Spanaway Elementary

IMPORTANT DATES
May 22: No School (unused snow make-up day)
May 25: Memorial Day – No School
June 1: Late Arrival Day
June 8: Elem/MS/HS Grade Prep – Early Dismissal, Grades K-12
No school for SLHS due to early graduation ceremony
June 11: Last Day of School – Early Dismissal, Grades K-12
May is: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Monthly Calendar Graphics 25-26

You can find the full district calendar at https://www.bethelsd.org/about-our-district/district-calendar
Paraeducator Hiring Event: August 5, 2026
We’re hosting a hiring event geared towards Special Education Paraeducators, including 1:1 Instructional Paras! Come join our team to support teachers and students in special education classrooms. Responsibilities include assisting with classroom activities, working one-on-one or in small groups with students, and supervising student activities. These part-time roles are perfect for parents, grandparents and community members looking for work that aligns with school schedules. Enjoy working the same days students attend school, with the same breaks off, and make a difference in students’ lives. The next hiring event will be on August 5 from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Educational Service Center (516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387).

Upcoming School Board Meetings
School Board meetings begin at 7 p.m. and will be held at Bethel School District's Educational Service Center (ESC), 516 176th St. E., Spanaway, WA 98387 unless otherwise noted. The public is welcome! To join via Zoom, visit https://bethelsd.diligent.community/portal/
May 26: School Board Meeting
June 9: School Board Meeting
June 23: School Board Meeting
FAMILY REMINDERS
Annual ParentVUE Student-Family Update
When you log in to ParentVUE, you'll be prompted to complete the 2026-27 Student/Family Update. This yearly update is crucial for planning bus routes and other details for next school year. Click here to learn more: https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/parentvue-student-family-update

NEW ParentVUE App is here!
We're excited to announce that the new ParentVUE app is available for download! This is a new version of the app you use to submit student absences, communicate with teachers, and check grades. Your login credentials will remain the same. The current ParentVUE app will stop working on August 1, 2026, so it's important to download the new version before then to avoid any interruptions. https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/enrollmenttransferstranscripts/parentvue

Graduation Livestreams
Congratulations to the Class of 2026! You’ll be able to watch all of our ceremonies at https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/graduation-livestreams
DISTRICT NEWS
Episode 176: State-of-the-art welding and athletic excellence
On this week's podcast, we explore how Bethel is preparing students for life after graduation, including a new state-of-the-art welding class! We also highlight the success of our Unified Sports teams and the positive impact athletics has on a student's GPA. As always, we'll include a bit of wit and trivia at no additional charge, exploring the surprising midwest origins of a global icon and the Guinness World Record secrets that Seattle holds. New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Check us out wherever you listen to podcasts and be sure to like, comment, subscribe, and share with a friend! bethelsd.org/podcast

Say the word and do the motion!
First grade is a whirlwind of new skills! In this class, co-taught by Dena Mariano and Brianna Kangas, they are using a secret weapon for our multilingual students: Movement! By pairing every new word with a motion, Dena and Brianna create an environment where newcomers​ to English can participate in complex history and writing lessons on their very first day. ​It's a strategy that is helping all students excel! Watch these young learners turn vocabulary into action! https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/news-article/~board/headlines/post/say-the-word-do-the-motion

Lowney on Location: Bethel Middle School
With the end of school just a calendar page away, Superintendent Brian Lowney goes on location to chat with one of our spectacular student-athletes about her time at Bethel Middle, and what the future holds for her at the new Bethel High this fall. https://youtu.be/a5p-aw2v-4U

How athletics fuel higher GPAs
Did you know that student-athletes in our schools maintain GPAs nearly half a point higher than students who don’t participate in activities? These students are also seeing higher attendance and graduation rates as well. And every athletic opportunity our students have is made possible by our community. The Educational Programs & Operations Levy is the backbone of our athletics program. It ensures our students have the tools to succeed both on the field and in life. Thank you, voters! https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/news-article/~board/headlines/post/how-athletics-fuel-higher-gpas

Heart and Soul
Well, if this doesn’t warm your heart, we don’t know what will! Melissa McCoy, who is one of our amazing school nurses, surprised her son, a Bethel High senior named Tyler, at his school talent show. Melissa coaxed Tyler up to the stage to perform a beautiful duet of Heart and Soul. In addition to being a fantastic pianist, Tyler is also Bethel’s varsity wrestling team captain. Great job, both of you! https://www.facebook.com/reel/1253419833258373

2026/27 Elementary Battle of the Books list
The Elementary Battle of the Books titles for 2026/27 have just been announced! Whether you want to compete next year, or are simply looking for your next great read, this link is for you! https://www.bethelsd.org/programs-departments/library-elementary/elementary-battle-of-the-books

Frontier Middle School Choir sings National Anthem at Mariners
What an amazing honor! The Frontier Middle School Show Choir was picked to perform the National Anthem at a Seattle Mariners game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79hjoN0gYwU

Expedition thanks its community
The leadership students at Expedition Elementary recently took a stroll through the neighborhood to share some appreciation with the community. They spent their afternoon hand-delivering flowers and thank you cards to the houses surrounding the school. Whether they got to chat with a neighbor at the door or leave a surprise on a porch, the students loved getting the chance to say thank you for being a part of the district. Great job! https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/news-article/~board/headlines/post/students-thank-the-community-national-board-teachers-and-more

Liberty Middle Choir performs at Rainiers
The Liberty Middle School choirs sang the National Anthem at a Tacoma Rainiers game! Way to represent! https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/news-article/~board/headlines/post/students-thank-the-community-national-board-teachers-and-more

Pierce County Youth Climate Festival and Art Competition
Congratulations to Bethel High School students Aubree, Adriana, and José for being named finalists at Sunday's Pierce County Youth Climate Festival and Art Competition at UW Tacoma! We love seeing our students use their creativity to engage with important community issues. https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/news-article/~board/headlines/post/students-thank-the-community-national-board-teachers-and-more

Board Meeting Recap: May 12, 2026
At last week’s School Board meeting, the Board received an update on our athletics program, along with the annual Asset Preservation Program report, a key requirement for maintaining eligibility in the State Construction Assistance Program. The Board reviewed and approved the curriculum for Welding 1 & 2 and Introduction to Agriculture for students in grades 9-12. Additionally, the Board reviewed two policies for first reading and further study. You can see the full agenda and watch the meeting here: https://bethelsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=574

National Board Teachers
Congratulations to two of our amazing educators who recently earned their National Board Certification, the highest professional credential an educator can earn! Jacklyn Brendible, an agricultural science teacher at Bethel High School, and Clarisa Dearinger, a school counselor at Kapowsin Elementary, achieved the designation after completing a rigorous, voluntary assessment process that takes up to three years to complete. Both honorees demonstrate a deep commitment to continuous improvement and student success across our district. https://www.bethelsd.org/resources/news-article/~board/headlines/post/students-thank-the-community-national-board-teachers-and-more

A different path to a diploma
The Bethel Acceleration Academy recently graduated 66 students! The BAA is a hybrid learning pathway, pairing online classes with in-person academic coaching. “These fine young people have persevered through health issues, family challenges, homelessness, poverty and other situations that could have ended any hope they had of graduating from high school,” said BAA Director Kevin Torres. You can read more at:
https://edtechchronicle.com/washington-students-found-a-different-path-to-a-high-school-diploma/
COMMUNITY NEWS
Sustainability events with the Puyallup Tribe: May 28
The Puyallup Tribe has some events coming up as part of their Sustainability Program. You can learn more and register here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019c779dc31476e8a38db24fde5f7d97

Smartsheet Forms

A LONG TIME AGO IN A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY....

★ BRYAN FORSBERG ★

WAS BORN

IN A TIME OF GREAT ADVENTURE,
HIS STORY BEGAN...

AND THE LEGEND CONTINUES..

https://app.smore.com/n/405f2

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