Voices of Bellevue School District Podcast

Walls That Speak Part 2: The Sherwood Forest Mural

At Sherwood Forest Elementary, a vibrant new mural now welcomes visitors – one created with intentionality, creativity and deep community pride. In this episode, Sherwood Forest’s principal, Estella Weigand; PTA president, Ashley Faber; student artists, and muralist, Valeria Ortiz share the story of how student voice, community partnership and artistic vision came together to create something lasting for the Sherwood Forest community.

Walls That Speak: The BSU Mural at Bellevue High

Learn about a special mural that sits at the heart of Bellevue High School, initiated and created by the BHS Black Student Union. In this episode, BHS art teacher Hannah Yale and three BSU student artists share what inspired the project, the process behind it, and the rich stories woven into the mural. Our students share their feelings, hopes and pride, reminding us that building a Beloved Community takes real work, advocacy, allyship, courage and commitment.

Preparing for What's Next: The Evergreen Transition Program

In this episode of Voices of Bellevue, we highlight the Evergreen Transition Program (ETP), a program that supports students with disabilities as they prepare for life after high school with a focus on employment readiness and life skills. ETP Director, Jennifer Strehle, and ETP teacher, Leia Steffas, share what the program is all about, how they support students pursuing postsecondary education and meaningful employment, and how their work helps build confidence and independence. We also hear from a student who shares what she enjoys about ETP, and how the program has helped prepare her for both her future goals. This conversation highlights how ETP fosters a sense of belonging that benefits not only our students with disabilities, but our entire Bellevue community.

BSD News & Events Digest: March 26, 2026

This month’s Bellevue School District News and Events Digest brings you a quick, family‑friendly roundup of the stories shaping our schools. In this episode, we celebrate BSD’s 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program finalists, share a final reminder to complete the Family Engagement Survey, and offer tips to help students stay on track during the spring attendance slump. We also highlight an incredible weekend for BSD Robotics — including a thrilling event win — and help families prepare for the upcoming Spring Break. Tune in for a fast, informative overview of what’s happening across BSD and how you can stay connected to your school community.

Foundations of the Beloved Community: Remembering Ms. Stone

In this Building a Beloved Community podcast episode, we honor Ms. Stone, a kindergarten teacher whose quiet strength and steady presence helped shape the Bellevue and Clyde Hill school community in the late 1950s. Through a conversation with former student, retired airline pilot and citizen’s rights activist Don Chapman and Editor of The Daily Scrum Donovan Martin, listeners will hear how her kindness, patience, and belief in every child created a foundation of belonging that still guides our district today. Don’s reflections reveal how a single teacher’s influence can ripple across a lifetime, shaping values of inclusion and humanity. This episode connects Ms. Stone’s legacy to Bellevue School District’s ongoing commitment to building the Beloved Community—where every student is seen, supported, and inspired to thrive.