May/June 2011 - Bethel School District

Summer 

Learning! 

Inside on pages 4-5 

IN THE DISTRICT 

HIGH SCHOOLS SET 

GRADUATION DATES 

Hundreds of Bethel area students 

are preparing to graduate 

from high school. Here are some 

important dates for graduating 

seniors and their families. 

bethelpride 

W W W . B E T H E L S D . O R G M A Y / J U N E 2011 

District marches for a cure 

Bethel High 

• June 6: Senior Awards Night, 

7-9 p.m. @ the Puyallup 

Pavilion (by invitation) 

• June 16: Graduation @ 

Tacoma Dome, 8:30 p.m. 

Challenger Secondary 

• June 2: Senior Awards Night, 

5-7 p.m. @ Elk Plain Grange 

(by invitation) 

• June 15: Graduation @ Pacific 

Lutheran University, 2 p.m. 

Graham–Kapowsin High 

• June 7: Senior Awards 

Night, 6:30 p.m. @ GKHS 



Tacoma Dome, 3:30 p.m. 

Spanaway Lake High 

• June 1: Senior Awards 

Night, 6:30 p.m. @ SLHS 



Tacoma Dome, 6 p.m. 

For more information about 

graduation and special events for 

high school seniors, contact the 

schools. 

Non-profit org. 

U.S. Postage 

PAID 

Permit No. 56 

Spanaway, WA 98387 

bethelpride 

Bethel School District Resident 

Bethel School District No. 403 

516 E. 176th St., Spanaway, WA 98387-8399 

(253) 683-6000; www.bethelsd.org 

Teams from throughout the Bethel area strapped on their tennis shoes this spring to “March for Babies.” The annual March of Dimes fundraiser 

strives to give babies a healthy start in life. Pictured above are Pioneer Valley students and families that came out to support the effort. 

Front Row: Elaine Ruesga, Illene Ruesga, Kevin Grimes, Casey Webber, Terique Pilgrim, Bob Keys, Kelsey Keys, Magdalena Mathis, Nastasja Mathis 

Back Row: Derek Price, Siye Hurst-Higdon, Semaj Hurst-Higdon, Deanna Lowell, Helen Grant, Joseph Grimes 

Board strives to balance the budget, improve education 

Bethel Schools are in a period 

of unprecedented change. In recent 

weeks, the Board has faced 

some difficult choices on the 

budget and school configuration. 

Budget 

In late May, lawmakers reached 

an agreement to trim about $5 

billion from the state budget. 

Proposed reductions include 

school employee pay cuts and 

less money for alternative education 

programs, like Challenger 

and Bethel’s two online schools. 

The plan suspends voter-approved 

initiatives for increasing 

student achievement (I-728) and 

employee cost of living adjustments, 

(I-732). Additional funding 

for lower elementary class 

sizes was eliminated. The cuts will 

result in an estimated $7.5 million 

less to support Bethel schools. 

As the legislature has been 

fighting through the issues, the 

Board has been making budget 

reductions to prepare for these 

cuts. Their ultimate goal has been 

to keep important educational 

programs and services in tact. 

In March, board members approved 

cutting about $4.4 million 

in teaching, administrative, and 

support positions. The suspension 

of a technology purchase, the 

temporary relocation of Clover 

Creek students and a delayed 

science adoption will save $1.6 

million. Plus, another $450,000 

will be reduced from building allocations, 

which support school 

activities, supplies and programs. 

The Board will continue to 

explore ways to balance the district’s 

budget, before it is formally 

adopted at the end of August. 

Grade Configuration 

Following a two-and-a-halfyear 

process, the Board voted in 

May to modify the district’s grade 

configuration. 

Over the next year, district 

staff will be working on the first 

of a two-phase plan. The Board 

wants ninth graders shifted to 

high schools by the 2012/13 

school year. This change allows 

freshman to have more rigorous 

course options and participate in 

high school activities, while giving 

schools the ability to proactively 

remediate credit deficiencies 

that affect graduation rates. 

Changes in elementary and 

middle school configurations 

will not occur until at least the 

2013/14 school year, pending 

funding. In this second phase, 

elementaries would switch to 

K-5 and grades 6-8 would attend 

middle schools. Board members 

believe the new middle school 

model will provide more support 

for students and opportunities for 

teacher teaming. 

A committee of district parents 

and staff recommended the 

changes in December. 

Drivers Hit the Road-eo to Promote Bus Safety 

Bethel Transportation made a 

strong showing at the Regional 

School Bus Roadeo. The district 

swept the Special Needs division, 

with first, second and third place 

finishes. 

With the wins, the teams of 

Tammy Sutton and Tina Rodriguez, 

Judith Violette and Daphne 

Howell, and Heather Becker and 

Jim Gunderson will compete at 

the state competition in Yakima 

on June 26. 

For the past three years, a Bethel 

team has advanced from state 

to national competition. Last 

year’s winners, Sutton and Rodriguez 

took the state title, then 

placed fourth at the nationals. 

They will once again challenge for 

the top spot. Both say it has been 

an honor to represent Bethel, but 

even more, it is an opportunity to 

learn and compete with some of 

best drivers in the nation. 

Assistant Transportation Director 

Gayle Despres says all three 

teams competing for the state 

Special Needs title this year are 

very strong. 

“It takes a lot of guts to compete, 

said Despres. ”We are really 

proud of all of them.” 

Several district bus drivers also 

competed in the Regular Education 

division. While none of them 

will advance to state, several did 

extremely well. Of the 52 contestants, 

Bethel drivers posted 

several top finishes: Carl Hillis, 

6th; Christopher Bardsley, 7th; 

Heather Fleming, 11th; Rhonda 

Madlock, 17th; Stacey Moore, 

19th; and Michell Lile, 29th. 

The district also landed several 

awards, including second place in 

the “Team” category, first place 

for “Best Camp” theme and third 

place for “Team Spirit.” 

In Bus Roadeos, drivers are 

judged on several skills, including 

their abilities to drive and 

back-up a bus; loading, unloading 

and securing students; avoid 

obstacles; and evacuations. 

Bethel bus drivers Tammy Sutton and Tina Rodriguez competed at the 

National Special Needs Team Safety Roadeo in Liberty, MO this past 

March. Of the 20 teams at nationals, the drivers placed fourth, overall.

2 

MAY/JUNE 2011 

BETHEL PRIDE • WWW.BETHELSD.ORG 

SHOUT OUTS: RETIREMENT EDITION 

bethelpride 

I N B R I E F 

To our three retirees 

SLHS would like to extend a 

heartfelt thank you to our three 

retirees - they have each made 

their own special and unique 

contributions to SLHS and we 

will miss them dearly. 

Donna Shinn is one of the 

original staff members of Spanaway 

Lake and is the heart and 

soul of the guidance office. 

Tom Fagerson has most 

recently taught Social Studies 

at SLHS but spent many years 

as our At-Risk Coordinator. He 

has a special gift in working with 

at-risk students as he provides 

the support and mentorship so 

many of them need. 

Kathy Garasi is a valuable 

member of our CTE department; 

she has been instrumental 

in researching and developing 

the curriculum for the skills 

center and the district curriculum 

for anatomy. Most importantly, 

she has been a dedicated 

teacher who is always helping 

students reach their potential. 

Michelle Ledbetter 

Spanaway Lake High School 

Giving us lessons for life 

Carolyn McNeal, you are the 

best writing teacher I’ve ever 

known. I would sit in your class 

and watch you teach, and just 

be amazed. You made it look so 

easy! 

Your love and enthusiasm 

for reading, writing, and world 

cultures was passed on to all 

of your students and all of us 

working with you. You went to 

every meeting, every class and 

every training I ever facilitated 

and you would always give 

me encouragement. I would 

see your face in the room and 

know you were there to support 

me. You could have taught the 

higher-level students, but you 

always wanted to help the low 

readers and writers. 

Your love and your wisdom 

can never be replaced. It has 

been an honor to work with you. 

I will remember your lessons for 

the rest of my life. 

Bonnie Westmark 

Bethel Jr. High 

Mrs. Ward: I will never 

forget you, mom 

You’ve been at Roy as long 

as I can remember. From my 

childhood, when you dragged 

me there all summer long, to my 

teen years, when you set me up 

teaching the 6th graders drama, 

to now, working in BSD myself. 

I have seen your tears over 

the gifts from students whose 

families couldn’t afford to give, 

your joy in your students’ accomplishments 

as they grew up, 

and all the time you’ve spent 

above and beyond your actual 

workday. Your presence at Roy is 

sure to be long remembered and 

missed. I love you! 

Elizabeth Ward 

Educational Service Center 

My hero, my friend 

Mary Fleck is my hero and I 

am honored to send a shout out 

to her. I have known Mary for 

many years and have had the 

privilege to work with her for 15 

years at Centennial. 

I learned a lot from Mary and 

I would like everyone to know 

that Mary has been an outstanding 

employee, an honest 

and caring person, and a friend 

that I will cherish forever. 

Her dedication to her work, 

her willingness to always help 

with anything and everything, 

PTA president Julie Georgia and North Star Principal Kris Hillius present retiree Louise Luberts, 3rd 

grade teacher at North Star, with a PTA lifetime membership. The PTA also made a scholarship donation 

in Luberts name. 

her wholesome spirit, and her 

sweet smile are things that I 

have really missed since I left 

Centennial. I know that Centennial 

will never be the same without 

her. Good luck my friend … 

Love ya. 

Sandy Drake 

Frederickson 

Thank you for stepping 

up at Challenger 

What can I say about a man 

who is amazing? Tom Edward 

(A.K.A. Dr. Tom) is the rudder 

on the CSS ship, the spice in the 

CSS pudding and the Albert in 

our Einstein. Tom has been a 

wonderful administrator who 

stepped up to bat whenever he 

was needed. Thanks Tom, for all 

you have done for students and 

staff. You will be missed! 

Susan Trinidad 

Bethel Online Academy 

Happy Trails, Mrs. Shinn 

Donna Shinn, thank you 

so much for your many kindnesses 

during my first three 

years at Spanaway Lake High 

School. You have helped me a 

great deal and were extremely 

patient when I repeatedly asked 

the same questions. You will 

be sorely missed! Happy trails, 

and I hope your retirement is as 

wonderful as you! 

Penny Nelson-Schlegel 


Your caring and warmth 

will be missed 

My shout out goes to Louise 

Luberts, third grade teacher 

at North Star. Over the years, 

Louise has taught at three different 

Bethel schools and at several 

grade levels. She is a wonderful 

teacher and a good friend. 

Since I started at North Star a 

few years ago, she has made me 

feel welcome and special. She 

contributes to the caring and 

warm feeling of our school. This 

year, our PTA honored Louise by 

giving her a lifetime membership 

and making a scholarship 

donation in her name. She will 

be greatly missed! 

Leslie Thorson 

North Star Elementary 

Our Irreplaceable Math 

Nerds! 

Don Prindle and Wyley Beatty 

are our math gurus. They are 

always ready to Ramp-Up and 

Navigate new Discoveries of 

math instructional practices 

to keep us Connected to Math. 

They are passionate about our 

district, our teachers, and our 

kids. 

“Dyley”, as we affectionately 

call them, are so like-minded 

they must be brothers from 

another mother. They’re quirky, 

yet logical; witty, reliable, and 

big hearted. These Steady Eddy 

math nerds are irreplaceable, 

“punny puzzle posers!” They 

are the square roots of the 

circumference of our hearts! 

Hats off to you Don and Wyley! 

Happy Retirement!! 

Your Buddies 


Outstanding co-worker 

and friend 

Thank you, Mary Fleck, for 

being such an outstanding coworker 

and friend for the past 

15 years! I have always appreciated 

the extra things that you’ve 

done for me. 

You are still my go-to person 

when I have a technology question. 

Your smile and laugh is 

contagious! You have touched so 

many lives and helped so many 

people. 

Thinking of you brings a smile 

to my face. Enjoy your retirement! 

You will be missed, but 

not forgotten! 

Jo Caseman 

Frederickson Elementary 

A life learner 

Marcia Nanea has dedicated 

many years to the students of 

Bethel School District. She is 

always sensitive to their individual 

needs and accepts each 

student’s uniqueness. 

Marcia is a learner – she is 

always at Summer Institute and 

taking classes at Shining Mountain. 

Her willingness to share 

her professional knowledge 

with all of us is appreciated. She 

speaks up for what she believes 

is best for the students and staff 

of Shining Mountain. We have 

enjoyed Marcia’s great sense 

of humor. She has long been a 

caring member of the Shining 

Mountain family and will be 

missed! 

Carol Benn & Jenni May 

Shining Mountain Elementary 

Enjoy your retirement 

I would like to send a shout 

out to one of the most amazing 

teacher’s around, Bruce Adler. 

I am so thankful to have been 

able to work with Bruce for the 

past 15 years. He is an inspiration 

to all in teaching History 

and keeping Traditions such 

as the time capsule, Veterans 

Day Assemblies, Honor’s Celebrations, 

the Culture Fair, 

and trips to Washington DC. 

Bruce, enjoy every minute of 

retirement! We will miss you 

here at Bethel Jr. High! 

Dana Thomas 


Mrs. Ward and Mr. 

Walsh 

Both of you made my years 

at Roy a wonderful memory. 

Mrs. Ward, you may have 

pushed me harder than 

many of my other teachers 

that I’ve had throughout the 

years. For that, I am thankful. 

I believe that it has helped 

me to become the teacher 

that I am today. 

Mr. Walsh, it was a blast 

when our class combined 

with Mrs. Ward’s class. Your 

creativity, pizzazz and funloving 

personality made me 

realize that learning doesn’t 

always have to be so serious. 

Thank you both for the 

wonderful moments. You will 

both be missed. 

Rachael Barger 

Cougar Mountain Jr. High 

You are an icon 

I would like to extend a 

grateful shout out to Bruce 

Adler who has served this 

district for so many years. 

Mr. Adler has always been 

one you can count on. He 

has helped build so many 

traditions at Bethel Jr. High. 

He is an icon. 

Michelle Beach 

Cedarcrest Jr. High 

It won’t be the same 

So many great memories! 

Window removal, stories of 

your Vegas trips and clothing 

repair, working with 

IV’s, your darling Tressa now 

all grown up. How great a 

library clerk and health clerk 

you have always been - so 

wonderful with students, 

completing all the reports 

and paperwork with such 

caring and excellence, and 

the way you always greeted 

students at the doors every 

morning. Thank you, Ruth 

Everett. Bethel won’t be the 

same without you. 

Ellen Eddy 


Bethel Retirees 2011 

Bruce Adler 


Wyley Beatty 


Nancy Chenoweth 

Centennial Elementary 

Connie Crawford 

Spanaway Elementary 

David Dilworth 

Graham Elementary 

Thomas Edwards 

Challenger Secondary School 

Ruth Everett 


Tom Fagerson 


Mary Fleck 


Kathleen Garasi 


Don Garrick 

Clover Creek Elementary 

James Hadland 

Graham-Kapowsin High School 

Brenda Harris 

Spanaway Jr. High 

Andrew Jackson 

Transportation Service Center 

Louise Luberts 

North Star Elementary 

David Maxwell 

Operations 

Carolyn McNeal 


William Melton 

Liberty Jr. High 

Judy Miller 

Pioneer Valley Preschool 

Marcia Nanea 

Shining Mountain Elementary 

Lynda Parker 

Cedarcrest Jr. High 

Lincoln Pierce 

Child Nutrition 

Donald Prindle 


Helen Roy 


Barbara Rupert 

Bethel High School 

Mary Seatz 


Donna Shinn 


Steve Thompson 


Jim Walsh 

Roy Elementary 

Patricia Ward 

Roy Elementary 

bethelpride 

Bethel Pride is produced by the 

Bethel School District. It is mailed 

to all addresses in the district 

during the school year to promote 

community/school relations. 

Please let us know if you have an 

item of interest for publication. 

Krista Carlson: 

Communications Director, 

Bethel Pride Editor; 253.683.6051; 

kcarlson@bethelsd.org 

Bethel Pride Contributors: 

Dodie Raden and Sandra Rangitsch 

Bethel School District is an Equal Opportunity 

Employer and complies with all federal 

rules and regulations including Title IX/ 

RCW 28A.640 and Sec. 504. Bethel does 

not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, 

religion, color, national origin, honorably 

discharged veteran or military status, sexual 

orientation including gender expression or 

identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, 

or physical disability, or the use of a trained 

dog guide or service animal by a person with 

a disability including student participation 

in educational programs and extracurricular 

activities. Contact Debbie Carlman at (253) 

683-6000 or Bob Maxwell at (253) 683-6921 

about section 504 compliance.

ethelpride 

Employees of the Year celebrated 

Jerred Erickson 

Teacher of the Year 

At Spanaway Lake High School, 

Jerred Erickson is an agent of 

change. He is always looking for 

ways to encourage his social studies 

classes to think critically about 

the issues and the world around 

them. In the building, he is a ‘tech 

Vera Wright 

Classified Employee of the Year 

Vera Wright is a paraprofessional 

with a lot of heart. Whether 

it’s working with the Bethel Jr.’s 

Best Choices program or coaching 

Bulldogs softball, Vera is an 

invaluable member of Team 

Bethel. She may “wear a lot of 

different hats,” but what makes 

Vera special is that she always 

willing to help. 

Frontier JH makes friends a world away 

Students at Frontier have been 

on a mission of goodwill. This 

year, Marlayne Elliff’s honors 

classes have been corresponding 

with pen pals in Gambia. The 

class project exposes students 

both here and in Africa to cultural 

and lifestyle differences. 

Principal Lynn Gill helped facilitate 

the project. Her mother, a 

retired educator and peace corps 

volunteer, works directly with the 

school in Gambia. 

In April, FJH students opened 

a care package from the region 

containing gifts and letters from 

the students overseas. For some 

it was an eye-opening experience. 

Many of the letters sent by the 

Gambian students expressed an 

appreciation for the gifts and 

cards they received from Frontier. 

Others asked about life in 

the United States. One Gambian 

student asked if their pen pal had 

goats, which is a sign of wealth in 

guru’, who uses ipads, ipods and 

other modern technology to connect 

and engage students in their 

learning. SLHS Principal Michelle 

Ledbetter says, “His compassion, 

commitment, and professionalism 

are something that every 

teacher should strive to emulate.” 

Lauren Austin-Morscher 

Classified Employee of the Year 

Lauren Austin-Morscher is a 

dedicated member of the Elk 

Plain School of Choice. She is 

a take-charge paraprofessional 

that offers creative ideas and 

is extremely effective in small 

group instruction. She motivates 

and inspires fellow employees, 

while promoting core values and 

academic success. 

the region. Another asked what it 

is like to ride in a car. 

“Some of the students were 

deeply affected by the letters. We 

have since responded by mailing 

two more boxes to the school and 

the students wrote more letters to 

the kids,” said Elliff. 

The latest shipment from Frontier 

included paper, pencils, 

crayons, markers, magazines, 

personal notes and pictures of 

FJH students. 

“The stuff from Gambia was 

amazing,” said Elliff. “The students 

got to feel, touch and even 

smell the things. It was a great 

moment in the classroom.” 

All of the material, wood carvings 

and drawings that came from 

Gambia are currently on display 

at the school. 

Pictures of the gifts from Gambia 

can be viewed at www.bethelsd.org. 

Lenny Foster 

CTE Teacher of the Year 

Lennie Foster, Culinary Arts 

teacher at Challenger Secondary 

School is this year’s Career Technical 

Education (CTE) Teacher 

of the Year. 

Every year, Foster has worked 

on further developing his program. 

He is constantly improving 

and updating his curriculum, 

activities, and equipment. He is 

Tiffany Scaniffe 

Teacher of the Year 

As a member of Nelson Elementary’s 

Core Team and as 

a fourth grade teacher, Tiffany 

Scaniffe is a talented leader who 

is committed to providing the 

best education possible for her 

students. She has high expectations 

and a vision for excellence 

in writing. Scaniffe has 

worked as an instructional 

coach and provided trainings 

to other teachers throughout 

the region. Nelson Principal 

Kelley Boynton says, “Her influence 

over adult and student 

learning is unparalleled.” 

known for having a “can do” 

attitude, which has resulted 

in increased student participation. 

Because of all of his 

hard work and leadership, the 

Challenger Culinary Arts program 

is constantly called upon 

to support catering needs at 

district events. 

FJH student Howard Goakey reads through notes sent from the 

classes’ pen pals from Gambia, a country in West Africa. 


WWW.BETHELSD.ORG • BETHEL PRIDE 3 

IN BRIEF 

Student photographer 

ranks among best in state 

Congratulations to Maria 

Niki, a Graham-Kapowsin High 

School senior, who was recently 

awarded third place in the 

Professional Photographers of 

Washington Scholarship Contest. 

For Maria to place third for 

the entire state of Washington is 

a tribute to her artistic abilities 

and her dedication to her art. 

For more information about this 

scholarship program, visit www. 

ppw.org/aspiring_soty_update. 

asp. 

Summer Feed Program 

The Bethel School District 

will host a Simplified Summer 

Food Program for children. 

Free lunches will be available to 

children under 19 years of age. 

Meals will be served Mondays 

through Fridays from June 27 

to August 12 at Thompson and 

Evergreen Elementary schools. 

Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 

p.m. No lunch will be served 

on July 4. The Bethel School 

District and the USDA are an 

equal opportunity provider and 

employer. All meals are available 

without regard to race, 

color, national origin, sex, age, 

or disability. To file a complaint 

of discrimination, write USDA, 

Director, Office of Civil Rights, 

1400 Independence Avenue 

S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250- 

9410, or call toll free (800) 795- 

3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 

(TDY). 

National Merit Scholar 

Graham-Kapowsin High 

Schooler Andrew Blount is the 

local winner of a corporate 

Merit Scholarship from Boeing. 

Boeing is one of about 

200 corporations, company 

foundations and other business 

organizations that sponsor the 

awards program. National Merit 

Scholars are determined by results 

of the PSAT/NMSQT exam, 

academic records, principal 

recommendations, SAT scores 

and a scholarship application. 

Is your student college 

bound? 

The deadline for students 

to sign pledges for the state’s 

College Bound Scholarship program 

is June 30. This program 

provides college tuition and 

fee assistance for low income 

students. To be eligible, students 

must sign a pledge by the end of 

their 8th grade year and uphold 

their promises to graduate from 

high school, maintain at least 

a minimum 2.0 GPA, be a good 

citizen and apply for college. For 

more information, go to hecb. 

wa.gov/collegebound. 

Full day kindergarten 

Applications are being accepted 

for the district’s full day 

kindergarten program. Classes 

will be offered at Pioneer Valley, 

Kapowsin, Frederickson and 

North Star elementary schools. 

There is a $40 registration fee at 

time of application and tuition 

is $250 a month for ten months. 

Contact the schools or the 

Office of Elementary Education 

at (253) 683-6014 for more 

information. 

Community Survey 

Tell us how we are doing. 

The Bethel School District will 

conduct an online survey, at 

www.bethelsd.org, in the month 

of June. Families and community 

members are welcome to 

participate. 

Summer Bus Passes 

Pierce Transit’s Summer Youth 

Bus Passes are on sale. For just 

$36, youth 18 and under can get 

unlimited bus rides all summerlong, 

during June, July and 

August. For details, call (253) 

581-8000 or visit www.piercetransit.org.

Summer L 

The Summer 

Math Experience 

NEW 

THIS 

YEAR! 

Summer math = Fall Success 

Research shows again and again that schools and students 

who achieve at a high rate extend academic activities into the 

summer. To provide that opportunity, the junior high schools in 

the Bethel School District will be instituting the Summer Math 

Experience for all students who are entering Math 70, Pre- 

Algebra and Algebra in the fall of 2011. 

Starting this summer, we’re asking students entering those 

courses to work through seven packets that will prepare them for 

a successful entry into mathematics this fall. The seven weekly 

packets will be posted on the district website (www.bethelsd. 

org) and will also be available for pick-up on Mondays at the 

district office, located at 517 176th Street East in Spanaway. 

Each week will include a help session on Wednesday from 

9 to 11 a.m. at the district office. The session will be hosted 

by a Bethel School District mathematics teacher, as well as 

high school mathematics students who are earning community 

service. 

Help available in the Bethel 

School District Board Room 

from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on: 

• Wednesday, July 13 



• Wednesday, Aug. 3 




Math Packet Pick-up 

Dates & Help sessions!! 

July 2011 

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 

1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

31 

August 2011 

SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 31 

Packet pick-up dates are Mondays 

starting on July 11 through Aug. 22 

Help sessions are Wednesdays from 

9 - 11 a.m. starting on July 13 through 

Aug. 24 

Questions? Email 

mbrophy@bethelsd.org 

4 MAY/JUNE 2011

earning 

Summer school classes & credits! 

New Classes offered at Pierce County Skills Center 

Applications for summer school and fall classes are now being accepted for 

the Pierce County Skills Center. The technical school will offer three sessions 

of summer school for incoming 9th through 12th grade students. 

Summer class offerings 

• Applied Algebra 

• Applied Geometry 

• Automotive Maintenance 

• Construction 

• Criminal Justice 

• Culinary Essentials 

• Digital Photography 

• Fire Science 

• Graphic Design 

• Intro to Medical Careers 

• Maritime Trades 

• Metal Fabrication 

• Natural Resources 

Management 

• PC Networking & Hardware 

Repair 

• Pre-Physical Therapy 

• Pre-Veterinary Technician 

• Robotics 

• Technical Writing 

• Video Game Design 

• plus more! 

The cost to attend is $50, with financial aid available to students who receive 

free or reduced lunch. Apply online at pcskillscenter.org or call for information 

at 253.683.5950. Summer school at PCSC is contingent upon funding by the 

Washington state legislature. 

Summer sessions dates/times 

Session I: 

June 27-July 13 

Monday-Friday* 

Session II: 

July 14-July 29 

Monday-Friday 

Session III: 

July 11-July 28 

Monday-Thursday 

(Tacoma locations only) 

Class times are 7:45 a.m. 

to 3:15 p.m. for all sessions 

*No classes on July 4 

Summer 

reading lists announced! 

To help promote year-round learning, students in all junior highs, along 

with Bethel, Graham-Kapowsin and Spanaway Lake high schools will be 

required to read a book this summer that has been specifically selected 

for his or her grade level. 

For more information, contact your local school or visit the district website 

at www.bethelsd.org. 

“The more you read, the more 

things you will know. The 

more that you learn, the 

more places you’ll go.” 

- Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!” 

List of books to read 

for students going into 

grades 7 through 12 

• 7th: Crossing the Wire 

• 8th: When Zachery 

Beaver Came to Town 

• 9th: Touching Spirit Bear 

• 10th: Uglies 

• 11th: Hunger Games 

• 12th: Alchemist 


5


6 BETHEL PRIDE • WWW.BETHELSD.ORG 

bethelpride 

Student 

achievement 

Yeah, our students 

are that good. 

This spring, Liberty Jr. High claimed first place in the Junior High Battle of the 

Books. Spanaway Jr. High and Cedarcrest Jr. High tied for second place. Pictured 

above is the LJH team: Loren Rolfe, Christian Scheib, Nate Infausto, Conner Mc- 

Candless, along with Librarian Judy Schulz, Principal Tom Mitchell and Superintendent 

Tom Seigel. 

A team from Roy Elementary took top prize at this year’s Battle of the Books. Led by 

Librarian Linda Miller, the team of Aidan Floyd, Diana Tran, Elisabeth Morris and Megan 

House posted a perfect score of 25 in the first round to take the title. This is the first time 

Roy has emerged victorious at the Battle of the Books. Picture above is the team, with 

District Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools, Roger Samples. 

Our district was well represented at the South Sound Regional Science Fair this year by 

students from Liberty, Frontier and Cedarcrest Jr. Highs and Rocky Ridge, Naches Trail and 

Pioneer Valley Elementary Schools. Pictured above is Brandyn Bayes. His project ’Effects 

of Geomagnetic Storms’ won first place, the American Meteorological Society’s Certificate 

of Outstanding Achievement and the US Air Force Certificate of Achievement. 

State Solo and Ensemble Contest Results 

This was a very successful year for Bethel School District’s 

music program. Many students represented Bethel 

at the WIAA/WMEA State Solo and Ensemble Contest 

held at Central Washington University. Congratulations 

to students from our high schools who brought home 

top finishes in the vocal and instrumental contest, 

which featured the state’s best talent. 

There are twenty-two leagues in the state; each league 

holds regional contests and then sends their best to 

Ellensburg. Below are the local solo and ensemble 

winners. Visit the Washington Music Educators Association’s 

website at www.wmea.org/StudentEvents/ 

SoloEns for a complete list of State winners. 

1st Place Winners 

Daniel Higgins Bass Clarinet Solo GKHS 

2nd Place Winners 

Bethel High’s Olivia Clarke takes history seriously. Clarke, whose historical paper, Apartheid: Debating Diplomacy, 

finished 2nd in the National History Day state championships, qualifying her for the nationals. She will fly to College 

Park, MD, in June to compete in the National History Day competition staged yearly at the University of Maryland. 

Twenty-one Bethel High students competed in the state championships this year. 

Women’s 

Ensemble 

Large Women’s 

Ensemble 

SLHS 

Braden Waddell Trumpet Solo GKHS 

3rd Place Winners 

Men’s Ensemble 

Large Brass 

Ensemble 

Large Men’s 

Ensemble 

GK Brass Quintet 

SLHS 

GKHS

ethelsports 

Local athletes win awards, compete in post-season play 

The lack of sunshine did not put 

a damper on an exciting season 

of spring sports for Bethel area 

schools. All three have received 

awards and/or had athletes compete 

in the post-season. 

Here’s a recap: 

Fastpitch 

Spanaway Lake fastpitch has 

taken top league honors. Senior 

pitcher Cara Custer was named 

the SPSL’s Most Valuable Player. 

SLHS head coach Ken Liese received 

the Coach of the Year 

award. Both have been instrumental 

in leading the Sentinels 

to post-season play. At the West 

Central District tournament, the 

team went 2-1 to advance to the 

state playoffs for the first time in 

the team’s history. Other league 

honors went to: 

First Team 

Jorden Steele, IF, SLHS and 

Candais Margeson, OF, BHS 

Second Team 

Amanda Johnson, OF, BHS and 

Hailey Kenney, UT, GKHS 

Honorable Mention 

Morgan Belieu, BHS; Jessica 

Blattler, BHS; Sharlene Dador, 

BHS; Alyssa Hendrickson, 

GKHS; Santy Sanchez, 

GKHS; Marlin Guillen, GKHS; 

Alana Oyama, SLHS and Seirra 

Hoover, SLHS 

Boys Soccer 

Steve Johnson took SPSL Coach 

of the Year honors for leading the 

Graham-Kapowsin boys soccer 

team this season. Also receiving 

league honors: 

First Team 

Wyatt Plattner, F, GKHS 

Second Team 

Jake Schraeder, F, BHS; Eduardo 

Zuniga, F, SLHS; Nick 

Roberts, MF, SLHS; Ian Clemens, 

D, BHS; Trayvon Foy, 

D, GKHS; Kyle VanderWaal, 

GK, GKHS 

Honorable Mention 

John Scacciotti, GKHS and 

Casey Woodcock, SLHS 

Tennis 

The Graham-Kapowsin High 

School Girls Tennis Team received 

the Best Sportsmanship 

Award for the South SPSL. 

Track 

Congratulations to the following 

tracksters who placed 

high enough at districts to 

compete in the WIAA State 

Championships May 26-28: 

BHS 

Justin Hordyk, 300 Hurdles; 

Jose Maravilla, Wheelchair 

100M, 200M & 400M; Danielle 

Tabb, Shot Put & Discus; 

Bev Coleman, Shot Put; 

Amanda Amundson, Shot 

Put 

SLHS 

Marqui Makupson, Triple 

Jump; Robert McKendall, 

Shot Put; Devin McKinney, 

Javelin 

GKHS 

Jamaal Jones, 100M, 200M, 

Long Jump; Jake Lippel, Shot 

Put; Kaylee Barrett, 400M 

Athletic signings: District students commit to colleges 

Bethel High students Danielle Tabb and Ashley Haugen sign their letters 

of intent. Tabb received a four-year scholarship to the Air Force Academy. 

Frank Cheek, coach at Humboldt State says Haugen has a lot of potential 

and that he is, ”looking forward to having her on the team next year.” 

IN OTHER ATHLETICS NEWS 

New college athletes! 

This spring, several Bethel area 

students signed letters of intent 

and/or committed to playing college 

athletics. Congratulations to 

all of these great scholar athletes! 

NCAA 

Ashley Haugen, BHS, Humboldt 

State University - Softball; 

Brooke Molloy, GKHS, George 

Fox University - Volleyball; 

Danielle Tabb, BHS, Air Force 

Academy - Track; Jake Lippel, 

GKHS, Western Montana 

University - Football; Kaitlyn 

Molloy, GKHS, University of 

Montana - Volleyball; Marlin 

Guillen, GKHS, North Dakota 

University - Football; Travis Hoberg, 

GKHS, Southern Oregon 

University - Football 

NWAACC 

Alana Oyama, SLHS, Pierce 

College - Softball; Ann Ferris, 

GKHS, Pierce College - Volleyball; 

Amanda Amundson, BHS, 

Tacoma Community College - 

Basketball; Raymond Greene, 

BHS, Highline Community 

College - Cross Country; Erika 

Campbell, GKHS, Centralia College 

- Basketball; Sam Shadle, 

GKHS, Lower Columbia - Baseball 

PLU Swimming Classes 

Children can learn to swim 

this summer at Pacific Lutheran 

University. The swimming pool is 

offering four sessions of lessons: 

June 27-July 8, July11-22, July 25- 

Aug. 5 and Aug. 8-19. Classes meet 

Monday through Friday. Cost is 

$75 a session. For hours or more 

information, call (253) 535-7370. 

BJH cheer squad takes 

first at nationals 

The Bethel Jr. High cheer squad 

took first place at the 2011 Pac- 

West National Championship 

in Portland, OR this spring. The 

team was named both National 

Champions and Grand National 

Champions. The squad is coached 

Spanaway Lake Sentinel Cara Custer, above, pitches at the West 

Central District tournament. SLHS went 2-1 to advance to state. 

Five Graham-Kapowsin High School seniors commit to college 

athletics. Eagles offensive lineman Travis Hoberg, defensive end 

Jake Lippel, volleyball stand-outs Kaitlyn and Brooke Molloy and 

fastpitch star Marlin Guillen will play for NCAA schools. 

by Dana Thomas. 

Cheerleaders include: Kendra 

Georgia, Madison Nation, Kendal 

Underhill, Kim Amundson, 

Alexis Buzie, Hailey Howard, 

Janae Bowers, Ashley Johnston, 

Rylee Thomas, Reiley Crotts, 

Marissa McCoy, Daesha Tulloch, 

Cassidy Kalapus, Sloane 

McGowan, Bailey Woodson and 

Jordan Narramore. 

Kids Fly Free 

On June 28, students age 8 to 

17 are invited to fly with EAA 

Chapter 326 pilots at Thun Field. 

The Annual Youth Eagles Day 

runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 

To sign up, go to www.eaa326. 

org/ye.htm and click on ‘Online 

Scheduling for 2011.’ 

UW’s Parks Sets Record 

Bethel High School alumni 

Sadena Parks recently shot a 

course record-setting 66 during 

the NCAA West Regional Golf 

Tournament at Washington National 

Golf Club in Auburn. 

Parks finished in 13th place 

and was the top Husky in the 

tournament. The Huskies 

finished seventh overall, earning 

them a spot in the NCAA 

Championships for the first 

time since 2006. 

Check Mate! 

Members of the Camas 

Prairie Chess Club competed 

at this year’s Washington State 

Elementary Chess Championships 

in Tacoma. Seven area 

students qualified, but only 

five participated. Ryan Clark 

of Elk Plain won three games 

and was a runner up to the 

Kindergarten State Chess 

Champion. Others competing 

included: North Star students 

Colby and Mayson Kolowinski 

and Marc McNamee and 

Karl Gianni of Camas Prairie. 

The club is coached by John 

Spafford. 


WWW.BETHELSD.ORG • BETHEL PRIDE 7 

CAMPS & CLINICS 

GKHS Volleyball Camp 

Graham-Kapowsin High School 

will host a Volleyball Camp June 

21 through 24 in the big gym. 

Camp for students in grades 3 

and 4 will be from 9 to 11 a.m. and 

from noon to 2 p.m. for campers 

in grades 5 and 6. Pre-registration 

is not required. For more information, 

contact Loni Parks at 

(253) 683-7311 or email lparks@ 

bethelsd.org. 

Cheerleading 

Bethel High School and Cougar 

Mountain Jr.High will host 

Cheer Camps this summer. Bethel 

High’s camp will take place on 

June 20, 21 & 23 in the BHS gym 

from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Cost is $30, 

which includes a t-shirt and an 

opportunity to cheer at a junior 

high game in September. 

The Cougar Mountain Jr. High 

Cheer Camp will be June 27, 

28 & 30 in the CMJH gym from 

7 to 8:30 p.m. Both camps are 

open to students in Kindergarten 

through 7th grade. Campers will 

learn cheers, chants and dance 

routines. For more information, 

contact Michelle Hamilton, BHS 

& CMJH Cheer Coach at (253) 

683-8146 or email mhamilton@ 

bethelsd.org. 

NEW Bethel Braves Youth 

Football & Cheer 

The new Bethel Braves Youth 

Football Organization will host 

its First Annual Youth Tackle 

Football Camp and Tryouts. The 

camp is June 28 through 30 from 

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Art Crate Field. 

This program is designed to 

teach students in the 3rd through 

6th grades basic football skills and 

fundamentals. Sign-ups will be 

held June 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 

Bethel High School. Cost is $35. 

The club is also seeking cheerleaders 

to support the program. 

For more information, go to www. 

bbyfo.com or call (253) 405-3089 

or (253) 405-4473. 

Sentinels Youth Football 

& Cheer 

Spanaway Lake High School is 

proud to introduce the Spanaway 

Sentinels, a youth football and 

cheer program. The organization 

is looking for students who will be 

4th, 5th or 6th graders during the 

2011-12 school year, who would 

like to participate in the program. 

Kids can attend free weekly 

agility camps (every Monday 

through the end of June) from 

6 to 7 p.m. in the SLHS gym. 

Registration will be available at 

each agility camp. The first cheer 

camp will be in late June. For 

more information. visit http:// 

spanawaysentinels.com. 

Lightning Football Camp 

Liberty Jr. High will hold its 

first-ever football camp June 13 

to 17. The camp is open to all 

first through 6th graders and 

current Liberty 7th and 8th grade 

students. Cost is $30 for grades 

1 through 5 and $40 for grades 

6 through 8. For more details, 

contact Coach Greenlee at (253) 

683-6524. 

Graham Eagles Football 

& Cheer 

The Graham Eagles youth football 

and cheer organization will 

hold a camp and tryouts June 13 

to 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Art Crate 

Field. Register online at www. 

grahameagles.org. For football 

information, call Chuck at (253) 

381-6426 or Beth at (253) 228- 

9970. For cheer, contact Courtney 

at (253) 303-1187. 

SWC Football Camp 

Student in grades 3 through 9 

can learn football fundamentals 

at the SWC camp this summer. 

The camp will be July 28 through 

30 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Art 

Crate Field. Cost is $50 if preregistered. 

Day of camp registration 

is $65 and will begin at 3 p.m. 

on the first day of camp. Campers 

will learn throwing, catching, 

stance, offensive and defensive 

techniques, fundamentals and 

speed enhancement. For more 

information, call (253) 223-7167 

or (253) 389-7916.


8 BETHEL PRIDE • WWW.BETHELSD.ORG 

bethelcommunity 

DISTRICT CALENDAR 

MAY 

May 27: Schools in session, 

Snow Make-Up Day 

May 30: Memorial Day, 

no school 

JUNE 

June 1-2: Spring Musical, “The 

Boy Friend,” 2:30 p.m. at BJH 

June 2: District Band Festival, 

7 p.m. at PLU’s Olson Auditorium 

June 2-4: Spring Play, “The 

Seagull,” 7 p.m. at GKHS 

June 3: Early dismissal for 

students in grades K-6, report 

card preparation 

June 3: Spring Musical, “The 

Boy Friend,” 7 p.m. at BJH 

June 3-4 & 10-11: Play, “Run 

for the Money,” 7 p.m. at CJH 

Elk Plain awarded for excellence 

EPSOC receives Schools of Excellence in Arts Education Award 

Elk Plain School of Choice 

is one of three recipients 

of the new state Schools of 

Excellence in Arts Education 

Award. The award given 

by ArtsEd Washington in 

partnership with the Association 

of Washington School 

Principals (AWSP) is part of 

the national program of the 

John F. Kennedy Center for 

the Performing Arts Schools 

of Distinction in Arts Education 

Awards. 

Elk Plain was selected for 

its outstanding school arts 

program and for making all 

components of the arts – 

dance, music, theater, and 

visual arts – an essential 

ArtsEd Washington presents Elk Plain School of Choice with award. 

part of all students’ education. 

The school received accolades 

for having certificated teachers 

in all arts disciplines and providing 

a highly integrated program 

of learning for students with 

stimulating classes and handson 

experiences, which offer authentic 

community and cultural 

connections. 

“We’re extremely proud to 

formally acknowledge these exemplary 

Washington schools who 

have committed to ensuring the 

arts are part of their schools’ curriculum 

– in line with Washington 

state law requiring the arts to be 

taught in our public schools,” said 

Una McAlinden, executive director 

for ArtsEd Washington. 

Other winners this year included 

Carnation Elementary School 

in King County and the Tacoma 

School of the Arts. 

The Schools of Excellence in 

Arts Education Awards program 

is open to all public elementary, 

middle, and high schools with exemplary 

arts education programs. 

Project Unity: One district, one heart 

June 3-4: One Act Comedy, 

“Hard Candy,” 7 p.m. at SJH 

June 4: Spring Musical, “The 

Boy Friend,” 2 p.m. at BJH 

June 8: Late arrival day 

for students 

June 8: Spring Choir Concert & 

Awards Night, 7 p.m., SLHS 

June 9: Band Awards Banquet, 

7 p.m., GKHS 

June 14: School board meeting, 

7 p.m. at Pioneer Valley 

June 15: Graduation to be held 

at PLU’s Eastvold Auditorium: 

• CSS, 2 p.m. 

June 16: Graduations to be 

held at the Tacoma Dome: 

• GKHS, 3:30 p.m. 

• SLHS, 6 p.m. 

• BHS, 8:30 p.m. 

June 20: Last day of school, 

early dismissal 

June 21: First Day of Summer 

June 22-24: Bethel’s Summer 

Institute, 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

at GKHS 

June 28: School board meeting, 

7 p.m. at district office 

JULY 

July 4: Independence Day 

July 12: School board meeting, 


July 26: School board meeting, 


AUGUST 

August 9: School board 

meeting, 7 p.m. at district office 

August 15-19: Bethel’s 

Summer Institute, 

8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at CMJH 

August 23: School board 

meeting, 7 p.m. at district office 

SEPTEMBER 

September 7: First day of 

school 

Students from Bethel, Graham-Kapowsin and Spanaway Lake high schools ramp up district spirit hoping to end school rivalries off of the field. 

District high schoolers work to end school rivalries 

Article by Marissa Jay 

Bethel High School senior 

Project Unity gives the 

opportunity to bring Bethel, 

Graham-Kapowsin and 

Spanaway Lake high schools 

together. This is a rivalry so 

terrible that something has 

to be done. This is the one 

chance for us to be friends, 

to change something for the 

Evergreen Elementary Makes No Excuses! 

After two years of exceptionally 

hard work, Evergreen 

Elementary is now a proud 

member of the No Excuses 

University! 

No Excuses University is a 

network of elementary, middle, 

and junior high schools 

across the United States, 

which actively promotes college 

readiness. From the moment 

a child enters school, 

it is made very clear that 

college is more than just a 

dream; it is a reality. 

The goal of the program is 

to expose students to powerful 

college symbolism. College 

flags and banners are 

hung throughout the school 

so that classrooms develop 

close partnerships with universities. 

Even college chants 

may be used to help students 

identify with college. 

No Excuses University/ 

Turn Around Schools is an 

future. We only have three years 

to make a difference in our community 

and this is the change we 

want to make. 

The concept came from the 

idea that no one should be treated 

unfairly just because they 

go to one school as opposed to 

another. In past years, the rivalries 

between schools have been 

carried past athletics and have 

caused a great deal of trouble for 

initiative focused on Creating 

Cultures of Universal Achievement, 

a belief that no matter what 

challenges a school faces, each 

staff member must believe in the 

academic potential of every student. 

In addition, every adult on 

campus also understands that it is 

his or her responsibility to translate 

that potential into reality. 

As a member of NEU, Evergreen 

has developed exceptional 

systems for collaboration, standards 

alignment, assessment, 

data analysis and interventions. 

Evergreen is very proud to have 

been accepted into the family of 

No Excuses Universities and will 

continue to work hard to fully 

implement the initiative. 

Jeff King and Damon Lopez 

at Los Penasquitos Elementary 

School in California developed 

the No Excuses/Turn Around 

Schools initiative. For more information 

about this program, visit 

www.turnaroundschools.com 

those involved in the malicious 

attacks between schools. 

Through Project Unity, the 

goal is to leave the rivalry on 

the field and maintain a positive 

attitude towards the other 

high schools within the district. 

The three schools have come up 

with a quote that we plan on living 

by, “one district, one heart”. 

Just because there are three high 

schools doesn’t mean we can’t be 

one big family. 

Project Unity will strive to work 

for the common good of all three 

schools coming together and 

maintaining a positive relationship. 

This will not happen over 

night, but with open minds, open 

hearts and the determination to 

make a change in the right direction, 

Project Unity can relinquish 

rivalry between the high schools 

in our district. 

Evergreen Elementary is proud to have been accepted into the family 

of No Excuses Universities, helping students to identify with colleges.

May/June 2011 - Bethel School District

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