Students across the district share what they're grateful for this year.
BSD Gives Thanks
The district has a lot to be thankful for this fall, but most of all, we give thanks to a learning community that enables our students to feel affirmed and inspired and to thrive as creators of their future world. In the spirit of giving thanks, several BSD students shared what they are grateful for this year. Watch and listen to see what they had to say.
In sports news, sports BSD teams have a lot to be proud of this season. Over the past few weeks, several teams claimed state championship titles: Sammamish Girls Swim & Dive, Newport Girls Swim & Dive, and Bellevue High Girls Soccer. Additionally, several other teams made state playoff runs this year. Check out BSD on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to follow along with BSD teams and to see photos and videos from the fall season. A full fall sports wrap-up will be shared at the end of the season.
Read on for recent stories of our school communities, district updates, program offerings and resources, and more.
BSD Staff and Students Give Back Through Food Drives Across District
Each year, staff and students across the Bellevue School District think of ways to give back to our community. In partnership with local organizations, schools and district offices are hosting food and goods drives this fall to help local families in need.
The 17th completely rebuilt elementary school in the Bellevue School District is nearing completion. Remaining site work at Puesta del Sol is underway, along with the installation of instructional technology within the building. New furniture installation has begun, and spaces are receiving final finishes. Puesta is designed to be the first negative Net-Zero elementary school in the region.
This project was funded through a bond measure approved by Bellevue voters in 2014. The district — and the Puesta del Sol community in particular — are grateful and appreciative of the tremendous community support that made this project possible.
Reimagining Middle School - Centering Student Voice
After spending the past several months immersed in empathetic understanding of stakeholders and defining and prioritizing the challenges facing middle schools, the Reimagining Middle School Committee continues to engage in the equity-centered design thinking process. Over the past few weeks, the focus of the committee has been to highlight student voice. Committee members engaged students by visiting each comprehensive middle school and meeting with students to gather input. Middle school students who completed the annual student Panorama survey were also asked to share their ideas for an ideal middle school experience.
Community support for the 2020 Capital Bond Project made it possible to start a three-year plan to reshape, remodel and rebuild several Newport High School campus areas. The project continues, with several phases completed over the past few months. Recent progress includes: an expanded west parking lot, rerouting of numerous underground utility lines, and the start of work on the gymnasium.
BSD student, Nathan Kim, shares his thoughts on the BSD Superintendent Search.
Superintendent Search Update – Stakeholder Interview Panels Video
Interlake High School senior, Nathan Kim, shares his thoughts on why it is important for the BSD learning community to share their voices in the selection of the next superintendent by serving on stakeholder interview panels. Nathan shares more about the role the superintendent plays and why all voices and perspectives in our community matter in this important decision.
The stakeholder panels assist in vetting and interviewing superintendent candidates, and students, staff and community members are encouraged to participate. The deadline to express your interest in participating is Thursday, December 1.
BSD Demographic & Enrollment Study and Future Trends
BSD recently released its Demographic and Enrollment Study, which addresses enrollment, demographic trends in our community, and what the district can expect in the years to come. BSD’s demographic consultant shares more about housing growth and cost, birth rates in the area, historical enrollment, and other factors that explain the past and predict the future of enrollment levels.
Share Your Feedback: Proposed Community Engagement Officer Program
The Bellevue School District (BSD), in partnership with the Bellevue Police Department (BPD), is reforming its School Resource Officer Program to address laws passed by the Washington State Legislature and to respond to a need for shared values and purpose, as expressed by our learning community. The proposed new program, the Community Engagement Officer (CEO) Program, is a community-based response to the need to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for our students. The partnership between BSD and BPD reaffirms the agreed commitment to build relationships with youth, staff members, and the community to reinforce collaborative problem solving and promote a safe and inclusive learning community.
BSD and BPD seek community feedback about the reformed CEO program. Families are invited to attend community sessions and/or complete a brief survey by Friday, December 16, to help inform the implementation of the program.
Winter is quickly approaching, which may bring unpredictable weather. BSD encourages families to take the time to revisit the district’s emergency closure schedule protocols and our emergency closure decision-making process. During instances of inclement weather or severe conditions that could result in a delayed or canceled school day, BSD will communicate any schedule changes to families through direct messages, including email, text message, phone call, social media, FlashAlert, local media and posts to bsd405.org.
For specific questions regarding community partner programming and to confirm day-to-day schedules, we suggest contacting community providers directly. BSD partner programs such as Right at School and Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue will typically communicate directly with participating families on operations, plans, etc. In most instances, community partner programming will follow district precedent for emergency closures (I.e., if schools are closed, they will also be closed).
Additionally, due to the current bus driver shortage and illnesses circulating across the region, the number of bus drivers available to transport students on any given day is fluctuating. As standard and daily practice, BSD Transportation assesses which routes can be covered based on driver availability. If your student’s route has been cancelled on any given day, you will be notified via the parent portal through Edulog, by 5:30 a.m. that morning. Sign up for Edulog here. You will also receive communication via email, phone call and text message through SchoolMessenger according to your preferred methods of communication provided in ParentVUE. Learn how to update your preferences.
K-5 Literacy Parent Information Night FAQ
Thank you to everyone who attended the K-5 Literacy Parent Information Night on October 27. BSD Teaching and Learning appreciated hearing your questions and feedback. Partnership with families helps us create programs that better support our students, and we look forward to hosting future sessions.
Coming Soon: Open Transfer and Choice School Lottery
The Open Transfer and Choice Schools/Program application period for the 2023-24 school year will be from December 5, 2022, to January 13, 2023.
Please review the Open Transfer and Choice Schools & Programs webpages and the frequently asked questions for each to learn more about the application process and programs offered. More information will be shared with families over the next few weeks.
Health Services Updates
Free COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits for BSD Students, Staff and Families
BSD will be distributing free COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits to students, staff and their families ahead of Thanksgiving break. COVID-19 testing allows people to take precautions in a timely manner to help prevent the virus from spreading. Tests are voluntary and will be distributed from ESC West, Room 100 at the following times:
Monday, November 21: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 22: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 23: 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
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.
Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination:
Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org
Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment:
Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org
