Raider Record
September 27, 2019
Connections at BHS
Dear BHS Families,
By now you are likely aware that our focused theme this year at Bellingham High is “connections.” The collective goal is to deepen the connections our students feel through the learning process in classes, from our school supports such as Raiderade and LINK, and by connecting with peers in extra-curricular activities. Our “We [are] BHS” campaign has been a great way for us to showcase our school spirit and the connections we are developing with each other both in the building and with the broader Bellingham community.
We see our focus on connections at BHS as very much aligned with the Bellingham Promise, particularly as it relates to an emphasis on students, families and staff who represent historically marginalized populations. Our hope is that by building connections, all members of our increasingly diverse community will feel included and have equitable access to available resources.
In this spirit, I would like to give special recognition to our Hispanic and Latino families as our country honors National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, 2019. This month is an opportunity for us to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The US Library of Congress has a wealth of information on their website. I encourage you to visit it here!
Joseph Doucette, Assistant Principal
Weekly Bulletin
Parents and guardians invited to discussion Beyond the Birds and the Bees, Oct. 9
Bellingham Public Schools will host Beyond the Birds and the Bees: Talking to Children about their Bodies, Sex and Relationships from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 in the District Office Board Room, located at 1306 Dupont Street. This event is geared for families with children in grades 5 to 12. School staff and health professional guests will share with parents and guardians what schools teach about puberty and human sexuality and will discuss how to talk to teens about bodily changes, responsibility and respect. The HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome) curriculum will also be previewed on this same evening.
Families are the first and best teachers for children. Talking to children about building healthy relationships, healthy communication, and the role sex plays in healthy relationships is important for lifelong well-being. This evening will support families in having important conversations with their children about sex and relationships.
Please contact your school office if language interpretation services are needed.
For more information, contact the wellness program at 360-676-6470, ext. 6533.
Photo by Graci Bezanson
Important Upcoming 2020 AP Exam Registration and Payment Changes
Dear Families of AP Students:
The AP® Program has introduced new resources and processes designed to help students earn college credit and placement. Here’s what you and your student need to know:
· BHS AP students will be asked to register and pay for their AP Exams October 1-31, 2019 at the BHS ASB office, or online https://wa-bellingham.intouchreceipting.com/
· The 2020 fee is $47 per exam. Students who qualify to receive free or reduced lunch will have their AP exam fees waived, provided they submit a Low-Income Student Verification Form to the ASB office, signed by a parent/guardian, prior to the registration deadline. This form is available at the ASB office.
· There will be a $40 fee for late registration (after 11/15) and a $40 cancellation or unused exam fee
· AP Exams will be held May 4 - May 15, 2020
· AP students should have already signed in to myap.collegeboard.org and enrolled in their AP class sections using the unique join code provided by their teacher for each AP class.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, or your child’s AP teacher, if you have questions.
Chris Carlson - Assistant Principal
Career and Community Events
- Gonzaga University - Monday, September 30, 9:00 am
- Students applying to WSU come to the Career Center to be considered for the WSU Regents Scholarship.
- Check out the Career Center for Scholarship and FAFSA information.
Save the Date for College Fair on Oct. 3
College Fair 2019 will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 and is hosted at Sehome High School this year, located at 2700 Bill McDonald Parkway.
Representatives from nearly 60 public, private, two-year and four-year institutions from around the Pacific Northwest and beyond will be at the event. A list of attendees will be posted online before the event.
New this year! Students are encouraged to register for this free event through StriveScan which will send them a barcode saving students time filling out the information cards for each college table they visit. Registering will automatically give them a reminder of the event and a list of the colleges with whom they share their barcode at College Fair.
Go to www.strivescan.com to register today or snap the SnapChat code found on posters and flyers around school.
Another college and career planning event Design your Future will be held in November this year. Stay tuned later this fall for the date, time and schedule.
For more information on college and career planning, please contact your school counselor or career specialist.
After-School Dinner Program Free for All Students 18 and Under
Bellingham Public Schools currently offers free hot dinner to all children 18 and under in the community. These meals are offered daily Mondays through Thursdays through June 4, 2020. Dinner is served from 5 to 6 p.m. at Shuksan Middle School, located at 2717 Alderwood Avenue (at the corner of Northwest and Alderwood).
Please note: Accompanying adults are charged $4.25 All meals must be eaten onsite in the Shuksan cafeteria and “to go” options are not available. Dinner will not be served on the following Thursdays that are middle school early dismissal days: Oct. 31, Nov. 27, (Wed.), Dec. 12, Feb. 6, March 5, April 30.
The after-school dinner program is sponsored by the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
For more information, contact Food Services for Bellingham Public Schools.
Filing window for FAFSA opens Oct. 1
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA/WAFSA) filing window opens Oct. 1. The U.S. Department of Education has everything you need to know about FAFSA online. Click here.
In Bellingham Public Schools, assistance to file will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6 at Squalicum High School. Additional help sessions will be offered at the following dates and times: 5 to 7 p.m., Oct. 9 at Northwest Indian College; 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 10 at Ferndale High School; 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 14 at Lynden High School; 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Nooksack Valley High School; and 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 17 at Meridian High School. Students and families in Whatcom County are welcome to any session offered above. Visit your Career Center for more specifics on these help sessions.
If you attend, please bring the following information and documents with you to the event:
- Your driver’s license or State ID;
- Your income information. This includes bank statements, a W-2 or pay stub, and a past tax return;
- Your parent, if you are 24 or younger;
- Your parents’ recent financial information (Parents should bring a copy of their previous year’s tax return);
- Additional information such as child support statements, TANF or welfare information, real estate, investments, family business or farm info.
FAFSA filers must also bring
- student’s social security number or green card
- one parent’s social security number, if they have one
For more information, please contact your high school counselor or visit www.readysetgrad.org/cgw-info or www.futuresnw.org.
Click here for a flyer of the FAFSA/WAFSA filing events.
And don’t forget College Fair is 6 to 8 p.m. this Thursday, Oct. 3 at Sehome High School. More than 50 colleges and universities will be in attendance.
It’s all elemental; celebrating 150 years with the periodic table
The year 2019 has been designated as the International Year of the Periodic Table by the United Nations General Assembly (UN) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO.) The UN-inspired celebration marks the 150th anniversary of the periodic table of chemical elements originally proposed/discovered by Dmitry Mendeleev in 1869. The periodic table is considered one of the most important achievements in science, informing not only chemistry but biology, earth sciences, physics and medicine.
To celebrate locally, science faculty at Western Washington University (WWU) and Whatcom Community College (WCC) invite middle and high school students, families and teachers to join them at a community event from 4 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, at the Spark Museum, 1312 Bay Street, in downtown Bellingham. Admission is free.
The Oct. 12 event will include an elements-themed Wizards of Western show, as well as an historical portrayal of scientist Dmitri Mendeleev and his international colleagues, both presented by WWU faculty and students. Informational posters and booths will also be on display, including some of the latest areas of discovery of new chemical elements worldwide. Bring your questions!
To coincide with the UN designation, Governor Jay Inslee has also declared 2019 the Year of the Periodic Table in the state of Washington.
See you at the Spark Museum on Oct. 12!
Coming Soon: The Red Raider PTSA 2019 – 2020 Fundraiser
The Red Raider PTSA Board has opted to make fundraising simple again this year. We are asking our Red Raider families to directly support the students and teachers at Bellingham High School by contributing to the Red Raider PTSA Fund. Fundraising envelopes will be coming home with students next week. Look for this envelope in your student’s backpack or back pocket! Get ahead of the game by donating today via Paypal.
Community Service Opportunities
Community Service Opportunities: Volunteering within your community is one of the best ways to learn something new, meet people and support a cause that is important to you. Let’s not forget how great it looks on those college applications too. Whatever your motivation, check out these events and opportunities to become more involved within your community
Date
Event / Opportunity
Contact/Register
Saturday, September 28th
9AM-3PM
Lake Whatcom Park Volunteer Trail Work Party
Those trails don’t maintain themselves! Volunteer to clear brush, debris and logs, moving rocks and install wood structures as needed. Location: Lake Whatcom Park Trailhead near Northshore.
Register here.
Sunday, October 6th
10AM-4PM
Whatcom County Buddy Walk
This annual walk for people who have Down’s Syndrome needs volunteers to set-up, for registration, photo booth, clean up and walkers.
buddywalk@arcwhatcom.org or call
360-715-0170 ext. 200
Ongoing
Help a Senior with Yard Care or Cleaning
The Chore program supports seniors and adults living with disabilities to live independently. Volunteers needed to lend a helping hand with yard and housework.
chore@whatcomvolunteer.org or call
360-734-5121 ext. Ext. 172
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