SBLSD News
December 16, 2021
Bonney Lake Elementary celebrates successes with first-ever Growth Parade
There’s a lot to be proud of at Bonney Lake Elementary.
On Friday, students paraded around the field at school to an audience of families and community members, holding signs celebrating what they’ve learned in the classroom:
“I can mentally add and subtract with 20.”
“I can read 101 words per minute!”
“I can read and understand chapter books and talk about details!”
The celebration was Bonney Lake Elementary’s first ever Growth Parade, which is meant to recognize the successes of each individual student.
“We haven't had our students in our classrooms every day until this year and the growth has been so evident and so exciting,” said BLE Principal LeeAnn Alfano.
Each child was given the opportunity to pick one idea and share it on a poster and decorate that poster, knowing they would share it with families and the community.
“I love that our teachers took the opportunity to ask their students, what do you want to celebrate?” LeeAnn said.
For fourth grader Ayessatou, she wanted to share that she was successfully able to meet the fourth grade spelling standard.
“It made me feel kind of proud that all of the staff were very supportive of what the whole school has improved on,” she said.
“It made me feel kind of good letting people know that we made great growth,” added second grader Paisley. She chose to write on her poster about how she made great growth in learning spelling words, as well as kindness and honesty.
Karen and Brad are the grandparents of three BLE students who came to the Growth Parade to wave homemade signs and cheer on their grandkids, knowing how important it is to stop and celebrate the successes.
“Kids grow so fast - you can look back by looking at the pictures, but you cannot rewind the time, so every moment with grandkids is extremely special, and we have to treasure it,” she said.
Parent volunteers: Thank you for your support
Our volunteers help the school world go round.
On Wednesday, parent leaders were recognized at a school board meeting with golden apple awards for the work they do to make our schools a great place to learn and succeed.
Our school PTOs, PTAs and booster clubs help out in many ways, from organizing events and book fairs to collecting financial donations and supplies, and even setting up snacks for staff to make their day. Watch the video below to see some of that work.
April 18-23 is also National School Volunteer Week. Thank you to all of our volunteers who help our staff and students.
SHS students earn National Certificate for Wildland Firefighting, offered jobs
Two Sumner High School students were offered conditional positions of employment with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) after earning their National Certificate for Wildland Firefighting.
Students Dayne D. and Kassidy S., both from SHS, were studying fire science at the Pierce County Skills Center, which serves juniors and seniors from 10 districts across the county, including Sumner-Bonney Lake.
The Fire Science and Emergency Services program is designed to prepare students for careers as a firefighter and other emergency services careers such as EMT, fire investigator, and building investigator. Students will earn academic requirements associated with being a firefighter and use industry firefighting equipment.
Two representatives from DNR who observed the students during their testing/field day were so impressed they invited students to apply for paid positions.
Dayne and Kassidy were offered the conditional positions of employment with DNR and are projected to start in June.
Congratulations!
Panther Robotics competing in Worlds championship; watch live
Bonney Lake High School Panther Robotics continue to climb their way to the top of the ladder in FIRST Robotics competitions. The team built a robot that can throw balls and climb structures.
On April 9, the team won the FIRST Robotics District Championship in Cheney, Wash., and are currently in Texas to make their third appearance at the FIRST Robotics Competition World Championships.
You can watch their matches live! Find their team (#3218) on the schedule here and watch the livestream here.
TNT highlights BLHS softball team’s undefeated league games
The softball team at BLHS is a force to be reckoned with.
They were highlighted in a News Tribune article this week for their undefeated league games. In fact, the Panthers have never lost a game in the 3A Pierce County League since it joined in 2017.
Currently the Panthers are 7-0 this season in the PCL and 10-2 overall.
“We all just have really good chemistry,” junior pitcher Bella Carazo told reporter Doug Drowley. “They’re all my best friends, on and off the field.”
Congratulations to BLHS softball members!
Photo credit: Pete Caster, News Tribune photojournalist
Bus safety tips during pickup and dropoff
School buses are the safest way to get children to and from school. We want the pickup and dropoff periods to be just as safe. Here are some safety measures that we ask when children get on and off the bus.
Stand several steps back from the curb as the bus approaches and board the bus one at a time
Be cautious and aware of other students around you, especially when running late
Wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop before getting off and not to walk behind the bus
If crossing the street after exiting the bus, stand at the end of the crossing arm, make eye contact with the bus driver and cross when the driver indicates it’s safe
School Board April 20 meeting highlights, recording
Action
- Awarded contract to Buckley Nursery, the low bidder with the total contract amount of $264,055, for the restoration of the lower field at Crestwood Elementary.
Presentations
Reports
Recording
- View recording (passcode: Z3n4.1Z!)
Upcoming meetings
- May 10: Study Session
- May 17: Board Meeting