Big Picture School Newsletter
Jan 8, 2024
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Upcoming Events
Check out the cultural calendar
December 11 - January 19 - Open Transfer and Choice School and Programs Application Period for the 2024-2025 School Year
Jan Thursdays- HS Exhibitions- Invites from Advisors
Jan 8-Jan 21- Last Chance to Order a YEARBOOK
Jan 15- MLK Jr Day- Non- School Day
Jan 18- Family-Principal Coffee, 'Angst' Screening
Jan 19- ASB sponsored MS and HS Dance (Tickets on Sale in Main Office)
Jan 19- Choice School Lottery for Next Year's 6th grade class CLOSES- all sibling applications for 6th grade are due
Jan 24- PTSA General Membership Meeting
Jan 26- End of Sem 1
Jan 29- First day of Sem 2
Feb 4- PTSA Fundraiser/Community Event- Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey Game
February 19-23 - No School, Mid-Winter Break
Stay on top of events and activities and plan for important dates by reviewing the district calendar. Previous and current printable calendars, including the 2023-24 Family Calendar, are also available online.
BSD Calendar of Events
January 24 - College Application Process 101 for Parents of Juniors
January 31 - Running Start Information Session (Big Picture will also host a BP specific Running Start Info Session in February)
February 7 - BSD Virtual College Conference
February 12 - HBCU Virtual College Fair
February 15 - College Application Process 101 - Spanish
January Is Americans of Chinese Descent Month in Washington
January 2024 marks the first annual celebration of Americans of Chinese Descent Month. In May of 2023, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law legislation that made Washington the first state in the nation to honor Chinese Americans with this acknowledgement. Senate Bill 5000 is the culmination of advocacy by parents, students, educators and others throughout the state, including many individuals from BSD, who brought forth the measure and worked to see it passed. According to a news release from bill sponsor, Senator Keith Wagoner’s office, the new law also encourages public schools to “designate time for appropriate activities in commemoration of the state’s complicated history with the Chinese community – the good and the bad – and to remember and honor the many contributions and achievements made by the Chinese Americans.”
BIG PICTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Jubilee Reach co-ed Flag Football Registration
Students will be able to register for Middle School Jubilee Reach co-ed flag football January 16th -26th.
Information on how to sign up will be sent directly to students January 16th. The season is February 5th- March 28th.
Last Chance to Pre-Purchase a YEARBOOK
Jan 8-21 is the last opportunity to pre-purchase a yearbook for your child. We will order the number of yearbooks that have been paid for at the close of this sales window. Don't miss out. Order yours today. This is the only way to guarantee your child receives a yearbook in June. Yearbooks cost $30 and are available for purchase in the TouchBase Signin (intouchreceipting.com)
ASB Winter Dance
Big Picture ASB is pleased to announce our Winter Dance, on Friday, January 19th! Tickets are now on sale in the office before or after school and at lunches.
We are also looking for adult chaperones. If you are available for a 1-2 hour slot that evening, please sign up here! (If you can only make it for part of a slot, please note that in the comments section)
See the flyer below for dance times & ticket prices!
Enrollment for Next Year
The Open Transfer, Choice Schools and Choice Programs application period for the 2024-2025 school year will take place from Monday, December 11, 2023, to Friday, January 19, 2024. For families with a student currently enrolled in the BSD, who would like to remain at their current school, choice school, choice program or continue in their approved transfer feeder pattern for the 2024-2025 school year, no action is required. For currently enrolled families who are not Bellevue residents, nonresident paperwork will need to be submitted when requested by the Student Placement office.
Sibling Procedure for Current Resident 5th Grade Students:
If you have a 5th grade student and are planning on sending him/her to BP next year, then please remember that you must apply within the district deadlines to ensure that your 5th grader will have a spot here next year. The BSD sibling procedure applies for RESIDENT students only. If you reside outside of the Bellevue School District, siblings are not guaranteed a spot at BP. Applications must be received by January 19th to guarantee a spot for a sibling in our 6th grade class. In addition, the older sibling must maintain enrollment at Big Picture for next year and the two siblings must attend together for a minimum of one school year. If you desire to not access the sibling guarantee process, your child will be entered into the lottery with the other applicants. Applications received after January 19th will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list. The district oversees the process of collecting applications and performing the actual lottery. The application form will be available online by December 11th on the district website and will be completed and submitted online. For families who cannot access email, please stop by our office and we can assist you. Please review the Open Transfer and Choice Schools & Programs webpages and the frequently asked questions for each to learn more about the application process. Here are the important dates that you need to take notice of:
Applications open: December 11, 2023
Applications for lottery due: January 19, 2024
Applications for Grades 7th-12th: Accepted on Rolling Basis beginning January 24
Register for College in the High School by January 26
College in the High School course registration for winter quarter and yearlong classes through Bellevue College has a deadline of January 26. For more details on the process, check out the Dual Credit website and registration guide.
Visit the Bellevue College website for more information and key deadlines.
BP Clubs
Interested in the club offerings? Check out the current list of BP clubs here.
BP PTSA info
- PTSA Jan 7th Newsletter: Click here
- Order BP Spirit wear here: https://bigpictureschool.itemorder.com/shop/sale/
- PTSA membership: https://www.bellevuebpsptsa.org/membership
- School Directory Now Available! Our school directory is now available via DirectorySpot! To gain access, please use the email address you have registered with the school. Note that not all students/families have opted into the Directory. Please let us know if you have questions! https://www.directoryspot.net/general/login.php
- Community Event/Fundraiser at the Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey Game Sunday, February 4th, 2024 at 5:05PM at the accesso ShoWare Center- Join Big Picture PTSA at the Seattle Thunderbirds Hockey Game with $25 donation per ticket. Anything above ticket price will support Big Picture PTSA. Tickets must be ordered by January 15, 2024. Order Tickets here.
DISTRICT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Apply Today to Join the BSD Sustainability Committee
Join the Bellevue School District Sustainability Committee and be part of a transformative initiative to create a more ecologically sustainable school district and community. Our district is committed to minimizing our environmental impact and increasing our understanding and agency in achieving sustainability. The four pillars of sustainability outlined in Board Policy 6811 guide our mission, encompassing areas such as district resources, environmental safety, collective understanding and student voice. As a committee member, you will have the opportunity to influence the development and implementation of a three-year action plan and shape a schedule to reduce our negative environmental impact. Moreover, you’ll help drive community engagement and sustainability initiatives that prioritize student voice and embrace diverse perspectives. Together, let’s lead the way toward a greener, more environmentally conscious future! Apply today and be part of the change.
- Please complete the application form by Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
- Selected members will be notified by Monday, January 15, 2024.
- The first meeting of the committee will take place on January 24, 2024.
Open Transfer and Choice Schools and Programs Application Period
The Open Transfer and Choice Schools and Programs application period for the 2024-2025 academic year will take place from Monday, December 11, 2023, to Friday, January 19, 2024.
For families with a student currently enrolled in the Bellevue School District, who would like to remain at their current school, choice school or choice program for the 2024-2025 school year, no action is required.
For currently enrolled families who are not Bellevue residents, nonresident paperwork will need to be submitted as requested by Student Placement.
Register for Spring for Schools, Hosted by the Bellevue Schools Foundation
I'm excited to share that Spring for Schools 2024 registration is live! You are invited to attend Bellevue Schools Foundation's annual event on Saturday, March 30 at 5:00 p.m., and I truly hope to see you there! As a reminder, Bellevue Schools Foundation provides critical funding to our school-- you can take a look at the programs supported in our classrooms here. The evening will offer attendees a chance to connect with one another and teachers, and explore the initiatives funded by BSF in their signature Education Showcase.
Event registration is free, and childcare will be provided as capacity allows. Additional event details can be found here. The purpose of the evening is to raise funding so that BSF can continue to provide transformational opportunities for our students and teachers — please consider making a donation here.
Resources For Families
How to Report a Safety Concern
Bullying and safety concerns can always be reported to any staff member at your school. Reporting forms are located in the main office and each classroom. The Bellevue School District also utilizes an anonymous reporting tool called SafeSchools Alert through which anyone can make a verbal or written report of harassment, intimidation or bullying. Information on how to submit a report via any of these methods is available on the district website at www.bsd405.org/help/report.
Questions? Contact Information
Bethany Spinler, Principal
Matt Stokes, Assistant Principal
Carol Anne Yamamoto, Registrar
Kelley Hoang, Attendance
Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination: Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or phamn@bsd405.org Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment: Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org Disability Discrimination: Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Heather Edlund, (425) 456-4156 or edlundh@bsd405.org Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.