Stories from our schools:
- Alderwood student art chosen for mayor's holiday card 2025
- Squalicum leadership students Bring Joy this winter season
- BHS Showstoppers perform for Early Learning Center, District Office staff
- Inclusion at Columbia: Changing society one child at a time
- BPS receives Meritorious Budget Award, Navie La Tray named Rising Professional
- In the News: November 2025 recap
Alderwood student art chosen in Mayor's holiday card selections for 2025
What do sloths and dragons have to do with wintry scenes in Bellingham? The answer: more than you can imagine. Alderwood Elementary School students submitted dozens of drawings to City Hall for the mayor to choose from for her 2025 holiday card. Many of the drawings this year included depictions of sloths.
Three student drawings were selected among the submissions for special commendations and each student will receive a personalized note from Mayor Kim Lund. The artwork of Jennaveve (Jenna) Kensok, third grader at Alderwood Elementary School, was chosen to appear on the front of the holiday card. Read full story here.
Squalicum leadership students Bring Joy this winter season
Squalicum leadership students devoted time before Thanksgiving to sharing love and care with their community, bringing joy to students and families at Birchwood and Northern Heights elementary schools through their annual Bring Joy to a Child service project.
Through fundraising and donations, leadership students shopped for, packaged and delivered items like clothes, shoes, bedding, hygiene supplies, crafts and gift cards to the two elementary, supporting more than 50 students in need. Read more.
Early Learning Center classes, District Office staff treated to performances by the Bellingham High School Showstoppers
Some of Bellingham Public Schools’ youngest learners connected with some of the district’s eldest learners as the Bellingham High School Showstoppers hosted a special choir performance for students at the Early Learning Center (ELC) on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
BHS choir director Connie introduced and shared a bit about each song for the audience of staff students and staff, seated on the floor in a conference room near the ELC. Before one song, a member of The Showstoppers showed the early learners a drum that had been received as a gift when the high school student was even younger than the young audience members. Read story and view more photos here.
Inclusion at Columbia: Changing society one child at a time
Columbia Elementary School’s principal, staff and students recently met with school board members and district leadership to showcase the school’s inclusion journey and the power of belonging.
Principal Minh Nguyen talked about the staff’s intentional work over the last five years to study, understand and implement inclusionary practices. Inclusion, in this context, means integrating students served in Special Education into the least restrictive environment (as opposed to supporting students in separate classrooms). Read more here.
BPS receives Meritorious Budget Award, Navie La Tray named Rising Professional
The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) has recognized Bellingham Public Schools with a pair of accolades as the finance department earned ASBO’s Meritorious Budget Award while accounting manager Navie La Tray was honored by the state’s chapter of the national organization with a Rising Professional Regional Scholarship. Read more here.
In the News: November 2025 recap
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