SBLSD News

We are excited to announce that the state has recognized five schools in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District for closing opportunity gaps and for students’ growth and academic achievement as part of the Washington School Recognition Program for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years. These recognitions are a reflection of the hard work by our staff to know, value and support every student.

Congratulations to the staff, students and families of the following recognized SBLSD schools:

• Sumner High School: Recognized for closing gaps for English Learner Progress in the 2021-2022 school year

• Donald Eismann Elementary: Recognized for growth for one or more student groups in the 2022-23 school year

• Lakeridge Middle School: Recognized for closing gaps for one or more student groups and growth for one or more student groups in the 2022-23 school year

• Liberty Ridge Elementary: Recognized for closing gaps for one or more student groups and growth for one or more student groups in the 2022-23 school year

• Tehaleh Heights Elementary School: Recognized for growth for one or more student groups and achievement for the whole school in the 2022-23 school year

Learn more about the award on our website.

Congratulations to bus driver Kellie Lohre (fifth from left in below photo) for taking 10th place at the state bus road-e-o in Kennewick last weekend (it was also her birthday)!

Twenty-four drivers competed at the bus road-e-o, which tests the skills of school bus drivers as they traverse obstacle courses like railroad crossings, backing up, and parallel parking.

Kellie qualified for the state competition after she placed 3rd in the regional bus road-e-o in May.

Congratulations, Kellie! Way to represent SBLSD!

Continuous clicks of the prize wheel were welcomed from staff who volunteered at SBLSD’s booth at last weekend’s Rhubarb Days in Sumner. In addition to giving out prizes to many very excited young visitors, we enjoyed sharing about job openings, programs, events and answering questions from hundreds of event attendees.

Multilingual students in Sumner-Bonney Lake students will benefit from a $242,000 state grant awarded to SBLSD this month, the highest allocation awarded for this grant to a school district in Washington.

The grant helps meet the needs of students by supporting about 20 SBLSD teachers and staff in tuition, books, and certification tests to obtain English Language Learners (ELL) Endorsements from Seattle University during the 2024-25 school year.

This training empowers staff with the skills to support multilingual learners, celebrating their diverse linguistic backgrounds and enhancing their academic success.

The district’s two-person communications team earned awards from the National School Public Relations Association for two projects in the 2023-24 school year:

• Golden Achievement Award: Facts & Information 2024 Levies Campaign
  Recognizes outstanding, strategic work in all aspects of school public relations, communication, marketing and engagement.

• Publications & Digital Media Excellence Award: SBLSD Website, sumnersd.org
  Recognizes outstanding tactical materials such as publications, newsletters, videos, podcasts, websites, social media and more.

To help ensure the safety of spectators and security at our stadiums, only clear bags will be allowed at high school varsity football games at Sunset and Panther stadiums beginning fall 2024.

New requirements for guests who attend varsity football games:

• Only clear bags or small clutch/purses/wallets will be allowed inside the stadiums

• Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”

• A small clutch bag, not exceeding 4.5” x 6.5”, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried inside the stadiums

• Other types of bags will not be allowed inside the stadiums

Thank you, in advance, for following these new guidelines for the safety of students, staff, families and the community.

Sunset Stadium is closed to the public through July 15 for track resurfacing work. The district will contact groups who have the facility booked as a rental during this time to find an alternative.

Reminder: Fireworks are not allowed on Sumner-Bonney Lake School District grounds. Thank you for helping keep SBLSD properties safe and clean!

District offices will be closed Thursday, July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

Primary election day is Aug. 6. If you’re not yet registered to vote, there’s just about a month left to do so — online or by mail. Check out the Pierce County primary election voters’ pamphlet, noting that your ballot will contain only the races and issues in which you’re eligible to vote based on where you live. Look for your ballot starting July 19.

Did you know … Bonney Lake now has a second ballot drop-box location — Public Safety Building, 18409 Veterans Memorial Dr E. Other drop boxes are at the Bonney Lake Park & Ride and the Sumner Library. View all locations.

The next school board meeting is July 10 at 6 p.m. virtually and in person at the Central Office Boardroom (1202 Wood Ave). The board meeting will recess for a budget hearing.

• Virtual meeting link (passcode: 480932)

• Register for in-person or virtual public comment (deadline to sign up: Noon, July 9)

• 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.)

Budget hearing comments

• Sign up for in-person or virtual public comment about the 24-25 budget during the Budget Hearing here (deadline to sign up: Noon, July 9)

• Submit written comments for the Budget Hearing here.

Calendar | Bus Schedules | District Website | Job Openings | Family Resource Center

Report a Safety Concern | Family Access | News | Mental Health Resources