Superintendent’s Blog: Cultivating a Sense of Belonging

Hi BSD Community, 

Happy Lunar New Year! 新年快乐! 恭喜发财! សួស្តីឆ្នាំថ្មី! Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! I spent winter break in New York City and got to celebrate Lunar New Year in Chinatown with my family. And, as a bonus, we were able to get back before the blizzard arrived on the East Coast. I hope you all had a wonderful mid-winter break and are excited to be back with friends and colleagues!

In this blog, I have a number of quick but important celebrations and updates.

Thank You, Voters!

In the February special election, our EP&O levy was approved with 66% of the vote, and our capital and technology levy was approved with 65% of the vote. These are the highest approval ratings and voter turnout we’ve seen in a long time. Thank you! With these funds which make up almost 25% of our budget, we will be able to continue to provide the high-quality services and programs our students, families, and staff have come to expect!

Celebrating Black History and Culture Through Art at Bellevue High School

In some of the photos we’ve been showcasing in recent editions of BSD News & Events, the backdrop has been a beautiful mural at Bellevue High School, created by members of Bellevue High’s Black Student Union to celebrate local Black history and culture.

Last spring, the mural was conceived of by the Black Student Union (BSU) President, Swafiya Twahir. Lorenzo McKinney, BSU Advisor and Graduation Success Coach, and Hannah Yale, Visual Arts Teacher, organized the students initially, but the students were the ones who took charge of the design and creation. The mural, designed and created by Black students at BHS, magnificently highlights local Black history and Black culture. We’re hoping to do a Voices of Bellevue podcast episode to learn more about the specifics of the mural and hear from the students what it meant to create something so impactful and honoring that will remain in the halls of Bellevue High into the future.

Honoring Ms. Judy (Hunsberger) with a T.E.A.C.H. Award  

Many people in the Bellevue School District have had the privilege of meeting Ms. Judy at some point. She is a family engagement specialist who has been serving families at Phantom Lake Elementary School as well as many other schools for years. At a January school board meeting, we had the privilege of honoring Ms. Judy with a BSD T.E.A.C.H. Award – a recognition of her service to others and commitment to each and every child and family. Ms. Judy exemplifies what it means to serve with heart. She consistently shows up for students and families, especially those who need the most support. Whether it’s making time for a family in crisis, connecting students to critical resources, or simply being a dependable presence, Judy makes things happen. She’s known for her unwavering availability, deep compassion, and her ability to build trust across diverse communities. Judy’s work is a powerful reminder that relationships are the foundation of meaningful support. Please join me in congratulating Ms. Judy for being the model of the kind of human-centered support we aspire to in the BSD.

Family Survey Launching on March 2 – We Need Your Feedback!  

As part of our strategic plan, we are launching a new family/parent survey which will be sent out on March 2. Your voice is essential in helping us create the learning experience every student deserves. As part of our commitment to cultivating a sense of belonging, partnering with families, and continuously improving student well-being and academic growth, this survey is a key way you can share your experiences with us. Your feedback will help us understand what’s working, where we can improve, and how we can better support each and every student. Thank you for taking the time to contribute to a stronger, more inclusive Bellevue School District.

That’s it for now. For those in our community observing Ramadan or Lent, I hope this season offers space for reflection, strength, and a renewed sense of hope and purpose.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly Aramaki
Superintendent