Sumner Middle School Update
4/15/26
In This Update
Lahar Evacuation Drill, April 23
Upcoming Survey Asks for Student Feedback
SMS Focuses on Success: State Testing Schedule
Parent Review Night for HIV/AIDS Prevention, May 14, 4:30-6:00pm
Stay Connected!
Lahar Evacuation Drill, April 23
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District is participating in a regional lahar exercise, which is designed to test and improve the ability to evacuate or shelter students and staff in the event of an incoming lahar from Mount Rainier.
On April 23 at approximately 9:30 am, students attending Sumner Middle School, and other schools in the Sumner valley, will physically evacuate their school building. Students will walk a designated emergency evacuation route, safely escorted by school staff.
If you do not want your child to participate, you may opt out of the lahar exercise by completing and returning this form (Spanish | Russian | Ukrainian) to Sumner Middle by April 21.
What to expect
Under staff supervision, with assistance from local police personnel, students will follow a designated evacuation route on flat, paved sidewalks with one street lane closed.
Students will complete about 80 percent of the route, stopping before gaining significant elevation with an end at the Gordon Family YMCA (16101 64th St E).
Buses will transport students back to their school where they’ll complete the remainder of their school day as normal. Total time for the drill is approximately one hour.
The District’s participation in this regional lahar exercise, known to be the largest of its kind worldwide, includes surrounding school districts, cities, towns and emergency management agencies. SBLSD has worked closely with the Sumner Police and Public Works departments to coordinate this exercise to ensure the utmost safety of everyone involved.
For questions or more information about this lahar drill, contact Sumner Middle School at (253) 891-5000.
Upcoming Survey Asks for Student Feedback
In striving to provide the best possible education for all students, we value feedback to help us continually improve. We’ll soon be conducting a Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) survey with students in grades 4 through 12 and school district staff.
Students will take the survey in their science class on Friday, April 24.
The multiple choice surveys, available in multiple languages, will ask questions around the topics of support, safety, trust, environment and equity.
If you wish to opt your child out of this survey, please contact our main office at 253-891-5000 or at sms@sumnersd.org.
SMS Focuses on Success: State Testing Schedule
Our staff is proud of the growth our students have made this year. In late April and throughout May, students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning by taking the state assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. Eighth-grade students will also take the science assessment in their science classes.
We use state assessment results to help inform decisions about students’ course placements and to identify any additional supports they may need.
These assessments also provide valuable practice, as students will be required to pass state assessments in high school in order to graduate.
Testing schedule
ELA SBA in ELA classes: April 28-May 8
8th grade ONLY science assessment in 8th grade science classes: May 12-May 15
Math SBA in math classes: May 19-May 29
To help your child do their best on these tests, make sure your child:
gets plenty of sleep the night before
eats a healthy breakfast
gets to school on time
brings a charged chromebook and pencil
brings a positive, can-do attitude!
Parent Review Night for HIV/AIDS Prevention, May 14, 4:30-6:00pm
Washington State law requires that every student receives Comprehensive Sexual Health education, including HIV/AIDs prevention education, in grades 6 through 12. Because this unit covers sensitive topics, Washington State law and SBLSD board policy require that parents are provided the opportunity to preview these lessons and excuse their student from these lessons if they wish.
The district is hosting a Curriculum Review Night to give parents and guardians of students currently enrolled in 6th grade science and 7th/8th grade Skills for Life the opportunity to preview the Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS prevention instructional materials and ask questions about the resources used in the classroom.
Curriculum Preview Night: May 14, 4:30-6:00 p.m. Sumner-Bonney Lake School District Administration Building, Board Room
The information below outlines how a parent or guardian may review materials and, if they choose, request an excusal for their student in accordance with state law.
Human Growth and Development (Puberty): Taught in the 6th Grade Science & 7th, and 8th Grade Skills for Life
In accordance with RCW 28A.300.475, a parent or guardian may excuse their student from human growth and development instruction upon written request to the building principal and/or classroom teacher. Previewing instructional materials is not required in order to request an excusal.
HIV/AIDS Prevention Education: Taught in the 6th Grade Science & 7th, and 8th Grade Skills for Life
Under RCW 28A.230.070, state law requires that parents or guardians attend one of the district’s information sessions in order to request that their student be excused from AIDS prevention education. Following attendance at the Curriculum Preview Night, you will have the opportunity to excuse your student from these lessons. If you are unable to attend the preview event and you wish to view the resources, please contact Instructional Services at (253) 891-6065 to schedule a viewing appointment.
Stay connected with SMS’s Booster Parent Group!
Connect with SMS Boosters and learn how to support SMS students and staff
Booster Store - purchase SMS gear at the Booster store
Facebook – Sumner Middle School Boosters Club https://www.facebook.com/Sumnermiddleschoolboosterclub/
Instagram @smsbobcatsboosters
Email – smsboosters@gmail.com
Fred Meyer Community Rewards – link your card; search for us by name or by our non-profit #84696. IMPORTANT: You still earn your Reward Points & Rebates!
Stay connected with Sumner Middle School!
Important SMS Information:
Call or visit: Our offices are open Monday - Friday, 7:00am to 3:30pm during the school year. Visit us or call 253-891-5000.
Parents/guardians may schedule conferences with teachers/counselors at a mutually agreed upon time.
Email: A majority of our communication to families will be via electronic newsletters/emails. Please check Family Access to make sure we have a valid email address for you.
Follow us on Facebook
As always, please contact us if you have any questions or need support/assistance. Thank you for partnering with us!
ATTENDANCE: sally_villalobos@sumnersd.org
REGISTRAR: cheryl_jessop@sumnersd.org
MAIN OFFICE: sms@sumnersd.org
Jenny Williams, Principal, jenny_williams@sumnersd.org
Dave Johnson, Assistant Principal, dave_johnson@sumnersd.org
Tomas Morales, Dean of Students, tomas_morales@sumnersd.org
Cassie Waddle, Athletic Coordinator, cassandra_waddle@sumnersd.org
Shawna Eklund, Counselor for students with last name A-K, shawna_eklund@sumnersd.org
Donna Knutsen, Counselor for students with last name L-Z, donna_knutsen@sumnersd.org