Bellingham Public Schools
Promise Highlights for May 21, 2026
Promise stories from our schools:
- Anything Goes musical sails into port at Sehome
- Cordata hosts national champion WWU men's rugby program
- Squalicum NASU hosts first student-organized pow wow
- BPS leader Dr. Janis Velasquez Farmer honored by NAACP
- Sasquatch Run kicks off middle school cross country season
- In the News April 2026 recap
Anything Goes sails into port at Sehome High School
Taking on a high school musical is a daunting task with hours of planning, building and rehearsing. Students become leaders and learners in stage management, lighting, sound, costumes, staging, and in this particular show, tap dancing!
This production lists 33 actors onstage and upwards of 25 involved backstage in some capacity.
Cordata Elementary hosts national champion Western Washington University men’s rugby program for assembly visit
Cheers filled the gym as classmates and staff encouraged students participating in drills alongside Western Washington University (WWU) men’s rugby players during an action-packed assembly at Cordata Elementary School on Thursday, May 7.
The assembly provided the chance to learn about the basics of rugby, including drills for which student volunteers were selected to participate alongside the collegiate student-athletes.
The visit was also an opportunity to celebrate the national championship won by WWU men’s rugby earlier in the month.
Squalicum High School NASU hosts first student-organized pow wow
Squalicum High School’s Native American Student Union (NASU) realized a dream and achieved a goal by hosting the “Children of the Earth Pow Wow: A Celebration of Culture, Community, and Tradition” on campus at SQHS, Saturday, April 25.
A pow wow is “a cultural gathering celebrating Indigenous heritage through dancing and regalia, drum groups and singing, and honoring ceremonies,” the club’s event program stated.
This event is believed to be the first high-school-student-organized pow wow in Bellingham Public Schools.
BPS leader Dr. Janis Velasquez Farmer honored at NAACP gala with President’s Award
Every year the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) of Snohomish County celebrates individuals and organizations at their Freedom Fund Gala, honoring those who have “contributed to community in a positive way.”
This year at their April 2026 event, Dr. Janis Velasquez Farmer was given the President’s Award honoring her “exceptional leadership and dedication to our community.”
BPS middle schools unite at Sasquatch Run to kick off a spring season of cross country running
Close to 300 middle school cross country runners from Fairhaven, Kulshan, Shuksan and Whatcom middle schools convened at Lake Padden Park to begin the spring season with the second annual Sasquatch Run on Wednesday, April 22.
For a good number of students, the event provides a chance to run at scenic Lake Padden Park for the first time. For some, it is the first cross country event they experience other than a practice. For all, it marks a non-competitive warmup to the slate of races upcoming in May.
In the News: April 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.