BSD Staff Updates

News, Information and Updates for Bremerton School District staff.

View archives here.

We've gotten some feedback on the BSD Staff Updates newsletter and are making some changes to make it shorter and easier for you to find and read the most important information! Our hope is that you will at least glance through the newsletter and pause to review the information relevant or of interest to you!

Please let us know what you think!

Superintendent Aaron Leavell is the newly-inducted president for 2021-22 WASA - the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA). Below are some photos from his presidential inauguration reception earlier this month.

While we aren't hosting our annual Back-to-School event at Mountain View Middle School, we've got lots going on to celebrate the back to school "season" and support our families.

School supplies - elementary

• All elementary school supplies are being provided by the District using COVID funds - except pencil boxes and backpacks.
• We have purchased a supply of pencil boxes and backpacks using COVID funds for principals to distribute at their discretion for students who need assistance.

School supplies - secondary

• Our secondary families are being asked to provide school supplies this year, however, we are purchasing a large quantity of all of the supplies for secondary students who may not have the resources to buy them.
• Abundant Life Foursquare Church who always facilitates supply distribution at our big Back-to-School event helped distribute supplies at BHS Summer Knight Days this week, and will be at MVMS on August 30 to help distribute those supplies during schedule pick-up / orientation.
• We are providing ALL supplies for our Renaissance HS students, and our WH Restorative students - including backpacks.

School supply donations

Because we are able to use COVID money for school supplies, we are referring all who want to donate school supplies to the MWC and Coffee Oasis as both of those organizations are hosting back-to-school events and giving away school supplies. We are also suggesting that people and companies donate food and hygiene items to Bremerton Backpack Brigade and Stand-Up For Kids as both of those organizations do so much for our students and really need the donations.

Virtual Resource Fair

We have also offered our community partners a chance to share information with our students and families with an online virtual resource fair. Organizations provide us with a flyer or graphic and their website URL and we are posting it on our website.

Community Events

BHS participated in the Back-to-School Event at the Marvin Williams Center this past Saturday (see photo below) and will be at the Back-to-School Night at the Bremerton Community Farmers' Market tonight (see flyer below).

Special "shout out" to the team who helped at the event at the Marvin Williams Center while Karen Bevers was on vacation: Ryan Nickels, Carmen Nickels, Joyce Cowdery, Recy Tinder and Emily Bach. Thank you for representing BSD!

Community members are invited to join us on the first day of school as we welcome students back to the classroom for 2021-22!

Learn more here. Please help us spread the word!

This summer and fall, we are asking all BSD families to "complete their ABCs!"

The ABCs are our improved Annual Back-to-school Check-in process or ABCs (formerly known as the Annual Demographic Update). We are asking families to take a few moments to complete this important process before school starts (and will be following-up with families who don't).

It should take about 15 minutes (or less!) for parents to complete the process for each student).

The ABC process must be completed for all students in the district - including both previously enrolled as well as newly registered students.

If families have questions about this process or help with your Skyward log-in they can call call 360-473-1076 or contact Lori Campbell at Lori.Campbell@BremertonSchools.org.

Here are some highlights from Freshman Orientation during Summer Knight Days on Wednesday.

The Peninsula Community Health Services Clinic at Mountain View Middle School is returning to regular hours, 5-days every week starting September 1 www.BremertonSchools.org/Clinic.

Here are some things you need to know:

• Long Term Care is not the same as Long Term Disability (LTC is not LTD)
• SEBB is not going to be offering an alternative to the state program
• The payroll tax is mandatory unless you file for an exemption. If you opt out you cannot opt back in.
• Exemptions require you purchase your own LTC policy by November 1, 2021

Here are some links for more information:

• Click here for Long Term Care Tax Information (This is also attached as a PDF)
• Click here for Long Term Care Program website
• Click here for Information on Exemptions

Assistant Superintendent Steedman shared a preliminary look at the draft budget for the upcoming school year. You can view this information on BoardDocs (link). The Board will hold a public hearing at the August 19th meeting for the purpose of reviewing and adopting a budget for 2021-22.

Policy News

Two revised policies came to the Board for first reading, and Procedure 2410P, High School Graduation Requirements, had some slight modifications.

Policy 3241, Student Discipline, is an essential policy and it is imperative that staff be familiar with this policy. It was reported to the Board that earlier in August, building administrators were provided with training on the important subject of Student Discipline. This policy is attached for review. Second reading will occur at the September 2nd regular Board meeting.

Policy 1822, Training and Development for Board Members - This updated policy provides for governance training for all directors which must be aligned with "the cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion standards for school director governance developed and provided by the Washington State School Directors' Association."

2410P (Procedure), High School Graduation Requirements

These are minor changes that go into effect immediately.

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At a public hearing, Assistant Superintendent Steedman presented details of the projected revenues and expenditures for the General Fund as well as an overview of the proposed budgets for the Capital Projects, Transportation Vehicle, Debt Service, and Associated Student Body Funds, totaling over $96M. There was no public comment, and the Board did approve the new District Budget for the coming year.

The Board heard a brief report on the success of this year's Summer Institute. End of year written reports included the annual Safety Report and the OSPI Health Services Report.

Click here to view the Resiliency Summit web page for all Summit information including registration and COVID precautions.

The Bremerton Backpack Brigade provides supplemental food on weekends for our elementary students in need. Click here for more information on the program and how families can apply.

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Background photo: lockers at BHS (taken on Wednesday during Freshman Orientation at Summer Knight Days).

• Staff Updates newsletter archives
• Submit ideas or content for the Staff Updates newsletter to: Karen.Bevers@BremertonSchools.org

Website: www.bremertonschools.org
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Twitter: @BremertonSD