SBLSD News

Staff were showing their spirit today for Halloween! If you are heading out tonight, please be safe.

Last week Sumner High School FFA advisors Maria Montoya and Matt Kline took 10 students to the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., to represent Washington state in the areas of agriscience and food science competitions.

Food science

The Food Science & Technology team completed tasks such as recognizing safety hazards, sampling different food science aromas, and developed a product based on specific food ingredients and pitched their product to a team of judges. The team earned a silver award and placed 13th out of all of the teams in the nation. Congratulations to Peyton A., McKenna H. and Trent O. who earned silver awards, and Chandler W. who earned a bronze award.

Agriscience

Ten students competed with their science projects at the National Agriscience Fair, representing Washington state:

• Trent O. and Chandler W. took 1st place and are national champions for their social science project on GMO animal perceptions, earning them an award of distinction (SHS has not had another set of national champions since 2018!)

• Kylie B. took 2nd for her social science project on consumer preferences on various dog foods based on marketing tactics, earning her an award of distinction

• Sam P. placed 4th for her social science project on consumer perceptions of plant-based meat products

• Peyton A. placed 4th for her environmental science project on the effects of using earthworms to remove microplastics from the soil

• Cortlynn J. and Olivia A. placed 5th for their food science project on apple preservation methods

• Scarlett H. and DaniRose H. placed 5th for their social science project on agriculture knowledge in elementary students

• Delaney M. placed 8th for her plant science project on microplastic effects on plant growth

Congratulations to these students for not only representing Sumner High School, but the entire state of Washington. We commend you for your hard work and dedication to the FAA.

Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, Nov. 3. Remember to move your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.

From the Pierce County Elections Office … don’t ghost the vote! By Nov. 5, use a ballot drop box (deadline 8 pm) or pop your ballot in the mail (postmarked on/before Nov. 5).

There’s just six days left until the all-important general election! We’ve diligently shared facts and information about the district’s Proposition 1 since August, and we continue to do so on this final home stretch.

Among the many ways we’ve shared information, our bond video series features students, staff and parents describing the need for new, expanded and improved facilities, including turf fields.

Watch these videos to learn about just some of the bond projects:

And, here’s a look back at the videos that launched our bond facts and information campaign with Back to the Future-themed humor filmed in our high school parking lots:

• Ready for the Future Part I

• Ready for the Future Part II

Please remember to vote by Nov. 5.

A longstanding tradition, the Rotary Club of Sumner donated 800 dictionaries to all third grade students during recent presentations at each school.

Even while so many educational resources are now accessed online, students continue to find excitement in this paper format.

Thank you, Sumner Rotary and Bonney Lake Tehaleh Rotary, for your ongoing support and partnership in learning.

Elementary conferences: Early dismissal Nov. 20-22, 26

Elementary fall parent-teacher conferences are taking place Nov. 20-22 and 26. On these days, elementary schools release students according to their early dismissal schedule, which varies by school. Breakfast and lunch will be served.

Elementary early dismissal for Nov. 20-22 and 26

• 11:40 a.m.: Crestwood, Daffodil Valley, Liberty Ridge, Maple Lawn, Victor Falls

• 11:50 a.m.: Sumner Early Learning Center

• 12:15 p.m.: Bonney Lake, Donald Eismann, Emerald Hills, Tehaleh Heights

On these early dismissal days, afternoon bus stop drop-off times will be 3.5 hours earlier than when students are currently dropped off. Elementary schools are using ParentSquare for conference signups. Schools will communicate details directly with families.

Secondary early dismissal Nov. 14 and 26

Middle and high school fall parent-teacher conferences are taking place on one day — Nov. 14. However, there will still be early dismissal on both Nov. 14 and 26. Schools will communicate conference details directly with families.

Early dismissal at all middle and high schools on both Nov. 14 and 26 is at 10:25 a.m. On these early dismissal days, afternoon bus stop drop-off times will be 3.5 hours earlier than when students are currently dropped off. There will be no transportation to the Pierce County Skills Center on Nov. 14 and 26.

The community is invited to enjoy Sumner High School’s Theatre Troupe perform Alice in Wonderland.

When: 7 pm on Nov. 14-16 and 2 pm on Nov. 16-17

Where: SHS Performing Arts Center

Tickets: $5 students with ASB; $8 students (without ASB), seniors and military; $12 adults

Purchase tickets online

Don’t be late for these very important dates! 🐰⏰

See what’s for breakfast and lunch in November:

• Elementary menu

• Middle School menu

• High School menu

• Interactive menu

See all menus and more at sumnersd.org/menus.

All schools and district offices will be closed Monday, Nov. 11, in honor of Veterans Day.

Many of our schools are hosting Veterans Day assemblies next week to honor those who have served and are currently serving. Check your school’s newsletters for information on how to participate.

Does your child perform at significantly advanced academic levels compared to others? Consider referring them for the district's Highly Capable Program. SBLSD’s Highly Capable Program provides services, curriculum and activities that extend learning beyond the curriculum provided in schools and is designed so that all students of outstanding levels of aptitude may develop their abilities.

The referral period for our Highly Capable Program opens on Nov. 12 and will remain open until Dec. 12. Students can be referred by a staff member, a parent/guardian, or a community member. Referral links will open Nov. 12 and can be found on the SBLSD website here.

Please note: Second and fifth grade students will participate in a Highly Capable Universal Screener in the fall, and therefore do not need to be referred to be considered for services.

For more information, visit sumnersd.org/hicap.

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. Agendas are posted the day before each meeting. View the 2024-25 school board meeting calendar.

November’s meetings will be held at 6 pm in the Central Office Boardroom (1202 Wood Ave):

Study session: Nov. 13

• Virtual meeting link (passcode: 880677)

Board meeting: Nov. 20

• Virtual meeting link (passcode: 231290)

• Registration for in-person/virtual public comment opens Nov. 6

• 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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