Raider Record
May 14, 2021
Grading Reminders and Updates from Principal Miller
This week we finished A block classes (Periods 1-4) and have started Period 5-8 classes. With the end of the school year just a few weeks away(!), this is a good time to review our grading procedures. Final grades for Periods 1-4 will be available for review on Skyward by Friday, May 21. We highly encourage students and families to closely monitor student progress in Skyward and contact teachers if you need additional information.
As you know, high school students will receive a letter grade for each class. If a student received an NC (No Credit) in a yearlong class for first semester or an I (Incomplete) in any class, they can still earn credit in these courses. In yearlong classes, it is critical that the student pass the second half of the course. This success in the second semester will result in a credit earned for both semesters. This is great motivation for putting in extra effort during these last few weeks!
For an I grade in a semester-long class, students should receive a list of requirements which need to be fulfilled by the end of the next semester to earn credit. If those assignments are not satisfactorily completed, the I grade will be converted to an NC with no credit earned.
We want students to finish strong and have many supports in place to help! Teachers are available during their afternoon asynchronous times and ready to assist online or in person by appointment. Our school building remains open until 3:30 each day, and our Student Success coordinators and tutors are available to work with individuals and small groups. Students are welcome to stay, eat a hot lunch, and work with a caring, knowledgeable adult. An afternoon activity bus is available for transportation home, leaving at 3:15. Please call our office (360-676-6575) for more details on our afternoon support activities.
Paper copies of grade reports will be mailed home after the semester is complete for all eight classes. As students complete contracts and earn credit in classes, we aren’t able to notify individual families regarding grade changes. Thank you for checking Skyward on a regular basis and reaching out to teachers or the main office if you have questions or concerns.
Families, thank you for your support in helping our students successfully finish this unique school year. We are thrilled to have so many students back in our building, and we are seeing wonderful academic growth with many individuals. Please encourage your students to complete assignments, seek help when needed, study hard, and then enjoy a fun-filled, much deserved summer vacation! WE [ARE] BHS.
An Introduction to Mr. Atkins - Incoming BHS Principal
Dear BHS,
I am thrilled to be joining the Bellingham staff as principal in a few short weeks. I know change can be hard and it will not be easy to say goodbye to your wonderful principal Linda as she zips off to world-wide adventures. I have learned a lot from her over the years, and I am sure you have as well.
BHS has a rich history, and I will continue to learn with and from each of you as we build on that history and continue to improve our systems and practices. I remind myself daily to encourage academic excellence and excellent belonging for all.
I cannot wait to get to know all of you better soon, and I would like to begin by sharing a little personal and professional background about me. In 2010, after our three children had graduated from BHS and after 17 years in Bellingham schools, 10 of which were at Bellingham High, my wife (Bridged) and I embarked on an overseas teaching journey in Nepal, Tunisia, and Singapore. While we were overseas, we experienced some life-changing moments, and we are also deeply grateful to have been given the opportunity to return to Bellingham. It has been 11 years since I last worked at BHS; to return to the Collective Commitments and the new “We are BHS” culture fills me with joy.
My family and professional roots are in our Bellingham schools. I attended Columbia Elementary and Shuksan Middle School as a child, and my siblings and my children graduated from BHS; someday my grandchildren may too. (Unfortunately, my dad was transferred to work in Seattle, and I did not get to attend BHS.)
I became a principal after 26 years teaching high school math, and when considering our return to the U.S. after our years abroad, it felt like the next best step for me to continue serving as an educator. I loved teaching, and I hope it will become clear to the whole community how much I also love serving as a building leader. I am dedicated to students, families, and staff and will listen to your needs with an open mind and an open heart. Our staff make a difference in the lives of students and families. I also believe in our work around equity, diversity, and inclusion, and am especially excited about partnering with all of you to identify where we need to improve our high school systems.
Finally, it is a pleasure to join this team and be part of the “we” in “We are BHS.”
Marty
This Week in BHS Video
Take the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation’s
JOY Project Challenge
Friday May 14th
DAY TEN: JOY OF GIVING!
Giving is JOYFUL! It is a tangible act of love to share resources with others – in fact studies show you feel more abundance when you give things away. Donations to Bellingham Public Schools Foundation help fund a brighter future for students at every school.
BHS Solar Spotlight
COVID Vaccine Clinic for Students 12 and up @ BHS on 5/20!
A Message from the COVID Safety Team
Dear families,
This week, children 12 years of age and older became eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. We encourage all families to consider immunizing their student against COVID-19 for not just for their individual health, but the health and safety of our schools and community.
Please note that immunizing your student against COVID also minimizes the impact of COVID protocols on their learning opportunities. For example, if your student is vaccinated, they would not need to quarantine for 10 days if they were identified as a close contact to a confirmed case of COVID-19 and they would be able to continue to attend in-person school and extracurriculars.
Vaccine clinics at high schools on May 20
We are pleased to announce on-site immunization clinics for Bellingham Public Schools students 12 years of age or older and their adult household members.
- Clinics will be on site at Bellingham, Sehome and Squalicum: Thursday, May 20, 7:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
- To receive the COVID-19 vaccine, students must provide a completed consent form signed by their parent or guardian. A link to the consent form is provided in the online registration form and printed copies will be available at the front office of each school.
- Rite Aid pharmacy staff will administer immunizations at Sehome and Squalicum High Schools and Unity Care NW will administer immunizations at Bellingham High School. A second dose clinic at the same location will follow the last week of school.
- Please review this fact sheet on the Pfizer vaccine.
- Register online to reserve your spot.
Vaccine clinics in our community have appointments available
The only authorized vaccine for people 12-17 years of age is Pfizer. Parental consent is required by each provider. The following vaccine providers have Pfizer vaccines as of this week:
- PeaceHealth is offering clinics Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. They recommend scheduling an appointment through their online system. Walk-ins are accepted but patients may experience a wait, depending on the volume. Spanish Medical Interpreters are onsite Thursday evenings from 4:45 – 7 p.m.
- Unity Care is scheduling appointments for Pfizer first doses at their Bellingham clinic this week and have a number of appointments available. Families can schedule by calling the vaccine line (360-746-3098) or using the online scheduling link.
- Western Washington University is holding a vaccine clinic on Tuesday, May 18. We will share more information once it is available.
Vaccine facts from the CDC
- COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting COVID-19.
- All COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be safe and effective at preventing COVID-19.
- You may have side effects after vaccination, but these are normal.
- Vaccines are available at no cost to you and health insurance is not required.
- It typically takes two weeks after vaccination for the body to build protection (immunity) against the virus that causes COVID-19. You are not fully vaccinated until two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after a one-dose vaccine.
- If you have already had COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you still get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Learn more facts about COVID-19 vaccines at the CDC website.
If you have questions about onsite clinics or need to cancel your appointment, please contact Angie Ritchey.
PTSA News
Dear parents/guardians,
Can you believe the school year is almost over? We need a little volunteer help to push our seniors over the finish line on graduation day. Here are the details:
Date: Saturday, June 12th @ BHS
Time: 12-3pm
Description: All seniors will be transported to graduation by bus from BHS to Civic Field and back after graduation. Volunteers will help hand out name cards to students before boarding the buses and distribute actual diplomas upon their return. All volunteers will be able to watch the graduation ceremony on the Jumbo-Tron in the cafeteria.
Since each family is only receiving 2 tickets, this could be a fun and exciting activity for extended family members (think cool aunties and uncles), and/or other non-senior BHS families or friends. Please sign up today and share the link with others that may be interested in your circle.
In gratitude,
PTSA Board
Sign Up Genius Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508084BAAA92AA20-bhsgraduation
Reduced costs for Advanced Placement (AP) tests
Over the past several years, we have worked to help reduce the fees for College Board Advanced Placement (AP) tests for our students and families.
For students who qualify for the free/reduced lunch program, the entire $95 fee is covered by a combined state and federal grant. Our district discounts test fees for all other students and families so they only pay $47.50, which is half the cost.
For spring testing this year, Bellingham Public Schools has received an additional Washington State AP subsidy grant, reducing the AP testing fee to $32 for all full pay students. If students and families have already paid the $47.50, they will receive a refund of $15.50 through the ASB office at BHS after June 11, 2021.
Youth Peace Poetry Contest open for submissions
BHS Sports - Livestreaming
The BHS livestream page is here. Please share and save this link, so you can watch Bellingham HS teams without leaving the house.
COVID-19 Resources
- State COVID-19 Assistance Hotline is a general information line related to COVID-19. If you need information or have a general question, call 1-800-525-0127 or text 211-211 for help. You can also text the word “Coronavirus” to 211-211 to receive information and updates on your phone wherever you are. You will receive links to the latest information on COVID-19, including county-level updates, and resources for families, businesses, students, and more.
- Washington Listens helps people manage stress and anxiety they may be experiencing because of COVID-19. If you or anyone you know is having difficulties managing stress, call the Washington Listens support line at 1-833-681-0211. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. TTY and language access services are available by using 7-1-1 or their preferred method. Resources and self-help tips are available on walistens.org.
Career and Community Events
Career Center News
RUNNING START 2021-2022
NEW and RETURNING Students
Please go to the Running Start Page to find out the latest updates and information for Fall 2021.
https://bellingham.bellinghamschools.org/counseling/running-start/
**Scholarship High Lights new Local awards include…. Pete Zamora, Parkview Alumni, Fair Foundation check the updated bulletin
https://bellingham.bellinghamschools.org/students/career-center/
The Career Center webpage is updated weekly.
Check out the Scholarship Bulletin for Juniors on the scholarship webpage.
https://bellingham.bellinghamschools.org/students/career-center/
Financial Aid questions? Now that you have submitted your FAFSA … what’s next? What is included in your SAR (Student Aid Report) and who sees it? What is your family’s EFC? (Estimated Family contribution)
Learn the answers to these and more at: https://www.collegecovered.com/resource/9001/
If you have not completed your FAFSA or need assistance with Financial Aid please contact marlene.hayes@bellinghamschools.org.
SAT/ACT University admissions for Fall 2021 are in the majority test blind due to the pandemic. Meaning this year admissions departments will not consider scores even if submitted for admissions Fall 2021. * But Universities are in the process of deciding whether or not to continue the test blind policy or whether they will go back to being test mandatory post Fall 2021. Please check University websites for updates on admission guidelines for Fall 2022
More Career/College Events found on the Career Page website
Bellingham High School
Email: megan.atkins-voth@bellinghamschools.org
Website: https://bellingham.bellinghamschools.org/
Location: 2020 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 676-6470
Facebook: facebook.com/bellinghamhs