September is an exciting month in the field of education! We are all back in school, fall sports are happening, and students are meeting new friends and learning about new ideas and concepts in their classes. One goal we, as a staff, have this year is to build positive relationships with each student at Graham-Kapowsin High School.

Each student has an Advisory teacher, where the goal is to build that positive relationship. We hope that all students feel a sense of belonging at GKHS this year and feel it is going to be a great school year!

- Mr. Yarkosky

• September 11 & 12: Picture Make-ups in commons,10:00am-12:00pm
  
• September 18: Open House at GKHS, 6-7:30pm
  
• September 23-26: Spirit Week
  
• September 23: Picture Re-takes in commons, 10:00am-12:30pm
  
• September 26: Homecoming Football Game vs. Bonney Lake @ Art Crate Stadium, 7pm
  
• September 27: No School - Teacher Training Day
  
• September 27: Homecoming Dance at GKHS, 7 -10pm
• October 5: ABC Day - All Bethel Community Day at BHS, 9:00am -3:00pm
  

To ensure the safety of our students, parents, and community, the following must be adhered to:

Only clear bags or small clutch/purses/wallets will be allowed inside the stadium. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”. A small clutch bag, not exceeding 4.5” x 6.5”, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried inside the stadium.

All elementary and middle school students who plan to attend school-sponsored events, such as football games, must be accompanied by an adult. They will be turned away if they attempt to gain admittance without a parent.

ALL students in ALL schools in the Bethel School District qualify for free breakfast and lunch this year!

To maintain our qualifications ALL Bethel School District families must complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit Application at https://emealapps.bethelsd.org

Each enrolled student is entitled to 1 free reimbursable breakfast and 1 reimbursable lunch each day. A reimbursable meal includes:

• Breakfast: Three items (grain/meat, fruit/veg, milk) one of which must include a ½ cup fruit or vegetable.
• Lunch: Three items, one of which one of which must include a ½ cup fruit or vegetable.

Students who elect not take the minimum required meal components will be charged al a carte price for each individual item. Students can also purchase a second meal.

https://paypams.com/HomePage.aspx

More Information

Beginning this fall, all Bethel middle and high schools will use a common grading scale and a common rubric to assess student work. Students will receive overall letter grades: A, B, C, and F. There are no more pluses and minuses or D grades.

All assignments and assessments will be graded using a common four-point rubric. Families will continue to access student grades using Synergy ParentVue.

The grading scale is outlined below:

This is the first phase of a two-year implementation process called Standards-Based Instruction and Grading [SBIG]. More information will be shared throughout the year. In the meantime, you can learn more on our website: https://www.bethelsd.org/programs-departments/teaching-learning/sbig

August 2024 Family Communication Tagalog

August 2024 Family Communication Punjabi

August 2024 Family Communication Russian

August 2024 Family Communication Spanish

August 2024 Family Communication Samoan

Please remember to sign up for one of the remaining parent previews if you would like to opt your child(ren) out of receiving instruction this year or if you want to learn more about the HIV/AIDS Curriculum that will be taught later this year. This curriculum is only taught in grades 5-12.

You can access the flyers to sign up HERE. Simply click on the flyer in your preferred language and then click on the time for which you would like to register. You are also able to preview the curriculum on the same website towards the bottom of the page.

Attending a parent preview is required in order to opt your students out of the curriculum. You only need to attend if you would like to view the curriculum for yourself or if you are interested in opting your student(s) out of the curriculum. This needs to be completed every school year.

Excusing your child(ren) from HIV/AIDS education will not excuse them from receiving Comprehensive Sexual Health education. To exclude your child(ren) from receiving Comprehensive Sexual Health education, please complete and submit THIS FORM.

PLEASE CONTACT THE ATTENDANCE OFFICE WHEN YOUR STUDENT IS UNABLE TO ATTEND CLASS.

Parents must provide student name, dates, reason for absence and a contact number. The Attendance Office can be notified via:

• ParentVue

• A voice message/phone call to 253-800-6192

• Email to mlandron@bethelsd.org or comcdonal@bethelsd.org

• An in-person visit

• A note or doctor/dental office slip

• Parent pick-up

At Graham-Kapowsin, we recognize the direct correlation between a student’s attendance and their grades. In order to help ensure student success, we are doing everything we can to encourage our students to maintain a high attendance record. Thank you for your help and support in making sure our students are receiving the highest quality education available.

According to Bethel School District Policy 3122, all students enrolled in the schools of the Bethel School District are expected to attend on a regular basis.

Early Release

• Students requesting an early release from school must check out at the Attendance Office before leaving campus.
• Early dismissals can be expedited if the student brings a note to the Attendance Office, or entered in ParentVue before the start of school. Please indicate if the student is authorized to drive themself or specify who will be picking them up.
• Parents/guardians/care-givers should contact the attendance office no later than 1:15pm. This is to ensure the attendance office has ample time to locate students, send a pass, and complete the required sign out process in order to be released.

Excused Absences:

• Absences due to illness or health condition
• A religious observance, when requested by a student’s parent/guardian
• Approved School activities
• Family emergencies – documentation may be required.
• As required by law, disciplinary actions and short term suspensions
  

Unexcused Absences:

• Submitting a signed excuse, which does not constitute an excused absence as defined above (ie. a family vacation is not an excused absence).
• Failing to submit any type of excuse statement signed by the parent/guardian

The following consequences may be implemented for excessive absences, both excused and unexcused:

• Parking passes may be revoked without a refund
• Progressive discipline
• Restrictions from school-sponsored events: dances, assemblies, sporting events, etc.
• Unable to participate in field trips
• Seniors with 20 or more absences may not be able to participate in graduation ceremonies

By law, parents will be notified of their student’s attendance. Students may earn some privileges back through a contract and meeting with an administrator.

Student attendance will be monitored and addressed promptly!

If you plan to volunteer in GKHS or any other Bethel SD school, please fill out the Volunteer Application.

• Email is the best way to contact most teachers. Email addresses are accessible through ParentVue/StudentVue and the Graham-Kapowsin web page at https://gkhs.bethelsd.org/our-staff
• During school hours, teachers can be contacted by leaving a message on their voice mail or with a receptionist in the office.
• Unless identified by the caller as an emergency, teachers are not disturbed during class.
• Please allow teachers a 24-hour period of time to return emails or calls.

http://www.gkbooster.org/

GK Booster Club is a volunteer organization devoted to supporting clubs, teams, student scholarships and school programs in a positive way at Graham-Kapowsin High School!

Meetings:

• 2nd Monday of each month 7:00 pm in GK commons and by zoom (avg. 30 minutes)
  
• Next Meeting: September 9
  
• Join Zoom Meeting
  Meeting ID: 850 447 8402
  Passcode: 669458

Join today online or turn your membership form into the office.Half of your membership fee goes toward the team/club of your choice!!

• Annual Membership Dues $20.00/Individual or $30 Couple
  
• Lifetime Membership Dues$50.00/Individual or $80 Couple

Community Health Care has opened a School-Based Health Center, located at Graham-Kapowsin High School (back lot). This is a full spectrum integrated health center serving the students and staff of the Bethel School District. Their staff includes family medical care providers, nurses, dental providers and behavioral health specialists who are here to ensure you and your family remain healthy.

Phone: (253) 354-4315

Health Center Hours

Medical

In-person appointments: Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Telehealth appointments: Monday & Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. / Thursday 1:00 – 5:00 PM

Dental
In-person appointments: Tuesday 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Behavioral Health
Telehealth appointments as needed after in-person consultation with a medical provide.

The Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) is an independent state agency that helps to reduce educational opportunity gaps by supporting families, students, educators, and other stakeholders in communities across WA in understanding the K-12 school system and resolving concerns collaboratively. OEO services are free and confidential. Anyone can contact OEO with a question or concern about school.

OEO listens, shares information and referrals, and works informally with families, communities, and schools to address concerns so that every student can fully participate and thrive in our state’s public schools. OEO provides support in multiple languages and has telephone interpretation available. To get help or learn more about what OEO does, please visit their website: https://www.oeo.wa.gov/en; email oeoinfo@gov.wa.gov, or call: 1-866-297-2597 (interpretation available).

The Department of Defense (DOD), in cooperation with Bethel School District provides a service available to students whose parents/guardians are in the military. The Military and Family Life Counselor (MFLC)’s role is to provide non-medical counseling support. The aim is to increase resiliency skills for students to navigate lifespan and situational stressors that may be related to military-connected experience. This program is open to all branches of active duty, Reserve, Guard, and recently separated members and their families.

All services are voluntary and confidential (except for mandatory reporting laws described in the memorandum). MFLCs do not take session notes, enter information into medical records, or keep any identifying information.

There is no assumption that military students have problems and need formal counseling. The MFLC program is designed to be a positive and proactive program to help strengthen resiliency skills and provide supports if needed. MFLCs are also available to support parents, families, as well as consult with staff around student concerns, and identify community resources.

Your student’s participation is anonymous and consent forms are not shared with the DOD. For more information contact MFLC Kristy Schermerhorn at: (253) 381-8138 or kschermerh@bethelsd.org.

Thank you – and many thanks to you for your service to our country.

Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among teens ages 15-19 across the nation and here in Washington State.

September marks National Suicide Prevention Month – a month to remember the lives lost to suicide, the millions of people who have struggled with suicidal ideation, and acknowledge the individuals, families, and communities that have been impacted. It is also a time to raise awareness about suicide prevention and share messages of hope.

Do you need help starting a conversation with your child about mental health? Try leading with these questions, and actively listen to your child's response:

· Can you tell me more about what is happening? How are you feeling?

· Have you had feelings like this in the past?

· Sometimes you need to talk to an adult about your feelings. I'm here to listen. How can I help you feel better?

· Do you feel like you want to talk to someone else about your problem?

· I'm worried about your safety. Can you tell me if you have thoughts about harming yourself or others?

Educate yourself and others about suicide prevention: Learn the warning signs and risk factors for suicide, how to support someone considering suicide, and familiarize yourself with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Looking for local resources to support your students mental health: https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/community-crisis-resources

When talking about mental health problems with your child you should:

· Communicate in a straightforward manner

· Speak at a level that is appropriate to a child or adolescent's age and development level (preschool children need fewer details than teenagers)

· Discuss the topic when your child feels safe and comfortable

· Watch for reactions during the discussion and slow down or back up if your child becomes confused or looks upset

· Listen openly and let your child tell you about their feelings and worries

Reach out by email or scan the QR code in the counseling center to make an appointment.

Website: https://gkhs.bethelsd.org/
Location: Graham-Kapowsin High School, 108th Avenue East, Graham, WA, USA
Phone: 253-800-6100
Facebook: facebook.com/GKHSEagles
Twitter: @gkeagles