Episodes
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Intentional technology use brings balance to classrooms
When 8th grade humanities teacher Ian Clogston looks around his classroom at Elk Plain School of Choice, he wants to see students deeply engaged, not just staring into glowing screens. “While technology can make things easier, we also know that learning requires challenge, effort, and friction,”...
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Protecting our buildings, building our future
While teachers and students are in class, behind the scenes, dedicated teams quietly lay the groundwork that keeps our learning spaces safe, warm, and ready for teaching and learning every single day. This past summer was no exception for our maintenance and facilities crews. While classrooms…
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Maintaining 23.8 million square feet of property
Every great school district relies on a foundation that most people only notice when something goes wrong. Here in Bethel, that foundation is built by a dedicated team of Grounds and Maintenance workers whose daily pride and craftsmanship keep the entire system running smoothly behind the scenes....
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Bethel Operations by the numbers
From kitchen prep to morning bus runs, the daily effort required to support our students spans millions of square feet and thousands of staff. In September alone, 422,493 meals were served to students across the district. “A lot of work goes into that,” said Paul Marquardt, Executive Director of...
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Decades of dedication to student-athletes
The lessons learned on our middle and high school athletic fields stretch far beyond wins and losses. Student-athletes gain essential life skills, including time management, teamwork, and resilience. Our coaches and staff play a vital role in instilling these values, as demonstrated by two...
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New certified testing site drives recruitment forward
Getting Bethel students to school safely and on time just got a major boost. With 12,800 students taking the bus to school each day, getting our kids to campus requires an equally massive logistical push. To keep those routes running smoothly, driver recruitment remains a top priority for our...
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State funding shift threatens $10 million in Bethel funding
When local voters approved our Educational Programs & Operations Levy back in February, they did more than support local schools. They fulfilled a promise to our students. Thank you, voters! That local support was also meant to unlock additional state dollars through Local Effort Assistance....
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Setting the standard for Pierce County school safety
Living in the Pacific Northwest comes with undeniable beauty, but it also brings a unique set of natural hazards. From Mount Rainier looming on the horizon to the quiet threat of earthquakes, windstorms, and winter weather, preparing for emergencies is a reality of life. Our district takes safety...
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Careers in Education class inspires future teachers
Students in the Careers in Education program at Graham-Kapowsin and Spanaway Lake high schools got an inside look at administrative leadership recently during a special visit from Superintendent Brian Lowney. Before his arrival, students brainstormed questions covering everything from his daily…
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Bethel crew completes nearly 1,000 work orders
Behind every smooth school year is a summer of nonstop work that most people never see. Here in Bethel, our Facilities and Maintenance team spends the quiet months tackling the heavy lifting required to keep our entire district safe, compliant, and ready for students to return. While campuses are...
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Unlocking medieval secrets in 4th grade
Walking into Rachel Ballas’ fourth grade classroom at Graham Elementary, you immediately notice the sound of harps and acoustic guitars as music from the Middle Ages sets a tone of discovery for students, who are scattered in groups across the classroom working on an ELA assignment. Each student...
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Helping ninth graders start strong
The transition from middle school to high school can be daunting. New classes, higher expectations and unfamiliar routines can lead to freshman quickly falling behind. But here in Bethel, a program is helping ninth graders build the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Now in its third…
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Big paper, bigger ideas
Inside a 5th grade classroom at Frederickson Elementary, students gather in small groups, crouched over giant sheets of paper spread across the room. They are tackling a brand new math unit focused on “interpreting fractions as division by writing remainders as fractions.” But rather than writing...
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How flexibility and teamwork keep our classrooms strong
Working in a classroom is a tough job. But educators in our district take the phrase “see the student before the behavior” very seriously. They also lean into another guiding idea: “Be a palm tree.” “While oak trees are big and strong, when a windstorm comes, they break and fall over; but palm...
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Students promise to never forget 9/11
Students, staff, veterans, first responders, and community members gathered to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. This year’s ceremony held special significance as the first event hosted at Casey Crate Memorial Plaza at the new Bethel High School. The plaza honors Air Force...
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Seniors pave paths from crime scenes to ERs
Forget tuning into The Pitt for high stakes medical drama. Right here in our district, four Bethel High School seniors are getting a front row seat to the healthcare world. And they’re taking the state by storm! HOSA is basically the Olympics for future healthcare professionals. And these…
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How Bethel educators are rewriting discipline
Across our district, classrooms are moving away from traditional, reactive punishments. Instead, teachers and administrators are working side-by-side to help every student thrive by building real-life skills, teaching them how to navigate conflicts, and creating a sense of belonging in our…
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School buses are back: Know when to stop
School buses are heading back out on the roads, which means it is time for a quick refresher on when to stop for those red flashing lights! Washington state law (RCW 46.61.370) outlines when drivers must stop for school buses. On a two-lane road, drivers traveling in both directions must stop…
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Why every day in school matters
Mornings are hard. Between lost shoes, missed alarms, and the constant race against the clock, just getting your kids out the door can feel like a victory. But every single day your child makes it into the classroom matters more than you might think. It’s easy to view an absence here and there as...
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How Bethel High’s new campus honors its roots and community
At 300,000 square feet and stretching an eighth of a mile door to door, the new Bethel High School is an enormous building. But it wasn't built just to look impressive. It was designed from the ground up for the students who will use it for generations to come. “What I appreciate most is that the...
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Blue Zones Project targets local longevity
Everyone wants to live a longer, healthier life, but figuring out how to actually do it -- and then sticking to it -- can be much harder. A transformative new initiative is trying to remove that guesswork entirely by building wellness directly into the daily environment. Rather than asking...
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Seniors celebrate at summer graduation
More than a dozen Bethel School District seniors walked across the graduation stage in August to receive their diplomas, proving that hard work pays off, no matter the timeline. The students were graduates of Bethel, Challenger, Graham-Kapowsin, and Spanaway Lake high schools. While our…
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Balanced budget today, challenges tomorrow
Through careful planning, efficient staffing, and prudent financial management, Bethel has successfully delivered a balanced budget for the upcoming school year. The budget reflects our commitment to delivering a high-quality education for every student while being careful stewards of local tax...
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Beyond the numbers to real student success
For many of our students, graduation day is more than a ceremony. It is the culmination of years of quiet resilience, hard work, and relentless community support. This year, our McKinney-Vento students -- those experiencing homelessness -- achieved an 84% graduation rate, up from 79% last year....
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How student mentors prep new classmates for day one
Transitioning to a new school brings plenty of anxiety, for incoming students and families alike. To help ease that pressure, every middle and high school in our district runs an orientation program before the first bell rings. Middle schools host WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) for incoming 6th...
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You're Invited: New Bethel High School Dedication Aug. 21
You are invited to the official dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Bethel High School on August 21 at 1 p.m. Speakers will include former Superintendent Tom Seigel, BHS students, and more! The ceremony will be held in the main gym. Self-guided tours will be available after the...
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Cedarcrest surplus saves thousands
The exciting transformation of Cedarcrest Middle School is officially underway as demolition crews have already begun clearing the old site to make way for a brand-new era. What began as a modernization plan under our voter-approved 2019 School Construction Bond has successfully evolved into a...
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LEA cliff threatens sustainable district budget
Legislators have made drastic changes to the way they financially support school districts. These changes are going to take tens of millions of dollars out of our district’s budget unless something is done. But before you call Olympia, let’s rewind and get the full story. Earlier this year…
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A balanced budget for 2026/27
For a school district, a true balanced budget will show the money going in being the same as the money going out. And for the 2026/27 school year, that’s exactly what we have on the table, thanks to a lot of hard work behind the scenes. On top of a balanced budget, the district also just finished...
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The long and winding road to Episode #190
A red Abbey Road Studio sign hangs above a small conference room at district headquarters. Abbey Road is, of course, where the Beatles recorded 190 of their legendary hits. Here in Bethel, this tiny room is where our flagship podcast will soon record its 190th episode. "We’re not comparing...
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Another clean audit for Bethel
When people hear the word “audit” they start to get nervous. With personal taxes, an audit can be an intrusive exercise, feeling like you’re baring your finances for all the world to see. Imagine being audited every year. Here in Bethel, and for school districts around the state, that’s what...
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FAQ: New Bethel High School
With the new Bethel High nearing completion and getting ready to welcome students this fall, we know our community has a few questions. Here are a few quick answers to what's on everyone's mind. First, many are wondering when people will be able to tour the new facilities. We will host an…
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Bison burgers for picky eaters
Before the school bell rings, our Central Kitchen is already buzzing with activity. And this year marks a monumental milestone year for our hard-working culinary crew, who are celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the facility that keeps our students fed. Ten years ago, we were serving half the...
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Remembering Ed Niehl
We are sad to announce the passing of Bethel legend Ed Niehl. Ed poured his heart into our students as a physical education teacher, athletic director, and coach. It is hard to imagine a Friday night without the bright lights of Art Crate Field, but the area was little more than a cow pasture…
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New welding class sparks student futures
While the doors won't officially open until this fall, the dedicated welding classroom at the new Bethel High School is already being seen as a massive leap forward for our students. This cutting-edge program is a direct result of our community’s investment. While other schools don’t have these...
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Big moves and major upgrades this summer
Our dedicated operations team is gearing up for one of the busiest summers in our district’s history. Thanks to our community's incredible support, we are officially moving into the brand-new Bethel High School building. This massive undertaking is a monumental milestone for our district, and we...
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How athletics fuel higher GPAs
A sixth-grader steps onto the wrestling mat for the first time, nervous but ready to try something new. What they don’t know is that the same discipline required to master a wrestling takedown also helps them focus during a mid-term exam. For most of our 4,817 participating middle and high school...
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Say the word, do the motion
Dena Mariano has spent 27 years teaching in our schools, but she is still finding new ways to grow. This year, in her first grade classroom at Shining Mountain Elementary, she has seven multilingual students in her classroom. These are students who are learning English, on top of learning the...
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Student voices are shaping our schools
“Speak a lot! Do not be afraid to express your opinion.” That’s the advice Lyllian, a senior at Bethel High School, offered to those following in her footsteps. It is empowered advice, and likely not something she would have shared three years ago. Her confidence blossomed through a unique...
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Sunshine and stories with a school librarian
The spring sun has finally arrived, and at Kapowsin Elementary that means Amy Dalin’s library is on the move. While some might picture a library as a place of hushed silence and heavy curtains, Dalin prefers a bit of "controlled chaos" and the fresh air of the Pacific Northwest. Dalin is in her...
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A warm welcome to the neighborhood
The smell of fresh coffee is filling the staff room at the old Naches Trail Elementary this week, but the faces gathered around the table aren't familiar ones. Following an electrical fire at Puyallup’s Ferrucci Junior High, our district stepped in to ensure their students had a place to finish…
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Excellence in every mile
For 16,000 students in our district, their school day starts when they're greeted by a smiling face at the bus door. Our drivers do more than navigate traffic. They set the tone for a child’s entire day, turning a simple commute into a foundation for educational success. Tone is important, but...
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9 Bethel schools earn state recognition, most in Pierce County
We are excited to announce that nine of our schools have been recognized as part of the 2026 Washington School Recognition Program! With nine schools honored, the Bethel School District leads all of Pierce County in state recognition this year, standing as one of the top-recognized districts in…
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The secret to surviving ninth grade
The buzz of a busy high school hallway can be a daunting soundtrack for a ninth grader just arriving from middle school. But at Graham-Kapowsin High School, that transition is becoming a journey of confidence. Ever, a current freshman, felt that shift personally. For her, the backbone of her high...
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To AI or not to AI?
Behind every student iPad screen is a complex web of protection designed to keep kids safe. In an era where cyberattacks are a multibillion-dollar industry, our Technology Department isn't just managing devices, they are building a digital fortress. "The weakest link, and this is why we’re…
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The class of 2031
The Class of 2031 is currently in middle school, but the world waiting for them is already taking shape. By the time they graduate, 72% of jobs will require education beyond a high school diploma. That’s according to a study by Georgetown University. Now, post-secondary education can mean a lot…
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State cuts strain Bethel’s budget
A low hum from the HVAC system was the only sound in the boardroom as Chief Financial Officer Christine Donnelly presented a hard truth about next year’s budget. “Based on the legislative changes, we are now projecting that we’ll collect millions of dollars less in Local Effort Assistance than…
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There is no egg in eggplant
"English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren’t invented in England or French fries in France." – Richard Lederer Teaching English has never been easy. There are rules, exceptions to the rules, and...
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Supporting our neighbors in Puyallup
Due to an electrical fire at Puyallup's Ferrucci Junior High last week, the Bethel School District and Puyallup School District are currently working together on the details that would have 7th and 8th graders from Ferrucci go to school at Bethel's old Naches Trail Elementary for the rest of the...
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Language diversity helps our students shine
When people think of multilingual learners, they often imagine students who recently arrived from another country and are learning English for the first time. In our district, the picture is much broader. Nearly half of our multilingual learners were born in the United States and arrived at…
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Listen to the Story brings you the latest stories from across the Bethel School District, including school news, feature stories, bond updates, and more.
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