Volunteer Newsletter
Honoring Our School Volunteers - April 2020
Honoring YOU the volunteer!
It is Volunteer Appreciation Week! We honor and appreciate you - we just can't do so in person, so we are thanking you virtually. We invite you to visit the District's Facebook page (@BremertonSchools) on Friday as we honor our volunteers for our weekly "Fun Friday" activity.
We want to give a "shout-out" to all of you who contacted us to see how you could help during this difficult time. Under normal conditions we would have welcomed your assistance, but currently the world is far from normal. We still appreciate the many gracious offers for help.
There are close to 10,000 volunteer hours logged in this school year, even with the closure of the schools. That says a lot about YOU --our dedicated volunteers. We are very grateful. We know your time is valuable, and we are thankful for each minute that you spent helping students and staff.
Bremerton Council PTSA Announces 2020 Founder's Day Award Recipients
Each year in the spring, Bremerton Council PTSA honors volunteers, staff and community members with a awards. These awards are given out at the annual Founder's Day dinner and auction that was canceled this year due to the governor's stay-at-home order.
Golden Acorn Award
The Golden Acorn Award is a very prestigious WA State PTA award given out to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary and outstanding volunteerism.
- Su Ferguson Bremerton Council PTSA
- James Gardner - Armin Jahr Elementary
- Danielle (Emi) Beaton - Armin Jahr Elementary
- Stephanie Gleason – Armin Jahr Elementary
- Tera Wittner – Bremerton High School
- Breanna Harvey – Crownhill Elementary
- Bruce "Bobo" Jensen - Kitsap Lake Elementary
- Breanne Johnston – Mt. View Middle School
- Shannon Campbell – Naval Avenue Early Learning Center
- Laura Stone – View Ridge Elementary Arts Academy
- Jessica Diehl - West Hills STEM Academy
Outstanding Educator Award
The Outstanding Educator Award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to their community to enhance the educational outcomes of all children. An educator is not limited to a teacher and may be defined as teacher, assistant, specialist, support staff, administrator or community member.
- Anabel Smith – Armin Jahr Elementary
- Leah Zimmer – Bremerton High School
- Amy Wilcox – Crownhill Elementary
- Michelle Bowman – Kitsap Lake Elementary
- Jacqueline Thornton – Mt. View Middle School
- Katie Exum – Naval Avenue Early Learning Center
- Jennifer Saurer – View Ridge Elementary Arts Academy
- Allyson Smith – West Hills STEM Academy
Outstanding Advocate Award
The Outstanding Advocate Award recognizes individuals for their advocacy and commitment to helping create strong policies relating to the health, welfare, safety and education of children and youth.
- Iva Scott – Bremerton Council PTSA
- Marshaun Thompson – Mt. View Middle School
A message from Dr. Aaron Leavell, Superintendent
Dear Bremerton School District Families,
It is with a heavy heart that I am reaching out to you today. As many of you have likely heard, Governor Inslee has canceled in-person school for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
We know that this news is concerning and you have many questions about what this means for your student(s) - particularly families of students in the Class of 2020. We will work to provide answers to those questions as we move forward but at this time, there are still many “unknowns.”
School may be out - but education must and will continue.
Distance learning: We have transitioned to 'home-based" or distance learning for all students.
Meals: At this time, we plan to continue providing Grab-n-Go meals to all children in Bremerton for the duration of the school year (www.BremertonSchools.org/Meals).
Access to technology: We have provided more than 1,100 Chromebooks for families, as well as a limited number of "hot spots" to provide WiFi for families who do not have internet access at home.
Graduation requirements: There will be changes to graduation requirements for our seniors. We do not have the details yet but will communicate with seniors and families when we know more. Mrs. Zuber, BHS principal will continue communicating directly with BHS students and their families about graduation and other important spring events and traditions, as well as the distance learning plan for all BHS students.
I am so grateful for the perseverance, creativity and positivity shown by all of our staff, students, families and the Bremerton community as we’ve navigated this unprecedented situation together. We have more challenges ahead of us as we transition to a new distance learning model. But I know we can accomplish great things working together.
We are Bremerton!
Aaron Leavell, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Bremerton School District
(Modified from an email sent to all BSD families and staff on 4/7/2020).
Bremerton School District Non-Discrimination Statement
The Bremerton School District complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. This holds true for all students who are interested in participation in educational programs and/or extra-curricular school activities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the District’s Title IX/RCW 28A.640 Officer and ADA Coordinator, Garth Steedman, at 360.473.1031 or garth.steedman@bremertonschools.org or the Section 504 Coordinator, John Welsh, at 360.473.4400 or john.welsh@bremertonschools.org. Mailing address: 134 Marion Avenue North, Bremerton, WA 98312.