Principal's Message for Families

Hello Lightning family,

Conference week is here. Advisory teachers should have reached out to you by now to let you know of the time we would like you to join us. On Thursday from 4:30-6:30, we will have interpreters for ASL, Spanish, Tagalog and Ukranian.

RESTROOM PASSES: Did you know that a student using just 2 passes in a day averages out to missing an entire class period every week? Encourage your student to use the restroom during passing or lunches.

NOTE: There is no Late Start on the 26th.

Seth Humphrey

Principal, LMS

lms_questions@bethelsd.org

IMPACT AID SURVEY: Students will be bringing these home today. PLEASE make sure you have your child return this ASAP. This is a mandatory expectation for ALL households in Bethel.

Child Nutrition Services will continue to use the Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit Application (CNEEB) for the 2026-27 school year. All students attending Liberty Middle School will receive FREE breakfast and lunch for the 2026-27 school year. However, ALL families with students attending Liberty Middle School are required to complete the 2026-27 Family Income Survey (Available soon).

IF YOU QUALIFY--You may be eligible for discounts or fee waivers, you must click "YES" box to "Share My Child's Income Eligibility".

OCTOBER'S CHARACTER TRAIT: RESPONSIBLE

MONDAY: School Links. Smart Goals.

TUESDAY: Housing Impact Survey. Conference Reminders

WEDNESDAY: School Links. Gradebook lesson

THURSDAY: Emotions lesson. Fun Friday Sign up

FRIDAY: Fun Friday

Join us!

SPORTS THIS WEEK

• WINTER SPORTS:

  • Boys and Girls Wrestling & Girls Basketball

  • Winter 1 sports closed Friday (10/23)

As we approach the start of the 2026-27 school year, we want to remind you that Bethel School District has some requirements for guests who attend events at Art Crate Stadium. To ensure the safety of our students, parents, and community, the following must be adhered to:

ALL elementary and middle school students who plan to attend school-sponsored events, such as football games, MUST be accompanied by an adult. They will be turned away if they attempt to gain admittance without a parent.

Only clear bags or small clutch/purses/wallets will be allowed inside the stadium. Bags must be clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”. A small clutch bag, not exceeding 4.5” x 6.5”, with or without a handle or strap, may be carried inside the stadium.

We thank you for your understanding and adherence to these guidelines.

ParentVUE offers a web portal as well as an app where you will be able to access your child's information at any time. In addition to attendance and grades, you will see upcoming assignment due dates, missing assignments, classroom websites and more. You will need to update your information before you will be able to see your child's schedule on August 24th.

Login here!

We are excited for the new school year and know you are too! If you'd liked to volunteer in one of our schools, please fill out the Volunteer Application linked below.

VOLUNTEER FORM

Register to VOTE! Click Here ~ https://www.piercecountywa.gov/6572/Register-to-Vote

Washington offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Washington by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer. You can register or update your address online or by mail until 8 days before an election. You may also register in-person through Election Day. Registration forms submitted by mail need to be received, not postmarked by the 8-day deadline.

IMPORTANT DATES

Monthly Calendar Graphics 26-27

You can find the full district calendar at https://www.bethelsd.org/about-our-district/district-calendar

Spanaway Lake Craft Fair: November 7-8

The annual Craft Fair at SLHS will be held on November 7th and 8th!

Details at https://www.facebook.com/slhscraftfair

Coffee with the Superintendent: November 10
Our next Coffee with the Superintendent event will be November 10 from 12 to 1 p.m. at the Educational Service Center (516 176th St. E, Spanaway, WA 98387). We will also be hosting another event in March. Invite your neighbors! Everyone is welcome.

Transportation Hiring Event: November 10

We are looking for bus drivers and bus assistants to join our amazing Transportation team! Our next hiring event will be on November 10, from 2 to 6 p.m. at our Transportation Service Center (5625 192nd St E, Puyallup, WA 98375). At these events there are opportunities for on-the-spot interviews and potential day-of job offers. We hope to see you there!

Turkey Trot: November 14

Join Cougar Mountain Middle School for their 3rd Annual CMMS Booster Club Turkey Trot, a 5k Community Fundraiser & Food Drive! Learn more here: https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Graham/CMMSBoosterClubTurkeyTrot5KFunRun

Upcoming School Board Meetings
School Board meetings begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at Bethel School District's Educational Service Center (ESC), 516 176th St. E., Spanaway, WA 98387 unless otherwise noted. The public is welcome! To join via Zoom, visit https://bethelsd.diligent.community/portal/

• October 27: School Board Meeting

• November 17: School Board Meeting

• December 15: School Board Meeting

FAMILY REMINDERS

Help shape the future of our schools!

Our district is forming a community-led group that will develop a 25-year plan for our schools and facilities. We’re looking for community members with OR without students in school to lead this work. Everyone is welcome to apply. No special background is needed, just a heart for our kids and community. The committee will meet once a month in the evenings. Learn more and apply today at bethelsd.org/cfrrc

Join the Community Advisory Board

You are invited to join our Community Advisory Board! The next meeting is Wednesday, November 18, at Bethel High School in the cafeteria, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Dinner will be provided. The purpose of this group is to partner with parents and families to improve student academic achievement and school performance. It's an opportunity to learn more about our schools, share your perspective, and help strengthen partnerships across the district. All interested parents and family members are welcome. Please RSVP at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsLqDqlrmofAk_ImVIqwTQj7W-R485EvdQAArXP1i4yAWooA/viewform

2027 Tech & Art Fair Student Design Contest

Attention all Bethel students! Show off your creativity in the Tech & Art Fair Student Design Contest! Submit an original logo design blending technology and art centered around the theme, "Where Ideas Take Shape." Winning designs will be displayed at

the Tech & Art Fair and may be used in various district promotional materials, including t-shirts, posters, maps, and more! On top of that, the class with the highest number of artwork submissions will win a pizza party! This contest is open to all Bethel students in preschool through 12th grade. You can enter by emailing Tess Koning at tkoning@bethelsd.org. Please note that submissions must use your official Bethel student email. Be sure to turn in your original work by Monday, November 16.

DISTRICT NEWS

Podcast Episode 191: Making room for paper in a digital world
This week, we look at how one school is making sure technology doesn't completely take over the classroom. We’ll talk with one 8th grader about why mixing in physical books, paper, and hands-on projects helps her focus better and actually enjoy what she’s doing in class. Our other guests, a teacher and principal, say they’re not anti-tech … they’re pro-learning. They’re using screens when they make sense, and giving kids a break from them when they don't. New episodes drop on Wednesdays wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also hear us on 101.9 Radio Tacoma, Saturdays at 2 p.m. Be sure to like, comment, subscribe, and share with a friend! bethelsd.org/podcast

Maintaining 23.8 million square feet of property

Every great school district relies on a foundation that most people only notice when something goes wrong. Here in Bethel, that foundation is built by a dedicated team of Grounds and Maintenance workers whose daily pride and craftsmanship keep the entire system running smoothly behind the scenes. The scale of their responsibilities is immense. Bethel’s Grounds and Maintenance team is responsible for maintaining a staggering 23.8 million square feet of property! https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/news-article/~board/headlines/post/maintaining-238-million-square-feet-of-property

Community-backed bond delivers 700,000 square feet of school improvements
With Cedarcrest Middle School students and staff temporarily at the old Bethel High School, demolition crews have cleared the old Cedarcrest site and are already going vertical with the new building. What began as a school modernization has evolved into a complete rebuild, thanks to careful planning and additional state funding secured through our voter-approved 2019 School Construction Bond. It’s one of many projects funded thanks to our community. Since the approval of the 2019 bond, our district has added nearly 700,000 square feet of new or improved space. That represents 249 classrooms! https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/news-article/~board/headlines/post/community-backed-bond-delivers-700000-square-feet-of-school-improvements

Protecting our buildings, building our future

While teachers and students are in class, behind the scenes, dedicated teams quietly lay the groundwork that keeps our learning spaces safe, warm, and ready for teaching and learning every single day. This past summer was no exception for our maintenance and facilities crews. While classrooms were empty, staff completed nearly a thousand work orders, deep cleaned 2.2 million square feet of school buildings, and maintained 23.8 million square feet of property districtwide. That work ranged from roofing and flooring updates to pavement repairs, installing two new portables at Expedition Elementary, and renovating the Summit Cafe at the Pierce County Skills Center. https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/news-article/~board/headlines/post/protecting-our-buildings-building-our-future

COMMUNITY NEWS

From story time to tech support

There’s always something going on at your Pierce County Libraries. From story time to technology classes there are events for everyone! Check out what’s coming up here: https://calendar.piercecountylibrary.org/events

Oct 28-30 -- Conferences (Early Release)

Nov 2 -- Late Start

Nov 5 -- Veteran's Day Assembly (double assembly schedule)

Nov 11 -- No School (Veteran's Day)

Nov 13 -- Food Drive Assembly (regular schedule)

Nov 16 -- Late Start

Nov 17 -- On-site Vaccine Clinic (Flu and Covid)

Nov 24 -- Early Release.

Nov 24 -- Food Drive Social

Nov 25-27 -- No School (Thanksgiving Break)

Email: lms_questions@bethelsd.org
Website: https://www.bethelsd.org/lms
Location: 7319 Eustis Hunt Road, Spanaway, WA, USA
Phone: 253.800.6500
Facebook: facebook.com/Liberty-Middle-School-1308324099278988/

Bethel 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 and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance / Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, Darius Alexander, dalexande@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2019; Title IX Coordinator, Bryan Streleski, bstreleski@bethelsd.org, 253.800.4302; and 504 Coordinator, Melissa Munson-Merritt, mmunsonmer@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2301. All individuals may be reached at this address: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387.

Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR): https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html. Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint: bethelsd.org.

El Distrito Escolar de Bethel no discrimina en sus programas o actividades por motivos de sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, nacionalidad, edad, condición de veterano de guerra o grado militar, orientación sexual, expresión de género o identidad, discapacidad o por el uso de perro guía entrenado o animal de servicio; además ofrece igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y a otros grupos de jóvenes especificados. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para atender consultas y quejas de supuesta discriminación: Cumplimiento de los Derechos Civiles/Coordinadora Escolar de Inclusión de Género, Darius Alexander, dalexande@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2019; Coordinador del Título IX, Bryan Streleski, bstreleski@bethelsd.org, 253.800.4302 y Coordinadora 504, Melissa Munson-Merritt, mmunsonmer@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2301. Todas las personas pueden ser localizadas en esta dirección 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387.

Las consultas sobre el Título IX también pueden dirigirse a la Oficina de Derechos Civiles (OCR) del Departamento de Educación de EE.UU.: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html. Para más información sobre las políticas de no discriminación y discriminación por razón de sexo; los procedimientos de reclamación y sobre cómo comunicar una preocupación o queja visite: www.bethelsd.org.