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Family Engagement and Resource Centers

We have received inquiries re: SNAP benefits, and we thank you for all of your care and interest to support our families and students!

Our schools are continuing to rely on trusted, experienced community partners including the Bellingham Food Bank, Salvation Army and Wild Bird to provide resources for families.  We have reached out to them, and they would love both referrals and donations. 

Here’s what you can do:

  • Encourage folks who are looking for ways to help our community to donate directly to Bellingham Food Bank, Salvation Army and/or Wild Bird. These organizations have the expertise and systems in place for food support, and they are ready to help. You can share these nonprofit names with families in need as well. 
  • Students have access to our regular food services options at school.
  • If a family needs additional support, please have school counselors work with family engagement/liaisons. The Bellingham Public Schools Foundation is donating gift cards for this purpose.

FYI – you can read more in the governor’s announcement Oct. 28.

Family Engagement is a key strategy of The Bellingham Promise because the research is clear. Your involvement in your child’s education matters. The collective commitment to the whole child aims to address access, opportunities and success for every student by engaging families in early childhood education all the way through high school and beyond.

The department works to provide support to staff in the areas of communication, translation and cultural competency. The team supports efforts in every school to engage all families and students actively through phone calls, conferences, home visits and school events. They provide information and daily communication opportunities to non-English speaking families and district staff. Families are empowered to become active participants in their child’s education by understanding the system and connecting to resources in the broader Bellingham community.

The Department of Family Engagement also manages the Family Resource Center (FRC) locations at Shuksan Middle School and Carl Cozier Elementary School. The FRC locations are family support centers that links school families with local resources and human services addressing the needs of the whole child in order to promote student success. All families are welcome.

Families seeking low-cost internet services may apply online or by phone for Internet Essentials from Xfinity. Visit the Internet Essentials for Xfinity website for more information or call 1-855-847-3356.

The Department of Family Engagement provides computer classes for non-English speaking families. The class includes basic computer skills and language skills. The class is free and childcare is provided. Families can sign up by calling 360-676-6456. Classes are on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Please check back for dates. 

Isabel Meaker
Executive Director, Family Engagement
360-676-6456

Cristina Manterola
Family Engagement Specialist
360-306-2686

Emily Humphrey-Krigbaum
Family Engagement Specialist
360-393-8738

Lezlie Fox
Executive Administrative Assistant
360-676-6520

Interpretation and Translation

Bellingham Public Schools coordinates interpretation and translation services for families whose first language is not English.

Interpreters and translators are available for:

  • Communication between district staff and non-English speaking parents including: student enrollment, parent/teacher conferences, meetings and any other situation where translation is needed related to a student’s education, health or behavior
  • Translation of district communication such as forms and other district publications.

Staff can email interpretation and translation requests to the FRC or fill out a simple form at this link.

Please contact the FRC for more information at 676-6470 ext. 6456. Families can also leave a message on our multi-language message line at 360-647-6816. The message line is checked daily.

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Members of the Family Engagement Team pose for a photo on the high school commons

Members of the Family Engagement Team pose for a photo on the high school commons