2022-23

SBLSD bus drivers compete in regional Road-e-o competition for first time in 10 years

5/22/23

For the first time in about 10 years, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District Transportation participated in the ESD 121 Regional Bus Road-e-o at the Auburn School District Transportation Department on May 20, bringing back a fun tradition.

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BLHS staff save student’s life during PE class

5/18/23

On May 1 the unthinkable happened. Bonney Lake High School freshman Logan Burton collapsed during fitness class while at school. His heart stopped beating. Thanks to the quick actions of BLHS staff, who used CPR and an AED, Logan is alive today. The staff were recognized at a board meeting on May 17.

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Josh Agpalza: Being open to mental health and wellness

5/18/23

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, SBLSD Equity Director Josh Agpalza shared his own story about when he had to put his mental health first.

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VFE music teacher awarded for creating a sense of belonging with Modern Band

5/9/23

Victor Falls Elementary teacher Ryan Payne was surprised with the WGU Elevate Award for creating a sense of belonging for his students in Modern Band. Watch the surprise unfold and hear what students have to say about him and the program.

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SBLSD in the news: SHS students receive Boeing job offers

5/8/23

Students at Sumner and Bonney Lake high schools are landing jobs before they even graduate! We celebrated students who received job offers from Boeing through our Core Plus Aerospace program with a signing this month. These students were also featured in a News Tribune article.

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Students awarded in Pierce County Library art, photo and story contest

4/27/23

Six Sumner-Bonney Lake School District students won awards in the 27th annual Pierce County Library System’s Our Own Expressions Teen Writing and Art Contest this year. Between January and February 2023, students in Pierce County submitted over 700 entries to express their creativity through original drawings, photography, poetry and short stories. See the winners here.

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Mountain View teacher receives national award for helping students thrive

4/26/23

Mountain View Middle School teacher Tammy Notehelfer was surprised with the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt National Lighthouse Award, a national award that recognizes teachers who have positively affected students, other teachers and their community. Tammy was selected from 500 applications for her work in the MMS reading intervention program, where she helps students grow and thrive.

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From art to popcorn, see how our school volunteers make a difference

April 17-21, 2023 is School Volunteer Week. We have so many volunteers across our District, helping out in many different ways. Meet some of the faces behind our WatchD.O.G.S. programs, Art Docents programs, and Popcorn Fridays and how they are making our students' days a bit brighter! We want to thank all of our volunteers for dedicating their time to our students!

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Meet the student winners of the 2023 Unsung Hero Award

4/19/23

At the Community Summit last night, three SBLSD students were awarded the Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes the dedication of a person who serves in support of our local community! Congratulations to Grace Colbeth (SHS 9th grader), Sarah Colbeth (LMS 7th grader) and Jacob Reyes Al-Bidery (SHS and Pierce County Skills Center senior). Learn more about them and how they serve the community.

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SHS baseball pitcher makes headlines for incredible game

4/19/23

It was quite the game for Sumner Spartans Baseball earlier this week - specifically for SHS senior pitcher Jacob Bresnahan, who had an incredible 19 strikeouts. The game didn’t go unnoticed! Read The News Tribune article about Jacob!

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Preparing students with developmental disabilities for life: SBLSD Third Thursdays connect families to resources

4/13/23 | For parents or guardians of young adults with developmental disabilities, navigating a post-high school world can be overwhelming without the right resources.

The Sumner-Bonney Lake School District provides a unique service in the form of a free family information series every year, bringing needed resources straight to families who need them. Click here to learn more about this series.

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Sports & song: SHS senior Jay Mentink featured in King 5

4/6/23

A two-sport star who can also hit the high note! Sumner High School senior Jay Mentink was recently featured on KING 5 by Chris Egan for his athletic accomplishments in both football and baseball, as well as being a singing champion! Check out his talents and view the whole story!

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Greetings at the Door: How our elementary schools create a positive environment for learning

3/20/23

At the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District, Positive Greetings at the Door is an intentional practice used in every classroom at the elementary level. The strategy is part of the Whole Child approach to learning, which focuses on creating an environment where students feel connected and sense of belonging in their classroom.

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SBLSD Athletic Accomplishments: Winter 2022-23

3/16/23

Check out all the accomplishments of our sports teams and staff during the 2022-23 Winter Season! Congratulations to all the players who took on both their professional and personal goals this year.

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Choosing SBLSD: Paraeducators

3/14/23

Our paraeducators play a huge role in our promise to know, value and support every student at SBLSD.

During Education Support Professionals Week (March 13-17, 2023), we want to take the opportunity to share some of their stories and thank them for the work they do to know, value and support every child.

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For BLHS senior Lily Hoopes, robotics is a passion and family affair

2/13/23: Lily Hoopes, now a senior at Bonney Lake High School, first joined Panther Robotics as a freshman, and has been a member ever since. Now, it's more than just a passion for her - four of her family members also help out at the club.

As we celebrate CTE month this month, listen to Lily's story and learn more about Panther Robotics.

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School counselors make a difference

2/9/23

See how our schools celebrated their counselors during 2023 National School Counseling Week, and learn some of the work they do to know, value and support all students.

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Elhi Hill students highlight safety, activities at Youth Forum

1/26/23

Students at the Elhi Hill High School Program made their voices heard this week at a youth forum facilitated by the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District and the Communities for Families Coalition. Their top concerns: mental health resources, public safety, and availability of teen activities and hang out spots.

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BLHS students explore future possibilities at Career Day

11/22/22

On Nov. 21 for Career Day, BLHS students had the opportunity to learn from more than 40 community members about their career experience and ask questions! Their words of wisdom help inspire students to pursue their own goals after graduation and beyond. Thank you to all the community members who participated and partnered with us!

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Students, staff join in Community Big Give delivering groceries to families in need

11/22/22

Once again, volunteers showed up to help our community in the Community Big Give on Saturday! The annual event is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving to distribute groceries to families in need within Sumner-Bonney Lake, Dieringer & White River School District communities who have signed up for a meal. This year, about 1,250 meals were delivered!

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Native American Education Program students learn to make Navajo fry bread

11/10/22

In this month’s lesson, students in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District Native American Education Program at Sumner Middle School learned that today, Navajo fry bread is a popular food among Native American tribes, but it is also connected to a painful past in Native American history. Watch them learn how to make it.

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Center for Strong Families on a mission to help with financial stability

11/3/22

The Center for Strong Families offers employment coaching, financial coaching and screenings for income support through various benefits programs.

"When there is less stress at home, there's less stress for kids at school,” said SBLSD Superintendent Dr. Laurie Dent. “What we've done in this district is we've made a promise to every kid that you will be known, valued and supported, ready to graduate. And the Center for Strong Families helps us fulfill that promise.”

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Liberty Ridge boat trip to learn about salmon makes news

10/27/22

Did you catch the news this week? A class of Liberty Ridge Elementary fifth graders were featured on Fox 13 for their trip to the Hood Canal Bridge to learn about salmon populations, spawning and migration patterns and the struggles they can face in the Sound. They even saw some orcas!

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WATCH: IDEA Project grows empathy for different abilities at EHE

10/27/22

The IDEA Project visited Emerald Hills Elementary. The program started with two assemblies to get students thinking about what it might be like to have different abilities. Throughout the week, each class participated in hands-on activity stations that allow students to experience what it’s like to live with a disability. See how the activities helped grow students' empathy.

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VIDEO: Latino Club celebrates culture, diversity at Sumner High

10/13/22

The Latino Club at Sumner High School has had a big jump in members this school year, from about 20 to 60. In the club, students celebrate and learn about Latino culture, including dancing! Hear from advisor Profe. Bonet and students about the club!

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