Earning credit for a part-time paid job falls under a state program called Worksite Learning, which is part of a larger program called Work-Based Learning. “It’s definitely a program you should take advantage of because there aren’t other programs that give you this experience in the real world outside the classroom,” Sehome junior Kaatri Glanzer said.��

Options was once a tiny high school housed in portables behind ����Ӱ�� High School. Thanks to a capital bond project supported by the ����Ӱ�� community, Options students moved into a brand-new, state-of-the-art����in 2017. The school offers its own culture and unique attributes to students who need something different from a traditional, large high school experience.��.

Sehome computer science teacher Jenny Styer had the surprise good fortune of visiting the White House for Computer Science Education Week in December. Kicked off Monday, Dec. 4, the Computer Science Teachers Association’s (CSTA) annual week-long celebration promotes computer science to K-12 students and advocates for equity in the field.��

Scott Ritchey was elected to the school board in November 2023 and took the oath of office on Dec. 14. He settled in ����Ӱ�� after attending Western Washington University. He has worked at SPIE, an educational non-profit organization in ����Ӱ��, for more than 24 years. He and his wife Angie have three children, two graduates of ����Ӱ�� Public Schools and one currently in middle school.��

At the end of April, more than 30 student musicians from high schools in ����Ӱ�� Public Schools will head to the annual WIAA/WMEA Solo and Ensemble Contest in Ellensburg, Washington.��

In case you missed it: Recent Instagram highlights

L to R: , ,

L to R: , ,

��

! For more stories about The ����Ӱ�� Promise in action, visit our��. Or follow us on��,��,����or��!

����Ӱ�� Public Schools will be on early dismissal schedules for all schools on Thursday, April 18 and Thursday, April 25. Elementary schools dismiss at 12:20 p.m., middle schools dismiss at 1:15 p.m. and high schools dismiss at 2 p.m.

The updated school calendar for 2023-24 and major dates for 2024-25 school year are available online.

Dear staff, students, families and community members,

We regularly send updates regarding construction projects across our district and share news on a specific rebuild project, buying/selling land, designing schools, asking for feedback and many other facilities-related milestones that affect our schools and district.

This exciting and visible work in our district would not be possible without the support of our community. Voters approved our district’s bond measures, most recently in 2013, 2018 and 2022, which fund these important projects. The adage we like to use is that “bonds are for building,” which serves as a reminder that we are not able to use bond dollars for salaries, curriculum or other important district budget items.

Our new��District Office has opened at 1985 Barkley Boulevard. It’s a beautifully designed, accessible, functional and sustainable building that was made with our community in mind. Staff across our district use our District Office for trainings and professional development, and we have incorporated ample rooms with technology and flexible furniture. Also included is an early learning center; thanks to two separate grants, we will be able to offer childcare to staff and our community starting in fall 2024.

It is incredibly unique for a community to support building a district office (DO). This is not lost on me or any of our staff who work in the DO. We are excited to share this space with our district community and those who may be interested in renting the facility for meetings or gatherings. Please visit��our website if you are interested in learning more information about the new DO. We are hosting an open house for anyone interested in touring the new building 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 25.

Here are a few quick facts:

• The new District Office is located at 1985 Barkley Boulevard.
• Funding for this building is thanks to voter-supported bonds from 2013 and 2022.
• The new district office includes a professional learning center, early learning center and family engagement center.
• We were intentional to think and plan beyond office spaces; we want this building to be an asset for staff, families and our community. We want everyone to feel welcome.
• The new district office provides spaces that are accessible, functional and efficient for our staff, families and community partners. These spaces are available for meetings, trainings and gatherings for staff and our community.
• Sustainability features include (you can see a full list):
  • All construction materials selected meet or exceed EPA recommendations for indoor air quality.
  • The building structural system is composed of heavy timber columns and beams and cross laminated timber (CLT) panels.
  • The mechanical system provides dedicated outdoor air supply for constant outside fresh air with fully integrated building automation controls for maximum efficiency.
  • As a fully electric building utilizing highly efficient systems, the building is designed to perform with half of the energy use of the national median energy use.

Other construction updates

• A��design advisory/educational specifications committee for the new Community Transitions building is hosting a community meeting Monday, April 15. All are welcome to review design documents and share input. The new CT facility will be located on the campus of Whatcom Community College, across the street from the WTA . You can read more about the upcoming meeting. We expect to break ground summer 2025.
  
• ����Ӱ�� High School’s tennis courts will officially open for public use this summer. Our high school tennis teams are using the courts now before the surfacing is applied.�� Surfacing is a temperature and weather dependent activity that was not able to be accomplished before the cooler temperatures and rains started last fall.�� We plan to apply the final court surfacing once the tennis season is complete and the weather cooperates.
  
• Both the Carl Cozier Educational Specifications/Design Advisory Committee and Roosevelt Educational Specifications/Design Advisory Committee recently held public meetings to hear hopes and dreams from staff, neighbors and families. We do not currently have set timelines for designing and building these schools. Both committees will wrap up before the end of the school year, then architects will work on plans and develop a rendering for additional feedback.

Thanks again to our community for their support of our bonds. We know space matters to our students, staff and community users of these great facilities, schools, fields, courts and playgrounds! As always, reach out if you have any questions.

Greg Baker

Reply to��greg.baker@bellinghamschools.org

����Ӱ�� Public Schools surprised 2024 Promise Award recipients the week of March 25, and we are excited to now announce the honorees.��

The Promise Awards program recognizes the exemplary achievements and contributions of staff and volunteers connected to The ����Ӱ�� Promise, our district’s strategic plan. The Promise Awards are supported by the .��

The Promise Awards provide an opportunity to highlight the exceptional work of honorees that make a significant difference in our schools and community. These award recipients represent our school system and help increase awareness of the important contributions of all staff and volunteers.��

Please note, our Volunteer of the Year and Community Partner of the Year award recognitions will be announced later this month.��

In addition to the award feature photos below, .��

Above and Beyond Service Award��

We have two Above and Beyond Service Award honorees this year.

Kelly Balzer, paraeducator and PTA co-president at Northern Heights Elementary School��

Kelly is deeply connected to many services at Northern Heights Elementary School. A nominator shared, “Her role within our school community is so multi-faceted that it will be hard to summarize all the ways she has positively impacted our school community…”.��

She is known for greeting each student by name and knowing 10+ fun facts about each and every student. Kelly began working at Northern Heights as an official staff employee during the 2022-23 school year and has been active in the school community for many years via the PTA with two children of her own at the school.��

A staff colleague shared, “…Kelly is constantly looking for ways she can bless students, staff and the school. She pops into classes to help students with any spare second she has. Her smiling face is often seen in doorways encouraging both teachers and students, reminding all of us on the difficult days of why we are here and of how wonderful we are…”��

Further examples of Kelly’s dedication include coordinating yearbooks, caring for the school garden and securing walkie-talkies to assist with dismissal communication, along with staying late to help with dismissal each day. ��

A frequent presence during recess time, Kelly’s unique gifts and above and beyond style are exemplified by the following staff colleague reflection:��

“Many kids would tell you that recess is the most important part of the school day, and an important part of supporting the whole child is helping them navigate the social and physical interactions out in this unstructured setting. Kelly is able to hold kids accountable and set high expectations in the warmest of ways. She can help kids laugh off the small things that often feel like big things, she can expertly help kids talk through conflict, and is a great listener for kids needing that time to connect with a caring adult.”��

Dionte Thomas, campus monitor at Squalicum High School��

Dionte Thomas represents The ����Ӱ�� Promise strategies of Great Teaching with Strong Support, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Student, Family and Community Engagement through his tireless efforts to serve the Squalicum High School community.��

As a campus monitor, his thoughtfulness��actively works to make the campus safer each day. Dionte constantly works with teachers to ensure classrooms can run smoothly, addresses students’ needs to ensure they can access classes and engages with families so they are informed on what is happening in the building.��

He is described by colleagues as irreplaceable, presenting a calm and composed demeanor along with a gift to connect with students who historically struggle in building trusting relationships with adults. Going above and beyond in many ways, he often arrives early and stays late, and has EMT certification to assist with medical situations as well.��

Dionte created a system for tardies and truancy and ensures families are in the loop each step of the way. Squalicum leadership regularly hears from families expressing gratefulness for this extra communication which helps maximize the time students are in school.��

A staff member shared, “Dionte is in some of our toughest conversations at SQHS, and he always asks students to think about their actions, share their perspectives, and consider other perspectives. With each of these conversations, Dionte builds trust and we can see students make different choices that better support their learning.”��

Collaboration Award

Anna Burns and Alexa Tucker, sixth grade teaching team at Shuksan Middle School��

Anna Burns and Alexa Tucker personify The ����Ӱ�� Promise through exemplary collaboration as a co-teaching team over the last four years at Shuksan Middle School.��

Anna managed the sixth-grade Special Education caseload at Shuksan while Alexa teaches sixth-grade core and AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) classes.��

The team is commended for ensuring all students are loved, seen and given intentional, rigorous opportunities to engage in learning. ��

During a typical morning core class, the pair teach in a classroom that includes seven students with IEPs (individualized learning plans), five students identifying as Highly Capable, six who receive multi-language support services, and others who require additional behavior and emotional interventions.��

The pair build a sense of wonder and inquiry the moment students walk through the door and focus on building up individuals from every demographic and level of challenge or strength. As a result, it furthers a sense of belonging and purpose for students.��

Anna and Alexa, unprompted, built a document outlining resources that have supported their co-teaching journey because of the value they place on their collaboration and desire to share with interested colleagues beginning co-teaching journeys.��

A colleague shared, “…their approach to collaboration comes with wide open arms, students at the center, and an inclusive mindset that involves all stakeholders coming around what is best for all kids.”��

Compassion and Service Award

Joe Wooding, social studies teacher, AVID teacher and instructional coach at Options High School��

Joe Wooding exemplifies compassion and service to students, staff and families at Options High School through passion, positivity and a seemingly endless supply of energy that inspires those around him.��

He is considered a leader among peers and highly respected by students and staff alike.��

Joe recognizes the best outcomes occur when students and staff feel connected to one another and he strives to create community both within and outside the school. He is known for taking students to clean up parks, volunteer at schools, tour local businesses, and more. He worked with a community partner to develop a program that brought business leaders into his classroom to meet with students for listening sessions.��

Joe’s heart for service is clear in all he does, especially as he collaborates with students to identify and cultivate their gifts. This results in life-changing opportunities for his students.��

Renowned for his dynamic and introspective teaching style, Joe is commended for tackling difficult themes and fostering courageous conversations. He is described as an “electrical system” and source of connectivity that furthers connections between district, administration, teachers, staff, students and more.��

A colleague shared, “…he has an insatiable curiosity about all things and this is infectious. He is our renaissance man. He challenges our students to not just ‘do the thing’ but to think at high levels and to examine different perspectives other than their own.”

Great Teaching Award��

Ruwani Brohier, fifth grade teacher at Cordata Elementary School��

Ruwani Brohier is revered for her ability to balance warmth and expectation for her students, resulting in calm and highly-productive learning environments that have changed trajectories for fifth grade students preparing for middle school.��

Many students who have entered her class disengaged have shown amazing growth as the year has progressed. A colleague remarked, “I have never seen a classroom function more like ‘how you think a classroom should look’ than in Ruwani Brohier’s classroom.”��

The growth her classes have shown via assessments and other measures speaks volumes about her strong teaching, which occurs amongst a palpable warmth felt when walking into her classroom. ��

Ruwani arrived to Cordata with years of experience and skills spent teaching��in another state, yet continually seeks opportunities to collaborate with others and deepen her expertise as a teacher at Cordata – all for the benefit of the students she serves.��

Her classroom is described as a safe and loving place for all students. Half of Ruwani’s class this year are multilingual learners representing five different languages other than English.��

A staff member said, “It has been magical watching how she has created a calm and highly-productive learning environment in her classroom each of the past two years. The relationships she builds with her students are grounded in love, respect and very high expectations. This combination has led to unbelievable gap-closing growth for all of her students across content areas.”��

One Schoolhouse Award

Russ Robinson, safety and security supervisor for ����Ӱ�� Public Schools and high school athletics coach��

Russ Robinson embodies the One Schoolhouse value of The ����Ӱ�� Promise as a reliable and compassionate presence throughout the district.��

He is a collaborator, educator and supporter of all schools and is regarded for his ability to work with strategies that are approachable, age appropriate and strike the ideal balance between school operation and student safety. ��

Russ exudes a collaborative strength in connecting multiple agencies in service to students. As a result, ����Ӱ�� Public Schools has continued to build strong community partner relationships and further the effectiveness of the school safety structure for our school environments.��

A colleague shared, “He serves as a pillar of support in our most intense times, and he leads with compassion, calmness, humor and expertise that help our schools feel connected as One Schoolhouse.”��

Russ is a welcome face and feeling of relief for those who call upon him, and he is known as a master of restorative conversations with the ability to teach positive student behavior. Russ exhibits a special gift connecting with students to bring the best of them, understand them and work together for the best outcomes.��

Others remark how he somehow manages to be in all places at all times as a common face at sporting events, school board meetings and district events. Campus monitors value his leadership to foster collaboration and support their school communities. Beyond his safety and security duties, he also serves students as a longtime coach of multiple sports in the district.��

Outstanding Leadership Award��

Teri Herda, principal at Silver Beach Elementary School��

Teri Herda is recognized as a visionary leader with unparalleled effort and care for her school community, using student-centered decision making to lead as principal at Silver Beach Elementary School.��

She draws on a breadth of nearly 40 years of classroom and administrative experience, expertise and wisdom to serve Silver Beach Elementary and ����Ӱ�� Public Schools.��

The Silver Beach staff shared, “Teri’s ability to relate to us not only as teachers but as humans is one of her greatest gifts in being a leader.”��

Possessing a wealth of information about each child’s strengths and needs, she is able to provide exceptional support to students and families. She is a constant presence to great children in the morning, in the hallways during the day and at dismissal.��

No task is too small for Teri, who provides hands-on support to every child and member of the staff. Her leadership strikes the ideal balance between high expectations while being incredibly thoughtful and caring.��

A staff member remarked, “Teri is one of the best leaders I have worked for in my 30-year career. She gets ‘it’ when it comes to this profession. I love that she taught for 30 years before becoming an administrator…she has this “way” of making you want to be better.”

These award recipients represent our school system and help increase awareness of the important contributions of all staff and volunteers. Members of the Promise Awards Advisory Group score nominations for districtwide awards using a rubric based on The ����Ӱ�� Promise. (Outstanding Leadership Award and One Schoolhouse Award are reviewed and selected separately by leadership colleagues.)��

We receive many nominations of amazing staff and volunteers across our school system each year. Recipients represent highlights of so many amazing individuals and teams across our school system.��

Families, staff and students are encouraged to nominate impactful individuals and/or teams when the nomination window opens each February, and repeat nominations of non-recipients are encouraged as we welcome an increasing number of nominations each year.��

All high school students in ����Ӱ�� Public Schools are welcome to attend.

More than 35 businesses and community partners will share opportunities including part-time, full-time and seasonal employment, apprenticeships, service learning and educational experiences from a variety of industries.

Career and college coordinators from our four high schools will be onsite to help with resumes and applications.

Confirmed attendees include the following (in alphabetical order): Andgar Corporation, ����Ӱ�� Technical College, Birch Equipment, BP Cherry Point, Catholic Community Services, Common Threads Farm, Community Food Coop, Costco Wholesale, Dawson Construction, Enfield Farms, Fred Meyer, IBEW191, Innotech Process Equipment, Lions Club Camp Horizon, LiUNA Laborers 292, Matrix Service, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Northwest Center, Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship, Northwest Workforce Council, Orchard Park, Rader Farms, San Juan Sailing, Silver Reef Casino Resort, Skagit County Fire District 14, Skagit Valley College, Taylor Made TDS (Truck Driving School), U.S. Army, Walmart, WECU, Western Washington University, Whatcom Family YMCA, Western Refinery Services (WRS), Whatcom Community College and Z’Organics Beauty Institute.

We hope to see you there!

We are excited to share information about our plans to build a new Community Transitions (CT) building on Whatcom Community College’s campus at 322 Calluna Court.

As you may know, a novel collaboration between WCC and ����Ӱ�� Public Schools allows for a building to be planned and built on WCC property to serve students in  CT. Voter-supported bonds pay for this new building, which will benefit our students and community.�� CT serves students aged 18-21 who qualify for special education services. Learn more Community Transitions here.

You are invited to attend a community project meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15 in the auditorium of the Syre Student Center on Whatcom Community College’s campus. Parking is available near Syre and can be accessed from Cordata Parkway, West Kellogg Road or Eliza Road.

This will be a wonderful opportunity for you to learn about plans, ask questions and share input.

The District Office is closed to the public��spring break week��and reopens on Monday, April 8. New address note: The District Office is now located at 1985 Barkley Blvd.

For planning purposes:

• The updated school year calendar for 2023-24 and key dates for 2024-25 can be viewed on our��calendars webpage.
• Friday, May 17 is now a regular school day. (Date is being used as a weather makeup day.)
• High school graduations for 2024 are now set. Learn more here.

A Message from the Department of Teaching and Learning��

Today we experienced a false alarm based on inaccurate information, similar to the false alarm we experienced in fall of 2022, for those who were in attendance or working at Sehome at that time.

Regardless of whether they ultimately turn out to be false, I know how frightening these safety protocols are and I thank you. I wanted folks to hear from me as soon as possible about what happened to our community this afternoon.

At around 1:50 the police department received a 911 call that referred to a possible weapon at a school. The caller believed this school was Sehome. We have now determined that this was inaccurate and false information.

The police have to take these calls seriously. BPD came immediately to Sehome and the school went into lockdown at around 1:53.

The police followed their training and checked our building. Students and staff being in lockdown during this time allowed them to do their job. They determined that the call was false and inaccurate.

At around 2:15 we updated our safety protocol from a Lockdown to a Hold, and then we released each class one at a time. This also allowed us to connect with each class and see who needed additional support.

I shared much of this information with our school over the intercom, sharing how much we care about students and their safety. I reminded them that help is available in the counseling center and that there are quiet spaces available if needed.

Sports practices will be held as normal today, but no athletes will be penalized for not attending.

I thank our first responders from BPD and Western’s university police for their quick response and collaboration.

Families, please remind your Sehome students that anyone in our community can anonymously share safety concerns via our safety tip line by calling or texting 844-310-9560 or visiting��

We also know that this situation may bring up the fears we all have for our children’s safety. We love our students, and their safety is our highest priority. If you know a student in need of support or help, here are some resources available for students and families:

• �� ��Encourage them to visit with a school counselor or speak with another adult they trust at school.
• �� ��Take time as a family to talk about handling stressful events. Our family resource page has tips that may help get the conversation started.
• �� ��Visit our district resources for mental health and wellness, an extensive list of school- and community-based resources for students and families.
• �� ��Learn more about our safety protocols at��our safety webpage.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you or someone you know needs help or if you have additional questions. I wish everyone in our Mariner family a peaceful and restful weekend.

Sonia Cole, principal