Principal's Message for Families

Hello Lightning family,

We are off to a great start with 2025. DId you know that there are only 10 days to the end of the first semester (for selected classes only) and progress for trimester 2? There are only 30 days until the end of the trimester, 53 until Student Led Conferences and ONLY 76 before we start the state SBA. We need everyone paying attention to all of these timelines, so we can make the best use of our time to prepare for each.

Have a wonderful week!

Seth Humphrey

Principal, LMS

shumphrey@bethelsd.org

Winter Sports 2 (Boys' Basketball, Girls' or Boys' Soccer) begin on January 27. ALL interested athletes must be signed up AND have a completed physical that does not expire during the season. Cleared athletes will be posted on the window across from the music rooms.

CHARACTER TRAIT: December's character trait is HONEST.

Monday: Grade Check. RTI Sign up. Character Strong--Get to know you

Tuesday: RTI Science

Wednesday: MLK Double Assembly (schedule below)

Thursday: RTI Specialists

Friday: Character Strong Lesson 15

Practices are finally here. Get your team together and speak with Mrs. Mac Innes to make sure you have permission slips complete.

Did you know that all of this year's Battle of the Books are available on Libby at our Pierce County Libraries? All you need is a library card (Library Card Info) to access ebooks and audiobooks for the titles. This is perfect for reading on iPads during evenings and weekends, as well as during our holiday break. To explore Libby, click here.

Sadly, SORA does not have our Battle books available.

This year, the students at Liberty Middle School will be participating in an optional reading program called Battle of the Books. Through this program, student participants read as many books as possible that have been selected from the Washington State reading lists. The students will form teams and compete against other teams by answering questions about the books.

It is hoped that this program will give students in grades 6-8 increased interaction with literature and opportunities to discuss the books they have read. All books are available for check out from the Liberty Middle School library and from the various branches of the Pierce County Library System.

Here are the middle school Battle of the Books for this school year!

The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman by Mari Lower

The Fire, The Water and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla

Inheritance Games by Jennifer Barnes

Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea

Lifeboat 12 by Susan Hood

Mexikid by Pedro Martin

Rain Rising by Courtne Comrie

Shot Clock by Caron Butler

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Stars Did Wander Darkling by Colin Meloy

Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

We Still Belong by Christine Day

We will distribute permission slips and begin meeting in teams in January during lunches. The district Battle will be held at Elk Plain School of Choice on March 27, 2024.

Our library has its own Book Vending Machine!

The machine requires a gold coin to dispense a free book that the student is then able to keep. Students are given the gold coin to use when they earn 100 Bolts (Belonging, Ownership, Leadership, Teamwork, and Safety) Bucks.

ALL Liberty students can earn Bolts Bucks for demonstrating the BOLTS Behavior Standards:

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Compassionate

Be Safe

This month we will be hosting a FREE Screening of the movie Fish War. We will be hosting the screening at Graham Kapowsin High School on Jan 28th at 6pm. Space is limited to 400 people and we will be opening this up to ALL of our Bethel community. If you would like to attend with your families RSVP HERE. If you have any further questions please let us know.

Further Learning with After School Help or FLASH is up and running!

Students have the opportunity to get help after school from 1:40-4:30 from a staff member in room 806. They will be able to get assistance on any work they have. Students do not need to sign up in advance, but they must follow these expectations.

• Remain in the room for the duration of the time (unless they have a note from a parent stating a pick up time)
• Students must be academically productive. If they finish all of their classwork, they may elect to read a book silently.
• Students will work independently and get assistance from the staff member only (unless previously approved by the staff member)
• Restroom breaks will be permitted as will short rest breaks.
• Students removed for inappropriate conduct will not be permitted to return for a minimum of 1 week.

Podcast Episode 113: Movie Music and Middle School Orchestras

This week we sit down with two middle school students and their amazing orchestra teacher to discuss the impact music education has. We also discuss movie soundtracks, overseas education, and we'll hear the orchestra perform! Funding for our music education programs is supported by our local levies. Thank you, voters! Listen at https://www.bethelsd.org/podcast or search “Bethel School District” wherever you listen to podcasts.

New Bethel High School Construction Footage

Construction on our biggest bond-funded project began earlier this year and the building is now taking shape! Thanks to our voters, who approved the 2019 School Construction Bond, the new Bethel High is scheduled to be completed in 2026!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0zvwFFxWrU

Middle School Brain Scientists

Looks like we have a bunch of budding brain scientists in our Medical Detectives classes! Check out these photos of Mrs. Key's Cedarcrest Middle School students learning about parts and functions of the brain, and even dissecting sheep brains. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=996647329173919&set=pcb.996647992507186

Technology and Art Fair: Feb. 22

Mark your calendars! Our annual Technology and Art Fair will be held February 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spanaway Lake High School! https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=988786486626670&set=a.630244575814198

We’re hosting a hiring event geared towards Special Education Paraeducators, including 1:1 Instructional Paras! Join our team to support teachers and students in special education classrooms. Responsibilities include assisting with classroom activities, working one-on-one or in small groups with students, and supervising student activities. These part-time roles are perfect for parents, grandparents and community members looking for work that aligns with school schedules. Enjoy working the same days students attend school, with the same breaks off, and make a difference in students’ lives.

• Location: Educational Service Center (516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387)

• Date: January 23, 2025

• Time: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Upcoming School Board Meetings

School Board meetings begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at Bethel School District's Educational Service Center (ESC), 516 176th St. E., Spanaway 98387 unless otherwise noted. The public is welcome! To join via Zoom, visit https://bethelsd.diligent.community/Portal/

• January 14: Regular School Board Meeting

• January 28: Regular School Board Meeting

Our Choir program is in need of a few Tuxedo shirts and bow ties. If you are able to help out, please contact Julie Landes (jlandes@bethelsd.org) for more details on what they are looking for.

If you'd liked to volunteer in one of our schools, please fill out the Volunteer Application linked below.

VOLUNTEER FORM

Jan 6 -- Late Start

Jan 13 -- Late Start

Jan 14 -- STAR (ELA)

Jan 15 -- MLK Assemblies (Double Assembly Schedule)

Jan 20 -- NO SCHOOL (MLK Day)

Jan 21 -- STAR (Math)

Jan 27 -- Late Start (Grade Level)

Jan 28 -- Fish Wars Assembly (double assembly schedule)

Feb 3-14 -- WIDA testing

Feb 3 -- Late Start

Feb 10 -- Late Start (district)

Feb 14 -- NO SCHOOL (Snow make up day)

Feb 17 -- NO SCHOOL (President's Day)

Email: shumphrey@bethelsd.org
Website: https://www.bethelsd.org/lms
Location: 7319 Eustis Hunt Road, Spanaway, WA, USA
Phone: 253.800.6500
Facebook: facebook.com/Liberty-Middle-School-1308324099278988/

Bethel School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance / Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, Debbie Carlman, dcarlman@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2019; Title IX Coordinator, Bryan Streleski, bstreleski@bethelsd.org, 253.800.4302; and 504 Coordinator, Melissa Munson-Merritt, mmunsonmer@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2301. All individuals may be reached at this address: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387.

Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR): https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html. Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint: bethelsd.org.

El Distrito Escolar de Bethel no discrimina en sus programas o actividades por motivos de sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, nacionalidad, edad, condición de veterano de guerra o grado militar, orientación sexual, expresión de género o identidad, discapacidad o por el uso de perro guía entrenado o animal de servicio; además ofrece igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y a otros grupos de jóvenes especificados. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para atender consultas y quejas de supuesta discriminación: Cumplimiento de los Derechos Civiles/Coordinadora Escolar de Inclusión de Género, Debbie Carlman, dcarlman@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2019; Coordinador del Título IX, Bryan Streleski, bstreleski@bethelsd.org, 253.800.4302 y Coordinadora 504, Melissa Munson-Merritt, mmunsonmer@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2301. Todas las personas pueden ser localizadas en esta dirección 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387.

Las consultas sobre el Título IX también pueden dirigirse a la Oficina de Derechos Civiles (OCR) del Departamento de Educación de EE.UU.: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html. Para más información sobre las políticas de no discriminación y discriminación por razón de sexo; los procedimientos de reclamación y sobre cómo comunicar una preocupación o queja visite: www.bethelsd.org.