Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Serving all aspects of The Bellingham Promise, equity, diversity, and inclusion supports equitable change in academic, social, and cultural development. We support teaching & learning, professional development, community engagement, and human resources, co-creating opportunities for growth, dialogue, and access.

Bellingham Public Schools continues to sharpen our focus on equitable change, recognizing the benefits of growth in our community. We are proud to be a constant work in progress. We are committed to providing and sustaining inclusive education for each student in our district.

To accomplish our mission, we will develop and support initiatives to:

Remove institutional and systemic barriers to success,
Increase equitable access to resources,
Integrate diverse cultures, heritages, and identities in our classrooms, policies, and practices, and
Advance and amplify historically silenced voices and stories in education.

Bellingham Public Schools is absolutely opposed to anti-Black racism, and racism in all forms. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is not just a statement but a promise to all students. We recognize that racism is deeply rooted and affects our systems and the lives of many individuals and families in profound ways. It is a collective responsibility to address and dismantle these injustices. Dr. Baker

Janis Velasquez Farmer
Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
360-676-6532

Yana Mansfield
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion TOSA
360-676-6532

Lorrie Melton
Executive Administrative Assistant, Teaching and Learning & Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
360-676-6532

Culture Calendar

Our culture calendar highlights important fasting dates and days of high impact, along with history and heritage months, increasing awareness and representation of our diverse community. We also provide teaching and learning resources for both educators and families.

Community input is always appreciated. Please reach out to us for updates, corrections, and additions.

Policies and Trainings

Our superintendent, following the guidelines of EL-10, is committed to addressing and stopping factors that create unfair advantages or disadvantages for different groups of students. This includes tackling biases that affect students' success based on race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, language, and culture. The goal is to ensure that every student can access resources and tools to help them succeed.

3209 Bias Incident and Hate Speech Policy and Procedure

Bellingham Public Schools is committed to making sure our learning environments are free from hate and harm. We understand that bias and hate can have serious and everlasting effects on our community. 3209 Bias Incident and Hate Speech policy and procedure helps all learners contribute to a stronger, more inclusive environment that prepares all students to be thoughtful and respectful leaders now and in the future.

Bias and Hate: Teaching and Learning

To support 3209 Bias Incident and Hate Speech policy and procedure, staff engage in a our Bias and Hate training series. The trainings equip staff with tools to recognize harm, promote safety, and uphold accountability. Each session focuses on practical steps to foster respect and security for everyone:

Part 1: Interrupting Harm
Learn how to identify and disrupt harmful behaviors before they escalate.
Part 2: Promoting Safety and Security
Explore strategies to create environments where everyone feels protected and valued.
Part 3: Accountability Matters
Understand why accountability is essential and how to ensure it in everyday practice.

Creating a Humanizing Learning Environment

Words and actions shape how we see and treat one another. These lessons help students at every grade level learn the power of respectful language and inclusive behaviors. From early elementary through high school, the focus is on building empathy, reducing harm, and creating communities where everyone feels valued.

Grades 3-5

A chalkboard image with writing and symbols written in chalk. The text says humanizing language and behaviors.

Middle School

a notebook cover image with 2025 Creating a Humanizing Learning Space as the text

Grades PK-2

A chelkboard image with symbols written in chalk. The text says Humanizing Language and Behaviors.

High School

an image of a notebook with the text Creating a Humanizing Learning Space

Gender Inclusive

To support a positive learning environment where all students can learn, we ensure all students have access to restrooms, locker rooms, and school activities aligned with their gender identity. We follow state laws to ensure all students are treated fairly and without discrimination and provide learning opportunities for students, families, and staff.

OSPI Gender Inclusive Schools
OSPI Gender Inclusive Schools webinar
Common Goodness Project: We have partnered with Common Goodness Project for student, family, and school supports and trainings.

Multicultural Events

Multicultural events in our district highlight the strengths and diversity of our learning community. They’re a great opportunity for families to learn together, share traditions, and build connections with one another.

Centering Black Excellence

Bellingham Public Schools partnered with Western Washington University to create a kick off event for Black History Month and Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action. View information for the kick off and the save-the-date for a visit from author Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul.

Community Consortium for Cultural Recognition

Bellingham Public Schools is a member of the Consortium, which provides annual learning opportunities for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, and the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Festival.

For all individual school events - please see the district event calendar.

The John McCoy (lulilas) Since Time Immemorial Family and Community Night

The Since Time Immemorial Family and Community Night showcases teaching and learning collaborations between teachers/professors and learners, highlights the outcomes of the curriculum, and supports Senate Bill 5433. The Community Night highlights collaborations between K-12 schools, higher education, Lummi Nation, and the Nooksack Tribe.

The first Since Time Immemorial Family Night in 2023 was led by Kirsten Jensen at Happy Valley Elementary School. The event displayed student learning and cooperative teaching with Happy Valley teachers teaching and learning alongside Lummi and Nooksack educators. The partnerships continue to strengthen, thus expanding this year’s event to include broader representation around the district and more educational partners.

The John McCoy (lulilas) Since Time Immemorial Family and Community Night 2024

Treaty Day Film Festival

The Treaty Day Film Festival educates students and the community about the history and significance of treaties between Indigenous peoples and the government. In 2025, Bellingham Public Schools observed Treaty Day as a no-school holiday on January 22, 2025. BPS partnered with Children of the Setting Sun Productions (CSSP) and Mt. Baker Theater to offer a field trip for 4th, 7th, and high school students. The festival featured film shorts by CSSP and other Native/Indigenous filmmakers, Lummi traditions, and a panel of speakers.

BIPOC Job Fair

Bellingham Public Schools offered the community a BIPOC job fair 2022 and again in 2024 to actively promote an education team reflective of our diverse student body. Attracting talented candidates from multicultural backgrounds, the events strengthened connections and relationships. Lunch was catered and served by Squalicum High School's Culinary Academy.

Resources & Safety

Resources for Families and Staff

School Safety

Employee Resource Groups

Employee resource groups connect employees socially and professionally based on shared identities. These voluntary, employee-led groups foster community connections within district. ERGs in Bellingham Public Schools serve to improve work relationships and conditions through advocacy, support, and professional development in alignment with The Bellingham Promise.

Outcomes associated with employee resource groups include:

Increased feeling of belonging among staff.
Strengthened support systems for emotional, cultural, and leadership needs.
Advocacy and mentorship for scholars with similar identities.

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