Bethel
PRIDE
SCIENCE EVOLVES Bethel adopts a new science curriculum after 16 years!
MARCH/APRIL 2017
EUREKA Learn how the “productive struggle” is helping K-12 students in Bethel
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Programs
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Digital Dissection
Bethel’s science classes dive into learning using a new 3-D technology.
Budget Update
District plans for the 2017-18 school year.
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Next Generation Science
Awards & Achievements
Elementary students are over the moon for the district’s new science curriculum.
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Sports
Eureka!
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In the Spotlight
Efforts target the interactive, conceptual part of math education.
District teams take top honors in playoff action. Photos from around our community.
On the cover: Chloe Drorbaugh examines the cellular structure of a chicken heart and liver during science class at Liberty MS.
SCHOOL BOARD
From the desk of...
Recently, we learned our on time (84.4%) and extended graduation (88.8%) rates, topped the State averages by 5.3% and 6.9%, respectively.
This accomplishment comes amid great change. Bethel is increasingly diverse; enrollment is growing, and more students than ever rely on free or reduced-price meals. Our aligned curriculum, strategic interventions and academic programs are working. We are rapidly closing in on our goal of 90% graduation. As we position the district for next year, we will continue to make our schools and students a top priority. However, ample funding remains a serious concern. About 71% of our budget comes from the State. While lawmakers have instituted annual increases in school funding, the dollars we receive have not kept pace with expenses or inflation. And, we still have not reached the same funding levels that existed a decade ago before the Great Recession. We will be continuing to reach out to our elected officials and encouraging them to provide ample funding, as promised by our State Constitution and the McCleary decision. Moving forward, my promise to you is simple. Our teachers, support staff and administrators are committed to the success of children in Bethel. We will do our best to ensure every student receives the excellent education they deserve.
President
Amy Pivetta Hoffman 253.213.3767 apivettaho@bethelsd.org
Vice President
John Manning 253.655.5573 jmanning@bethelsd.org
Stanley Chapin 253.847.1614 schapin@bethelsd.org
Brenda Rogers 360.893.5425 brogers@bethelsd.org
Warren Smith, Sr. 253.531.2211 wsmith@bethelsd.org
Tom Seigel
Superintendent
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, Secretary 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.
Digital Dissection with zSpace
ZSPACE IS A VIRTUAL REALITY LEARNING EXPERIENCE THAT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO MANIPULATE DIGITAL OBJECTS IN A THREEDIMENSIONAL SPACE.
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Several classes in our district are getting their hands on a new technology called zSpace. zSpace is a virtual reality learning experience that allows students to manipulate digital objects in a threedimensional space. Bethel High School’s Jennifer Morrison was one of the first teachers to get the new technology into the hands of her students. “Today we’re using it for the first time in Human Body Systems, which is our anatomy and physiology class,” she said. Morrison’s class is currently studying how the eye works. Using the zSpace glasses and stylus, students were able to digitally dissect an eyeball. But Morrison said that won’t keep them from getting their hands dirty. “They’ve already done a physical
dissection of the eye. Dissection is very, very important, however there are things that are always missing on the eyes when you purchase them. And some things are very difficult to see because things are really tiny and really easy to miss,” she said. Morrison said zSpace enhances her students’ learning and she’s been happy to supplement her curriculum with it so far this year. She is planning to use it in all of her biomedical science classes in the future. You can see zSpace in action for yourself at zSpace. com.
Pictured: Three Bethel High students dissect an eyeball with zSpace.
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A step forward for science Elementary students are looking at science in a new way this year. After 16 years of using the same science curriculum, the time had finally come for a change.
administrators, community members, and others.”
“We needed something that would be easy for teachers, inspiring to students, and something that was engaging,” said Charlene Hutchins, Bethel’s Instructional Specialist TOSA. So a curriculum adoption committee was formed.
The team quickly grew to over 50 people. With so many members, they formed smaller teams focused on specifics of each curriculum. “We chose some influential science strands, some in physical science, some in life science, some in earth and space science,” said Hathorn. “We also had teams focusing on K-2, and teams focusing on grades 3-5.”
“We’ve had an ongoing elementary science leadership team, which is two teachers from each elementary school,” said Tom Hathorn, Bethel’s K-12 science specialist. “For the purposes of adoption, we wanted to enlarge that team to include some
The biggest issue the team was trying to overcome had to do with the Next Generation Science Standards. The old curriculum had been adopted years before those were put in place, so the group was looking for something that fully embraced them.
There were other problems the team was trying to overcome as well. The old curriculum sometimes took teachers an hour to set up for individual lessons. “That really limited what you could teach,” said Hutchins. The committee eventually adopted the TCI Science curriculum with a 98% approval vote. TCI was created around the Next Generation Science Standards, and it requires far less preparation for teachers than in the past. Another benefit is the materials teachers need to teach the lessons. In the past those would rotate from school to school, and teachers would have them for only a short amount of time. The new curriculum stays in the classroom all year long.
Left: These kindergarten students at Nelson Elementary present their work during science class. Center: Students in Janet Caldwell’s class at Thompson Elementary are over the moon about their new science textbooks. Right: Two Thompson Elementary students collaborate using their science workbooks.
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TASK FORCE goes to work
This fall, community-wide surveys revealed serious concerns about the long-term capacity, health and safety of our schools. Now, a community group is taking a deeper look at the issue to determine what should be done and when.
capacity of school facilities, as well as current and projected community needs. Ultimately, they are expected to provide the school board with a smart, efficient, long-term plan for managing the district’s facility needs, while keeping costs low for taxpayers.
The Long Range Facilities Task Force held their first meeting on March 21. It was an opportunity for members to begin collaborating on the important work that lies ahead. Over the next six to eight months, the committee will study the age, condition and
More than 100 people applied to be part of this special task force, but only fifty-two were selected. The group includes parents, staff, students and community members, with a wide range of experience and perspectives, representing all communities and
schools in the district. Meetings will be led by Penny Mabie, an independent facilitator from Seattle-based EnviroIssues. Task Force meetings will be open to the public and all documents related to the committee and its work will be posted on the district website at www. bethelsd.org/TaskForceInfo. If you have any questions about the task force, please email taskforceinfo@ bethelsd.org.
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Budget update: District prepar Lawmakers in Olympia have relieved some of the financial pressure on local school districts. In March, the Governor signed legislation, approving an extension of the Levy Cliff for one more year. This change allows districts to include all levy funds previously approved by taxpayers as part of their budgets for the 2017/18 school year. Without the extension, districts across the state would have forfeited millions of local dollars. In Bethel, nearly $12 million was at stake. In exchange for the extension, districts must now comply with two new provisions, aimed at making sure levy dollars are used for enrichment, not basic education. The first deposits levy collections in a special “subfund” of the district’s budget. And, the second provision requires districts to file a report with, and receive approval from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, OSPI, prior to a levy election. This report will detail the programs and activities to be funded by the levy. Both provisions take effect in 2018. “Passing this (levy cliff ) bill eliminates uncertainties about our funding for next year. Now, the only question left is McCleary,” said superintendent Tom Seigel. “We remain hopeful that lawmakers will promptly resolve this issue and provide ample funding to support our schools and children across the state.”
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res for the 2017/18 school year With the pressure of the Levy Cliff removed, the House and Senate can now focus on the greater issue of finding a long-term solution that amply funds public education as mandated by the state Constitution. While the latest report by the state’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council projected millions more in increased revenues, it’s far from the billions of dollars required to meet the McCleary decision. The House, Senate and Governor have each developed competing plans to address the issue, but there remains little movement toward a long-term solution that provides adequate funding for schools. Our commitment to you Bethel’s superintendent, school board and administrators have made school funding one of their top priorities. They have spent considerable time researching and sharing the effects of proposed legislation with local lawmakers through email, public hearings, and face-to-face meetings. They will continue to do so until a remedy is found. In the meantime, district leaders are developing a budget that employs sound fiscal and accounting practices. Regardless of what happens in Olympia, next year’s budget will continue to target effective programs and services that improve student achievement and support quality learning environments.
District budget puts kids and schools first.
LEVY DOLLARS 2016/17 $42 million collected locally by the School Programs and Operations Levy
76% OF BUDGET directly supports schools, classrooms
1,200 NEW STUDENTS since 2014
16th LARGEST district in Washington
12th FASTEST growing district in Washington
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EUREKA! We’ve got some BIG IDEAS!
The buzz phrase when it comes to K-12 math is “productive struggle.” This is a reference to a shift in teaching practices that is increasing the interactive, conceptual part of math, making students work to understand the “why” behind the question and the answer. It’s something that teachers, students and parents are still adjusting to at all grade levels.
ELEMENTARY This is the third year of the Eureka Math curriculum for our K-6 students. Eureka is an Open Educational Resource, which means it’s all online. But director of curriculum and professional development, Mary Sewright, said just because there’s not a physical book, doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of paper involved. “Our print shop is wonderful. They produce all of the handouts and everything that needs to be printed. We have it on a schedule and they get it out to teachers in a timely manner, so they’re getting things as they need them.” The success of Bethel’s implementation of Eureka Math has been noticed on a national level. “I got a call from the CEO of Eureka,” said executive director of elementary education, Kelley Boynton. “She said, ‘We’re so impressed with the work you’ve done in Bethel and the success you’ve had, we really want to partner with you.’” Boynton was asked if Bethel wanted to be a part of the Eureka Fellows program, which uses local teachers to present professional development about Eureka Math across the country. “It sounded like such a great
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Liberty Middle School’s Sarah Sinnes works with her students using Big Ideas math. This is the district’s fourth year using the curriculum.
opportunity, we decided we would go for it,” said Boynton. The Fellows program has an intense application process to make sure the teachers they select are, “high quality teachers with a deep understanding of mathematics.” Bethel is very proud to have two teachers now in the program: Margaret Fossand (Clover Creek) and Carrie Thornton (Nelson). “They are among the best presenters I have ever seen,” said Boynton. Both teachers have traveled the country already as part of the program, from Yakima to Chicago. This means time away from their classrooms, but Eureka buys out 20% of their contracts to cover the cost of substitutes while they’re traveling. And the experience they gain is shared with our district as well, as the teachers do school visits, teach at Summer Institute, and work alongside school math leaders during the year. “It’s an honor for Bethel, because we believe in Eureka,” said Boynton. “It’s a really, really powerful math program. We’ve seen incredible results for our kids.” MIDDLE SCHOOL For our middle school students, this is the fourth year of implementation for the Big Ideas Math curriculum. Big Ideas continues on the path forged by Eureka Math, helping students to transition from elementary math more smoothly. In fact, elementary and middle school teachers have been working together to better understand how the two curriculums work together. The first of these meetings took place with math teachers from Cedarcrest Middle School and its feeder schools. Sewright said this resulted in, “great discussions among the teachers.” “We looked at the cohesiveness,” she said. “Here’s what a Eureka lesson looks like, and here’s what a Big Ideas lesson looks like. So they really saw the similarities in how it’s structured, and what they’re working on.” HIGH SCHOOL The 2016/17 school year was the first year of continuing the Big Ideas curriculum into our high schools. Classes for Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2 are all using the new curriculum this year. For our high school teachers and students, this first year is taking some getting used to, as they increase the interactive, conceptual part of math. Sewright said there’s been a lot of professional development to help the teachers get used to the curriculum, including bringing the author of Big Ideas to Bethel to do some model lessons for high school and middle school teachers.
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Keeping students safe online The safety of our staff and students is one of our top priorities. That focus even extends to our 2014 Technology Levy that, thanks to voter approval, has put thousands of iPads into students’ hands over the past few years. “We definitely have to have some systems in place so that students feel safe in what they’re doing online,” said Anna Shown, a teacher at Kapowsin Elementary. “In the very beginning we have a training that we set up, so we’re making sure that they’re always safe in not just how they’re using the iPad, but what they have access to as well.” During that training, students create their own “iPad License.” Doris Wright, another teacher at Kapowsin, said that “license” holds a lot of power. “If they don’t follow the rules, they get their license suspended for a couple of days.” She said that normally serves as a great wake up call for the students. Beyond the classroom, access is limited to the App Store, so students can’t just download any app they want. “They vet all those apps before we even have access to them,” said Shown. As a teacher, she said she can submit an app that she wants to use for review. Once it’s approved, she knows, “it is 100% safe for my students to use.”
Both teachers use their iPads in different ways in their classrooms. “We’re making videos, we’re recording sounds, we’re using technology, we’re working with our peers,” said Shown. But when it comes to safety, everyone is on the same page.
Students in Doris Wright and Anna Shown’s classrooms at Kapowsin Elementary may be using their iPads differently in class, but they all know how important it is to be safe online. You can see these students in action on our YouTube Channel, www.youtube.com/ bethelschools.
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Photo courtesy of Northwest Sports Photography
Above: The Spanaway Lake HS boys (top) and the Bethel HS girls (left) basketball teams advanced to the state tournament this year. Graham-Kapowsin’s varsity bowling team of Amanda Harum, Amanda McKinley, Miranda Stallman, Jeneveve Orozco, Hannah Wright, Bella deWilde and Marilyn Perez (right) was named WIAA Academic State Champions for posting a cumulative team GPA of 3.673.
In Brief Preschool Registration Registration for Pay to Go Preschool opens at 8 a.m. on May 1st. If you want information about this program, Head Start or ECEAP, please call 253.683.6929 or visit our early childhood website, www.bethelsd.org/Page/826.
and Spanaway will start at 9:15 a.m. and end at 3:45 p.m. Preschool times have been adjusted accordingly. The hours for Kapowsin, Roy and Elk Plain School of Choice will remain the same. To see a full copy of the new bell schedule, visit www.bethelsd.org.
Are you READY! for Kindergarten? Have a toddler or preschooler at home? We’re here to help you get them READY! for Kindergarten. These 90-minute, interactive classes offer materials and strategies for parents of children, ages 3 to 5. Dates are April 18 at Thompson ES and April 20 at Nelson ES from 6 to 7:30 p.m. For more details, visit www. bethelsd.org/Page/2258.
Help Wanted Bethel Recreation is hiring umpires and field maintenance staff, and seeking volunteer coaches for their current baseball program. For more information or to apply, call 253.683.5940 or visit their website www.bethelrec.org.
New Elementary Start Times Starting Fall 2017, regular elementary school hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Camas Prairie, Centennial, Clover Creek, Graham, North Star, Pioneer Valley and Thompson. Classes at Evergreen, Frederickson, Naches Trail, Nelson, Rocky Ridge, Shining Mountain
Download the Bethel SD Mobile App Are you one of the nearly 3,000 people that have downloaded our official school district app? If not, you’re missing easy access to district news, information and services, grades, lunch balances and attendance alerts, sports schedules and more. The app is available for free in the Apple App and Google Play stores. Just search for
‘Bethel School District.’ Free Summer Lunch Program Child Nutrition Services is making plans to offer free lunches this summer at Evergreen, Spanaway, Thompson and Shining Mountain elementary schools. The program will begin June 26. All children, ages 0 to 18 years can participate. More details will be available later this spring. Apprenticeship Fair Does your student’s post-high school plan include apprenticeships? On April 26, we’re inviting high school students and parents to attend our district Apprenticeship Fair from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pierce County Skills Center. At this event, you’ll learn more about apprenticeship programs and how they can put your student on the fast track to a great and worthwhile career. There will be panel discussions, speakers and breakout rooms. For more details, contact the high school Career Centers.
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in the
spotlight
Bethel students and staff members are getting recognized. Here’s a look at what they’ve been up to.
BELA
FE
EP
Hello, Governor!
My Funny Valentine
Principal of the Year
On a recent tour of the State Capitol, students in our BELA program got the chance to meet Gov. Jay Inslee!
Frederickson Elementary’s Vance Compton put a lot of work into his Valentines box this year! His class was assigned a STEM project to engineer their Valentine’s collection boxes. Vance created his in the style of an Enderman from the video game Minecraft.
Elk Plain School of Choice principal Chad Honig has been chosen as the Pierce County AWSP/NAESP Principal of the Year. This recognition places him in the running for both the State and National Principal of the Year awards.
EE Full STEAM ahead!
BSD
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BSD National Board Teachers
Daffodil Princesses
Evergreen students demonstrate a bubble experiment during a recent school board meeting. The school of distinction is laser-focused on incorporating science, technology, engineering, arts and math into their regular school day.
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Serena Bolden (GKHS), Mabel Thompson (SLHS) and Brianna Bryant (BHS) will represent their schools and our district at the annual Daffodil Parade on April 8.
Congratulations to Sophie Brannon (Frederickson Elementary) and Charity Stern (Technology TOSA) on completing their National Board Certifications! The Bethel School District now has a total of 80 National Board Certified Teachers.
DISTRICT CALENDAR
april
may
Break 3- Spring No School 7 Parade 8 Daffodil Various times and locations
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Middle School
Spring sports begin
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School Board Meeting
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School Board Meeting
7 p.m., ESC 7 p.m., BMS
june
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Late Arrival
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School Board Meeting
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Elem Battle of the Books
2 hour late start
7 p.m., ESC
7 p.m., CMMS
2 7 8 9 12
Conferences 16- Secondary Early Dismissal 18 Board Meeting 23 School 12 7 p.m., EPSOC Make Up Day 26 Snow 12 Classes will be in session Day 29 Memorial 13 No School
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Elem/MS Grade Prep Early Dismissal
Late Arrival
2 hour late start
Challenger Graduation 2 p.m., PLU Olson Auditorium
Last Day of Preschool BHS Graduation 7 p.m., Tacoma Dome
GKHS Graduation 1 p.m., Tacoma Dome
SLHS Graduation 4 p.m., Tacoma Dome
School Board Meeting 7 p.m., ESC
Last Day of School Early Dismissal
School Board Meeting 7 p.m., ESC
Bethel Schools recognize that a solid foundation for learning starts in Kindergarten. That’s why we offer free full-day programs at all of our elementary schools. Why Full-Day Kindergarten? Research shows this model provides the time needed to address the whole child, from academic growth to their social and emotional well-being. Students enrolled in all day kindergarten programs: ·
Demonstrate higher long-term achievement and above average reading scores, ·
Experience fewer transitions, as teachers have more flexibility to differentiate instruction based on student needs, ·
Have higher self-esteem, higher test scores and greater creativity, and ·
Develop routines that prepare them to be good citizens and experience future success.
Our program offers a rigorous schedule that assists children in reaching grade level targets and benchmarks for success. To sign up, students must be 5 years old by August 31. A birth certificate and an immunization record are required. Register at your neighborhood school or visit www.bethelsd.org/Domain/329 for more information.
Kindergarten Registration
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bethelpride
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Bethel School District No. 403 516 E. 176th St., Spanaway, WA 98387-8399 (253) 683-6000; www.bethelsd.org
Bethel School District Resident