Squalicum High School
June 12, 2020
Storm Quarantine Happy Show
Please check out Episode #21 of the Storm Quarantine Happy Show. We talk with Special Guest Governor Jay Inslee! (Yes, for real). It was awesome for our leaders, especially for our Seniors.
Here is the link to the show: https://youtu.be/O0qNFfyP9EY
And…Squalicum and the Leadership kids got a shout-out from the Governor on his news conference later in the day: https://photos.app.goo.gl/VaLqM6vg3pB2QvGT8
It was an amazing experience for the kids and an awesome last show for our Seniors (featuring the interview with the Governor, a very important Pride Month shout-out, Spirit Week pictures, Senior Diploma and Yearbook pick-up info, Textbook drop-off details, birthdays, and more!) So, please enjoy Episode #21 of the Storm Quarantine Happy Show.
Thank you Squalicum High School students, families, staff and community!
While we are faced with challenges and a segmented graduation ceremony, our SQHS Family is living strong! We had families turn out in droves to support their senior walk across the stage and collect their diplomas and yearbooks. The collective effort of staff, students, PTSA, and community members to support this event was invaluable. To do so from our remote world was challenging however the end result and benefits were priceless.
Graduation is always a special time of the year and an emotional one. This format was not what we desired but we made the most of it and the emotions ran high. What a huge accomplishment for our seniors! Thank you all for helping make this come together and provide this opportunity to for them. It was phenomenal to see our graduates one last time. Things really hit home seeing students in their gowns, shoe selection and families the modeling the latest fashions.
We hope everyone enjoyed an opportunity to get out of the house. Thank you all for making this a memorable event and supporting our seniors.
The Bellingham Herald covers the district graduation and diploma pick-up events.
https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/local/article243448881.html
Tuesday the 16th
Tuesday, June 16th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, students in grades 9, 10, and 11 will have an opportunity to return some of the items that they have at home and to pick up their yearbook and any personal items left at school.
Anyone who attends will need to wear a mask. Everyone will stay in their vehicle as they pass through each of the stations. If you prefer to walk or bike, please remember that you also need a mask. When you pull into the upper lot, you will follow the signs to any one of the four drop off lanes.
If you need to collect items and have not let us know before Tuesday, we'll have you wait while we attempt to find them.
All students in grades 9–11 will KEEP their device throughout the summer.
Resources and Information
- Check out the district's one-stop shop web page
- Go to bellinghamschools.org/mental-health for the "Big 4 Wellness" drop down menu for self-care ideas posted every Wellness Wednesday through June 17.
- Read! All Bellingham Public Schools students have access to the Bellingham Public Library collection, and can check out e-books and other resources.
- Take advantage of this set of curated resources, vetted by our teachers.
- For help with food, the state is providing additional supports. Please review this news release from OSPI.
Website: https://squalicum.bellinghamschools.org/
Location: 3773 East McLeod Road, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: 360-647-6844
End of Year Senior Survey
Dear 2020 Seniors and Families,
Each spring, we survey our outgoing seniors to take a look back at their high school experiences and look forward at plans for the future. We use the survey data to help us better understand what works well for our high school students and what we could do better.
We realize that the seniors of the Class of 2020 have experienced an incredibly unusual senior spring, and we are so proud of all of you for persevering. This year’s survey also includes some ways that you can let us know if you need additional help or support, especially if your plans changed due to COVID-19.
Please take a few minutes and complete our exit survey: bellinghamschools.org/seniorsurvey The survey is confidential and the results will remain anonymous.
Thank you, class of 2020! We are thinking of you and cheering you on!
Note for seniors: lunch account balance
Graduating seniors with a remaining lunch account balance of $10 or greater will be receiving lunch account reimbursements, which will be mailed to the address we currently have on file. If you would like to transfer your remaining lunch account funds to a sibling or if you would like to donate all or a portion of your lunch account funds to the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation, please follow this link to our online request form. [try this link]
If you are unsure of your lunch account balance, please login to your MyPaymentsPlus account at or email jesse.cole@bellinghamschools.org.
HUB Happenings
Many parents are wondering how to pay for yearbooks, AP exams ($47 each exam) and current fees/fines for their seniors so I have included the link and instructions below. The district has waived the fee for paying online for the remainder of the year.
Fees/fines letters have gone out to all the seniors so they can clear next month for graduation. Please email me if the information is not correct on the letter you receive. It is a computer generated letter that has limited information so I'm happy to help with any questions you might have (senior parents FYI - a fine is the same thing as a fee for SQHS, it's just a computer glitch in the wording).
You can also check your student's account with the link provided below to see if you purchased a yearbook at the beginning of the school year. They are $65 for the remainder of the school year.
To pay any fees/fines online, please click the link https://wa-bellingham.intouchreceipting.com/, follow the instructions and choose pay fees/fines. You can also mail checks made out to SQHS to 3773 E. McLeod Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226.
If you have any questions please contact Shawn.Flaherty@Bellinghamschools.org.
High School and Beyond Planning
Did you know you need a High School and Beyond Plan to graduate? Check out the videos from these 5 Washington State students as they explain their high school and beyond plans!
#PlanYourPathWA Video Contest Winners
Congratulations to the five student winners of the #PlanYourPathWA video contest! Check out just one of the selections featured below or see all of this year's creative entries on Ready Washington's website!
The High School and Beyond Plan can help students explore and plan an education to career pathway that’s right for them. Check out all our information and resources about the Plan at readywa.org/beyond.
COLLEGE NEWS YOU CAN USE
College Plans for the Fall
The intention of most colleges and universities will be to open for the fall semester if state and local restrictions allow.
New Gap Year Policy for 2020-2021
During this time of uncertainty, they want to offer future students as many options as possible regarding when and how their college experience begin. Please check with the college to find out more about their new deferral policy’s.
Spring Grades: The Careful Approach Being Taken
Most colleges use a holistic admission process, which emphasizes understanding each student’s personal circumstances, and is well-suited to adapt to the variety of grading policies that have emerged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In reviewing future applications, many college admission committees will:
- Consider all information provided to fully understand each school's spring 2020 grading policies.
- Pay special attention to spring 2020 grades to ensure no applicant is at a disadvantage in the admission process.
- Place extra emphasis on prior grade trends for students with Pass/Fail grades in spring 2020.
- Review merit scholarship decisions for any students whose spring 2020 grades are not consistent with previous terms.
Futures Northwest
Check out the Futures Northwest website. It is a Great Resource for students planning on attending college! Listen to the interview.
Record Your Volunteer Hours Now!
You may already be helping neighbors, elderly relatives, tutoring classmates or siblings, or providing tech help to others. These would be perfect examples of volunteer hours. The Volunteer Center of Whatcom County has a listing of volunteer opportunities to help with community needs. A few needs from the community are: Virtual help with the Red Cross; Tutors; Food Banks; Sewing Face Masks.
Of course during this crisis any potential volunteers will need to follow all COVID-19 precautions and consider their own health first.
If you are volunteering and would like to RECORD your VOLUNTEER HOURS using this form, (also found on the SQHS webpage) or by keeping track at home, you can then turn those hours into Mrs. O’Brien. Your hours will be accumulated and can become part of your High School and Beyond Plan, help you with scholarships, college applications and job applications.
SAT/ACT testing and college admissions
Many Juniors were registered to take the SAT or ACT this spring and are now wondering now what? Will I still be able to apply for college in the fall? From many colleges, the answer is a resounding YES! Several colleges will not penalize students for not having taken these tests, in fact they are advertising their applications will be test optional.
The SAT has said when it is safe from a Public health standpoint, they will provide make up tests beginning in August, they will reach out to those students who had registered, and offer make up dates. The ACT is also reaching out to reschedule tests and set new test dates.
Please check websites for information on both of these tests and use their test practice to brush up on your knowledge!
The SAT site https://www.collegeboard.org/ The ACT site https://www.act.org/