Bethel Pride

PR DE BETHEL

AUGUST 2026

Celebrating our Community Partners!

BOND UPDATES: NEW BETHEL HIGH The wait is almost over! The new Bethel High School will soon open its doors to staff and students to kick off its inaugural school year. It’s an historic occasion that’s been anticipated since 2007.

For nearly two decades, the journey to build this school was met with enough twists, turns, and hurdles to fill a novel. Finding land large enough for a modern high school that also met strict state growth boundaries proved to be an incredibly complex puzzle. When we finally found the right property, regulatory roadblocks, and state hearing boards delayed things until a bill was finally signed into law by the governor in 2017 to let our district build on the property. Money was then needed to build the school our students deserved.

Local voters backed the idea when they approved the 2019 school construction bond. But while other bond projects got underway, the new Bethel High School project was delayed again.

Our teams spent over a year developing a highly complex underground water model and purchasing additional land to meet updated county stormwater regulations. We were finally able to break ground on the new Bethel High School in 2024.

DEMO BEGINS AT OLD CEDARCREST

The stunning new 300,000-square-foot Bethel High boasts a dedicated welding classroom, a top-tier culinary space, a 500-seat theater, and – in keeping with the wishes of the Crate family who some of the land was purchased from – a memorial plaza in honor of Casey Crate.

As we prepare for the official ribbon cutting ceremony on August 21, the historic Bethel High School building will serve another vital purpose. This fall, the old building will become a temporary home to the staff and students of Cedarcrest Middle School. This allows the Cedarcrest crew to stay together in a safe, functional learning space while their old school is demolished to make way for a brandnew facility, again, thanks to that 2019 bond. Thank you, voters!

This community-backed project will introduce a stateof-the-art, three-story building spanning nearly 123,000 square feet. With 39 modern classrooms, the new Cedarcrest will expand capacity from 700 to 850 students, ensuring our students have room to thrive.

Demolition on the old building has already begun and the new Cedarcrest is scheduled to open its doors in the fall of 2028.

BETHEL PRIDE Messages from our

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

GRAHAM BUSINESS ASSOCIATION The Graham Business Association (GBA) was established 50 years ago by a small group of business owners. An annual auction was created with the idea of raising funds to support scholarships for graduating high school seniors. Today, the membership of the Graham Business Association includes 65 business owners in the Graham area. This year’s auction raised about $32,000 and we awarded 22 scholarships.

The members of the GBA also help students in many other ways. Our members are coaches and mentors who volunteer with music and sports activities. We also invite students to speak at our meetings about clubs like FFA. The GBA is an organization that believes in supporting students so they will grow and support the business community.

KIWANIS CLUB The Kiwanis Club of Parkland-Spanaway has been active in the community since 1949. We serve both the Bethel School District and the Franklin Pierce School District. We have just started a BUG (Bring Up Grades) program at Thompson Elementary School and also provide Thompson with supplies for their food pantry. We sponsor the Key Club at Bethel High School with guidance from a Kiwanis advisor and financial assistance for different projects. We are also very proud to present a $1,500 scholarship to a deserving student at each of the four high schools in the Bethel School District and the three high schools in the Franklin Pierce District. The Kiwanis Club of Parkland-Spanaway meets every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the Parkland Community Center.

Anyone is welcome to attend our meetings and anyone 18-years or older who is interested in volunteering is welcome to join our club.

ROTARY CLUB The Graham-Frederickson Eatonville Rotary Club is honored to serve the Bethel School District community by investing in students, families, and education. We believe that when a community comes together to support its schools, everyone benefits. Guided by Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” we proudly support the district and partner annually with Red Canoe Credit Union to support the Bethel Family Center through the Fill the Canoe school supply drive. This years’ Fill the Canoe runs through August 15th. You can donate school supplies at any Red Canoe branch. To learn more about our club, meeting times, or how to get involved, visit our website rcofgfe.org or contact us at rcofgfe@ gmail.com.

Brian Lowney FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT When I think about all the things that make our district work so well, I take time to look beyond the walls of our schools and into the broader community.

The simple truth is, we couldn’t do what we do without the support of our local voters and taxpayers. I know that bonds and levies are a big ask, and your continued support over the years has allowed us to offer our students some incredible opportunities they wouldn’t get elsewhere.

It is because of you that students can learn, grow and thrive in our district.

And it is also because of the many community organizations that support us.

From our levy-funded School Resource Officers to the men and women who serve with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, we are proud to be part of a strong community who believes in and supports our schools.

Local service organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis, and the Graham Business Association also support our students from mentorship to scholarships.

This community support is even more critical as we look at our budget for the next few years. The legislature has made changes that will reduce our funding in the future, and I am working hard to make sure they know the impact of their changes to Local Effort Assistance. You can learn more about that on page 10.

BISON BURGERS FOR PICKY EATERS Before the school bell rings, our Central Kitchen is already buzzing with activity. And this year marks a monumental milestone year for our hard-working culinary crew, who are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the facility that keeps our students fed.

A decade ago, we were serving half the amount of food we do today. Now, our dedicated team prepares an incredible 19,200 meals every single day, including breakfast and lunch. Creating a menu for thousands of students is a delicate balancing act, and new recipes take time to perfect.

"Kids are picky and we have to kind of strike the middle of the road," said Child Nutrition Director Leeda Beha. "When we developed our new sloppy joe recipe last year, some kids like it spicier, some kids like it blander, so we’re really trying to hit the mark, so that what we serve, kids not only eat but they really like.”

None of this would be possible without our community.

It was funding from the voter-approved 2006 bond that built our Central Kitchen, which now is the eighth largest meal program in the entire state. Thank you, voters! It’s an operation that other districts look to when they’re

designing their own. In fact, Beha said that Tacoma is currently building a central kitchen modeled directly after ours, and four programs in Hawaii have done the same.

Behind the scenes, our Child Nutrition team works tirelessly to keep student meals completely free. Those are not automatically funded. It takes immense work to keep those breakfast and lunch lines free for our kids. One way families can help is by filling out the annual Child Nutrition Eligibility and Education Benefit application as soon as it’s emailed to you in August.

Looking ahead to this fall, the grand opening of the new Bethel High School has many surprises in store for the Bethel Bison, one of which is in the lunch lines. Through OSPI, Beha was able to procure some bison meat for the start of school.

"So we’re working on some bison burgers or some bison hot chili or something,” she said. “So we’re doing recipe development for that.”

Whether it is a traditional favorite or a new recipe, our Central Kitchen staff are making sure students are nourished and ready to learn.

BETHEL PRIDE

REMEMBERING Ed Niehl

We are sad to announce the passing of 102-year-old Bethel legend Ed Niehl.

Ed poured his heart into our students as a physical education teacher, athletic director, and coach. It is hard to imagine a Friday night without the bright lights of Art Crate Field, but the area was little more than a cow pasture when Ed started way back in 1949. He literally put his foot down to choose the exact spot where the historic stadium stands today.

That field quickly became a place of triumph. Under Ed’s leadership, the 1950s football teams dominated the state, capturing four league championships and an undefeated State Championship season where they didn't allow a single point.

While Ed retired decades ago, his presence is still felt every time our students step onto the hardwood in the Ed Niehl Gymnasium.

When he celebrated his landmark 100th birthday in

BACK TO SCHOOL INTERPRETATION & 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.

2024, Ed shared his simple, heartfelt recipe for a long, meaningful life.

“Keep going, just keep active, eat the right things, stay away from drugs, and do the best you can with what you got,” Ed said.

We are deeply grateful for everything Ed gave to our schools. His spirit lives on in the generations of students who carry his lessons forward.

In 2024, Ed and his son Bob were guests on our district podcast. Visit bethelsd.org/podcast to listen to the episode.

Looking for Bus Routes, Enrollment information, and School Supply lists?

You can find all the information you need on our Back to School webpage.

Just scan the QR code or visit bethelsd.org/backtoschool.

PIERCE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

BETHEL SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS

DEPUTY ALLEN HORNE

DEPUTY JESSE JORGENSEN

DEPUTY JUSTIN RAPLEE

SERGEANT ZACHARY SPENCER

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR SRO LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Investigate criminal activity that occurs on school property.

• Collect information and evidence when necessary.

• Enforce laws while following district policies and legal requirements.

• Educate and work closely with school staff members on safety procedures.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

• Help maintain a safe learning environment.

• Assist with school safety planning and crisis preparedness.

• Participate in lockdown, evacuation, and emergency drills.

• Coordinate responses to incidents such as fights, weapons violations, or threats of violence.

BUILDING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS

• Develop trusting relationships with students.

• Serve as approachable mentors and role models.

• Encourage positive decision-making and conflict resolution.

• Support students who may be experiencing challenges at home or school.

CRIME AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION

• Share information about community safety concerns.

• Collaboration with community partners.

• Support prevention efforts related to gangs, drugs, and violence.

• Monitor and assess potential safety concerns.

• Respond to emergencies, threats, and criminal incidents on campus.

CENTRAL PIERCE FIRE & RESCUE

SECURE THE WINDOW. STOP THE FALL. Falls are the most common unintentional injuries that send children to the hospital. Across the United States, thousands of children are injured each year due to window falls. Young children are naturally curious and top-heavy, which increases their risk of falling through a window opened more than four inches.

The Thompson family is sharing their experience from when their daughter, Madden, was seriously injured in a window fall.

On Memorial Day weekend, the Thompsons were hosting a cookout at their home while their children played upstairs.

Madden was in her bedroom, which had a lofted bed positioned near an open window. When she leaned against the window screen to call out to her parents, the screen gave way. She fell from the window while adults were just outside.

First responders transported Madden to MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, where imaging revealed a fractured femur near the hip. She underwent surgery that night, requiring a plate and eight screws, and spent several months recovering, including three months without bearing weight on her leg. She eventually returned to normal activities, but the experience permanently changed how her family thinks about home safety.

“We had talked to our kids about window safety, but we had never shown them how easily a screen can pop out,” said Madden’s father, Ben Thompson, a firefighter with

Central Pierce Fire & Rescue. “The day after her injury, we installed window stops throughout our home. Looking back, I wish we had done it the day we moved in.”

According to Mary Bridge Children’s, an average of 33 children are treated each year for window fall injuries.

More than 25 percent of those cases come from just five zip codes, including 98387, 98374, and 98444, all within the Central Pierce Fire & Rescue service area.

The Thompson family hopes that by sharing their story, other families will take action before an injury occurs.

“Our message to parents and caregivers is simple,” Ben Thompson said. “Install window stops before your kids even begin to crawl. Kids grow and change so fast. Just do it early so this doesn’t happen to your family.”

The good news about window falls is that they are preventable. Central Pierce Fire & Rescue is committed to empowering families with window stop devices, practical safety tips, and the knowledge needed to help keep children and our community safe at home.

Learn more about pediatric window fall prevention and request free window stops at centralpiercefire.org/ window-falls, or scan the QR code to learn more.

HERE ARE SOME PREVENTION TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY SAFE • Prevent windows from opening more than four inches by installing window stops in any window more than six feet above the ground.

• Keep windows closed and locked when not in use.

• Always supervise children, especially near open windows.

• Move furniture away from windows to discourage climbing.

• Remember that window screens keep bugs out, not children in.

LEA CLIFF THREATENS SUSTAINABLE DISTRICT BUDGET Legislators have made drastic changes to the way they financially support school districts. These changes are going to take tens of millions of dollars out of our district’s budget unless something is done. But before you call Olympia, let’s rewind and get the full story.

Earlier this year, voters approved the renewal of our Educational Programs & Operations Levy and our Technology Levy. Thank you, voters! We all know that levies aren’t just for the “extras” anymore. Of course they do fund the things the state doesn’t, like athletics, but they also fund the things the state isn’t fully funding, and that includes some big ticket items.

“Twenty million dollars is going towards materials, supplies and operating costs,” said Superintendent Brian Lowney. “Things like insurance and utilities and keeping the lights on and all the rest. And then $5 million is going into special education. Another portion is going to transportation.”

That’s a big change that is not unique to Bethel. Levies originally started as a way for communities to decide if they want to fund the extras, like sports and music. But more and more, communities are now voting if they want to keep the lights on in classrooms or not.

In the past, when communities passed levies, propertypoor school districts like Bethel would also get some additional state money, called Local Effort Assistance (LEA). When our community passed the levies in February, that LEA money was incorporated into our budget. And that’s when the legislature changed the rules.

“What that means for us is that we are anticipating less revenue in future years,” said Chief Financial Officer

Scan the QR code to contact your Legislators!

Christine Donnelly. “It's to the tune of $10 million in 27-28.”

Yes, you read that correctly. Bethel will see $10 million less money than the state promised starting in 2027, unless something is done. And this change is impacting other districts too … just not the rich ones.

“It shouldn’t matter what zip code a kid lives in whether they get a good education or not.”

- Supt. Brian Lowney “Seattle can raise a billion dollars through levies because they're property-rich,” said Superintendent Lowney. “LEA is intended to make things equitable for our students. It shouldn’t matter what zip code a kid lives in whether they get a good education or not.”

You can assume that Bethel and other property-poor districts across the state will be talking with their legislators about this, but hearing from people like you can make a huge difference. So reach out to the folks that represent you in Olympia and let them know your thoughts. You can find out who your representatives are and get their contact information at app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder

Learn more about our budget on Episode 180 of our Podcast!

DISTRICT CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

AUGUST

OCTOBER

11

School Board Meeting

4

No School

5

Late Arrival

25

School Board Meeting

7

Labor Day

12

Late Arrival

31

First Day of School

8

School Board Meeting

13

School Board Meeting

14

Late Arrival

16

Waiver Day #1

21

Late Arrival

Elementary Grade Prep

22

School Board Meeting

19

28

Late Arrival

7 pm, Educational Service Center 7 pm, Educational Service Center Grades 1-12

No School

7 pm, Educational Service Center

7 pm, Educational Service Center

7 pm, Educational Service Center No Students

Early Dismissal, Grades K-5

Conference Week 26-30 Elementary Early Dismissal, Grades K-5

27

School Board Meeting

7 pm, Educational Service Center

Conference Week 28-30 Secondary Early Dismissal, Grades 6-12

Marcus Young, Sr. Director, District 1 253.439.7174

myoung@bethelsd.org

John Manning Director, District 2 253.222.2938

jmanning@bethelsd.org

Dr. Roseanna Camacho Director, District 3 253.384.6224 rcamacho@bethelsd.org

Terrance Mayer, Sr. Director, District 4 253.384.6081 tmayer@bethelsd.org

Teresa Cosio Director, District 5 253.389.8872

jmanning@bethelsd.org

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

The Bethel Pride is intended to inform the community at large about goings on in the district. Because we use bulk mailing, individual addresses cannot be removed from the mailing list.

Bethel School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, homelessness, immigration or citizenship status, disability, neurodivergence, the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, age, and honorably discharged veteran or military status 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, Darius Alexander, dalexande@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). 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 ni actividades por motivos de sexo, raza, etnia, color, religión, credo, nacionalidad, orientación sexual, expresión o identidad de género, falta de hogar, estatus migratorio o de ciudadanía, discapacidad, neurodiversidad, uso de perro guía entrenado o animal de servicio, edad, condición de veterano o militar con baja honorable. Asimismo, ofrece igualdad de acceso a los Boy Scouts y a otros grupos juveniles 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, Darius Alexander, dalexande@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 los Estados Unidos. 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

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Bethel School District No. 403

516 176th St. E., Spanaway, WA 98387-8335 (253) 800-2000 | www.bethelsd.org

ECRWSS POSTAL CUSTOMER

SUMMER AT THE SKILLS CENTER Fire Science students at the Pierce County Skills Center used their summer to start preparing for careers as first responders. Instead of just memorizing textbooks, students actively train with real-world equipment to learn how to protect our communities. This is hands-on learning that transforms career dreams into real possibilities. Bethel is proud to be the host district for the PCSC. With nearly 20 programs like fire science, construction, medical and veterinary, the Skills Center is helping our students grow into tomorrow's leaders.