- Bethel School District
- Bethel News
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March 1, 2021
The School Board has unanimously approved the elementary boundary revisions as recommended by the Boundary Committee.
The new boundaries will go into effect this fall, for the 2021/22 school year.
The adjustments to the elementary school boundaries were to accommodate the opening of the district's newest school, Katherine G. Johnson Elementary, and to alleviate overcrowding in some of the district's larger elementary schools.
Thank you to all of you who provided feedback that allowed the committee to make adjustments to the various drafts when possible.
You can see the new elementary boundaries at www.bethelsd.org/boundary
Elementary Transfer Requests: In-District & Nonresident
Due to the recent boundary adjustments, all current elementary transfers are invalidated for the 2021-22 school year. Students with an approved transfer that currently attend school outside their attendance area, will be reassigned to their resident school, based on their home address and the new boundaries.
In order to attend a school other than their assigned resident school, a new transfer request must be completed online and approved. Parents will provide transportation for students who voluntarily attend a school outside their attendance area.
The school reassignment and transfer reapplication process does not apply to students in special programs or district placements (self-contained Special Education classrooms, Thompson's Dual Language program, medical placements).
You may begin the transfer process by clicking here: https://www.bethelsd.org/Page/6196
The transfer deadlines are as follows:
1st Round of Transfers
March 26: Parent Submission Deadline
April 15: Parents Notified Deadline
2nd Round of Transfers
May 27: Parent Submission Deadline
June 11: Parents Notified Deadline
3rd Round of Transfers
August 20: Parent Submission Deadline
August 27: Parents Notified Deadline
February 12, 2021
After almost a year of remote learning, it is now time to return to in-person learning in a hybrid model for our middle school students. We will transition into the hybrid model during the month of March, beginning with 6th graders. By transitioning 6th grade students in first, students who have never attended middle school before will be able to acclimate to their new school and allow us to assure all our safety protocols are in place. Shortly after the 6th grade, the return of 7th and 8th graders will follow.
The return to in-person instruction for all middle school students is as follows:
- March 8: 6th grade students return via a hybrid A/B schedule
- March 15: 7th and 8th grade students return via a hybrid A/B schedule
Students will return on an A/B Hybrid model with students attending school in person two days a week on either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday. Then two days a week, students will work individually on assigned lessons after remote class check-ins. On Wednesdays, students will meet remotely with their teachers.
Next week you will receive information from your principal about the start and end times for school and the date for a parent information meeting. At this time, principals are finalizing balancing work on the master schedules to accommodate the 6 feet social distancing requirements for student capacity that will divide students into two groups (Group A and Group B). We hope to have that work completed prior to the end of February. As soon as it is complete, principals will inform you about the group your child is assigned to and the days when they will attend school in person. When possible, students who have sibling(s) attending a Bethel elementary school will be assigned to the same schedule as their sibling.
As part of the transition to in-person learning, middle school students will have a ½ day of school on March 4 and NO SCHOOL on March 5.
- March 4: Half day for all middle school students
- March 5: No school for all middle school students
Based on the responses to the hybrid learning survey, some families have decided to have their child remain in the remote learning setting. Parents of remote learning students will receive information about their child’s schedule as soon as schedules are complete. Many students who are continuing in the remote setting may have some changes made to their schedule.
We are very excited to begin this transition to in-person learning for our middle school students and their families. Watch for more information that will be shared with you next week from your principal.
January 29, 2021
High schools in the 4A South Puget Sound League (SPSL) and 3A Pierce County League (PCL) will return to sports practices in February with football beginning on February 1.
Fall Sports 2/8/21 through 3/20/21
- Boys/girls cross country
- Football (starts 2/1/20)
- Boys/girls golf
- Girls soccer
- Girls swim and dive
- Volleyball
Spring Sports 3/22/21 through 5/1/21
- Baseball
- Fastpitch softball
- Boys soccer
- Boys swim and dive
- Girls tennis
- Boys/girls track and field
Winter Sports 5/3/21 through 6/12/21
- Boys/girls basketball
- Girls bowling
- Cheer with stunting
- Dance
- Boys tennis
- Boys/girls wrestling
Seasons will be six weeks long with competition taking place between league schools. There will be no statewide culminating events this year with an emphasis on getting back to sports and activities in a safe environment. Each sport has a required number of practices for each student-athlete prior to participating in a competition. Football and gymnastics would start a week early as there are more pre-contest practice requirements for safety reasons.
In Phase 1 of the Healthy Washington guidelines cross country, golf and swim & dive can practice and compete. Competition for football, soccer and volleyball are dependent on reaching Healthy Washington Phase 2, though these sports can practice in Phase 1. Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reports that determine phases are released every two weeks on Friday afternoon and take effect the following Monday.
Schools will continue to follow established COVID safety guidelines that include screening, sanitizing, and physical distancing.Resources• WIAA/Healthy WA Sport & Activity Guidelines (updated 1/26/21)• Washington Sporting Activities COVID-19 Guidance (updated 1/11/21) – school and community sport information begins on page 3• DOH Risk Assessment Dashboard – Look under "Reports" for the weekly "Roadmap to Recovery" reports each Friday
January 19, 2021
As previously announced, following the latest guidance from the Governor, along with information and resources from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, we have determined start dates for all of our elementary grade levels:
- February 1: Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grade
- February 17: 2nd and 3rd grade
- March 1: 4th and 5th grade
If you haven't visited our Frequently Asked Questions page, you can find it at bethelsd.org/Page/6023.
Students will return in a hybrid A/B model
In the A/B hybrid model, half of our students will meet in person at school on Monday and Thursday (Cohort A) for full days of instruction, with the second half of the students meeting in person on Tuesday and Friday (Cohort B.)On days when students are not attending in person, they will be engaged in teacher-directed independent learning and Zoom lessons.
The student day for in-person learning will be 4½ hours. This will allow teachers to conduct a Zoom check-in with the cohort of students learning at home that day. The shorter student day will also support students as they learn in an environment very different from what they have previously experienced while in school.
You will find a copy of the Hybrid Elementary Bell Schedule by clicking here. You will be notified the week of January 25th what cohort your student(s) are in.
Health & Safety
Mask wearing and social distancing is mandatory for all students and staff in our schools. To learn more about our building safety protocols, please click on the Health and Safety tab above.If you have specific questions, or didn’t fill out the recent survey regarding your preference of returning to hybrid or remaining in remote learning, please contact your school office.
January 8, 2021
It is time to begin the process of getting all students back into classrooms for in-person learning.
Following the latest guidance from the Governor, along with information and resources from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, we have determined start dates for all of our elementary grade levels:
- February 1: Preschool, Kindergarten and 1st grade
- February 17: 2nd and 3rd grade
- March 1: 4th and 5th grade
Because middle and high school environments are very different from those of an elementary school, secondary start dates will be announced later, and will align with the Governor’s updated school guidance for in-person instruction.
Students will return in a hybrid A/B model
In the A/B model, half of our students will meet in person at school on Monday and Thursday (Cohort A) for full days of instruction, with the second half of the students meeting in person on Tuesday and Friday (Cohort B.) On days when students are not attending in person, they will be engaged in teacher-directed independent learning.We used the elementary parent survey conducted in October for our preliminary planning. We know much has changed since then, so we are asking elementary parents to take the time to redo the survey now, so we have the most up-to-date information about your student’s needs.
Click here to fill out the preschool and elementary survey (DEADLINE: Jan 15)
Elementary FAQ for Parent Selection Process
We are also asking parents of middle and high school students to fill out a survey with their preferences. This survey will help as we plan the hybrid model for middle school and high school. If, as more information is available about the hybrid model, you want to move your middle or high school child from one plan to the other, you will be able to do so by contacting your school by a date that will be publicized.
Click here to fill out the middle and high school survey (DEADLINE: Jan 24)
Special Education Students
We will increase in-person services for students served in K-12 self-contained special education classrooms to four days per week beginning on February 1. Schools and IEP case managers will be in contact with families prior to February 1 with more information.Health & Safety
Mask wearing and social distancing is mandatory for all students and staff in our schools. To learn more about our building safety protocols, please visit www.bethelsd.org/backtoschool.Any changes to this proposed schedule will be determined by the Superintendent, in consultation with the Board of Directors, based on guidance and direction from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Governor, and state and local health authorities.
Additional resources
Governor's updated school guidance for in-person instruction
Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery -
February 24th, 2021
Second and third grade returns to the classroom
Our second and third graders returned to the classroom recently, and our fourth and fifth graders will be joining them soon! https://www.facebook.com/BethelSD/videos/ 2781607372081321
Senior Survival
Taylor Edwards, a teacher at Graham-Kapowsin High School, created a "Senior Survival" class to teach kids the critical skills they'll need as adults, with a 21st century twist. She spoke about the class with KIRO Radio. https://mynorthwest.com/2621099/teacher-budgeting- school/
Bond project update: Katherine G. Johnson Elementary
Thank you, voters! Construction continues on Katherine G. Johnson Elementary School! The recent snowfall made for some pretty drone footage of the building from above, while inside, construction was underway. https://youtu.be/rArroVv0NS8
NOW HIRING: Bus Drivers
We're hiring school bus drivers! If you have any questions, please call our Transportation Department at 253-800-5900. Learn more and apply here: https://www.applitrack.com/bethelsd/onlineapp/default. aspx?Category=Transportation
Blood Drives
Did you know one pint of blood can save three lives? Now's your chance to help! There are a lot of opportunities coming up to donate blood. Learn more and sign up here: https://www.crbs.net/donate-at-a-blood-drive/find-a-blood- drive/ -
School Board Recap 2-23-21
Elementary Boundary Revisions
The School Board unanimously approved the elementary boundary revisions as recommended by the Boundary Committee. The new boundaries will go into effect for the 2021/22 school year.
The adjustments to the elementary school boundaries were to accommodate the opening of the district's newest school, Katherine G. Johnson Elementary, and to alleviate overcrowding in some of the district's larger elementary schools.
The committee consisted of district administrators, elementary principals, and parents. The committee agreed to a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity and worked to minimize disruption to families now and in the future. The committee also gathered feedback from the community through surveys and meetings, and used that information to make adjustments to the various drafts when possible.
You can see the new boundaries at www.bethelsd.org/boundary
Read Across America Day, March 2, 2021
This is the 23rd year our district is asking teachers, support staff, parents, and community readers to share favorite stories with children in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. http://go.boarddocs.com/wa/bethel/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BXLNWK61EE36
National School Social Work Week, March 7-13, 2021
School Social Work Week will be celebrated March 7-13 to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school social workers within the United States school systems. http://go.boarddocs.com/wa/bethel/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BXHPDD641A01
Education Support Professionals Week, March 8-12, 2021
National Education Support Professionals Week will be recognized March 8-12, 2021. The efforts of education support professionals allow us to provide and sustain high quality services to students. http://go.boarddocs.com/wa/bethel/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=BXLP5662E59A
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