Phone Number Guide

Graham’s Main Office 253-800-8500

Graham’s Attendance Line 253-800-8593

Graham’s Health Room 253-800-8593

School Counselor 253-800-8500

Breakfast and Lunch Information 253-800-8594

Bethel Transportation Department 253-800-5900

Bethel Public Schools

516 176th Street East

Spanaway, WA 98387

253-800-6000

District Administration

Tom Seigel, Superintendent

David Hammond, Assistant Superintendent (Elementary)

Jennifer Bethman, Assistant Superintendent (Secondary)

Board of Directors

John Manning, President

Brenda Rogers, Vice President

Roseanna Camacho, Director

Terrance Mayers, SR., Director

Marcus Young, SR., Director

Dear Grizzlies,

 

Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year at Graham Elementary School!  At Graham, our vision is every student, staff member, and family working as a community to create confident learners and compassionate people who embrace their limitless growth. Staff members work collaboratively to make learning meaningful, challenging, and enduring. 

  

The Graham Way is respectful, responsible and ready.  Come to school ready to learn and prepared to do your best.  We expect you to be prompt and prepared each day.  Be respectful by treating others the same way you like to be treated.  Our respectful environment gives all learners the ability to thrive.  Finally, all grizzlies are expected to behave in a responsible manner.

Parents, guardians, family members, and community members who wish to volunteer should stop by the office.  We welcome your support and active involvement.  When schools, parents, and the community work together, students achieve and succeed.

 

Again, welcome to a new year at Graham.  As always, it is a great day to be a Grizzly!

 

Sincerely,

Mr. Jamie Burnett, Principal

Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged and welcomed to volunteer at Graham Elementary.  There are a variety of important roles for volunteers.  A few common examples include reading with children, preparing materials for teachers, volunteering on the playground, and working with our PTA.  Please contact your child’s teacher or the office to explore ways to enrich your student’s educational experience.

Volunteer forms can be accessed on the Bethel school district site and must be completed and approved through a State Patrol background check.  This process can take up to two weeks, so please plan accordingly if you want to work on a specific school project or chaperone a field trip.  The background checks are valid for two years.  Also, please be sure to sign in at the main office each time you volunteer.

Graham PTA

Graham’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is a thriving and vibrant organization.  It exists to support and enrich the entire Graham learning community through the coordination of meaningful activities, events, and fundraising.  In addition to funding field trips, some of our PTA’s big events include Fall Festival, Field Day, Bingo Night, Muffins with Mom, Donuts with Dad, and family movie nights.  Graham’s PTA meets regularly and keeps office hours at school.  Please consider becoming a member and contact an officer if you have any questions.

2022-2023 PTA Officers

President:  Carissa Ikilikyan

Vice President:  Erin Cockett

Secretary:  Erica Maples

Treasurer:  Alexis Richardson

Visiting School

Ensuring a safe learning environment is essential, we require ALL visitors to stop at the office to check in.  You will receive a visitor’s sticker that will indicate to our staff and students that you have been approved to be on our campus.  Be sure to check-out at the end of your visit.

Students are not allowed to bring friends or relatives to visit them during the school day.  Students who wish to visit a staff member after school dismisses is expected to check in at the office.

 

We are excited to have you involved in Graham Elementary; we are always looking for parent volunteers and PTA members.  As a safety measure for all students; as part of board policy, in order to be truly active at Graham, Bethel School District will perform a Washington State Patrol Background check to allow you to participate in field trips or classroom activities.  Volunteer forms can obtained from the Bethel District website.

For in Person Learning

Daily Office Hours

8:50 am – 4:20 pm

Daily Bell Schedule

9:05 AM  Students eating breakfast may enter cafeteria.

9:10 AM  All students will line up out back on their respective social distance dots.

9:20 AM  Tardy bell sounds; school begins.

3:50 PM  Student dismissal. 

Late Start Wednesdays

10:20 AM – 3:50 PM   Late arrival for Collaboration Wednesdays occur one to three times monthly.

  (See the district calendar for the dates.)

       

                                                                                    

Early Dismissal Days

9:20 AM – 11:50 AM  Early dismissal days are scheduled for parent conferences in October and March,   report card preparation days, and the last day of school.

 

 

 

 

 

Ø Dress code is professional and appropriate for the learning environment. All skirts & shorts need to be fingertip length to ensure a positive experience both in the classroom and on the playground. Tops must have 3 finger wide straps on the shoulders

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance and Tardiness Procedures

Jessica Scanlon, Attendance Clerk: 253-800-8593

Regular, on-time attendance at school is a necessary ingredient for your child’s success as a learner.  Your son or daughter should arrive at school no earlier than 9:05 AM and must be in class by 9:20 AM.  Students are tardy when they arrive after 9:20 AM and must report to the health room window before going to class.  Students are expected to bring a note to explain the reason for being tardy.  This assures us that you are aware of their late arrival.  A half-day absence will be reflected in attendance records for any student who arrives after 12:20 PM. 

To the extent possible, please make every effort to schedule appointments outside of the school day.  Should you need to take your student out of class early, you (or someone you have authorized in writing) must request the early release from the office, present valid identification, and sign out your student.  Early releases are documented daily and will appear as a tardy/early dismissal on your student’s attendance history.  If your child leaves before 12:20 PM it will be considered a half-day absence.

 

Absences due to illness or a health condition; a religious observance, when requested by a student's parent or guardian; school-approved activities; family emergencies; and, as required by law, disciplinary actions or short-term suspensions shall be excused.  A doctor’s note may be required if your child accumulates excessive absences.

 

State law (RCW 28A.225.010) requires regular and punctual attendance in school.  When absences, late arrivals, or early releases are necessary, please do one of the following:

OPTION 1:  Call us (253-800-8593) at any time to report your child's absence.  A short message including the student's first and last name, the teacher, and the reason for the absence is necessary. If a call is not received, our attendance clerk will notify you of the absence.

OPTION 2:  Send a note explaining the reason for the absence or late arrival upon the child's return, including the dates involved.  The note should be given to our attendance clerk, not the classroom teacher.

OPTION 3:  Send a note explaining the reason for the absence, including the name of the child and the dates involved.

All students enrolled in the schools of the Bethel School District are expected to attend all assigned classes on a regular basis.  Daily attendance is one of the keys to a student's educational success.  School staff will keep a record of absences and tardiness, including a call log and/or a record of excuse statements submitted by a parent/guardian, or in certain cases, students to document a student’s excused absences.  Every subject taught in the school system requires a student's active and continuous involvement in order to develop skills and learnings of the particular subject.  Most classroom experiences cannot be duplicated on an individual basis; an absent student loses the experience of lecture, discussion, and participation forever.

EXCUSED ABSENCES - Reasons
Regular school attendance is necessary for mastery of the educational program provided to students of the district. Students at times may appropriately be absent from class. The following principles shall govern the development and administration of attendance procedures within the district:

The following are valid excuses for absences:

The school principal (or designee) has the authority to determine if an absence meets the above criteria for an excused absence.

 

Unexcused Daily Absences
Any absence from school is unexcused unless it meets one of the criteria above for an excused absence.

Make Up Work

If an absence is excused, the student will be permitted to make up all missed assignments outside of class under reasonable conditions and time limits established by the appropriate teacher except that in participation-type classes a student's grade may be affected because of the student's inability to make up the activities conducted during a class period.

 

Verification
An excused absence will be verified by the parent; adult, emancipated or appropriately aged student; or school authority responsible for the absence. If attendance is taken electronically, either for a course conducted on line or for students physically within the district, an absence will default to unexcused until such time as an excused absence may be verified by a parent or other responsible adult. If a student is to be released for health care related to family planning or abortion, the student may require that the district keep the information confidential. Students thirteen and older have the right to keep information about drug, alcohol or mental health treatment confidential. Students fourteen and older have the same confidentiality rights regarding HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.

 

Unexcused Absences

Student Health Information

Kelli Brock, School Nurse:  253-800-8593

Please keep us informed if your child has any health issues that may impact his or her school day.

Dress for the Weather

Our covered play area allows students to be be outside for recess even if it rains. Please be sure your child’s clothing is appropriate for the weather conditions. Sending extra clothes with students is highly encouraged.

Common Communicable Diseases

Please notify the school nurse/office if your child contracts any communicable disease (i.e. COVID-19, chicken pox, scabies, lice, ringworm, impetigo, hepatitis, measles, etc.).  This enables us to maintain healthy classrooms and allows us to alert families of children who are medically fragile.

When to keep your child at home

If your child has only one of the following symptoms:  fatigue, headache, muscle or body aches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea keep them home. If the symptom lasts less than 24hours they may return to school with no additional requirements due to COVID-19.

If your child has any of these symptoms:  fever, cough, shortness of breath, or loss of sense of taste and/or smell; or two or more symptoms from either list, they must stay home for 5 days from onset of symptoms or provide evidence of a negative COVID test to return to school.

If someone in your home is awaiting COVID test results, please keep your student home until the result is received.

Hearing, Vision And Dental Screening

Our school nurse screens students annually to identify any possible need for follow-up. If your child is in need of a medical referral, the school nurse will contact you and provide assistance. 

Immunizations

Washington State law requires all students, K-12, to be immunized against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus (DPT), polio, measles (rubeola) and rubella (three-day/German) measles, varicella, and hepatitis B.  The law requires parents to submit medically verified immunizations out and sign a Certificate of Immunization Status form with the month, day and year of each dose of vaccine.  When a student lacks full immunization, evidence of the immunization schedule or a signed exemption for medical, personal or religious reasons is required.

Medicine

All medication, even aspirin and cough syrup, must be accompanied with a Physician’s Order for Medication at School and stored in the health room.  As required by law, prescriptive and commercial drugs are allowed at school only when they are in their original container. This includes over-the-counter drugs. 

Bethel School District’s Emergency Hotline: 253-800-6001
Online Emergency Reports: www.psecs.wednet.edu

Emergencies such as snow, ice, thawing roads, power outages, and other weather problems can alter school schedules and affect bus transportation for students. Early dismissals due to power outages or severe weather will occur only if the delay in dismissal significantly increases hazards. In the event an early dismissal is required, it is important that you have a plan for your child(ren).

Most radio stations, particularly those listed to the right, broadcast information regarding operation of Bethel Schools during inclement weather. Since conditions vary from one school district to another, it is important that you listen for mention of Bethel School District #403.

These stations broadcast school emergency information:

KOMO TV, News 4

KING TV, News 5

KIRO TV, News 7

KCPQ TV, News 13

Bethel School District Robo-Call system is a great way to get updates as well as the main district website.

If Bethel is not announced during the newscast, it means school is open, on-time.

If Bethel is announced during the newscast, one of the following three situations will likely be communicated:

1. School is closed. All schools will be closed for one day only. All meetings, field trips, and after-school activities will be cancelled for the day (unless specific exceptions are announced). All out-of-district transportation for special programs is cancelled.

2. School is delayed; a two-hour late start. All schools will start two hours late: no preschool, no ECEAP, no Head Start, no late start or early-release programs, all out-of-district transportation is cancelled.

3. School is Open, snow routes in effect. Please see website (http://bethelsd.org) and/or call the transportation department (253-800-5900) for your child’s route.

Arrival:

Students need to stay in the car until 9:05.

Students need to be ready to exit the car quickly.

All other family members need to remain in the car.

Drivers can drop off students anywhere along the painted yellow curb, pulling as far forward as possible.

Drivers pull as far forward as possible to allow for more unloading space behind you.

Drivers after dropping off the student(s) pull as far away from the curb as possible to the “thru” arrow to exit safely.

Drivers be very aware if there is space in front of you to pull all the way forward to the pink painted line. (We ask you to pull forward for the safest and quickest process, not to get on your nerves.)

Dismissal:

Students will walk out to the loop with their teachers. Kindergarten is the last to dismiss to the loop; this is so the sidewalks are clear for them.

Students will stand along the back of the sidewalk watching for your car and are expected to go to your car at the closest to the end of the loop to meet you. This allows for more cars to be along the curb. (Again, we are not moving you forward to get on your nerves, we are looking for a safe and efficient loop experience.)

Drivers are to pick up their students, then pull as far away from the curb as possible to the “thru” arrow to exit safely.

Families need to exit the loop to the right to keep the flow smooth, yes, you may need to drive around the block. Families need to enter the loop by turning right into the drive, this allows for safer bus travel on 204th. Please do not block the neighborhood entrances.

BRING A SMILE AND A WAVE!! We will do the same for you!!

Arrival:

Families are expected to walk with their students to the waiting area.

Families are expected to wait with their students until dismissed at 9:05.

Families are to park along the road be very cautious of bus traffic upon entering the waiting area.

Dismissal:

Families need to let teachers know in the morning if they will be using this waiting area for drop-off.

Families need to have eye contact with the teacher as they dismiss the student.

As you exit the waiting area, be very cautious of car and bus travel.

Kindergarten exits the building last each day.

Thank you for being receptive and considerate of the rules of the waiting area.

BRING A SMILE AND A WAVE!! We will do the same for you!!

Student Transportation, Parking Lot Safety, and Dropping off and Picking up Students

Joel Stutheit, Director of Transportation:  253-800-5930

BICYCLES AND WHEELED DEVICES

For safety and security reasons, students are not permitted to ride bicycles or motorized scooters to school.  Also, students may not bring any other wheeled device to school – including, but not limited to, heelies, skateboards, scooters, and rollerblades.

BUS RIDERS

The transportation department conduct emergency safety drills for all riders.  Bussing issues are generally handled through the transportation department.  Misbehaviors are subject to disciplinary action which may include loss of services.

BUS PASSES

If students need to ride a bus they usually do not ride, or if they are to get off at a different bus stop, a note of explanation signed by a parent must be received in the office.  We then issue a bus pass that allows the child to board.  For the safety of our students, drivers are directed not to let children on or off at stops other than the one assigned.

WALKING BOUNDARY

An adult crossing guard is stationed at the school’s west entrance to assist students who cross 204th Street.  Students must wait for the adult to direct them across the street and then proceed up the sidewalk.  The crossing guard will be on duty from 9:00 – 9:25 AM and in the afternoon from 3:45 – 4:10 PM.

Leeda Beha, Director of Child Nutrition: 253-800-3911

Cathy Day, Graham Cook: 253-800-8594

At Graham, students are served breakfast and lunch in our cafeteria. Students who choose to buy breakfast at school are welcomed into the cafeteria as early as 9:05 AM. Students who eat breakfast at school will be dismissed to their classrooms as early as 9:10 AM. Breakfast and lunch are served every day, with a two exceptions: 1) no breakfast is served on Collaboration Wednesdays and 2) no lunch is served on early dismissal days.

Mr. Jamie Burnett, Principal:  253-800-8500;  Mrs. Denise Watson, Assistant Principal: 253-800-8500

English/Language Arts

ReadyGen by Pearson is the core curriculum for all grades. It is an integrated curriculum that focuses on reading, writing, speaking, and listing in sense to authentic texts. Recently adopted by our district, this curriculum is aligned with the newly adopted Washington State Standards and promotes College and Career Readiness.

Math

Kindergarten through fifth grade use Eureka Math by Great Minds. Designed around the new standards, Eureka Math connects math to the real world and builds student confidence.

SCIENCE

Graham teachers use TCI’s Bring Science Alive! This program is designed to guide our students to observe and understand how the world works around them. From introducing them to the power of gravity to how plants and animals can impact their environments, students are engaged in interacting, exploring and discovering the world in which they live. This curriculum is aligned with our Washington State Science Standards.

TECHNOLOGY

Graham Elementary is blended technology school where every student has access to an iPad through the gracious and generous voters of our district. Teachers integrate technology into their lessons and use it to advance the learning of our students.

LIBRARY

The Library Media Center (LMC) is open to students before and after school so they may check out materials.  Classes are scheduled for at least one half-hour in the library each week.  Our library is staffed with a full time library media specialist and contains over 12,000 print and non-print items.  Encourage your child to take good care of the materials they check-out.  Fines are routinely charged for lost or damaged library books as well as student textbooks.

READING LOGS

Research indicates that students who read regularly, for 20 minutes a day, improve their reading fluency.  Our expectation is that all students read 20 minutes daily, outside of the regular school day.  Reading logs are sent home weekly by the classroom teacher and should be returned the following week with a parent signature to confirm the reading was completed. 

CHILD SAFETY – GENERAL INFORMATION

Please take time to review the following safety guidelines with your child:

DIRECTORY INFORMATION

Federal law and school district regulations allow schools to release directory-type information (student name, address, phone, date/place of birth, dates of attendance, awards received and previous schools) to agencies, school news, or PTA's unless parents notify the school of their wishes to the contrary. Information other than Directory Information is considered confidential.

HOMEWORK

The purpose of homework is to practice and develop skills and independent study habits. Completing homework assignments on time is expected.

1. Schedule a time to do homework every day.

2. Provide a quiet area for your child to work.

3. Make sure good lighting and materials (pencils, paper) are available.

4. Let your child work on his/her own, but be available to help.

5. Check to see that all assignments are complete and done well.

6. Be encouraging and supportive!

IDENTIFY CLOTHING

Your child's name should be placed inside coats, caps, lunch boxes and other belongings. Every year numerous jackets are left in our lost and found and end up being donated to charity. Our lost and found is located in the hallway near the front entrance by the PTA office.

LOST AND FOUND

Please mark all clothing and lunchboxes with your child’s name. Properly identified items can be returned to students. A lost and found area is maintained in the main hallway. All unclaimed lost and found items are donated to charity.

TEXT BOOKS

This year’s communication arts and math textbooks are being checked out to individual students and they are responsible for the condition of these texts. It is the students’ responsibility to check the text’s condition upon receipt. Should these texts become lost or damaged, fines will be charged and must be paid.

UPDATE STUDENT RECORDS

Please keep our student records up-to-date. If information about your child has changed, request or update changes on ParentVue. Additional documents may be required before update will occur. Such information might include a change in address, phone number, a different person to contact in case of an emergency, or a new baby-sitter.

At Graham, we value communication.  Please contact Mrs. Low, Mrs. Watson, our office staff, or your child’s classroom teacher when you have questions, concerns, or suggestions to share.  You will be most successful taking care of any matter if you contact the person who is most directly involved.  Here are some guidelines:

WEEKLY FOLDER

Each week, your child may be bringing home a folder with important papers.  Students should return their folder the following day.  In most classes, or a weekly folder goes home on Wednesday or Friday.

GRAHAM WEEKLY PARENT EMAIL

A weekly email with the upcoming weeks information goes out at 3pm on Sundays, if you do not receive this be sure to let our office staff know so that they can determine the reason for being not deliverable.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parents and guardians are encouraged to schedule conferences with their child’s teacher any time they wish to discuss their student’s progress.  Formal school-wide conferencing occurs in October and March.  Your participation during your child’s conference is a critical element to their on-going development as learners.  Please make every effort to attend.

TALKING WITH THE PRINCIPAL

Mr. Burnett is eager to talk with you.  Whether you’re a concerned parent or a community member with a great idea to make Graham an even better place to learn and grow, please stop by the office, call, or email to schedule an appointment to meet. 

THE SCHOOL WEBSITE AND STAFF WEB PAGES

Check the school and district websites for updated information and contact our staff via their email link or classroom website.

I will…

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Ready

Focus on Learning: What NOT to bring to school.

Students and staff members at Graham are focused on learning!  Items that take away from, interfere with, or distract others from the learning environment are not allowed at school.

The following items should not be brought to school but are not limited to:

Students may not bring gum, make-up, perfumes, trading cards, toys, radios, electronic games, any novelty item, or motorized scooters to school.  Because of the danger of loss, students should not bring more money to school than is needed during the school day.  Anything that becomes a distraction to learning will be removed.

Electronic devices (mp3, cameras, games systems, etc.) are not allowed at school.  Such items often interfere with learning and are at risk of being lost or stolen.  Students may bring cell phones/smart watches to school.  However, cell phones/parent watches must remain off and in back packs throughout the day.  Any visible cell phones/parent watches will be confiscated, secured, and returned only to the parent/guardian.  Graham will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items at school. The school will not be held liable for any electronic reading devices.

Items such as guns, knives, tobacco, laser pointer devices, matches and fireworks are illegal and persons in possession are subject to significant disciplinary measures (BSD Policy #3240) and related legal actions.

Expected Behavior – Dress Code

•  Dress and appearance causing disruption to the educational process or presenting health or safety problems will not be permitted.
•  Shirts or other clothing that illustrate a message of a sexually suggestive nature or which advertise drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or any illegal substance are not permitted.
•  Shirts exposing the mid-drift are prohibited.  When in question, students will be asked to extend their arms. If this causes the mid-drift section to be exposed, the shirt is in violation of Graham’s dress code.
•  Skirts and shorts need to come below the fingertips for all grade levels.
•  Shirt straps must be “three fingers wide” across the shoulder.
•  Hats may be worn outside.
•  Headbands that light up or animal ears will not be permitted.  They are disruptive to the learning environment.