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In the News September 2026 recap

In the News September 2026 recap

In The News collects recent media coverage highlighting the people, programs and moments in Bellingham Public Schools.

In the News is not intended to be a comprehensive list of media mentions during a given time frame.

Thank you to our local media and non-local media for coverage of Bellingham Public Schools. Please note, some articles may have subscription paywalls.

 

Find links to stories about school closure proposals in the reports section of the facilities plan web page

 

 

Geneva Elementary kindergartners Edith Delmendo-Ellis, right, and Colson Campbell work on a letter puzzle board on the first day of school on Sept. 2. Their class will be on screens less than kindergartners were last year, after a shift in approach to screen time at the grade level. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Geneva Elementary kindergartners Edith Delmendo-Ellis, right, and Colson Campbell work on a letter puzzle board on the first day of school on Sept. 2. Their class will be on screens less than kindergartners were last year, after a shift in approach to screen time at the grade level. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

 

No iPad kids here: Bellingham schools cut screen time for youngest learners

By: Charlotte Alden/Cascadia Daily News
September 16, 2026

 

 

 

Bellingham teacher and avid kayaker Jeff Hilburn was often the first across the finish line at Ski to Sea, including four consecutive years from 2022 (far right) to 2025 (far left), when he was the team captain of Birch Equipment. Hilburn died in August after a motorcycle accident. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Bellingham teacher and avid kayaker Jeff Hilburn was often the first across the finish line at Ski to Sea, including four consecutive years from 2022 (far right) to 2025 (far left), when he was the team captain of Birch Equipment. Hilburn died in August after a motorcycle accident. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Ski to Sea winner remembered as ‘big nerd who loved the outdoors’

By: Julia Tellman/Cascadia Daily News
September 16, 2026

 

 

Staff from BPS stand outside of the new BPS Mobile Audiology Clinic van, parked in a parking lot with a building in the background

 

 

A Mobile Audiology Clinic Transforms Student Access to Care

By: Hope Donato and Syndey Parker/foundry10
September 15, 2026

 

 

Kulshan Middle School seventh-grader Sapphire Buck is attempting to earn the highest ranking a Girl Scout can earn before high school. Sapphire Buck

Kulshan Middle School seventh-grader Sapphire Buck is attempting to earn the highest ranking a Girl Scout can earn before high school. Sapphire Buck

 

Bellingham Girl Scout is earning her silver award by helping those released by ICE

By: Jack Belcher/The Bellingham Herald
September 22, 2026

 

 

The state required Bellingham Public Schools to update its procedures for sexual harassment prevention and response after the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction received a complaint from a Bellingham family whose daughter was sexually harassed. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

(Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

 

After sexual harassment complaint, state required Bellingham schools to hone prevention, response. What’s changed?

By: Charlotte Alden/Cascadia Daily News
September 6, 2026

 

 

Dr. Amy Harley, a pediatrician, is health officer for Whatcom County. Whatcom County Department of Health and Community Services. Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

Dr. Amy Harley, a pediatrician, is health officer for Whatcom County. Whatcom County Department of Health and Community Services. Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald

 

Kids’ vaccine rates differ across districts. Here’s how to check your school

By: Robert Mittendorf/The Bellingham Herald
September 7, 2026

 

 

Prep Athletics & Activities Coverage

 

 

Bellingham senior Leo Kuhn swings at a tennis ball Aug. 19. Kuhn became the first Bayhawk boy in program history to win a singles state title last season. (Santiago Ochoa/Cascadia Daily News)

Bellingham senior Leo Kuhn swings at a tennis ball Aug. 19. Kuhn became the first Bayhawk boy in program history to win a singles state title last season. (Santiago Ochoa/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Bellingham tennis player looks to build on his historic state title

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 28, 2026

 

 

Bellingham’s Greta Ross scores one of her two goals Sept. 22 as the Bayhawks beat Anacortes 6-0 in a Northwest Conference game at home. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Bellingham’s Greta Ross scores one of her two goals Sept. 22 as the Bayhawks beat Anacortes 6-0 in a Northwest Conference game at home. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Bellingham girls blank Anacortes to remain unbeaten

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 22, 2026

 

 

Sehome's Michael Yeh drives the ball from the left side Monday afternoon Sept. 21 at Sehome High. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Sehome's Michael Yeh drives the ball from the left side Monday afternoon Sept. 21 at Sehome High. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Sehome tennis breezes past Mount Vernon to victory

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 21, 2026

 

 

Squalicum defensive specialist Raegan Wheeler is lifted by a teammate after recording a kill during an October 2025 match. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Squalicum defensive specialist Raegan Wheeler is lifted by a teammate after recording a kill during an October 2025 match. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Squalicum prepares for a favorable matchup against Lakewood

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 16, 2026

 

 

Squalicum’s Addi Wilson scores the first of her four goals on the night, Sept. 15, as the Storm beat Sultan 8-0 in a Northwest Conference match at Squalicum High. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Squalicum’s Addi Wilson scores the first of her four goals on the night, Sept. 15, as the Storm beat Sultan 8-0 in a Northwest Conference match at Squalicum High. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Addi Wilson scores 4 goals as Squalicum shuts out Sultan

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 15, 2026

 

 

Bellingham's Sophia Dionne, above, and girls soccer quad started the season strong with wins over Lynden Christian and Mount Vernon. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Bellingham's Sophia Dionne, above, and girls soccer quad started the season strong with wins over Lynden Christian and Mount Vernon. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Anacortes travels to Bellingham for conference soccer battle

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 15, 2026

 

 

 

Sehome’s Lil Desler runs out of the woods in the lead of the senior girls race Sept. 12 at the GearUp Northwest XC Preview at Civic Stadium. Desler won her division for the second year in a row. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Sehome’s Lil Desler runs out of the woods in the lead of the senior girls race Sept. 12 at the GearUp Northwest XC Preview at Civic Stadium. Desler won her division for the second year in a row. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Three local runners nab victories at GearUp Northwest XC Preview

By: Eric Trent/Cascadia Daily News
September 12, 2026

 

 

Squalicum’s Ben Ahn serves against Burlington-Edison’s Matt Benson Sept. 8 in a No. 1 singles match at Squalicum High. Benson won the match (6-7, 7-5, 10-5) to give the Tigers their lone victory of the day. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Squalicum’s Ben Ahn serves against Burlington-Edison’s Matt Benson Sept. 8 in a No. 1 singles match at Squalicum High. Benson won the match (6-7, 7-5, 10-5) to give the Tigers their lone victory of the day. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Squalicum boys tennis blows past Burlington-Edison in home opener

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 8, 2026

 

 

Squalicum’s Ava Simons grabs Sehome's Ayla Woodworth by the arm as they battle for the ball during an October 2025 game. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Squalicum’s Ava Simons grabs Sehome's Ayla Woodworth by the arm as they battle for the ball during an October 2025 game. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Squalicum hosts Sehome for a high-quality conference battle

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 7, 2026

 

 

Squalicum’s Soleil Rubido placed 10th in the 100-yard breaststroke at the 2A state swim and dive meet last season. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Squalicum’s Soleil Rubido placed 10th in the 100-yard breaststroke at the 2A state swim and dive meet last season. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Prep Spotlight: Squalicum’s Soleil Rubido

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 6, 2026

 

 

Sehome senior Aidan Batt finished 20th at the 2A state cross country meet last season. (Santiago Ochoa/Cascadia Daily News)

Sehome senior Aidan Batt finished 20th at the 2A state cross country meet last season. (Santiago Ochoa/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Prep cross country preview: Sehome’s Aidan Batt

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 4, 2026

 

 

Squalicum quarterback Asher Asbjornsen celebrates a 1-yard touchdown Sept. 4 as the Storm beat Sehome 26-0 at Civic Stadium. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Squalicum quarterback Asher Asbjornsen celebrates a 1-yard touchdown Sept. 4 as the Storm beat Sehome 26-0 at Civic Stadium. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Squalicum wishes its way past Sehome in season opener

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 4, 2026

 

 

Bellingham’s Audrey Riehl sends a shot over the net during a Sept. 2 match against Sedro-Woolley. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Bellingham’s Audrey Riehl sends a shot over the net during a Sept. 2 match against Sedro-Woolley. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Sehome volleyball prepares to face promising Bellingham squad

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 15, 2026

 

 

Sehome High School cross country runner Luke Zollner jogs across a stretch of grass near the Lake Padden shore Aug. 19. Zollner placed 32nd at the state meet last season. (Santiago Ochoa/Cascadia Daily News)

Sehome High School cross country runner Luke Zollner jogs across a stretch of grass near the Lake Padden shore Aug. 19. Zollner placed 32nd at the state meet last season. (Santiago Ochoa/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Prep Spotlight: Sehome’s Luke Zollner

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 13, 2026

 

 

Squalicum's Jazzy Nelson placed fourth in the 1-meter dive at the state meet as a freshman last season. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Squalicum's Jazzy Nelson placed fourth in the 1-meter dive at the state meet as a freshman last season. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

 

Prep girls swim and dive preview: Squalicum’s Jazzy Nelson

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 3, 2026

 

 

Ferndale head coach Jamie Plenkovich talks to his team after losing to Lynden in September 2025. Ferndale student-athletes will need to meet stricter academic standards this fall in order to stay active on the team. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)

Ferndale head coach Jamie Plenkovich talks to his team after losing to Lynden in September 2025. Ferndale student-athletes will need to meet stricter academic standards this fall in order to stay active on the team. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News

 

No more failing grades, skipping school: Ferndale raises academic standards for athletes

By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News
September 1, 2026

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