There are no words.
Okay, that's a lie.
But it feels like we've been talking about the levy renewals forever, and now that voters have ensured that we won't have to cut $50 million from our budget, we can all take a collective sigh of relief and get back to business as normal.
Well ... as "normal" as working in the always exciting world of education can be!
With that said, any chance you have, please take a moment to thank voters for their support of our schools. We've created a "Levy Funded" graphic and we encourage you to add it to programs, fliers, brochures, newsletters ... anything you can think of to help remind parents of the impact these levies are having every day in our district.
Our final caffeinated Major* Award goes to Kenneth Taylor from the Transportation Department. Congrats, Kenneth! A team of baristas is debating over the caffeine content of your prize, but we'll be sending it to you as soon as we can.
Want to win this week's non-caffeinated (but still super awesome) Major* Award? In light of the levies passing, we're going to have a little fun. Just answer the following questions:
1) Who is your favorite Batman (West, Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney, Bale, Affleck, or Pattinson)?
2) Who was your favorite teacher when you were growing up and what did they teach?
3) What does the fox say?
Everyone who sends the "correct" answers to staffnews@bethelsd.org will earn a chance to win an ultra-rare, Major* Award. The winner will be chosen at random and announced in our next Staff News.
*Major is a great adjective to describe just how important levies are to our district
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Teacher Appreciation Week: May 2-6 |
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Teacher Appreciation Week is next week, and we're putting together a slideshow featuring some of our amazing educators.
Do you have photos of your favorite teachers in the district? Send them to us so we can share them with the rest of the Bethel community.
This week the School Board took time to recognize the commitment and dedication of our teachers through a special resolution. We are privileged to have a staff of professionals who are committed to the future of our young people and who go "above and beyond" to provide a quality learning environment for Bethel students and the community. |
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Casey Crate Memorial at New BHS |
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With Katherine G. Johnson Elementary now open, we wanted to provide you with updates on our next projects funded by the 2019 School Construction Bond. Learn more about Elementary #19, construction on the Graham-Kapowsin High School expansion project, and the timeline on the New Bethel High School by clicking the image above! |
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BETHEL HEALTH CLERKS
I want to give a HUGE Shout Out to ALL Bethel Health Clerks, especially Elementary Health Clerks who are wearing multiple hats. You are all amazing and doing a fantastic job! Here's hoping that next year will be a little more "normal" for us (fingers crossed).
-- Cathryn Maine, Evergreen Health Clerk
JEFF MANN, BOB EARLS, AND ADAM LANE
I want to thank these three special men who helped NTE and KGJ with the big move/transition (KGJ to their new school and NTE doing a reset). Not only did KGJ have to move to their new beautiful school, but borrowed furniture had to go back to neighboring schools, and our NTE Staff had a lot of movement within our building too, and cleaning that needed to be done very quickly. Movers and custodial staff came, even finishing up on a Saturday, and did an excellent job. Our buildings look great. Thank you for your support and help in this process! Whew! We got it done! (Thanks to all the teachers and staff too that helped those moving and setting up classrooms!!!)
-- Kay Gallo, Naches Trail Elementary
SARA OLSON (CLOVER CREEK ELEMENTARY)
Thank you, Sara, for always making time to mentor, listen, and lead our building in a steadfast way that has deep connection to our building's vision, mission, and our personal whys.
-- Clover Creek Elementary Leadership Team
KIMBERLY JONES (GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN HIGH)
Shout Out to Ms. Jones for all the hard work she puts in to her job and for how fun she makes her classes and how kind she is with her kids. Great job!
-- Danica Seville, Graham-Kapowsin High
NORTH STAR BUS DRIVERS
I just want to say thank you to all the bus drivers that drive for North Star. Each of you go above and beyond for these kids, even when that means having to personally walk in a crying kindergartener and give him four side hugs before you go. Also a huge thank you to each bus driver that extended their run to get our kids home, whether from another late bus stuck behind unforeseen issues or because a student did not get to where they needed to go. You always show up and help out with a smile on your face every time. We are grateful for you all!
-- North Star Elementary staff
FIELD MAINTENANCE TEAM
These guys are amazing! Every day we need them to prep fields they are out early and are working so hard to get it done! Mr. Reed even came out to help and he was not even on the clock! GKHS softball appreciate ALL OF YOU!!!
-- Cathy Haley, Graham-Kapowsin High
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Want to see your senior on a billboard? |
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Graduation is just around the corner, and we'll be celebrating the Class of 2022 on three billboards around our community. On Monday, parents of seniors will get an email inviting them to submit a photo of their soon-to-be graduate for consideration.
But we know many of our staff are proud parents as well!
If you have a senior graduating from one of our high schools this year and want to see them showcased on a billboard or in the graduation issue of the Bethel Pride magazine, email a high resolution photo to communications@bethelsd.org. Please include the following text in your email:
"By submitting this photo, I am agreeing to the photo being used on a billboard or in the Bethel Pride magazine."
Deadline for photo submissions is May 6.
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Workforce Secondary Traumatic Stress |
In the spring of 2021, SHB 1363: Addressing Workforce Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) in the K-12 workforce was passed into legislation.
This legislation acknowledges the significant toll STS has on educators, and subsequently students, and focuses on the adoption of policy and procedures so that districts and schools can take meaningful steps in supporting their staff’s health and well-being.
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COVID-19 building protocols |
The Washington Department of Health and Tacoma Pierce County Health Department recently made changes to their isolation and quarantine guidelines that align with the CDC guidance.
These changes may enable staff and students to return to school sooner than previously outlined following a positive test or exposure.
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Special Olympics Washington is holding regional competitions over the next two weeks, and they’re looking for volunteers! This would be a great opportunity for families to volunteer together or for high-schoolers to get their service hours. Learn more about how you can help by clicking here. |
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RETIREMENT PARTIES
Lynn Kelley (OSC)
April 29 (TODAY!) at 2:30 p.m.
Bethel High School cafeteria
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Bethel School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Coordinator, Director of Athletics and Security: 253.800.4303; Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Executive Director of Special Education: 253.800.2300; Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Director of Equity and Achievement: 253.800.2019. All individuals may be reached at this address: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. // El Distrito Escolar de Bethel no discrimina en sus programas o actividades por motivos de sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, nacionalidad, edad, condición de veterano de guerra o grado militar, orientación sexual, expresión de género o identidad, discapacidad o uso de perro guía entrenado o animal de servicio, además ofrece igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y a otros grupos de jóvenes especificados. El empleado mencionado a continuación ha sido designado para atender consultas y quejas de supuesta discriminación: Coordinador del Título IX, Director de Atletismo y Seguridad: 253.800.4303; Coordinadora de Sección 504/ADA, Directora Ejecutiva de Educación Especial: 253.800.2300; Coordinadora de Cumplimiento de Derechos Civiles Directora de Equidad y Logro: 253.800.2019. Todas las personas pueden ser contactadas en esta dirección: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. |
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