South Bend Education Alliance

It’s School Counselors Appreciation Week, and we are so grateful for the incredible counselors serving our South Bend Schools students every single day.

From helping students navigate academics and future plans to being a steady, trusted presence during tough moments, school counselors do work that often goes unseen — but never unfelt. Their impact reaches far beyond the office walls and into the futures of the students they guide.

As we celebrate them, don't forget that SBEA scholarships are now open 🎓 Counselors play such an important role in helping students take that next step after graduation, and we’re proud to support those dreams alongside them.

To every counselor: thank you for the care, advocacy, encouragement, and heart you bring to your schools. Our students are better because of you. 💙

📬 Our January Newsletter Is Here!

Start the new year catching up on the impact you’re helping make in South Bend schools — from grants in action to student and educator highlights, plus what’s ahead for SBEA and SBCSC. There’s so much good happening!

🥞✨ And don’t forget to save the date for the Great Friends of Schools Breakfast!

This special morning brings together supporters, educators, community leaders, and friends of public education to:
💙 Celebrate excellence and innovation happening in our schools
🎉 Recognize the students, educators, and programs making a difference
📣 Hear a State of the Schools update from Superintendent Eid and what’s ahead for SBCSC

Check out the newsletter and get that breakfast on your calendar — you’ll be glad you did! 📚☕

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🎓✨ 2026 SBEA Scholarship Applications Are NOW OPEN! ✨🎓
Attention SBCSC graduating seniors! The South Bend Education Alliance is now accepting applications for three $5,000 scholarships to support your next step in higher education!

👇 Scholarships & Key Details:

📌 Connie S. Varga Scholarship
• $5,000 toward college tuition
• For SBCSC female graduates who embody service, leadership & academic excellence
• Recognizes students driven to help others and serve the community
• Applicants should reflect Connie’s legacy of advocacy and community impact

📌 Jack M. Champaigne Scholarship
• $5,000 toward college tuition
• For an SBCSC senior planning to attend Purdue University
• Honors innovation and service that positively impact our community
• Perfect for future-focused leaders with big ideas!

📌 South Bend Education Alliance Scholarship
• $5,000 to support college costs
• For a graduating senior who shows academic excellence & extracurricular engagement
• Celebrates students committed to community growth and building civic-minded futures

🎓 Who Can Apply:
• Graduating seniors from the South Bend Community School Corporation
• Accepted to an accredited post-secondary institution
• Demonstrated academic achievement and extracurricular involvement

📅 Apply Now! ➡️ https://southbendeducationalliance.org/scholarships/

So proud to support Riley High School’s talented thespians as they head to state competition! The dedication, creativity, and courage it takes to perform at this level is incredible, and our community is cheering you on every step of the way.

At SBEA, we believe experiences like this help students grow in confidence, teamwork, and leadership — on stage and beyond. Break a leg at state, Riley! 🌟 Your South Bend community is rooting for you!

We’re getting real close to asking the groundhog to clock in early this year.

While we wait for the Lake Michigan to locate the “off” switch, drop your most ICONIC childhood snow day memory ⛄👇

At SBEA, we work every day to connect our students and educators to experiences that expand what they believe is possible. And the most powerful moments happen when those opportunities come from our own alumni, people who once walked these same halls and now reach back to lift the next generation.

Last night, October London and his team did exactly that by welcoming 120 of our students and educators to his concert at the Morris Performing Arts Center. October is exactly the kind of inspiration our young people need. As an Adams alum, he stood on that stage not just as an artist, but as living proof that dreams born in South Bend can change the world.

One of our educators captured the moment perfectly: “Oh my God, I thank you so much. It was everything. History was definitely made yesterday and we watch him get the key to the city and then on top of that he brought Snoop Dogg to the concert. It was an honor to be there and watched the look on those kids face as they watch somebody from our hometown saying I can make it. I can be successful. I can be a superstar you can be whatever you wanna be.”

This is what community looks like. This is what giving back looks like. Thank you, October London, for showing our students what’s possible and for reminding them that greatness can start right here. South Bend Community School Corporation South Bend Education Alliance John Adams High School Riley High School South Bend Washington High School Morris Performing Arts Center City of South Bend - Municipal Government

It’s 2026, and South Bend Community Hall of Fame nominations are now OPEN! 🌟
Do you know someone who has made a lasting impact in our community through Arts, Athletics, Business & Industry, Education, PublicService, or Science & Technology?

Now’s the time to recognize the leaders, innovators, and changemakers who help shape South Bend.

Nominate your hero to be honored this year:
👉 https://southbendeducationalliance.org/hall-of-fame/

What a cool experience for our John Adams High School Alum Drew Piechocki! Go Hoosiers!

SBEA Teacher Wishlists help ease the financial burden on educators and bring meaningful learning experiences to students across SBCSC. We’re proud to support teachers like Andrea Bueno and her kindergarten classroom at Harrison Elementary. 💙📚

If we could hug every teacher, student, and supporter today, we would! 🤗💙
Since we can’t, this post will have to do. Thank you for being part of the SBEA!