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Inside on pages 4-5

Thumbs up for hands-on learning

Advanced Placement enrollment grows

Hundreds of Bethel area stu-dents are preparing to graduate from high school. Here are some important dates for graduating seniors and their families.

Bethel High• June 7: Senior Awards Night

(by invitation)• June 19: Graduation

@ Tacoma Dome, 1 p.m.Challenger Secondary• May 20: Senior Awards

Night @ Elk Plain Grange (by invitation)

• June 16: Graduation @ Pacific Lutheran University, 2 p.m.

Graham–Kapowsin High• June 5: Senior Awards Night

(by invitation) • June 19: Graduation

@ Tacoma Dome, 4 p.m.Spanaway Lake High• June 2: Senior Awards Night

@ Liberty Jr., 6:30 p.m.• June 19: Graduation

@ Tacoma Dome, 10 a.m.

For more information about graduation and special events for high school seniors, contact the schools.

HIGH SCHOOLS SET GRADUATION DATES

I N T H E D I S T R I C T

INSIDE: Throughout the district students wrap up the year with activities, awards and honors. See pages 6 and 7 for a sample of achievements. Above: Kapowsin Elemantary students explore the properties of a mysteries substance during the school’s Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) showcase. Kapowsin was just one of several schools to hold STEM showcases this year. From left to right: Leah Spurlock, Alaina Pompa, Jaiden Scanlon, Zoey Wetherbee, Jake Scanlon and Casey Scanlon.

More district students are sign-ing up to work harder in their communications arts classes. The commitment to take on a more rigorous academic program can pave the way for later success in college.

• In all six junior high schools the number of ninth-graders who take an advanced commu-nication arts class has more than tripled. A total of 456 junior high students are now tackling the

tougher program, compared to only 150 two years ago.

• In the district’s three compre-hensive high schools, more than 1200 students are enrolled in AP classes – an 11.3 percent improve-ment from last year. In the current school year, 1,081 students took AP. This year the number climbed to 1,203.

“Taking a college prep class will pay off later,” said Mike Brophy, the district’s assistant superin-

tendent for secondary schools. Students who start preparing at the junior high level will be better prepared for high school classes. He encourages parents to inves-tigate the class offerings.

“These courses will help stu-dents develop the knowledge, skills, abilities and confidence to take a rigorous course of study in high school,” Brophy said.

Students enrolled in AP classes have the opportunity to take the

AP tests in the spring which may earn them college credit before they leave high school.

Research shows that the college graduation rate for high school students who take AP English classes is 62 percent higher than for those who don’t take on the challenge. These students are also more likely to graduate from col-lege in four years.

Call it a short-term fix. Bethel School District is aiming

to close a $2.4 million budget gap. But this year, there may be a

way around it. District admin-istrators are asking the school board to consider a plan that would utilize revenue from the levy, local effort assistance (LEA) and reserve funds to help offset the shortfall.

The biggest infusion of cash would come from the district’s

reserve fund, which through cost-cutting measures, is up slightly this year. Other measurable sav-ings would come from eliminat-ing junior high deans and cutting non-employee related costs.

Ultimately, administrators are hoping to save jobs and keep vital student programs and ser-vices from falling victim to the budget axe.

“Now is the time to protect lo-cal jobs and preserve opportuni-

District working to close budget gapties for kids,” said Superintendent Tom Seigel. “This plan will allow us to meet the needs of our com-munity.”

The shortfall is mainly due to funding challenges at the State. Lawmakers eliminated I-728 student achievement funds and reduced funding to lower fourth grade class-sizes. A projected decline of 125 students will also reduce district revenues.

(quote)

Regardless of solving this year’s financial issues, more may be on the horizon. Administrators are hopeful that a forecasted increase in next year’s enrollment and other revenues could remedy future shortfalls from the state.

(quote) Bethel has been hit repeatedly

by budget reductions from the State. Since 2002, the district has lost over $31 million in funding for local schools.

Marching for BabiesRain didn’t dampen spirits at

this year’s March for Babies. Teams representing all Bethel

schools laced up their tennis shoes to walk the soggy 10K course at Cedarcrest Jr High.

The March of Dimes fundraiser is annual tradition in Bethel. Last year, the district successfully raised almost $30,000, making it the second largest donation in Pierce County.

Proceeds from this year’s walk are still pouring in, but at this point organizers have targeted a

goal of $35,000. “It is not too late,” said Mike

Sandner, director of arts inte-gration. “We will be accepting donations through the end to the school year to support healthier babies.”

Community donations will help fund lifesaving break-throughs like vaccines, intensive care nurseries and research to correct birth defects. To donate, contact Mike Sandner at the dis-trict office. Umbrellas kept the rain from dampening spirits at this year’s March for

Babies. Donations from the event are still being calculated.

APRIL 2010BETHEL PRIDE • WWW.BETHELSD.ORG2

bethelprideBethel 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:Irene Hicks, 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, color, national origin, sex or handicap including student participation in educational programs and extracurricular activities. Contact Todd Mitchell at 253.683.6009 or Bob Maxwell at 253.683.6921 about Section 504 compliance procedures.

bethelpride

District nominees for Teacher of the Year

Tim BaylissNelson ElementaryKindergarten

Allison HorakShining MountainHighly Capable class

Matt McMasterSpanaway ElementaryP.E. Specialist

Kim MelineSpanaway Jr. High7th Grade Science

Michelle SmithGraham-Kapowsin HighCommunication Arts

Bethel Rec seeks donations for kids’ fees

The Bethel Recreation Asso-ciation is in need of donations to help pay partial sports fees for families in need.

Recent difficult economic times and a related sharp increase in requests have nearly depleted the association’s scholarship fund. Donations are tax deduct-ible. A gift as small as $20 will help a child play recreational sports in our community.

To make a monetary donation or for more information about the scholarship fund and recre-ational programs, please contact the Bethel Recreation office at bethelrecsports@yahoo.com or call 253.875.1378.

Summer school offered at Bethel Online Academy

The Bethel Online Academy summer school program allows students to retrieve credits in core academic areas. The pro-gram is available for incoming 9th through 12th students who have failed courses required for graduation.

Registration will be accepted May 17 through June 25. Cost is $125 per course.

Classes will be held June 22 through August 9. All courses will be completed online. To par-ticipate in the program, students must have a reliable, high-speed Internet connection, an email address, Office software, Adobe Acrobat Reader and PowerPoint or PowerPoint viewer.

For more information, contact your local high school counselor, visit the Bethel Online Academy website, http://boa.bethelsd.org/ or call 253.683.6893.

I N B R I E F

Two teachers have won top honors for their work in and out of the classroom. The Bethel Edu-cation Association joins Bethel School District in recognizing their accomplishments.

Nancy Mouat-Rich, a science teacher at Bethel High, and Kelly Wheeler, a Communication Arts instructor at Spanaway Lake High, were honored at public receptions during Teacher Ap-

preciation Week in May. School districts may submit the

names of two teachers to be con-sidered at the regional level. Nine regional winners advance to state competition. The state winner

will be announced this fall and begin a year of recognition in January. Bethel teachers have claimed the state’s top honors five times.

Congratulations Teachers of the Year

Linking literature and historyKelly Wheeler: Teaching through life experiences

Making biology relevantNancy Mouat-Rich: Immersed in education

When Kelly Wheeler chaper-oned the Frontier girls choir on a trip to Europe, she had no idea that the journey would forever change her life.

“We had a free day in Prague. My group didn’t want to go shop-ping. We stumbled upon a syna-gogue that had been changed into a museum. From floor to ceiling in 2-inch letters were the names of local people who had been murdered by the Nazis,” Wheeler said.

And so began what Wheeler’s sister describes as her Holocaust “obsession.”

Eleven millionThe communications arts

teacher came home with a deep-er understanding of the hor-rors of the Holocaust. During a unit on discrimination, her students read “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

“I told my students that I re-alized I did not know what 11 million – let alone six million – looked like,” she said. The num-ber includes others, besides Jews, who were murdered.

The class decided to collect 11 million pop can tabs, enlisting the aid of KOMO-TV’s “People Helper.” Tabs came in from as far away as Blaine and Olympia.

“We strung them together in strands of 1,000,” she said. “They filled my classroom.”

They fell short, realizing they needed more than 100 class-

rooms to complete the job. The class stopped at 93,000. Tabs were recycled and the money given to the Ronald McDonald House.

“The Holocaust is such a com-plex, inexplicable thing,” she said. “Before, they had no idea of how big this was and what it meant.”

A lifelong lessonWheeler will make her seventh

trip to Europe this summer – all

After college, Nancy Mouat-Rich got a job in pharmaceutical sales, but wasn’t satisfied. When she had an opportunity to watch veteran teacher Kathy Paris in action, she was hooked.

“Here was a highly energet-ic, extremely effective science teacher,” she said, admiring one of Bethel High’s best who was named Washington State Teacher of the Year in 1994. “If I can do that, I’ll teach!”

And the 1979 BHS grad came back home to stay.

Keep on learningMouat-Rich has immersed

herself in education. Recently she earned her Na-

tional Board Certification, one of only about three dozen district teachers to pursue the rigorous process to improve teaching skills.

“I recommend it highly for veteran teachers,” she said. “It helped me be more reflective and more tuned into where the kids are at – instead of where we were told they’d be.”

She encourages students to wrestle with information and come up with ideas or solutions.

“For example, when we’re talk-ing about cells and genetics, we ask what’s causing cells to act the way they do,” she said. “If the DNA is damaged, what is that go-ing to mean to the person?”

Mouat-Rich knows her stuff. She spent last summer at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Re-search Center in Seattle develop-ing curriculum and using high tech genetic equipment. She is involved in the High School Hu-man Genome Project through the University of Washington, inves-tigating a genetic link to nicotine addiction.

Keep on teachingIt’s been a banner year for the

19-year veteran. In January she was named Distinguished Faculty for Military Campuses for 2010.

Mouat-Rich has taught evening classes twice a week to military personnel through Pierce College for the past 13 years. Nominated by her peers, she was cited for outstanding work with students, being a team player, improving the program and serving stu-dents.

She’s found it particularly re-warding to work with soldiers returning from a war zone. “We work with them to be successful and help them feel safe again,” she said.

During her “day” job, Mouat-Rich enjoys the teenagers.

“They’re goofy,” she says with a smile. “They have one foot in the adult world and one foot in the kid world and don’t know who they are – they’re fun!”

of her trips have been Holocaust-related. She has studied at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Mu-seum and at Columbia University. She has developed curriculum for other teachers to use to examine the effects of hatred.

“Life may not be as simple as how and why, but asking those questions allows us to learn about ourselves and others,” she said. “With understanding comes

respect. With respect for oth-ers there is no racism, class distinction or gender bias.”

There’s no doubt that Wheeler has earned the re-spect of her students, yet she was “totally and utterly sur-prised” to be named Teacher of the Year.

“I don’t feel like I do any-thing special,” she said. “I just do what I do.”

Nancy Mouat-Rich was surpised with flowers from Bethel Education Association’s president Tom Cruver, when she learned she won the title of Teacher of the Year.

Look, it’s Lady Gaga! Or is it Lady Polkadotta? No, it’s Spanaway Lake Teacher of the Year Kelly Wheeler in her pop star disguise. Wheeler surprises staff and students with a unique costume for each day in the school’s spirit week.

APRIL 2010WWW.BETHELSD.ORG • BETHEL PRIDE 3bethelpride

Classified Employee of the YearNicole Flournoy: An advocate for education

Nicole Flournoy cares deeply about her family and her co-workers.

But to really get her wound up, talk to her about politics.

Flournoy, health clerk at Bethel Jr. High, will take on almost any issue that affects bus drivers, mechanics, classroom assistants, child nutrition workers and all the other behind-the-scenes employees who are essential to smooth-running schools.

Her political work clearly con-tributed to her being named Bethel’s Classified Employee of the Year for 2010.

Top honorsFlournoy currently serves as

chapter secretary and legislative council member. In March she helped coordinate the annual classified employees’ celebration at Graham-Kapowsin High.

“I was assisting handing out presents, plaques and plants when I heard my name men-tioned,” she said. “I was standing behind everybody... then I don’t remember very much!”

One of nine candidates for Bethel’s Classified Employee of the Year, Flournoy’s nomination

packet included more than a dozen letters of support from legislators, administrators and co-workers.

“I’ve only been here four years,” she said. “Other nominees are much more deserving.”

But it was Flournoy who went home with a plaque, flowers and a check for $250.

Political issuesWhen Flournoy was only

14, legislative candidate Tom Campbell knocked on the door. Flournoy told him her parents weren’t home, but she had a few questions for him.

“That was the start of it,” she said. Later as a Bethel High stu-dent (Nicole Farmer, BHS ’95), she credits teacher Jim Sawatzki for continuing to foster that po-litical passion.

Currently, she represents Zone 6, one of 13 zones in the state, relaying information to more than 3,300 employees. She works with lawmakers, spending 20 to 30 hours a week making phone calls, sending e-mails and travel-ing to Olympia.

Flournoy supported recent leg-islation allowing school crossing

guards to submit violators’ names to law enforcement. She’s been working on improving retirement laws and benefits for classified employees.

Personal missionPolitical action is also a per-

sonal mission – Flournoy grew up here and is committed to schools. Her children are third generation district graduates.

“I believe in our union, our staff and our kids,” she said. “I want to be a voice for quality education.”

Classified Employee of the Year nominees

Becky DentonPioneer VelleyParaeducator

Nathan HarperFredericksonParaeducator

Diane JellesedSpanaway Lake Principal’s secretary

Debbie MetcalfKapowsin ElementaryParaeducator

Janice PawulNorth Star ElementaryParaeducator

Carolyn Quinney-HenleyEvergreen ElementaryParaeducator

Nelson SaezMSCPlumber

Brenda SherrellCougar Mountain Jr. HighParaeducator

Skills Center offers summer school classes

Applications for summer school and fall classes are now being accepted for the new Pierce County Skills Center.

The technical school for high school students will offer two sessions of summer school for incoming 9th through 12th grade students. Summer courses in-clude: web design, Microsoft applications, technical writing, personal finance, applied algebra, applied geometry, culinary es-sentials, digital photo, robotics, videogame programming, 3-D animation, marine technology, natural resource management, automotive mechanics, graphic design and drawing. Summer courses will be offered in a variety of locations throughout Pierce County. The cost to attend is $50.

For more details, visit pcskills-center.org or call 253.683.6950.

Now accepting new student registration

Enrollment is now underway for kindergarten and families new to the Bethel School Dis-trict. To apply, families must fill out a student registration form and provide copies of the child’s immunization record and birth certificate. Proof of residency may also be required. Registra-tion is currently being accepted at neighborhood schools.

Full day, tuition-based kin-dergarten programs are planned for Graham, North Star, Clover Creek, Kapowsin, Naches Trail and Pioneer Valley elementary schools. The program costs $250 a month for ten months and a $40 registration fee.

Good for you• GKHS senior Ryan Bernstein

named 2010 Washington Scholar for Legislative Dis-trict #2

• SLHS senior Raynisha Parker named runner-up for Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year for Pierce County.

• GKHS junior Braden Wad-dell, will play third trumpet with a professional pit or-chestra in a production of the Music Man at McCallum Theater in Palm Desert, CA.

• Bethel Jr High 8th grader Hayden Stockton will play for a USA Baseball in the Dominican Republic this summer.

• GKHS senior cheerleader Amber Johnson named to the 2010 Seattle Sea Gals.

I N B R I E F

Nicole Flournoy, Bethel Jr. High’s health clerk checks the temperature of 9th-grader Michaela Volker. When not on the job, Flournoy takes political action on behalf of classified employees.

Voc school to open for businessPierce County Skills Center hires director

The choice of Jacob Jackson to serve as director of the Pierce County Skills Center came as no surprise to Mike Brophy, district assistant superintendent.

“I hired Jake as business teacher years ago when I was a principal in Wenatchee,” Brophy said. “He’s very bright. He thinks outside of the box. He can build from the ground up.”

After Wenatchee, Jackson taught at Spokane Falls and Skagit Valley community colleges. He spent the past four years as direc-tor of North Olympic Peninsula Skills Center in Port Angeles.

And now Jackson is getting his chance to really build a program from “the ground up” as con-struction continues at the center located on Canyon Road and 160th Street.

Multi-district programsJackson will have immediate

“on the job” training as he puts together a complex program involving 10 area school districts.

Jackson’s first priority is to get the summer school program un-der way. Classes will be held at some of the district high school sites and at schools in Orting, White River, Sumner, and Ta-coma’s Foss, Mount Tahoma and Lincoln high schools.

“We’re going to step up our marketing efforts,” Jackson said. “We’ll be getting out brochures for summer school and fall classes.”

Open for business The skills center will open for

classes this fall. A six-classroom building is under construction, and a portable building will be moved to the site in mid-July for

use as office space.“We’re a little behind as far as

the construction goes,” said Jack-son. “We plan to extend the work days to get the job done on time.”

Skills center classes this fall will be open to high school juniors and seniors. Courses available include: Game Design, AP Envi-ronmental Science, Criminal Jus-

If you work hard, good things happen.

Cliff Anderson, principal at Cougar Mountain Jr. High, has lived by that motto all his life. Next year he’ll bring this work

ethic to his new role as principal at Bethel High.

And it’s a good thing.“Bethel is like a diamond that

just needs someone to shine it,” he said. “It has great kids, great staff and a long time tradition of pride in the district.”

30 years of experienceTo earn the job, Anderson took

part in a rigorous interview pro-cess, including a question-and-answer session with 15 Bethel High staff members, a teacher evaluation critiqued by his peers, and a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation explaining his edu-cational philosophy.

Anderson’s seven page resume lists his tenure at Cougar Moun-tain, a half-year stint as director of transportation, and administra-tive positions at Spanaway, Fron-

tier and Cedarcrest junior highs.“I’ve been in the community

for 30 years,” Anderson said. “I know Bethel.”

RESPECTAnderson’s personal philoso-

phy can be summed up in one word: RESPECT – show respect for yourself, other people and your school. He promises rigor, relevance, and results while fos-tering positive relationships.

Posters, banners and “expec-tations” assemblies will get the word out.

“We’ll go over the rules of the road,” Anderson said. “There’ll be no bullying, no harassment. Students will get to class on time and be asked to contribute to the school’s longtime tradition of pride.”

Anderson expects to use same

tough love when leading the staff. In his first year he pledg-es to evaluate all 60 teachers.

“I’m a high-integrity guy,” he said. “I will walk my talk.”

A new chapterLeaving Cougar Mountain

won’t be easy. His secretary, Jeanette Derosier calls him “a natural born leader” who has shaped the school cli-mate.

“His leadership style is out-standing. He’s brilliant in that way. He gets people to buy into an idea and make it their own.”

Anderson says the move is a “culminating project.”

“When I write my book, I’ll have another chapter,” he said. “I’m a high energy guy. This move makes me feel like a kid again.”

tice, Medical Careers, PC Net-working & Hardware Repair, Pre-Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, Pre-Veterinary As-sistant, Robotics/Mechatron-ics, Marine Technology and Fire Science & Emergency Services.

Eventually, automotive, welding and culinary arts courses will be added once the old Safeway is remodeled.

Local students, local jobs

Most high school graduates do not go on to college, Jack-son said. The majority stays and works in the local area.

“We can help students get entry level jobs that pay a liv-ing wage,” he said.

For more information on the skills center class offerings, check with school counselors, visit pcskillscenter.org.

With a background in vocational education, Jacob Jackson is a good fit to lead skills center.

Cougar Mountain’s Cliff Anderson will become a Bethel Brave this fall.

Anderson to focus on high expectationsCMJH principal takes post at Bethel High

APRIL 20104

Great job, Bethel!Bethel High students dominated Green River

Community College’s regional History Day com-petition March 25, qualifying 35 students for the state championship on Saturday, May 1 at Bellevue Community College. Students compete in research-ing, constructing and presenting; documentaries, exhibits, performances, websites and essays. Bethel High individuals and teams combined for 4 first, 3 second, 4 third and 4 fourth seeds advancing to state competition in various events. Fifteen of 28 Bethel entries qualified for state against stiff competition from South Puget Sound Schools.

Most notably, Bethel swept all eight seeds for Group Exhibits and swept all four group perfor-mance entries. The theme of this year’s National History Day is, “Innovation in History: Impact and Change”. Following are the individuals, events and topics of the state-qualifying winners.

First Place Finishers

Names Event Topic

Sarah KarangelenJenny Wagner

Group Exhibit

Test-tube Babies

Orion BanksIan Briske

Group Exhibit

Oncology

Megan Cook Individual Performance

MusicalTheatre

Lindsey HouseJoann Silcio

GroupPerformance

ERA

Second Place Finishers

Morgan BelieuCaila FautenberryJaclyn Parton

Group Exhibit

Title IX

Tyler BrewerMaddison Bray

Group Exhibit

AffirmativeAction

Stormy RossShelby Sewright

GroupPerfomance

Zionism

Third Place Finishers

Lindsey StromRhyan BayhonVictoria Chaplinski

Group Exhibit

Muckraking

Taylor ClarkTiffany Murphy

Group Exhibit

Medicare

Kristin BareFelicia Edwards

GroupPerfomance

Greenpeace

Taylor Dozier IndividualDocumentary

Protest Songs

Fourth Place Finishers

Emma KuhlmannSamantha Shotwell

Group Exhibit

Reformation

Kristen PhillipsKaitlyn HayesMarissa Ballard

Group Exhibit

Child Labor

Mathew VaismanCali Bundesen

GroupPerfomance

Beat Generation

Jacob BrissonMathew HarrisonLucas BriehlSteven Olsen

GroupDocumentary

Electricity

Finalists (not advancing to state)

Melissa Carlier Individual Exhibit

Animal Rights

Natalie KosteckaDarcy CooneyMichaeline Collins

Group Exhibit

Science Fiction

Ariana NasonDelores FugaBranden Thorpe

GroupDocumentary

Cinema

Justin PattonAutumn Stansbery

GroupDocumentary

Gandhi

Fourth Place Finisher

Rachel Mason Individual Exhibit

The Treasure Fleet

Bethel High leads the pack at History Day

Way to go! The Seventh Annual Jr. High Battle of the Books was held at Cougar Mountain Jr. High this year, with Ce-darcrest Jr. High taking first place. From left: Cheryl Barnett, principal; Maggie Leger, dean of students; Rachel Tumer; Ewurama Karikari; Jessica Domingo; Rebecca Tweedt; Vikki Nyborg, librarian and Yolanda Perry, library clerk.

Congrats!

Fabulous!Fantastic! Community members Jennifer Harrison and Shan-

non Booth recently received two awards for their efforts to lead a successful school levy campaign. The pair was honored with a Washington Associa-tion of School Administrators Community Leader-ship Award and were named Bethel School District Volunteers of the Year.

APRIL 2010 5

Great job, Bethel!Instrumental Solo/Ensemble Contest Winners

Name/Group Event

Kelsey Langlois Oboe Solo GKHS

Michaeline Collins Bassoon Solo BHS

Erica Cole Clarinet Solo GKHS

Daniel Higgins Bass Clarinet Solo GKHS

Carl Vonsicard Tenor Saxophone Solo GKHS

Braden Waddell Trumpet Solo GKHS

Haley Bronson French Horn Solo GKHS

Adam Thetford Trombone Solo GKHS

Jeremy Ford Euphonium Solo GKHS

Kris Wells Mallets Solo GKHS

Joseph Cabalo Multiple Percussion Solo BHS

Small String Ensemble Violet Con Fuoco GKHS

Large String Ensemble Chamber Orchestra BHS

Large WW Ensemble Flute Choir GKHS

Small Brass Ensemble Trumpet Trio GKHS

Large Brass Ensemble Brass Quintet 2 GKHS

Large Percussion Ensemble Percussion Ensemble GKHS

First Alternates

Sadie Gardner Flute Solo SLHS

Sarah Woodruff Oboe Solo BHS

Lucas Mayne Trumpet Solo BHS

Bailey Portmann French Horn Solo GKHS

Garrett Vose Trombone Solo GKHS

Isaac Rodrigues Mallets Solo GKHS

Ian Doyle Multiple Percussion Solo BHS

Small WW Ensemble Flute Duet 2 GKHS

Large WW Ensemble Woodwind Quintet 2 GKHS

Large Brass Ensemble Brass Choir GKHS

Small Percussion Ensemble Percussion Duet #1 BHS

The Mountain League Choral/Instrumental Solo and Ensemble Contests were held earlier this year, with perfor-mances from Bethel’s secondary schools student musicians. From these contests, students were named to represent the district at the State Level in Ellensburg.

Local and State Solo/Ensemble Choral and Instrumental Contests

Second Alternates

Elise Rodrigues Flute Solo GKHS

Mitch Belliston Tenor Saxophone Solo FJH

Drew Blount Trumpet Solo GKHS

Bryce Park French Horn Solo GKHS

Venessa Moss Violin Solo GKHS

Small WW Ensemble Mixed Trio BHS

Large WW Ensemble Woodwind Quintet 1 GKHS

Small Brass Ensemble Trumpet Quartet GKHS

Small Percussion Ensemble Mallet Duet GKHS

Choral Solo and Ensemble Contest Winners

Name/Group Event

Jessica Lee Soprano Solo SLHS

Sascha Julian Mezzo Soprano Solo SLHS

Sarah Manning Mezzo Soprano Solo SLHS

Caitlin Gibson Alto Solo GKHS

Junior Woman’s Quartet Small Women’s Ensemble SLHS

Men’s Chamber Ensemble Small Men’s Ensemble GKHS

Junior Mixed Quartet Small Mixed Ensemble SLHS

Women’s Ensemble Large Women’s Ensemble SLHS

A Cappella Choir Large Mixed Ensemble SLHS

First Alternates

Brooke House Mezzo Soprano Solo SLHS

McKenzie Cruz Alto Solo SLHS

Sophomore Women’s Quartet

Small Women’s Ensemble SLHS

Men’s Ensemble Large Men’s Ensemble SLHS

Second Alternates

Alexandra Lanthorn Soprano Solo GKHS

Janell Bauer Mezzo Soprano Solo SLHS

Christopher Azcueta Tenor Solo SLHS

Bryce Park Bass Solo GKHS

Chorale “Vier Maedchen” Small Women’s Ensemble GKHS

Men’s Chamber Ensemble Large Men’s Ensemble GKHS

Congrats!

Fabulous!

Rebecca Arbaugh of Bethel High has been selected as this year’s second-place regional winner in the 16-18 year-old division of GEICO’s 2009 Safety Belt Poster and Video Contest. Above left to right: Dennis Eygabroad, acting principal; Mrs. Arbaugh; Rebecca Arbaugh; Phil Misley, art teacher and Susan Mayne, assistant principal.

Students chosen who moved on to state

Students chosen who moved on to state

Winners from State Contest in Ellensburg1st Place: Daniel Higgings, GKHS, Bass Clarinet2nd Place: Braden Waddell, GKHS, Trumpet3rd Place: GKHS Brass Quintet: Braden Waddell, Trumpet; Drew Blount, Trumpet; Haley Bronson, Horn; Jeremy Ford, Euphonium; Joseph Phenisee, Tuba3rd Place: Women’s Ensemble, A Cappella Choir, SLHS

School

School

Bethel School District is a national leader in energy conservation. This month, the district will receive the Energy Pacesetter Award. The award is given to programs that achieve above-average savings. Over the past 54 months, the district achieved a 26 percent cost savings totaling over $2.3 million. By conserving energy, the district is able to redirect the savings to educational programs.

Bond elections in 2001 and 2006 led to a district build-ing boom. State matching money, grants, and federal stimulus money brought in additional funds. Careful re-financing of bonds has saved millions of dollars in interest. Hundreds of residents (like NAMES above) found ways to show their support for Bethel schools.

YES BETHEL

APRIL 2010BETHEL PRIDE • WWW.BETHELSD.ORG6 bethelupdates

CONSTRUCTION UPDATEPierce County Skills Center Currently under construction at 160th and Canyon Road. Classrooms under construction, remodeling old Safeway store to include eight classrooms, scheduled to open for students in fall of 2010.

Spanaway Elementary Bids go out in August and groundbreaking planned for September at the school site at 165th and Highway 7. It is scheduled for completion in Sep-tember 2011.

Liberty Jr. High Completed in the fall of 2009. Building has served this year as temporary housing for Spanaway Lake High. Liberty will open as junior high this fall.

Spanaway Lake High New building under construction at school site on 168th St. in Spanaway. The two-story building will open in fall of 2010.

Clover Creek Elementary Design work of replacement building is currently under way. Construction begins in spring of 2011. Building will open for students in fall of 2012.

Shining Mountain ElementaryDesign process under way. Building scheduled to open for students in September 2012. Students will be temporarily housed at the old Spanaway Elementary site for one year while new building is under construction.

Learning Center To be built on 14-acre site on 38th Avenue, west of Bethel Jr. High. Phase One consists of two class-rooms and office space. Funding comes from state and private donations.

Transportation/Central Kitchen To be con-structed on 20-acre site at 192nd and Canyon Road. Property acquisition is currently under way.

Other projectsExpand Bethel Jr. High commons, renovate art/choir building at Bethel High, add classrooms at Kapowsin Elementary, make playground and park-ing lot improvements, improve heating systems and roofs, continue making safety and security improvements throughout the district.

To-Do List

Eliminating the conflict between buses, cars and pedes-trians has been a major safety consideration at all district schools. Evergreen Elementary is currently undergoing a transportation study to improve traffic circulation. Clearly marked bus zones and parent drop-off and pick-up zones add to overall safety at Frederickson (above).

Card-key access is already in place in the majority of district schools. Visitors must go to the schools’ main offices to be allowed on school grounds. At Graham-Kapowsin (above) access to the school is limited to card-key holders.

Newly constructed buildings make use of natural light to lower electricity costs. At Liberty (above) workers installed energy efficient windows. “Green” construc-tion makes use of Northwest products and recycled materials.

New elementary school classrooms have a “fat L” design which allows for a smaller pullout area to be used for small group instruction. Upgraded whiteboards allow for the use of newer technology. Classrooms have reinforced sound systems and built-in overhead projectors. Nelson Elementary 6th-grader Ashley Newton (above) works at the whiteboard with para-educator Michelle Gustafson.

SECURITY

SAFETY

CLASSROOMS

GOING GREEN

• District saves millions by refinancing school bond• Improvements made at every district site• All projects completed on time, within budget

In 2001, voters approved an $83.5 mil-lion bond issue to build a junior high, replace Kapowsin Elementary, build a new high school, remodel Thompson Elementary and Spanaway Jr. High, and make capital improve-ments at every district school and facility. State matching funds and grants increased total dollars to $122 million.

Complete: Construct Cougar Mountain

Voters approved a $175 million bond issue to construct two elementary schools, one junior high, a vocational-technical school,an additional bus facility, a central kitchen, mod-ernization of four schools, safety upgrades, and roof and heating repairs. State matching funds and grants increased the total dollars to $260 million.

Construct Frederickson and Nelson el-ementary schools, construct Liberty Jr. High, site improvements throughout the district

Construct Pierce County Skills Center, modernize Spanaway Lake High, replace

2001 Bond | 98% of Projects Complete

2006 Bond | 62% of Projects Complete

Jr. High, replace Kapowsin Elementary, construct Graham-Kapowsin High, repla-ceThompson Elementary, construct Span-away Jr. High and make improvements at every district facility.

$$$$: Refinancing bonds in 2010 reduced the overall debt service by $2.5 million over the life of the new bonds. These bonds will be fully paid off in 2022.

Spanaway Elementary, Clover Creek and Shining Mountain Elementary, safety im-provements (cameras, card-key access), roof and heating repairs, playground and parking lot improvements.

Tax rates are structured to collect only the amount of money approved by voters plus interest. Since the 2006 ballot, total district valuation has increased, federal stimulus funds have come in, and bonds have been re-financed. District taxpayers have saved $24.5 million in interest. Individual tax rates have dropped by $0.11 per thousand.

APRIL 2010WWW.BETHELSD.ORG • BETHEL PRIDE 7

AT H L E T I C S B R I E F S

bethelsports

The Bethel Braves football team will take on Texas this fall.

No, not the whole state, but it may seem like it.

Playing against Permian High School, the site of a legendary football program that spawned “Friday Night Lights,” a book, a movie and a television show, will be a life-changing experience for the 50 young men who’ll fly to Odessa, Texas to play the Permian Panthers on Sept. 2.

How did Bethel High, a rural school of 1,450 students, ever expect to tackle the challenge Permian, a perpetual powerhouse with an enrollment of more than 2,100 and a stadium that seats more than 19,000 fired-up fans?

Ask Coach Gavin Kralik.

Gridiron DynastiesKralik, a Sumner High gradu-

ate, played college ball at Liberty University in Virginia. His hopes of going pro faded when he real-ized that he had gone as far as his playing skills would take him. He earned his teaching degree in special education and looked for a teaching position and coaching job. In 2001, he was hired as an assistant coach at BHS; in 2005 he took over as head coach.

All along, Kralik wondered what factors distinguish a good program from an outstanding one. He set out to compare suc-cessful programs here and in

10 other states. He researched conditioning programs, coach-ing staffs, salaries, booster clubs and more. In 2008, he published “Gridiron Dynasties” and sold more than 1,000 copies. He’s now working on a second book which focuses on only Texas programs. He’s made person-to-person con-nections with top coaches.

“Football is a part of Texas cul-ture,” he said. “It plays a major role in the education of students.”

Coach Kralik managed to snag, not just one invitation to meet the Panthers, but two. The Braves are on Permian’s schedule in the opener in 2011. How’d he do it?

Simple. He asked.

Team building“Our goal is to win,” said Kralik,

acknowledging that Bethel faces an uphill battle. We’re a major underdog. We only have seven starters returning out of 22.”

The motivation factor, how-ever, is sky high.

“Ninety-five percent of our players are turning out for spring sports,” Kralik said. “Last year it was only 20 percent.”

The summer schedule is filled with training, practice, drills and team building.

Junior Ricardo Morales is up to the task.

“Ever since the coach told us about the trip, we got on our game,” he said. “There’s no slack-

Just like ‘Friday Night Lights’Bethel High football to take on famous Texas team Sept. 2

Bethel High Boosters plan to raise $40,000 to pay for the football team’s trip to Texas in September.

This year’s airfare will cost $24,000 and the motel stay, $4,000. Ground transportation will be covered by the host school. Two weeks after the game, Perm-ian’s boosters will send $10,000 to help defray travel costs. Bethel boosters hope to have more than $10,000 set aside for the second trip in 2011.

Fundraisers include “dine outs” at local restaurants where 10-20 percent of proceeds on a desig-nated evening will go to the team.

Fundraising for BHS footballFundraiser Calendar

May 14 Kids’ Night Out at BHS (First through 6th graders only, $10 each)

6 to 10 p.m.

May 18 Dine out at Applebee’s (165 on Meridian) 5 to 9 p.m.June 5 150-Mile Motorcycle/Car Ride

(Starts at BHS, $20 driver/$10 per passenger)9 a.m. to finish

June 8 Dine out at The Ram (156th on Meridian) 5 to 9 p.m.June 11 Kids’ Night out at BHS 6 to 10 p.m.

TBA: Dinner and silent auction, car washes, discount card sales and more

Other fundraisers include a rum-mage sale, a 150-mile motorcycle or car ride, a dinner and a silent auction, discount card sales, player letters asking for dona-

tions, and a series of Kids’ Night Out events at Bethel High.

To make a donation or request information, contact booster club president Shannon Booth

at 253.720.1583 or e-mail at murphybooth@hotmail.com.

Sentinels take second at state

Students receive All-League honors

Boys Basketball All League, Second Team• Jamaal Jones, GKHS• Jordan Mayes, BHSHonorable Mention • Devin Bales, GKHS • John Allee, SLHS• AJ Maxwell, BHS• Tommy McDonald, BHSBoys Wrestling Team ResultsGraham-Kapowsin HS finished 6th in stateIndividual Results• Efrain Aguilar, 2nd place,

GKHS • Travis Metcalf , 4th place,

GKHS• Tanner Sturdevant, 4th place,

GKHS • Dalton Evanger 7th place,

GKHS• Grant Steen, 8th place, GKHSGirls Basketball Kylee Parker, Co-MVP –SPSL, South Division, GKHSAll League, First Team• Jordan McCann, BHS • Jesstine Yost, BHSAll League, Second Team• Melissa Cogburn , GKHS• Ja’Mesha Holland, SLHS• Danielle Tabb, BHSHonorable Mention • Erika Campbell, GKHS • LeAnne Willingham, SLHS• Emma Livernash, SLHS • Raina Frazier, SLHS• Elisha Salas, BHS• Haley Winters, BHSGirls Wrestling • Shayla Harris, 7th place,

GKHS• Caeleenda Johnson, 8th

place, SLHS• Kendra Cremeans, 2nd place,

BHS• Kayla Ralstin, 6th place, BHSGirls BowlingBethel High finished 4th at stateTeam participants were: Danielle Tarasuk, Nicole Lees, Kaitlyn Gates, Kim Myron, Ashley Jensen, Susan Labbancz, Erinn Findley and Coach Brandon Cain

Student athletes commit to collegesSeveral Bethel area students have signed letters of intent, officially announcing their plans to play at the college level.

Basketball• Kylee Parker, GKHS, George

Fox University Football• Anthony Meray, BHS, Air

Force• Erik McKeown, GKHS,

Montana-Western• Christian Santos, GKHS,

Montana-Western• Isaac Winters, GKHS, Army • Shey Patton, SLHS, Central

Washington UniversityWrestling• Efrain Aguilar, GKHS,

University of Missouri• Travis Metcalf, GKHS,

Highline Community College

Cedarcrest team sets wrestling record Taylor Salzberg and Trevor Anderson recently wrapped up their three-years of varsity wrestling at Cedarcrest Jr High with a record of 38-0, setting a new team and SPSL junior high record. Coach Dan Monta says a pair like Salzberg and Anderson don’t come along that often. Not only are they good students, but they have also elevated the atmosphere for the school’s wrestling team. “I can’t say enough great things about them. They have a bright future ahead in anything they set their minds on in high school and beyond,” said Monta.

Former state champs, the Spanaway Sentinels, narrowly missed out on a repeat State title at the Special Olympics.

In first round action at State, the Sentinels crushed the Yakima Cyclones 27-15, then dropped their next game 32-30 to the Auburn Roadrunners. The team battled their way through the semifinals, setting up an Auburn - Spanaway rematch. With just 3 seconds left in regulation, the roadrunners tied it up and sent the game into overtime. In the end, Auburn claimed a 42-38 victory and the gold medal. The Sentinels had to settle for silver.

The narrow loss came just days after the team enjoyed a special parade and send-off in their honor at Spanaway Lake High. Members of Spanaway Lake’s band and cheer squad led the team on a march through the Liberty campus. The salute was held to celebrate the team’s tri-umphant victory at the Southwest Regional Basketball Tournament in Bremerton, where the Sentinels defeated the Vancouver Terriers and the South Kitsap Wolves to take the gold medal.

The team clinched the State

title last year and also took first place in 2005.

2010 SentinelsSylvester Berry, SLHS; Michael Williams, SLHS; Sandra Simpson,

The Spanaway Sentinels were given a send-of rally to prepare for state. Front row: Amber Wiegand, Alicia Toczek, Gregory Pattengale, Phillip Rice, Megan Becker, Sandra Simpson, Michael Williams, Sylvester Berry and Jillian Almodovar. Back row: Coach Lawrence Reed, Manager Cortney Wagner, DeShawna Phillips-Dyson, Kyle Wilder and Coach Gary Milbradt

Taking on Texas this fall motivates Bethel High’s Rudy Sanchez and Riyo Grogan to spend more time in the weight room.

ing off or being lazy. We’ve got to work extra hard.”

It will be Morales first time out of Washington and his first airplane ride.

“Our coach – he’s a good man – we’re not rich, but he managed to get us to go,” Morales said. “We don’t want to disappoint him.”

SLHS; Alicia Toczek, GKHS; Am-ber Wiegand, PV; Megan Becker, FJH; Jillian Almodovar, Transi-tion; Kyle Wilder, Transition; Phillip Rice, Transition; Greg Pattengale, Transition

Coaches Cortney Wagner, Gary Mil-bradt, Ryan Kolowinski, Mar-lene Hegdpeth and Lawrence Reed, all from SLHS.

APRIL 2010BETHEL PRIDE • WWW.BETHELSD.ORG8 bethelcommunity

“Carousel of Spring”

May

May 11: School board meeting, 7 p.m. at district office

May 12: Late arrival day for students

May 12: National School Nurse Day

May 13: Spring Musical, “The Music Man, Jr.,” 2:30 p.m. at BJH

May 13-15: Three One-Act Plays, 7 p.m. at SLHS

May 14-15: Spring Musical, “The Music Man, Jr.,” 7 p.m. at BJH

May 12-28: Measurement of Student Progress, grades 3-8

May 15: Armed Forces Day

May 25-27: Secondary student led conferences; Early dismissal for secondary students

May 25: School board meeting, 7 p.m. at Rocky Ridge Elementary

May 27: Advanced Theatre Showcase, 7 p.m. at BHS

May 29 : Early dismissal for students in grades K-6, report card preparation

May 31: Memorial Day, no school

JUNE

June 1: Teacher training day, no school

June 3: All-District Band Festival, 7 p.m. at PLU’s Olson Auditorium

June 4 : Early dismissal for students in grades K-6, report card preparation

June 8: School board meeting, 7 p.m. at Shining Mountain

June 9: Late arrival day for students

June 16: Challenger graduation, 2 p.m. at PLU’s Eastvold Auditorium

June 19: BHS graduation, 1 p.m. at Tacoma Dome;GKHS graduation, 4 p.m. at Tacoma Dome; SLHS graduation, 10 p.m. at Tacoma Dome

June 21: Last day of school

June 22: School board meeting, 7 p.m. at district office

D I S T R I C T C A L E N D A R Camp ends great year for JROTC

This year, several of junior high and high school march-ing bands, cheerleaders and ROTC programs, along with the Bethel Community Float helped to make Bethel stand out at the 77th annual Grand Floral Street Parade.

As part of the tradition of the parades, various orga-nizations and community members create floats, lay-ered with hundreds, some-times thousands of fresh-cut Daffodils. The Bethel Com-munity was among them.

“We are a district that brings students and the com-munity together,” said Dodie Raden, float coordinator. “And the Daffodil float and parade did just that.”

The float’s theme this year was All the world is a carou-sel, based off of the carousel parade theme. The float also took home the prestigious “County Council Trophy” for its originality and pre-sentation.

Float coordinators• Dodie Raden• Lori Wittstruck

Builders & decorators• Aileen benMohamed• Lisa Anthoney• Russ Baker• Steve Larson• Arch Raden• Dennis Fortier• Mike Taplin• Sylvia, Jake & Randy

Manners• Shaun Sandvig• Lora Taylor• Debbie Russell• Doug Shock• Meredith Colvin• Dave Wells• Alex Scott• Chuck Parsons• Vi Marcoe• Bruce Rohrer• Steve Story• Bob Yeomans

Bethel students dressed up to represent various parts of the world to help represent the theme of the float. Front row: Cody Fox, Dustin Witt-struck, Jasmine Ili. Second row: Mackenzie Chapman, Jessica Paschall, Aaron Scott. Back row: Lacee Ostbye, Rachael Anthoney, Melissa Murillo, Kayla Parker, Jeana Forbus and Kasey Kemp.

• Shan Jones• Jeana Forbus• Vanessa & Kayla Parker• Jim Raden• Maria Henry • Greg & Julie Reber• Ken & Diane Green

Donations 2009/10Parkland-Spanaway Rotary Club, Spanaway Lake High School ASB, Graham-Kapowsin High School ASB, Bethel High School ASB, South Pierce County Altrusa Club, Roy Elementary School PTA, Naches Trail Elementary School PTA, Graham Sunrise Lions Club, Bethel Education Association, Elk Plain Grange, Graham Busi-ness Association, Kiwanis Club Parkland-Spanaway, The Line Up, Dave & Cathie Carlson and Bethel P.S.E.

The Bethel Community float theme was ‘All the world is a carousel.’ The float won the “County Council Trophy” for its originallity and presentation.

Mission accomplished. The Junior Reserve Offi-

cer Training Corps (JROTC) program at Graham-Kapow-sin High School recently wrapped up a successful Ju-nior Cadet Leadership Camp.

The event consisted of several activities designed to develop and improve cadet

confidence and leadership skills Almost 200 cadets represent-

ing seven area high schools par-ticipated this year. Activities included rappelling down a 45-foot tower, kayaking in American Lake, as well as land navigation, obstacle and leadership courses.

“Camp is always an awesome experience for cadets, all the

activities are both challenging and fun,” said JROTC instructor Mike Meray.

This marked the first time GK’s JROTC program had hosted the camp. Students and staff spent many months coordinating with active duty personnel, Army ROTC cadets from Pacific Lu-theran University, Camp Murray

National Guard, Spanaway’s Re-cruiting Station and other JROTC to ensure the camp’s success.

“I was very proud to see the staff flawlessly execute what they had spent months planning. I am very proud of them, and all our camp participants this year,” said Meray.

Graham-Kapowsin hosts leadership camp

C A L E N D A R 2 0 1 0 - 1 1I M P O R T A N T D A T E S

Sept. 2: LID day

Sept. 9: First day of school

Oct. 11: LID day, no school for students

Nov. 25-26: Thanksgiving Break

Dec. 20-31: Winter Break

Feb. 22: LID day, no school for students

Apr. 4-8: Spring Break

June 20: Last day

GKHS junior Kori Hinkle tackles the obstacle and confidence course at Fort Lewis. Hinkle was one of almost 200 cadets to participate in the camp. The obstacle was one of many the cadets participated in.