BSD Staff Updates

The staff newsletter is now monthly, distributed around the middle of every month.

We are excited to highlight 1995 Bremerton High School graduate James (Jaime) Quick! Following his time as a BHS student and athlete, Jaime earned degrees in Elementary Education and Political Science. Inspired by his Bremerton upbringing and a commitment to racial and educational equity, Jaime and his wife co-founded the ChangeUp Foundation in 2020.

The 100% volunteer-run organization—whose board also includes BHS Class of ’95 alum Kelly Herkert-Cannady and retired BSD teacher Susan Walker—is dedicated to helping BIPOC students from BHS attend and succeed in college.

Impact at a Glance:

• $108,000+ raised through grassroots community donations.

• 10 ChangeUp Scholars supported to date, with 3 college graduates and 8 active four-year renewable scholarships!

Help ChangeUp win $40,000 for BHS students: The ChangeUp Foundation is up for a major award from BECU that includes $40,000 to fund their mission and support our Knights! 👉It only takes a moment to cast your vote for the ChangeUp Foundation here: https://www.becu.org/members-matter/community-involvement/people-helping-people (Be sure to check out their video when you vote, too!)

View/download the above graphics here.

Every day in the Bremerton School District, amazing moments unfold across our classrooms and buildings. You don’t need record-breaking achievements or headline news to submit a spotlight—we simply want to give our community a genuine glimpse inside our schools and celebrate the great work happening every day!

Whether it's a creative classroom lesson, a quiet win, a fun student or alumni milestone, or a staff member going above and beyond, we want to highlight both the big and the little moments.

Our theme this year is "Let's celebrate our students, staff, and schools every day!"—and we need your help to do it.

Got a moment, story, or photo to share? Fill out the quick District Spotlight Form so we can celebrate your school and share our BSD story!

1. www.BremertonSchools.org/Spotlight
2. In your Google Chrome staff shortcut menu >>>
3. In the Communications Hub (www.BremertonSchools.org/commshub) - or look for the big yellow button on the FOR STAFF webpage.
4. In every monthly staff newsletter

The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Program’s annual open enrollment runs from 12 a.m. on October 26, 2026, through 11:59 p.m. on November 23.

Open enrollment is when you can make changes to your health plans and benefit enrollment. The changes you make during open enrollment will take effect on January 1, 2027. This means your current enrollment stays the same through December 31, 2026.

During annual open enrollment, you can:

• Change your medical plan
• Change your dental and vision plans (if applicable – not all employers offer PEBB dental and vision coverage)
• Add or remove dependents
• Attest to the spouse or state-registered domestic partner coverage premium surcharge for 2027 (if required)
• Enroll in medical coverage if you previously waived coverage
• Waive your medical coverage if you are enrolled in another employer-based group medical plan, TRICARE, or Medicare Part A and Part B

Learn more about open enrollment on the PEBB open enrollment webpage and in the October For Your Benefit newsletter.

Use these online tools and guides to help you throughout open enrollment.

• Open enrollment webpage: Find forms, benefits comparisons, what’s changing, premiums, and what you need to do.
• Compare medical plans: Compare up to three medical plans.
• New! PEBB Medical Plan Quality Report Card: See how the PEBB medical insurance carriers and their health providers compare in clinical quality.
• Benefits fairs: Attend a fair in person to learn about your benefits.
• Virtual benefits fair: Learn about your benefits options online.
• Benefits 24/7: Sign in to Benefits 24/7 to make changes and attest to the spouse or state-registered domestic partner coverage premium surcharge. (Pierce County employees use Workday.)

Every fall, the Bremerton School District applies for Federal Impact Aid from the U.S. Department of Education. These funds yield roughly $300,000 annually to support basic education programs for all students districtwide, helping replace local tax dollars lost because many of our families live or work on tax-exempt federal property.

Because funding depends on accurate annual counts, it is critical that every family (one form per household) completes and signs the Impact Aid form. Additionally, our count of military-connected students helps us secure supplemental grants from the Department of Defense (DoDEA).

• Collection window: October 26-December 17 (schools decide their own timing within that window)

• Packets will be provided for every classroom and homeroom teacher with PINK forms, instructions and a tracking sheet.

• Forms will be sent home with the youngest student in the family.

• The District is offering the $100 classroom incentive for teachers who collect 100% of their forms.

Watch for details from your principal and/or OC!

West Sound Tech loves to have staff or anyone willing come in for some pampering while supporting these student's hands-on learning!

Check out the Esthetics program brochure here for hours, services and pricing! They also have Spa Nights as class fundraisers where they offer facials and other services later in the afternoon/evening for those that have a hard time coming by during the day. Appointments are still required and they fill up fast so keep an eye out!

At the next spa night, November 17th 4-7pm there should also be students available for Lash Lifts/Tints and Brow Lamination/Tints for $35, with a $5 discount for prepayment! These appointments will not book until the beginning of the month.

Want to book with a group? They offer a discount on facials for groups of 5 or more and might even be able to arrange a special after school session for a group larger than 20!

The Cosmetology program offers a range of services as well - check out their pricing here!

This year, a brand new culinary program is also unveiling as part of the renovations at WST. Staff have the opportunity to order box lunches for pick-up at lunch time! The order form is here and includes some more directions on the process, as the program finds its feet they expect toe xpand offerings as well.

Check out West Sound Tech's website here to see what else they have to offer!

WYCA is a FREE, 22‑week residential credit‑retrieval program in Bremerton serving Washington students ages 15½–18 who are behind in school or at risk of not graduating. Our next class begins January 11, 2027, and admissions are first‑come, first‑served.

Cadets can recover up to 8.0 high‑school credits (OSPI‑approved, taught by certificated teachers) and return to their home high school better positioned to graduate.

For school teams:

Please encourage eligible students to apply and help them gather a current unofficial transcript showing credit deficiency and a Graduation Requirement Checklist from the counselor.

Learn more & apply: How to Apply
Program overview: Youth Academy
Family resource (PDF): Parent Handbook
Admissions: WYA.Applications@mil.wa.gov | (877) 228‑8947

There are two more classes in October with openings! Click the links below to sign-up!

10/21/2026 2:15PM

10/28/2026 2:15PM

Check out our class offerings or check if your position is required to be certified on our website here: https://www.bremertonschools.org/staffcpr.

Questions about getting signed up can be directed to Erin Leighton: Erin.Leighton@BremertonSchools.org

• Click here to log in to SkywardQ
• Instructions for logging-in were sent out via email from Nik Gautam on Tuesday, August 11. Click the "Sign In with ENTRA" button to get started.
• Staff resources are linked from the for staff page of the website! Need help? Please check these resources FIRST.
• Still need help? Submit a help desk ticket!

• Staff can log-in to the ParentSquare app on any mobile device or access their account using a desktop computer (www.ParentSquare.com). Please use your BSD staff email to activate your account.
• Use the QR codes below to download the app on your mobile device.
• If you are having an issue or need additional access/permissions in ParentSquare, please submit a request HERE (rather than sending an email). THANK YOU!

In case you've missed the weekly emails or need a refresher, you can view all ParentSquare Tips of the Week in the Communications Hub.

On September 17th, the board approved the 2026/2027 Board and Superintendent Goals and Priorities.

On October 1st, Mr. David McBride, OAC Services, presented the purchase order request from Rice Fergus Miller for Renaissance High School Relocation Feasibility Assessment

Project. The request was approved by the board.

The district and board also recognized and passed resolutions for Disability Awareness Month and School Principals Month.

POLICY NEWS:

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

• Policy 3246- Restraint, Isolation and Other Uses of Reasonable Force

• Policy 3124- Removal or Release of Students During School Hours

The following policies were adopted by the board:

• Policy 2161- Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

• Policy 2410- High School Graduation Requirements

• Policy 3120- Enrollment

• Policy 3115 Students Experiencing Homelessness- Enrollment Rights and Services

The following procedure and form were adopted by the board:

• Procedure 2161P- Special Education and Related Services for Eligible Students

• 3207-F Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying Incident Reporting Form

Reminder - November will only have one School Board meeting on November 12th.

Join us in-person or online!

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

Our local VFW Post 239 is looking for nominations of teachers for their teacher of the year! They are looking for nominations for all grade levels so if you know someone deserving, get it in! They have a brochure with info and directions, and a nomination form here.

The final deadline is October 31, but the sooner the better! They are hoping to pass long nominations to other posts unable to nominate a class group for maximum recognition.

Our 15-month master’s program has a comprehensive focus on children’s social and emotional well-being, combining a broad foundation in child psychology with an emphasis on evidence-based treatment and prevention of mental health disorders. Also, for those seeking to become a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Washington, our program is designed to equip graduates with the foundational competencies to meet licensing requirements.

Check out their flyer here!

Nominations can be made here and they will remain open until December 1. Download the flyer here.

The new District logo, brand guide and other resources (ie: electronic letterhead and Google Slide templates) are in a shared folder that all staff can access (if logged-in to their BSD staff email). Please do not use the new logo without first reviewing the Brand Guide.

Click here for instructions on adding the new District font to Google and Word! Thank you!

Email: communications@bremertonschools.org

Website: www.BremertonSchools.org
Phone: 360-473-1000
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