BSD Staff Updates

News, Information and Updates for Bremerton School District staff.

View archives here.

October is Filipino American History Month. Click here for resources!

Check out the video below that was shared at last week's board meeting. Click here for resources!

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs through this Friday! Check out this video written and produced by Naval Avenue Early Learning Center paraeducator Pablo Flores!

Click here for resources for celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with your students!

It is with regret that I share with you, The District Cafe is temporarily closing until further notice.

We are currently facing supply and staffing challenges that will no longer allow us the time to continue making your fresh salads, wraps and bistro boxes. Feeding our students is our top priority and we must focus primarily on this for now.

I will let you know as soon as we are able to open back up again. Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions or concerns.

Ashley Guerrero

Office Coordinator

Child Nutrition Services

Bremerton School District

Direct: 360.473-4717

You should all have received an invitation from the ALICE portal to either take the refresher course or the full ALICE training. As a reminder, ALICE is the acronym for the active shooter training protocol used by the District.

Please contact Patty Glaser if you cannot find your ALICE invitation and she can resend it. If you have questions, please contact your supervisor or Patty at 31003 or at patty.glaser@bremertonschools.org.

Check out this article from Kitsap Sun: Kitsap school districts look to paid training and bonuses to address bus driver shortages

We are pleased to offer free online tutoring through TutorMe for all Bremerton School District students in grades 3-12. Students can access TutorMe through Clever.

More information is available on the District's Family Technology Support website.

The mental health of our students and staff is a top priority. That’s why we’re offering a new service to support students and staff.

If you’re feeling sad, hopeless, angry, or anxious—or having challenges with your family, friends, or relationships—therapy could help.

Gaggle Therapy is a free, confidential option to connect weekly with a therapist online and on your schedule.

Getting started is easy. Simply sign up for the service (see links below), fill out two forms, and get matched with your therapist.

You'll join each session from school or home through a link sent to your email.

Learn more at www.BremertonSchools.org/Gaggle. Resources for staff wanting to refer students can be found in this shared folder.

Teachers: Please consider downloading one of these graphics (right click >> save) and adding it to your Google Classroom and Google Site. Please link to www.BremertonSchools.org/Gaggle or https://www.bremertonschools.org/Page/8609.

Remember to:

• Check your setting so that non-BSD users can view the site
• New teachers: Submit your site URL so we can link your site to your school's website.

Have you moved buildings? Please double check to see that your site is linked to your current school. We are trying to keep up on all of the changes, but there have been many! Thanks for your assistance!!

Our PCHS clinic at Mountain View Middle School is now open Monday through Friday and provides services (including COVID testing!) for all Bremerton School District students and staff.

The clinic serves Bremerton School District students (preschool - 12th grade) and staff. Learn more at www.BremertonSchools.org/Clinic.

Policy News

One brand new Policy was adopted by the Board this month, and, as required, follows for staff review.

· Policy 3112; Social Emotional Climate

Several procedures were revised as well:

· 2024P; Online Learning

· 3241P; Student Discipline

· 6800P; Operations and Maintenance of School District Facilities

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RECOGNITION - OCTOBER

The Board approved Resolution 2021/2022-03, proclaiming October as Principals’ Month in the Bremerton School District.

Special Education Director Jon Bell asked the Board to proclaim October 2021 as Disability History and Awareness Month in our District. Resolution 2021/2022-04 and his presentation below. Policy 2336 declares that “Disability History Month will be observed during the month of October by conducting or promoting educational activities such as school assemblies or guest speaker presentations that provide instruction, awareness and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities.” Once again, the Board really enjoyed the presentation (video) also provided below.

OTHER BUSINESS

The Board approved a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Bremerton Education Association effective immediately and through the 2023/24 school year.

Human Resources Supervisor Carol Bailie also presented a Memo of Understanding between the District and the Bremerton Professional Education Assn. (BPEA) that covers many items related to the pandemic – COVID Leave, vaccine leave, as well as the Temporary Observation Rooms (TOR).

Last business was to update the Substitute/On-Call Pay Rates for the 2021-22 school year, and this was also approved by the Board as presented.

To view any of these documents, you may also visit https://go.boarddocs.com/wa/wabrsd/Board.nsf/Public#.

Got a shout-out for someone in your school? Email Karen.Bevers@BremertonSchools.org!

For Benefit Eligible Employees:

Open Enrollment will be held from October 25 – November 22. Be sure to visit the SEBB website for more info. Google Open Enrollment SEBB 2021 and click on the first listing – that will take you to the SEBB website with lots of info on Open Enrollment.

For All Employees:

The state mandated payroll tax for the new Long Term Care program -- WA Cares – will begin in January 2022. To claim an exemption, you have to have a long term care insurance policy in place by November 1, 2021. For more information on filing for an exemption, visit https://wacaresfund.wa.gov/private-insurance/.

Look for this graphic and link on the homepage, or click on the "FOR STAFF" tab on any District or school web page which takes you to the staff quick links & resources page.

The Bremerton Substance Abuse Prevention Coalitions invite you to participate in their annual community survey. The Coalitions are seeking 300 completed surveys by December 15, 2021.

The goal is to assess attitudes, beliefs, and practices related to youth substance use and behavioral health in our community.

The completed surveys will be utilized to guide our work, and to develop effective substance abuse prevention programs for our community.

• ONLINE SURVEY ENGLISH
• ONLINE SURVEY SPANISH

The Department of Health (DOH) is providing behavioral health tips and resources for navigating the emotional responses that children, teens, and adults may experience this fall as we've returned to classroom learning.

The COVID-19 Back-to-Classroom THINK Toolbox is a resource to help with adjusting to the return of in-person school and learning. THINK, which stands for Teaching with Healthcare Informed Neurological strategies for Kids, is a toolbox with information to help school-age children and teens deal with the emotional impacts of COVID-19, and tips on how to build and maintain resilience and practice self-care during a disaster.

Learn more here.

Per the BSD Grant Guidelines, Please talk to your principal before applying for these grants. District pre-approval is not required.

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Background photo: Fall at Bremerton High School (photo by Larry Steagall)

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

Website: www.bremertonschools.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BremertonSchools/
Twitter: @BremertonSD