Big Picture School Newsletter
May 16, 2022
Upcoming Events
5/17 - ASB election applications due to counseling office
5/18 and 19-WCAS- 8th grade in science classes
5/19 - Senior retreat at Mercer Slough Environmental Center
5/23-27 - ASB campaign week
5/25- 11th grade WCAS
5/26- Last day students are at internships
5/27 - ASB elections (in advisory)
6/2- HS Racial Equity Day
6/3-8th grade service field trip, Lake Sammamish State Park
6/3 & 4- HS Play at BHS 7:00-8:30 pm
6/8- HS Finals Day 1
6/9 HS Exhibitions Day 1
6/10-HS Finals Day 2
6/13-14- Senior Defenses
6/15- Last full day for seniors
6/16- Grad rehearsal and Senior breakfast
6/16- HS Exhibitions- Day 2
6/ 16- 8th grade Moving Up- 7th period 1:45-3:00
6/17- HS Exhibitions- Day 3
6/17 - Middle school laptop collection (SS classes)
6/17- High School Graduation at SHS 6:30 pm
6/20 - High School Freedom Project presentations & 9th-11th laptop collection
6/21- Last day of school- 2 hours
Principal's Corner
Laura Walter hosted our first in-person middle school student showcase of classwork in 2 years. Laura's 6th grade science students spent that past several weeks learning about thermal energy and energy transfers, applying their learning and engineering skills to designing and re-designing model houses. On Thursday, students displayed their houses in our cafe and several families, staff, and other students dropped by to view the models and hear presentations from students. It was fantastic to have our campus come alive again with our community coming together to celebrate students' project-based learning.
Our middle school advisory classes are entering into their annual service learning projects. 7th grade students will be collecting supplies to make first aid kits and 8th grade students will be doing trail maintenance at Lake Sammamish State Park in early June.
There are several upcoming events for high school students. This Thursday, May 19th, we return to our in-person Senior Retreat held at Mercer Slough Environmental Center. Seniors and BP staff will spend the day together connecting and preparing for Senior Defenses. In their senior defense, students reflect on their high school careers. Students will present a clear overarching idea that connects all the strands they will explore in their defense: their vision/learning plan, their Big Picture experience including internships, and who they have become through their years here. Families of seniors are invited to attend these Senior Defenses in-person. We'll also provide Teams links for seniors' families who prefer that. On June 2, our high school SOAR club (students organized against racism) will present a day focused on racial equity and inclusion with several guest speakers and activities. Internship exhibitions begin on June 9. Advisors will invite parents and mentors to attend these in-person and via Teams. We're also excited to bring back our High School Freedom Project Exhibitions on June 20. All high school students have begun working on their Freedom Projects in English and Social Studies classes. Project proposals are due soon. Students will research, design, create, reflect, and present a project of their choosing. We'll share more details about the exhibition closer to June 20.
The ASB election process for next year has begun. Please reach out to Suzanne Reeve for more info (reeves@bsd405.org).
Many thanks to the BP PTSA and families for an amazing week of pampering our staff during the May staff appreciation week. It was just the Pick Me Up that the adults needed. Thank you for your kindness and support.
With Gratitude,
Bethany
Announcements
Internet Outage Last Week
Last week, there was a district-wide internet outage due to a network problem for several days, including most of the day on Thursday. The outage interrupted email service. BP staff will be working to catch up on email correspondences this week.
BP Theater - Spring Productions
High School Theater Arts is proud to present: Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring
When: Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4
What time: Doors open at 6:30, show starts at 7:00, it lasts a bit over an hour and a half. There will be a short 10 minute intermission.
Where: Bellevue High School Performance Arts Center
Senior Info
8th grade Moving Up Ceremony
High School Finals Schedule
June 21, 2022 - Two-Hour Day Start and End Times
June 21, 2022 is a two-hour day for students. All schools start at their regular times and dismiss two hours later. Please see this link for the 2-Hour Day Start and End Times: BSD 2 Hour Schedule for 6-21-22.xlsx.
Keep Your Address Up-to-Date – Complete a Change of Address Form
Have you moved in the past year? Are you planning to move over the summer?
In the event of an emergency, it is important for the district to have an up-to-date address for your student(s). If you have moved, please submit a change of address formto SPResidency@bsd405.org Please include the documents needed to establish residency.
If you will be moving over the summer, please submit the change of address information within 5 days of your move to SPResidency@bsd405.org.Student Placement will work with you regarding your student’s school.
New Building Update
(photo below is our School Design and Advisory Team on ferry trip back from school visits)
District Announcements
Masking as a Layered Protection
Since the lifting of the statewide mask mandate on March 12, students, staff and visitors have had the option to choose whether or not to wear masks in our schools. However, with the current rise in cases, the district, along with the BSD Board Directors, encourage our students and families to strongly consider wearing a mask in indoor settings to help slow the current spread. Both the Washington State Department of Health (WADOH)and Public Health – Seattle & King County advise the use of masks as layered protections against the spread of COVID-19. Please see their requirements and recommendations for K-12 schools:
When are masks required?
- For a student or staff member on days 6-10 when they return to school/work from isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, unless they have tested negative on day 6 or later.
- Any time someone aged 2 or older is in the school health room/clinic.
- When working with a licensed mental health provider in the school (for example, speaking with a Youth Eastside Services counselor at school).
- Any time someone with COVID symptoms who is walking to, or already in, the isolation/wellness room at school.
- Masks may also be required as a response to an outbreak or cluster of cases in a classroom or group or in a specific setting.
When are masks recommended?
- Students and staff who are immunocompromised, medically fragile, and/or otherwise high risk for severe disease.
- Families should consult their health care provider about whether or not to continue wearing well-fitted masks.
- Some may need to wear a mask because they or a member of their household is high risk for severe COVID-19 disease.
- Regardless of vaccination status, students, children, and staff who were potentially exposed to COVID-19 should be encouraged to consider wearing a well-fitted mask (if age appropriate) for 10 days after the last date of exposure, especially during activities like high-risk indoor sports, performing arts, etc.
- If an individual or family feels safer wearing a mask.
Masks are available for staff, students and visitors throughout the district. Students may ask teachers or office managers if they need masks.
Covid Reminders
The District Health and Safety Team thanks you for your partnership these past few months as we navigated the COVID-19 pandemic together and has shared a message to families about how to keep COVID-19 transmission low in schools using layered protection measures after returning from Spring Break. Please follow the required and recommended measures below:
Required
- Keep your student home if they are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and follow the K-12 Return to School Guidance Flowsheet. If your child initially tests negative for COVID-19 and continues to experience mild cold symptoms, consider retesting them for COVID-19 on day 3-7 of symptoms and encourage them to mask while attending school.
Recommended
- COVID-19 Testing: We encourage district staff and families to follow recommendations from the Washington State Department of Health (WA-DOH) and the Center for Disease Control related to COVID-19 testing following Spring Break. This includes:
- Testing 3-5 days after returning home from travel outside the United States
- Testing 3-5 days after returning home from within the United States if unvaccinated
- If a parent or sibling in your household has tested positive for COVID-19, contact your building nurse to confirm your family is following current recommendations for COVID-19 testing and mitigation measures.
- If your student has been exposed in the classroom setting or at home to someone that has tested positive for COVID-19, consider wearing a mask for 10 days after the last date of exposure, especially during activities like high-risk indoor sports, performing arts, etc., and get tested at minimum 3-5 days after their last exposure. Molecular (PCR/NAAT), antigen and at home tests are acceptable. Test sooner and more frequently for COVID-19 if someone in your home has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
Drive-Thru Diagnostic PCR Testing Available for Students
BSD offers drive-thru diagnostic PCR testing for students who show symptoms of COVID-19. Testing is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wilburton Instructional Service Center (WISC). Tests are available by appointment only, as there are limited slots each day.
Learn more and sign up for drive-thru diagnostic testing at BSD.
Parent and Community High School Math Committee
Bellevue School District is continuing to develop our collective vision for high-quality mathematics instruction. We are forming a committee of BSD educators, leaders and community members to continue the work that our K-7 colleagues started last spring. This work will lead us into a process to find the best curricular resources for Algebra 1, Geometry and Algebra 2 that align with our vision for exceptional educational opportunities for students.
The committee will start work this spring to identify resources for pilot and/or experimental use during the 2022-2023 school year and make recommendations for full adoption in the 2023-2024 school year. You can learn more and express your interest in serving on the committee, go here.
You can learn more about the work happening across mathematics, P-12, in BSD on our website.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!)
At Bellevue Chamber of Commerce one of our values is to help educate the community around us by sharing knowledge and promoting leaders. We are reaching out because we want to inform you about our next Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) session.
Young Entrepreneurs Academy is a national program offered to middle school and high school students who are interested in entrepreneurship. Through this program, students will learn everything it takes to start and run a business including real-world submitting DBAs to the County Clerk’s Office, opening a bank account, filing tax returns, and earning profits at a trade show. In addition, students will have the opportunity to develop a business plan and even pitch to investors.
The next session will begin on June 28th and will be offered in a hybrid format. The program has an application process and fee associated with it. Applications for this session are due no later than June 3rd.
For more information visit the links below:
Young Entrepreneurs Academy:
https://bellevuechamber.org/educate/yea/
Application:
Superintendent Search - Board Community Engagement
Superintendent Search - Board Listening Sessions
The Directors of the Bellevue School Board welcome the community to join in a series of engagement opportunities that seek to center community voice, help shape district direction, and inform the leadership profile for the next district superintendent.
What are Listening Sessions?
Listening sessions are conversations for students, staff and community members to engage directly with BSD’s School Board Directors.
Who Should Participate?
Everyone is invited ― students, staff, families and community members. Some of the session will be held in-person and some are virtual. The session on May 5 will be a large community session with all five board members in attendance. The remaining sessions will be smaller group sessions with two Board Directors in attendance.
Why should I participate?
Participants can expect to talk with Board members on important topics that help shape district direction and inform the profile for the next district superintendent.
Registration is required for all sessions, and attendance links will be sent to participants prior to each session date. Session dates and times are listed on the Spring BSD Board Listening Sessions webpage. Registration is also available through the district website or by clicking here.
OSPI Community Listening Sessions - SEL Professional Learning
The SEL team at the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)is partnering with American Institutes for Research to hold online community listening sessions to inform the design of professional learning activities.
- Student Listening Session(grades 9-12) - May 17 and 25
- Family and Community Listening Session - May 17 and 25
Questions? Contact Info.
Bethany Spinler, Principal
Matt Stokes, Assistant Principal
Karen Penewell, Office Manager
Carol Anne Yamamoto, Registrar
Kelley Hoang, Attendance