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Message from the T&L Directors

3 adults standing near railingThe Teaching and Learning department is excited to have students back in school and we wanted to share information that is happening in different areas of our group.

Our goal is to create learning activities throughout the instructional day that integrate content areas with Social Emotional Learning and Global Competency Skills.  We recognize that academic success lies within our students’ ability to reach their full potential and see themselves as change agents in our community. Most importantly we believe our students’ success means partnership with families, so we look forward to partnering with you.

We plan to share updates throughout the year so that families hear about the exciting things that are happening in the Bellevue School District.


Advanced Learning

Advanced Learning Services provide identified students with academic services at an advanced level and accelerated pace due to their ability to comprehend and process information. Services provide instruction in the core content areas of language arts, social studies, science and math. Instruction is designed to meet students’ cognitive and academic needs at the appropriate level. This fall, the Advanced Learning team is working to support teacher professional learning, ensuring that teachers know the needs of students in their classes, and have the resources to serve them.

Apply Now!

Students in need of advanced learning services have an exceptional ability to learn or reason beyond their same-age peers. Please consider applying for Advanced Learning services if your student exhibits a high ability to make meaning out of complex concepts or problems, an advanced vocabulary, an ability to understand information quickly, and strong reading skills.

The application for Advanced Learning services for the 23-24 school year is now open to students in grades 1 to 11. The winter testing application window closes October 31. The summer testing application window is the beginning of May to the end of June.

For more information, please visit our website



Career/Technical Education – Career and Technical Education Over the Summer

Interlake competed at the national TSA Conference with stunning results.

Jose Valdez, College and Career Advisor from Interlake, took several students from various Career and Technical Education courses to the National TSA Conference held in Dallas, Texas from June 26-June 30. Students competed in various events based on their interest area. Here are the results:

students holding trophies

Children’s Stories (1st Place)

Grace Wang and Sophia Zhang

5 students holding trophy

Cybersecurity (2nd Place)

Benjamin Hu, Inue Kang, Liam Krol, Ariel Khais, and Jason Ji

student standing

Future Technology & Engineering Teacher (5th Place)

Chantal Zhou

students holding trophy

Software Development (3rd Place)

Yuchen Xin, Austin Hong, Sophia Zhang, and Andrew Zhou


HOSA Competed in Nashville with spectacular results!

Bellevue School District attended the International HOSA Competition (Nashville, TN) in June.

“This was an AMAZING experience”, according to both HOSA Advisors, Lindzee Alvarez and Jessica Moyer, who escorted the students to Nashville! “They literally competed against very strong teams around the WORLD, not just the US. This year there were 11,000 competitors!”

The International winners from Bellevue School District were:

  1. Forensic Science: #10 Rachel Lian and Caleb Lian (Interlake)
  2. Health Education: #8 Yashvee Raval, Aparna Jagannathan, Sristhi Sankaran, Kavya Rao (Interlake)
  3. HOSA Bowl: #10 Grace Sudarman, Maria Ye, Kathie Li, Nicole Zhou (Interlake)
  4. Pharmacology: #3 Keming (Chris) Qui (Bellevue High)
  5. ATC – General Chemistry: #5 Emma Wang (Newport)
  6. ATC – Math for Health Professionals: #7 Sienna Hwang (Bellevue High)
  7. ATC – Organic Chemistry: #4 Keming Qiu (Bellevue High)
students standing in line

Computer Science (K-5)

We are developing a Computer Science pathway for all students. Developing this pathway is important not only because of the emerging career relevance of Computer Science in all industries, but also because of the need to address long-standing opportunity gaps related to race and gender.

Elementary teachers from around the district are participating in a coding and computational thinking pilot to help shape the future of Computer Science in BSD. Additionally, all students at Ardmore, Lake Hills, Sherwood Forest, Stevenson, and Wilburton receive weekly Computer Science instruction.

Learn more about our ground-breaking K-12 Computer Science initiative, made possible through a partnership with the Bellevue Schools Foundation.


student with glasses that read "I love code"
bsd computer science

bee-bots sitting in dock


Dual Language Programs


This Summer, we had our first ever “New to dual/Immersion” meeting in which new educators to dual (Mandarin and Spanish) and immersion got together to learn about biliteracy development.

faculty sitting in meeting

faculty stands holding books

This fall, we are excited to be collaborating with  Dr. Jose Medina on learning about the C6 Framework. As part of this work, Dr. Jose Medina will be working with 40 of our educators from our Spanish dual language, Mandarin dual Language, and Spanish immersion programs.


This year, we started a new parent advisory group called the Spanish Language Program Advisory Committee. The goal of this group is to hear the voices of our families to help us make our students’ experience better. On Monday the 12th, we had our initial meeting with this committee.

For more information, visit BSD Mandarin Dual Language and Spanish Dual Language.

participants in meeting seated at tables looking at presentation


Literacy- Elementary

Beginning of the Year Assessments

All K-5 students engage in universal literacy screening to help educators understand student strengths and the next best instructional steps for students.   Kindergarten through second grade students complete 1:1 reading assessments with educators and third grade through fifth grade complete an online screener and 1:1 reading assessments as needed.  This is important foundation for helping educators and families know how to best support student reading growth.  To learn more about the beginning units of literacy, please visit: Elementary Curriculum page.

 

Inclusive Libraries

Over the last 3 years, the Bellevue Schools Foundation has generously supported enhancing classroom libraries in all of our elementary schools as well as building our digital collection for students.  The books provided in this grant help students see themselves and understand the lived experiences of others  in fiction and non-fiction.  We thank Bellevue Schools Foundation for the on-going support to help our students cultivate identity, awareness, connection and compassion.

 

Educator Professional Learning

This year approximately 200 educators are participating in a year-long training called Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). In this professional learning, educators learn the skills to master the fundamentals of reading instruction, including phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing and language.



Literacy- Secondary

Bellevue School District is focusing on literacy across the curriculum, improving students’ ability to read critically and communicate about texts in a range of subjects. This focus deepens students’ content knowledge, while building strategies and skills that transfer to real-world situations. By learning to read, write and think like a scientist, mathematician, and historian, students can engage with challenging academic texts more strategically and confidently today, and build the academic literacy skills they will need for college, career and life in their future.



Math

The Bellevue School Districts School Board approved the decision to adopt Illustrative Mathematics for use for the 2022-23 school year, in grades K-7.  Our elementary core math curriculum will be delivered in the Imagine Learning Platform (formerly known as LearnZillion).  Grades 6 & 7 will be delivered in the Desmos platform.

 

For our Algebra 1, Geo, and Algebra 2 courses:

Last spring, a curriculum adoption committee was formed with teachers, leaders, and parents who will serve as voices and advocates. During this time, the committee drafted pillars about what the vision of teaching and learning math looks like in Bellevue schools. Through those pillars, the committee reviewed curriculum materials to pilot the following school year. This process lead to the selection of two resources: Carnegie Learning and Illustrative Mathematics. For the 2022-23 school year, schools teaching Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 may be piloting Carnegie during first semester and Illustrative during second semester. Surveys to students, teachers, and families will be sent out throughout the year to gather feedback to help make decisions late spring.

 

Would you like to provide feedback or questions on our new math resources?

Email: [email protected]



Multilingual Learners

We value the multilingual and multicultural assets our students and families bring to our district!

We have Multilingual Learner Facilitators who work alongside classroom teachers in our schools to support students’ English language development while also honoring their home languages.

WIDA
Our work is guided by the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework and the Guiding Principles of Language Development based on current research. Here is a short video Introducing WIDA .

The MLL Department is connecting WIDA with the district’s vision of Global Competency/Creators of the Future World because we know our multilingual students bring a combination of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values they can successfully apply to global issues and intercultural situations when given the opportunity and access.

Multilingual Learners Department – Fall newsletter



Preschool

The Bellevue School District Early Learning Department was excited to GROW this year by offering preschool programs at 12 Bellevue Elementary Schools. These classes are led by 36 highly-qualified Early Learning Lead Teachers in a program that serves 3-to-5 year-olds by offering programs including Mandarin and Spanish.

Our program aligns with K-12 BSD curriculum and uses The Creative Curriculum as our core curriculum around literacy, math, and social studies.  Teachers also utilize Second Step to support their social emotional development as well as Handwriting Without Tears to support  handwriting and Heggerty to develop letter recognition and phonics.

We are still welcoming preschoolers into our classrooms and enrollment information can be found Here. Partner with our dedicated educators to help see your student SPARKLE and SHINE in BSD.

committee members sitting at desk during presentation

In early September all BSD Early Learning Staff gathered for two full days of teaming and collaboration around supporting all students to be successful through consistent behavior supports for all children.  The energy among staff was amazing and the outcomes for children will be even more impactful.  Thank you for your dedication to all student Preschool teachers!

To inquire about our preschool program please e-mail [email protected]



Science

Our state science standards are the Next Generation Science Standards. Learn more about the science standards by exploring these links to Family Guides in English (grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12) and Información en español (grados K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12). Students in grades K-12 will be engaging in the activities of science and engineering. They will think critically, analyze information and solve complex problems.

model tree crafted from tissue paper

Computer Science Integrated Units (Grade 6-8)

To create an inclusive computer science pathways we are excited to share that students in 6-8 science classrooms will have opportunities to engage in one Computer science integrated units at each grade level in science classrooms, to provide opportunities for students to engage with computational thinking and physical computing to better prepare them for future STEM careers.

chart

6th grade​ – Coral Reef Restoration CS Internship​

How can we use the power of computing and computational thinking to address and mitigate the challenges associated with declining coral reef health?​

student project

7th grade (In development)​ – Deforestation Design challenge

How can we use the power of computational thinking and computing to address and mitigate the challenges associated with deforestation and reforestation?

chart

8th grade (In development)​ – Magnetism and Modeling​

How can we develop a model to test and predict the outcome of future magnetically assisted space launches without going to space?​



SEL-Elementary

Second Step Digital Update & Visual Supports

 

We have upgraded our tier 1 K-2 SEL curriculum to Second Step’s new digital version.  Many of our 3-5 classrooms are also supplementing SEL instruction with the resource as well.

Second Step® Elementary, a research-based social-emotional learning program designed to improve children’s social-emotional skills. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to help children both in and out of school. Four units over the course of the school year will cover the following:

  • Growth Mindset & Goal-Setting: Children learn how to pay attention and manage distractions, develop a growth mindset, and apply goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.
  • Emotion Management: Children learn how to identify and label emotions and use emotion management strategies—including stress management for older students—to calm strong feelings.
  • Empathy & Kindness: Children learn how to recognize kindness and act kindly, have empathy for others and take others’ perspectives, and recognize kind acts and empathy as important elements of building and maintaining relationships.
  • Problem-Solving: Children learn how to identify and state a problem, recognize if a problem is an accident, and use the STEP problem-solving process:
    • S: Say the problem
    • T: Think of solutions
    • E: Explore the outcomes
    • P: Pick a solution

Please utilize these visuals in Chinese, English and Spanish to support your student(s) at home.

ways to feel calm.
solve problems with STEP


SEL-Secondary

Global Competency

Global competence is a multidimensional capacity. Globally competent individuals can examine local, global and intercultural issues, understand and appreciate different perspectives and world views, interact successfully and respectfully with others and take responsible action toward sustainability and collective wellbeing.

 

Read more about global competency here.

 

Social Emotional Learning

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is broadly understood as a process through which individuals build awareness and skills in managing emotions, setting goals, establishing

relationships, and making responsible decisions that support success in school and in life. When we think of educating the whole child, their social and emotional development must be considered as a part of overall instruction.

 

For more information, please visit: K-12 Washington State SEL



Social Studies (K-12)

Bellevue School District aligns curriculum and instruction with the K-12 Social Studies Standards following the inquiry approach to instruction.  “Students who are equipped with the skills of authentic inquiry and who know geography, civics, economics, and history can move forward with confidence that they are prepared to engage with the world.”  Students will learn social studies through multiple perspectives.

 

Elementary School

This fall elementary social studies instruction will feature lessons from the Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State resource focusing on Stories and Histories of Our Place, Giving Thanks and Honoring Salmon.  An example of a third grade unit, Saving the Little Red Fish, features the Snoqualmie Tribe and stewardship efforts to sustain the Kokanee salmon population in Lake Sammamish.

 

Middle School

Secondary Social Studies instruction is standards-aligned by course. Middle school students practice the skills and habits of mind for understanding geography, history, economics and civics.  In late fall 6th graders will apply human geography critical thinking skills to learning about the 17 Sustainable Global Goals and Global Competency. Seventh graders will begin the year with an examination of Washington State Economics and Geography with a close examination of local and global water issues.  Students in 8th grade U.S. History will explore the power of perspective prior to launching into the study of early U.S. History.

 

High School

High school Social Studies courses also strongly align with the Washington State Social Studies Standards by course.  Significant time is devoted to developing and practicing social studies skills including critical reasoning, inquiry-based research, deliberating public issues, and creating a product.

3rd grade unit, Saving the Little Red Fish, features the Snoqualmie Tribe and stewardship efforts to sustain the Kokanee salmon population in Lake Sammamish.



World Language

paraguayNuestra Historia-Online Learning Platform

Spanish 1a, 1b, 1, 2, and 3 has new instructional materials that are based on language acquisition research.

The series called Nuestra Historia  is focuses on making meaning from cultural stories and shared class stories. Each unit comes with interactive Can Do statements. It is all online and frequently updated to reflect current events and resources.

World Language Competency Credits (WLCC) Test

Are you a high school student who already speaks, reads and writes a language? Sign up for the World Language Competency Credits test at your school.

 

Read More: World Language Competency Credits


The Bellevue School District acknowledges that we learn, work, live and gather on the Indigenous Land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Tribes. We thank these caretakers of this land, who have lived and continue to live here, since time immemorial.