SBLSD News
June 13, 2024
June 17: Two-hour early release (in lieu of a late start)
The graduation date for both high schools is Monday, June 17 — Sumner at 4 pm and Bonney Lake at 7 pm at the Tacoma Dome. To help support graduation attendance for staff and families for the earlier SHS ceremony, the entire district will have a two-hour early dismissal instead of the normal Monday two-hour late start on June 17. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Two-hour early dismissal schedule for June 17:
Middle and High Schools: 12:20 pm
Crestwood, Daffodil Valley, Liberty Ridge, Maple Lawn, Victor Falls: 1:10 pm
Sumner Early Learning Center, 1:20 pm
Bonney Lake, Donald Eismann, Emerald Hills, Tehaleh Heights: 1:45 pm
June 18: Last day of school early dismissal
The last day of school, Tuesday, June 18, is a half-day, early dismissal. Here are the dismissal times by school. Please note that breakfast will be available, but lunches will not be served.
Middle and High Schools: 10:25 am
Crestwood, Daffodil Valley, Liberty Ridge, Maple Lawn, Victor Falls: 11:40 am
Early Learning Center: 11:50 am
Bonney Lake, Donald Eismann, Emerald Hills, Tehaleh Heights: 12:15 pm
June 19: District buildings closed
In observation of Juneteenth, all SBLSD buildings will be closed on Wednesday, June 19.
Congratulations to the 40 graduates from the Elhi Hill High School Program! They were celebrated in an outdoor ceremony this week in front of staff, family and friends. Teachers shared words of encouragement and graduates rang the ceremonial bell to signal their achievements. Every class of graduates leaves behind a contribution to the program, and this year's helped develop the design of Elhi Hill's planners for next year. We are proud of you, graduates!
Learn more about the Elhi Hill High School program at sumnersd.org/elhi.
Congratulations to Jada, who graduated from the Community Based Transition Program on Thursday in front of family, friends, SBLSD staff and our community partners. The CBTP helps teach job skills to special education students ages 18 to 22 by partnering with local businesses and organizations to offer internships to students.
Jada’s favorite place to intern was Dillanos – she loves coffee! As advice to her fellow interns, she said to “Be on time, stay organized and pack a lunch.” Congratulations, Jada!
2023-24 CBTP by the numbers:
25 interns
23 learning sites
Approximately 9,825 hours served in our community
Thank you to our community partners for providing opportunities for our interns. Learn more about CBTP at sumnersd.org/CBTP.
Graduating seniors participated in the annual Victory Tour this week, where they paraded through their elementary and middle schools, recognizing former teachers and inspiring younger students.
Superintendent Dr. Laurie Dent spoke to two seniors about the experience in a recent video. Check it out below and take a moment to celebrate with us our amazing graduates and reflect on the growth, teamwork and fun memories of the year.
Sometimes, you just don’t know what someone is going through.
“You don’t always know that they’re struggling,” said Claire, a 10th grader at Sumner High School.
That’s something Claire learned as one of the first groups of students to go through teen Mental Health First Aid training – a course that was taught to all tenth graders at Bonney Lake and Sumner high schools this year. The training will also be given next school year.
At a time when many youth across the country are facing mental health challenges, teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) teaches teens how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their friends and peers.
Check out this video and this story to learn more about teen Mental Health First Aid training.
At the June 12 school board meeting, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Alicia Burton (and Sumner High alum) conducted the swearing in ceremony for new School Board Director J.B. Smith. A resident of Edgewood, she serves District 1, replacing longtime board member Deb Norris.
J.B. is eager to cultivate a robust and collaborative relationship with the board, the district, and the community. Her foremost priority will always be keeping the children at the heart of
decisions, and striving to do what is best for their well-being and academic success.
She strongly believes in the significance of transparent communication, fostering respectful dialogue, and staying aligned with common goals — principles she sees as essential for ensuring the continued success and integrity of our school district.
A longtime member of the Sumner community, J.B. currently serves as a Senior Biomarker Testing Account Executive at Genentech, a biotechnology company. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in genetic counseling from Sarah Lawrence College.
J.B. and her husband, Rad, will celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary in August. They have three daughters, all Sumner High School alums — Abby (2015), Annie (2018) and McAllister (2020). The couple’s four-legged family members are a red lab, Sage, and a 15-year-old little mutt, Daisy. In her spare time, J.B. enjoys walking, hiking, playing pickleball and gardening.
Fun fact about the female Smiths, they all attended Maple Lawn Elementary, Sumner Middle School and Sumner High School. The SBLSD connection continues as J.B.’s husband taught special education at SHS and was the school’s varsity football coach in the 90s, and her mom was the school nurse at Bonney Lake Elementary for more than a decade.
Welcome, J.B.!
Thursday, August 15
Noon to 2 pm
Daffodil Valley Elementary
1509 Valley Ave., Sumner
Tuesday, August 20
Noon to 2 pm
Liberty Ridge Elementary
12202 209th Ave Ct E., Bonney Lake
Thursday, August 22
3 to 6 pm
Sumner-Bonney Lake Family Resource Center
1508 Willow St., Sumner
Learn more at sumnersd.org/BTSFairs.
Participate in the Pierce County Library System’s Summer Reading program through August and look forward to a summer of discovery and connection. Read or listen to books, attend free events, and enjoy everything that the library has to offer for all ages, including elementary, middle school, and high school students and their families. Visit the Bonney Lake or Sumner Pierce County Library to get started today! Learn more.
Summer is just around the corner, but so is the 2024-25 school year. We encourage you to make your immunization appointments now so that your student meets requirements prior to the first day of school attendance.
Families can access immunization records through MyIR Mobile. Please note that the website for this online database has transitioned from MyIR.net to MyIRMobile.com, meaning parents and guardians may need to re-register.
Families wishing to obtain a certificate of exemption for any school required immunization must also provide this document prior to the first day of attendance. Find an immunization Q&A at sumnersd.org/immunizations.
By Josh Agpalza, Director of Equity
As we approach Juneteenth, we are reminded of the importance of this day in American history. Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and is a significant milestone in our nation’s journey toward freedom and equality.
Honoring Juneteenth allows us to recognize the resilience, contributions, and sacrifices of African Americans throughout history. It is a time for reflection on our past, acknowledgment of the progress made, and commitment to continuing the work toward a more just and equitable society.
At Sumner-Bonney Lake School District, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every student, staff member, and community member feels valued and respected.
Observing Juneteenth is a testament to our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and it serves as a reminder that our collective efforts are crucial in building a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
We encourage all members of our community to learn about, and engage with, the history and significance of Juneteenth. Let us come together to celebrate freedom, honor the legacy of those who came before us, and reaffirm our dedication to creating opportunities for all. Learn about Juneteenth.
