Some of our neighboring school districts are talking publicly about a return to in-person learning. We look forward to returning to in-person learning here in Bethel, and are continuing to plan for that eventuality. We have no specific dates to share at this time, but we are continuing to weigh the data each day from the health department. Once a decision is made, we will give our staff, students and families as much advance notice as possible before we transition.

When a decision is made to allow students back in schools, we will be enforcing all health and safety requirements. This includes immunization requirements and medication and/or treatment orders for students with life-threatening health conditions.

Students with life-threatening health conditions must have their orders renewed every school year before they can come to school in person.

New immunization regulations require immunizations to be complete and up to date before students can start school in person.

​To get your child’s immunizations up to date, contact your healthcare provider or visit our list of local resources to get your child their immunizations.

You can access health forms, immunization information, and more at bethelsd.org/health

ABC Day 2020 cancelled
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will not be able to hold our 12th annual All Bethel Community Day (ABC Day) this year. We are, however, planning to bring ABC Day back on October 2, 2021 at Bethel High School! Thank you for your understanding. We will miss seeing you. Stay safe and healthy!
 
Helping our neighbors in need
The outpouring of support from our community in response to the recent wildfires has been more than generous. We've received fresh veggies grown at the Kapowsin Elementary garden, donations of gift cards and more from local churches and businesses like Sound Credit Union, and pallets of goods from relief organizations like World Vision. Our Community Connections Department recently delivered the donations to families impacted by the fires, who were overwhelmed by the generosity of their neighbors. https://youtu.be/tXIqzY2DNbg
 
Flu Shots
Free drive-through flu shots are available at a number of locations in October, including Bethel High School. Click here to see the full schedule: https://www.tpchd.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=7587
 
Thank you, voters!
When Bethel voters approved a Technology Levy six years ago to give every student in the district access to a personal iPad, they weren’t thinking about a global pandemic that would one day force us out of our classrooms and into a new world of distance learning. https://medium.com/@BethelSD/bethel-voters-give-students-tech-advantage-during-pandemic-c809337d810b
 
School meals are free this fall
The USDA waiver that allows us to offer free meals to all kids is only extended through December 31. Because of this, we are encouraging households to continue to apply for the Free and Reduced Price meal program. To apply online, go to: https://emealapps.bethelsd.org. You can learn more and find the list of our 12 meal site locations at bethelsd.org/meals.
 

Immunizations Update
When a decision is made to allow students back in schools, we will be enforcing all health and safety requirements. This includes immunization requirements and medication and/or treatment orders for students with life-threatening health conditions.

Students with life-threatening health conditions must have their orders renewed every school year before they can come to school in person.

New immunization regulations require immunizations to be complete and up to date before students can start school in person.

You can access health forms, immunization information, and more at bethelsd.org/health

To get your child’s immunizations up to date, contact your healthcare provider or visit our list of local resources to get your child their immunizations.

Flu Shots
Free drive-through flu shots are available at a number of locations in October, including Bethel High School. Click here to see the full schedule.

Native American Program
Our Native American Program serves over 300 students from over 90 tribes across the district. Learn more about the program by clicking here. If you are interested in joining, please fill out this form.

School meals are FREE this fall
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the waiver that allows us to offer free meals to all kids (ages 1-18) this fall. The USDA waiver is only extended through December 31, 2020, so please keep your meal cards and get your applications submitted now for the Free and Reduced Price meal program.

You can learn more at bethelsd.org/meals.

COVID-19 Update
Pierce County has transitioned from the high level to the moderate level of COVID-19 infection. Superintendents from across Pierce County weighed in on what this means for resuming in-person learning at school. You can read their letter here: https://www.bethelsd.org/cms/lib/WA01918819/Centricity/Domain/338/Collective%20Message%20PC%20Supt%209_4_20%20news.pdf
 
Bond Project Update
August was another exciting month at the new Katherine G. Johnson Elementary construction site. Click the link to learn more about the school's progress, as well as our other bond projects. https://medium.com/@BethelSD/bond-project-update-august-2020-ed1271bf6970
 
Q13 spotlights district teacher
We’re so proud of our teachers and students for putting in so much effort to make this year successful. Check out this great Q13 story about how the first day of school unfolded in Bethel. https://www.q13fox.com/news/graham-educators-hope-lessons-learned-in-spring-helps-students-ease-into-remote-learning
 
School meals are free this fall
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) extended the waiver that allows us to offer free meals to all kids (ages 1-18). Please keep the meal card you were sent in the mail, as the waiver is only extended through December 31. Because of this, we are encouraging households to continue to apply for the Free and Reduced Price meal program. To apply online, go to: https://emealapps.bethelsd.org. You can learn more and find the list of our 12 meal site locations at bethelsd.org/meals.

Reopening of School Update
Dr. David Hammond, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools and Dr. Jennifer Bethman, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools provided an update on the first few days of school.

Curriculum Adoption: AP Calculus
The Board adopted a six-year license of Cengage for the AP Calculus course. The old text was from 2011 and the publisher was no longer in business. Edgenuity uses an AP Calculus text that is also outdated (2015) and does not offer any online resources other than the Edgenuity course which is limited. Since the Edgenuity option was not viable, the Instructional Material Committee reviewed and unanimously supported adopting a new text and building a Canvas course.

Curriculum Adoption: AP Statistics (renewal)
The Board adopted a six year license of “The Practice Of Statistics for the AP Exam 6th Edition” for the AP Statistics course. The current AP Statistics curriculum license expires this fall. The current textbook is from 2015 and the publisher produced a new 6th edition with AP updates that are used by Edgenuity for their AP Statistics course. Since the new text is a viable option, the Instructional Materials Committee recommended unanimously to update the current text to the 6th edition.

Both of these AP Curriculum adoptions were a priority need for our teachers because of the extensive digital resources the new texts provide, as well as the Advanced Placement updates. These tools are essential to offer high quality courses for students during distance learning now and in future school configurations. 

Online Learning Platform Adoption (Bethel Virtual Academy, K-5)
The Board adopted Accelerate Education as the online learning platform to be used in the Bethel Virtual Academy for elementary students in grades K-5.

Accelerate Education offers a learning platform with complete courses built to support students and teachers in an online learning environment. The curriculum offers a variety of activities and assessments appropriate to the courses being studied, including labs, journals, written assignments, discussions, projects, and assessments.

You can see the presentation materials by clicking here.

Introduction of Newly Appointed Administrators
New administrators were introduced to the Board. You can view the list by clicking here.