SBLSD News
Oct. 20, 2022
This morning, students and staff participated in the Great Shakeout annual earthquake safety drill. Here are some Liberty Ridge Elementary students practicing to drop, cover and hold on!
The Great Shakeout is held at 10:20 a.m. on 10/20 every year, with millions of people across Washington state practicing earthquake safety at the same time. Learn more at shakeout.org/washington.
For the safety of students and staff, all SBLSD schools perform emergency drills every month, which include fire/evacuation, lockdown, earthquake and shelter-in-place drills.
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District is committed to a safe and civil educational environment for all students, employees, parents/guardians, volunteers, and patrons that is free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying. See below for some of the ways our schools are recognizing the impact of bullying this month.
Bonney Lake Elementary: In an effort to make sure all students feel safe, respected and included, BLE’s school counselor is visiting each classroom to present expectations around bullying, harassment and intimidation. Each lesson is developmentally appropriate so that students can understand what bullying is, what it isn’t, and what students should do if they are experiencing a bullying situation.
Crestwood Elementary: CWE’s school counselor is teaching classroom lessons on how to recognize, report, and refuse to let bullying happen to themselves or others. The first step is to recognize what bullying is and what it isn’t. Students often get confused between bullying and conflicts, both of which can result in hurt feelings. When conflicts arise, it provides an opportunity for students to practice their problem-solving skills.
Donald Eismann Elementary: DEE is kicking off a kindness campaign. As part of social emotional learning, their students have learned how to recognize, refuse and report behaviors that are unkind. More importantly, they are teaching kindness and respect so that students can stomp out situations where others are making unexpected or poor choices.
Emerald Hills Elementary: Each of EHE’s classroom teachers will be incorporating age-appropriate conversations and lessons supporting their schoolwide theme of “Be Here…Be You…Belong.” This month, EHE is also hosting the IDEA Project – a nonprofit organization that provides interactive disability education awareness in schools. The IDEA Project addresses the need to create empathy among students, understanding of their peers with disabilities, and promise school cultures of inclusion across all students.
Lakeridge Middle School: This month, LMS Principal Udager reminded 6th graders how to make Lakeridge a WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) school as a follow up to the harassment, intimidation and bullying lesson in advisory.
We invite students in all grades to create original artwork for use in promoting the 2023 STEM Fair, a districtwide event featuring activities and displays from the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
The winning student or students will be acknowledged in all promotional materials and will receive special recognition at the STEM Fair, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25.
All artwork must be original by the student without help from others and must be 6 x 6 inches or smaller. Be sure to check out the full contest rules and judging components. Submission deadline is Nov. 18. Please submit entries to your child's school.
SBLSD’s Future Ready promise comes with a commitment to promote a district culture of fair and inclusive practices, where each student receives equitable access to the opportunities, resources and supports to succeed and thrive. Achieving this commitment honors our deeply held belief that equity is achieved when each student receives what they need to graduate prepared for success after high school.
We asked Equity Director Josh Agpalza what equity looks like to him. He said that when he thinks of equity, he thinks of renowned author and educator Zaretta Hammond, who said that “Equity is making sure that every student is a powerful learner.”
“What that means is ensuring that all students are meeting their academic potential with high support, engaging students in rigor, creating a learning environment that sparks curiosity, and removing barriers that impede on student success in the classroom,” said Agpalza.
Check out the video below and learn more at sumnersd.org/futureready.
The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District regularly reminds voters of upcoming elections and registration deadlines. Next month is Pierce County’s general election.
- Oct. 21: Ballots mailed
- Oct. 31: Deadline to register to vote online or by mail
- Nov. 8: Return your ballot by mail or at a ballot drop box
Learn more at piercecountywa.gov/elections.
