We Are Bremerton!

As we head into June and close out my first year as superintendent of Bremerton School District, I want to simply say thank you.

Thank you to our students, staff, families, board, and greater Bremerton community for the warm welcome, the honest conversations, and the shared belief that every child deserves opportunity, support, and a future filled with possibility. This year has confirmed what I quickly sensed when arriving here. Bremerton is a resilient, proud, and deeply caring community.

Across our schools, I have seen extraordinary work happening every day. Teachers continue to go above and beyond for students. Support staff build strong relationships and create welcoming environments. Principals lead with heart and purpose. Families continue to partner with us through celebrations and challenges alike.

We are building momentum together. We have a clear plan focused on student success, belonging, high levels of learning, and meaningful opportunities for every student. Bremerton is on the rise.

As we look ahead to graduation ceremonies, promotions, performances, and end of year celebrations, I am filled with optimism and above all, gratitude.

As educator Rita Pierson once said, “Every child deserves a champion. An adult who will never give up on them.”

I see those champions across our district every single day.

Finish this year strong and after we get everyone past the finish line, have a wonderful summer.

Dr. Slade McSheehy

Superintendent

The Bremerton community provides tremendous support to our students and schools all year long. Be Bremerton is our way of giving back and saying “thanks!” Thank you to all the volunteers, to local businesses who opened up their restrooms for our volunteers, and to Seaside Church for providing lunch for all volunteers!

Bremerton School District was incredibly well-represented at this year's Armed Forces Day Parade! It was wonderful seeing so many smiling BSD faces both in the parade lineup and cheering from the sidewalks.

Check out the fantastic photos (online and below) captured by Meegan Reid with the Kitsap Sun, featuring our Kindergarten Countdown bus, BHS NJROTC, the BHS Drill & Dance Team, the combined BHS & MVMS marching band, BHS Cheer (along with their "minis"), and the Armed Forces Day Ambassadors—four of whom are our very own BHS students Evelyn Bevers, Logan Malnar, Keaton Martinez and Quincy Robinson.

BHS's NJROTC BHS also marched in the parade, and BHS Key Club members volunteered to keep the event running smoothly.

Ambassadors serve as community representatives, actively participating in the annual Bremerton Armed Forces Day Festival events and parade.

Ambassadors were recognized at the May Greater Kitsap Chamber luncheon this week. (L-R): junior Evelyn Bevers, senior Keaton Martinez, senior Logan Malnar, and senior Quincy Robinson. The fifth Ambassador (far right) is a Central Kitsap graduate.

May 4-8 was Teacher Appreciation Week—a time to celebrate the remarkable educators who show up every day for the youth in our community.

The impact of a great teacher stretches far beyond the classroom walls. Strong schools build strong communities, and our educators are at the heart of that foundation. Teaching is so much more than lesson plans and grading; it is a profound commitment to shaping the future of our entire community.

Every day, our teachers step up as mentors, innovators, and pillars of support, providing a safe, welcoming environment where every single student has the opportunity to grow.

We want to thank all of our educators for their passion, resilience, and unwavering dedication to our students and community's future. We appreciate you!

Spring is a season of celebration in the Bremerton School District as we honor our students, teachers, and staff. Last week, we hosted a special School Board meeting and reception to celebrate a very important group: our 2026 retirees!

We send our warmest congratulations and most sincere gratitude to all of our retirees. Thank you not just for your years of dedicated service to our district and students, but for being our friends, mentors, and colleagues. You will be deeply missed, but you are forever a part of the Bremerton legacy.

📸 Click here to learn more about our retirees and view photos from the retirement celebration and reception.

Bremerton High School (BHS) has officially been granted accreditation by the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD), joining a select group of schools statewide recognized for meeting high standards of quality and continuous improvement.

While not mandated by the state, BHS chose to pursue this rigorous, year-long review process to ensure our students remain highly competitive for college admissions, scholarships, and military academies. The state panel specifically commended BHS for its strong support of military-connected families, its dedication to an inclusive school culture through restorative practices, and the meaningful collaboration between staff and families.

This six-year accreditation is validation of the hard work happening in our classrooms and an investment in our students’ futures. Click here to read the announcement.

We are making lots of progress on all of our bond program projects! This bond program is not just about buildings; it's about creating modern, safe, and inspiring learning environments that will serve generations of Bremerton students.

• Armin Jahr Elementary (AJ) & View Ridge Elementary Arts Academy (VR): The construction team is rapidly erecting walls and placing structural steel posts. Both buildings are now two stories! The VR staff got to tour the construction site recently (see highlight video below), and Armin Jahr staff will be touring the AJ site next week!

• Consolidated facilities: The site development permit has been submitted, and the team is working toward the next milestone of submitting for a building permit by the beginning of July.

• HVAC Upgrades: Phase 2 bids were received and the final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) has been approved by the School Board. Phase 1 begins this summer with cooling additions to Kitsap Lake, Crownhill, and Naval Avenue Elementaries.

• Renaissance High School: Preliminary planning has officially begun!

Our May 7th meeting began with a wonderful performance by the Armin Jahr Elementary School students. Third grade dual language students performed “This Land is Your Land” by Las Cafeteras, showcasing their talent and celebrating bilingual learning through music.

Following the performance, foreign exchange students from Bremerton High School shared their experiences attending school in Bremerton. Their reflections offered valuable insight into cultural exchange, student life, and the connections being built within our community.

The board then recognized that May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and honor the history, cultures, contributions, and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

They also recognized and approved a resolution proclaiming May 4 through May 8, 2026, as Teacher Appreciation Week in the Bremerton School District.

At the May 21st board meeting, we had the honor of recognizing our retirees with a special reception and presentation.

OTHER NEWS:

• ALE Report
• Bond Program Update
• Procedure Update: 2255P Alternative Learning Experience Courses
• May Enrollment Report

Join us in-person or online!

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

Thursday, May 28
West Sound Technical Skills Center

9 a.m. (morning session) / 11:30 a.m. (afternoon session)

More information

Friday, June 5, 7 p.m.

BHS Performing Arts Center

Learn more

Friday, June 12, 7 p.m.

Memorial Stadium

Learn more

Our summer meals program ensures that all students have access to healthy meals throughout the summer. Kids age 18 or under (or students enrolled in the District, up to age 21) can eat meals and snacks during the summer for no cost at schools, parks, and other neighborhood locations. Please visit our website to download the fliers (English & Spanish) and help us spread the word!

Here are just a few highlights from the past month!

Mountain View Middle School’s Squire Singers present Matilda The Musical Jr.! See the post.

Naval Avenue Elementary students take a journey through the life cycle of a butterfly. See the post.

BHS UNICEF Club raises funds for humanitarian and developmental aid to children in need across the globe. See the post.

Check out our latest Principal Perspective videos!

We are gearing up for year-end event season and the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center calendar is booked with school and community events in June! We invite you to visit https://bhs.bremertonschools.org/pac to see what's happening at the PAC!

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

Subscribe to this newsletter.