School Board Recognized as a 2021 Board of Distinction |
Clover Park School District’s Board of Directors was recently named a 2021 Board of Distinction by the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). The school board has been recognized as a Board of Distinction five of the last six years and was one of 34 districts across the state to receive the honor this year.
The CPSD school board was recognized for its efforts to close opportunity gaps for students through its leadership on equity, student voice, the development of an equity policy and its focus on supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic with additional academic, social, emotional and mental health support.
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Make Changes to Medical, Dental and Other Insurance Benefits Between Now and Nov. 23
The School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) open enrollment period is open through Nov. 23. This is the one time during the year you can change your benefits – add or drop dependents, add, drop or change medical, dental and other insurance benefits – without a qualifying event. SEBB sent open enrollment info to each employee’s home or email earlier this month.
If you do not want to make changes, you do not have to do anything. However, if you are covering a spouse, you will need to re-attest for the spousal surcharge. If you want to continue FSA or DCAP contributions, YOU MUST RE-ENROLL. These benefits will not carry over without new enrollment.
Payroll will not be providing in-person assistance for SEBB enrollment this year due to COVID-19. If you need assistance, email Payroll Services to make an appointment for virtual assistance.
SEBB New Long-Term Disability Requirement
Option to Opt Out
All employees will default into a new Long-Term Disability (LTD) benefit through SEBB on Jan. 1, 2022. The LTD plan will pay employees 60% of their salary up to $16,667 per month if they become disabled and unable to perform job duties.
Find out how much you would have to pay each month for the LTD benefit with this easy-to-use premium calculator.
Employees who do not want to be enrolled in the LTD benefit must opt out online. To make a change, you must log into SEBB My Account before open enrollment closes on Nov. 23 and either waive or downgrade to a 50% benefit.
NOTE: This is completely separate from the Long-Term Care Trust Act exemption process.
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Aspiring Principals and Administrators Meeting
Certificated staff who do not have an administrator’s credential but are interested in becoming a school principal or program administrator are invited to an informational meeting Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 4 p.m. through Zoom.
Those attending must have at least three years of documented successful school-based experience in an instructional role with students. The intent of this meeting is to provide certificated staff an overview of the CPSD administrator preparation program, requirements for certification in Washington state and program information from various college/university representatives.
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REMINDER: Free COVID-19 Rapid Testing Available
CPSD has partnered with the Health Commons Project to provide free COVID-19 rapid testing for quarantined staff and students. The testing center operates Monday through Thursday at the Harry E. Lang Stadium ticket booth (6015 111 St. SW, Lakewood) from 12-5:30 p.m.
Staff and students can test on the 5th or 6th days of quarantine and return to work or school on the 7th day if they have a negative COVID test result and no symptoms.
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REMINDER: Masks Required at All District Sites
To support our district's COVID-19 safety and mitigation efforts, all individuals — regardless of vaccination status — must wear a mask while at school district sites for the foreseeable future. When indoors, staff must wear a mask at all times except when alone in a closed room with no expectation of students being present.
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REMINDER: When to Stay Home
It is important that staff stay home and notify their principal/supervisor when:
- You are not feeling well.
- You have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting results.
- You have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 and have been directed to quarantine.
- You are experiencing the following symptoms not attributed to another condition: cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; or have two of these symptoms: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell
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Return to Learning Resources |
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District Receives $3 Million Federal Grant for World Language Education |
CPSD has been awarded a $3 million grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) to improve and expand world language programs for elementary and secondary students at nine military-connected schools in the district.
The World Language Advancement and Readiness Program Grant funds will provide training and support to help CPSD build on existing world language program in ways that provide early opportunities for young students to engage in world language, honor the languages of heritage speakers and leverage technology as a tool for greater access and achievement.
Though the grant specifically targets our most military-connected schools, this funding coupled with other resources will allow the district to improve on language programs across schools.
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Lakes and CPHS Celebrate Cross Country Seniors |
The Lakes and Clover Park cross country teams came together at a recent meet to celebrate their seniors. The meet, held at Fort Steilacoom Park, was the perfect opportunity to introduce the senior members of each team and let them run across the finish line to cheers from their teammates and spectators. |
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Human Resources Decorates Pumpkins |
The district's human resources department got into the fall spirit last week with a pumpkin decorating contest. District receptionist Marlene Texocotitla spearheaded the effort as a team building effort for the department.
"I thought it would be a great ice breaker and a way for everyone to get to know each other a little bit better," she said.
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Our #CPSDStaffSpotlight this week features Hudtloff Middle School English teacher Marva Williams. She is in her 11th year working at the school.
Originally from London, she was inspired to become a teacher after reading with her own children, helping them with their school work and seeing the light in their eyes when they learned. She wanted to be able to encourage that same engagement with other kids.
“My job is primarily getting students engaged in reading and knowing that reading is a really fun thing to do,” she said. “I believe that once I get them reading, half the work is done. They will be readers for life.”
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Submitted by Tami Johnson and Alonso Brizuela (Lakes High School)
Performing arts during COVID-19 face new challenges all the time as we strive to give students authentic experiences while keeping them safe. Holding a concert with an audience seemed almost impossible, and it would have been without the help of the amazing Information Technology Systems team and our assistant principal DeWayne Lindh. DeWayne facilitated our work with the ITS department to record a live performance and broadcast it the very same night for families who could not attend due to space limitations.
ITS director Craig Cook helped us personally to determine what equipment and help we might need. When we checked out equipment (including a professional streaming microphone and HD camera) Stephany Lane and Colton Berge had anticipated our needs for both tech and support. Colton, an intern with IT, attended both concerts. He filmed and recorded audio, assisted with setting up Zoom presentations and meeting links, and provided other support as we navigated these unusual circumstances.
By making these video recordings and using Zoom, students were able to perform live for a limited audience of families who RSVP'd and sat masked and socially distanced. Parents, friends and other family members were able to watch the concert at the normal concert time in the evening.
Concert week can be overwhelming in what used to be a normal year; this year we would not have made it without the expert help from all these amazing people!
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Have you witnessed or know of a staff member who is “living our promise?” Let us know by completing a form at this link. Please send the form along with a picture (if available) to Ben Miller at bmiller@cloverpark.k12.wa.us.
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Election Day is Nov. 2
Make sure your voice is heard. Ballots are due Tuesday, Nov. 2. Ballots are due by 8 p.m. on Election Day. You can find ballot drop box locations on the Pierce County Auditor's website. You can also register to vote in person at the Pierce County Elections Office (2501 S. 35th St., Tacoma).
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Employee Assistance Program Available
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, confidential program created to promote the health, safety and well-being of public employees. More than 90,000 public employees have access to EAP services to help them address work and life concerns. When you’re ready to get help, we’re here for you.
Login to the website from any device or call:
877-313-1408
Our Org Code: CPSD
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Board Agenda and District Calendar
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Classifieds
Staff members are welcome to submit classifieds by email to Ben Miller at
and are subject to the discretion of the community relations office.
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Reports Due
Monday, Nov. 1
Via Computer: Enrollment information through Nov. 1—by 3:30 p.m.
Site Administrator: Mileage & Expense Claim for October
Friday, Nov. 5
Assistant Superintendent: Fire Drill/Earthquake Drill Report for October
Financial Services: Weekly Transmittal of District Receipts
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Contact Us
Submission for the next News Briefs must be received by 12 p.m. the Wednesday prior to the Monday publication.
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