November character trait: Gratitude!

Congratulations to our School Board for once again being recognized as Board of Distinction for 2019!

What is the Boards of Distinction program?

The Boards of Distinction program is designed to encourage boards to examine their practices as governing bodies and how their actions and decisions impact the success of students. National research on the Washington State School Board Standards shows a correlation between board actions and student outcomes. Those recognized as Boards of Distinction have reviewed their decision-making and shown how that is tied to positive student outcomes.

Boards are also asked to demonstrate their actions and results in efforts to close opportunity gaps. Being selected as a Board of Distinction requires that boards show a clear link between their leadership and closing gaps that impact student success.

How were awards determined?

A panel of 10 judges spent approximately six to eight hours each, not only reviewing applications but also working together with WSSDA staff to calibrate with each other on how applications are evaluated. Judges from across the state included former and current Educational Service District superintendents, State Board of Education board members, former school directors, and others who are involved in education leadership on a statewide level.

We appreciate our Board's tremendous dedication to, and tireless work on behalf of our students!

Compiled by Board Secretary Ioanna Cossack

Policy News: Two new procedures were presented to the Board and have been uploaded to our website: 1) Procedure 3211P, Gender-Inclusive Schools (new policy recently adopted) and 2) revised Procedure 3413P, Student Immunization and Life Threatening Health Conditions. Staff are asked to review these new or revised procedures and contact your administrator if you have any questions.

• 3211P, Gender-Inclusive Schools
  
• 3413P, Student Immunization and Life Threatening Health Conditions
  

Renaissance High School Recognized: Renaissance High School was recognized by the Board and Graduate Strong for increasing the number of students who filed for FAFSA/WAFSA. This was a part of Campaign Plus5Push to encourage schools to increase the number of students who file by at least 5%. RHS numbers increased by almost 16% from the 2017/18 school year to 2018/19 (see photo above).

2-year Capital Levy: At the last meeting in October, representatives from Integrus Architecture, along with Assistant Superintendent Steedman, presented information to the Board on their recent facility condition assessment on our buildings. After review of the information provided, the Board voted to run a replacement Capital Levy to be collected in calendar years 2021 and 2022. This Levy along with a 4-year Support Levy will go out to the voters in February 2020. Julie Wasserburger and Jonee Dubos are once again heading the efforts of the Bremerton Citizens for Good Schools and are looking for other folks to join their team. Contact her if you or someone you know may be interested.

Annual Fall Meeting with School Administrators: The Board met in study session for nearly two hours with our building administrators to discuss challenges, successes and plans for improvement. There was a lot of good information shared.

Linda Sullivan-Dudzic asked for and received Board approval to submit all Comprehensive School Improvement Plans to the Office of Superintendent of Public Schools (OSPI) before the December 1 deadline. These CSIPs are available on each building's website (under "our school)" for review by contacting Special Programs.

You can find these reports, other attachments, and more information on the agenda/BoardDocs site

Don't just decline a meeting if the proposed time doesn't work for you! Propose a new time! Watch this quick video by Kati Carthum to learn how!

Did you know that we use an electronic flyer distribution service called Peachjar rather than sending paper flyers from outside organizations home with kids?

You can view the flyers sent out to families in your building by visiting your building's web page, and clicking on the Peachjar logo under "quick links."

To view flyers sent to ALL families in the District, click on the Peachjar logo under "quick links" on the District webpage.

Would you like to receive Peachjar flyers that are sent to your school (or another school!)? If so, sign up here: https://peachjar.com/register.php?c[bypass_registration_code]=1

If you are the adviser or coach for a student club, learn how you can use Peachjar to promote your event or fundraiser here.

To learn more about Peachjar, please visit www.BremertonSchools.org/Peachjar.

Check out this recognition from the National P-3 Center!

Congratulations to the following Bremerton School District Teachers who recently renewed their National Board Certification!

• Cynthia Blinkinsop
• Valerie Custodio
• Frances Frampton
• Desiree Hall
• Anthony Prowell
• Debra Strawhun
• Kelly Welsh

View a list of all of our National Board Certified teachers on our website!

Note: in the first distribution of this Staff Updates newsletter, Valerie Custodio's name and photo was omitted due to human error (mine!)! My sincere apologies to Valerie! - Karen Bevers

The State Board of Education adopted rules regarding graduation requirements following the passage of legislation (HB 1599). Graduation pathway options have replaced the explicit link between the state assessment and graduation.

“The Board is pleased to announce the adoption of these rules following a thoughtful and comprehensive rulemaking process, wherein we received over 450 comments from educators, school district administrators, legislators, parents and more,” said State Board of Education Chair, Peter Maier. “The scope, volume, and sometimes intensity of this feedback process shows that our state cares deeply about public education and student pathways to meaningful futures.”

Read the full media release on the SBE website.

We've got a few extras. If you'd like one, please email Communications@BremertonSchools.org and we'll put one (or a couple?) in District mail for you!

The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) is collecting feedback regarding new graduation pathway requirements that went into effect for the graduating Class of 2020. The feedback is intended to inform future decisions on whether the pathway options are adequate and what changes, if any, the state should make.

Here is a link to a Graduation Pathways Preliminary Feedback Survey Link: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5289893/WA-Grad-Pathways-Pre-Focus-Group-Survey

This survey and subsequent focus groups will be used to inform development a statewide stakeholder survey to be released in early 2020.

We hope that you will consider participating in this important project, as it is a great opportunity to make your voice heard and share your input on the new graduation pathway options for Washington students.

• View past issues of the Staff Updates newsletter
• Submit ideas or content for the Staff Updates newsletter to: Karen.Bevers@BremertonSchools.org

Website: www.bremertonschools.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BremertonSchools/
Twitter: @BremertonSD

BSD Staff Updates Newsletter 2019-20 / Issue #7 distributed 11/20/19.

Photo: Fall Fest at Naval Avenue Early Learning Center

Put on by Abundant Life Foursquare Church