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December 19 - January 2: Winter break - No School
January 3: School starts
January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School
January 30: Make up Day for 12/1 Snow Closure
February 10: World Culture Night, 5pm
February 20 - 24: Mid-winter break - No School
COVID-19 Rapid Test Distribution for Students, Staff and Families
BSD will be distributing free COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits to students, staff and their families ahead of Winter Break. COVID-19 testing allows people to take precautions in a timely manner to help prevent the virus from spreading. Tests are voluntary and will be distributed from ESC West, Room 100 at the following times:
- Monday, 12/12: 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, 12/13: 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, 12/14: 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday, 12/15: 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
- Friday, 12/16: 1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Please email covidtesting@bsd405.org to learn more.
Monthly Safety Drill Practice
This week, we will be conducting a lockout drill and practicing quickly securing the building.
A lockout is different from a lockdown. A lockout is used when there is no direct danger to the school, but there may be something potentially dangerous in the area around the school. For example, if a bear was spotted in the neighborhood or if there was police activity near the school.
During a lockout, students are brought inside and all exterior doors are locked. Inside, classes continue, but staff maintain a heightened level of awareness in case there is a change in the situation.
Please talk with your student about preparing for emergencies and disasters. Encourage them to talk about their concerns and express their feelings. Emphasize that even though sometimes things happen that we may not expect, there are lots of things we can do to help us stay safe.
For more information on talking to your child about school safety, you might want to visit the website https://www.mhanational.org/talking-kids-about-school-safety.
Mental Health Resources for Families
As we head into winter break, we want to make sure you are aware of resources available to your students if you are in need of help. Please refer to the topics on Mental Health Services webpage. Along with dialing 988 to access National Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline, the webpage is a central location to access resources should a mental health concern arise.
In addition, Ms. Elise Geck, our counselor, will be out of the office for some time in January to recover from a running injury. We wish her a speedy recovery and will update the community once we have identified counselor support for the interim.
Lost and Found Reminder
The Lost and Found is overflowing with jackets, lunchboxes, water bottles, and other items. Please remind your children to check the coat rack area located across the school library. Unclaimed items will be donated to the One Warm Coat Drive on Wednesday, January 4th.
Update to Open Transfer and Choice School Lottery Dates
Update: The Open Transfer and Choice Schools/Program application period has been extended to January 20, 2023.
From Last Week's Newsletter:
Both the Open Transfer and Choice School/Program application periods are: December 5, 2022 through January 20, 2023.
- All applicants must be residents of the Bellevue School District at the time of application. Residency documents will be requested at the time of enrollment. (The children of eligible BSD employees may apply.)
- Siblings of current students are not guaranteed enrollment and must apply.
- For more information, please visit:
- Open Transfer https://bsd405.org/departments/student-placement/open-transfer/
- Choice Schools/Program https://bsd405.org/schools/choice/
Arabic Language Program
BSD will host information nights on the new Arabic Language Program launching in fall 2023. Join us online or in person to learn about the program, which will start in the 2023-24 school year. Hear from district leaders about future language program development, engage in co-designing Arabic school programs and activities, and to learn how to enroll students.
Information Night Details
- Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2022
- Time: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Wilburton Instructional Service Center – Building 1, Rainier Room
- Street Address: 12241 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005
- Online Option: RSVP here to attend online
- Date: Tuesday, January 10, 2023
- Time: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Wilburton Instructional Service Center – Building 1, Rainier Room
- Street Address: 12241 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005
- Online Option: RSVP here to attend online
Learn More
For more information about the program, please contact us at arabicprogram@bsd405.org or by calling 425-456-4285.
Transitional Kindergarten
Bellevue School District is excited to announce the launch of Transitional Kindergarten as another option for early learning for children in our community. Transitional Kindergarten, or TK as it is affectionately called, is for students who are not currently enrolled in preschool and who don't have access to other high-quality early learning experiences prior to entering kindergarten. To be eligible for TK, children must turn four years old on or before August 31 (and are expected to attend kindergarten in the fall of the following year). For our first TK class, students will have birthdays between 9/1/2017 and 8/31/2018. Our first TK class is starting January 31 at Woodridge Elementary!
