Principal Newsletter, Week of April 14

Good morning, You’re invited to join us this Wednesday, April 16^th, for our next Principal Coffee & General PTSA Meeting.  We will meet in our library from 8:15-9:45am.  You can join us on Teams if preferred.  Topics will include class registration updates, and testing updates for AP and Smarter Balanced Assessments administered in May. 

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 294 028 272 219

Passcode: SrDQB6

Dial in by phone

+1 206-800-4133,,650027191# United States, Seattle

(206) 800-4133,,650027191# United States (Toll-free)

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 650 027 191#

 

PARKING & STUDENT DROP-OFF/PICK-UP

Students are coming forward to report concerns over the number of parents using our student lots to drop off or pick up before and after school.  This causes increased congestion and dangerous driving conditions.  Only use the drop-off/pick-up loop in front of school for these purposes.  This will require families to leave earlier and/or make plans to account for potential delays.  Thank you for putting our students’ safety first. 

Students must have a parking permit to park on campus. Permits are currently sold out and the waitlist is CLOSED.  We will notify students on the waitlist when a current student withdraws creating space.

In partnership, Vic Anderson, Principal

 

Safety Update for Bellevue Students and Families

Many in our communities have heard about a recent incident where a 16-year-old girl was accosted by a stranger as she exited a Metro bus in the Lake Hills area. The Bellevue Police Department has issued a statement informing residents that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the attempted kidnapping and the investigation is ongoing.

The incident provides us the opportunity to share a few safety tips that are important to keep in mind. The Bellevue Police Department reminds us that if anyone feels like they are being followed or are in the process of being attacked, there are actions they can take:

· Walk with a partner or in groups

· Share estimated times of arrivals with trusted individuals

· Make as much noise as you can. You can attract community members who can assist/help you.

· Run away or fight, if necessary.

· Call 911 when it's safe to do so.

· Enter a nearby business and ask for help.

For more information about safety in our schools, visit the Safety and Security department pages. Safety concerns can also be reported through the district website. Everyone is reminded to call 911 if you are in immediate danger or in the case of a life-threatening emergency.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION for Digital AP Exams

This year all AP exams (other than Spanish, French, Japanese and Chinese exams) will be digital. These exams will be taken on the Bluebook app. To access the exam, students MUST KNOW THEIR COLLEGE BOARD LOGIN & PASSWORD. Autofill is not an option in Bluebook.

If students do not know their login and password, they WILL NOT be able to take the exam or be able to request for a late exam. PLEASE have your student practice logging in to Bluebook so they will be prepared and able to take the exam they have been preparing for all year! If you have any questions, please reach out to Kayla Manteghi (manteghik@bsd405.org)

 

Attend the Admissions Case Study and College Fair

High school students, especially current juniors, are invited to explore the college admissions process, learn how to stand out in their applications, and connect with colleges and universities from across the country at the upcoming College Conference Event. The Admissions Case Study and College Fair will take place on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Bellevue High School. Registration is required for students to participate in the case study. The deadline to register is Monday, April 21, 2025.

The case study will begin at 5:30 p.m. and allow small groups to walk through the admission decision process with college representatives. The College Fair will begin at 7:00 p.m. and include an opportunity for students to speak with representatives from a variety of colleges and universities from across the country.

This event is a partnership between Bellevue High School and Mercer Island High School staff and PTSAs. Learn more about BSD’s 2025 College Conference Series.

 

You're Invited to the Bellevue School District Computer Science Engagement Night!

Event Highlights:

· Share your interest and feedback. Tell us what you’d like to see next in the Computer Science program!

 · Explore BSD’s PreK-High School Computer Science opportunities funded by the Bellevue Schools Foundation.

This in-person event will be a great opportunity to learn about PreK-High School computer science programs. Your participation will help capture community interest and support for ongoing computer science education for all. Many vendors will be available, along with interactive booths for families to engage with. We look forward to seeing you there!

Event Details

· Date: April 24, 2025 (Thursday)

· Time: 5:30-7:30pm

· Location: Highland Middle School Commons

· Audience: BSD Community (staff, students and families)

 · Register online

 

WOLVERINE GUARD APPLICATIONS DUE APRIL 30th 2025

The 2024-25 Wolverine Guard Program deadline is fast approaching!

Here are some important reminders: 

• Application is due midnight on April 30th, 2025. No late applications will be accepted!
• Students should plan to submit early in order to avoid last-minute complications! 
• Time log forms must be detailed and with signed signatures from volunteer coordinators.

Just a friendly reminder to make sure you carefully read ALL the application requirements as well as the guidance for filling out the time log forms. Incomplete applications will be returned to you for revision, slowing down the process. Thanks for your attention to detail!

The PTSA Wolverine Guard program is separate from the Bellevue School District’s volunteer hours requirement for graduation. We do not coordinate with X2Vol and will only accept Wolverine Guard time logs.

Please contact Michelle Pflaum or Sherry Fang (your WG Co-Chairs) at wolverineguard@bellevuehighptsa.com with any questions that you have.

 

Washington State Legislative Youth Advisory Council (LYAC) - Applications Open for 2025-2027 Cohort

LYAC is a student-led organization that empowers young people (ages 14–18) to engage directly in policymaking, meet with legislators, and advocate for issues affecting youth across the state.

LYAC members engage in advocacy, meet with legislators, and help shape policies that impact young people across Washington. Applications for the 2025–2027 cohort are now open, and we would love for your students to apply!

Students must be 14–18 years old as of August 31, 2025, and in grades 7–10 at the time of application. The program is completely free, and applications close on April 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PDT. Learn more and apply online.

 

Save the Date: Upcoming I-Connect Family Event to Focus on UW Seattle

Key Info and Inspiration on Becoming a Husky at I-Connect Family Event

Is the University of Washington (UW), Seattle, on your radar? Whether your student is UW-bound or just starting to think about college, you won’t want to miss an invaluable all-Husky I-Connect evening event, coming soon, when the topic will be: “The Journey to UW: A Guide for BHS Students & Parents.”

When: Thursday, May 1, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Where: Bellevue High School (BHS) Library

Who Should Attend?:

• BHS freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are considering applying to UW Seattle
• BHS seniors who are UW-bound and want practical tips on campus life
• BHS parents who want to understand the UW application process

Guest Speakers:

JUST ADDED Learn all about applying to the University of Washington from Kels John Jones, Jr., M.S.Ed. While Mr. Jones serves as the UW Assistant Director of Admissions for International Recruitment, this session will cover essential application information for all prospective students.

Drew Fowler, a BHS alumnus from the Class of 2019, graduated with honors from the UW Foster School of Business and played for the Husky football team. He recently gained national attention for his Instagram post announcing his decision to enter the job market instead of the NFL draft. Mr. Fowler will share his inspiring personal journey from BHS to UW. We will hear what role his parents played in his college decisions. What was campus life like as an undergraduate, and then as a graduate student? Additionally, Mr. Fowler will give an update on his job search and provide advice on succeeding as a Husky.

I-Connect is a community engagement program sponsored by the BHS PTSA.

 

Bellevue Youth Link Youth Leadership Award Nominations Open

Do you know a Bellevue child or teen who has championed a cause, served the community or advocated for equity and social justice? Nominations are now open for the 35th annual Community Leadership Awards.

The awards are sponsored by Bellevue Youth Link, a city youth leadership program for which the Bellevue School District provides support.

At Community Leadership Awards, you can find background information about each award category and submit an online nomination through 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 2. Awards will be presented Wednesday, May 28, 6:00 p.m., at City Hall, 450 110th Ave. NE, followed by a reception at 7:30. The free event is open to the public.

Submit a nomination.

For additional information about Youth Link or the awards, please email youthlink@bellevuewa.gov or call 425-452-2846.

 

High School Credit Recovery Summer Program

The High School Summer School program is designed to support students in need of credit recovery for on-time graduation through in-person classes held at Sammamish High School.

·         Location: Sammamish High School

·         Program Dates: Monday to Friday, July 9 – July 31, 2024. In-Person Attendance Required.

·         Staff Workday & Training: July 8, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

·         Time: Students may take 1 or 2 courses. Period 1: 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.; Period 2: 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

·         Meals: A no-cost lunch will be served at 10:30 a.m. daily

·         Program Cost: There is no fee for the program.

·         Grade Level: 9th grade to 12th grade

 

Student Eligibility and Identification: This program is for high school students in need of course credit for courses previously taken. Students are identified based on needs to support on-time graduation using school counselor recommendations in support of individual student graduation plans. This program is not for grade improvement, nor earning original credit for pathway acceleration. This program is for credit recovery for classes previously failed (grades F, W, I, NC).

Program Design: Students will participate in class, in-person daily during their designated class times. Afternoon tutorial hours will be available for students as needed. The summer coursework utilizes the ALEKS learning platform for math, specially designed chemistry and biology summer curriculum, and the APEX learning platforms for all other courses. In-person attendance is required daily.

Registration: Summer School registration will be online through the Summer School Programs webpage starting March 10 through June 20. All students in need of summer school will receive registration access codes from their school counselor. Priority enrollment will be given to rising 12th grade students and students most in-need of graduation assistance. Final confirmation of enrollment will be sent via email at the end of June. Registration assistance can be provided by contacting hssummer@bsd405.org

Credits: Students will earn a letter grade for their summer credit recovery course(s).

 

Support the BHS PTSA and Make an Impact! 

The Bellevue High School PTSA is kicking off our Fall Fundraising campaign and we need YOUR support! Your donations are the key to keeping BHS one of the top schools in the state! With your help, we can continue to fund essential programs like extended tutorials, college prep support, mental health and resilience counseling, and grants for academics, athletics, and school clubs. Every donation, big or small, counts towards creating a brighter future for our students. We are aiming for participation from 100% of the families in our community to raise $50,000! All donations - large and small - will help us to reach our goal!

If your company offers matching, please take a moment to submit a match request and stretch your donation. Bellevue High PTSA’s tax id number is 91-1459440. 

Should you prefer to write a check, please make it out to Bellevue High PTSA and either drop it off at the BHS front office or mail it to 10416 SE Wolverine Way, Bellevue, WA 98004. Please email fundraising@bellevuehighptsa.com with any questions.

Join us in this exciting fundraising campaign and help us continue to support excellence and opportunity at BHS. Let’s make this year unforgettable—donate today and make an impact!

 

COLLEGE & CAREER CENTER

Below are some updates from the College and Career Center, if you have questions, want to meet, or need more information just send me an email, Teams Chat, or use the link in my signature to book a meeting.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our 2025 National Merit Scholarship Finalists: Evan Hsueh, Kayla Ngo, Owen Zhang!

• OPPORTUNITIES:

o     City of Bellevue Well K.E.P.T. Program:

 Summer youth employment opportunity offered through the Natural Resource Division of the Parks & Community Services Department. The program is designed to provide Bellevue teens with education, job skills, and career development training in the field of park resource management. 

o    Open Windo School Junior Counselor: Open Window School is a K-8 independent school on Cougar Mountain, centrally located between Bellevue, Issaquah, and Newcastle. For 5 weeks during the summer, Open Window runs an exciting summer program for students entering Kindergarten through 7th grade within the local community.

• VOLUNTEER: 

o     Wise Camp Volunteer:

 Looking for a fun and rewarding way to earn community service hours this summer? Wise Camps is now accepting volunteers! As a certified nonprofit and a proud partner of the Presidential Service Award, Wise Camps offers students the chance to gain leadership experience, enjoy free catered lunches, and earn national recognition for their service.

o    BHS Art Department: Come to the BHS Art Department after school during tutorial to help clean and organize and earn volunteer hours!

• COLLEGE 

o    Class of 2026 Case Study and College Fair, April 23rd 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm @ Bellevue High School.  Get a behind-the-scenes look at how college admission decisions are made, what students can do to stand out, and the opportunity to network with colleges and universities from around the country!

o    Mini College Fair Thursday, April 3rd, both lunches in the library! Come talk to reps from the University of the Pacific, Arizona State, University of Oregon, Central Washington, San Diego State, University of Idaho, WSU, Northern Arizona, University of Arizona and more!

o    University of Washington Environmental Careers Preparedness High School Summer Scholars Program (EnCAP)

 Selected summer scholars will participate in a 5-week interdisciplinary, field-based program through the month of July to learn about the range, impacts, and diversity of green career pathways in Washington State in partnership with UWB faculty and undergraduate research assistants.

o    University of Washington, Accounting Awareness Week: Our mission is to help underrepresented students realize academic and career opportunities in accounting and business. Program Dates: Sunday, July 20- Friday, July 25

Priority application deadline: Friday, April 4.

Lisa Hansen | College and Career Advisor

 

NEW FROM OUR LIBRARY

Apparently, April 4 was National School Librarian Day — hey, that's me! The month of April is also School Librarian Month for the American Association of School Librarians and next week is National Library Week for the American Library Association. To celebrate all this library love, I'm going to spend part of Spring Break convening with my people at the Washington Library Association's annual conference in Tacoma, learning new things, hearing about new books, meeting people, maybe even getting some free books to bring back for y'all! As if you need any more convincing, watch my faves Dav Pilkey and Jason Reynolds say why they love school librarians in these short videos, read more about why all the love on ilovelibraries.org, and then you can show your love by summitting your own I Love Libraries story.

Meanwhile, it's National Poetry Month so here's an ode to libraries from Nikki Giovanni:

 

My First Memory (of Librarians), by Nikki Giovanni

This is my first memory:

A big room with heavy wooden tables that sat on a creaky 

      wood floor

A line of green shades — bankers' lights — down the center

Heavy oak chairs that were too low or maybe I was simply

      too short

            For me to sit in and read

So my first book was always big

In the foyer up four steps a semi-circle desk presided

To the left side the card catalogue

On the right newspapers draped over what looked like

      a quilt rack

Magazines face out from the wall

The welcoming smile of my librarian

The anticipation in my heart

All those books — another world — just waiting

At my fingertips.

You can make your own found poem using the magnets on the white board in the library, all month long! You can also participate in National / Global Poetry Writing Month by getting inspired and following daily writing prompts to write a poem a day throughout the month of April. Or just sign up to receive a poem a day email selected and sent by the folks at poets.org.

There's a Youth Poetry Competition happening now at Bellevue KCLS through April 28^th -- anyone under 18 can submit a poem, turned in at a branch in writing or by emailing KCLS Librarian Joe. Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third places! A poetry recital and awards ceremony will be held on May 2^nd 

April is also Arab American Heritage Month and I finally have a new display up in the library. Come check out a book by and about Arab Americans before you leave for the break!

If you need an emergency book to read over break, you can read free ebooks at Simon Teen (you need to register a free account).

Remember you also have access to KCLS ebooks and audiobooks with your student account — find a book HERE, then log in only after clicking "borrow." Your student account is 405 + your student ID number and your password is the last four digits of your student ID number. Log in help is available HERE and on our library website.

Take a ferry out to Bainbridge Island this weekend to check out artists' books and the people who make and love them at the DogEar Festival put on by the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art.

I hope you all have a wonderful and restful Spring Break!

SARAH BRYAN, MLIS Library Specialist

 

IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES

April 22                       School-wide Activity, Panorama Survey

May 26                        Memorial Day, Schools & Offices Closed

June 13                        Last Day of Classes for Seniors

June 18                        Class of 2025 Graduation, 9:00 a.m. at UW