BSD Staff Updates
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
Board Highlights - July 9, 2020
Back to School / Fall Start:
The Board held a study session to hear from Dr. Leavell on the work of the Fall Start 2020 Work Group. The 51 participants include administrators, staff from each of the unions represented in the District, community partners, families and students and their work is guided by OSPI’s “Reopening Washington Schools 2020 District Planning Guide.” This PowerPoint can be found on the Board’s site for Agendas and Minutes, go.boarddocs.com/wa/wabrsd/Board. The group did a lot of work and the decision was made to start the fall on a split or rotating schedule with continuous remote learning and the option for students to participate completely in an online educational program. The next step includes breaking into small focus groups to work out all of the details.
The Consent Agenda carried the usual business items, as well as quotes for equipment and installation of an upgraded Intercom/Bell System for the High School, and the new AVID College Readiness System Agreement for 2020-21. The AVID agreement includes AVID District Leadership Year 1 for Brittane DeBard, who will be joining others as a district AVID Director. It was great that both Ms. DeBard, the new Director of Teaching and Learning, and Mr. Jonathan Bell, our new Director of Special Education, were both in attendance at this meeting.
Policy News
Policy 3225, School-Based Threat Assessment, came to the Board for review. This is a new policy for the District. There was some conversation about the role of law enforcement on the Threat Assessment Team. This Policy should come to the Board again in August for adoption. Be sure to review it once it is posted on the District’s website before the start of school.
These two procedures have been updated and are ready for review on the District’s website:
1114P, Procedure for Board Member Resignation and Vacancy
1110P, Procedure for Election
The Board completed its book study in the spring and has decided on a new book; How to Be Less Stupid About Race by Crystal Marie Fleming . They will be reading chapter 1 and be prepared to discuss this chapter at their August 6th Board meeting.
To view any documents or for further information, visit BoardDocs.
Compiled by Ioanna Cossack, Board Secretary
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Support for Armin Jahr teacher Shannon Leonard and family
Shared with permission by Armin Jahr Teacher Shannon Leonard.
Our BSD family has dealt with many things and adapted during CoVid 19. One of our teachers at AJ has experienced a major obstacle during this time.
One morning, Shannon Leonard's husband, Gerry, woke up with a blood clot and his leg was ice cold. He was taken to the hospital, where he has been in the hospital for over 3 weeks and endured 8 surgeries. He ultimately had to have his leg amputated above his knee.
Shannon says his attitude is amazing. Here is a quote from Gerry: "This won't be the story about a guy who lost his leg. It's going to be the story about what the guy did after he lost his leg."
They received wonderful news last week that he will be transferred to a rehabilitation center in Tacoma that will teach both of them how to navigate and thrive with this new lifestyle.
With that said, their house needs to undergo major changes, such as ramps, widening of doors, and other accommodations for the wheelchair accessibility.
There is a gofundme account set up for the remodeling expenses, medical bills, and also shares more of their story.
Shannon is a giver and does not like to take. This is extremely difficult for her, but she needs our support in any way you can by either donating or sending an email using the BSD email account. Please know she may not respond to the emails at this time, however.
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Important update/reminder from IT
To all district employees,
At this time many schools in our district are being subjected to Phishing attempts again. These types of attempts are not new. These attempts are emails that try to appear like they come from your administrator/principal. However, if you look at the email address they are from email addresses outside the district.
These emails usually are very short and start with something like "Are you available?". If you respond this is generally followed up with some kind of request for money or gift cards.
So if you have received emails asking for help from your principal, the very first thing you should check is the "From:" address. If it is not a bremertonschools.org address, just ignore and delete. Your building administrator should never contact you from a non district account. If you are on a mobile device err on the side of caution and wait till you can review any message on a computer to verify the from address. If by chance you did respond, just stop all further communication. Please be extra vigilant and pay close attention to the from and Reply-to address on any email that you receive.
Some important notes.
1- If you get this, it does not mean your administrators account is hacked.
2- If you respond, it does not mean you are hacked. Just make sure you haven't shared any personal information, and stop any further communication. If you have given out sensitive personal information, please let us know at Tech Services.
3- The perpetrators of these attacks easily get our address from websites and other public directories. They don't need to hack anything to get our district email addresses.
If you have any questions, please contact Technology Services @ (360) 473-1052
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Reminder: SEBB is offering an opportunity to change your benefits (Deadline is 7/31)
You can:
- Enroll in medical benefits if you are currently enrolled only in dental and vision.
- Add eligible dependents to your medical coverage. Dependent verification is still required.
- Increase or decrease your Medical FSA or DCAP annual elections.
- Enroll in a Medical FSA or DCAP for the rest of the 2020 calendar year (if eligible for these benefits).
Please note that employees cannot change their medical plans or waive medical coverage during this limited open enrollment.
To add dependents or enroll in medical benefits, employees should visit SEBB My Account.
*** This needs to be completed no later than July 31.***
You are invited to an Equity-Centered Conversation with Parents, Providers, Teachers, Educators, and Students
Tuesday July 21st from 12noon to 1:30pm
Register Here:
https://bit.ly/teachusallreachusall
Across Washington State parents, teachers, administrators, students, public schools, colleges, early learning providers, and policymakers are trying to figure out what it looks like to go back to school during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Unfortunately, many folks that have been left out of these important debates and discussion. That’s why a wide and broad range of organizations representing babies through college students have joined forces to ensure that all voices are heard.
So on Tuesday July 21st from 12pm to 1:30pm we are hosting a virtual event entitled Back to School? An Equity Centered Conversation. And we would love to have you join us to listen and to give your perspective! It will be emceed by Erin Jones, children’s advocate, sought after speaker, and former candidate for OSPI.
We already have a great panel of speakers including:
- Sharonne Navas, Executive Director of the Equity in Education Coalition
- Drayton Jackson, School Board Member in Kitsap County and co-chair of the Governor’s Task Force to Dismantle Poverty
- ECEAP Parents
- College students
- K-12 Students from Across WA
- Child Care providers and parents
In addition, we will have a college singing group called Queen's Quarantine Quartet that will be performing!
Then we will move into breakout rooms to discuss a host of topics, such as effective remote learning strategies, mental health and counseling supports, how to talk about racial justice in response to recent events, supporting students with special needs and English language learners, and how best to support students experiencing homelessness.
We look forward to seeing you! And please register. We have a lot of interest in this event and we only have a limited number of spaces.
Sponsoring Organizations Include
- Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP
- League of Education Voters
- Children’s Alliance
- Save the Children
- The Root of Us
- The Foundation for Liberating Minds
Information provided by:
Joel Ryan, Executive Director
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Just for fun....
Background photo: View Ridge Elementary Arts Academy 5th grade "moving up" parade.
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BSD Staff Updates Newsletter 2019-20 / Issue #22 : 7/15/2020
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