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What's Going On This Week

District

• 1/22: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room
• 1/22: CTE Information Meeting, 12:30-1:30, MS Library
• 1/22: CTE Information Meeting, 1:30-2:30, HS Library
• 1/24: PLC Release 1:40
• 1/25: Financial Aid Drop-In Support, 5:00-7:00, HS

Upcoming Events

• 1/31: PLC Release 1:40
• 1/31: Last day to order Cap & Gown (HS Seniors)
• 2/6: Community Council, 6:00, HS Library
• 2/7: PLC Release 1:40

kbhsathletics.com for up to date athletic schedules.

Superintendent Message:

Happy Monday!

I must say at 4:30 AM I figured the roads would be worse, but by the time I got to District Line Road and came back on Corral Creek, it was really just slushy and manageable. I drive my wife’s Kia so I get a better impression of conditions than in the Dodge, and things weren’t perfect but definitely better than down the highway in the valley.

We have rescheduled our CTE certification meetings with certified staff who may be interested in getting endorsed. This is important as we align Career Pathways for graduation and ensure that we have given kids exploratory options at the MS. We currently teach classes at the MS that we fund with Basic Ed and we need to start collecting CTE funding that currently is sitting on the table.

Thankfully we will be able to get some sports in today and I know that Dirk and the coaches have had to reschedule a lot, but hopefully that time is past now! I will stop by the game after the board meeting tonight. Our appeal to drop down to 2B in athletics was denied, so we will continue to play in the SCAC. It did reveal that the WIAA did have some wrong data about our enrollment, so we will work to find out where that came from.

Have a great week and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything!

~Pete

Preparing for Winter Weather!

• Kiona-Benton City School District (kibesd.org)
• Kiona-Benton City Sch. Dist. news via FlashAlert.Net

"A person who won’t read has no advantage over a person who can’t read" – Mark Twain

What's Going On This Week

District

• 12/11: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room
• 12/13: PLC Release 1:40
• 12/14: Elementary Assembly with Santa
• 12/14: MS/HS Concert, 6:00, PAC

Upcoming Events

• 12/20: Early Release 11:00
• 12/21-1/2: Winter Break

kbhsathletics.com for up to date athletic schedules

Superintendent Message:

Happy Monday!

Another weekend in December goes by, with one left until you all get a well deserved break! We have a board meeting tonight, and we will be honoring two board members who will be vacating the board, Dale and Julie. Neither ran for re-election, but only Dale’s position was filled by the election. Gina Warner will be taking her oath of office tonight replacing Dale, and Julie will simply resign and, since no one ran for her position, we will open an application for her position in District 1. If you know anyone who lives in that district feel free to encourage them to apply!

We have games this week across the district, so get out and support our kids if you get an opportunity. Also, if you HAVE NOT filled out the CEE Survey for building based employees, please do so. If you need another email sent, please let me know. I will be sending the link to district assigned employees (maintenance, drivers, etc.) for them later today.

Principals will be at their third Data Training at ESD 105 tomorrow, and I will be out for a doctor’s appointment on Friday. If you need anything or have any questions, please give me a call at x. 2001 or 308-5052 or 539-0039. Otherwise, have a great week!

~Pete

Preparing for Winter Weather!

• Kiona-Benton City School District (kibesd.org)
• Kiona-Benton City Sch. Dist. news via FlashAlert.Net

Food Drive Happening!

• Elementary Dec. 7-14.

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson (and Jim Valvano)

What's Going On This Week

District

• 12/5: Community Council Meeting, 6:00, HS Library
• 12/6: Scholarship Family Night, 5:30, High School
• 12/6: PLC Release 1:40
• 12/6: Character Trait Assembly, 9:00, ES

Upcoming Events

• 12/11: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room
• 12/13: PLC Release 1:40
• 12/14: Elementary Assembly with Santa, TBD
• 12/14: MS/HS Concert, 6:00, PAC
• 12/20: Early Release 11:00

kbhsathletics.com for up to date athletic schedules.

Superintendent Message:

Happy Monday!

Lots of things going on this week, so if you get a chance - get involved! I will be at WSU - Tri-Cities tonight to participate in mock interviews of pre-service teachers. Most of them will be graduating this semester, so we may see some of these folks as subs starting in January! Then Community Council tomorrow night before the basketball game.

Winter sports is off to a good start at MS and HS. It is so surprising to me when I hear that a school like LaSalle cannot field a girls basketball team, but our participation is solid. Nice job by coaches and Dirk to get the word out to kids to turn out.

Wednesday, I will be at the ESD with the region superintendents as Chris Reykdal and his staff make a stop in Pasco. They are on a state-wide tour listening to superintendents at each ESD. He is going to speak about OSPI budget priorities and how that will impact schools state-wide.

Have a great day and don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything!

- Pete

Preparing for Winter Weather!

• Kiona-Benton City School District (kibesd.org)
• Kiona-Benton City Sch. Dist. news via FlashAlert.Net

Food Drives Happening!

• Middle School ends the 8th.
• Elementary 7-14.

“I feel like we fell out of a lucky tree, hit every branch on the way down, ended up in a pool full of cash and Sour Patch Kids.” ~Ted Lasso

What's Going On This Week

District

• 11/13: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room
• 11/13: First Day of HS Winter Sports
• 11/15: PLC Release 1:40
• 11/15: FFA State Tractor Driving, Moses Lake

Upcoming Events

• 11/20: Conferences, No Classes
• 11/20: Resource Fair, 4:30-630, HS Commons
• 11/21: Early Release 11:00, Conferences
• 11/22: Early Release 11:00
• 11/23-24: NO School
• 11/27: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room

kbhsathletics.com for up to date athletic schedules.

Superintendent Message:

Happy Monday all,

It’s a busy week this week, although they are all seeming to be busy! We will have 70 middle school students at the HS on Thursday for Migrant Leadership Training, and we will be welcoming 20 MS students from Sunnyside for the same training. Winter sports practices start at the HS today, but the MS has been going and start their first games in basketball and girls wrestling, so if you get a chance, get out and support them!

We have received donations or are in the process of receiving them from Second Harvest and the Soroptomist’s Club for food items and personal items. Our students entering fall and winter are just as in need as ever, so make sure and contact Bernardo if you know of a student with some needs.

Today is National Kindness Day, so make sure and be extra kind today because it’s a great day to be kind to others (like every other day, right?). I will be in Bellevue for a WSAC/STEM Grant convening on Wednesday and Thursday, and will be back Friday after a Superintendent meeting at the WSSDA conference Friday morning also in Bellevue. Have a great week and feel free to text or call if you need anything.

- Pete

Preparing for Winter Weather!

Kiona-Benton City School District (kibesd.org)

Kiona-Benton City Sch. Dist. news via FlashAlert.Net

OPEN ENROLLMENT ENDS NOVEMBER 20!

Open enrollment (SEBB) | Washington State Health Care Authority

“Doing the right thing is never the wrong thing.” ~Ted Lasso

What's Going On This Week:

District

• 11/6: FFA Meeting, 5:00, HS
• 11/7: Ki-Be Community Council Meeting, 6:00, HS Library
• 11/7: MS Sports Awards, 6:00, MS Library
• 11/8: PLC Release 1:40
• 11/10: No School

UPCOMING EVENTS

• 11/13: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room
• 11/13: First Day of HS Winter Sports
• 11/15: PLC Release 1:40
• 11/15: FFA State Tractor Driving, Moses Lake

kbhsathletics.com/ for up to date athletic schedules  

Superintendent Message:

Happy Monday!

Congratulations to the girls soccer team at the HS as they make their second consecutive run to State! So, once again, we will be making the long trip to Sammamish HS, but those types of trips are always worth it! And just like that, Winter sports are upon us at the MS already and the HS starts next week.

You will be seeing an email from the Center for Educational Effectiveness sometime early next week. This is our annual staff/student survey that we do and we send them all of the staff emails, so please do not delete it without taking the survey. Last year, we had several that went to junk, but David is prepared this time and they should go through. I will let you all know (when I do) specifically when you should expect them.

We have a busy Tuesday night with the soccer game, Community Council, and the Fall Sports Banquet at the middle school, but I hope you all have a great short week and of course please let me know at x. 2001 or 308-5052 if you need anything.

Pete

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Superintendent Message:

Happy Monday,

The fall sports season at the MS is coming to an end this week, while Winter 1 gets ready to start next week. Doesn't seem possible that we can be that far into school already.

We had a great board workshop on Friday and have a board meeting tonight. We will be missing two board members for the meeting tonight as they have conflicts that could not be rearranged. I will be in meetings a lot this week and will be out of the office and unavailable even by cell phone most of the day Thursday.

We will be beginning a transition of our website soon along with our home calling system, as both of our contracts for those services are coming up in the next few months. Stay tuned for more info on that front!

Have a great rest of the week and feel free to reach out at ext. 2001 or at 308-5052!

- Pete

What's Going On This Week

District

• 10/23: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room
• 10/25: PLC 1:40 Release
• 10/25: KBSA L&M, 2:30, Board Room
• 10/26: KBEA L&M, 3:10, Board Room
• 10/26: ES Picture Retakes
• 10/26: HS Fall Concert, 6:00, PAC

Upcoming Events

• 10/30: College & Career Day, 8-11, HS
• 10/30: Senior Parent Night, 5:30-7:30, HS
• 11/7: Ki-Be Community Council Meeting, 6:00, HS Library
• 11/13: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room

kbhsathletics.com for up to date athletic schedules.

Staff Member in Focus: Erin Kerr

This is my 18th year in education and my 9th year as an administrator. I have a master's degree in teaching and learning from Heritage University. I have taught Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grade. I was a GLAD model classroom at Canyon View Elementary before becoming an Assistant Principal. I was an Assistant Principal for programs such as Spectrum Bilingual, Bilingual, Bridges, Dual both one-way and two-way, LifeSkills, Self-Contained classroom, Resource Room and general education. I also had the opportunity to continue the digital classroom work post pandemic creating a K-8 Digital program for Pasco School District.

My husband is a 3rd grade teacher in the Kennewick School District. I have a 5th grade daughter and 2nd grade son and am a girl scout coleader of my daughter's troop.
I moved to Richland at 18 months and have lived in the Tri-City area ever since. I did have a short stint at Central where I received my Bachelors in Elementary Education and taught 2 years in Toppenish.

In High School I volunteered in the Life Skills classroom and was a coach every year for the Special Olympics. I was a Senate page in Olympia my freshman year and traveled the nation performing. I was part of the main act and front row center stage for the Capital One bowl half time show my sophomore year.

(View the printable PDF version)

Superintendent Message:

Happy Monday everyone!

It is definitely getting to be fall! I came over White Pass yesterday morning and the temp up there was 39 degrees, so if you’re a skier, get those boots and bindings ready! I hope everyone had a great Friday, and if you were able to be involved in the professional development, I want to thank all of our staff members who were presenting at various levels. I believe that we get so much more from presentations with our home-grown experts, and I encourage you to talk to your administrators if you have an idea for future PD. I will be out on Thursday most of the day at a Superintendent Advisory Council Meeting, and we have a Board Workshop on Friday focusing on secondary academic goal options, but get in touch with me at ext. 2001 or 308-5052 if you need anything!

~Pete

What's Going On This Week

District

• 10/18: PLC 1:40 Release
• 10/19: MS Concert, 6:00, PAC
• 10/20: School Board Workshop 9:00, Board Room

Upcoming Events

• 10/23: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room
• 10/26: ES Picture Retakes
• 10/26: HS Fall Concert
• 11/7: Ki-Be Community Council Meeting, 6:00, HS Library

kbhsathletics.com for up to date athletic schedules.

SEBB Information:

https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees

Open Enrollment 2024 is October 30 through November 20.

October: responsiblity

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Superintendent Message

Good afternoon staff,

I hope you all had a great Memorial Day Weekend! Ours was spent with our German Shepherds at our property outside Randle, so it was a much needed time to relax!

I have spoken with administrators and counselors and we are very close to a draft run of schedules. If you have any questions, the best thing to do is simply talk to your principals or counselors. The secondary schools are much more complicated to run, but in conversations with Emilia, they are super close and in good shape to get those out. This is impressive; we have never been this far along with scheduling as we are this year.

I have been asked to get Right Response De-escalation Training (NOT restraint) for our whole staff at the beginning of next school year. I am working with Clear Risk to set this up, as they have a max of 40 participants per training session, so it will take some logistics on our part to get that done. I will let you know more as we get closer to August.

We had the opportunity to attend the WASA Inclusionary Practices seminar in Seattle with Clay, Tony Vo, and Jennifer Gilliland. It was very good and I think that Katie Novak did a great job explaining how implementation often lacks true buy-in that ALL kids can learn. I believe that is something we can all reflect on, because that must be the foundation of our work.

Hope you have a great rest of a short week, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything: ext. 2001 or 308-5052.

Pete

What's Going On This Week

District

• 5/31: PLC Release 1:40
• 6/1: Senior Assembly, 1:40-2:43
• 6/2: Graduate walk through at ES/MS, 9:00-10:00
• 6/3: Graduation, 9:00

Upcoming Events

• 6/6: Community Council, 6:00 HS Library
• 6/5-6/9: Camp Wooten
• 6/8: Kindergarten Graduation, 8:30, MS Gym
• 6/8: 8th Grade Promotion, 6:00, MS Gym
• 6/12: Last Day of School, 11:00 release

Tax Savings Benefits of DCP: https://www.drs.wa.gov/dcp-tax-savings-newsfeed/
SEBB NEWSLETTER: https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/pebb/sebb-may-2023-intercom-newsletter.pdf
VEBA: https://www.veba.org/home/videos/

Congratulations to all of our STATE participants this last weekend! GO BEARS!

(view the printable PDF version)

Superintendent Message

Good afternoon,

To say that I have been slammed is an understatement! I am very thankful that Erich Bolz is now at the elementary helping Lisa in administration. That is awesome; as many of you know he started his teaching at Ki-Be Elementary, so I told him that absolutely nothing has changed in our facility since he left!

I will be finalizing staffing for the district this week and have already spoken with many of you who may be requesting a move or a move is necessitated due to student count or ESSER fund elimination. We had a meeting with Jennifer and Edna in late April so that we all know the appropriate provisions of the contract that apply and both agree on the process.

We have baseball, fast-pitch, track and tennis all moving into playoffs, so if you get a chance to get out and support them, please do it. The kids and parents really appreciate seeing you at events!

If you need anything, don't hesitate to call x2001 or my cell at 308-5052 or 539-0039.

Have a great week!

- Pete

What's Going On This Week

District

5/17: PLC Release 1:40
5/18: HS Spring Concert 6:30

Upcoming Events

• 5/22: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room
• 5/22: School Play 6:30
• 5/24: PLC Release 1:40
• 5/26: Early Release 11:00
• 5/29: Memorial Day– No School

kbhsathletics.com for up to date athletic schedules.

Staff Member in Focus: Erich Bolz

It is my absolute pleasure and honor to serve as Interim Vice Principal at Ki-Be Elementary for the remainder of the school year (if substitute is a more acceptable term, feel free to insert it and also, please alter or truncate to best serve your purpose).

It is a special opportunity for me, as I started my career in public education at Ki-Be Elementary and Middle in 1995. Mrs. Upton was one of my students in my first year and later we were colleagues in Pasco School District, where I retired in 2020.

I look forward to supporting Mrs. Upton, the children, staff, and families, and wider school community in the coming month. I would love to have the opportunity to meet you and don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of service.

Educationally yours!

Erich Bolz- Interim Vice Principal, Ki-Be Elementary

(View the printable PDF version)

Superintendent Message

Good morning,

It looks like we are finally turning the corner on spring/winter. This weekend I got the dandelions sprayed, the irrigation fixed and the mower ready to go for next weekend!

We have a board meeting tonight, which follows the first ever Board Question and Answer session last Thursday night. It went really well, and I definitely like the format. It gave our two board members who were there a great opportunity to respond directly to questions, which of course they cannot do during a formal meeting. I anticipate more of these low-key gatherings, as it got good response from those in attendance and I received emails and texts saying the same.

I had a great time at the MS track meet last week, and thought the kids did well! The staff on hand who were volunteering were outstanding and I spoke with more than a couple coaches from other schools who felt it was well done. Nice job everyone - especially Gary and his staff!

For those of you working on the curricula with me, I received a bunch of boxes late last week so I will go through them and let you know what came in and what we are still waiting on. You on the committee can expect an invite from me sometime tomorrow.

Have a great rest of the week and feel free to call or email if you need anything!

Pete

What's Going On This Week

District

• 4/24: School Board Meeting. 6:30. Board Room
• 4/26: PLC Release 1:40
• 4/28: Super Hero Day at the Elementary

Upcoming Events

• 5/2: Ki-Be Community Council Meeting, 6:00, HS Library
• 5/3: PLC Release 1:40
• 5/8: School Board Meeting, 6:30, Board Room

Staff Member in Focus:  Emilia Rivas

Aside from a brief time in San Antonio, I've lived in Kennewick my entire life. After high school, I attended CBC and then earned my BA from WSU (Go Cougs!). I've worked in education for 12 years now, and after majoring in Information Systems I decided to finally pursue a career in IT. Now I get the best of both worlds! I am a bit of an at-home mixologist and I love to cook. I hunt in the fall, fish throughout the year, and spend my summers paddle boarding and camping. I love music and sports, so I try to catch as many concerts and games as I can.