• Bethel School District News and Updates

      News & Updates

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        Levy 2022

        Next year, our district will have two levies up for renewal. Our Educational Programs and Operations Levy was last renewed in 2018. It helps pay for critical things like special education programs and extra transportation costs — items the state does not fully fund. Our Technology Levy, which was first passed in 2014 and last renewed in 2018, funds our iPad program that helped our district transition quickly to online learning during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more at: bethelsd.org/levy2022

         

        Bond sale saves taxpayers millions

        The Bethel School District has taken advantage of low bond interest rates to save taxpayers money. A sale of bonds including a portion of the bonds authorized by voters in 2019, along with a refinancing of existing bonds authorized by the Board of Directors last month, will result in savings of millions of dollars for taxpayers. Read more at: https://bethelsd.medium.com/bond-sale-saves-taxpayers-millions-6c748934b7ab

         

        Calendar Change

        February 18, 2022 will now be a school day. Please update your calendars. This is due to the widespread power outage that canceled school on November 9.

         

        COVID-19 Quarantine Change

        Effective immediately, and in alignment with guidance from the Washington Department of Health and Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, Bethel will reduce our COVID-19 quarantine duration requirements. Learn more at bethelsd.org/health

         

        Stuff the Bus

        Our Transportation Department needs your help to Stuff the Bus this year! On Saturday, December 4 the team will be collecting toys, gift cards, canned goods, packaged foods, books and clothes for our neighbors in need. Join them at the Spanaway Walmart from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

      Feature Stories

      • Creativity blooms from seeds planted in classroom

        Creativity blooms from seeds planted in classroom

        The writer William Arthur Ward once said that a good teacher explains, while a great teacher inspires. Thankfully, we’ve got more than our fair share of great teachers in this district who constantly inspire their students to explore their creativity and stretch their potential.

        Comments (-1)
      • The kid in the candy store

        The kid in the candy store

        “The last year and a half has shown us how delicate and unique it is to have real, face-to-face interactions with others,” said North Star Elementary’s Stephen Rushing. “There’s no substitute for relating to others in a personal way. That is why having students back at school has been a blessing.”

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      • Nonverbal students thrive in veteran teacher's class

        Nonverbal students thrive in veteran teacher's class

        “I like this game!”
        That phrase wasn’t spoken by a student in class, but instead came from an iPad that a student in Kelly Wedum’s Structured Classroom was using as the students played Go Fish together.
        Helping nonverbal students learn to express themselves is a passion for Wedum — her 39 years of teaching can attest to that. But along with her longevity, there is a personal connection she has with the students — her daughter.

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      • From left to right: Todd King (Assistant Director Behavioral Health/Elementary), Jodi GreyEyes (Ass

        “Like adjusting the timing on an engine”

        New team to support social, emotional well-being of students

        Comments (-1)
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      School Board Recap

      • Special School Board Meeting Recap 11-23-21

        Renewal of Educational Programs & Operations Levy

        For the past four years, the Bethel School District has had a levy in effect to enable the district to maintain its educational programs and services. The current four-year levy will expire in 2022.

        The School Board has adopted the renewal of a four-year Educational Programs and Operations Levy to continue to provide necessary funds to meet the educational needs of Bethel students. This levy will be put before voters on February 8, 2022. The new levy rate is consistent with the current levy.

        The estimated property tax rates per $1,000 assessed valuation for the Educational Programs and Operations Levy are:

        • $2.17 in 2023
        • $2.17 in 2024
        • $2.17 in 2025
        • $2.17 in 2026 

        Read the full resolution here 

        Renewal of Technology Levy

        For the past four years, the Bethel School District has had a technology levy in effect allowing the district to maintain its one-to-one iPad program and to make technology improvements. The current four-year technology levy will expire next year.

        The School Board has adopted the renewal of a four-year Technology Levy to match the district’s four-year Educational Programs and Operations Levy cycle. This levy will also be put before voters on February 8, 2022. The new levy rate is consistent with the current levy.

        The estimated property tax rates per $1,000 assessed valuation for the Technology Levy are:

        • $0.31 in 2023
        • $0.31 in 2024
        • $0.31 in 2025
        • $0.31 in 2026 

        Read the full resolution here

      Bethel Pride

      You can view the Bethel Pride archive by clicking here.

      About Us

      • This website is managed by our Communications Department.

        Media Inquiries

        Please email us at communications@bethelsd.org or call 253-800-2201.

        You can find a list of recent news stories about our district here: Bethel in the News

        Social Media

        You can find recent news and information on Facebook and Twitter, our latest videos on YouTube and in-depth articles about our district on Medium.

        Our social media accounts are not intended to circumvent regular communication channels. For personal issues and concerns, your first point of contact should be your school office, teacher, principal or district administrator.

        We will not tolerate comments that include obscenities, bullying, personal attacks, rumors, misinformation, or spam.

        We will report any threats to the proper authorities.

        The Bethel School District reserves the right to delete posts or block users who do not follow our guidelines.  

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