Letter - Bellevue School District

August 2015
Welcome to Bellevue Big Picture School
Home of the Panthers
Volume 5, Issue 1
Greetings from Big Picture School,
Important Dates
Aug 20—Back to School Check-In
Day 8:00-2:00
Aug 24—New Student Orientation
8:00-12:00
The 2015-2016 school year is fast approaching. Hopefully, you had a
restful break and were able to spend quality time with family and friends.
Big Picture staff members have been busy developing curriculum, receiving training, and preparing for the welcoming of our students into our
school community. We are excited to launch Year 5 of Bellevue Big Picture
and eager to begin building strong relationships with new students and families. Students
are at the center of all that we do here at BP and we take our work with them very seriously.
We truly value our partnerships with families and believe that by working together we can
prepare all students for their post-secondary aspirations. We celebrated our first graduating
class in June 2015 and will share their college journey with you throughout the year.
Sept 29– Middle School Curriculum
Night
In an effort to facilitate a smooth transition to school, we’re providing students and parents
with as much information as possible. Please take time to share with your student the information included in this letter. Hopefully, it will help your child experience a successful transition to school. We’re looking forward to working with you and your child. Please encourage
and facilitate your student’s participation in the New Student Orientation and Back-toSchool Day check-in activities, as they will assist your student in experiencing a smooth transition. Take some time to discuss the required summer reading assignment and ensure your
student is prepared for the related classroom discussions, assignments and assessments to
begin on September 1st in their Humanities classes. Please don’t hesitate to contact me
should you have further questions. Enjoy the summer!
Oct 2—Picture Retake Day
Sincerely,
Aug 24—New Parent Meeting
11:30-12:00
Sept 1- 1st Day of School
Sept 7—Labor Day– No school
Sept 24– High School Curriculum
Night
Bethany Spinler, Principal
Inside this issue:
New Student Orientation
1
New Parent Meeting
2
Back-to School Check-in
2
First Day, Lunch, Afterschool, Supplies
3
Technology, Transportation,
Photos, Volunteer Opportunities
4
Internship, Skills
5
Staff Bios
6-8
Big Picture New Student Orientation
Our NEW Student
Orientation will
be on Monday, August 24, 8:00 AM to
12:00 PM and is for
any student new to
our school program.
During this time,
students will receive a copy of their
schedules, tour the campus and their classrooms,
meet some teacher
advisors, participate in team building activities, learn
about project-based
learning and receive an overview
of expectations for
the school year.
This is a time for
students and staff to connect so parents are free to
leave or to mingle with
other parents. At 11:30
AM, new parents are invited for a short meeting
in the cafeteria prior to
picking up their students.
NEW parents will receive
school and PTSA information. This is a great
opportunity to meet BP
parents and to get last
minute questions answered.
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V O LU M E 5 , I S S U E 1
Back-to-School Check-in
We will also hand out metro
passes to approved students,
collect school fees, and take
yearbook photos. All students
can pick up a copy of their class
schedule.
From 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
on August 20th, parents or
students may drop off completed and signed paperwork from the summer
email/online, including the
required health and registration forms for all students
that were emailed last
Spring. Please remember
that students will not be
allowed to come to school
until we have the required immunization paperwork.
If you can’t make it, please
bring all paperwork the first
day of school.
Please see the back-toschool email and the
check-in day agenda for
specific time slots for
each grade level. Check
the email and our school
website for all required
forms.
NEW to BP Parent Meeting
At 11:30 AM on August 24th NEW parents are invited to a New Parent Meeting Come learn about new updates at
the school, meet some BP staff, get your questions answered, etc. We’ll finish around 12:00 PM, just in time to pick up
your students from new student orientation.
Unable to Attend Orientation and Check-in Day
If you and your child are unable to
attend New Student Orientation
and Back-to-School Check-in, please
let me know. We would like to set
up a time prior to the first day of
school to show your student around
campus and explain the schedule.
All immunization
forms need to be
returned prior to the
first day of school.
Other forms and fees may be taken
care of the first day/week of school,
if needed. There will be a second
opportunity on October 2nd for students to get their pictures taken.
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First Day of School
The first day of school is often
filled with excitement and a
little anxiety, as students may
be fearful of the unknown.
Knowing this, a brief description of the September 1st first
day of school follows. Students
may report to the cafeteria
between 7:15 AM and 7:45
AM to pick up their sched-
ules. Some revisions may
have occurred since the Backto-School Day. PTSA will welcome parents with coffee on
the 1st day. After receiving
their schedules, students report to their first period classes
which begin at 7:45 AM for
high school and 8:00 AM for
middle school. For students
desiring to purchase lunch at
school the 1st Day they must
have money in their online
paypam account. High school
students are dismissed at 2:50
though may stay until 3:20 for
tutorial. Middle school students
are dismissed at 3:00 or 3:30 if
they choose to stay for tutorial.
There will be NO activities
after 3:30 the first week.
Summer Reading
By now, students should be completing their summer reading assignment. If your
student has not obtained a copy of the required novel, please contact the school
asap. The summer reading packet is due the first day of school. Copies of the reading packet are online.
Lunch:
Students may purchase lunch at school and have
choices from the hot entrée of the
day, pizza, caesar salad, hummus plates, etc. Milk and assorted beverages as well as a variety
of snack options will also be
available for purchase. Students
will enter their code (student ID number) to
pay for their meal. Checks or cash will be
accepted for lunch or students can have
money in their online account to purchase lunch. Lunch is 30 minutes in length.
Students may eat in the cafeteria or approved
courtyard areas. Only 10th-12th graders
are able to leave campus for lunch.
Supplies
If you haven’t already done
so, gather your school supplies for the upcoming
year. The supply list is
located on our website. It
is strongly recommended
high school students purchase a
TI-83 Plus or TI-84 Plus graphing
calculator. Some teachers have a
limited number of calculators that
After School
After proceeding through their day, high school students are dismissed at 2:50 PM and middle school students at 3:00 PM. Students may report to one or more of their classes for tutorial from
2:50-3:20 PM (high school) or 3:00 - 3:30 PM (middle school)
Teachers are in their classrooms ready and available to help individuals and/or small groups or teachers may also assign students
to tutorial. Students attending tutorials are to report to the
classrooms and students not attending tutorial are to depart for
home. Clubs and after school activities, Club Jubilee, soccer, etc.
begin after tutorial M,T,TH, and F. Club Jubilee is on campus
until 4:45pm each of those days. Extended tutorial will be available two days each week for an additional hour. After school activities and extended tutorial will not begin the 1st week of school.
students may use in their
classrooms during class
only. They are available on
a first-come, first-serve basis. Students are responsible for the safe keeping of
the school’s calculator. The
fine to replace a damaged
or lost calculator is $120.
If you need assistance getting
school supplies, please contact the
main office.
School Schedule
High School
7:45-2:50 M,T,Th, F
7:45-12:45– Wed
Middle School
8:00-3:00 M,T,Th, F
8:00-1:30 –Wed
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Technology
Students will be issued laptops during
the 1st week of school that they will
take home with them and return to
school daily. Students will need to ensure the laptop is charged prior to coming to school each day. Teachers use Bright Space and
One Note as a learning management system to post assignments, homework calendars, and to communicate
with students and parents. This is a password protected
system that students can access from any computer. Students should back up their work on a USB drive and
their One Drive. ASPEN is the official grade site for the
district and has grade and attendance records. Students
also have Office 365 accounts for school email and document storage. Students and parents are required to sign
a technology usage agreement prior to receiving a laptop
and students will also receive several days of instruction
on the appropriate use of technology. The student/parent
laptop handbook is located on our website with more details.
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Student Pictures
Student pictures will be taken by
Lifetouch on August 20th. A brochure is linked on our website with
information about online ordering.
Even if you choose not to purchase a
picture package, all students must have their photos taken
for our ID cards as they are required for all students. A picture make-up/retake day will be on Oct 2.
Course Fees
This year, all students taking art are required to pay an art
fee if they choose to make digital prints or take home their
work. Those students taking Spanish have the option to purchase a Spanish workbook. Please bring your checkbook or
credit card to the Back-to-school Check-in Day. You will receive a copy of the fee list and your student’s schedule in order to make payment.
Transportation
There is no yellow bus service
to
the school. Students eligible
for
ORCA metro cards will receive
information from the BSD transportation department in the
mail. Many of our students take the metro to school each
day. Information on bus routes can be found online at the
King County Metro site. PTSA will assist parents in coordinating carpools with interested parents.
Lockers
There are only lockers at BP for PE. Students will be issued
a school lock for the PE lockers. Students should not bring
valuables to school. Students may carry their backpacks
from class to class during the day.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are numerous volunteer opportunities at Big Picture. Volunteer Interest Forms are available at the school. Please
complete the form and return to the main office indicating your area of interest.
Leadership Opportunities:
PTSA Committees– reflections, legislative, staff appreciation, newsletter/website, volun
teer coordinator, nominating committee chair, etc.
Office Support Opportunities:
Assist 1st Day of School, Summer Mailings, Student Orientation
Office Volunteer
School Program Support Opportunities:
Middle School College and Career Exploration– career and college guest speakers, information inter
shadows
Project-based Learning– guest speakers connecting academics to real-world work, project contributors
ing with teachers
views, job
partner-
High School Internship Program– career guest speakers, mock interviews, resume writing, informational interviews,
host a job shadow or intern
VIBES volunteers– classroom, 1:1 student support, tutorial support
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Internships
First quarter, all new high school students will be on campus full-time preparing for
their internships in an internship prep class. Students will work to secure an internship placement and once that has occurred will attend the internship on Thursdays.
What can you do this summer to prepare?

Explore areas of interest– read about it, journal, visit a job site, ask questions

Make a list of places in the Puget Sound area that involve this interest area– businesses, non-profits, schools, etc.

Write out everyone you know in your network and their career area– relatives,
friends of parents, parents’ co-workers, etc.

Connect with someone in your interest area.
Skills to Build this Summer
Over the summer, have fun with your child while improving their executive functioning
skills. For example, you could have your child choose a goal for each week this summer
ranging from reading to exercise. Have them create a plan for accomplishing that goal and
reflect on their progress at the end of the week. Work with your student to prioritize their
household chores and manage their time to accomplish common tasks. Students can organize To DO lists, their closets, or the storage shed. If your child has siblings or plays
often with others including team sports, emphasize positive collaborative group skills. After a sibling squabble, talk with your child about managing conflict and positive communication. Encourage students to
volunteer in any capacity they can and to explore new ideas. Transitioning to middle/high school is difficult for many
students. Giving them multiple opportunities to adapt to new situations while they are with the safety and support of
your family will greatly assist them with the transition this Fall. We will focus on many of these areas here at school as a
natural part of project-based learning includingTime management, organization, self-advocacy, goal-setting, working with others, taking initiative, good decisionmaking, typing, academics.
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Introducing Big Picture Staff
Ashley Anderson– Para educator
Drew Archer– HS Special education advisor– Drew most recently taught in Washington, D.C. at Achievement Preparatory Academy. He was also selected for a Teaching Fellows program in Washington, D.C. and has worked as a political field director and organizer. He graduated from George Washington University.
Kaarina Aufranc– HS humanities advisor– Kaarina earned her Masters from SPU and holds a BA in English from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to entering the teaching profession, she was a digital media manager, casting director,
and professional actress in film and network TV. Her goals are to create strong relationships with students, teachers,
and parents, to incorporate technology into classes for enhanced student learning, and to assist students in exploring
their passions and interests.
Gwen Baker– School psychologist– Gwen is a professional harpist and has quite the collection of harps.
Amy Buckingham– Spanish advisor– Amy has a MA in Teaching from Seattle University and a BA/MA in Spanish Literature and Language from WSU. She is dual certified in math and Spanish and taught Spanish in Colorado Springs
prior to returning to Seattle.
Andrew Connelly– MS LA/SS advisor– Andrew grew up in Spokane and graduated from Eastern Washington University. He
previously taught at an International School in Korea and has led outdoor programs for teens, including a trip to Nepal. He
enjoys coding and climbing in his free time.
Rebecca Davis– MS LA advisor– Rebecca grew up in California and enjoys spending her free time with her son, reading
great books, playing video games, and watching science fiction.
Taylor Dunn– MS Math advisor– Taylor was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. She graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics Teaching from the University of Utah and earned a Masters in Teaching from Seattle University. In her spare time she
loves to find new restaurants with her husband, take her dog to the dog park, watch the Seahawks, play soccer, read, and
play guitar.
Bailey Edgley– MS Science advisor– Bailey is a National Board Certified teacher with several years of teaching experience
in the Tacoma School District. She holds an A.A in Graphic Arts, a B.S. in Botany from Oregon State University, and a Masters in Teaching from Evergreen State. She has studied at the University of Washington in the Physics Summer Institute and
has completed a Fred Hutch Cancer Research Science Education Partnership.
Kevin Eiene - Special education advisor - Kevin served as a BSD special education supervisor for several years prior
to returning to the classroom here at BP last year. In his free time, he attends his son’s jazz concerts at Interlake and
coaches football for Hazen High School.
Jennifer Ferries– MS Science and SS advisor– Jenny is an experienced educator and National Board Certified Teacher.
She taught for several years at Puesta Del Sol and launched their very successful afterschool robotics program. She
has worked with the district to design K-5 STEM curriculum prior to joining the BP Staff. In her free time, she swims
regularly and is currently at a swim meet in Cleveland, Ohio. Jenny grew up in Montana and graduated from PLU.
Jamie Ginter - Counselor -Jaime has worked at Interlake High School, Stevenson Elementary School, and Newport
High School.
Tony Granito - Instructional Technology Curriculum Leader– Tony worked as a 21st Century Learning/ Technology Integration Coach in Cleveland. Prior to that, he was an 4-6th grade math/science teacher for 9 years. He is a freelance
web designer and holds a Maters degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
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BP Staff, cont.
Allyson Guy– HS PE advisor– Ally grew up on Bainbridge Island and graduated from Washington State
University in 2013. While at WSU, she earned a Bachelors of Science Degree in Kinesiology and a
Special Education Endorsement. She taught in Mukilteo last year. Outside of school, she enjoys bike
riding, running, traveling, and cooking.
Lance Haag– HS SS advisor– Lance joined BP after a move to Washington from Austin, Texas. Lance taught for six
years in Austin and prior to that worked as a National Catastrophe Adjuster for State Farm Insurance. Lance enjoys
hiking, taking fitness classes at South Bellevue Community Center, and skiing.
Nona Henderson– Special education advisor– Nona is an experienced special education teacher. She grew up in
Idaho and attended University of Idaho and University of Massachusetts. Outside of school, Nona enjoys working
with horses.
Chloe Hertzberg– Paraeducator
Erica Iris– MS Art advisor– Erica was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, but didn’t stay long enough to get a great accent. After
that, she spent most of her life in Connecticut. In 2013, she and her husband got an itch for adventure and moved across
the country to the Pacific Northwest. She studied Art Education, Graphic Design, and Illustration at Central Connecticut
State University. Most recently, she taught Art and Stage Craft at the R.J. Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts in
Hartford, Connecticut. Art has always been her passion, and teaching her dream… come true.
Lesley James– Research Technology Specialist– Lesley worked as a King County Librarian for several years and is
excited to join our school in this new role, supporting research skills in our PbL curriculum.
Eric Jobmann– Technology Assistant
Randy Largent– Para educator– Randy is a personal trainer in his free time and has a degree in Speech Language
Pathology.
Amanda MacLeod– HS Math advisor– Amanda has a science degree and loves mathematics. She has worked for
REI teaching outdoor leadership classes.
Natalie MacKnight– HS Spanish advisor– Natalie earned a Masters in Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts from WWU.
She taught at Issaquah High School last year and served as a graduate assistant at WWU.
Barb Mercier– Community partnership coordinator/Career specialist—Barb was the career specialist at Newport
High School for nine years and prior to that, a Program Manager at Boeing. She was a member of the advisory planning team for the Big Picture School and has been on the BP staff since the school opened.
Mark Moody– Art advisor – Mark has worked as a teacher for 14 years, 5 of which at the Truman Big Picture School
as an advisor and art specialist. He is experienced connecting students to internships and interfacing with the professional world. He has worked as a financial services manager and has a Masters in Educational technology from
Pepperdine and a BFA from CWU.
Anna Morin-HS LA/SS advisor– Anna began her teaching career several years ago at The Center School in Seattle.
She worked as a high school humanities teacher, and also taught literary journal and music theory. She founded and
coached a co-ed recreational soccer team and initiated an after school girls group. After having her two children,
Anna worked as a birth doula for three years. She re-entered teaching last year at Hamilton Middle School in Seattle
and quickly realized that her passion was for working in small, student-centered schools. She holds a Bachelor of
Arts from University of Oregon and a Master in Teaching degree from Seattle University. We’re excited to have her
join us at BP this Fall.
Truong Nguyen– Counselor– Troung worked at Asian Counseling Referral Services in the past and has an extensive
background in mental health counseling.
Drew Oliver– MS PS/health advisor– Drew has taught at Newport High School in the past and currently serves as
their Head Football Coach.
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BP Staff, cont.
Karen Penewell - Office Manager - Karen worked as Office Manager at Eastgate for one year
and 11 years at RMS/HS. Prior to that, she served on the BSD School Board. She and her
husband enjoy riding motorcycles and have welcomed a new addition to their family–dog, Willie.
Kevin Roberts– HS Math advisor—Kevin has spent the last few years teaching abroad, most recently at an International School in Brazil. He is excited to return home to Washington.
Laura Russell– MS science advisor– Laura graduated from George Fox University with a Masters in Teaching, from
Oregon State University with a BS in Chemical Engineering and earned a BS from Montana Tech in Environmental
Engineering. She taught previously in Lake Washington and North Clackamas. Prior to teaching, she was an environmental engineer for SECOR International.
Leslie Smith– HS English Advisor– Leslie holds a degree in English from Arizona State University and an M.A. in
Educational Technology from Northern Arizona University. She taught high school English previously in Arizona and
then worked as an online instructor for K12 and FuelEducation.
Lori Snoozy– Paraeducator– Lori worked as a paraeducator at Eastgate several years before joining the BP staff.
Paul Spatafore– MS humanities advisor– Paul has a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northeastern Illinois
University and Bachelor’s Degree in History from Illinois State University. He taught for eleven years at Shepard
Middle School in Deerfield, Illinois which is a suburb of Chicago. He taught 6th and 8th grade LA/SS and advisory.
Paul has served as team lead and coached track, cross country, and ping pong at his previous school. In his free
time, Paul enjoys playing sports, hiking, traveling and listening to live music.
Shanon Stathers– Internship Coordinator-Shanon has taught at Newport and SHS and worked at Bellevue College.
She has a passion for connecting students with their real-world interest.
Clinton Stellfox-HS Science advisor– Clinton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from UW and a Master of Arts in
Teaching from WGU. He has worked as the Science on Wheels Coordinator for the Pacific Science Center for the
last seven years, teaching hands-on science lessons across the entire Pacific Northwest. In addition, he has also
worked as an educator or Digitalis Education Solutions, which is a planetarium manufacturer. Outside of school,
Clinton enjoys sports and airplanes.
Christina Strigenz– Attendance specialist– Christina is the proud mother of 2 children, one of whom was a member
of our 1st graduating class in June 2015.
Rebecca Thornton– Registrar– Rebecca has been an active volunteer in the district and keeps busy with her children.
Michelle Turner– MS LA advisor– Michelle grew up in Cleveland, OH and earned her BA from Bowling Green State
University. She taught English in Seoul, South Korea and returned to the states to earn her teaching credential from
Cleveland State. She has travelled to more than 30 countries and enjoys long distance running, yoga, her two cockatiels, and spending time with her friends. Michelle taught previously in Federal Way.
Eileen Wilcox– MS Math advisor– Eileen has a MA in Teaching from Northwest University, MBA from Loyola College, and BA in Economics from Rutgers. Prior to entering the teaching field, she served as a para-educator, financial analyst, and regional sales manager. Eileen grew up in New Jersey and enjoys triathlons and camping with her
family.
BELLEVUE BIG PICTURE SCHOOL
14844 SE 22nd Street
Bellevue, WA 98007
Phone: 425-456-7800
Email: spinlerb@bsd405.org
Enjoy the Rest of Summer! See you Soon!