SBLSD News
Feb. 2, 2023
Emerald Hills leads state in heart association fundraiser
In January, Emerald Hills Elementary students jumped their way to the top school in Washington state to raise funds for the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge.
Emerald Hills raised more than $21,000 to support kids with heart conditions. As part of the challenge, students learned how to take care of their hearts and minds while practicing kindness, gratitude and learning ways to de-stress. A portion of the funds raised will come back to Emerald Hills to spend on PE equipment.
Last week, more than 200 students and their families gathered at Emerald Hills to encourage heart health by jump roping and hula hooping.
Emerald Hills PE teacher Mark Holme led the Kids Heart Challenge and said that staff really got involved in the challenge. Because of the amount raised, staff members — including Principal Martina Scheerer — got pies in the face, EHE’s custodian Dave Willett shaved off his mustache of 20 years, and EHE music teacher Jodi Wallitner agreed to dye her hair!
Kids Heart Challenge Vice President Katie Martin will stop by Emerald Hills next week to present an award for being first in Washington state. Congratulations to Emerald Hills for their heart health advocacy!
Liberty Ridge Elementary kicked off their Kids Heart Challenge fundraiser this week. Donald Eismann and Tehaleh Heights are planning to join later this year.
Bonney Lake, Sumner choirs bring home wins from regional contest
Bonney Lake and Sumner high school choirs sang their hearts out at the Valley Region Solo/Ensemble Contest on Jan. 28 at Emerald Ridge High School.
Singers prepared and performed solos and ensembles for judges and received a score based on specific criteria. To qualify for state, singers must receive a superior rating and be the top score in their vocal category. The state competition will take place at the end of April at Central Washington University in Ellensburg.
Bonney Lake High School sent 48 singers to the contest and brought home the following awards:
Winners heading to state:
Simon S., 10th grade, Baritone Solo Winner
Isabella R., 12th grade, Alto Solo Winner
Chamber Choir Ensemble, 9th-12th graders, Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Bass 1 (TTB) Vocal Large Ensemble (1st time ever sending a TTB group to state for BLHS!)
Second Place:
Ezekiel W., 12th grade, Tenor Solo (1st time competing)
Rocky S., 12th grade, Baritone Solo (1st time competing)
Vocal Persuasion Jazz Choir, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass (SATB) Large Ensemble
Bonney Lake Bella Voce, Soprano 1, Soprano 2, Alto (SSA) Large Ensemble (all 9th graders!)
Third Place:
Joleena B., 10th grade, Mezzo-Soprano Solo
Ava R., 11th grade, Alto Solo
Receiving Superior Ratings:
Em M., Alto Solo
Samuel G., Tenor Solo
Brooke M., Mezzo-Soprano Solo
Hailey T., Mezzo-Soprano Solo
Ella D., Mezzo-Soprano Solo
Chamber Ensemble - SSA Large Ensemble
Receiving Excellent Ratings:
Brian R.
Mia O.
Haley D.
Peter G.
Brooklyn M.
BLHS Bella Voce SSA Large Ensemble
Sumner High School sent 17 Singin’ Sparts to the contest with the following awards:
Winners heading to state:
Jay M., Senior, Tenor Solo (2nd time competing and 2nd year in a row of winning)
Alexandria C., Senior, Mezzo Soprano Solo (3rd time competing and 1st win)
Second Place:
"The Sea" duet of Jack E., Freshman and Alexandria C., Senior; Small Mixed Ensemble (1st time competing together)
Receiving top honors of a Superior Rating (I):
Annika H., Junior, Mezzo Soprano Solo (1st time competing)
Ariel T., Senior, Alto Solo (3rd time competing)
Mary Anne B., Freshman, Mezzo Soprano Solo (1st time competing)
Receiving an Excellent Rating (II):
Myles M., Sophomore, Alto Solo (1st time competing)
Victoria F., Junior, Soprano Solo (1st time competing)
Nik V., Senior, Soprano Solo (1st time competing)
Mijalani G., Junior, Soprano Solo (1st time competing)
"Circa Mea" Ensemble, Large Mixed Ensemble made up of: Jack E., Maddie C., Alexandria C., Nik V., Benjamin L., Annika H., Niki M., Jay M., Collin T., Ariel T., Tierden M., Victoria F. and Jay Q. (1st time this group has competed together)
Congratulations to our choir students and our staff for their accomplishments and good luck at state!
Elementary Curriculum Showcase coming up Feb. 7
Thank you to everyone who came to the first of our two elementary curriculum showcases on Jan. 26. We had about 75 attendees, not including more than 30 staff members who were there to help out.
If you couldn't make it, we have another event from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Maple Lawn Elementary.
At the showcase, families have the opportunity to view Language Arts, Math and Social Emotional Learning elementary curriculum, meet and talk with SBLSD K-5 teachers, administrators and specialists, and more.
Accepting applications for new Capital Facility Advisory Committee
Do you have experience with large capital program activities? Consider applying to be a volunteer member of the District’s new Capital Facility Advisory Committee (CFAC). The 30-member committee will represent a broad cross-section of community members and staff, who will work in an advisory capacity to the administration on issues such as capital planning, funding measures and boundary recommendations.
Meeting monthly from spring 2023 to June 2024, the committee’s goal is to make recommendations for a long-term capital facilities plan that includes funding measures. Activities include studying facility needs, reviewing data, and developing a plan designed to meet the needs of students over the next 10 years. The committee's work will culminate in a working list of future priorities and a recommendation to the school board for future funding.
Members interested in serving on the CFAC must be able to commit to evening, in-person participation once a month at the Central Office Administration Building. Apply electronically or by mail (1202 Wood Ave, Sumner, WA 98390) by Feb. 17.
Find details about member qualifications, selection, meeting dates and application at sumnersd.org/CFAC.
Free workshop helps prepare children for kindergarten
Ready! for Kindergarten is a free program that offers age-appropriate targets, training and tools for parents and caregivers of children birth to age five that ensure success in school. Learn more about the importance of nurturing a child’s development in their earliest years in this video.
Register:
Click here to register now for our winter sessions. Families new to Ready! must attend orientation from 6-6:30 p.m. on the date of their registered session.
Dates*:
Tuesday, Feb. 28 at Donald Eismann Elementary,
Monday, March 6 at Emerald Hills Elementary, or
Wednesday, March 8 at Sumner Early Learning Center
*Please select one session date to attend per registered child.
Time:
All sessions are held from 6:30-8 p.m.
More information at sumnersd.org/ready.
Kindergarten registration begins Feb. 7
Do you know a child who will be five years old on or before Aug. 31? Maybe it's your neighbor, friend or even your own child. Now’s the time to enroll kindergarten students for the 2023-24 school year. The sooner you enroll, the better we can keep you informed.
Kindergarten kickoff video
To learn more about kindergarten in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District, watch this video for an overview of kindergarten, the registration process and forms, resources, transition events and kindergarten readiness.
School orientations
To help welcome new kinders and their families, each of our elementary schools will host a Kindergarten Roundup. Prior to kinder screening, Roundup provides students/families an opportunity to physically tour school and meet important people as well as get pertinent information regarding registration. Find the date and time for each school’s orientation.
Registration
Enrollment into the District is online. Visit our enrollment page for details on the three-step registration process. Hard copy registration packets are available at our schools.
For more information, go to www.sumnersd.org/kindergarten.
Immunization requirements for preschool, kindergarten
New requirements are in effect for students in preschool and kindergarten who are four years old or older on Sept. 1.
The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) formally recognized transitional kindergarten (TK) as part of kindergarten in 2018. As a result, the Department of Health (DOH) updated the school immunization requirements. This document explains the changes made by DOH.
Students in preschool and kindergarten, including TK, who are four years old or older on Sept. 1, are required to have the additional dose of DTaP, IPV, MMR and varicella vaccines. Students between the ages of 4 and 5 on Sept. 1 will also need PCV and Hib vaccines for school entry.
For more information explaining what kinds of immunization documentation is accepted, click here (Espanol). For families seeking exemptions, click here for a reference guide to obtaining a Certificate of Exemption for immunizations. More information is available at sumnersd.org/immunizations.
Free ‘Love and Logic’ parenting workshops this spring
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District invites parents/guardians to a free, five-session parenting workshop to learn how to:
Avoid un-winnable power struggles and arguments
Set enforceable limits
Empower kids
Help kids learn from mistakes rather than repeating them
Choose your weekly workshop series (limit 30 individuals):
Thursdays, March 2-30 at 5:30-7 p.m. at Donald Eismann Elementary
Wednesdays, April 19-May 17, 5:30-7 p.m. at Crestwood Elementary
Love and Logic parenting represents a “how-to” practical approach to parenting that has been successfully taught over 25 years. The Love and Logic approach is fun! Participants will receive a free workbook while attending. Childcare, water and snacks will be provided at each session.
Register now and visit sumnersd.org/loveandlogic for more information.
Community scholarships application deadline approaching
Many local scholarships are available to Bonney Lake and Sumner high school seniors through the Sumner-Bonney Lake Education Foundation (SBLEF). The deadline to apply for these scholarships is Feb. 22.
Community Scholarships (managed by the SBLEF)
Additional scholarships from other organizations:
- Bonney Lake High School supplemental scholarship applications
- Sumner High School supplemental scholarship applications
For help in navigating the scholarship application process, please contact your school's career specialist. For more information, call (253) 260-4850.
Now hiring student custodians
We are looking for hard-working SBLSD high school students, ages 15-18, for our new Student Custodian positions. We will be at the high schools at lunch with more information next week:
- Feb. 7: SHS
- Feb. 8: BLHS
Celebrating Career & Technical Education Month
February is Career & Technical Education (CTE) Month. CTE supports students through middle and high school to develop into dedicated workers, critical thinkers and lifelong learners.
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District has a wide range of CTE programs in the areas of Agriculture Education, Arts, Audio/Video & Communications, Business & Marketing, Skilled Trades & Manufacturing, Health Sciences, and more.
This month, be sure to follow our SBLSD CTE social media channels to learn more:
Twitter: @SumnerSDCTE
Instagram: @sumnersdcte
- Website: sumnersd.org/CTE
The history of Black History Month
Black History Month is a time to honor, celebrate and learn about the contributions and achievements of Black Americans throughout history and society. This month is an opportunity to deepen students’ understanding of the past and help them see the connections to their lives today.
Please stay tuned throughout the month as we share various aspects about the celebration. This week, we look at the origins of Black History Month.
Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. This year’s theme is “Black Resistance.” Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.
Origins
The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
In the decades that followed, mayors of cities across the country began issuing yearly proclamations recognizing "Negro History Week." By the late 1960s, thanks in part to the civil rights movement and a growing awareness of Black identity, "Negro History Week" had evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses.
February meal menus
Our February meal menus are up! See what’s for breakfast and lunch this month:
- Elementary: bit.ly/FebElemMenu
- Middle and High: bit.ly/FebSecondaryMenu
- Interactive menu: bit.ly/SBLSDInteractiveMenu
School Board February meetings
The public is invited to attend School Board study sessions and meetings, which are held at 6 p.m. virtually and in person at the Central Office Boardroom (1202 Wood Ave). Dates, times and locations are subject to change. Agendas are published a day prior to each meeting.
Study session: Feb. 8
Virtual: Meeting link (passcode: 576347)
Board meeting: Feb. 15
Virtual: Meeting link (passcode: 863834)