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Bellingham Public Schools

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Bellingham Public Schools

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Bellingham Public Schools is located in Bellingham, Washington. Visit bellinghamschools.org for more.

Located in northwest Washington, Bellingham is between two major metropolitan areas, Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia. Strategic investments in parks, trails and preserved open spaces offer numerous recreation opportunities. Several public/private partnerships support the arts and cultural district downtown. Bellingham’s active waterfront hosts a range of marine activities. Bellingham is also home to three institutions of higher education: Western Washington University, Whatcom Community College and Bellingham Technical College. Comment policy: We do not accept comments that are inappropriate or personally directed. We appreciate everyone's civic engagement; however as a public school system we share information about voting but do not share comments advocating for specific candidates or ballot measures.

10/15/2026

A week ago today, the Western Washington University / WWU Athletics men’s and women’s basketball programs (WWU Men's Basketball and WWU Women's Basketball) visited Cordata Elementary School. Thank you for spending time with us!

Messages about teamwork, care and respect along with a welcome tunnel, relay drill competitions, a shooting contest and skillset demonstrations were all part of an energy-filled 30-minute assembly at Cordata on Thursday, October 8.

The Cordata audience listened to WWU student-athletes share about what it means to be a good teammate through teamwork, care and respect before Cordata students from each grade level were invited onto the court.

Cheers of support filled the gym as Cordata students took part in drills and competitions.

Assemblies such as this one provide opportunities for elementary students to see young adults as leaders and role models in the community and demonstrate The Bellingham Promise’s vision that includes our community making a collective commitment to Bellingham’s children.

The Cordata and WWU communities share multiple familial connections and Thursday’s assembly was the latest example of an ongoing partnership.

Cordata second grade teacher Emily Albritton, who welcomed assembly on the mic before handing it off to WWU emcees, is married to WWU men’s basketball assistant coach AJ Albritton. Their two children attend Cordata.

Cordata Promise K teacher Kennedy Garrison is a daughter of longtime WWU women’s basketball head coach Carmen Dolfo, while Garrison’s brother, Grey Garrison, and cousin, Grant Kepley, are both current WWU men’s basketball student-athletes.

Emily Albritton, the Garrisons and Kepley each attended Bellingham Public Schools.

Read more and view more photos via the Promise story on the Belligham Public Schools website.

10/07/2026

Promise Award 2026 Spotlight ⭐ Collaboration Award, Geneva Elementary School Special Education Team

The Geneva Elementary School Special Education team demonstrates what it means to support one another, the Geneva community and each student in belonging, thriving and achieving their fullest potential.

The team was recognized in spring 2026 and is composed of three certificated Special Education teachers, eleven paraeducators, a school psychologist, occupational therapist and speech language pathologist.

The team members are Special Education teachers Jessica Finstuen, Karen Fradley and Madison Stackman; school psychologist Annie Keegan; occupational therapist Katie Wood; speech language pathologist Chelsey Caraco; and paraeducators Sam Ashlock, Cody Clark, Lori Davidson, Allison Greener Grant, RJ Knuutila, Alara Langley, Andrea Larson, Tonia Mark, Tom McDonald, Robert Munroe and Ruth Nims.

The nominator shared, “The team’s collaboration is not a meeting on a calendar; it is a living practice woven into every hour of the school day.”

The team provides data-driven instruction with progress monitors and intentional planning to ensure students are provided with what is needed to grow academically, socially and emotionally.

This is achieved through co-designing lessons, co-teaching in classrooms, synchronizing schedules and more. Through it all, the team keeps students at the center of the work.

10/05/2026

“If only people could smell how good it smells in here!” said culinary coordinator Ariana Barse as we walked through the BPS Central Kitchen the morning the chicken drumsticks were roasting in the oven.

On this particular morning, 4,700 drumsticks from Draper Valley Farms were being prepared with seasoning, roasted and blast frozen in time for Taste Washington Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7 in school cafeterias.

Barse encourages all students and staff to take a lunch on Wednesday, Oct. 7, saying this new recipe was “developed with a lot of love, care and attention, seasoned and flavored for students to love and enjoy.”

“It’s just a special meal,” she shared.

Taste Washington Day is an annual statewide celebration of our fresh, local and Washington-grown ingredients. It is organized by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Farm to School Program, Washington School Nutrition Association (WSNA), and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

The day also allows for us to celebrate our Good Food Promise and all the great menu items that come out of our Central Kitchen.

Aside from these local northwest chicken drumsticks, there will also be sliced Washington apples served on the school salad bars. These are added in time for the annual Washington Apple Crunch that takes place on the same day at 12 noon. Everyone should take a bite of an apple at noon! Apples are Washington state’s biggest crop harvests; Washington produces nearly 2/3 of all apples in the United States.

Learn more about Taste Washington Day and Washington Apple Crunch online on the WSDA Taste Washington Day webpage.

10/03/2026

Promise Award 2026 Spotlight ⭐ Community Partner of the Year, Cynthia Wilson and Renee Swan-Waite, Lummi Nation educators

Cynthia and Renee are shining examples of the way community partners impact our schools, exemplifying The Bellingham Promise in action.

Over many years, Cynthia and Renee have supported our teachers, instructional coaches and leaders in so many ways as we have implemented locally-focused Indigenous centered curriculum in support of the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty curriculum.

A colleague shared that their “leadership and teaching supports school systems in accurate representation and more equitable outcomes of all students. This collaborative work builds bridges between communities and schools.”

Examples of their efforts include numerous workshops for staff, hosting teachers at the canoe journey and a “cross the bridge” experience as well.

A colleague shared these efforts provide “...firsthand learning for educators that will last a lifetime.”

Over the past few years, BPS instructional coach staff have appreciated Cynthia and Renee's leadership in sharing curriculum related to Treaty Day and the Treaty of Point Elliott among many efforts.

These are just a few examples of a widespread impact over many years. And the impact reaches far beyond Bellingham Public Schools.

In May, a recognition event for the pair was held at the Lhaq ’temish-ew’xw e tse XwLemi – House of Healing on the campus of Western Washington University.

Current and former BPS staff along with WWU faculty, family and friends shared touching tributes to Cynthia and Renee.

09/03/2026

🎒🚌 Today, we welcomed our youngest learners! Our first day for kindergarten, Promise kindergarten and preschool students was Wednesday, Sept. 2.

Welcome, all!

📷 Here are a some photos from four of our elementary schools on the first day.

08/31/2026

🏫🚌🎒 We are back! Happy first day of the 2026-27 school year.

Monday, Aug. 31 was the first day of school for students in grades 1-12. Here are a few photos from the first day of school.

On Wednesday, we’ll welcome our youngest learners. Our first day for preschool, kindergarten and Promise kindergarten is Sept. 2.

Have a great school year!

Read a first day of school message from Superintendent Greg Baker:
🔗 https://www.bellinghamschools.org/all-news/p/~board/2026-2027-news/post/first-day-of-the-2026-27-school-year

08/29/2026

On Thursday morning, we hosted our all-staff kick-off at Bellingham High School.

This event provides an opportunity for staff from all locations and roles to gather as One Schoolhouse ahead of the new school year. It was great to see everyone gathered together!

Bellingham High School principal Ben Goodwin and Happy Valley Elementary School principal Kelly Gouveia served as this year's emcees.

Thanks to our emcees, student performers and staff who help us host this annual event. Together we achieve more!

We look forward to welcoming students in grades 1-12 for the first day of school on Monday, August 31.

We also look forward to welcoming our kindergarten, Promise kindergarten and preschool students on Wednesday, September 2.

08/27/2026

Our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for everyone who attended and supported our annual Back-to-School Block Party last Saturday, August 22 at Bellingham High School!

Approximately 500 families attended with more than 100 onsite sports physicals completed, over 40 childhood vaccines dispensed, more than 60 haircuts and braids completed, hundreds of backpacks and free books distributed, and many cases of fresh produce shared with families.

There were 35 community partners with tables in the gym along with tables for each of our schools in the commons.

Thank you to the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation, the Project Neighborly Fund of the Whatcom Community Foundation, BECU, and Molina Healthcare for financial support of this back-to-school readiness event.

This event exemplifies the belief that together we achieve more than alone, and the many ways our community collectively commits to serving Bellingham's children.

08/20/2026

Promise Award 2026 Spotlight ⭐ One Schoolhouse Award, James Hayes, district director of activities and athletics

James Hayes is a selfless leader who works tirelessly to support others. As the district’s activities and athletics director, his efforts support a One Schoolhouse approach to providing activities and athletics opportunities for students across the school district.

Activities and athletics are beloved for students and our community – there are many within one school, let alone when counted districtwide.

In his role, James supports each offering and is present at many of the events – it is not uncommon to see him at events four or five nights a week followed by postseason events on weekends. His intentionality in building relationships and being present at many evening and weekend events is appreciated by staff peers who nominated him.

His nomination included remarks from leaders at many schools, exemplifying his widespread impact and efforts to further the One Schoolhouse mission.

James’ work includes presence in many areas – meeting with coaches, middle school assistant principals and high school activities and athletics coordinators in support of experiences for students in activities and athletics.

A colleague shared, “As I reflected on the people in Bellingham Public Schools who consistently show up for me – often without being asked – the first name that came to mind was James Hayes. James is someone you can rely on to do exactly what he says he will do – and more. He is kind, thoughtful, reflective and willing to engage in hard conversations in order to support staff and students.”

Address

1985 Barkley Boulevard
Bellingham, WA
98226

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

http://bellinghamschools.org/

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