People are our greatest asset

When our staff learns and grows, our students do too. And planning for professional development opportunities is a big job.

“We used our Strategic Plan as our compass,” said Elissa Dornan, Director of Elementary Teaching and Learning. She said everything about the plan, including the district’s Core Values, “drives what we do.”

One of those Core Values is: “People are our greatest asset.” Because of that, we work hard to provide resources and ongoing professional development to our staff.

Bethel Professional Learning Days are held in August, but the planning begins in February, when educators are surveyed for the type of trainings they want to see offered that year. That way the Teaching and Learning Department can begin to prioritize training that teachers want to see.

Then the team partners with principals, teacher-leaders, and district departments including Equity, Technology, Career and College Readiness, and more. By the time August rolls around, they have packed a lot of learning into just a few days, which includes support for new teachers, as well as teachers in their first three years of the profession.

Over three days in August, 99 courses were offered during Bethel Professional Learning Days, including a course that brought paraeducators and teachers together that focused on the neural science of hope.

And all that learning will continue as the school year moves forward, including mentors for first year teachers, and ongoing check-ins with educators in their first few years of teaching.

“It's ongoing to ensure that people feel cared about,” said Shawn Simpson, Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning, “to help kids succeed.”

Another training that will be ongoing was initiated up by the district’s Behavior Task Force. Teachers, administrators, and leaders from every school and department in our district gathered for an inspiring session with John and Jessica Hannigan’s P-12 Behavior Solutions. As experts in implementing effective behavior systems in schools nationwide, the Hannigans provided valuable insights and strategies for Team Bethel.

“This was a spectacular day,” said Executive Director of Elementary Schools Kelley Boynton. He said the theme of the day was that over 90% of challenging behaviors are predictable.

“If they’re predictable, they’re preventable,” he said.

The Hannigans will continue their collaboration with the Behavior Task Force throughout the school year to support school behavior teams 

By investing in our educators' growth throughout the year, we are committed to creating the best learning environment possible for each and every one of our students. 

Podcast changes

Our district’s award-winning podcast, The Bethel School District Presents, has changed podcast-hosting services! If you were subscribed on Spotify, Amazon Music, or iHeartRadio you will need to resubscribe to the pod. Direct links can be found here.



We’re excited that this change has also added our show to YouTube podcasts and the Samsung podcast app, among many others! Thanks to everyone who listens each week, and if you like what you hear, be sure to like, comment, subscribe and share!

Podcast Episode 99: Technology, travel and tattoos

This week, we chat with a teacher about her trip to Washington D.C., where she was one of 32 lucky educators to take part in the Smithsonian's Teacher Innovator Institute! We discuss A.I. in the classroom, must-see museums, and how STEAM is helping students grow and learn.

And just a reminder that all of our podcasts are available on every major podcast platform, including Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Podcasts. Links to all of them are available here.

If you like what you hear, be sure to share the podcast with a friend!

In case you missed it

• Take a Pierce County Parks survey
• Check out the latest Bethel Pride online



Action item: New nondiscrimination statement

If you create any online or printed publications for your school or department, this message is for you!

Our nondiscrimination statement has been updated and you need to begin using the new language now. 

The Communications Department has already updated the district and school websites, but the nondiscrimination statement must also be used in any publication that is disseminated on an annual or periodic basis to all students, parents, participants, applicants, employees, or stakeholders. This includes district publications as well as building publications.

You can find the updated nondiscrimination statement along with more information about where it needs to be used here.

AMANDA HRVATIN (TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT)

Thank you so much for your continued support of our technology needs at Nelson! We so appreciated your help with tech challenges before our Expectations Assembly! We are excited to work with you again this year.

-- Nelson Elementary Team

ZENAIDA LUCERO (FREDERICKSON ELEMENTARY)

I started with Bethel SD this year as a nurse. As our health clerk (and attendance and back-up in the main office and probably 5 other titles I don't even know about) Zenaida has helped me so much throughout the process and is a wealth of information. This isn't an easy job and the start of the school year has been very hectic, but Zenaida has helped me navigate it as best as I can to make sure I am able to care for our students in the best way I can.

-- Seth McCord, Frederickson Elementary

JODI GREGORY (HUMAN RESOURCES)

Jodi is always such a ray of sunshine and works so, so hard! I always appreciate her humor, kindness, and work ethic! Thanks for being you, Jodi!

-- Kelsey Moon, Frederickson Elementary

MAHOGANY CORIOSO (TRANSPORTATION)

Mahogany is doing a fantastic job with Type 2 training at Transportation. I took her class and her personality and attention to detail were fantastic. Thank you!

-- Stefanie Brophy, Graham-Kapowsin High

SUSAN BOYLES (THOMPSON ELEMENTARY)

Ms. Boyles, thank you so much for having me as a student teacher this year. I am enjoying this year already and it's been a great start.

-- Leticia Stauffer, Thompson Elementary

JENNY HOUGH-SAMPSON AND TESS KONING (TECH TOSA)

Thank you SO much for your support through iPad deployment. Our FMS kiddos are so lucky that you came out to help. We couldn't have survived the process without you!

-- Sarah Laase, Frontier Middle

HOLLY WINKLER (ESC)

Holly is a gem. Holly is very detailed, diligent, and readily shares her time and knowledge with all of us in the Bethel library family. She is a wonderful asset to us and to the district. Opening up a new school is always a complex endeavor, and Holly has gone above and beyond to make sure Expedition's curriculum needs are being met. She makes a difference! Thank you, Holly! We truly appreciate you!

-- The Expedition Library 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.

Watch: New Bethel High update

Thank you, voters! Our construction crews have been busy since we broke ground on the new Bethel High School in March. The ambitious project is slated for completion for the 2026-27 school year, aiming to deliver a modern and comprehensive learning environment for the district's high school students. Click the image above to watch our latest drone video from the project.

Email retention changes

The district will be implementing a two-year retention policy on all email starting October 1, 2024. Effective email retention helps us manage and store data efficiently, reduces clutter, and makes it easier to find important information. In addition, retaining emails for a defined period helps protect sensitive information and reduces the risk of data breaches.

WHEN WILL IT TAKE EFFECT?

October 1, 2024. All email that has not had an interaction within the past two years will be deleted. Deleted emails will remain in your trash for 30 days and then permanently deleted.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?

You should set aside time before October 1, 2024 to clean out your inbox. You can get rid of emails that you don't need to keep. Here are few things to consider during this process:

1. Save emails (copy/paste) or download attachments to your google drive that you deem important. Use folders in google drive to categorize and archive important emails.

2. Future maintenance: Unsubscribe from mailing lists that are no longer relevant. Set up filters to automatically sort incoming emails, and plan time to clear your inbox regularly.

Win of the Week!

Congratulations to the Bethel High School girls volleyball team for their impressive 3-1 victory over Orting High! They truly served up a winning performance, spiking their way to the top and earning this week’s ace of a win.

School Board meeting recap 9-10-24

Introduction of New Administrators

Our newly appointed administrators were introduced to the Board.

• Baylee Hart, Principal of Camas Prairie Elementary
• Matt Ryan, Assistant Principal of Camas Prairie Elementary
• Lori Gauthier, Assistant Principal of Clover Creek Elementary
• Ashley Swindahl, Principal of Elk Plain School of Choice
• Martin Lund, Assistant Principal of Elk Plain School of Choice
• Mackenzie Flores, Assistant Principal of Frederickson Elementary
• Angelica Clark, Assistant Principal of Graham Elementary
• Sophie Brannon, Principal of Naches Trail Elementary
• Bevin Hall, Assistant Principal of Naches Trail Elementary
• Liz Smith, Assistant Principal of Nelson Elementary
• Brianna LaQuet, Assistant Principal of Pioneer Valley Elementary
• Denise Watson, Principal of Roy Elementary
• Bryan Forsberg, Principal of Spanaway Elementary
• Arturo Gonzalez, Principal of Thompson Elementary
• Brenda White-Thompson, Assistant Principal of Thompson Elementary
• Brian Butler, Assistant Principal of Bethel High School
• Chari Wright, Principal of Frontier Middle School
• Sarah Sunday, Principal of Spanaway Middle School

Minimum Basic Education Requirement Compliance

The State Board of Education is responsible for ensuring district compliance with the program of Basic Education, and annually conducts a survey that allows districts to affirm compliance.

Summer Professional Learning

Bethel's Summer Professional Learning (BPL) 2024 is a key initiative designed to enhance instructional practices and support equitable outcomes across the district.

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 / Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, Debbie Carlman, dcarlman@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2019; Title IX Coordinator, Bryan Streleski, bstreleski@bethelsd.org, 253.800.4302; and 504 Coordinator, Melissa Munson-Merritt, mmunsonmer@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2301. All individuals may be reached at this address: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint: bethelsd.org. 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 por el 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. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para atender consultas y quejas de supuesta discriminación: Cumplimiento de los Derechos Civiles/Coordinadora Escolar de Inclusión de Género, Debbie Carlman, dcarlman@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2019; Coordinador del Título IX, Bryan Streleski, bstreleski@bethelsd.org, 253.800.4302 y Coordinadora 504, Melissa Munson-Merritt, mmunsonmer@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2301. Todas las personas pueden ser localizadas en esta dirección 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. Las consultas sobre el Título IX también pueden dirigirse a la Oficina de Derechos Civiles (OCR) del Departamento de Educación de EE.UU.: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html. Para más información sobre las políticas de no discriminación y discriminación por razón de sexo; los procedimientos de reclamación y sobre cómo comunicar una preocupación o queja visite: www.bethelsd.org.