BSD Staff Updates
May 21, 2019
be Bremerton 2019 a success!
Special thanks to the event planning extraordinaire duo of Deann Irish and Joyce Cowdery who worked tirelessly to orchestrate the many moving parts to this event. Lisa Elm and Karen Bevers rounded out the planning team.
We also want to thank our event sponsors:
- Kitsap Way Starbucks for providing free coffee
- Seaside Church for providing a free BBQ lunch for all participants
- Kitsap Public Health District for providing canvas bags for our team captains and had a staff person on site to provide safety training for proper sharps collection
- Navy Federal Credit Union for providing event and volunteer supplies
- City of Bremerton for providing clean-up supplies
This event was created to give back to the Bremerton community for the tremendous support the District receives. BKAT covered the event (see video below), and we've also got some great photos from this fun, family-friendly event. Check out the photo album here!
Inspirus funding opportunity
Because it is so late in the year, we realize that many of the projects funded by Inspirus will be for next school year. However, as a part of this Inspirus funding program, we'd like to tie-in the Character Strong trait of the month for May-June which is GRATITUDE.
We are asking teachers whose $500 grants are funded to find a way (this school year) to involve students in thanking Inspirus for their generosity.
In addition to this $12,500 commitment to the Bremerton School District, Inspirus has donated nearly $15,000 this school year to the Bremerton School District. This program brings their donation to teachers in our District for this school year to more than $27,000!
Student letters, photos and art will be displayed on the "Community Wall" at the new Bremerton Inspirus branch on Auto Center Way throughout the summer. This is a great opportunity to showcase student work, and highlight our District's SEL focus.
There are no "rules" for this request. It could be be as simple as thank you notes from students to Inspirus, or perhaps a single thank you card signed by your students. Or maybe it is a photo of students holding a "thank you" sign or brief student essays on gratitude. Maybe you want to get creative and do a class video or create a class poster. Again - no rules for this request. We just want kids to be involved in thanking Inspirus, and to reinforce the importance of gratitude.
Questions? Please contact Karen Bevers.
Armed Forces Day Parade 2019
It is Important to Review Your Leave Balances - Will You Forfeit Any?
An important reminder from Payroll
Employees are encouraged to be proactive in knowing your own leave balances, how much you have used during the school year and how your balance is affected by your working agreement and District policy.
If you earn Vacation you should ensure your balance on August 31st (June 30th for Administrators) is no more than thirty (30) of your work days. Any days in excess of thirty (30) days will be forfeited on September 1st (July 1st for Administrators).
Additionally, each employee should review their working agreement regarding their rights associated with Personal leave. If you are allowed to accrue Personal leave, it is accounted for in the “Other Paid Leave” category in the Time Off Section of EA+. Any excess personal leave not used or cashed out (if eligible) by June 30th (August 31st for full year employees), will be forfeited on September 1st. If you are on a July - June Contract you must use your Personal leave by June 30th. For Personal Leave that qualifes for cash out (please read your specific Collective Bargaining Agreement, located on the District's website), complete a paper leave slip, mark “Other” and write “completed qualifications to receive _(insert number)_ days of Personal leave cash out”.
Your request for cash out (leave slip) must be approved (signed) by your building administrator and must be submitted to Payroll by June 30, 2019. The Leave slip may be obtained in the Payroll Office or printed from the District’s website. Go to Staff, Employee Forms, Leave Slip – Exception Reporting Form.
Kiwanis "Teacher Innovation Award" deadline extended
Board Briefs: May 16, 2019
Compiled by Ioanna Cossack, Board Secretary
Policy News: The Board adopted a new policy - 6610 Video Surveillance (see below).
Board Recognition: The Board passed three resolutions proclaiming: 1) May 3rd as School Lunch Hero Day, 2) May 8th as School Nurses Day, and 3) May 6-10 as Teacher Appreciation Week in the Bremerton School District.
Recognition: Again, we had a full house for recognition. We got to hear from some of the exchange students (pictured above) that have been attending BHS this year, as well as several students who had received Rotary scholarships. The Board also met sophomore Alejandra Pulido who was one of only 15 student selected statewide to participate in the Washington World Fellows program.
Prior to the meeting, there was a reception in honor of those employees who are retiring this year, and they were honored with a keepsake plaque and certificate at the Board meeting. These 12 retirees had a total of 293 year as part of the BSD family. You’ll be missed!
District Audit: Along with Superintendent Leavell, Dr. Steedman and Marian Woods from the Business Office, Director Rotter, Board President, and Director Dubos, Board Auditor, attended the exit interview for our annual audit by the state. The Business Office and Special Programs were commended for their fine work.
Director Dave Rubie, position #2, announced that he also will not be running for re-election in November.
Director Rubie, WIAA Board Representative, provided a brief follow up report to the Youtube video WIAA 101 that was shared with the Board to view at their leisure. He is asking for support to let coaches, students and parents know of an opportunity for students to be involved in the WIAA Leadership through Education, Activities, and Personal Development (LEAP). This is a 2-year commitment but can be very beneficial to a student.
At the last meeting, we heard from the City of Bremerton and their consultant in regard to work and design plans for the Safe Walking Project around Kitsap Lake Elementary School. The Board now passed Resolution 2018/2019-26, allowing for temporary and permanent easements of the KLE parcel to allow for this project to begin this summer.
Dr. Leavell attended public meeting on May 9th regarding new apartments at the Frances Haddon Morgan Center and DSHS buildings next door to the Administration Building. Their plans are not to build new buildings but to create apartments within the existing buildings, and they will begin this August and the entire project will extend over a 3-year period.
Upcoming Events:
· BHS American Sign Language (ASL) Showcase, May 22, 6:30 pm
· Renaissance Alternative High School Graduation, May 30, 7:00 pm
· Grad Walk – June 6
· Bremerton High School Graduation, June 7, 7:00 pm
· Countdown to Kindergarten Event – Monday, June 10, 4-6 p.m.
· MVMS 8th Gr. Promotion Celebration, Bremerton High School, June 11, 6:00 pm
· Open Doors Graduation, Olympic College Theater, June 11, 6:00 pm
You can find these reports, other attachments, and more information on the agenda/BoardDocs site
Retiree reception
WHSA Emily Thatcher to be featured on KIRO TV news
As many of you are aware, West Hills STEM Academy teacher Emily Thatcher is in end stage renal failure from polycystic kidney disease. She's been on the waiting list for a kidney for almost 2 years and - unfortunately - is a very difficult match. Due to her specific needs the wait time is estimated at 8-10 years.
WHSA recently held a blood drive in Emily's honor, and recently, Emily ran the Color Run in Seattle with fellow WHSA colleagues Lisa Heaman, Stephanie Codorniz and former colleague Brittani Webb - wearing custom t-shirts made by colleague Maddie Shaw.
While at the Color Run, they were in line with a KIRO TV news reporter who asked about the shirts. Subsequently, KIRO TV came to WHSA on Monday to interview Emily for a story that will run on tomorrow's (Wed., 5/22) news (various times throughout the day). We'll include a link to the story in the next newsletter.
For information on kidney donation, or to see if you are a match, please visit www.uwmedicine.org/services/kidney/living-kidney-donor
BHS Spring Art Show
The annual 2019 Bremerton High School student art show, Bricolage is currently on display at Collective Visions Gallery in downtown Bremerton.
One phase of the work is the interpretation of the Australian Aboriginal “journey” concept to personal histories of the students -- accounts of personal obstacles that students worked their way through (making this a really meaningful social-emotional learning (SEL) activity). Another is a collection of ceramic masks inspired by world mythologies as well as by ordinary life events.
The latest creations of photography students are also displayed. Mountain View Middle School “Wearable Art” students will exhibit giant footwear constructions and copper electroplate jewelry.
We hope you'll stop by to enjoy and celebrate our students’ artistic achievements. The show runs through the end of the month!
Islandwood Patsy Collins Award for Excellence in Education, Environment & Community
Applications are now being accepted for the annual Patsy Collins Award, open to all K-12 teachers in Washington. Three teachers are selected annually for the award, which includes a $10,000 cash prize thanks to a partnership with the Seattle Foundation. Deadline for applications is June 30, 2019.
Learn more or nominate a teacher here.
BHS American Sign Language Showcase
The BHS ASL program is hosting their Showcase in the Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, May 22nd at 6:30 p.m.
The showcase will include a variety of songs from ABBA and Hamilton , games such as "Deaf"ardy, and a little Deaf "Bing" for good measure. Students are really looking forward to showing off what we've learned and providing a fun show for the community!
Admission is free!
Nurtured Heart Parenting Approach training
Training Opportunity: Teach Like Their Lives Depend On It
This engaging, effective, enjoyable experience takes place over 6-days with a cohort of 15 extraordinary educators.
For the summer of 2019 choices are: July 8-13 or August 5-10 in Bremerton, WA. Space is limited. Sign up now to take part in this amazing opportunity, and/or share with friends or colleagues.
60 Clock Hours from the State of WA available (other states’ continuing education credits are often attainable with the right documentation). Early bird pricing available until June 1; special pricing for groups of 3-5 coming together from a school/district.
Did you miss View Ridge's Musical?
Washington Avenue Outdoor Art Gallery
The City of Bremerton is accepting submissions for an outdoor gallery wall that will be created on the Washington Avenue retaining wall. This is a high traffic corridor that connects our Arts District downtown to the Manette business district.
The project is open to all artists. Priority is given to Kitsap county residents. The selected artists will receive an award (stipend) of $300 for their digital work and recognition on the panel and promotional materials. Artists do not fabricate or install the final art on the wall.
Submission Deadline is July 30, 2019. For complete details, including image requirements, please click here. For questions, please contact Cynthia Engelgau, Arts Commission Liaison, at Cynthia.Engelgau@ci.bremerton.wa.us or 360-473-5425.
There are donation boxes in every staff room that will be emptied regularly!
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Website: www.bremertonschools.org
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BSD Staff Updates Newsletter Issue #11 distributed May 21, 2019.