

We Are Bremerton!
Bremerton School District community e-newsletter
January 2024
February 2024 Special Election
Please remember to vote by February 13, 2024
Voters may return their ballot to any of the ballot drop boxes by 8 p.m. on February 13, or they can be mailed (no postage required) and postmarked by that day.
It is not too late to register to vote! Learn more here.
There are three vote centers that will be open on Election Day only:
- Kitsap County Administration Building, 619 Division Street, Port Orchard, WA 98366
- Marvin Williams Recreation Center, 725 Park Avenue, Bremerton, WA 98337
- Poulsbo Fire Station, 911 Liberty Road, Poulsbo, WA, 98370.
For all election information, go to kitsap.gov/elections.
BSD's Levy & Bond informational video
We invite you to view this short video with details about the proposed replacement EP&O Levy (Proposition 1) and Capital Bond (Proposition 2).
Please join us for our two final community open houses
Consolidated Facilities Community Open House
Please join us for an open house to learn more about proposed changes to the Bremerton School District's consolidated facilities building, and the two funding measures on the special election ballot on February 13, 2024 -- a replacement EP&O Levy (Proposition 1) and a Capital Bond (Proposition 2).
3-3:30 p.m.: Presentation Q&A
3:30-4 p.m. Tour the building
For safety and security reasons, RSVPs are REQUIRED for this open house (only). Please RSVP to Communications@BremertonSchools.org. Once we receive your RSVP, we will send you parking and other safety information.
All are welcome! Please share this information with others who might be interested!
Armin Jahr Elementary Community Open House
Please join us for an open house to learn more about proposed changes to Armin Jahr Elementary, and the two funding measures on the special election ballot on February 13, 2024 -- a replacement EP&O Levy (Proposition 1) and a Capital Bond (Proposition 2).
5:30-6 p.m. - Presentation Q&A
6-6:30 p.m. - Tour the school
All are welcome! Spanish translation will be available.
January highlights
BHS students organize another moving MLK Day Assembly
Bremerton High School students organized a very moving assembly for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day assembly featuring guest speaker Pastor Art Speight. Pastor Speight has been helping people experiencing homelessness for more than 35 years. Through a program called "Taking It to the Streets," program volunteers deliver sleeping bags, blankets, food, clothing and other provisions to homeless communities in Kitsap County and beyond.
At the conclusion of the assembly, 18 students read Dr. King's "I have a dream" speech in 12 different languages. We invite you to view more photos from the assembly.
BHS choir students visit elementary schools for Martin Luther King Jr. Assemblies
At West Hills and Naval Avenue (photos below), the elementary students joined the BHS choir students in singing "We Shall Overcome." Several of the high school students were recognized as alumni of their elementary schools as they performed for former teachers.
This is an annual event that our BHS choir students all look forward to! View more photos of the Naval Avenue assembly here!
"Mountain Voices" choir performs for elementary students
BHS honors MLK at the 30th Annual MLK Day Celebration
The Bremerton School District was well-represented at the 30th Annual MLK Day Celebration at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds! Thanks to our amazing NJROTC color guard and all the Bremerton High School and Mountain View Middle School students (many who are in Key Club) for coming out to the event and representing BSD at the resource fair!
Kitsap Lake Elementary Family Reading Night
A great time was had by all at the Kitsap Lake Elementary Family Reading Night last week!
Students proudly showed off their fabulous book report exhibits that were on display throughout the school. There were reading games and activities for students of all ages--and their families--AND a delicious spaghetti dinner! View more event photos here!
BHS Student Art on Display at St. Michael's Medical Center in Silverdale
Before winter break, our Bremerton High School Production Art students were busy creating plaster artwork for another public art project! They designed plaster and painted works based on the concept of “Life Cycles” for a main corridor inside St. Michael's Medical Center in Silverdale.
The artwork has been delivered to St. Michael's for installation, and plans are in the works for a public celebration sometime soon. We'll keep you posted on the details!
Strategic Planning update
Thank you to all parents, staff and community members who have participated in one of our strategic planning meetings and community forums. So far, the process has included 17 meetings, 270 participants and 65.5 hours of learning, planning and collaborating.
Last week, a group of secondary students (photo below) participated in a "youth voice" forum where they spent time looking at various data points, making observations and giving their input which is essential to this process. Students were asked, "What one promise would you like the adults in your life to commit to regarding your education?" Their responses were touching - here are just a few:
- Keep me accountable and push me to be the best I can be.
- Unconditional effort in progress toward making our district more inclusive and fit to serve all students, of all backgrounds.
- Promise that you will be patient and listen, regardless of stereotypes of my age, to my thoughts and opinions.
- If we get bad grades, don't yell at us. Try to understand and help us because you don't know what's going on in our lives. We struggle a lot.
- Teach us how to survive in the real world regardless of the task.
- To support me no matter what I choose to do in life and keep me in school and push me to learn more and do sports because that is what it's all about.
- To be relentless and never give up on me.
- Always be trying to educate me and make the education system better and to try to change it for the better. Listen to our concerns.
- Promise to do what they say they'll do, not just adults but anyone and myself. Live up to my work and make it happen. If there's one thing that hurts most it's making promises you can't keep.
We will have more meetings and community forums in March as we continue with the important process of creating a "roadmap" for our school district.
Bremerton School Board Updates
Highlights from the January 11 Bremerton School Board meeting
January is School Board Recognition Month! Superintendent Crawford expressed his gratitude for the School Board members and their dedication and schools recognized school board members with banners, spirit gear and notes of appreciation.
Mitchell Judie, Athletic Director at Mountain View Middle School provided an update on fall and winter sports and recognized the athletes that received the Athletic Excellence Awards (see photo, left).
Three revised Policies came to the Board for a second reading and were adopted:
- Policy 2020; Course Design, Selection and Adoption of Instructional Materials
- Policy 5010; Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action
- Policy 6220; Bid or Request for Proposal Requirements
Superintendent Crawford provided a presentation to update the Board on his Entry Plan and the Strategic Planning Process.
Other Business:
The Board received written reports which included the January enrollment report and the Annual Insurance Summary.
Additional meeting information is available on Board Docs.
Students and staff put together a banner for the School Board that was on display in the board room for the January meeting.
"Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Bremerton." Award
Our student representatives to the School Board have created the "Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Bremerton.” award recognizing individuals who have significantly contributed to the betterment of our school community, and who have demonstrated their willingness to be bold, be brave, and be Bremerton.
Our first recipients were Samantha Rainey, school nurse, and Ann Jessee, preschool para educator at Naval Avenue Elementary. They were recognized for their quick thinking and skill when a preschool student at Naval Avenue had a seizure recently.
“Nurse Rainey accompanied my son in the ambulance and remained in his presence until I arrived. She gave my son comfort when I wasn’t able to,” said the student’s father. “The diligence and professionalism displayed (by these staff members) not only ensured my son’s safety, but directly reflects their willingness and abilities to care for kids on behalf of the Bremerton School District.”
Nurse Rainy and Ann Jessee were recognized by Dr. Crawford and Student Board Representatives Dillon Lovestedt and Nora Ramstad at the last board meeting. The student and his father also came to the meeting to offer their thanks (and big hugs) in person.
Bremerton School Board meetings are in-person and online! All are welcome at Bremerton School Board meetings. Interested in participating in a meeting? Access the meeting schedule and learn more at BremertonSchools.org/SchoolBoard.
The regular February School Board meetings are Thursday, February 1, and Thursday, February 15, 2024.
What's happening at the PAC?
Do not miss the annual Bremerton High School ASB Talent Show tomorrow night (January 31) at 6:30 pm! Not only will attendees enjoy a wide variety of performances from talented BHS students, they will help support a student-led project for new benches in front of the school!
Tickets are just $5 (sold at the door) and students with ASB cards and children under age 5 are free. Below are just a few highlights from last year's Talent Show!
Find out what's happening at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) at www.BremertonSchools.org/PAC!
Join our team!
The Bremerton 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 employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Garth Steedman at 360.473.1031 or the Section 504 Coordinator, Mark Mayfield at 360.473.4702. Mailing address: 134 Marion Avenue North, Bremerton, WA 98312.
Bremerton School District
Email: communications@bremertonschools.org
Website: www.BremertonSchools.org
Location: 134 Marion Avenue North, Bremerton, WA, 98312
Phone: 360-473-1000
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