Stories of the Week (03-22-23)

Student’s photograph wins big!

Spanaway Lake High School student Kevin Hernandez Vazquez was awarded an Honorable Mention for his photograph "The Color of Emotion" at this year's Technology and Art Fair.

While it was not marked on his work, Kevin is part of our special education program. Many students, like Kevin, are taking part in general education classes to give them some of the same experiences other high school students are having. Classes like digital photography are a great place to start. Superintendent Tom Seigel stopped by SLHS recently to congratulate Kevin on his award. Congratulations to Kevin, and thank you to all the wonderful teachers and paraeducators who are working with our special education students each and every day!

https://www.facebook.com/BethelSD/photos/a.10150572353354892/10159892387194892/

Daffodil Festival: April 1

The Daffodil Festival is coming up on April 1, and we’re excited to once again have a float in the parade. This year we’ve enlisted some help from students at the Pierce County Skills Center. The kids are creating some numbers and braces for the float. Well done! https://www.facebook.com/BethelSD/photos/a.10150572353354892/10159893707834892/

Podcast Episode 34: A student fights to end Alzheimer's

This week we sit down with a middle school student to hear what she is doing to help in the fight against Alzheimer's. We also learn about six-foot tall digital screens that are helping students learn, and talk about what's unique about elementary conference week in our district. New episodes drop on Thursdays: bethelsd.org/podcast

FREE COVID testing kiosk at BLC

We now have a FREE self-service COVID testing kiosk outside the Bethel Learning Center. Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/BethelSD/photos/a.10150572353354892/10159859788684892/

School Board Meeting Recap 03-14-23

Cambridge Resources for BHS Adopted

The Instructional Materials Committee unanimously approved resources for Bethel High School's Cambridge Program to support the Additional Mathematics 0606 course. This is a new course added to Bethel High School’s Cambridge Math progression. 

http://go.boarddocs.com/wa/bethel/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CP4UR87D4597

Tuition-Based Preschool

As part of our ongoing focus on early learning opportunities, the Board voted to continue tuition-based preschool at Rocky Ridge and Thompson Elementary during the 2023-2024 school year. The tuition-based preschools serve 16 tuition-based preschool students at Rocky Ridge and 16 tuition-based preschool students at Thompson.

http://go.boarddocs.com/wa/bethel/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CPPTCM7358D7

Policies

These policies were presented and discussed during the study session on February 14, 2023, and approved for second reading on February 28, 2023. The School Board adopted the following policies on March 14, 2023.

• 1410 School Board Meetings

  • Added language stating an executive session’s purpose will be entered into the minutes of the meeting per HB 1153.

• 1610 Conflict Of Interest

  • Added clarifying language to align with SB 6326.

• 3116 Students In Foster Care

  • Added language regarding best interest placement per HB 1955.

• 5001 Hiring Of Retired School Employees

  • Added language to include information about retiree-type as it relates to substituting per HB 1699.

• 5610 Substitute Teachers

  • Added language referencing the hiring of retired school employees, and reporting requirements per HB 1699.

• 5612 Temporary Administrators

  • Updated language to reference the hiring of retired administrators as temporary administrators per HB 1699.

http://go.boarddocs.com/wa/bethel/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CPPKBP511377

Project Award: New Bethel High School

The Board awarded the pre-construction phase of the New Bethel High School construction project to Cornerstone General Contractors. The General Contractor/Construction Management (GC/CM) construction procurement method requires a two-part selection and scoring process.  The district interviewed four general contractors and their teams for the project. Cornerstone General Contractors of Bothell, WA received the highest combined GC/CM score.

http://go.boarddocs.com/wa/bethel/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CNURN26D1201

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