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March 9, 2022
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Springing Forward into New Beginnings

The month of March marks the two-year anniversary of COVID-19 in our lives. We are beginning to see a lift in federal and state mandates that impact our school district because of your support and willingness to work collectively for our staff and students. When comparing our progress from March 2021 to present, we will soon get to see students enjoying recess, activities and class time, and freely choosing the masking option that is best for them.   

We are Bellevue Strong! Our school community continues to thrive in many ways through it all — from athletic accomplishments, celebrations of our highly-qualified staff, students uplifting the voices of one another and their communities, to sharing and honoring the stories of local cultures in classrooms, we have proven that there is nothing that we can’t overcome when working together. This moment in time has defined our strength and ability to succeed. Although we are not completely free from restrictions, there is light at the end of the tunnel. We’ve learned some valuable things about who we are as a district and how we truly live into our shared values of respect, collaboration, integrity, service, excellence and compassion. 

Beginning March 12, mask wearing as one of the COVID-19 mitigation measures, now called layered protections, will be optional for all students, staff and visitors at BSD schools, including on buses. The district has updated our measures to align with new guidance from the Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH), received on March 8. The district will maintain practices that help minimize COVID-19 spread, including: 

  • Access to vaccinations through vaccine clinics  
  • Enhanced ventilation and HVAC 
  • Staying at home when sick 
  • Conducting diagnostic testing 
  • Exercising good respiratory etiquette and hygiene 
  • Practicing physical distancing as practical 
  • Cleaning and disinfecting 
  • Maximizing outdoor activities 

Other key changes to note at BSD (supported by WA DOH guidance): 

  • School and district activities are open to our school community, including music performances, sports, dances, end of year celebrations, etc. Specific recommendations for individual events will follow WA DOH guidance, with layered protections recommended on a case-by-case basis.

In his message to families, Interim Superintendent, Art Jarvis, shares a reassuring message to commit to providing a safe environment for staff and students, with respect for one's individual choice regarding mask wearing. 

Read on in this edition of BSD News & Events to learn more about recent student accomplishments, celebrations of our staff, and important events in the coming weeks.  

Inside BSD Schools

Robotics teams 20403 and 16750 with 16750’s state-winning robot and trophy at the Washington State Championship.

Sammamish Robotics Earns Trip to Championship 

Congratulations to the Sammamish FTC Robotics Team for qualifying for the 2022 FIRST Championship in Houston! Team 16750, the Technototes, was in first place at the Washington State Championship after the qualification matches and was alliance captain for the winning alliance, comprised of Team 14179, Sushi Squad, and Team 7759, Autonomous Prime. According to William, a member of the Team 16750, “Watching our team in finals – you could just see them working as a unit. All the effort over the season paid off.” Good luck to the team and coaches as they head to Houston in April! 


Sammamish Gymnastics Wins State Title 

Congratulations to the Sammamish HS gymnastics team, who claimed their first state gymnastics title in Class 3A/2A! The team was also named WIAA Academic State Champions for the 2021-22 winter sports season. Congratulations are also in order for Coach Jenny Genoway, who was named Class 3A/2A coach of the year. Read more about their accomplishments in the Seattle Times. 


BSD College Conference Draws Record Numbers of Attendees 

On February 9, 2022, BSD held its 10th Annual College Conference for high school students. With several hundred students and families in virtual attendance, this event was one of the most highly attended college conferences ever arranged by the BSD. 

The College Conference had a total of 21 separate sessions for attendees to select from, and presented the perspectives of 45 different presenters/panelists. Additional topics covered included College Success for Students with Learning Differences, connecting Career and Technical Education pathways to Post-Secondary Options, and four separate sessions on financial aid and options to make college affordable for families. The recordings of the 2022 BSD Virtual College Conference are now available on our College Conference webpage. Supporting documents provided by presenters have also been linked. 

Read more about the event. 


Reducing Single Use Plastics in BSD Schools 

Bellevue School District, in partnership with the City of Bellevue and a Washington State Department of Ecology grant, has been reducing single use plastics in elementary schools by switching to durable, reusable utensils. The weight of the plastics reduced each year by not using plastic utensils and straws is the same as the weight of one Orca whale! Thank you to BSD staff and students for making this program a huge success! 

District Updates

Adult reading to class

2022-23 Enrollment Now Open 

Enrollment is now open for incoming kindergarteners and students new to the Bellevue School District. While you may enroll your students through August 31, enrolling now helps the district ensure we have the correct staffing to support your students with the smallest classes possible. If your student is already enrolled in a BSD school, you do not need to submit a new enrollment. They will automatically move up to the next grade. 

Is your student entering Kindergarten in the 2022-23 school year? Review our Welcome to Kindergarten presentation to learn more about: 

  • The enrollment process 
  • Full-day kindergarten 
  • School options 
  • Child development and kindergarten readiness 
  • School staff and supports beyond the classroom 
  • Nutrition services 
  • Transportation to and from school 
  • Other frequently asked questions 

Learn more about enrollment at BSD.  
Learn more about kindergarten enrollment. 


Celebrating Social Workers 

The Bellevue School District celebrates our school social workers for National School Social Work Week. We thank these dedicated professionals who help to create a positive environment in our schools. School social workers are skilled in identifying and providing services to students who face serious challenges to school success, including poverty, disability, discrimination, abuse, addiction, bullying, loss of a loved one, and other barriers to learning. 
 
BSD school social workers collaborate with school counselors, community partners and parents to address students’ social, emotional, physical, mental health and environmental needs so that students may achieve academic success. 
 
BSD Director of Counseling, Kerince Bowen, shared gratitude for her social worker team, "I thank you for all that you do, each and every day, to support our students and families in the BSD. In challenging times, you have remained calm and bring hope and optimism to others, not only in the times of big crisis, but also in the smaller, everyday actions that you take. I am deeply appreciative to work with social workers so committed to the profession." 


Celebrating Women in Education Throughout Women’s History Month 

Since 1995, U.S. presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions of women and recognize achievements women have made in a variety of fields over the course of American history.  

Access to formal education has historically been limited by factors such as socio-economic status, race and gender. However, as the stories of many women tell us, these barriers did not stop women and girls from striving to get as much education as possible. 

BSD leaders were recently asked to identify the women in their own lives who inspire them and why. Mothers, grandmothers, sisters, wives and other female scholars and school leaders were identified by BSD staff as the women who encourage, motivate and keep them grounded. 

Read more about women in education who led the way and learn how their work impacts students today.  

Health Services Updates

Icon of person with medical symbol on blue background

Information about health and safety in our schools is constantly evolving as we work to meet state and local guidelines. Guidance is typically provided by the CDC, then adopted by the Washington State Department of Health, before being implemented by Public Health – Seattle & King County (PH-SKC). Once BSD receives official guidance from PH-SKC, we will implement it in our schools. 

Please review the topics below or visit the COVID-19 Health & Safety section of our website to get familiar with the latest guidance and how it impacts our learning community: 


Masks Optional at BSD Schools as of March 12 

A message from Dr. Jarvis, Interim Superintendent, was sent to BSD families and staff on March 7, announcing that masks will become optional at our schools starting on March 12. This is update aligns with guidance provided by Governor Inslee and is supported by the Washington State Department of Health and Public Health — Seattle & King County. Read the full message and access FAQs around the change. 


Vaccine Clinics 

We have worked with our community vaccine partners to schedule more vaccination clinics. The next clinic at the Wilburton Instructional Service Center (WISC) will be:  

  • March 24 – Signup available March 17 at 5 p.m. 

Details for this clinic will be shared with BSD families and staff via email once signup becomes available. Please know that these clinics fill up very quickly, as demand for vaccines is high in our community. Scheduling of individual appointments is facilitated by our vaccine partners. The number of appointments available is determined by the amount of vaccines our partners can acquire for each clinic. To find a vaccine near you, visit our Vaccinations webpage. 


Drive-Thru Diagnostic PCR Testing – Now Available 

BSD now offers drive-thru diagnostic PCR testing for students who show symptoms of COVID-19. Testing is available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wilburton Instructional Services Center (WISC). Tests are available by appointment only, as there are limited slots each day. 

Learn more and sign up for drive-thru diagnostic testing at BSD. 

Reminders

BSF Education Connections – AE & I Grants 

Join the Bellevue Schools Foundation for their next Education Connections session on Wednesday, March 9, at 5 p.m. through Zoom. Our very own BSD educators will be sharing the Arts, Enrichment, and Innovation (AE&I) Grants they received this school year. The purpose of AE&I Grants is to fund projects that extend the regular curriculum, encourage higher-level thinking skills, enrich students through art, music, culture, science, or other activities, and provide opportunities for innovation in classrooms. This long-standing support that is available to all educators is a cornerstone of the Foundation’s funding model on an annual basis.  

A recording of the presentation will be uploaded here after the event.

Learn about all the AE&I and i2 Grants.  
Review what the Bellevue Schools Foundation provides at YOUR school.  

Events & Resources

See the full month's events on the District Calendar.

Stay Connected to BSD

Community Partner Information and Events

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.

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. 
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