We Are Bremerton!

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It is hard to believe we are already closing out September and turning the corner into fall. The mornings are cooler, the leaves are starting to turn, and before long we will be into the holiday season with all the traditions and celebrations that make this time of year so special. Fall has always been a special time for our family, and we are looking forward to welcoming lots of trick or treaters soon. Have you already bought a bag or two of candy? I have always liked waiting until October to get pumpkins, but we also couldn’t resist picking up a few early from Winco to bring some spirit to the porch.

This month I wrapped up the first phase of my entry plan: listening and learning. I have heard from so many of you, families, staff, and students, and one thing is crystal clear. People here care deeply about Bremerton schools. That loyalty and pride is inspiring, and it is easy to see why our district is such a special place. We are seeing positive trends in student learning, and while we know we have more work to do to make sure every child crosses the finish line, we are heading in the right direction. At our new staff orientation, I shared with them that they had hit the jackpot by joining Bremerton, and the more time I spend here, the more I realize I did too.

With gratitude,

Dr. McSheehy

It has been a great first month of school! Here are a few highlights from the first week or so of school!

Bremerton School District is proud to introduce our refreshed brand identity, highlighted by a new district logo that reflects both our history and our future. This launch is the result of a thoughtful, 18-month process shaped by the voices of our staff, students, families, and community members.

The journey began with a district-wide survey and focus groups that helped define the values and aspirations most important to our community. From this feedback, four guiding ideals emerged: being bold and boundless; strong, diverse, and connected; inclusive of all; and steadfast in integrity, trust, and lifelong learning. These ideals served as the foundation for the design process.

Students played an especially important role. Two high school graphic design classes created more than 20 logo concepts, many of which inspired the final design crafted by a professional designer. The finished logo brings together several key elements: a bold “B” with a swirling crest of a wave, a star representing excellence and our military community, a torch symbolizing knowledge, and the district’s founding date.

Our longstanding navy and gold remain at the heart of the brand, ensuring continuity with decades of tradition, while an expanded secondary palette adds flexibility and represents the diverse voices and stories within our schools. Clean, modern fonts enhance the updated identity, balancing professionalism with approachability.

This refreshed brand is more than a new look; it is a tribute to our shared identity, community pride, and collective commitment to every student’s success. Together, we honor our past while boldly embracing the future.

What an exciting time for our entire community! We are thrilled to celebrate the beginning of construction on our two replacement elementary schools, made possible by the incredible support of the Bremerton community who passed the bond in February 2024, funding the replacement of both View Ridge and Armin Jahr Elementaries! A huge thank you to everyone who made this possible. The future is looking bright for our View Ridge Otters, Armin Jahr Orcas, and our entire community!

View Ridge Elementary Arts Academy

Recently the entire View Ridge student body, dedicated staff and Ollie the Otter joined school board members and district leadership for the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new school (being built next to the existing building). We even had a special guest—Mayor Greg Wheeler (pictured below with Ollie)—who attended View Ridge Elementary as a child!

Armin Jahr Elementary

Last week, students and staff from Armin Jahr took a field trip from the Armin Jahr Interim Campus to the site of the new school for a groundbreaking ceremony.

View/download the flyer in English & Spanish.

For recent Bremerton High School graduate Nora Ramstad, coming back to the school district so soon after graduation has been a meaningful full-circle moment. Shortly after walking the graduation stage in June, Nora began interning with OAC Services, the company that has partnered with Bremerton School District to lead important bond projects, including the interim campus at Armin Jahr Elementary School and, eventually, the building of the two new schools.

Nora grew up in the Bremerton School District, forming strong bonds with her teachers and classmates, making her internship especially personal. “My third to fifth-grade teachers are all at Armin Jahr, and I’m honored to have been involved in creating the space where they’ll continue to inspire and uplift our youngest community members. It brings me immense joy to be part of the improvements to our schools in my hometown,” she shared.

During her time with OAC, Nora gained hands-on experience in construction management, from attending project update meetings to assisting with on-site tasks. The internship allowed her to contribute directly to the district that shaped her while exploring a career path she discovered during high school.

Nora is now pursuing a degree in construction management at the University of Washington Tacoma, carrying with her both valuable professional experience and a deep connection to her community. She hopes to continue working on educational facility projects and giving back to the Bremerton community that supported her journey.

Her advice to current students is simple: stay curious and be brave. “Ask questions, seek out mentors, and explore opportunities beyond the classroom. You never know where it might lead.”

Nora’s story highlights the power of community, mentorship, and opportunity, showing just how impactful it can be when graduates return to invest in the schools that first invested in them.

Check out this video of Nora shared on the District Facebook page in August!

BremertonSchools.org/Bond

Board Meeting Highlights for July, August and September

July 10th Meeting:

August 7th Meeting:

Merridith Stevens, Director of Finance, presented the preliminary draft budgets to the Board for their review, questions, and input.

The recommended increase for exempt leadership and support staff for the 2025-26 school year is in alignment with the state-funded cost-of-living adjustment (IPD) provided to all BSD staffing groups were approved.

4040P; Public Access to District Records (procedure) was updated to include the name and pertinent information of the new Public Records Office for the District effective July 1, 2025.

August 21st Meeting:

City of Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler joined the meeting to administer the Oath of Office to Superintendent McSheehy (see photo above).
A public hearing for the 2025/2026 Budget was held and Resolution 2024/2025-33 to adopt the budget was approved.
Policy 2320- Field Trips, Excursions and Outdoor Education was presented for a first read and approved with suggested clarifications.
Policy 6625- Private Vehicle Transportation was presented for a first read and approved.
Bond Program Update

September 4th Meeting

Superintendent Dr. Slade McSheehy administered the Oath of Office to the new Student Representative to the Board, Evelyn Bevers (see photo). Welcome Evelyn!

President Hurley presented Resolution 2025/2026-02, declaring September 2025 as Attendance Awareness Month in our district, and to encourage staff to remind families about the importance of daily attendance.

POLICY NEWS:

Policy 6625- Private Vehicle Transportation was adopted by the board.
2410P - High School Graduation Requirements was updated.
There was a Motion to Withdraw the recommended changes to Policy 2320- Field Trips, Excursions and Outdoor Education

OTHER NEWS:

2024-25 Staff and Student Accident Reports

September 18th Meeting

The board approved the 2025–2026 Board–Superintendent Priorities, which align directly to the District’s five-year Strategic Plan. These annual priorities focus on fiscal solvency and sustainability, student belonging and achievement, and a high-functioning governance team.

The Student Representatives Evelyn Bevers (Junior) and Quincy Robinson (Senior) gave their first update to the board for SY 2025-26.

POLICY NEWS:

The following forms have been updated and are required per Policy and Procedure 2320/2320P, Field Trips, Excursions, and Outdoor Education.

OTHER NEWS:

The 2025/2026 Board Meeting Schedule was revised to change the July meeting date from July 9th to July 23rd.

The revised 2025-26 Sub/On-Call Rates were approved by the board.

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

The next regular Board meeting will be October 2nd

Join us in person or online!

Learn more about the Bremerton School District Board of Directors

Class Reunions

Submit your BHS, RHS, West High or East High reunion information to Communications@BremertonSchools.org!

Bremerton School District

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

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The Bremerton School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employee(s) has been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Carol Bailie at 360.473.1026, or the Section 504 Coordinator, Mark Mayfield at 360.473.4702. Mailing address: 134 Marion Avenue North, Bremerton, WA 98312.

We Are Bremerton!