Spartan Update

Monday 12/9 Schedule B

Tuesday 12/10 Schedule A

Wednesday 12/11 Schedule A

Thursday 12/12 Schedule A

Friday 12/13 Schedule A

The colors of Cap, Gown and Stole have changed this year. Students will not be able to reuse a cap or gown from previous years.

It doesn’t take a winter snow storm to impact school operations. Some fall weather conditions, such as wind storms, have the potential to require implementation of our inclement weather procedures.

Here are reminders to help you prepare for possible changes to bus and school operations due to inclement weather:

• Refer to inclement weather procedures for an outline of what to expect regarding communications and operations.

• For safety reasons, there may be a need to offer limited transportation and use inclement weather bus routes. This means buses will generally run on main roads rather than side streets or through neighborhoods.

  • We use “zones” to define inclement weather bus routes. Please become familiar with the zone your child’s bus route falls within. It is the responsibility of families to know if they live on an inclement weather route.

  • Bus drivers will hand out hard copies with the inclement weather bus zone specific to your child in early December. For questions, please call the Transportation Department at (253) 891-6400.

• Follow us on social media for updates: Facebook, @SumnerSchoolDistrict and Instagram, @SumnerBonneyLakeSD.

It’s important to keep in mind that while streets might be clear in the Sumner valley, that’s often not the case on the hill in Bonney Lake, where there’s considerable elevation and tight, winding roads.

We’re excited to invite you to the V.I.B.E.S. Conference - Visionaries Inspiring Black Empowered Students - at Washington State University! This annual conference is a three-day, two-night event designed to inspire and empower Black students, focusing on leadership development and higher education.

Event Details

• Dates: February 7-9, 2025
• Location: WSU Pullman Campus
• Student Application: Opens November 1, 2024
• Application Deadline: January 17, 2025 by 11:59 PM
• Transportation: Provided via charter buses from multiple locations across Washington state.
• Cost: $50 (covers transportation, lodging, meals, and conference materials; please note that fee waivers are limited and available upon request)

The conference is primarily for juniors and seniors from African-American backgrounds, but we welcome applications from students of all identities and grade levels.

Student attendees will engage in workshops, team-building activities, and discussions on college prep, personal growth, and community challenges.

Leading up to the conference we are hosting informational webinars for counselors. Please sign up for one of the following webinars to learn more about the V.I.B.E.S. conference.

• Webinar #1: 3 - 4 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 7
• Webinar #2: 12 - 1 p.m., Weds., Nov. 13
• Webinar #3:12 - 1 p.m., Tues., Dec. 17
• Webinar #4: 12 - 1 p.m., Fri., Jan. 17

We hope your students take advantage of this opportunity. For questions, contact us at si.vibes@wsu.edu or our advisor, Josue Zuniga at josue.zuniga@wsu.edu.

It is that time of the year again! The SBLSD STEM Fair is on February 22nd, 2025, and as in past years, we are encouraging students to participate in the event through the poster contest. Key elements of the contest are as follows:

• All students grades K-12 are encouraged to enter.

• The winning design will be featured in STEM Fair promotional materials, and will receive special recognition at the event.

• Entries may be hand drawn, or electronic.

• All entries will be judged equally, regardless of age/grade.

• Entries can be submitted to Jeremy Martin at jeremy_martin@sumnersd.org, or mailed through district mail to Jeremy Martin at District Office.

• The deadline for submission is Friday, November 29th.

Here is some information that can be shared with your buildings, added to family newsletters, or otherwise communicated to people in your networks:

STEM Fair Poster Contest Communication

STEM Fair Contest Entry Template

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We hope you had a restful and joyful Thanksgiving break with your loved ones! As we transition back to school, we want to remind you of the importance of maintaining regular attendance throughout the remainder of the year. Good attendance is key to your child's academic success, and returning strong after the break can help keep up the positive momentum they've built so far.

Here’s why regular attendance is so important:

1. Consistent Learning: Every school day counts! When students miss school, they miss out on valuable learning experiences that build upon each other.

2. Positive Habits: Showing up on time and ready to learn helps establish strong routines, responsibility, and self-discipline.

3. Stronger Social Connections: Being in school allows students to continue building relationships with their teachers and classmates.

Tips to Help Your Child Return to School After the Winter Break:

• Plan Ahead: Set a routine before school resumes to ensure your child is well-rested and ready to jump back into learning in the coming new year.

• Stay Organized: Remind your child to check their homework calendar and prepare homework or projects they may need to bring back.

• Promote a Positive Attitude: Encourage excitement about returning to school by discussing what they look forward to and the goals they want to achieve in the coming weeks.

We understand that there may be challenges, especially during this busy season, but maintaining strong attendance is a team effort, and your support is crucial! Together, we can help your child succeed academically and develop important lifelong habits.

Let’s finish the year strong—attendance matters!

Washington State law requires that every student receives HIV/AIDs prevention education in grades 5 through 12. Because this unit covers sensitive topics, Washington State law and SBLSD board policy require that parents are provided the opportunity to preview these lessons.

The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District (SBLSD) is hosting a curriculum night for families to preview the HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum for students enrolled in the following:

• 2nd semester 8th grade Skills for Life (HIV/AIDS) and

• 9th grade Health classes (Health content).

The Curriculum will be available for preview. This is an opportunity for parents and guardians to understand the health content for students currently enrolled in 8th grade Skills for Life or 9th grade Health classes, preview teaching materials and ask questions about the resources used in the classroom.

Parent Review Night

December 10, 2024 4:30-6:00 p.m.

Sumner-Bonney Lake School District Administration Building, Board Room

Parents wishing to exclude their child from the Sexual Health curriculum required by our state must preview this curriculum and sign an exclusion form.

Additionally, there will be another opportunity in the spring for families of 6th-12th graders who will study this Health-related content during 2nd semester.

The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees are designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator Adrienne Chacon (253) 891-6033, ADA Coordinator Diana Thomas (253) 891-6033, Section 504 Coordinator Karen Finigan (253) 891-6040. Address: 1202 Wood Ave, Sumner, WA 98390.