Sparks were flying at Pierce County Skills Center's Summer School!
BOND UPDATE: Local bonds
In 2019, our voters approved a School Construction Bond to build new schools and renovate and expand old ones. Bond funding is kept separate from the rest of the district’s budget, including our levies that need to be renewed every four years. As the saying goes: Bonds are for Building, Levies are for Learning. Learn more at bethelsd.org/bond
Bethel High School
Thank you, voters! The last piece of structural steel is in place and the football field is turfed! Construction on the New Bethel High School broke ground over a year ago and is
scheduled to be completed in 2026.
Evergreen Elementary
The much needed expansion of Evergreen Elementary is nearing completion. The bond-funded project is adding 10,000 square feet to the school, which includes 10 additional classrooms and a new commons area. It is scheduled to be completed by this fall.
What will happen to the old Naches Trail Elementary?
Evergreen students and staff spent the past year in the old Naches Trail building while the Evergreen remodel
took place. The old Naches Trail is now being evaluated for future use. Ideas under consideration include office space, training areas, and/or a community center. Since the district utilized state matching funds to build the New Naches Trail, due to state law, the old building can’t be used as a permanent school site. As there was money in the bond to tear down the old Naches Trail, that money could be used instead for any construction/ remodeling projects at the site.
NEW Cedarcrest Middle School
Originally planned as a modernization and expansion under the 2019 Bond, careful planning and additional state
The new Bethel High School is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
The remodeled and expanded Evergreen Elementary
bonds build local schools ThankVoters!you,
funding will now allow for a full rebuild of Cedarcrest Middle School.
Built in 1982, Cedarcrest is one of the district’s older schools. At just under 88,000 square feet, it is comparable in size to our modern elementary schools and no longer meets our community’s needs.
“Education has changed significantly in the last 40 years,” said Cedarcrest Principal Hans Nelson, “A space that is designed for intentional learning, that is designed for student success, that’s designed in a way that will make our community feel proud … that’s what it’s time for.”
The new three-story building will be nearly 123,000 square feet, featuring 39 classrooms and capacity for 850 students, up from the current 700.
Construction is set to begin in summer 2026, coinciding with Bethel High School students moving into their new building. Cedarcrest students will temporarily relocate to the old BHS for two years.
The new Cedarcrest is scheduled to open in the fall of 2028.
“I think it’s really going to be something our community can be proud of,” Nelson said.
Moving a middle school into a much larger high school requires a lot of planning to make strategic use of the space. Nelson was thankful for our Capital Projects Team, which has already been helping him plan for that change.
“It was several months ago that they got me schematics to Bethel High School and walked me around the building,” he said.
The new Cedarcrest is scheduled to open in the fall of 2028.
“I think it’s really going to be something our community can be proud of,” Nelson said.
Elementary will open its doors this fall!
Construction on the new Cedarcrest Middle School is scheduled to begin in 2026!
In July, our School Board held a third Study Session to discuss the upcoming renewal of our Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) Levy and our Technology Capital Levy.
As a reminder, our EP&O Levy makes up 11% of our district’s budget. It helps pay for critical things like safety and security, special education programs, and extra transportation costs – items the state does not fully fund. Levy dollars also provide opportunities for students. It gives them the chance to be creative in a visual arts class; to perform in band, choir, and orchestra; and to participate in team sports and other extracurriculars.
The Technology Capital Levy has allowed every student in our district to have access to a personal iPad for nearly a decade. Using the iPads in classrooms has improved our students' technological literacy, enhanced their opportunities for creativity, and leveled the playing field for children of all socioeconomic backgrounds. The Technology Levy also pays for internet and wireless systems in our schools, mobile hotspots for students without internet access, tech support, educational software, hardware, servers, and more.
At their July Study Session, the Board also discussed the possibility of a future bond.
Local levies support
What would be on a future bond?
During the 2023/24 school year, we convened a Facility Advisory Committee to look into the needs of the district. The committee was made up of parents, community members, business owners, school and district staff, as well as School Board members.
To determine what you pay in local taxes, take the assessed value of your home and divide it by $1,000. Multiply the answer by the tax rate.
the expansion/modernization of five other schools, security and safety improvements, as well as field, turf and track improvements. If all of that was put into a new bond, the price tag was estimated to be $361 million.
How much do I pay in school taxes each year?
For 2025 the total cost of your local school taxes is $3.86 per $1,000 assessed value. That includes the EP&O Levy, the Technology Capital Levy, and the 2019 School Construction Bond.
To determine what you pay in local school taxes, take the assessed value of your home and divide it by $1,000. Multiply the answer by the tax rate.
You can find your home’s assessed value at the Pierce County Assessor's website. For example, a home with an assessed value of $400,000 divided by 1,000 is 400. 400 multiplied by a 3.86 tax rate gives you 1,544. $1,544 would be the amount someone with a $400,000 home is currently paying in 2025 for local school taxes.
Examples of potential 2026 ballot measures
The Facility Advisory Committee studied and evaluated the overall condition of the district’s facilities and needs for projected growth. The final committee recommendations included a new elementary school,
At the July Study Session, Superintendent Brian Lowney presented three potential examples of ballot measures to the School Board, all of which included renewing the EP&O Levy and the Technology Capital Levy.
support local kids
Example 1:
On the ballot: Renewing the EP&O Levy and Technology Capital Levy
Example 2:
On the ballot: Renewing the EP&O Levy and Technology Capital Levy, adding a new $361 million School Construction Bond.
Example 3
On the ballot: Renewing the EP&O Levy and Technology Capital Levy, adding a $45 million Capital
Construction Levy to allow the district to take care of critical infrastructure repairs to maintain our current facilities.
Each of these examples would impact the local tax rate in different ways.
What’s next?
The School Board will continue studying their options and will have more discussions this fall. As always, their job is to balance the needs of the district with their fiscal responsibilities
to our local taxpayers. A resolution from the Board is required to place a measure on the ballot. We are expecting a resolution sometime this fall for a possible February 2026 Special Election.
You can learn more about our EP&O Levy and our Technology Capital Levy at bethelsd.org/levy.
You can stay up to date on our current bond construction projects funded by the 2019 School Construction Bond at bethelsd.org/bond.
Growing bilingual, culturally aware global citizens
Nearly a decade ago, a group of kindergartners took their first steps into a new kind of classroom. Today, they’re multilingual and fluent in the power of possibility.
Those students – who recently finished their freshman year at Spanaway Lake High School – are the first full cohort to move through our district’s Dual Language program from kindergarten to high school. Along the way, they’ve gained more than just reading, writing, and speaking skills in two languages. They’ve also built cultural connections and opened doors to future careers and opportunities.
Iliana Ruiz, a Dual Language teacher at SLHS, has been there to guide them through this latest chapter.
“It’s the first cohort that came all the way from kindergarten,” Ruiz said. “They arrived at high school with a good foundation of Spanish.”
That foundation, she explained, allows her to take her teaching to the next level.
“Our job as educators here at the high school level is to develop and enhance more of those skills they already have,” she said. “I want my students to be able to use Spanish not only as a language, but as a tool of communication, so they can become leaders in the community.”
The Dual Language program in Bethel is built around that vision –creating not just bilingual students, but culturally aware global citizens. Students spend years learning in both English and Spanish, becoming fluent in both by middle school, and continuing to deepen their literacy and
cultural learning in high school.
Leslie has been in the program since the beginning. She was used to hearing both languages at home and says the trickiest part now is managing the details that make each language unique.
“(The hardest part) is probably just keeping a balance between both languages,” she said. “Because many things are different from one language to another – spelling, punctuation, all that.”
For Ruiz, the Dual Language program at the high school level goes far beyond the technical aspects of mastering a language.
Leslie remembers vividly, even from her earliest years in the program.
“A lot of the cultural nights that take place throughout all the years I’ve been in Dual Language have been really fun,” she said. “Just seeing your culture come alive in another place, even though that’s not its origin.”
Those events, along with the day-today classroom conversations, have helped create a sense of pride and belonging that stays with students long after the school day ends. And when they graduate, they’ll leave with more than just pride: They’ll leave with tangible advantages.
Dual Language graduates are truly bilingual, with the potential to earn the
“I want my students to be able to use Spanish not only as a language, but as a tool of communication, so they can become leaders in the community.”
-Iliana Ruiz, SLHS
“I think the Dual Language program here at high school isn’t just about language, not just grammar,” she said. “That’s a big piece, but cultural learning is deeper. We focus on identity, history, social and political issues. So the classroom becomes a safe space of reflection for students to have that conversation, so they can be able to connect with their own identities.”
That cultural connection is something
Washington State Seal of Biliteracy. They can apply for scholarships specifically for bilingual students, access study abroad opportunities, and pursue jobs that require language skills.
“I always tell my students that being bilingual lets them help twice the number of people,” Ruiz said. “So they’re going to be leaders in their communities and help different populations.”
At a recent School Board meeting, the Department of Elementary Teaching and Learning reviewed the process behind choosing a new elementary ELA curriculum, which culminated in the selection of Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) by Amplify, which was approved by the Board.
A new curriculum was needed because our current Elementary ELA curriculum was discontinued.
The adoption process took more than a year and included teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators; an extensive piloting process; and the collection of feedback from teachers, students, and families.
Deputy Superintendent Dr. David Hammond said that part was critical. “Making sure the process includes a range of voices, reflects the needs of both students and staff, leads to a curriculum that really fits our community,” he said.
An equity lens was applied throughout the process to ensure that the curriculum selected would provide all students – regardless of their background, language, or ability –
New ELA Curriculum will benefit ALL students
with access to high-quality, culturally responsive instruction and the foundational literacy skills needed for long-term academic success.
The result is, “A curriculum that is not only an excellent fit for our students, but also a strong fit for our teachers and families as well,” said Hammond.
A curriculum review team made up of teachers, building and district leaders began meeting in January of 2024 and narrowed down the available options to two.
Fifty pilot teachers then joined the team – two teachers from each elementary school, including three PLC teams and Dual Language teachers. The pilot teachers tested out the top two curricula options starting in the fall of 2024 and evaluated the curricula using teacher-created rubrics and the OSPI Bias Screener.
Abigail Roque Gaspar was one of the pilot teachers. She teaches 4th grade Dual Language and spoke to the School Board about the engagement and rigor the new curriculum offers. She also said it pairs very well with their Spanish curriculum. “We’ve been in dire need of two curriculums
that talk to one another,” she said. “Personally I think it will benefit Dual Language students, but ultimately, all students within Bethel School District.”
The new ELA curriculum aligns with our strategic plan and will help students build knowledge and foundational skills. It’s a pretty popular curriculum in Washington too – 53 districts currently use it and, six other districts piloted and adopted it at the same time we were.
Pilot teacher Monet Thompson was excited about that. “I am thrilled the district is taking the step to get on board with where the rest of the country is headed by replacing the current, outdated reading curriculum and choosing a curriculum with foundational skills based on the science of reading,” she said.
Next Steps
Our Elementary Teaching and Learning team is now thoughtfully planning to have professional learning centered on the new curriculum ready for teachers in August. They will also be providing implementation support throughout next school year.
At Spanaway Lake High School, a small robotics team is making big waves and proving that you don’t need a massive budget to compete with the best.
Led by coach Ryan Pearson, a retired U.S. Air Force officer turned educator, the SLHS robotics program has quietly grown into something remarkable. With a shoestring budget, limited resources, and a small but dedicated
group of students, the team has spent years competing against schools with massive programs, often coming up short – but never giving up.
Pearson knows the value of perseverance. After a 20-year military career that included overseeing air defense operations across half the country, he earned his teaching certificate in 2019 and joined Spanaway Lake to teach drone piloting and Career & Technical Education. At the same time, he
SLHS robotics codes their way to victory
took on the challenge of coaching the robotics team, guiding students not just in building machines, but in building resilience, collaboration, and leadership.
The program participates in the FIRST Robotics Competition, where teams are challenged to design and build robots capable of performing complex tasks. While other schools arrive at competitions with professionalgrade tools and large support teams, Spanaway Lake’s students have learned to innovate with what they have, and to support one another every step of the way.
That approach paid off in a big way. At the region’s biggest robotics event, the team entered as underdogs and left as champions. Despite their modest setup, their teamwork and determination caught the attention of the event’s top-ranked competitors. When alliance selections were made, Spanaway Lake was chosen to join forces with the two most dominant teams at the event. It was an unexpected honor, and one that left the team stunned.
“My jaw hit the floor so hard, I got a cramp in my jaw,” said Eliot, who piloted this year’s robot.
The moment wasn’t too big for the Sentinel team. They came together with their new alliance and dominated the event.
“In the end, we won the whole thing,” Pearson said. “We were partnered up with two incredible teams. We did great. Eliot was driving, and we just crushed the competition. It wasn’t even close.”
The victory marked a turning point for the program, not just in terms of results, but in visibility and potential. A championship banner now hangs in the Spanaway Lake gym, a first for the robotics team and a symbol of what’s possible when a group of students dares to believe in themselves.
And while the win was exciting, it’s the culture of the program that Pearson is most proud of.
“What it boils down to is teamwork,” he said. In a competition filled with high-end robots and elite programs,
it was Spanaway Lake’s unity, communication, and persistence that made the difference.
With the spotlight now on their success, Pearson hopes to grow the program and bring even more students into the fold.
“We want anybody and everybody who wants to be a part of something special," Pearson said.
Within the walls of Bethel High School, a small but mighty academic community is quietly preparing students for success on a global scale.
That community is the Cambridge Program, which is an internationally recognized college preparatory track that’s become a transformative experience for students seeking academic rigor and global opportunity.
The program operates as a “school within a school,” offering a cohesive, structured path through some of the most demanding high school coursework available. Unlike Advanced Placement, which allows students to pick and choose challenging classes, Cambridge students take a full suite of coordinated courses designed to build advanced academic skills, critical thinking, and a strong sense of community.
Denise Hodges has seen that transformation firsthand. She’s taught at Bethel High School for 19 years, with 10 of those in the Cambridge Program.
“It’s designed to encourage critical thinking and deep understanding among students,” she said. “It offers a broad range of different subjects here at Bethel High School, it’s globally recognized, and you can receive college credit. Ultimately, the Cambridge program aims to equip students with tools that they’re going to need to succeed in the world after they leave Bethel High School.”
That world is already coming into focus for recent graduates Olivia and Jay. Olivia first heard about Cambridge when she learned about a potential
A school within a school
class trip to Europe.
“I want to do challenging classes and get to go to Europe on the side,” she said. “That sounds great!”
But while the travel opportunity caught her attention, the academic experience kept her committed. Students in the program not only take advanced classes, but graduate with an Advanced International Certificate of Education, also known as the AICE diploma. The credential is recognized by universities around the globe and gives students an edge in college admissions and preparation.
“The AICE diploma is globally recognized, which means it opens doors to universities around the world,” Hodges said. “I would say that every single Cambridge student that graduated from Bethel High School,
not one of them has come back and said these classes didn’t prepare them for college.”
Roselyn, a sophmore going into year two of her Cambridge journey, is already seeing the benefits of being part of something that feels special.
“The thing that made me want to join Cambridge the most was knowing that I would be in a separate group within Bethel High School that really cares about their classes and want to be good students,” she said.
It’s that culture of dedication and shared ambition that has made Cambridge such a unique offering at Bethel High. Students grow together –academically and personally – through a program focused on high school success and beyond.
Looking for Bus Routes, Enrollment information, and School Supply lists? You can find all the information you need on our Back to School website. Just scan the QR code to the right or visit bethelsd.org/backtoschool.
INTERPRETATION AND TRANSLATION
All families have the right to information about their child’s education in a language they understand. We can provide an interpreter or translated documents, free of charge, when you need them. For information on accessing interpretation services, please contact Special Services at 253-800-2300, or contact your school office.
If you would like to provide feedback regarding any language access services you’ve received in Bethel SD, please scan the blue QR code or visit bethelsd.org/LAS and fill out the survey. Thank you.
2025/26 PARENTVUE UPDATE
When you login to ParentVUE you'll be prompted to complete the 2025/26 Student-Family Update. This yearly update ensures we have accurate information on who will need busing this fall, as well as up-todate emergency contacts and correct email addresses. Visit bethelsd.org/ parentvue to get started.
*Must have additional DTaP/IPV/MMR/Varicella by the 1st day of school or within 30 days after 4th birthday, whichever is later. **Vaccine doses may be acceptable with fewer than listed depending on when they were given.
To request this document in another format, call 1-800-525-1027. Deaf or hard of hearing customers, please call 711 (Washington Relay) or email doh.information@doh.wa.gov
INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURES & INFORMATION
In the event of an emergency or inclement weather, the Bethel School District will take precautions to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
For inclement weather that impacts school start or end times, the district will utilize the following forms of communication to relay important information to families and staff.
Phone call, email and text to families*
Radio & television stations
FlashAlert (signupatflashalert.net)
District & school websites – bethelsd.org
School Closures & Modifications
Schools Closed – This means all Bethel schools are closed for all students, and no transportation will be provided to other schools outside of the district, even though they may be open. All scheduled activities are also cancelled.
Two Hours Late – This means buses will begin their first route two hours late but at regularly scheduled stops. Right At School and the Bethel Acceleration Academy will also be running two hours late. There will be no half-day preschool, no late start or early release programs, no out-of-district transportation, no Challenge program, and no transportation for Challenger Middle or Challenger High School. Morning classes at the Pierce County Skills Center are also canceled. On two hour delays no breakfast is served.
Snow Routes in Effect – Due to road conditions, some bus stops have changed location. Snow route information is available at bethelsd.org/snow.
*Pleasemakesureyourcontactinformationisuptodatewith yourschoolsoyouwillreceivethephonecalls,emailsandtexts.
BE PREPARED FOR A SCHOOL EMERGENCY
Ensure that your child’s emergency contact information is accurate and current.
IN CASE OF A SCHOOL EMERGENCY
DO NOT call or rush to your child’s school. Phone lines and staff are needed for emergency response efforts.
DO NOT phone your child. Staff and students are discouraged from using cell phone communications for safety reasons.
Families will be updated via robocall and email as soon as information is available.
In the event of an emergency at your chIld’s school, It Is Important to know the followIng terms. Be aware that no entry Into or exIt from the school wIll Be allowed untIl an “all-clear” announcement Is made. If you enter a campus that Is In lockdown, asses the sItuatIon, return to your vehIcle and exIt the premIses.
Modified Lockdown – A modified lockdown takes place if an external threat is identified near the school. All exterior school doors are locked and students are confined to the building.
Lockdown – A lockdown takes place if an internal or external threat is identified at the school. All school doors are locked and students are confined to classrooms.
Shelter in Place – Students take refuge in designated areas to protect them from hazardous materials or severe weather.
Evacuation – In the event of certain building emergencies, students will be relocated to an evacuation assembly area.*
Reunification – Parents/guardians will be directed by school Emergency Notification System, or public safety officials via media, to their child’s specific location.*
*StudentswillbereleasedONLYtoparents/guardiansorthosewho aredocumentedasemergencycontactsandwhopresentapictureID suchasadriver’slicense,militaryIDorpassport.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES & INFORMATION
** Please check bethelsd.org for the most updated version **
SCHOOL MEALS
Child Nutrition Services will continue to participate in the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2025-26 school year. Students attending the CEP schools will receive FREE breakfast and lunch for the 202526 school year. Please visit bethelsd. org/meals to see the updated list of CEP schools.
Free meals at our school depends on YOU!
ALL Bethel School District families must complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit Application (CNEEB) this year. Completing this form also ensures that
your student’s school will continue to receive the full amount of federal and state funding available.
The online application will be available Monday, August 11th, 2025 at emealapps.bethelsd.org
By submitting this application, households may qualify for:
● Free and reduced price meal benefits for students enrolled in schools that aren’t providing free meals for all students
● Summer 2026 EBT benefits
● Reduced fees for other programs and activities
○ You must check YES! Please share my child’s income
eligibility for each program you wish to receive discounts for:
□ ASB Fees (ASB Cards, events & athletic entrance fees)
□ Course Fees (AP tests, credit retrieval and instrument rental)
□ Athletics fees
□ iPad Coverage
SUPERINTENDENT&SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTORS
Bethel Pride is produced by the Bethel School District’s Communications Department.
Bethel Schools
516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387
Phone: 253.800.2000
Email: communications@bethelsd.org Website: bethelsd.org
TheBethelPrideisintendedtoinformthecommunityatlargeaboutgoingsoninthedistrict.Because weusebulkmailing,individualaddressescannotberemovedfromthemailinglist.
Bethel 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 employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Compliance / Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, Debbie Carlman, dcarlman@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2019; Title IX Coordinator, Mel Boyd, mboyd@ bethelsd.org, 253.800.2029; and 504 Coordinator, Melissa Munson-Merritt, mmunsonmer@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2301. All individuals may be reached at this address: 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. Title IX inquiries may also be directed toward the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR): https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html. Information about the nondiscrimination and sex-based discrimination policies and grievance procedures, and how to report a concern or complaint: bethelsd.org.
El Distrito Escolar de Bethel no discrimina en sus programas o actividades por motivos de sexo, raza, credo, religión, color, nacionalidad, edad, condición de veterano de guerra o grado militar, orientación sexual, expresión de género o identidad, discapacidad o por el uso de perro guía entrenado o animal de servicio; además ofrece igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y a otros grupos de jóvenes especificados. Los siguientes empleados han sido designados para atender consultas y quejas de supuesta discriminación: Cumplimiento de los Derechos Civiles/Coordinadora Escolar de Inclusión de Género, Debbie Carlman, dcarlman@ bethelsd.org, 253.800.2019; Coordinador del Título IX, Mel Boyd, mboyd@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2029 y Coordinadora 504, Melissa Munson-Merritt, mmunsonmer@bethelsd.org, 253.800.2301. Todas las personas pueden ser localizadas en esta dirección 516 176th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387. Las consultas sobre el Título IX también pueden dirigirse a la Oficina de Derechos Civiles (OCR) del Departamento de Educación de EE.UU.: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html. Para más información sobre las políticas de no discriminación y discriminación por razón de sexo; los procedimientos de reclamación y sobre cómo comunicar una preocupación o queja visite: www.bethelsd.org.
Bethel School District No. 403
516 176th St. E., Spanaway, WA 98387-8335 (253) 800-2000 | www.bethelsd.org
