Bethel School District

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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

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

Bethel Pride

January/Feburary 2021

You can view the Bethel Pride archive by clicking here.

Bethel in the News

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