Save the date: The first day of school is almost here!
Thursday, September 1 – First day of school for grades 1-12 and Evergreen Transition Program
Wednesday, September 7 – First day of school for preschool and kindergarten
BSD teachers and staff have been working hard as we prepare to welcome back our learning community for the 2022-23 school year. To help families prepare for the school year, we encourage you to visit your school’s website to learn about upcoming events and access school-specific information, look for communications from your school/principal, and visit the district’s Back-to-School webpage for additional back-to-school resources.
In case you missed us at yesterday’s Downtown Movies in the Park event, you may also stop by the BSD table to chat with staff from across the district on Thursday, August 25 at Crossroads Park for the last installment of this summer’s Crossroads Movies in the Park series. Staff will be on hand to answer questions you may have about the district and connect families with back-to-school resources. The featured movie will be Incredibles 2, which will begin at dusk.
We look forward to seeing our learning community in the classroom and online soon!
Hear from Jennifer Fischer and Kellea Taylor as they share information about the newly-opened Bellevue Family Hub.
Bellevue Family Hub Now Open to Support BSD Families
On Monday, August 2022, the new Bellevue Family Hub opened at Highland Middle School, welcoming families to meet with trained volunteers who can connect them to resources for clothing assistance, rent assistance, and BSD school support. The Hub is a joint partnership between the Bellevue School District and Bellevue LifeSpring.
Visit Your School Website for Important Information
Please check your school website and email inbox for the latest information on welcome events at your school including teacher meet-and-greet dates, taking care of business days, school supply lists, parking pass information, school start and dismissal times, and other school-specific information.
Student Enrollment Resources
Welcome to families who are new to the BSD! Information about student enrollment is available on the district Enrollment webpage where families can find an informative enrollment video and a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
If you are an enrolled family who has moved over the summer, please make sure to update your address with the enrollment office.
Nutrition Services – Apply for Free and Reduced-Price Meals and Access PayPAMS Accounts
BSD Nutrition Services will start charging fees for student meals for the 2022-23 school year. Nutrition Services uses PayPAMS for online payments for meals. Families can use PayPAMS to set up low balance reminders and automatic deposits. If your PayPAMS account has been deactivated due to inactivity over the past school year, please register again by visiting the PayPAMS website and clicking 'Sign Up Now!' You will need to re-add your student(s) to your new account. Please note: Your student(s) account balance is still available at the school cafeteria. Once the student(s) are added to your account, their account balance will display in PayPAMS within 1-2 school days. For any questions, please click 'Contact Us' on the PayPAMS website to email or chat with PayPAMS Customer Support.
Families may also choose to pay for meals by check or cash at their child’s school. Applications for Free and Reduced-Price Meals are now available. Weekly lunch menus can be found on the Menus & Nutritional Information webpage as they become available.
Update Your SchoolMessenger Preferences for Important Notifications
BSD uses the SchoolMessenger communication notification system to send regular announcements and urgent alerts such as school delays and closures. Families may receive SchoolMessenger communication via phone call, text message and email.
You do not need to create an account to receive notifications, as you will automatically receive them to the phone number and email address listed in your student’s record (see below for information about online student data verification). However, if you choose to set up a SchoolMessenger App account, you may adjust how you prefer to be notified. You may also view messages from the last 30 days from the website or by setting up the app on your IOS or Android smartphone.
The district Transportation webpage provides families with information on bus routes for the 2022-23 school year. Visit the Bus Route Information webpage, which has been updated to include current bus routes for BSD schools. Families may also enroll in the district’s bus tracking program to stay informed about their student’s transportation.
Returning students who ride BSD buses may continue to use last year’s scan cards for boarding the bus this school year. Please contact us at bsdbuspass@bsd405.org to replace lost cards. Scan cards will be sent to your student’s school for distribution.
A recently approved Washington state measure will allow youth ages 18 and under to ride public transit for free starting in September. ORCA cards will be available for students at each high school or choice school’s Taking Care of Business/Orientation Day. Learn more on the ORCA Card Information webpage.
Online Verification Now Open Through ParentVUE
Every year, all BSD families are asked to update student information through the online student verification process. Data verification for the 2022-23 school year began on August 17. This process is not required for students enrolled in preschool. Language support in 22 languages is available to families to help complete data verification.
Families can update their student’s information by signing in to ParentVUE. The first time a family logs in, they will be directed to data verification. Verification allows families to:
Update their addresses online and electronically.
Submit required proof of residency.
Update their student's demographic data.
Manage emergency contact lists.
Update photo permissions for their student.
Student Technology and Device Distribution Days
Student device handouts/pick-ups are being organized by each school, in partnership with the district technology team. Students are reminded to bring their stylus, computer charger and bag with them to their school’s scheduled computer distribution day. Schools will provide communication with that date and time for device pick-up. Read more about the technology support available for students and the district’s One-to-One Computing program. In addition, students and families should familiarize themselves with the Student Laptop & Accessory Damage Guidelines.
Athletics & Activities Update
Registration for middle school athletics for the 2022-23 school year opens on September 1. Fall high school athletics have begun, and more information can be found on your school’s Athletics webpage.
Schools will be sending details about activities registration, so families should monitor their inboxes for that information, which will include registration dates.
Share your #BSDSchoolSpirit on your #BSDFirstDay of school with us! Take a photo of your student wearing your school spirit wear or colors and share the photo with us. Tag us on social media or email the photos to communityrelations@bsd405.org, and we may post them on our website and social media.
District Updates
BSD is Hiring!
Join the Bellevue School District’s team of support professionals! Make a difference in students’ lives every day. Available open positions include bus drivers, kitchen assistants, custodians, paraeducators, special needs assistants, substitutes and more.
Superintendent Search: Share Your Feedback in an Online Survey
The BSD School Board Directors remind and encourage the community to share their thoughts regarding the BSD Superintendent Search. Please complete the online survey by September 1, 2022, to maximize community engagement. Your voices are important to us and will play an integral role in the selection of our next superintendent.
BSD Continues to Offer Online Learning Through Bellevue Digital Discovery
BSD recently welcomed the Bellevue Digital Discovery as the 30th school to join the BSD. Formerly the Bellevue Virtual Academy, the Bellevue Digital Discovery name was formalized by the Bellevue School Board in July.
Bellevue Digital Discovery offers a permanent online K-12 learning option for BSD students for the 2022-23 school year. This online school is a Choice School and students need to apply to join the program. Consideration will always be given for students who have a documented need to join the program (e.g., health, etc.)
Enrollment for Bellevue Digital Discovery is open, offering both K-6 and 7-12 programs.
In the K-6 program, BSD teachers will be the primary teacher for students utilizing a BSD/Imagine Edgenuity platform.
Secondary students will take classes via the Imagine Edgenuity online learning platform with Imagine Edgenuity teachers. They will also have an assigned BSD teacher-mentor.
Apply to Join the Superintendent Community Advisory Council (SCAC)
Each year, the BSD Superintendent Community Advisory Council (SCAC) makes recommendations to the superintendent on major issues impacting our district. This year’s focus will be on defining what best-in-class community engagement should look like in BSD. The SCAC meets once per month, from October to April for two hours, with pre-work and preparation required between meetings. The group produces an annual recommendations report to the superintendent and is supported by professional staff. Applications are open until September 16 — please consider applying! Students who are selected to join the Council can count their hours toward community service time.
In advance of the new school year, the district still encourages families to continue taking preventative measures against the spread of COVID-19. Access Resources and Recommendations provided by the Washington State Department of Health, including materials for families in multiple languages.
Free COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits for BSD Students and Staff
BSD will be distributing free COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits to students and staff who would like to test before returning to school. COVID-19 testing allows people to take precautions in a timely manner to help prevent the virus from spreading. Tests will be distributed from ESC West, Room 100 at the following times:
Staying Home When Sick and Preventing the Spread of Illness
To prevent and slow the spread of infectious diseases at school and in the community, families should follow best practices such as: staying home when sick, frequent handwashing, and routine cleaning procedures. BSD partners with the Washington State Department of Health and Public Health —Seattle & King County to determine health and safety processes and procedures for our schools and district facilities, and to respond in the case of outbreaks of infectious diseases at school. Please also consider the following resources to help promote health and safety in our learning community:
BSD’s Too Sick for School webpage - learn more about symptoms of illnesses and to help determine when a student is too sick to go to school and extracurricular activities.
CDC’s Monkeypox FAQ - resources for families who may have questions about monkeypox.
Providing Medications and Medical Orders for Life-Threatening Health Conditions
To help keep your child safe at school, Washington state law requires that all students with life-threatening health conditions have medical orders and/or unexpired rescue medications at school on the first day. Otherwise, the student will not be allowed to come to or stay at school until medications and orders are in place.
Common conditions considered to be life-threatening include: asthma, life-threatening allergies, seizure disorder, and insulin-dependent diabetes. Other health conditions may be life-threatening — please talk with your school nurse to learn if your child’s condition is considered life-threatening.
Required forms can be found on the district’s Required Health Forms webpage. If your child requires rescue medication for their condition, please make sure they have a completed Medication Authorization Form on file. You can also have your child’s healthcare provider complete an Individual Health Plan for your child’s specific condition and indicate medication orders on this document. All orders and unexpired medications must be turned in to your school nurse as soon as possible. Thank you for helping us keep your child safe at school.
Immunizations for School Start - Preventing Outbreaks of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Washington state law requires students enrolling in K-12 school and preschool be vaccinated against the following vaccine-preventable diseases:
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Diphtheria
German measles (Rubella)
Haemophilus influenzae type b disease (Hib) - required only until 5 years of age
Hepatitis B
Measles (Rubeola)
Mumps
Pneumococcal disease - required only until 5 years of age
Polio (Poliomyelitis)
Tetanus
Whooping cough (Pertussis)
Different ages of children require different immunizations — this chart from WA DOH can help you determine what immunizations your child may need: Required Immunizations for School Year 2022-23.
All immunization records provided to the school must now be medically-verified. If you have not provided vaccination records to BSD previously, your child has gotten new required vaccinations, or you are enrolling in BSD for the first time, please bring medically-verified immunization records to your school nurse. Here are some examples of medically verified immunization records. Thank you for helping us keep our schools healthy!
Events & Resources
September 1 - First Day of School for Grades 1-12 and Evergreen Transition Prog
September 5 - No School: Labor Day
September 7 - First Day of School for Preschool and Kindergarten
The Bellevue School District partners with local organizations and non-profits to support our students and families. Visit our Community Partner webpage to learn more about these organizations, find out about their services and how you can engage with them. Upcoming events include:
Bellevue Schools Foundation: Seeking Ambassadors + Invite You to a Block Party
Call for ambassadors: BSF is also coordinating with PTA/PTSAs to find new BSF ambassadors for this year. Ambassadors are advocates for the Foundation and their schools. They promote conversations between the Foundation and their local school to ensure that programs serve students and the needs of their particular school. If you are interested in becoming an ambassador, learn more on BSF’s Become an Ambassador webpage.
Block Party October 1: Save the date! BSF will have a fun set of activities at Bellevue Downtown Park to kick off the school year and support our programs. Learn more about the Block Party.
Let's Talk! with BSD
BSD utilizes Let's Talk! to exchange messages with families. Find messaging options on our website.
Please contact staff at your student's school about schedules, attendance and any other school-specific questions or concerns. Visit https://bsd405.org and select Schools in the top menu to find your school.
