As we move into April and our upcoming Spring Break, there’s a lot to be proud of across our schools and community… and a lot worth recognizing.

April is the Month of the Military Child, which carries special meaning here in Bremerton. With our deep ties to Naval Base Kitsap, many of our students grow up in military families, learning early what it means to adapt, show resilience, and serve something bigger than themselves. These students often move between schools, say hard goodbyes, and step into new environments. They bring strength, perspective, and resilience to our classrooms every day, and this month is a chance for all of us to recognize and appreciate that.

It’s also National School Volunteer Month, and I want to say a genuine thank you to the many folks who show up for our kids… whether that’s helping in classrooms, supporting events, coaching, or just being a steady presence. Public education works best when it’s a shared effort, and in our community, that shows up in real and meaningful ways. Your time matters, and our students are better because of it.

You may have also noticed something exciting taking shape around eastern Bremerton. Walls are going up at our two new elementary schools Armin Jahr and View Ridge. It’s one thing to talk about plans, and another to see them rising right in front of you. These buildings represent more than construction. They’re a sign of growth, belief in our future, and a community that continues to invest in its kids. Bremerton is on the rise, and you can see it in real time.

Thank you for continuing to support our schools!

With gratitude,

Dr. Slade McSheehy

Superintendent

Earlier this month, we celebrated Educational Support Professionals Week (formerly Classified School Employees Week). This is a special time of year when we pause to honor the incredible team members who keep our schools running smoothly and ensure our students are supported, safe, and ready to learn every single day.

Thank you to all of our educational support professionals including:

• Paraeducators

• Nurses & Speech Language Pathology Assistants

• Office support staff

• Technology staff

• Bus drivers & transportation team

• Child Nutrition Services staff

• Custodial, maintenance, & facilities staff

• Safety/security staff

From the front office to the cafeteria, the bus stop to the boiler room, and the health room to the classroom—our support professionals are the backbone of the Bremerton School District.

• Elementary: Third through fifth grade students at all six elementary schools took the stage for the third annual Bremerton Voices all-elementary choir festival (photo below). If you missed it, you can watch the video here. Special thanks to the Music Discovery Center for sponsoring this event! Crownhill Elementary 2nd and 3rd grade students performed “Yeehaw the Musical,” and View Ridge Elementary Arts Academy’s fourth graders performed “Pirates The Musical.”

• Secondary: Our BHS and MVMS orchestra held combined concerts, and both MVMS and BHS held choir concerts this month - all in the beautiful Performing Arts Center (PAC). BHS ASB hosted their annual talent show this month featuring many musical and other creative performances!

• Music competitions:  Our BHS musicians hit the regional stage at the Olympic Music Educators Association (OMEA) regional choir Solo and Ensemble Competition as well as the Large Group Band and Large Group Orchestra Festivals.

• Community engagement:  BHS Orchestra students honed their skills and got an introduction to the Olympic College music program in a workshop with the West Sound Symphony Association executive Director (photo, above). Bremerton Symphony hosted "OrKIDStra" performances for school groups from throughout Kitsap County at the PAC this month. And the BHS Jazz Band helped raise funds for “Knights on Tour” music boosters at their "Swing Dance" dinner & auction at the Bremerton Elks Club last weekend. 

• Fun: The BHS Pep Band kept the energy high at the watch party at the PAC for the state championship basketball game, and the BHS Choir just returned from a weekend trip to Disneyland! 

March may have been Music in Our Schools Month, but in the Bremerton School District, music education is a cornerstone of our curriculum year-round because it builds critical thinking, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging in our students.

Tip: Watch for the BHS and MVMS bands in the annual Armed Forces Day parade next month!

The Bremerton community provides tremendous support to our students and schools all year long. Be Bremerton is our way of giving back and saying “thanks!” 

Join us as we work together in teams cleaning up litter and pulling weeds in downtown Bremerton. Let’s get B-Town looking its best for the annual Armed Forces Day parade. We invite you to sign up at: BremertonSchools.org/BeBremerton.

The transition from elementary to middle school is one of the most significant milestones in a student's academic journey. These years are a time of incredible growth, discovery, and shifting independence. 

In the Bremerton School District, we are committed to ensuring our 5th-grade students and their families feel confident, excited, and supported as they step into this new chapter at Mountain View Middle School (MVMS).

To help ease the "big school" jitters, all 5th-grade students participated in Student Visit Days at MVMS in February. Led by our WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) 8th-grade student leaders, 5th graders engaged in activities to familiarize themselves with the campus, routines, and expectations (photos, above, left & below).

To officially welcome them into the MVMS family, every incoming 6th grader received a special t-shirt designed by WEB leaders. A highlight for many was the opportunity to eat lunch in the MVMS cafeteria, giving them a real taste of the middle school experience alongside their future peers. We also hosted an Incoming 6th-Grade Family Night in February, where families toured the school and learned how we partner together for student success.

A major shift in middle school is moving from one primary classroom to multiple teachers and subjects. To prepare for this, all students received course selection information to take home and discuss with their families. MVMS staff then visited each elementary school to help students register for their 6th-grade classes.

The support continues throughout the spring and summer:

• Peer Mentorship: Next month, our current 6th graders will write personal letters to 5th graders, sharing what they love about middle school and offering "pro tips" they wish they’d known before starting.

• 6th Grade Family Open House (June): Families are invited to meet teachers, "walk a schedule" to practice moving between classes, hear about academic expectations, and check bus routes.

• 6th Grade Orientation (August): Led by WEB leaders, this student-only event focuses on peer connection, practicing locker combinations, and getting comfortable on campus before the first day.

• MVMS Back-to-School Open House: A final opportunity for all families (grades 6-8) to visit the school before the school year begins.

We are committed to providing the support and resources to ensure every student finds success in middle school - and beyond.

Work on the Bond program is moving forward! Despite some typical challenges with weather and permits, we are making good progress.

• Armin Jahr: Construction of the walls started March 25 (see video below!).

• View Ridge: Construction continues!

• Consolidated facilities: We are wrapping up the Design Development phase, with focused meetings underway to refine site planning, building layouts, utilities, and furniture and equipment needs

• HVAC Upgrades: We're preparing for Phase 1 this summer with cooling additions to Kitsap Lake Crownhill and Naval Avenue Elementaries. Our final bids came in lower than expected, so we're trending in a positive direction as we get ready for construction.

We invite you to check out the more detailed updates below. These monthly updates are also posted on our website.

The community is invited to a surplus sale as we prepare to demolish and rebuild our consolidated facilities building! The complete list of items available in the sale can be found here.

We hope you'll help us celebrate our military-connected students and families by wearing purple on April 15. We invite you to submit your "Purple Up" photos to be included in the District Slideshow. Send them via email to Communications@BremertonSchools.org. Thank you!

The March 5th Board Meeting kicked off by recognizing School Support Professionals week (formerly known as Classified Staff Week, March 9-13). More than 340 education support professionals work with and help students throughout the Bremerton School District. These staff members work to maintain school buildings and grounds, provide administrative support, prepare and serve meals, provide safe transportation, keep school facilities clean and safe, promote and support student and staff health and wellness, assist in the classrooms, provide information technology and media services and more. Superintendent McSheehy read the names of all of our classified employees with 10, 15, 20, and 25 years of service and passed a resolution later in the meeting.

At the March 19th board meeting, we were joined by Bremerton High School Athletics Director Mitchell Judie, coaches and students who provided highlights from the BHS winter sports season.

Teaching & Learning Director Teneka Morley-Short presented the recommended Bremerton High School English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum adoption. After an extensive review, training, and pilot process, the Bremerton High School ELA team and the Instructional Materials Committee recommend adopting HMH Into Literature to support high-quality, standards-aligned instruction for our students. The board approved the recommendation. 

POLICY NEWS:

The following policy was adopted by the board:

• Policy Update 6610: Video Surveillance

OTHER NEWS:

• Bond Program Update
• Enrollment Report

Join us in-person or online!

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

The Bremerton School District is partnering with ESD 114 to bring the movie "Screenagers" to the PAC. All families, staff and community members are invited to attend!

See the all-athletics schedule and buy tickets to athletic events at BremertonKnights.org!

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

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