Kevin Bogatin

MAR 15, 2021

Superintendent Board Report

March 4, 2021

Classified Appreciation Week

This week we celebrate and appreciate the hard work of our classified staff across the district. This group of dedicated educators are the first to greet our students each day and the last to ensure their safe arrival at home. This year the pandemic has made this work even more challenging and our staff have stepped up in a huge way. This week each school received a small token of appreciation from the district office and the board and I know our schools have also done some additional appreciation activities this week. On behalf of the North Bend School District, our board, students, and parents I want to thank each and every one of you.

Mugs & Hugs

We’ve begun a district-wide appreciation campaign called “Mugs & Hugs.” We are delivering North Bend School District mugs filled with Hershey Hugs & Kisses. Staff are nominated by other staff members and receive a certificate of appreciation with some specific feedback about how they are making a difference in the lives of kids and making an impact in our school. Each week we have been delivering mugs - here are a few photos of staff members with their mugs, big masked smiles, and some of the positive things being said about them.

Each staff member receives a certificate of appreciation that begins…

There’s something new to help you unplug,

We hope you enjoy some hugs in a mug!

A friend nominated you and we’ve delivered it here,

To bring you some deserving cheer!

You’ve been mugged and it’s your turn to share,

With friends in your school to show you care!

It’s been a challenging year and we all need a hug,

By spreading a little love with a mug!

Draw like Joan Miro

Students from Natalie Horning-Edgar’s third grade class recently engaged in an art, math, but mostly social emotional art project inspired by the artist Joan Miro. Miro was Spanish painter, sculptor, and ceramicist who had his first exhibition in 1918 and his final famous piece can be seen at the Brunswick Plaza in Chicago, which was completed in 1981. He was notable for his interest in the unconscious or the subconscious mind, reflected in his re-creation of the childlike. This inspiration is what Mrs. Morning-Edgar’s class said, “This was the best day ever.”

Ready Schools, Safe Learners

Since our last board meeting we have welcomed back our students in Grades 4-8. The preparation and work that has been going on since September with our students in K-3 made the transition to 4-5 fairly seamless. A huge thank you to Principal Bruce Martin, Principal Tim Crider and our dedicated elementary staff for their hard work to get everyone back in the classroom.

Principal Jon Davison and the North Bend Middle School staff have also done an amazing job of preparing for their return and have worked hard to make our students feel welcomed. Our 6th grade team had a welcome back banner and stars with each student's name. The front of the school had balloons and a big welcome back sign! While COVID cases have risen as the data in the following slides show, our staff is committed to following strict safety protocols outlined in our Ready Schools, Safe Learners blueprints. Right now Coos county is experiencing case counts and test positivity numbers that exceed the state and are close to the greater than 350 cases per 100,000 that could potentially revert the district back to Comprehensive Distance Learning. The key metric we are following is each school’s ability to limit the transmission of COVID-19 in the school environment. We have had a few isolated cases and have quarantined some individuals, but currently all of our K-8 cohorts are attending school. We look forward to      bringing back our students in grades 9-12 at the start of the new trimester on March 29, 2021. We will be watching metrics closely and will continue to partner with our local health officials to ensure a safe learning environment for everyone.

Bond Update

Our next step with facility bond planning is to complete a community poll regarding some potential proposals and costs. The district has contracted with Wright Public Affairs and the Patinkin Research Strategies. Polling began this week and our Bond Development Committee will receive that information and will finalize a draft proposal at our April 6, 2021 meeting.

Retirement Announcement

This message comes with mixed feelings as I announce the retirement of one of our district office team members. Sherri O'Connor has been our Business Manager for eighteen years and she has decided that the time has come to retire. She plans to spend her time focusing on being a Grandma!

Sherri is a respected and valued business manager across the state and her expertise and advocacy will be deeply missed. She has been a trusted steward of district resources during her tenure in North Bend and she has positioned the district to weather financial adversity now and in the future.

As a new superintendent I can't thank Sherri enough for her guidance and support. I appreciate the patience and support she has provided me as I've learned about the district finances. Sherri won't officially be retiring until June 30, 2021 and she has also agreed to stay on part-time through October 31, 2021 to complete the audit process and assist in the transition of a new business director.

Congratulations to Sherri on her retirement! She will always be a Bulldog!