It’s no mistake that the cover photo of the first issue of our new magazine-style Bethel Pride features one of our elementary school students using an iPad in class. Our first ever Technology Levy was approved by voters in 2014. Last year, our high school students received iPads, and our teachers began reinventing what teaching looks like in the 21st century. This year, our middle school students received their iPads. As I visit classrooms around our district, I am continually amazed to see students and teachers working together with their new devices. It’s remarkable how quickly the teachers and students have adapted to them. For some students, the iPads are a new experience. The devices open a new world for them, as they begin to learn technology skills they’ll be expected to have when they graduate and enter the “real world.” This level of equity is essential. The Technology Levy is a terrific investment the community has made in our students. In the hands of our students and teachers, these new tools are sparking creativity and flexibility in our classrooms.
Tom Seigel
Superintendent
SCHOOL BOARD
From the desk of...
President
Warren Smith, Sr. 253.531.2211 wsmith@bethelsd.org
Vice President
Amy Pivetta Hoffman 253.213.3767 apivettaho@bethelsd.org
Stanley Chapin 253.847.1614 schapin@bethelsd.org
John Manning 253.655.5573 jmanning@bethelsd.org
Brenda Rogers 360.893.5425 brogers@bethelsd.org
BETHELPRIDE Bethel Pride is produced by the Bethel School District’s Communications Department. Krista Carlson, Communications Director 253.683.6051; kcarlson@bethelsd.org Doug Boyles, Assistant Communications Director 253.683.6049; dboyles@bethelsd.org Timra Knox 253.683.6053; tknox@bethelsd.org Questions and feedback: 516 176th Street East Spanaway, WA 98387 Phone: 253.683.6000
Email: communications@bethelsd.org Website: www.bethelsd.org
Bethel School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all federal rules and regulations, including Title IX, RCW 28A.640, RCW 28A.642 and Section 504. Bethel does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any disability, or use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Please contact Title IX officer Bryan Streleski, Director of Athletics and Security at 253.683.6055, Section 504 coordinators Lori Haugen (students), Executive Director of Special Education at 253.683.6920 or Todd Mitchell (staff), Executive Director of Human Resources at 253.683.6020 or Civil Rights coordinator Debbie Carlman, Director of Equity and Achievement at 253.683.6035 with any questions or complaints.
Pictured above: Centennial Principal Chris Brauer, Spanaway Principal Kim Kosa and Evergreen Principal Jamie Burnett.
Schools of Distinction Congratulations to Centennial, Evergreen and Spanaway elementary schools on being named 2016 Schools of Distinction!
These three schools are among the 94 recognized by the Center for Educational Effectiveness and their partner organizations for sustained improvement in English language arts and math over a five-year period. “We are pleased to be a partner in honoring schools within
our region that set a high standard in realizing dramatic achievement gains for students,” said John Welch, Puget Sound ESD Superintendent. “We applaud the students, families, educators, and communities for working together to make academic success a reality for every child. We are delighted now to help share in celebrating your successes and we thank you for setting a high bar for us all.” You can learn more about these annual awards at www.psesd.org/news/2016-schools-of-distinction.
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Solutions informed the board that as many as 6,000 new homes were in the pipeline for Bethel. He anticipated that enrollment growth would continue in the area, long term. His models forecasted up to 3,000 more students would be added to the rolls over the next decade. Based on those estimates, Kendrick suggested that growth here would be substantially higher, compared to other districts, and be second only to Sumner in Pierce County.
Planning for growth But along with growth comes new challenges. In just the past two years, nearly 1,000 new students have entered Bethel schools. The board’s commitment to free all day kindergarten and state mandates for lower elementary class sizes are good for students, but they require more space at a time when the district is challenged to alleviate crowded conditions and accommodate new enrollments. With no slow down in sight, the district is now looking for creative solutions
to expand classroom space and keep class sizes small enough so children receive the best opportunities to learn.
Portable challenges? For years, the district has supported growing schools by installing portables. As administrators prepare for next year, there are growing concerns. Over the summer, Bethel and four other school districts sued Pierce County because of changes to zoning requirements under the Growth Management Act. Under the County’s new provision, districts will not be able to expand in rural areas to serve urban student populations. This means that about half of the district’s schools – schools that are in the southern part of the district – will be off limits for portable and site expansions. Since only sites in the north half of the district may be considered, the district will be limited as to what it can do and may need to consider reboundary as an option.
safe so they can focus on teaching and learning. District administration has spent considerable time, assessing the condition of each portable and the maintenance needs of every school, such as roof, painting and other repairs. Critical projects are being addressed as funding becomes available.
How you can help… The community last reviewed the district’s long-term facility plan in 2014. As we look to the future, we are seeking community members who want to help us develop a smart, efficient, long-term approach to managing our facility needs. This group will study the age and condition of our buildings, help us prioritize our schools’ most urgent needs, and develop a plan that keeps costs low for taxpayers. If you are interested, applications for the Long Range Facilities Task Force will be available soon on our website, www. bethelsd.org.
Keeping facilities safe Following the recent failure of two school bond measures, the priority is to make sure staff and students are
BETHEL AND FOUR OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS SUED PIERCE COUNTY BECAUSE OF CHANGES TO ZONING REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE GROWTH MANAGEMENT ACT. BethelPride
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Bethel Athletic Hall of Fame year.
The Hall of Fame was established to honor past teams, athletes, coaches and other contributors from Bethel, GrahamKapowsin and Spanaway Lake high schools. The group is already planning to hold another ceremony next year. A group of community volunteers has made its first salute to local high achieving athletes. The Bethel School District Athletic Hall of Fame recognized its first batch of inductees during a banquet on Nov. 5 at Spanaway Middle School.
Bethel High alum and Seattle Mariners broadcaster Mike Blowers addressed a crowd of hundreds of people that had gathered for the celebration. Blowers was one of a dozen individuals, and three state championship-winning teams, to enter the Hall of Fame this
Bethel Athletic Hall of Fame Honorees Sonny Beagle – worked in support of athletic programs for over 40 years Mike Blowers – multiple sport varsity athlete from Bethel HS who earned MVP, All-State and All-League honors for baseball; played baseball professionally Art Crate – former chariman of the Bethel HS booster club and instrumental in the development of the district’s athletic fields Bob Fincham – head coach of 1970 Bethel HS state championship basketball team Paul Greeley – head coach of 2001 Spanaway Lake HS state championship wrestling team; previously coached at Bethel HS Herb Jones – Bethel HS basketball and all-state team member; played for the University of Montana Larry Ladowski – multiple sport varsity athlete from Bethel HS; set local track records and won a national hurdles
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championship Mike MacDonald – former Bethel teacher and coach; athletics program supporter for over 40 years Mike Matheny – the first individual state wrestling champion for Bethel HS Susan (Morehart) Smith – the first female state track long jump champion in the Bethel SD Bob Niehl – two sport varsity athlete; member of Bethel’s 1970 championship basketball team and state high jump champion Ed Niehl – former Bethel HS teacher, coach and athletic director for whom Bethel High School’s gymnasium is named 1955 Bethel HS state championship football team 1970 Bethel HS state championship basketball team 2001 Spanaway Lake HS championship wrestling team
state
If you are interested in becoming a member, would like more information or are interested in nominating someone for the Hall of Fame, visit www. bethelhalloffame.com or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ bethelathletichalloffame.