Once a month, I spend my morning in a different kind of classroom - on the school bus. For October, I rode Route I and joined Erik the driver and students heading to Kitsap Lake Elementary, which gave me a great chance to see firsthand the neighborhoods where our students and families live and learn. It’s one thing to talk about “meeting kids where they are,” but it’s something else to actually ride along and see it. I’m so grateful for our bus drivers who do this work every single day, greeting kids with a smile, managing all kinds of situations on the move, and keeping everyone safe while they get our students where they need to go. They truly are the first and last connection to school for so many of our kids, and their care sets the tone for the whole day.

I’ve also been connecting with parents in another way, through our PTOs. I’ve met with several groups recently, and I’m always encouraged by the energy, care, and creativity parents bring to their schools. Those conversations remind me how strong this community is and how deeply people care about our kids’ success and well-being. At the high school, I’ve joined our AVID seniors as a mentor, and I’ve been so impressed by the program that Briana Faxon and Emily Wise lead at BHS. It’s clear they’re helping students find confidence, direction, and purpose for life after graduation. 

These first few months of school have been amazing and as we head into Halloween, I hope you and your family enjoy the fun, stay safe, and take a moment to celebrate this great Fall season in Bremerton.

With gratitude,

Dr. McSheehy

Superintendent

Two Bremerton School District schools, Mountain View Middle School and West Hills STEM Academy, are celebrating a significant achievement: receiving the Washington Schools on the Rise Award for 2025. The award, presented by the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) and the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL), recognized just 42 schools across the entire state for their exceptional commitment to student voice, collaborative leadership, and positive school culture transformation.

The Schools on the Rise Award celebrates schools that have established robust systems in which students and adults work side by side to shape school culture. Recipients must demonstrate tangible examples of co-design and joint leadership, authentic student engagement, diverse student perspectives shaping school decisions, and measurable data showing the impact of student-adult collaboration. 

October is Disability Awareness Month, and in the Bremerton School District, we are dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the unique abilities and potential of all our students. More than 18% of our students qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) - that's 770 kids! These students receive specialized support tailored to their needs, spanning areas like speech, academics, or occupational therapy. It's vital to remember that "disability" encompasses a wide spectrum of experiences, from physical differences and chronic health conditions to sensory needs, and not all students require formal special education services, yet all deserve our full support and understanding.

Our commitment to these students begins incredibly early, with services starting at age 3. We believe a strong foundation starts in preschool, which is why all our programs are fully inclusive, allowing children with and without disabilities to learn and grow side-by-side. These vital services are provided at no cost to families, ensuring every child has access to the support they need to thrive. Our commitment to early, comprehensive, and inclusive learning directly aligns with Goal #1 of our Strategic Plan: Students build a strong foundation, PreK-Grade 2. 

We provide support and services for students up to age 23 with our Transitions program at Bremerton High School. Through this comprehensive program, students gain invaluable life skills that foster independence and practical experience to prepare them for successful employment after high school. Whether it's learning daily living tasks or developing job-specific skills within our community, our goal is to ensure they can lead productive, independent lives. This program not only builds individual success but also enriches our entire Bremerton community!

Every day, our dedicated staff work tirelessly to empower every student, from their first steps into preschool until they are ready to embark on their post-high school journeys. 

Meet Brayan, a remarkable blind student who started his Bremerton School District journey as a kindergartener at Naval Avenue Elementary. Now thriving as a 7th grade student at Mountain View Middle School, Brayan is a true testament to dedication and the power of personalized support. Fluent in Q'anjob'al (a native Guatemalan language), Spanish, and English, he reads and writes using braille across three specialized codes: Unified English Braille, music braille, and Nemeth math braille code. He moves independently between his classes, using a long cane and occasionally supported by his paraeducator, Ana, who has been with him since kindergarten, stepping in to help him when needed. Brayan also works closely with a dedicated Teacher of Blind and Low Vision students who helps him learn braille, and provides support in some of his classes such as band and web design where she assists him with class assignments using a braille tablet connected with a computer. 

Additionally, Brayan receives Orientation and Mobility (O&M) services through Bremerton School District with a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist where he learns how to safely and independently navigate his school and community. Orientation involves using one's senses to understand your position in space and time, while mobility is the act of moving from one place to another. Brayan is learning to master a variety of O&M skills, such as street crossings, using a long cane and a variety of techniques that incorporate his senses. He also is developing additional skills such as mental mapping, route planning, and knowledge of cardinal directions which will help him travel independently in a variety of environments.

We are very excited to share updates on our bond program!

A major highlight is the visible progress on our two replacement elementary schools, Armin Jahr Elementary School and View Ridge Elementary Arts Academy. Demolition at the Armin Jahr site is complete (see photo, right), and the design phase for both schools is nearing its conclusion. Both projects have secured their site development permits, and you can already see earthwork operations and crucial erosion control measures in full swing for both schools!

View Ridge recently hit a major milestone with its 90% construction drawings issued, and Armin Jahr is close behind, signaling that building permits are expected in November. We're also tying up final details at the Armin Jahr interim campus and the new View Ridge Pre-K (relocated from the Armin Jahr campus on Dibb Street), ensuring a continued smooth transition for our students.

Beyond our new elementary schools, significant improvements are also advancing across the district. The Consolidated Facilities project, which will streamline our operational services, is nearing completion of its schematic design phase. We anticipate sharing design drawings and a milestone estimate for this important facility soon. Additionally, district-wide HVAC upgrade projects are moving forward, with construction documents almost finalized. These upgrades are crucial for creating more comfortable and conducive learning and working environments.

Looking ahead, the next big step for our bond program is receiving the building permits for Armin Jahr and View Ridge Elementary – that's when you'll really start to see these beautiful new schools rise from the ground! 

Rest assured, we're keeping a close eye on the market for any potential challenges like material costs or supply chain issues. Our team is working hard behind the scenes with smart planning and flexible strategies to keep everything on track, ensuring we deliver the best possible facilities for our students and community.

This bond program represents a powerful investment in our students' comfort, safety, and future success, creating modern spaces for learning and growth for generations to come.