As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I’ve been thinking a lot about the simple things that help our students feel grounded, cared for, and ready to learn. At the top of that list is something many of us can take for granted: a good meal.

Over the past month, Dr. Steedman (Director of Finance and Human Resources) and I have been spending time in our schools… this time not in meetings or classrooms, but aproned up and serving lunch alongside our Child Nutrition Services team, led by the amazing Ashley Guerrero. We visited Crownhill Elementary and Naval Avenue Elementary, and it’s hard to overstate how impressive our staff is. Their operation is fast, friendly, and full of heart. And the food? Genuinely great. Students walked through the line to a colorful salad bar, fresh fruits and vegetables, and a choice of hot or cold entrées. Dr. Steedman and I even found ourselves competing to see how many students would choose the hot lunch versus the cold lunch as they came through the line—kids were quick to tell us their favorites.

That work has carried even more weight recently. With the government shutdown temporarily disrupting EBT services statewide, many families felt the squeeze. Moments like that remind us why school meals matter so deeply—not just as part of the school day, but as an everyday support in the lives of thousands of children and families. Our Child Nutrition Services team steps in and up without hesitation, continuing to offer high-quality meals and welcoming every student through their doors. 

As you gather with family and friends this holiday season, I hope you’ll join me in appreciating the people in our schools who nourish our students every single day. 

I hope you have a warm and restful Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble!

Dr. McSheehy

Superintendent
Bremerton School District

Board members are dedicated to professional learning, attending state and national school board conferences, participating in ongoing study sessions, and regularly visiting schools in the district. These activities help the board stay informed about the needs of students and staff, learn from other districts, and strengthen their teamwork. Much of their time this year was also devoted to two major responsibilities: hiring a new superintendent and establishing the tone and direction for the district’s first year of the new Strategic Plan.

Throughout this work, the board has learned the importance of consistent community engagement and clear, transparent use of data. They have increased opportunities for families to share feedback, strengthened professional development around equity, and improved how progress is monitored and reported. These lessons now shape the board’s updated priorities, centered on “belonging & achievement”—helping every student feel valued, supported, and academically successful.

Board members focused on big-picture responsibilities such as setting policy, keeping the district financially stable after the loss of federal COVID relief funds, and defining measurable goals. The superintendent and staff carry out this vision through programs, family outreach, instructional improvements, and targeted academic supports.

The Bremerton School Board’s dedication—both to its own learning and to the success of students—reflects the heart of our community: working together, listening to one another, and believing in every child’s potential.

This February, Bremerton School District will ask voters to renew a four-year Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy. The Bremerton School District Board of Directors voted at its Nov. 13 meeting to place a replacement levy on the Feb. 10, 2026, ballot.

In Bremerton, local levy funds provide approximately 15% of the district's overall operating budget. If approved, it would replace a previously approved local funding measure that is set to expire at the end of 2026 and continue funding for: 

• Student learning: classroom teachers, basic education paraeducators, technology staff, and instructional materials.

• Student support, safety & supervision: counselors and security staff.

• Daily operations and maintenance: custodial, grounds, and maintenance staff and affiliated costs.

• Extracurricular programs: athletics, clubs, and other activities.

The proposed four-year replacement levy would collect:

The estimated tax rate is $2.09 per $1,000 of assessed property value, which is an estimated increase of 10 cents per thousand of assessed value from the district’s current levy rate. Actual rates will depend on final assessed values.

Learn more at BremertonSchools.org/levy. 

Alberto Flores’s Spanish Dual Language fifth grade class at Naval Avenue Elementary just launched its second season of its student-produced podcast, Salon 11. What began as a small classroom project in 2022 has grown into a full student-led media experience, now published on Spotify and YouTube. After a brief hiatus, the class chose to reignite the project together, bringing fresh segments with new ideas to share with the community.

Each episode is entirely student-produced, with weekly roles including an executive producer, producer, host, and writers. Students draft scripts, manage recording equipment, edit audio, and even integrate AI tools—building real communication, digital media, and bilingual academic skills along the way. Over the past two years, they’ve created more than 34 episodes of Salon 11 and an additional 44 episodes of their companion series, The Breakfast Sessions, which gives students a relaxed space to express themselves and practice authentic conversation.

The podcast has featured a wide range of guests, from principals and teachers to district staff and local leaders, including Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler. This year, the class hopes to eventually collaborate with other 5th-grade classrooms using virtual tools. To listen to previous episodes or catch up on their work, click here. 

Photo: The Salon 11 guest for the season was Karen Bevers, Bremerton School District Director of Communications & Community Engagement.

 Bremerton High School Theatre Arts program brought this uniquely funny story to life with an impressive 50 students involved in the musical production. The cast included 37 student actors, supported by 10 student technicians and designers and three students in stage management. In addition, the BHS Stage Technology class played a key role, building set pieces and preparing lighting elements that helped bring the show’s world to life.

This student-driven program—guided by dedicated teachers and alumni—spent two months in rehearsals and an additional month hosting weekend carpentry work parties. Throughout the process, students gained hands-on experience in scenic and lighting design, scene painting, costume design, wigs and hair, makeup, and all aspects of performance including singing, dancing, and acting. Just as importantly, they built lifelong skills in collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, time management, and confidence, all while taking true ownership of their work.