documents to be signed.  Once this occurs, surveyors will most likely be the first crew to arrive to layout the construction site.  Soon after, the pile driving crew will return to install the remaining piles as part of the foundation system.

Tentative building completion is set for Spring, 2020.  Demolition of the old school will happen next, followed by construction of the new parking lot and remaining grounds work.

Southeast view of new South Bend elementary school

Southwest view of new South Bend elementary school

South Bend & Raymond Considering Football Combine

South Bend & Raymond Considering Football Combine

Leaders of the Raymond and South Bend School districts have met recently to discuss upcoming Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) rule changes and some of the challenges associated with declining turnout for football. The districts are considering having a “combine”, or a “cooperative” high school football program, beginning in the 2020 season.

The WIAA recently decided to allow districts bigger than the 2B classification to use their free and reduced lunch percentages to justify competing with smaller schools, potentially pitting 2B school districts (such as South Bend and Raymond) against much larger rivals. If the two districts request to play as a combine, they would remain much more competitive at the 2B level.

South Bend’s Athletic Director, Tom Sanchez, highlighted some of the safety reasons for forming a combine: “Entering into a combine could provide the opportunity for our younger players to play at a more appropriate level, allowing them to develop their skills earlier instead of potentially playing in an unsafe setting too early. The possibility of playing larger schools might make this a necessity.”

Raymond Athletic Director Mike Tully spoke about the competitive advantage a combine would bring. "Football is a numbers game. Combining our programs would allow us to have better depth and be more competitive at the varsity level. It would also allow us to play more JV games which would give our younger kids more opportunities to develop at the appropriate level."

Scholarships available to SB Alumni

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO 

SOUTH BEND HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

The South Bend Kiwanis Club is seeking applications from South Bend alumni (Classes of 2013 to 2018) who are currently enrolled in post-secondary programs.  Community colleges, universities, vocational schools, trade schools, and other post-secondary program students are all eligible.  Awards may be used to pay tuition, purchase books, materials, technology, equipment, and/or other needs.

Students interested must provide an application letter with student contact information, goals, current education program, unofficial transcripts, and proposed use of funds.  Application letter must be submitted (No later than April 30, 2019) to:  Betsy Penoyar, PO Box 425, South Bend, Wa 98586, or can be emailed to: joelpenoyar@gmail.com.  

Questions can be directed to Betsy Penoyar at the above email or by calling 360-875-5321.

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!