Thank you everyone who entered to win this week's Major* Award! As you know, there can only be one winner each week, and this week, that person is Camas Prairie Elementary's June Edinborough. Congrats, June! A team of quantum physicists is still studying the particle makeup of your prize, but we'll be sending it your way soon!

Want to win next week's Major* Award? Just answer the following questions:

1)   How many years has Robin Burk taught at Graham Elementary?
2)   Which local university offers an Educational Administration Program?
3)   When do K-12 staffers have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19?

Everyone who sends the correct answers to staffnews@bethelsd.org will earn a chance to win an ultra-rare, Major* Award. The winner will be chosen at random and announced in next week's Staff News.

(Pictured above: Nobody is happier to be back in school than our students. Click the image above to watch a video of some of the kids from Frederickson Elementary thanking their favorite teachers.)

*By major, we mean sort of cool.
'Never a dull moment' inside the classroom
When we caught up with teaching veteran Robin Burk, she was just kicking off her Second Step lesson with her first grade class. Second Step is the district's Social Emotional Learning curriculum that was adopted back in 2019.

"Second Step begins the year with lessons on paying attention and how to handle distractions, which will help them be better learners," said Burk. "With most of our first graders coming to school with little to no classroom experience after COVID, this program is more important than ever."

This is a unique year for all of us. For Burk, it's definitely a year that stands apart – and she should know, as she's been teaching at Graham Elementary for 30 years.

"I have been here so long that I have taught the children of former students," she said.

Like so many teachers, Burk loves her students. That's something that hasn't changed over the years, and is even what brought her into teaching in the first place. 

"As a teenager I loved babysitting, and for one of my high school classes, I got to TA in a first grade classroom," she said. "The kids are what got me into teaching, and they are what bring me back year after year."

Even when the year is full of surprises.

"There is never a dull moment in a classroom full of 1st graders," she said.
COVID-19 Building Protocols
Our Building Protocols have been now been updated for the 2021/22 school year. You can find them on our COVID-19 information page for staff.

Please remember that all Bethel staff are required to wear masks, no matter their current vaccination status, in all Bethel School District schools and buildings. Masks must also be worn outside on district property when social distancing isn’t an option. Some masks work better than others to help slow the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Click here to read more about what types of masks are recommended.

There is also a state requirement for K-12 staff and others working in school facilities to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18, 2021. This includes ALL Bethel School District staff. If you are not vaccinated yet, please begin the process as soon as possible. You can find vaccination locations by clicking here.
Watch: your moment of zen
And now for your moment of zen: Click the image above to watch students having an absolute blast in class!
PRINT SHOP STAFF

The print shop staff have worked so hard accommodating all my print shop orders. Thanks for helping to make this year a successful start to the school year. They need to be recognized for their hard work!

-- Jolene Thomas, Pioneer Valley Elementary

KELLY RACCA AND SUSAN HOLM (NACHES TRAIL ELEMENTARY)

Thank you to Kelly and Susan for taking on both of our classes so that our grade level could PLC. You guys are awesome and appreciated!!

-- Karina Teal and Paige Boyer, Naches Trail Elementary

FIFTH GRADE TEAM (CENTENNIAL ELEMENTARY)

Shout out to Emily Dennis, Joy Smith, and Kortney Ginger for being so helpful to me these past 3 weeks. This first year teacher is so incredibly thankful and lucky to be part of such an amazing team! Thank you!

-- Rachel Ulmer, Centennial Elementary

CANDICE LIEDES AND AMANDA SCHAD

These two went out of their way to help me (new to Bethel SD) get acquainted with my new building assignments as they sort of "passed the baton". They didn't have to do it, but they did and in doing so, showed amazing kindness and made the transition much smoother for everyone impacted.

-- Anonymous

MEG GONZALES (BUSINESS OFFICE)

Meg is ALWAYS there to help! If she doesn't know, she will find out for you. We don't know what we would do without her as she is a valuable employee. Thank you Meg for all you do.

-- Special Services Team

Do you know anyone who deserves a little extra recognition? Fill out your own staff "Shout Out" here.
'These kids truly are the best'
We've all had a teacher or experience in school that has changed us for the better. For Elementary FOSS teacher Kym Marsh, that moment happened in high school.

"All through high school, I questioned what my calling was until I became a teacher assistant in a special education classroom my junior year," she said. "I remember thinking 'wow' this is what I am called to do. Knowing that I was making a difference in their lives, but more importantly they were changing my life, I instantly knew that my heart was with teaching special education."

That experience, and the mentorship of her teacher, was life changing for Marsh.

"The teacher in that class, who now is my close friend, really helped me develop into the person I am," she said.

This year marks the eleventh year Marsh has been teaching, with 10 of those years at Graham Elementary.

"What I still love about teaching is knowing that for these kids I am their biggest advocate alongside their parents, and to be honest the impact that the kids have on my life is what keeps me going. I learn so much from them,"Marsh said. "I also have a team that has become family to me, the support that we give each-other is one that is unique. Watching the victories no matter how small or big they may be is truly the greatest reward and gift. These kids truly are the best."
Educational Administration Program
The University of Washington, Tacoma’s Educational Administration 
Program is a highly rigorous, one-year, cohort-based program that prepares leaders for the schools our children need. 

Interested? Take part in virtual information sessions about the program on October 13 (Zoom link) from 5-6 p.m.

For more information, check out their website, or contact program director, Dr. Kurt Hatch, at kdhatch@uw.edu.
PLU Principal Preparation Program
Are you an aspiring school leader committed to serving all students?

Pacific Lutheran University offers a one-year, highly supportive, cohort based principal preparation program leading to Washington State principal or program administrator certification. Learning and activities are job embedded. 

Program faculty is comprised of regional practicing school leaders. PLU’s certification program is among the most affordable of all face to face programs in the state of Washington.

We are almost one month into the school year and for some, things haven’t gone exactly how we planned or expected. We have been faced with unforeseen challenges from the community, parents, and possibly the most hurtful: from the students.

It is important we acknowledge each person’s reality. These realities also impact how we approach equity and the importance of doing so. Like all of us, our students and families have had their worlds turned upside down, and what was once normal is either changing or is no longer reality.

Now more than ever it is critical we create the space to hear and listen to the voices of our students. Doing so will help us identify how returning to in-person school is impacting them as the year progresses. Most importantly, it will help us figure out where we fit in and how we can adapt personally, and on a larger scale to ensure we are meeting their needs.

It is important we also take care of ourselves and each other. We have to have difficult conversations with each other to identify what we need and how we can support each other. Below are some tips on how to help your students. As a department, we want you to know we see you and appreciate all you do to support all of our students.  

Learn more about supporting students in returning to school here. And get some great tips about protecting your mental health here.
BHS mascot survey coming next week
House Bill 1356 took effect July 25, 2021 and states, “beginning January 1, 2022, public schools may not use Native American names, symbols, or images as school mascots, logos, or team names.”

This includes the name Braves.

The Puyallup Tribe’s Response to Substitute House Bill 1356 lists Braves as one of the, “examples of school names and mascots that the Tribe finds disrespectful, harmful, and stereotypical.” In a letter to the district, The Nisqually Tribe also supported the change. “We are hopeful that working together to end the disrespectful use of indigenous imagery will help foster respect for all of our children.”

To bring Bethel High School into compliance with this new law, a committee made up of students, staff and community members is reviewing mascots and logos and determining what will embody the next chapter in BHS history.

A survey will be sent to all staff next week so you can be a part of this important decision in our district. 
Opting out of Washington's new Payroll Tax
Today is the day to start applying for the Long Term Care Tax Exemption. To qualify, you must:

  1. Have purchased a qualifying private long-term care insurance plan before Nov. 1, 2021. Learn more about qualifying plans on the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s website
  2. Be at least 18 years of age. 
  3. Submit an exemption application to the Employment Security Department (ESD). Online exemption applications will be available starting Oct. 1, 2021. ESD can only accept exemption applications through Dec. 31, 2022.

If you apply and are approved for an exemption by ESD (Employment Security Department), you'll be permanently disqualified from WA Cares. This means you may never re-enroll and you'll be prohibited from getting WA Cares benefits in the future, even if you need them. Visit WA Cares Funds to learn more and determine if an exemption is right for you.


Providing the Approval Letter to Bethel’s Payroll Department

  1. There will be an online Informed K12 form that you will be able to access on the Payroll and Benefits Webpage. 
  2. You will need to complete the online form and upload a scanned copy of your Employment Security Department approval letter.
  3. Once submitted and verified, the Payroll tax will be removed and will take effect the quarter after your application is approved by ESD, or received by the Payroll Department, whichever is later. All previous Payroll taxes taken are non-refundable.
School Board Meeting Recap 9-28-21
Blue Zones Project
During the School Board Study Session, the Board heard from members of the Blue Zones Project. Blue Zones infuses healthy choices, enhances connections, instills purpose and fuels hope to impact communities where people live, work and play. 

North Star Elementary 
Principal Stephen Rushing and Assistant Principal Saralise Keel shared information about their school’s goals related to ELA and Social Emotional Learning in support of students' return to full time in-person instruction. Learn more here.

Full Agenda
You can view the full meeting agenda here.
STAY CONNECTED:
Bethel School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX Coordinator, Director of Athletics and Security: 253.800.4303; Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Executive Director of Special Education: 253.800.2300; Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, Director of Equity and Achievement: 253.800.2019. All individuals may be reached at this address: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. // El Distrito Escolar de Bethel no discrimina en sus programas o actividades por motivos de sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, nacionalidad, edad, condición de veterano de guerra o grado militar, orientación sexual, expresión de género o identidad, discapacidad o uso de perro guía entrenado o animal de servicio, además ofrece igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y a otros grupos de jóvenes especificados. El empleado mencionado a continuación ha sido designado para atender consultas y quejas de supuesta discriminación: Coordinador del Título IX, Director de Atletismo y Seguridad: 253.800.4303; Coordinadora de Sección 504/ADA, Directora Ejecutiva de Educación Especial: 253.800.2300; Coordinadora de Cumplimiento de Derechos Civiles Directora de Equidad y Logro: 253.800.2019. Todas las personas pueden ser contactadas en esta dirección: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387.