SBLSD News

School Bus Safety Week is Oct. 21-25! SBLSD completed state-required school bus emergency exit drills on Oct. 2 and 3 this month when buses arrived at schools. During the 20-minute drill, students learned how to use the emergency exit doors, seek help, find a safe location away from the bus, and locate and use emergency equipment.

Here are some Emerald Hills and Donald Eismann students practicing!

This month, kindergarteners at the Sumner Early Learning Center learned about how braille can help people who are blind to read. Students also learned how to turn their name into braille. One of our ELC paras is learning to be a braillist and used a braille machine to print every student's name!

October is also Disability History Month, a state-required observance for schools to conduct educational activities that provide instruction, awareness and understanding of disability history and people with disabilities.

The pool at Sumner High School was built in the 1960s — and it shows. Just hear it from our Bonney Lake and Sumner swimmers about the need for a replacement.

Prop. 1 on the Nov. 5 ballot would include a new pool that would be available to use by our hill and valley communities. Learn more at sumnersd.org/vote.

The much-anticipated general election ballots have arrived! And, there’s a lot on them, so be sure and turn your ballot over to see SBLSD’s Proposition 1: K-12 Expanded Student Capacity, School Improvements & Safety Upgrades on the bottom.

After you’ve filled out your ballot:

• Drop it off at a Pierce County Ballot Dropbox, with three located locally:

• Sumner Library (1116 Fryer Ave)

• Bonney Lake South Park & Ride (Sky Island Dr E & 184th Ave E)

• Bonney Lake Public Safety Building (18409 Veterans Memorial Dr E) (NEW)

or

• Mail it and make sure it’s postmarked by Nov. 5

then

• Track it by signing in to VoteWA.gov and click the tab that says “Your Ballot & Voting Materials”

Not yet registered to vote? Click here to register or update your registration.

If you plan to attend college or training during the 2025-26 school year, you can submit a FAFSA or WASFA beginning December 1, 2024. But just because you are waiting for applications to open, doesn’t mean you should wait on other important steps. Here are some things to do in the meantime:

Create your FAFSA FSA ID or WASFA account

• Create a FAFSA FSA ID on the Federal Student Aid website. Most people should complete the FAFSA to maximize financial aid.

• Create a WASFA account on the Washington Student Achievement Council website if you’re ineligible to use FAFSA.

• Remember your login info or store it somewhere secure. Do not share this info with anyone.

Learn about financial aid from experts who are here to support you!

• Inviting all class of 2025 students! Learn about how to pay for education after high school in the “Class of 2025 Financial Aid Night” webinar on Nov. 13. Register now!

• Find more webinars and events that can guide you through financial aid and college or training applications.

• WA Grant is free money available to income-eligible Washington students. WA Grant can help pay for many kinds of education or training beyond high school.

Sign up for OtterBot to get text reminders and info

• OtterBot is a free texting service to support Washington high school students and their parents/guardians.

• Students: Text “Hi OtterBot” to 360-928-7281 to get started.

• Parents/guardians: Text “Hi OtterBot” to 360-634-0354 to get started.

Don’t forget to apply for college or training and check for important dates

• Colleges and training programs have important you should track for admissions, financial aid, and other processes.

• Check with each institution where you plan to apply. Each one has its own deadlines and requirements.

Mark your calendars for next month’s Bonney Lake High School Drama Club performance of Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School of Magic and Magic by Matt Cox.

About the play: For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs... who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world.

When: Nov. 21-23 at 7 pm; Nov. 23-24 at 2 pm

Where: BLHS Performing Arts Center

Tickets: $8 students, seniors and military; $12 adults

Cash sales at the door; credit card via GoFan.

Note:The target audience is ages 13 and older due to mild adult language and humor.

Note: This message pertains only to parents/guardians of high school students.

The state has new requirements for the release of high school student/family directory information to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). OSPI is required to share the information with higher education institutions for the purpose of informing students/families of postsecondary educational opportunities available in the state.

The directory information to be provided, which includes parent/guardian mailing address, phone number and email address, will be released to OSPI on Nov. 1, 2024. If you do not want this information released to OSPI, and you have not already filled out an opt-out form, please fill out this form and return to your student’s school or email it to register@sumnersd.org by 5 pm on Oct. 30.

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