The Bark Community Edition 1/16/2026

Jan 16 2026

Building Our Beloved Community Together

Dear Bennett Families,

As we begin this new year, I want to share with you an important commitment our district is making—one that guides our work every day.

At the School Board meeting on Thursday, January 8, Superintendent Aramaki spoke about our shared resolution to continue building what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called the Beloved Community: a community where every student and staff member belongs, where people care for one another, and where discrimination has no place. Our School Board has strengthened policies to match this vision and to set clear expectations for staff, students, and families across all schools.

Why This Work Matters

Bellevue School District recognizes that students’ experiences and outcomes are shaped by many factors—including race, language, ability, gender identity, and family income. We know that some students face barriers that others do not, and that racism and discrimination—whether intentional or not—cause real harm. Policy 0130 was created to address these inequities directly and ensure that every student has access to the opportunities, support, and sense of belonging they deserve.

What This Means for Our Schools

We are committed to making every classroom, hallway, lunchroom, and playground a place where students feel safe, respected, and valued for who they are. This includes ensuring our schools are free from racism, antisemitism, homophobia, sexism, islamophobia, neurodiversity bias, and all forms of discrimination.

To support this work, the School Board and district have made several important commitments:

Board Commitments

The Board is responsible for setting the vision and policies that guide our district. They are committed to:

Affirming and supporting every student, especially those who have been marginalized.
Using the Equity Driven Decision Making (EDDM) process when reviewing policies, curriculum, budgets, and major district decisions.
Ensuring policies reduce harm, remove barriers, and promote belonging.
Maintaining clear expectations and strong systems for reporting and addressing racism and discrimination.
Reviewing policies regularly to ensure they continue to advance equitable and exceptional education.

District Commitments

The district is responsible for putting these commitments into action. This includes:

Adopting curriculum and teaching practices that reflect and affirm students’ cultures, identities, and languages.
Ensuring students have equitable access to programs such as Advanced Learning, Special Education, English language supports, AP/IB courses, sports, clubs, and college and career guidance.
Providing strong instruction and interventions to help all students meet academic milestones.
Ensuring discipline practices are fair, consistent, and free from bias.
Providing ongoing staff training in cultural responsiveness, anti-bias practices, and inclusive instruction.
Recruiting and retaining a diverse, highly qualified workforce.
Maintaining clear systems for reporting, investigating, and responding to discrimination or harm.
Building strong partnerships with families, especially those who may face barriers to engagement.

Updated Policies and Practices

To support these commitments, the following policies have been updated:

Procedure 3210P (Non-Discrimination Policy): Updated to clearly prohibit all forms of discrimination and harassment.
Policy 3241 (Student Behavior, Corrective Actions, and/or Interventions): Updated with clearer expectations and stronger consequences for discriminatory behavior. For example, short-term suspensions may be applied as a possible consequence for discriminatory acts and language after other interventions have been considered.
Professional Development: Schools are engaged in training on microaggressions, implicit bias, and equity-focused leadership.
Instructional Focus: Teacher evaluations now emphasize knowing and valuing students, engaging them in learning, and monitoring progress with equity at the center.

These changes help ensure our schools reflect our values of safety, belonging, dignity, and high expectations for every student.

Inclusion and Full Engagement

We are committed to ensuring that all students, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners—are fully included in grade-level learning with their peers whenever possible. Instruction is designed to be strength-based and aligned to rigorous standards, with the support students need to thrive.

How We Address Inequities

Because different student groups face different challenges, our approach is both systemic and tailored. We use data to understand where inequities exist, listen to students and families, and design supports that meet specific needs while ensuring every student has access to the opportunities they deserve.

Accountability

To ensure we are making progress, the district will:

Monitor and report on student outcomes, especially for students who have been historically marginalized.
Document the use of the EDDM process for major decisions.
Review equity commitments annually and align district plans and budgets accordingly.

This transparency helps us stay focused on what matters most—student success and belonging.

How Families Can Help

Building the Beloved Community is not something schools can do alone. Families play a vital role in helping students learn what it means to respect others and contribute to a caring community.

Here are some local resources that may support conversations at home:

Bellevue Diversity Advantage Initiative – Workshops and resources on equity and inclusion.
Eastside Pathways – Guides and community events focused on youth belonging and respect.
·Bellevue YMCA Teen Programs – Safe spaces for teens to discuss identity, leadership, and community values.
Kids4Peace Seattle – Interfaith youth program that helps students learn respect across differences.
Bellevue Library Teen Services – Book lists and discussion guides on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Simple conversations at home—about kindness, fairness, and standing up for others—make a powerful difference.

Celebrating Student Leadership

Many of our students are already leading this work through ASBs, BSUs, GSAs, JSUs, MSUs, SOAR teams, and other groups. I encourage you to support your student’s growth and explore the resources available through our school and community partners.

Staying Connected

If you have questions or would like more information about how these updates will be implemented in your child’s school, please reach out to our leadership team. We are in partnership with you in supporting students both at school and at home.

Closing

Bennett Bulldogs, thank you for being our partners in this important work. Together, we can ensure every student in Bellevue feels safe, respected, and valued. Let’s make 2026 and 2027 years where our schools truly reflect the Beloved Community we are striving to build.

With gratitude,

Jessica Strazzulla

Principal

Upcoming Dates

Save these dates on your calendar!

1/16- Open Transfer, Choice Schools and Language Program Application period closes
1/19- MLK Holiday - No School
1/21 Renewal of Expiring Levies - Community Info Night 5-7pm online
1/22- Language programs waitlist applications open
1/23- Walkathon GLOW PARTY!
1/26- Non-Student Day- required certificated staff workday (No School)
2/2- New Student enrollment opens for K-12 students
2/12- Student Lighthouse Team Meeting @8am
2/16-2/20 - Mid Winter Break - No School

BSD Cultural Calendar

Bennett Elementary Family Photo Wall📸🐾

Thank You for Sharing Your Family Photos!
A big thank you to all the families who have already sent in their pictures, we love seeing your smiling faces! If you haven’t had a chance yet, no worries! We’ll continue accepting photos. It’s never too late to join in. Be sure to check out the beautiful Family Photo Wall that celebrates our amazing community in our hallway outside our main office.

Drop off a copy or email a digital copy to me strazzullaj@bsd405.org,

Nurse Corner

If your child has a fever or is showing signs of the flu, please consider keeping them home so they can rest and recover. If they have a cough that is disruptive or distracting at school, staying home may also help them feel better sooner. When they return, please remind them how to “cover their cough”, wash hands, and consider wearing a mask.

School Nurse

(425) 456- 4805

Local Levies Help Fund Learning and Safety

Ballots Arriving Soon – Learn About the Levies

Ballots will be mailed to Bellevue voters around January 23–24 for the February 10 election. The ballot includes two replacement levies that continue local funding for our schools.

The levies support student learning, classroom staff, safety programs, technology, and building maintenance. This funding helps make sure every student has access to safe and supportive learning environments. Watch the district’s short informational video and learn more about what each levy funds.

District News and Resources

Closing January 16: Open Transfer, Choice Schools and Language Programs Applications

The open transfer, choice school and language program application period for the 2026-2027 school year closes on Friday, January 16, 2026. Learn more about who should apply.

New student enrollment opens for preschool and K-12 on Monday, February 2, 2026.

Attendance Matters: When are Absences Considered School Avoidance?

“School avoidance” is when a child refuses to attend school or has difficulty remaining in school the entire day. There are many reasons why students avoid attending school and uncovering the reason why your student is avoiding and/or refusing is key to fixing it.

School avoidance may look like:
Full day absences from school
Going to school but leaving early
Going to school, but only after crying, hiding, having an outburst, or refusing to move
Faking illness to miss a day of school or having physical symptoms related to anxiety (e.g., headache, stomachache, nausea, etc.)
Showing unusual distress about going to school and begging you not to make them go

Learn more about school avoidance and how to prevent it in this edition of the Attendance Matters series.