We Are Bremerton!

As we head into the holiday break, I want to take a moment to share a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports our students and schools. Our last day of school before the break will be December 19th, and we’ll welcome students and staff back on January 5th. This is a time to pause, rest, celebrate, and recharge for the year ahead.

One of my favorite holiday traditions was singing Carol of the Bells with the Bellflower High School ensemble and visiting local nursing homes to share music and time with our elders. Standing with friends, ringing handbells and singing, and seeing smiles light up the room showed me how music and connection can bridge generations. Experiences like that remind me how often those of us who give end up receiving even more… a lesson that feels especially true during the holiday season.

This season is also a perfect time to support those in our community who need a helping hand. I encourage you to consider donating food or resources to Bremerton Foodline, a long-standing local organization that helps families in need. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference. Learn more about ways to give or volunteer at their website: bremertonfoodline.org.

As we wrap up 2025, I do wonder… will we get a white Christmas this year? Wherever you are, I hope your holiday season is filled with warmth, joy, and the spirit of giving.

Thank you BSD School Community for all that you do to make Bremerton a caring, connected, and vibrant community.

Sincerely,

Dr. McSheehy

Photos (L-R): Dr. McSheehy enjoys visiting with students as he spends time in our schools. Dr. McSheehy recently joined the staff team for the annual BHS students-vs-staff basketball game. Dr. McSheehy and Assistant Superintendent Garth Steedman serve lunch every month at a different school.

This February, Bremerton School District will ask voters to renew a four-year Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy. This is not a new tax. If approved, it would replace a previously approved local funding measure that is set to expire at the end of 2026.

In Bremerton, local levy funds provide approximately 15% of the district's overall operating budget. As many as 290 public school districts (out of the state's 295 districts) rely on local levy funding to bridge the gap between what the state provides and the actual cost of providing students with a quality education.

• Student learning: classroom teachers, basic education paraeducators, curriculum, technology staff, and instructional materials.
• Student support, safety & supervision: counselors and security staff.
• Daily operations and maintenance: custodial, grounds, and maintenance staff and affiliated costs.
• Extracurricular programs: athletics, clubs, and other activities.

Essential staff positions are funded as follows:

Here is a birds’-eye view of the View Ridge Elementary construction site! Installation is underway for the deep utilities that will run beneath the future school building—an exciting step forward in the project!

Crownhill Elementary, West Hills STEM Academy, and Kitsap Lake Elementary are building stronger connections and school spirit through their House System. Inspired by the Ron Clark Academy, the program “sorts” every student and staff member into a “house”—a smaller community that fosters belonging, teamwork, leadership, and positive school culture.

At Crownhill, students and staff are sorted into five houses—Isibindi (Courage), Amistad (Friendship), Altruismo (Giving), Sollevare (Uplifting), and Réveur (Dreamers)—while Kitsap Lake and West Hills have three additional houses: Nukumori (Kindness), Onraka (Unite) and Protos (Success).

Throughout the year, students earn House Points for positive character, effort, school spirit, and acts of kindness, while participating in activities like family nights, house meetings, and service projects such as campus clean-ups and food and clothing drives. At West Hills, students eat lunch as house groups everyday in a common space!

Houses help students feel part of a personal, supportive community and create leadership opportunities, and students are making meaningful connections across grade levels every day. “The House System consistently contributed to a positive school climate, increased student motivation, strengthened relationships, and supported better attendance and behavior outcomes, said Crownhill teacher Katherine Harris. “It is a foundational part of how we build community, belonging, and leadership in our school.”

The House System continues to grow and evolve at each school, and staff are excited to expand opportunities for students to lead, support one another, and celebrate their school community—together. While the House system may look a little different in each school, the purpose is the same: to create school communities where students feel welcome, known, and valued.

December was a jam packed and exciting meeting with a full house (photo, right)!

The meeting began with board elections. John Hurley will remain President, Karen Bolton will remain Vice-President, Jonee Dubos will remain Auditor and Ben Anderson will now serve as the WIAA Representative.

We were joined by Mayor Wheeler who conducted the Oath of Office for Director Ben Anderson (below, left) and Director Shannon Turner (below, right).

Crownhill Elementary staff and students joined us to introduce the House System and facilitate a House “sorting” experience for Board members. The meeting also included a musical performance by the Armin Jahr Orca Choir (grades 3–5), who performed three songs (see video below).

To conclude the recognition portion of the meeting, Bremerton High School Athletics Director Mitchell Judie presented highlights from the Fall sports season.

The following policies were adopted by the board:

• Policy 2022- Electronic Resources and Internet Safety
• Policy 1630- Evaluation of the Superintendent

The following policies were presented for a first read and approved:

• Policy 1210- Legal Status and Operation
• Policy 3425 - Accommodating Students with Adrenal Insufficiency

The following procedure updates were approved by the board:

• 3416P - Procedure Medication at School
• 4040P- Public Access to District Records

• 2025-26 Hi-Cap Annual Report
• Student Led Conference Report - Fall 2025

• Enrollment Report

Reminder: there is only one board meeting in the month of January. Join us in-person or online!

Questions about board highlights or the board website "Community?" Please contact marlaina.simmons@bremertonschools.org.

If not, you are missing out! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to learn about the many great things happening in the Bremerton School District!

Here are a few highlights from District social media in December!

We "pulled back the curtain" on the magical snowfall in The Nutcracker at Bremerton High School, highlighting how CTE Theatre Design and Stage Technology students have spent decades creating this beloved onstage moment while building real-world technical skills. Learn more!

Nutcracker photo credit: (above, middle) Meegan Reid, Kitsap Sun

See the all-athletics schedule and buy tickets to athletic events at BremertonKnights.org!

Schools and the District Central Office will be closed during winter break December 22-January 2. We look forward to seeing students and staff back in the classroom on Monday, January 5.

Email: communications@bremertonschools.org
Website: www.BremertonSchools.org
Location: 134 Marion Avenue North, Bremerton, WA, USA
Phone: 360-473-1000

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