around the district

In The News 2007-2008

School district announces new calendar
The Sumner School District has announced the 2008-09 family friendly calendar with consistent late-start days for students. Every Wednesday starting in ...
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, June 27, 2008)

Ambassadors’ of the school district to retire
For Fulmer and LaVerdiere, this week is their last as teachers in the Sumner School District. The two retire this year with a combined 61 years of ...
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, June 19, 2008)

Wilkens offers words of wisdom to Bonney Lake students, athletes
Sumner School District Superintendent Gil Mendoza said the “Heart of the Panther” has become an event the community flocks to in droves. ...
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, June 19, 2008)

Reading garden is ‘a community effort’
Daffodil Valley Elementary School builds quiet place for students to read with funds earned by increased WASL scores
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, June 13, 2008)

Trade show provides students hands-on marketing experience
Students will get experience working with real companies at the Bonney Lake High School Trade Show and Marketing Fair this Thursday. Bonney Lake business and marketing students, under the direction of Dave Stokke, are hosting the event. The trade show gives students a chance to work with a Bonney...
(Published in The News Tribune, June 11, 2008)

Trade show provides students hands-on marketing experience
Students will get experience working with real companies at the Bonney Lake High School Trade Show and Marketing Fair this Thursday.
Bonney Lake business and marketing students, under the direction of Dave Stokke, are hosting the event. The trade show gives students a chance to work with a Bonney Lake, Sumner or Puyallup business on a promotion strategy to be used at the fair while offering businesses an opportunity to showcase their products. Students will create a booth for their company and answer questions.
(Published in The News Tribune, June 11, 2008)

High school seniors make mark with final projects
Despite all the media focus on the Big Test this year, seniors are sweating – and in some cases sailing – through another new state graduation requirement: the culminating project. But just what that project looks like depends on the high school.
(Published in The News Tribune, June 9, 2008)

Elementary children celebrate holiday
Mexican holiday, Dia de los Niños,means fun, games, snacks and a little bit of learning, too, for students at Daffodil Valley Elementary
Roxanne Cooke

It was all about the children for Dia de los Niños last Thursday at Daffodil Valley Elementary.

"Dia de los Niños,” which translates to “Day of the Children,” is a Mexican holiday that pays homage to children, said Daffodil Valley PTA member Samantha Brendible. Daffodil Valley’s student population is 20 percent Hispanic, so the PTA decided two years ago to celebrate the holiday in their honor.
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, May 29, 2008)

Cyber bullying is on the rise
Sumner School District has a number of programs to help prevent and deal with cyber bullying
Social networking Web sites may be a useful tool to stay in touch with friends, but they have created a bully of a problem for school districts.
Intimidation, harassment and threats between students online can quickly escalate and translate into disruption in school, said Ann Cook, Sumner School District spokeswoman.
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, May 28, 2008)

After 17 years in the district, time to retire
May 28, 2008 03:15 PM Margo Stewart tells her life story in numbers. As the executive director of business services for the Sumner School District, she regularly puts together budgets, financial reports and the like. So when reflecting upon her 17-year career for the district before retiring this month, Stewart tells ...
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, May 28, 2008)

Rotary’s support of Sumner schools goes beyond the checkbook
Sumner Rotary provides volunteers at school events bringing students and the community together

The Sumner Rotary has been part of the Sumner community since 1926. The organization funds scholarship opportunities for students, provides senior project mentors and judges, as well as participates in school and community events like Relay for Life and the Courage Classic and supports the local food bank.

In recent years, this small town chapter of Rotary International has made a significant impact on students throughout the Sumner School District. Rotarians are putting service above self into action through club-sponsored programs that support students at all levels. Their efforts extend beyond providing much needed financial support for Sumner High School’s annual Challenge Day, Ready! for Kindergarten classes and the Rotary Dictionary Project.
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, May 15, 2008)

Awards go beyond the academic
Eighteen seniors in the Sumner School District are honored for their efforts, leadership qualities
Every May, teachers and staff at the two high schools in the Sumner School District select a number of seniors who are representative of their graduating class. “They are very unique,” said Ann Cook, district spokesperson.
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, May 12, 2008)

Summit promotes community togetherness
Hundreds of local residents, leaders and students gathered at Calvary Community Church last Thursday to share ideas about local issues — including the addition of a YMCA in Sumner or Bonney Lake — for the 15th annual Community Summit. The event included a Town Hall Meeting on underage drinking, s...
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, April 3, 2008)

Students will stage talent show to benefit ailing coach, teacher
Sumner students will hold a talent show March 7 and 8 to support teacher Curt Brown. The Mr. Curt Brown Benefit Night will begin at 7 p.m. both nights at Sumner Performing Arts Center, 1707 Main St. Students from Sumner High and Bonney Lake High will perform. Brown teaches seventh grade at ...
(Published in The News Tribune, February 20, 2008)

School district announces science fair first-place winners
The Sumner School District held its annual science fair Saturday. Here are first-place winners: kindergarten: Kyle Sales , Daffodil Elementary School; first grade (tie): Jack Patterson , McAlder Elementary and Austin Smith , Maple Lawn Elementary; second grade: Benjamin Morawek , Emerald Hills El...
(Published in The News Tribune, February 13, 2008)

Six jazz bands to combine for dance and auction fundraiser
Sumner jazz bands will present The Big Band Dance & Auction on Feb. 23. The event will feature performances by jazz bands from Sumner High School, Bonney Lake High School, Lakeridge Middle School, Mountain View Middle School, Sumner Middle School and White River High School. The gathering w...
(Published in The News Tribune, February 13, 2008)

Science fair inspires creativity, observation
Sumner School District science fair encourages students to observe the world around them.

Ever wonder which gender has more sensitive taste buds?
Third-grader Laurel Morgan did.

She chose to put together her science fair project based on the topic. Morgan conducted a taste test of the popular Jelly Belly candy, which comes in such flavors as “Buttered Popcorn” and “Dr. Pepper.”

Though she hypothesized that girls had more sensitive taste receptors, the boys took the lead, guessing 21 flavors correctly over girls’ 12 correct guesses.
“I thought that girls would be better,” Morgan said.
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, February 14, 2008)

An uneven playing field?
The Sumner School District, however, has found that when it raises its eligibility requirements, 90 to 95 percent of students are meeting the goal within ..
(Published in The News Tribune, February 3, 2008)

Community center pool could benefit district
It’s this simple: Any penny spent on the Sumner School District’s swimming pool can’t be spent in the classroom. That makes the estimated $4 million price tag for renovating the pool out of the question. Years ago, the Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee recommended closing the pool and the school board adopted that plan. But they’ve purposely dragged their feet because of the importance of the pool to a small section of the community. But, it’s losing $100,000 a year. In fact, if anything significant breaks, like the boiler, the district has no intention of repairing it. To do so would rob money from the education of our students.
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, January 24, 2008)

Sumner High drama students run the show
For the first time, Sumner High School students manage the lights, sound and sets of an entire play production
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, January 24, 2008)

Math careers abound
At Sumner High School’s first Math Career Night, 13 professionals who use numbers on the job aimed to take the mystery out of math.
The event drew more than 100 students and parents and offered a glimpse into the way careers such as oceanography and foresting involve math on a regular basis.
“I wanted kids to know how they can possibly use math,” said Sumner High School math teacher Kim Fergus, who organized the event.
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, January 17, 2008)

Winter break camp is all about fun and games
The Sumner/Bonney Lake Recreation Department offers a fun-filled camp for children ages 6-12 during their winter break

While their parents work, local children are spending time in Sumner playing games during their winter break.

The Sumner/Bonney Lake Recreation Department is hosting a winter break camp for children ages 6-12 — but it’s not a daycare, said Britt Nardozzi, a site director for the department.

“They get a place to have fun,” Nardozzi said. “It’s great for their social skills.”
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, December 27, 2007)

Sumner teachers receive national certification
Three teachers in the Sumner School District have earned National Board Certification, the only nationwide credential that offers a set of standards for teaching.

Jaclyn Shope of Emerald Hills Elementary, Wendi Page of Sumner Middle School and Alison Norbeck of Crestwood Elementary were recognized for their accomplishments last week during a reception in the Sumner School District Central Office.
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, December 20, 2007)

IB or not to be?
Students enrolled in Sumner High’s International Baccalaureate program reflect on their experience thus far

As the first few months of the school year wind down into winter break, students recently enrolled in Sumner’s International Baccalaureate program maintain their sense of humor — and that’s vital, considering the size of high school junior Robyn Dolson’s enormous binder, crammed with notes and homework.

And that mammoth covers just one day of classes.

“Somehow we’ll all survive,” joked student Erinn Carlson, who is also a junior enrolled in the rigorous program.
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, December 20, 2007)

Getting ready for kindergarten Parents provide skills for school
That's why educators in the Sumner School District are offering a new program – Ready! for Kindergarten – to help parents prepare children for school. ...
(Published in The News Tribune, December 19, 2007)

Students offer hands-on fire safety courses
Three high school seniors take their show on the road

The floor of the Bonney Lake Elementary School commons room was writhing with squirming children.

The second and third-grade students were demonstrating their “stop, drop and roll” skills as three high school students and a handful of teachers watched.
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, December 6, 2007)

Junk becomes art in the hands of Daffodil Valley students
Artist in residence teaches children to reduce, reuse, make recycled art
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, November 15, 2007)

When home alone...
Sumner/Bonney Lake Recreation Department safety course teaches children how to handle strangers, fire hazards and first aid when parents aren’t around.
At 10 years old, Jacob Grimes is ready to be left home alone.
“But mom’s kind of nervous about that,” said his mother, Toni Blake.
Blake, who recently moved to Lake Tapps, said her son has done fine the few times he’s been left alone.
“(But) I don’t think that worry ever goes away,” she said.
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, November 8, 2007)

Leave your hat on
Bonney Lake Elementary School hosts hat event, raises cancer awareness
Students and staff at Bonney Lake Elementary raised money and awareness for children with cancer by wearing hats. On Nov. 2 more than 300 participants wore baseball caps and beanies. One student even wore an army helmet.
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, November 8, 2007)

Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award
For the seventh consecutive year, the Sumner School District has earned the Association of School Business Officials International's Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting award for exceptional performance in the preparation and issuance of a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the 2005-2006 fiscal year. By preparing a CAFR the District validates and demonstrates the credibility of our school system's operations and integrity, and the technical competence of the Business Services staff. This award assists in strengthening our presentations for bond issuance statements, and provides the community the highest quality annual financial report.

The award represents a very significant achievement and was presented to only eight of the 296 school districts in the State of Washington.

Program aims to prepare children for kindergarten
This school year, the Sumner School District is piloting a program called "READY! for Kindergarten" aimed at achieving early pre-literate, pre-math and ...
Read the story here:

For more information or to register:
http://www.sumner.wednet.edu/forparents/pages/PreKevents.html
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, November 1, 2007)

Surprises hide inside and outside the story
As the librarian for Crestwood and Maple Lawn elementary schools in the Sumner School District, she often guides students through the journey of reading. ...
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, November 1, 2007)

Designing a puzzle of technology: Student receives recognition for Aspirations in Computing
What is exciting about designing a Web site for Bonney Lake High School senior Melinda Mudd is they are like putting together a puzzle.
“There’s just something about it,” she said.
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, October 25, 2007)

Homecoming goes on, despite windstorm
Sumner High School students, parents and future Spartans enjoy annual parade, carnival, Homecoming game, Saturday dance
Roxanne Cooke / of the Herald
Last week’s windstorm almost put a halt to a time-honored tradition at Sumner High School: Homecoming.
The school lost power last Thursday, resulting in the cancellation of after-school activities that day, said Superintendent Gil Mendoza.
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, October 25, 2007)

Proposal calls for change in passing of levies
Puyallup Herald
"I think we have many other tax measures that require a simple majority," said Shari Day Campbell, a parent of students in the Sumner School District who ...
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, October 25, 2007)

Sumner school achieves with test scores, family programs
Daffodil Valley Elementary wins awards for WASL test scores, academics
Roxanne Cooke / of the Herald
In the main office at Daffodil Valley Elementary in Sumner, students aren’t shy about talking to the principal, Marcie Belfield, as if she’s their favorite aunt.
Inside Belfield’s office, a giant stuffed bear sits in the corner. Students have fallen asleep on that bear on bad days, she recalls, smiling.
“They’re very comfortable in my office,” Belfield said.
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, October 25, 2007)

Victor Falls earns new award academic achievement award
Victor Falls Elementary has been named one of 86 “Schools of Distinction” by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) for dramatic improvements in student reading and mathematics over the past several years.

Principal Beth Dykman and Superintendent Gil Mendoza joined the state superintendent of public instruction, Dr. Terry Bergeson, along with Carolyn Sherman and Kellie Fremont, representatives of Victor Falls' staff to accept the award at a statewide press event. This new award recognizes and celebrates outstanding improvement in student academic growth.

Dr. Mendoza says, "Victor Falls Elementary students have continued to grow in their achievement toward WASL standards as a result of a combination of strategies and initiatives all equally important. Their success is built upon the professional educators at Victor Falls, and family and community support of academic achievement."

OSPI's Schools of Distinction represent the top 5 percent of elementary, middle and high schools whose students have shown outstanding growth in both reading and mathematics skills during a six-year period. This year's winning schools include 51 elementary schools, 20 middle schools and 15 high schools' out of nearly 2,500 schools in the state.

To be considered for the award, each school had to meet the current year's state learning targets on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning for students in both reading and mathematics.

Victor Falls earns new award academic achievement award
Bonney Lake elementary school is named one of 86 “Schools of Distinction”
(Published in the Puyallup Herald, October 18, 2007)

Seven Pierce County schools honored
Washington state schools Superintendent Terry Bergeson honored seven Pierce County schools Wednesday for making gains in student reading and mathematics skills as well as general improvement in education.
(Published in The News Tribune, October 11, 2007)

Free event for parents covers child literacy, early learning
The parents of children age 6 and younger are invited to a free event this month to learn about literacy, child development and tips on engaging children with books. Sponsored by the Sumner School District's Sumner/Bonney Lake Early Learning Linkages program, the event will be 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. ...
(Published in The News Tribune, October 3, 2007)

Fundraiser featuring food, wine to benefit scholarship program
An event Saturday will benefit the Sumner-Bonney Lake Education Foundation scholarships. The 7 p.m. gathering at Windmill Gardens, 5816 162nd Ave. E., will feature local fare, fine wines and music. Tickets are $35 per person in advance or $45 at the door. For more information, contact Jan at 253-863-2626.
(Published in The News Tribune, September 19, 2007)

Students climb the wall: Fundraising efforts rewarded with new school feature
The students at Emerald Hills Elementary school in Bonney Lake are climbing up the wall.
And parents and teachers think it’s great.
Last year, the school’s Parent Teacher Organization made it their goal to get a rock climbing wall for students. They figured they would need to raise about $10,000 to make it happen. A physical education teacher brought the idea of how the school could develop curriculum to use the wall to the PTO.
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, September 13, 2007)

Q and A with newest leader of schools
Dr. Gil Mendoza shares his hopes and goals as the new superintendent of the Sumner School District
Dr. Gil Mendoza has big shoes to fill — but he is not afraid to do so. Mendoza was hired this year to succeed retiring Sumner School District Superintendent Dr. Donald Eismann, who spent 22 years in the position.
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, September 13, 2007)

Get an early look at plans for Lakeridge school building
Sumner School District voters in May approved construction of a building for Lakeridge as part of a $114 million bond issue. The replacement building will ...
(Published in The News Tribune, September 12, 2007)

Starting a school year
Students, teachers and parents work to make the first day of classes flow smoothly
The end of August can be a bittersweet time for students, teachers and parents alike.
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, August 29, 2007)

Sumner High marching band stays active during the summer
Just because it's summer doesn't mean it's vacation for the Sumner High School marching band. Students are practicing twice a week to prepare for several appearances over the next two months, according to a news release. The band is under the direction of Joe Carl. The band already performed in the Cedar Ridge Neighborhood Forth of July Parade in Bonney Lake. Upcoming appearances include the Capital Lakefair Parade on July 21 in Olympia, the Seattle Seafair Torchlight Parade on July 28 and the Spirit of the Sea Festival Parade in White Rock, B.C., on Aug. 5. Altogether, the band will be seen by more than half a million spectators, according to the news release.
(Published in The News Tribune, July 11, 2007)

Sumner High gears up for advanced program
Donald Eismann’s dream of IB program becomes a reality this September
At the beginning of Eismann's 31-year career in the Sumner School District, schools weren't up to the high academic standards that IB demands, Gaines said. ...
(Published in The Puyallup Herald, July 5, 2007)

Sumner High to offer rigorous program
The News Tribune
Highly motivated teens can satisfy their hunger to learn this September in Sumner High School’s new International Baccalaureate Diploma program. ...
(Published in The News Tribune, July 5, 2007)

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