Principal Newsletter, Week of March 10

Good morning, Our next Principal Coffee is this Wednesday, 8:15-9:15am, in the library and on Teams. Topics will include registration, student attendance, and cell phones.  Everyone is welcome!

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 215 409 039 980

Passcode: FRBoGt

Dial in by phone

+1 206-800-4133,,601959860# United States, Seattle

(206) 800-4133,,601959860# United States (Toll-free)

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 601 959 860#

 

Everything you need to register for the 2025-2026 school year—important resources and links—are included below to guide you through registration and course selection process. Be sure to review carefully and save this email for future reference!

**(Documents are linked within this email or visit and download directly from our BHS registration website: https://bellevuehigh.bsd405.org/counseling/registration )

Helpful Handouts & Links to have open:

BHS Registration Website: https://shorturl.at/5jGYo  

BHS Course Offerings List (10th-12th)

12th Grade Course Planning sheet

BSD Course Catalog (Online): https://www.bsd405.org/course-catalog

All 11th grade students will be scheduled a 15 to 20-minute individual appointment to meet with their counselor starting the week of March 17^th through Friday March 28^th.
At this meeting, counselors will review & complete a Junior BLITZ HW sheet, a checklist covering:
🔹 Graduation requirements & any remaining tasks
🔹 High School & Beyond Plan completion
🔹 Volunteer hours completion
🔹 Post-high school options & college planning
🔹 Transcript review & summer school recommendations
🔹 Any additional questions or concerns

It’s important to stick to your scheduled time to ensure all students are served fairly and efficiently.

The online registration tool in StudentVUE opened on Monday, February 24th and closes on Sunday, March 30^th! During this time, you can choose your courses and even make edits before the deadline. Parents and guardians will be able to use ParentVUE to view and monitor their student’s course requests for next year.

Registration is DUE by Sunday, March 30th!
Be sure to finalize your course selections before the deadline!

In partnership, Vic Anderson, Principal

 

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT FOR AP EXAMS 2024-2025

This is the final week to order AP Exams! Please double check to see if your exams have been paid for AND ordered. First verify payment in your TouchBase account, then check your student's College Board account to ensure they have entered their join codes and that their exams have been ordered. If you have paid and your student hasn’t entered a join code, an exam will not be ordered. A detailed message was sent to families the morning of October 14^th outlining how to register and pay for AP exams. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the AP Coordinator, Kayla Manteghi at manteghik@bsd405.org. Below are the important dates for AP Testing. Please note the updated changes

 

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2024-25 AP TESTING

Nov. 18 - Mar 13              Tests ordered incur $40 late fee levied by College Board.  Shop and Pay will charge $139 per exam.

Mar 14 at 6:59pm                           College Board closes online AP Test order system for schools to submit.  No further test orders will be submitted by schools.

 

Exciting News: The Barque is Going Digital!

We’re thrilled to announce The Barque has officially launched a website. Now, you can access the latest articles, news, and updates from our school paper at any time. We now provide weekly articles and a digital version of our latest newspapers. Donations are much appreciated and can be made via the pop-up ad on our website. Stay tuned for more updates and stories to stay informed on our community.

Click here to visit The Barque website: https://www.thebarquebhs.com/

 

PARKING LOT SAFTEY/ETIQUETTE

• Parent drop off and pickup is in front of the school. Refrain from using student and staff parking lots, especially the Lower East Lot by the bus zone
• DO NOT BLOCK the parking lot driveways. Let people who are exiting parking lots exit
• Speed limit is 10 MPH while on school campus. YEILD to pedestrians in the crosswalks
• Motorized bicycles and scooters must only be ridden on the road, NEVER on sidewalks
• Stay off phones while driving on campus and while using the crosswalks

 

Student Earth Month Art Contest

The BSD Sustainability Design Team is excited to host our first Earth Month Student Art Contest. This contest is open to all K-12 students. The theme is Our Planet, Our Power. Submissions are open now and will close March 26, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Submit an entry.

 

BSD Enrollment for the 2025-2026 School Year Now Open – Tell a Friend!

Bellevue School District new student enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is now open! All new students in preschool through grade 12 interested in attending a Bellevue School District school are invited to begin the enrollment process.

Do you know a friend, neighbor or community member living in Bellevue with a student who does not currently attend a Bellevue School District school? Invite them to join the district named the best in Washington! Families interested in transferring into the Bellevue School District are welcome to learn more.

 

DIGITAL SAT ON MARCH 18^TH

We’re excited to let you know that all 11th graders have the opportunity to take the Digital SAT exam on March 18th during the school day, from 7:15 AM to 11:30 AM at Bellevue High. There’s no need for students to register with College Board – we’ll automatically order a test for each student. Please note that this exam is only available for 11th-grade students.

If a student wants to opt-out of taking this test, they must fill out this form: Bellevue High School SAT Opt Out Form 

 

Superintendent’s Blog: Honoring Bellevue’s Diversity and Preserving Civil Rights in Our Beloved Community

Superintendent Aramaki shares a message with the BSD community acknowledging recent celebrations and commemorations in our community, including Lunar New Year, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Black History Month, and Ramadan. He goes on to share that amidst the celebrations, there have also been many in our community who have experienced fear and uncertainty. In response to the executive orders coming from the federal government, many students, families, and staff — particularly our immigrant community, our LGBTQIA+ community, our families with children with IEPs and 504s, and our communities of color — have worried about their education, safety, and belonging.

As a district, we are doing our best to navigate the flurry of K-12 education-related executive orders and communications from the US Department of Education. In his most recent video communication (listen in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian), Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, addresses how the state’s school districts, including the Bellevue School District, are to respond to the executive orders. Dr. Aramaki

encourages students, staff, and families to watch his video to get a better understanding of the implications of the recent executive orders. A few of the key points from Superintendent Reykdal that apply to the Bellevue School District are:

· The Civil Rights of Undocumented Youth (Procedure 4310.1P)

· The Civil Rights of LGBTQIA+ Youth (Policy 3211 and Procedure 3211P)

· Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Policy 0130 and Procedure 0130P)

· Focus on Funding Public Education

Dr. Aramaki goes on to share a personal story of how his family was impacted by Executive Order 9066, which in 1942 authorized the forced relocation of Japanese Americans along the west coast to internment camps. He expresses that even during this dark time in history, there was still hope. And in this instance, it was attributed, in part, to the courage and care of a former teacher in Bellevue’s beloved community. Read the full Superintendent blog for more of this story and to learn about the recent federal actions and guidance from the state.

 

2025-2026 BSD Course Catalog Available – Now in a Web-Based Format

The 2025-2026 Course Catalog is now available in a new, web-based format! This new format provides enhanced content accessibility and language translation capabilities. The new Course Catalog allows users to quickly search for courses by grade or school, content area, or by using keywords. There are also a variety of resources available to students and families as they plan out courses for the year.

The Course Catalog provides information about all courses offered at BSD’s middle and high schools, to assist students as they explore their options. From Career and Technical Education (CTE), to performing and visual arts, to world languages, BSD offers a wide range of innovative and rigorous courses to support the learning and development of students with all types of interests. Students should consider their passions and future goals while searching the available courses.

 

YMCA Earth Services Corps Environmental Symposium YMCA Earth Service Corps (YESC) is hosting its annual environmental symposium for youth in grades 8-12 on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the University of Washington (Mary Gates Hall, 1851 NE Grant Ln, Seattle, WA 98105). YESC is an environmental education program for Puget Sound teens that develops leadership skills through environmental service.

The symposium gathers student leaders at the University of Washington to learn about environmental issues facing our world and how to create a sustainable future for our schools, communities and beyond! Participants will take part in hands-on workshops led by local organizations designed to give teens the skills they need to address environmental issues in their schools and communities. Lunch will be provided. There will also be a free raffle of outdoor and environmental prizes.

To support teachers who would like to bring youth to this event, YESC is offering Teacher Substitute Reimbursements for teachers who bring seven or more students to the symposium. Spaces are limited, so contact us quickly to reserve a reimbursement. Finally, we are able to provide a Letter of Support that details the academic benefits of this event to help students receive an excused absence.

Participants can register online, by calling 206.587.6116 or emailing us at yesc@seattleymca.org. Deadline: March 14, 2025. For field trip/group registration, please contact Chelsey Wheeler directly at cwheeler@seattleymca.org.

 

Summer Job Opportunities with Bellevue Utilities

Students who enjoy working outdoors and want to learn more about careers in environmental science, government or public utilities are encouraged to apply for summer jobs with Bellevue Utilities. Projects include reconstruction of stream corridors, inspection and maintenance of utility systems, and operating advanced remote cameras and equipment. Pay starts at $19.88 per hour and hours range from 24-49 hours per week. Learn more and apply today by emailing janetaylor@bellevuewa.gov.

 

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.

• 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. 

• 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    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

The library will be closed several times over the next two weeks as we're hosting freshman and sophomore English classes for the counseling team's registration blitz. Closures are listed below and will be posted on the library doors. Thanks in advance for your patience and flexibility!

The Library will be CLOSED on the following dates this week!

The registration blitz will continue, closing the library on the following days:

• Monday, March 10^th 
• Tuesday, March 11^th 
• closed 6^th period only on  Wednesday, March 12^th 
• closed 1^st period only on Thursday, March 13^th (open both lunches)

OTHER LIBRARY NEWS:

• If you missed this week's visit from King County Library System's Teen Services Librarian, but still want to sign up for an all-access KCLS library card, download an application HERE and bring it to any KCLS branch (the Bellevue Downtown Library is the one closest to BHS at 1111 110^th Ave NE).
• Here are some fun things KCLS has for teens to do at the Bellevue Branch — Teen Advisory Board meets every Tuesday 5-6:30pm (volunteer hours!), teen drop-ins at the Makerspace every Wednesday 3:350-5pm, drop-in Dungeons & Dragons with Librarian Joe Saturdays 3-5pm.
• Have you read any of the Evergreen Teen Book Award Nominees? Voting will happen in March. Read blurbs about the books nominated in the high school category HERE and the middle school category HERE. I've also made a Destiny Discover collection of the nominees so you can request holds or come in and check them out. Most are on display in the library.
• Voting is also coming up for the Young Readers Choice Awards and there's a Destiny Discover collection set up for those nominees as well. Stay tuned for ballots and in the meantime, read up!

As always, if you have any questions, want to find a book, have suggestions, or just want to talk about what you're reading, come see me in the library or send me an email or Teams Chat!

SARAH BRYAN, MLIS, Library Specialist

 

IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES

March 18                     Digital SAT Administration

March 21                     Den Meeting, Panorama Survey

April 4                         Last Day of 3^rd Quarter

April 7-11                    Spring Break, Schools & Offices Closed

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

June 23                        Last Day of School for grades 9-11