In this week's Staff News we'll show off some of our most recent graduates, check in on a few of our outstanding alumni, and celebrate some amazing students and teachers! When you're done with all that, click here to listen to this week's podcast, where we hear from some student podcasters and talk big fish stories.
(Pictured above: Challenger High and the Bethel Virtual Academy held graduations on Wednesday. Click here for the full graduation schedule and find out how to livestream the upcoming ceremonies.)
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Getting Rowdy at Naches Trail | |
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Country music star Rowdy McCarran returned home to his earliest alma mater, Naches Trail Elementary.
McCarran reached out to the school to see if he could meet a former teacher of his, Darryl Fralick. Fralick started teaching at Naches Trail in 1986. McCarran remembers Fralick giving out 45 rpm records to his students as prizes. Fralick was surprised and delighted that his former student reached out and shared the impact he had on him as a teacher.
“For all you teachers out there, you do make a difference,” Fralick said.
The two agreed to reunite at a school assembly focused on finding your strengths, setting goals, and persevering.
“Believe in yourself, because if you don’t, nobody’s going to do it for you,” McCarran told the students.
McCarran closed out the assembly by singing his song, “A Little Bit of Love” as students and staff clapped along.
“I’m driven by a desire to make a difference in people's lives,” McCarron said. “If I can touch someone’s heart and transform what might otherwise be a bad day into a better day, then I feel that I am doing my job. Seeing the smiles from the people I’m performing for makes me feel super happy, because music is a message from my heart.”
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Podcast Episode 85: Near-death experiences and fish stories | |
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This week we're featuring podcasts made by students! Press play for some family fishing fun, near death experiences, and some behind-the-scenes podcast data you'll have to hear to believe!
And just a reminder that all of our podcasts are available on every major podcast platform, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Pandora. Links to all of them are available here.
If you like what you hear, be sure to share the podcast with a friend!
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DONNA MCCASKILL (SPANAWAY LAKE HIGH)
A big SHOUT OUT to Donna McCaskill for her incredible support during our Multilingual Family Fun Night. She reached out to us expressing her enthusiasm for supporting our event and sought ways for her clubs, African Student Association and Black Students United Club, to participate. Her clubs not only helped with decorations but also performed. Her involvement and collaboration significantly enriched our event. Thank you, Donna, for your invaluable support and commitment to celebrating all our multilingual families!
-- Michele Lovell, Multilingual TOSA
KELLY TAYLOR (EARLY LEARNING)
Thank you, Kelly, for responding so quickly to a last minute request for a pre-evaluation observation. You are amazing!
-- Debbie Bohannan, Early Learning
SIS TEAM AND CHRIS CANINO
A huge thanks to SIS and Chris for all your help with new (and seasoned) registrars! It's not easy to do the 50 million tasks that we have to do while also still learning the system as well, but they are always so kind and helpful to answer any and all questions, no matter how silly I may feel. A million thanks!!
-- Brianne Fleming, Graham Elementary
KRISTY KARMAN (NACHES TRAIL ELEMENTARY)
Your dedication, hard work and planning for the DDA night was amazing! Over 120 families have been connected to resources that will change their lives. You went above and beyond your role as a TOSA - we are all blessed to be part of your team! (and you did it all with a broken foot!)
-- Anonymous
CARMAN, TIFFANY, JENIFER, & NAKIA (BETHEL VIRTUAL ACADEMY)
You are the best to work with! You are great at handling things on the fly, going that extra mile to step in and help, supporting everyone around you, and laughing when there is nothing else you can do because "it is what it is!" Thank you for for all that you do!
-- Grateful coworker, Bethel Virtual Academy
JEANINE CRIJNS (SUBSTITUTE)
Jeanine has been our sub this week in structure 3-5. She has shown so much patience and understanding for the students in our classroom. The structure 3-5 team appreciates her coming in and supporting us.
-- Kathy True, Rocky Ridge Elementary
SHELBEE MANGUM (HUMAN RESOURCES)
Thank you, Shelbee! In a time where I might have not been on my game because of family matters, Shelbee saved me and my family more heartache. Thanks for truly having our backs.
-- Susan Stotts, Graham-Kapowsin High
SHIRLEY, SHANNON & MIKE (THOMPSON ELEMENTARY)
Thank you for everything you have done ALL year for your students. You three have provided structure, consistency, love and guidance to every single one of your kids. I have witnessed all three of you not only take on your own kids, but others. You three have been dealt challenge after challenge after challenge and you have handled every situation with complete professionalism and grace. THANK YOU!
-- Anonymous
STACIE HUTCHINSON & NATHAN MOLINEK (WAREHOUSE)
With 3 minutes left of their workday, Stacie Hutchinson & Nathan Molinek answered my desperate call. Bethel Acceleration was hosting graduation at SLHS and graduating the largest group thus far, 50 students!! After switching the group to the SLHS Commons they noticed they were short 300 chairs for families. Stacie & Nathan didn't hesitate when I called and said they would load the small truck and deliver the chairs and the crisis was averted. Stacie & Nathan, you went above and beyond and the secondary team cannot thank you enough! You are appreciated.
-- Mary Ann Mulloy-White, ESC
TEAM BETHEL
We want to give YOU a Shout Out for being so generous with praise for your coworkers! We've received so many Shout Out in recent weeks that we're going to run a special Shout Out Special next Wednesday.
-- Communications Team
Do you know anyone who deserves a little extra recognition? Fill out your own staff "Shout Out" here. And we'll share it in Staff News, as well as on our district Intranet and on the digital screens located in staff lounges.
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The School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program would like to hear what you think about your benefits and how SEBB could potentially improve.
Please take this brief survey to help them continue to improve their offerings and services. The survey should take about 5 minutes to complete. Please note that this survey is for employee members only.
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Our district has exceptional substitutes, and this afternoon we're honoring their dedication to our students. Join us for a drive-up appreciation event today, June 7th, from noon to 4:30 p.m. at the ESC (516 176th Street East). Swing by to grab a sweet treat and celebrate the conclusion of another fantastic year. Subs, feel free to use this time to drop off your 23/24 badge if you have finished your scheduled assignments for the year. | |  |
Are you moving this summer? | |
Are you moving this summer?
Don’t forget to update your address in Employee Access! Address changes are made under the Personal Information tab, in the Demographics menu. It is important to keep your address current for tax documents from the district and benefit information from SEBB.
If you’re leaving the district, hold onto your Skyward login information. You will still have access to your financial information in Employee Access through Bethel’s website.
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Celebrate our amazing seniors | |
It's graduation season, and as we do every year, we've been taking some time over the past few weeks to single out a few of the district’s best and brightest seniors. Scroll through our Facebook page here to learn a bit more about these amazing young adults and where they'll be heading next year. | |
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Annual Leave Cash Out forms are now available in Employee Access. You will see a pop-up window when you log into Employee Access that will prompt you to complete your form. The forms are due by June 30.
For Certificated employees, cashed out personal leave is paid in July. A maximum of one day may be cashed out at the hourly substitute rate of $26.6667. For information, see Article 35, Section 2 of the BEA bargaining agreement.
For Classified employees, cashed out personal leave is paid in August. A maximum of two days may be cashed out. For information, see Article 9, Section 9.3 of the PSE bargaining agreement.
For Administrators and Unrepresented employees, cashed out vacation leave is paid in July. The Cash Out form includes instructions and information from the Employment Agreement.
If you have questions, contact payroll_benefits@bethelsd.org.
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We're partnering with Bethel Recreation to host a "Teen Summer Nights" program this summer for 6th through 12th grade Bethel students from July 1 through August 22. The program will be held at Bethel Middle and Cedarcrest Middle from 5-8 p.m.
Bethel Recreation is currently hiring staff for the program. P.E. teachers and campus safety workers are needed! Bethel School District Employees are preferred. These positions offer great pay and flexible work days.
Interested? Email Jolie Moxley, Teen Summer Nights Program Manager here, or call 253-800-4304.
| The staff at Bethel High School wanted to find a way to give each and every student a personalized message of support, so they took the unique approach of creating hundreds of personalized “shout outs,” which they posted throughout the school and let the students find and keep. | |
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Six Bethel students were awarded scholarships this week through the Promise Scholars program.
This scholarship provides money towards college, provided the students graduate from one of our high schools.
The event, which was held at the Pierce County Skills Center, was also attended by fifth graders from Frederickson Elementary. The students were given a tour of the Skills Center prior to the awards ceremony.
Superintendent Tom Seigel also spoke with students, making the connection between the level of education and dollars earned in the workforce.
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Bethel alums help protect Veep | |
This is so cool! Two Bethel High School graduates were tasked with helping protect Vice President Kamala Harris on her recent trip to Seattle. Seattle Police Officer John Shields (class of 2001) and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent Russell Pablo (class of 2004) took a moment to snap a photo of the historic day. | |
In June, the EAP Work/Life site is offering tools and resources about the basics of living well so you can explore self-care strategies to improve physical health, nurture mental well-being, foster positive relationships, and adopt healthy habits. Get started by viewing this month’s on-demand seminar, “Living Well 365 – Igniting Motivation for a Fulfilling Life” – it’s available beginning Tuesday, June 18th. Work/Life site: Just log in with our Organization Code: BSD403. | |
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Are you getting ready to retire or resign? Forms to help you out are now available online here.
RETIREMENT PARTIES
Kay Gallo and Erin Anderson
Tuesday, June 11 from 2:30 p.m.
Naches Trail Elementary
Mark Shumaker from Printshop
Tuesday, June 11 at 1 p.m.
Bethel Annex (5410 184th St. E, Building C, Puyallup)
Andrea Landes
Tuesday, June 11 at 3 p.m.
Pierce County Skills Center (16117 Canyon Rd E, Puyallup)
Tuesday June 11 at 5:30 p.m.
208 Garfield (208 Garfield St. S., Tacoma)
Dee Hodge, Mary Kay Hayes, Doug Barnes, Shelly Edminster, Debbie Bernstein, Stephanie Butow
Wednesday, June 12 at 5 p.m.
Matazlan Mexican Restaurant (10302 198th St Ct E, Graham)
Becky Love
Wednesday, June 12 at 4:30 p.m.
Puerto Vallarta Mexican Restaurant (21718 103rd Ave Ct E, Graham)
Lori Allar
Thursday, June 13 at 5 p.m.
Rainier View Nursery (12314 264th St. E., Graham)
Patti Guthrie
Saturday, June 15 at 2 p.m.
Sunrise Clubhouse (15807 134th Ave E, Puyallup)
Planning a retirement party? Send us the information here so we can include it in a future Staff News.
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Attend a School Board Meeting | |
Dedication for PCSC's Evergreen building | |
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: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Debbie Carlman, dcarlman@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2019; Title IX Coordinator, Bryan Streleski, bstreleski@bethelsd.org, 253.800.4302; and 504 Coordinator, Andrea Landes, alandes@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2301. 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: Coordinadora de Cumplimiento de Derechos Civiles: Debbie Carlman, dcarlman@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2019; Coordinador del Título IX, Bryan Streleski, bstreleski@bethelsd.org, 253.800.4302; Coordinadora 504, Andrea Landes, alandes@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2301. Todas las personas pueden ser contactadas en esta dirección: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. | | | | |
