

We Are Bremerton!
Bremerton School District community e-newsletter
May 2023
"be Bremerton" was a huge success!
Thank you to all who participated on Saturday!
Approximately 200 BSD students, staff, families and community members participated in be Bremerton last Saturday making this one of our biggest be Bremerton events ever!
be Bremerton: A Day of Service is a districtwide service event to show the Bremerton community and the City of Bremerton our thanks for their tremendous support of the Bremerton School District and our students.
Volunteers (including Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler, BSD interim Superintendent Donna Colosky, and incoming Superintendent Dr. James Crawford) gathered at Evergreen Rotary Park early last Saturday morning to pick up free event t-shirts and gather supplies before heading downtown to pick up trash, pull weeds and sweep sidewalks in preparation for this weekend's Armed Forces Day festival and parade! Afterward, lunch was provided for all be Bremerton volunteers by Seaside Church!
We invite you to watch the event slideshow, and view all event photos here. If you attended the event and have photos to share, please email them to
Communications@BremertonSchools.org.
(Photo: Mayor Greg Wheeler visits with BSD staff member Leslie Daugs and incoming BSD superintendent Dr. James Crawford).
Working together to create Our Beloved Community
Bremerton School District's Restorative Program is endeavoring to create Our Beloved Community. Our Beloved Community is a learning environment where all of our scholars feel cared for. A place absent of violence, bigotry, and hate.
We believe that humans are holistic beings, and we must increase our awareness of our whole selves, in order to grow. If we are going to create a healthier, happier school climate, if we are going to close the achievement gap, if we are going to create competitive workers and forward thinking citizens, we are going to have to all work together, and strive to create our own "Beloved Community."
With care and compassion driving us, partnered with the use of Restorative Practices, we will transform our schools.
We at Bremerton School District believe that if school officials, students, parents, and community all work together in a collaborative and inclusive manner, that we can and will accomplish this.
You are invited!
Bremerton School District is hosting listening circle for Our Beloved Community. We invite you to experience a restorative circle discussion by joining via Zoom. Please join us to hear the voices of the Bremerton School District community as we work to integrate restorative practices that build community, celebrate accomplishments, transform conflict, and rebuild and strengthen relationships.
Monday, June 12, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
On Zoom (Click HERE to join)
- Construction will begin on June 5, 2023 and continue through summer of 2024.
- Major earthwork will be occurring this summer and neighbors may experience dust, equipment noise, and vibrations at various times.
- The contractor will utilize best management practices to limit disruption and inconvenience.
- The contractor will comply with the City of Bremerton’s noise ordinance.
Thank you for your patience, Mountain View Middle School neighbors!!
Meet our new assistant principal at Mountain View Middle School
The Bremerton School District is pleased to introduce Mr. Jerry Fong, our new assistant principal for Mountain View Middle School beginning this fall. Jerry replaces Mr. Jim Capecchi who has accepted a position as assistant principal at the Washington Youth ChalleNGe Academy.
Read more about Jerry here!
Bremerton High School student art exhibition
The Bremerton High School student art exhibition at the Collective Visions Gallery (CVG) runs from May 3-27. The annual exhibition kicked-off with a reception during Bremerton’s First Friday Artwalk on Friday, May 5.
First Friday artwalk in May has a lot of "firsts." For many students, it's their first time visiting an art gallery, their first time seeing their artwork displayed in a professional setting, and for a handful, the first time their work has sold to a collector. Students receive a lot of positive support from other visitors--it's an empowering experience for them, according to Janice Wagner, art teacher at Bremerton High School. More than 50 students have their artwork on display.
"I love seeing students' look of wonder when they enter the student gallery space, and realize how their art collectively has transformed a room from ordinary to beautiful," said Janice.
Despite the rain, an estimated 350 people visited CVG during the event which included live music from BHS student musicians as well as refreshments.
There is still time to check out the exhibit! It runs through Saturday, May 27 at Collective Visions Gallery (31 Pacific Ave, Bremerton, WA 98337).
Sue Ann Miglino: Community Leadership Award recipient
Each year, the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) honors community members or groups in recognition of their outstanding contributions toward education with the regional Community Leadership Award.
We are so pleased to share that Sue Ann Miglino, Restorative Practices Coordinator with the Dispute Resolution Center, received the Community Leadership Award for 2023. We nominated Sue Ann for her invaluable contributions to our implementation of restorative practices in our District.
Sue Ann has shown a true commitment to our students and staff, and we are grateful for her tireless commitment to supporting us in implementing restorative approaches in our school system and creating more connected and inclusive learning environments - “Our Beloved Community.”
As a mentor, coach, and advocate, she has had a significant impact on the lives of students as well as staff members, and we are grateful for the changes she has helped bring about in our school system. Thank you, Sue Ann, for your unwavering dedication and commitment to our community, and congratulations once again on this well-deserved recognition.
(Photo: Interim superintendent Donna Colosky presents the Community Leadership Award to Sue Ann Miglino at a WASA awards dinner last month).
"Book Fairy" by Alyssa Allen, (9th grade). Artwork is made from pages of books.
BSD celebrates Dia de los Ninos with event at Armin Jahr Elementary
On April 27th, the Bremerton School District celebrated El Dia de los Niños! This is a day to celebrate children - as well as celebrate and promote Spanish literacy (more information can be found here.) We had more than 400 elementary school, Mountain View Middle School and Bremerton High School students and family members participate! The event was a huge success - and a lot of fun! View more event photos here!
BHS DECA students participate in Pro Sports Career Days with the Mariners!
Members of the Bremerton High School DECA Team recently participated in Pro Sports Career Days with the Seattle Mariners!
DECA is an organization that prepares students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Washington DECA partners with sports teams to present Pro Sports Career Days. Sports industry professionals connect with DECA members and share their personal experiences of breaking into the industry and highlight career opportunities in sports.
After meeting with several members of the Seattle Mariners organization, the BHS DECA students got to watch the Mariners take on the Rangers and had a great time - despite the 4-3 loss.
BHS students visit France over spring break
During spring break, 13 Bremerton High School French Club students, staff and families visited Paris, Strasbourg, Dijon, Annecy and Lyon. The tour included many special cultural and culinary visits, including a gastronomical tour of Lyon, river cruises in Paris and Strasbourg and a cruise on the lake in Annecy, a tour of a mustard factory near Dijon where they got to make some mustard, and walking tours in each city they visited.
NJROTC students compete in Orientation Nationals
Four Bremerton High School Navy Junior ROTC students traveled to Kentucky recently to compete in the Orientation Nationals at Moorehead College and Carter Caves State Park. They competed in 3 to 5 km courses over the three days in their respective age and gender brackets, and all finished in the top three at least once at the event.
Pictured left to right are Avery Herold (a junior who earned 2nd and 3rd place finishes), Leon Hinds (a sophomore who earned a 2nd place finish), Aiden Borrelli (a junior who earned 3rd and 2nd place finishes) and Miah Marek (a freshman who earned 1st and 3rd place finishes). We are very proud of all of our cadets!
AVID Legacy Projects
AVID Seniors give back to their community, district, and their school through Legacy Projects
AVID Secondary is a cohort program to support primary first generation college students in their post secondary goals by giving them skills in communication, character development, and leadership. AVID's mission is to close the opportunity gap while preparing students for college and career success in a global society.
Here are two of the many AVID Legacy Projects AVID students have completed this year.
Sensory Bottle Project
This project was started by Kaylin Arena and Emalee Wheaton (class of 2022) and continued by Anthony Camacho, Jayla Watkins, and Kayla Cleveland (class of 2023). This project is about making sensory bottles for younger grades in Bremerton School District so that they have an item to focus their energy and big emotions on. Last year they provided bottles for kindergarten classes throughout the district, and this year they are going to preschools throughout Bremerton. This project has been the recipient of a Heartwarming Project Action Grant.
Period Poverty Awareness Project
This project was started by Caydence Hesch and Brianne Salgado (class of 2022) and continued by Tulip Carter, S'kyra Anderson, Nevaeh Armstead, and Johnny Raymundo (class of 2023). Period products are an educational supply and contribute to many students missing school or classtime. This project's goal is to create menstruation supply boxes for each classroom while destigmatizing periods. Community partners, through the AVID Rotary Mentorship, have also been contributing to develop a successful project.
BHS Choir hosts schoolwide talent show!
Every spring, the BHS choir hosts a schoolwide talent show as a fundraiser to help pay for registration and transportation fees for choir competitions.
All students at BHS are encouraged to audition. The talent show participants had to audition the week before the talent show and were selected based on their preparation and talent. This year's show was filled with diversity, inclusion, and variety.
Judges were Bremerton School Board President, Aly Rotter, BHS English teacher Heather Roossien, and student Siera Bower. An audience choice award also was given.
Winners include Vocal Winner: Kie'Raya Thomas, 2nd place Vocal: Attianna Cabato, Instrumental Winner: Human Ape Hybrid (band), 2nd Place Instrument: Keaton Martinez, Dance Winner Aksha Komarabattina.
View all the talent show photos here!
This month we are celebrating...
- Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12)
- School Nurse Day (Wednesday, May 10)
Bremerton School Board Updates
At the April 13 meeting, the Board approved two resolutions to recognize April as Volunteer Appreciation Month as well as the Month of the Military Child in the Bremerton School District.
At the May 4 meeting, the Board approved a resolution recognizing May 8-12 as Teacher Appreciation Week in the District. They also honored two Bremerton sophomores, Virginia Arizmendi (photo, right) and Savannah Landrum (photo, middle), who were selected to be a part of the Washington World Fellows Program. AVID teacher Emily Wise (photo, left) spoke to the board about the program. Read more about this prestigious program in our April newsletter.
At the May 18th meeting, the Board will recognize all of the District's 2023 retirees!
We are breaking ground on the new school & community sports complex at Mountain View Middle School on June 5! For construction updates, please visit BremertonSchools.org/SportsComplex.
For more information on the District’s Long-Range Facilities Master Plan (LRFMP), click here.
The board is considering or updating a number of policies including:
- Policy 1400; Meetings, Public Notice, Quorum, and Public Comments
- Policy 5161; Civility in the Workplace (new!)
- Policy 5254; Staff Expression (new!)
- Policy 3226; Interviews and Interrogations by Outside Agencies of Students on School Premises
- Policy 3421; Child Abuse and Neglect
- Policy 5001; Hiring of Retired School Employees
The next regular School Board meeting is Thursday, May 18, 2023. Join us in-person or online! BremertonSchools.org/SchoolBoard
School Board enjoys a visit to Bremerton High School!
The Bremerton School District Board of Directors had the opportunity to meet for informal conversations with administrators, staff, students, parents and community members during a visit to Bremerton High School (see photos below) last month. The Board enjoyed several musical performances and visiting classrooms as well!
Going back in time for Teacher Appreciation Week!
View Ridge Elementary Arts Academy classified staff took teachers back in time with an 80s-themed celebration for Teacher Appreciation Week (May 8-12)!
Music program recognition
The Best Communities for Music Education program acknowledges schools and districts across the United States for their commitment to and support of music education. It is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. This award considers the way our schools and community supports music with special consideration given to funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
Sports Medicine Team competes at state contest
The BHS Sports Medicine team came in 13th out of 29 schools at the state contest, held in Spokane in April. Braden Welch, Alyssa McManamna, and Nicole Long were named "Top Seniors." Helene Rode and Dillon Lovestedt finished in the top 20 on the exercise science test, Claire Cortez placed 21st on the medical terminology test and Emily Cortes placed 25th on the Anatomy & Physiology test. Each category had over 100 participants. Students were also provided tours of the Athletic Training program at Eastern Washington University and the Kinesiology classrooms at Gonzaga University during the trip.
More than 20 students participate in the Sports Medicine Club - the majority of whom are planning on pursuing medical careers after high school. The club meets weekly, but most of the students volunteer on a regular basis in the BHS training room helping student-athletes prepare for practices and games and rehabbing injuries. The BHS Sports Medicine Club also helps run blood drives at BHS. More than 40 students and staff donated blood at their last blood drive in January. They are hosting their next blood drive this Friday.
BHS ASB hosts campus clean-up event
Approximately 40 Bremerton High School Students turned out for a campus clean-up day, hosted by ASB! Students were rewarded for their hard work with pizza! Check out more photos here.
MVMS students learn about ancient history with Chinese "Spouting Bowls"
Mountain View Middle School sixth grade history students recently had an opportunity to experiment hands-on with Chinese "Spouting Bowls" in their World History classes. The bowls were on loan from the Naval Undersea Warfare Center at Keyport and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & IMF.
Students study Ancient China and learn about the influence of China's ideas on our modern world. The Ancient Chinese believed the bowls fostered happiness, prolonged life, and increased strength. Students use the spouting bowl filled with water and try to create resonance by rubbing the handles, the goal is to try to make the water spout and bowl sing.
West Sound College Mixer
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Stay informed!
Important information for the families of the class of 2023!
Community multi-use sports complex updates & information
The Bremerton 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 employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Garth Steedman at 360.473.1031 or the Section 504 Coordinator, John Welsh at 360.473.1012 Mailing address: 134 Marion Avenue North, Bremerton, WA 98312.
Bremerton School District
Email: communications@bremertonschools.org
Website: www.BremertonSchools.org
Location: 134 Marion Avenue North, Bremerton, WA, USA
Phone: 360-473-1000
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