SBLSD Family News
May 20, 2021
Learning model selection complete; revised state requirements for fall
The May 19 deadline has passed for families to select their child’s learning model for fall 2021. Of the 68 percent of families who made a selection, 98 percent chose in-person learning. For the families we did not hear from, your child has been automatically placed in full-time in-person learning. These learning models will be in effect until Jan. 28, 2022.
As we continue to plan for full-time instruction in the fall, we’re adhering to these state-required actions that schools must take in order to resume in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year. Please note that it’s likely this state Department of Health document will be updated over the summer prior to the start of the school year.
Required action key take-aways
Schools must plan to provide full time in-person education for all interested students with the following mandatory mitigation measures: face coverings, ventilation, cleaning and disinfecting, details of how schools will respond to cases of COVID19, and meet the reporting requirements to public health.
Schools must have a plan that factors in physical distancing (3 feet physical distancing in classrooms and 6 feet elsewhere), to the greatest extent possible.
Schools should have a contingency plan that does not include physical distancing. It is likely that schools will need to continue current physical distancing requirements over the summer, however, this requirement may be relaxed prior to the start of the fall.
Brian Kaelin named District’s new Athletic Director
The District welcomes Brian Kaelin as our new Athletic Director starting July 1. He is replacing current longtime Athletic Director Tim Thomsen, who is retiring after 40 years at SBLSD.
A Buckely resident, Brian will be working closer to home after serving as Director of Athletics for Renton School District since 2007. In Renton, he manages secondary programs, which include a staff of more than 200 comprising contracted coaches, volunteer coaches, event staff, building athletic directors, district athletic trainers, swimming pool supervisors, a stadium custodian, and an administrative assistant.
Throughout Brian’s 26-year career with Renton School District, he has held multiple administrative, teaching and coaching positions, including assistant principal, elementary and middle school teacher, basketball coach/program director. He has also served in various regional and state administrative athletic leadership roles.
Brian earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Washington University, and a master’s in teaching and principal’s certification from City University. He also holds a certified athletic administrator credential.
What is Brian most excited for in his new position at SBLSD? The opportunity to serve the students, coaches, staff, and community, while working to continue the great things that the District is doing and grow programs.
In his spare time, he enjoys watching sports (daughters’ volleyball games, college and pro sports), plus boating, fishing and watersports with his family on Lake Roosevelt. His family includes wife Lindsay; children Bo (25), Kelli (16), Jordyn (12); and Boston Terrier, Rocky (4).
Fun facts about Brian:
Three-sport athlete in high school (basketball, football, baseball) and one year of college football
Youngest of six children, five of whom were teachers
Active member of the Swiss Sportsmen's Club located in Bonney Lake
Internet service discounts available for eligible families
The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families struggling to afford internet service during COVID-19. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides these discounts for eligible households:
Up to $50 per month toward broadband service
Up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands
One-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet
Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider. The program will end when the fund runs out of money, or six months after the Department of Health and Human Services declares an end to the COVID-19 health emergency, whichever is sooner.
Development of new strategic plan nearing completion
After nearly a dozen meetings since February with various sub-groups of the large planning committee, we’re closer to completing our new strategic plan, which will guide the District and its stakeholders in a clear and common direction for the next several years.
Keeping student learning at the core, more than 100 planning committee members have spent many hours collectively:
Analyzing student data: Review data and interpret trends in student learning, growth and achievement; identify highest-priority areas of strengths and concerns
Engaging in critical conversations: Discuss causes of disparities in academics, discipline and attendance; identify strategies and professional practices for continuous improvement
Sharing opinions: Based on data, set strategic priorities, goals and measures for student success
Discussing graduate profile: Identify academic, personal and interpersonal competencies and key qualities of what a SBLSD graduate needs to succeed in college, career and life
If there is anything you think we should consider as we develop our new strategic plan, please let us know using this online form.
We very much thank our volunteer committee members for devoting their time to this important work. We’ll continue to keep you updated on our progress.
Superintendent Dent and East Pierce Fire win WASA awards
Congratulations to two recipients who won regional leadership awards from the Washington Association of School Administrators: East Pierce Fire & Rescue and Superintendent Laurie Dent! Here’s a bit about their accomplishments and contributions for these well-deserved awards.
EPF&R
East Pierce Fire and Rescue plays a critical role keeping Sumner-Bonney Lake School District and surrounding communities safe, prepared and supported. In September 2020, EPF&R was instrumental in containing the Sumner Grade Fire, which burned nearly 500 acres, destroyed two homes and displaced 25 percent of the District’s staff and students. In addition to fighting fires and saving lives, EPF&R supports our school district community through volunteer activities, such as fire safety programs, Coats for Kids and holiday pancake feed.
Dr. Laurie Dent
Superintendent Dent was nominated by her colleagues, the superintendents of Pierce County, for an Award of Merit in recognition of effective leadership in public education and for significant contributions to education administration. Her leadership was sincerely appreciated by her colleagues due to her work with the health department and supporting our education systems during the pandemic. Her heart, strength and leadership through the pandemic have been noticed and appreciated as she’s a constant champion for students, school districts and school leaders countywide.
SHS Benefit Night continues as virtual event
The students and staff of Sumner High School come together every year to support a member of our local community, and this year’s recipient is SHS science teacher and adviser, Jennifer Peters. For the past 23 years, she has taught at Sumner High and is loved by the entire Spartan community.
Jennifer was initially diagnosed with stage 2 melanoma cancer in 2015. The cancers were removed, but in 2019, they came back as stage 4 metastatic melanoma. Jennifer is currently halfway through a two-year treatment cycle.
Join Sumner High School in supporting Jennifer during the virtual Benefit Night, which will consist of a virtual auction and talent show. Please call (253) 891-5527 to donate. Watch and share Jennifer’s video below to hear more about her story, and how she is an example of true servant leadership.
Goodbye fairgrounds: most sports back to school gyms in Phase 3
Now that Pierce County moved into Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington Roadmap to Recovery Plan on Tuesday, indoor competitions and tournaments are allowed for all sporting activities. With this change, most SBLSD high school sports are moving back into their gyms.
This comes after BLHS and SHS basketball teams played on the outdoor courts at the fairgrounds in Puyallup last week. Some wrestling matches may continue playing outdoors depending on the teams and gym availability.
School Board meeting highlights for May 18
Adopted/Approved
Resolution No. 15/20-21: Adoption of the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District Academic and Student Well-Being Recovery Plan
Resolution No. 17/20-21: Acceptance of Emerald Hills Elementary Commissioning Report
Resolution No. 18/20-21: Acceptance of Construction Completion of Emerald Hills Elementary
Approved the use of up to 5% of LAP funding for RTL activities allowed under RCW 28A.165.035(2)(g)
Approved the 2022-2023 SEA Calendar
Approved the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District and IUOE, Local 302 (Maintenance and Diesel Technicians) from 2021-2024
Approved the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District 2021-2023 Handbook for the Sumner-Bonney Lake Support Services Directors' Association
Presentations
Updated K-12 COVID-19 Requirements for Summer 2021 and the 2021-22 School Year
Reports
Meeting Recording
Recording (passcode: 8=?#a.gn)
Upcoming Meetings
June 1 (Study Session)
June 8 (Board Meeting)
Photos of the Week
Thunder Eagles light the path to success
Third-graders at Liberty Ridge Elementary in Mrs. Hunsicker's class enjoyed experimenting with light.
Mountain View celebrates National Law Enforcement Week
Super bees at the Early Learning Center
During Spirit Week, the Sumner Early Learning Center Bees enjoyed dressing up for SuperHero Day!
Quicklinks
Add our email address (communications@sumnersd.org) to your address book to ensure that you receive these updates to your regular inbox.
Sumner-Bonney Lake School District
Email: communications@sumnersd.org
Website: sumnersd.org
Location: 1202 Wood Avenue, Sumner, WA, USA
Phone: (253) 891-6000