SBLSD News
December 16, 2021
A round of applause erupted from a crowd outside of Sumner High School on Monday as the last steel beam was placed for the school’s modernization and expansion project.
The 30-foot-long beam was signed by hundreds of Sumner High School students and staff as part of a “Topping Off '' Ceremony, which typically represents the first introduction of a building to the public. It’s the first ceremony of its kind at SBLSD.
“Speaking of the students, this is for them. This shows that we’re investing in them,” said Matt Guilanians, Hainline & Associates project manager contracted by the District.
The new building will feature a new commons, library, kitchen/cafeteria and additional classrooms. We thank our voters for making this possible with the passage of the 2016 capital construction bond.
Construction started on the new building in September, with an expected completion date of early 2023.
In a “Topping Off” ceremony, the placement of the final steel beam usually represents the first introduction of a building to the public and celebrates the accomplishments of the construction crew. The beam is often adorned with an Evergreen tree and an American flag for good luck.
Sumner High School science teacher Skip Ashley signed the beam last week. He was also a member of the SHS Project Review Task Force, made up of community members to help review the project.
“One of the main reasons the bond was passed was to get new science rooms. One of those is going to be my classroom,” he said, gesturing to the building.
Kevin Lewis, a member of the school board, said the community was key in getting the project to where it is today.
“I think it’s a testament to the District really coming together, bringing the community in,” Lewis said.
Students shared their excitement for the new building as they signed the final beam last week.
“I’m just really excited to see the new building,” said Jillian Orm, SHS sophomore.
“I think it’s going to be pretty sweet,” added SHS sophomore Gavin Washington.
Alexus Morfin and Evelyn Nino are both juniors at SHS and are graduating at the end of 2023. They said they were happy to leave their legacy by signing the beam and paving the way for a new generation to be able to benefit from the building.
“I’m kind of jealous because my little brother will get to go in there,” Nino said.
When students at Lakeridge Middle School were asked what kindness meant to them, here’s what they had to say:
“Kindness means to me going out of your way to help others,” said seventh grader Evan Wilson.
“Kindness means helping someone out by making their day better,” said eighth grader and ASB president Madilynn Bouton.
Last week, students at Lakeridge Middle School participated in a first-ever Unity Week event to strengthen kindness, empathy and respect at school.
Unity Week launched on Monday, March 7, with Unity Camp, where students participated in games and activities to boost positive communication and teamwork.
“The kids were just so happy for all of them to be together,” said Laura Handy-Nimick, leadership teacher at Lakeridge Middle School.
Throughout the week, students had opportunities to participate in Unity Week events, including sending kindness cards, talks about diversity in school and signing a pledge to make their community kind, empathetic and respectful. Erin Jones, a longtime local educator, spoke to students on Friday about how to bring those traits to school.
When students were learning remotely because of COVID-19, it was challenging to form a community, Handy-Nimick said. Unity Week helped build one.
“It was a common shared experience with common and shared language that we haven’t had since COVID,” Handy-Nimick said.
Unity Week was made possible by a grant from the Sumner-Bonney Lake Education Foundation with funding from the Haggen Foundation. Handy-Nimick hopes Unity Week will become an annual event.
- 3A/4A Military: District champions (highest score with a 281.2 out of 300)
- 3A/4A Kick: District champions
- 3A Pom: 2nd place
All three routines qualify them for the state championships next week in Yakima. Good luck, Pantherettes!
Congratulations to our high school students who competed at the state’s DECA Career Development Conference earlier this month in Bellevue.
- Bonney Lake High School DECA had 23 students who competed at state. While they didn’t qualify for nationals, they all did very well especially considering all but two of the students had never before competed in person at an event.
The 13th Annual SERVUS Conference was held March 4 both in person and virtually with about 2,000 student attendees from our school district, across Washington and parts of Oregon. The Sumner High School student-planned and produced conference teaches students about servant leadership, giving them the inspiration and tools to become a positive influence in their schools and communities.
Broadcast live from Calvary Community Church with the theme “Do Something Moment,” students were encouraged to take action to improve their school community. Attendees heard from local and nationally-recognized speakers who shared their passion for, and experiences in, leading and serving others.
We very much thank our partners for their donations of money and time to help make this valuable event possible. Learn more about the SERVUS Conference.
We are seeking positive and caring individuals who want to be part of a team that fosters independence for high-needs students as a paraeducator substitute in our Developmental Learning Classrooms (DLC). A DLC classroom serves students eligible for special education services that require a smaller class size and a higher student-to-staff ratio.
Support in a DLC looks like: leading small group instruction designed by the special education teacher, gathering materials, assisting students to complete directions given by teacher, facilitating interactions among students, taking data on student goals, adapting lessons based on teacher's guidance, providing assistance for personal or self-help care, facilitating inclusion in a general education class, and teaming with other staff in the classroom. Thank you for considering joining our team in support of serving our students in DLCs.
Becoming a Substitute Paraeducator is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to make a difference in a child's life. Learn more about this job opening and apply online (job #6683).
Spring elementary parent-teacher conferences will take place March 22 and 23, when students will have early dismissal with grab-and-go lunches. These conferences are reserved to meet with families whose children might be struggling academically, socially or emotionally. Schools will communicate directly with families about conference details. If you have questions, please contact your child’s school.
Do you know a child who will be five years old on or before August 31? Maybe it's your neighbor, friend or even your own child. Now’s the time to enroll kindergarten students for the 2022-23 school year. The sooner you enroll, the better we can keep you informed.
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.
Virtual school tours
Each school has created a virtual tour where you can meet teachers and staff, peek inside classrooms and see other areas of the building. Click on your school for a tour:
- Bonney Lake Elementary
- Crestwood Elementary
- Donald Eismann Elementary
- Early Learning Center
- Emerald Hills Elementary
- Liberty Ridge Elementary
- Tehaleh Heights Elementary
- Victor Falls Elementary
Registration
Enrollment into the District is now 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.
The public is invited to attend the next school board meeting, which will be held both virtually and in person at 6 p.m. on March 23 at Maple Lawn Elementary (230 Wood Ave). Time is set aside toward the end of the meeting for public comments. We’ve added a virtual comment option for those who are unable to attend in person. Agendas are published a day prior to each meeting.
