BSD Staff Updates
Kathy has been a season ticket holder for 25 years!
San Francisco did not disapoint!
Alix Stewart, new Student Data specialist
My name is Alix Stewart, and I am excited to be joining the Bremerton School District. I bring experience in school district attendance along with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, and Economics from Washington State University.
I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Uncrewed and Autonomous Systems through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, with a focus on Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems. As a commercial drone pilot, I chose to continue my education to explore how innovative technologies like drones can enhance and support a wide range of operations.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, riding my horse, flying drones, growing dahlias, and trying a variety of teas. I’m excited to meet everyone and to be part of the great work happening across the district.
Kyle Thomas, new Accounts Payable Technician
Kyle recently moved to Bremerton after several years in Bellingham and is excited to join the Business Office as a new Fiscal Specialist. He brings over ten years of experience working with non-profit financials and is hopeful his strong work ethic will make a difference with the school district.
When not buried in spreadsheets and invoices, he enjoys finding new trails to explore with his husky, attending Mariners games, dominating in pub trivia, and hanging out with his two nieces. He was voted Uncle and Dog Dad of the Year in 2025.
BUT - Please don't send an email! Please submit your response via our new District Spotlight Google Form in the Communications Portal!
Photos are essential for telling the story. Unsure about taking photos in your classroom? Follow these quick and simple guidelines!
Michaeleen Gelhaus recently passed away. She was BSD staple for many years, serving as a teacher, TOSA, and ultimately the principal at Mountain View Middle School until 2018.
Are you doing any extra activities or recognitions? We want to hear about it!
Share with us in the District Spotlight Google Form!
If you haven't seen it already, make sure you check out the 2026 Payroll newletter! There are important updates and announcements that probably affect you!
February 5th Meeting
February is Black History Month: an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the struggles, adversity, strength and history of the Black American experience in the United States. The board of directors recognized Black History Month by approving a proclamation to proclaim February 2026 Black History Month in the Bremerton School District.
Mountain View Middle School teacher, Kathryn Donaldson, joined the meeting to present about the recent show performed by her drama class and club. Students Noodles Mathews and Audrey Moore also joined her to talk about their skill development through the class.
POLICY NEWS:
The following policy was adopted by the board:
The following policy was presented for a first read:
OTHER NEWS:
Looking for the new District logo?
The new District logo, brand guide and other resources (ie: electronic letterhead and Google Slide templates) are in a shared folder that all staff can access (if logged-in to their BSD staff email). Please do not use the new logo without first reviewing the Brand Guide.
Click here for instructions on adding the new District font to Google and Word! Thank you!
Extended Deadline! - National Civics Bee
The Greater Kitsap Chamber is proud to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to bring the National Civics Bee to the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsula for the 2025-2026 program year. This annual initiative – now expanding to all 50 states in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 – invites middle school students to showcase their civics knowledge, engage in their communities, and build trust in others and institutions through a nonpartisan, multi-round competition.
The essay application portal opened on September 8, 2025 and closes on February 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (HST). All students in grades 6-8 are encouraged to apply. For more information, visit https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/ncb-how-it-works/.
Join a focus group and share your feedback about local services
Participants will receive a $25 gift card.
You can help improve services offered in Kitsap County by sharing your experiences getting help with food, housing, healthcare, and other necessities.
Participants are needed for two focus groups being held this month as part of a community assessment project conducted by Kitsap Community Resources, Kitsap Mental Health Services, Kitsap Public Health District, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.
You can join one of two focus groups that will be held in February:
Feb. 11, 6-7:30 p.m. at Kitsap Community Resources, 1201 Park Ave., Bremerton
Feb. 19, 5:30-7 p.m. at Bremerton Foodline, 1600 12th Street, Bremerton
Focus group participants will receive a $25 gift card. The events are family-friendly and free food will be provided.
Feedback gathered from these focus groups will be incorporated into community health and needs assessments and will be used by agencies throughout Kitsap to better understand challenging issues our community faces and create effective solutions.
Board Games & Therapy Dogs - Kitsap Strong Youth Leadership Team
The Kitsap Strong Youth Leadership Team is excited to bring middle and high school students together for a fun afternoon!
Saturday, February 21st, 1-4 pm
Rimbert Illustration, 617 N Callow Ave, Bremerton
- FREE admission and food
- Board and card games provided
- Blood on the Clocktower game at 2 pm
- Bring your own game if you’d like
- Therapy dogs to meet and pet
With support from Kitsap Regional Library, Rimbert Illustration, Kitsap Games, and Kitsap Therapy Dogs
Questions? Contact Promise Partner - promise.partner@kitsapstrong.org, 206-771-0029
Kitsap Youth Forum 2026
The Kitsap County Commission on Children and Youth, invites you and your youth or young adult to join us at the 4th annual Youth Forum on March 19th from 4:30 - 7pm at Olympic College, Bremerton. The forum is a space for youth and young adults who want to engage with their local policy and decisionmakers who will be there to listen to youth's ideas and concerns because their fresh perspectives can contribute to the development of policies at the local level. Youth and young adults are defined as being between the ages of 0 to 25 years old.
This is a free event, there will be light refreshments, we kindly ask all attendees to pre-register at http://bit.ly/YouthForum26
Ellison Education Grants
Grants for Washington State K-12 Public School Teachers!
Applications are now being accepted for the “Ellison Education Grants”. Grants are for K-12 public school teachers in Washington State. Over the past nine years, the Ellison foundation has awarded 142 grants and $682,000 to Washington State teachers.
Grants will range from $1,000 to $10,000 and be awarded this spring to be used for the 2026 – 2027 school year. Applications must be submitted by March 29, 2026.
To learn more about the “Ellison Education Grants” please visit:
DOH You Can - How I Show Up video project
This video project is open to everyone in Washington State, ages 12- to 18-years-old. All submissions must be received by Tuesday, March 31st, 2026. Check out our Instagram and Facebook posts for more info, or go to our How I Show Up Video Project webpage for all the details.
OSPI Phones in Focus Survey Reminder
Over the past couple of years, we have heard from multiple legislators an interest in establishing a consistent statewide policy that limits student use of cell phones and smart devices at school. OSPI has continued to push for local decision-making within a statewide framework, and you will recall that we encouraged school districts to adopt cell phone/smart device policies by the start of this school year.
Connected to these efforts, our state has partnered with a national research survey project called Phones in Focus. The researchers are seeking responses from public school teachers, principals, and other school personnel. Please share the survey link with your staff and encourage their participation so Washington can benefit from the researchers’ detailed recommendations:
America's Field Trip
America’s Field Trip is a nationwide contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of our nation’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the chance to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks. Students are asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?”
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, America’s Field Trip is expanding with more exciting field trips, and more opportunities for students to win. A total of 250 students will be awarded a special behind-the-scenes field trip experience this summer or a cash prize.
Deadline to apply is March 30, 2026!
Bremerton School District
Email: communications@bremertonschools.org
Website: www.BremertonSchools.org
Phone: 360-473-1000
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