SBLSD News

We can thank Mother Nature for an upcoming four-day weekend. Since we have not had to cancel school due to inclement weather, there is no school on both Feb. 19 (Presidents Day) and Feb. 20, which was reserved for an emergency weather makeup day.

Please note: No school also means there will be no childcare or preschool.

By Superintendent Dr. Laurie Dent

I am absolutely thrilled by the incredible support you've shown for the two levies in our recent election! Your votes speak volumes about the trust you have in our schools and the bright future we're building together. Each vote isn't just a mark on a ballot; it's a vote of confidence in the power of education to change lives.

Thanks to your incredible support, we will keep providing every student with an excellent education, including vital resources, innovative programs, and dedicated staff. Your vote makes it possible for students to graduate with not just a diploma, but with the skills and confidence needed for a promising future.

Your belief in our mission inspires us to keep making a real difference in the lives of our students. Thank you for being the heartbeat of our community, for believing in our schools, and for investing in the success of our students.

***

SBLSD’s most recent election results as posted by Pierce County Elections on Feb. 15.

Sumner High School ASB is sponsoring the 18th Annual Benefit Night next week to support the Madden Family, a father and five children, who recently lost their wife/mother after a short battle with cancer. The community is invited to two Benefit Night events, where 100 percent of the donations go directly to the Madden Family.

Benefit Night Talent Show: Feb. 21

Student and staff performances

Time: Doors open at 5:30 pm; show starts at 6 pm

Location: SHS Performing Arts Center

Cost: $10 (purchase online or at the door)

Benefit Night Dinner Auction: Feb. 23

Dinner with live and silent auctions

Time: 6 pm

Location: SHS Commons (Phase 1 Building)

Cost: $20 (purchase online or with SHS Bookkeeper)

For those unable to attend the events, but would like to donate, you may do so online here.

About the Madden Family

In late October 2023, Alejandrina Madden was diagnosed with advanced stage 4 stomach cancer. A little over one month later (November 25, 2023) she passed away with her loved ones at her side. Alejandrina was a mother of five kids and married to Dustin Madden who is a Sumner High School alum. Her five kids are between the ages of 5 and 14. One of her kids, Sawyer Madden, is currently a freshman at SHS and the rest of her kids are future Sparts. Her husband is now solely responsible for raising their five kids along with working and providing for his family. The fund from Benefit Night will go toward funeral costs, hospital bills and everything that is needed to raise five kids.

Do you know a child who will be five years old on or before Aug. 31? Kindergarten registration is now open for the 2024-25 school year.

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.

Registration

Enrollment into the district is online. Visit our enrollment page for details on the three-step registration process. For more information, go to sumnersd.org/kindergarten.

The 2024 STEM Fair and Art Show is almost a week away! This exciting event is a showcase of student learning and creativity, teacher programs, community exhibits, and more. Please join us Feb. 24 from 10 am - 2 pm at Sumner Middle School. From student artwork to science projects, activities for young children and older students, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Student/Parent/Volunteer Reminders:

• If your student is registered to present a project, please check your email for important logistical information including presentation times and other details. All students who are completing a digital project must submit their project slides and quad chart to this form by Feb. 21 at 3 pm. Slides and quad charts can also be sent to abigail_finney@sumnersd.org. Students grades K-2 who are presenting a trifold do not need to submit anything in advance.

• In addition to the artwork curated by our elementary art docents, elementary students are invited to submit work digitally through this form. We will have rotating slideshows of student art throughout the event. You can also email photos of student art to abigail_finney@sumnersd.org — just be sure to include the student name, grade, school, and title of the piece.

• If you have signed up to volunteer or participate in any capacity, please check your email for important logistical details.

• For questions about the STEM Fair and Art Show, contact abigail_finney@sumnersd.org.

Two Lakeridge Middle School 8th graders, Ryan and Jack, created a “Troll Gate” for a class project using the Seattle Kraken mascot Buoy the Troll as a prop.

The students used a VEX Robotics kit as a part of Jeff Losinski’s Automation and Robotics Class. They did a great job!

February is Career & Technical Education Month! Learn about our course offerings and career pathways available for students at sumnersd.org/CTE.

One way Lakeridge Middle School is celebrating Black History Month is by sharing facts and information about important figures in history. Here are some of the “Did You Knows” that you can find on the TV screens in the LMS commons:

Looking for a new career or know of someone who is? Join our transportation team! Don’t let us convince you – just hear it from one of our own bus drivers, Dennis:

Hi, my name is Dennis and I am a school bus driver. I really enjoy my job. One of my favorite things about this job is driving the bus. I like the fact that all of our buses are all automatics which means no stick shifts. The buses also have automatic chains if needed all you do is push a button.

We also have a great staff of mechanics that keep our buses maintained for all of us drivers. Besides driving a bus, I really look forward to seeing my students. I say good morning to every student as they get on the bus. I also say good morning to the parents if they are at the stop.

As a driver we are the first and last person that the students see daily. I really like to be a positive role model for the students. We also have wonderful office staff and bus drivers that are happy and willing to help with a question or something that you are not sure about.

This job is so much fun and I really do enjoy it. So come on and give it a try, we will train you. Tell them Dennis sent you and become a school bus driver.

Learn more and watch testimonials from other bus drivers at sumnersd.org/busdrivers. Already convinced to join our bus driving team, apply now (search bus driver)!

Are you passionate about supporting professional learning and organizational efficiency? Sumner-Bonney Lake School District is seeking a dedicated individual for the role of Program Support Specialist-Professional Learning. This classified staff position involves providing comprehensive support at the Executive Director level, maintaining departmental calendars, managing online professional learning platforms, budget monitoring, event coordination, and much more.

The ideal candidate will possess strong organizational skills, proficiency in Google applications, and the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact within our educational community, apply here now!

Are you looking for fun activities this spring? Check out the 2024 Spring Recreation Guide, which features descriptions and registration information for activities such as soccer, karate, gymnastics, babysitting classes, dog obedience training and more.

Do you want to better understand, prevent and compassionately respond to challenging behaviors in the home and community? Attend a free training on this topic, hosted by the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District and Behavior Bridges.

Preventing Challenging Behaviors

Feb. 27 from 5-8 p.m.

Victor Falls Elementary, 11401 188th Ave. Ct. E., Bonney Lake

This topic is intended for caregivers of early learners through adulthood. Walk-ins are welcome, but space is limited and not guaranteed, so please register here. Childcare will be available for kids 5 and older. Light snacks will be provided. For more information, contact Dr. Jeannie Larberg at jeannie_larberg@sumnersd.org.

La crianza con Amor y Lógica representa un enfoque práctico de "cómo hacerlo" para la crianza de los hijos que se ha enseñado con éxito durante 25 años. ¡El enfoque de Amor y Lógica es divertido! Los participantes recibirán un libro de trabajo gratuito. Esta capacitación es GRATIS proporcionada por el Distrito Escolar de Sumner-Bonney Lake y utilizará videos de Amor y Lógica.

Esta capacitación está disponible para cualquier padre o guardián, independientemente de la edad de su estudiante. La capacitación tendrá un límite de 30 participantes. Las familias de SBLSD tendrán la primera prioridad para registrarse.

Los participantes aprenderán cómo:

• Evite las luchas de poder y las discusiones imposibles de ganar (poner fin a las discusiones, las contradicciones y rogar)

• Establecer límites exigibles

• Empoderar a los niños

• Ayude a los niños a aprender de los errores en lugar de repetirlos

La serie se ofrecerá los siguientes días:

• Los martes, 27 de febrero - 26 de marzo, 5-6:30 p.m. en la oficina de Sumner High School (parte del edificio original), 1707 Main Street, Sumner WA 98390

Registrar aqui.

Guardería para niños/jóvenes de 5 años y adelante. Se proporcionará agua y refrigerios en cada sesión.

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.This free training is provided by the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District and will use Love and Logic videos.

This training is available to any parent or guardian regardless of the age of their student. The training will be capped at 30 participants. SBLSD families will be given first priority for registration.

Participants will learn how to:

• Avoid un-winnable power-struggles and arguments (putting an end to arguing, backtalk, and begging)

• Set enforceable limits

• Empower kids

• Help kids learn from mistakes rather than repeating them

The series will be offered on the following days:

• Tuesdays, February 27 - March 26, 5-6:30 pm at Sumner High School (please enter through the Main Office in the original building). 1707 Main Street

Register here.

Daycare available for children/youth 5 years and older. Water and snacks will be provided at each session.

The public is invited to attend School Board study sessions and meetings, which are held both virtually and in person. Please note that dates, times and locations are subject to change. February’s meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Central Office Boardroom (1202 Wood Ave).

Board meeting: Feb. 21

• Virtual meeting link (passcode: 419058)

• Register for in-person or virtual public comment (Deadline to sign up: Noon, Feb. 20)

• Submit comments online (School board reviews online submissions by noon the day prior to board meetings. These are not read aloud at the meeting, but are included in meeting minutes.)

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