Bellingham Public Schools
Promise highlights: Native American Heritage Month, student art, Shuksan Turkey Trot and more
Stories from our schools: |
Honoring Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month is a time to honor and learn from the histories, teachings, and invaluable contributions of Native and Indigenous communities — locally, nationally, and globally. This month invites us to reflect on the deep connections between land, culture, and community, and to truly listen to the voices and leadership who continue to shape our shared future.
Throughout November and beyond, we are honored to learn from Native educators, artists, and leaders who share their knowledge and traditions with our students and staff.
BHS art students inspired to “think big and bold” with their oil pastel birds
Colorful bird posters are currently on display in the District Office first floor lobby. They are enlargements of oil pastels created at Bellingham High School in an Art One classroom last school year. The originals are 18” x 24” in size.
The teacher behind these creations is BHS art teacher Catherine Gersich who is currently in her 35th year teaching art. Fifteen of those years have been at Bellingham High and nearly 18 years at Fairhaven Middle School (and a few years at Kulshan) before that. She teaches approximately 180 students every semester in classes such as Art One, Art Two, Studio Art, Watercolor and Painting.
Shuksan Middle School celebrates 70 years of the Turkey Trot
Rainy weather did not dampen the spirits of Shuksan Middle School students and staff as the 70th Annual Turkey Trot took place on Tuesday, November 25.
Shuksan Middle School, originally built in 1956 and rebuilt in 2009, has seen many generations of students participate in the long-standing Turkey Trot tradition.
Squalicum music teacher celebrated at Foundation Gala with 2025 Promising Futures Award
Squalicum High School band teacher Kay Reilly earned the 2025 Promising Futures Award from the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation. The award recognizes staff in Bellingham Public Schools who make a "joyful, welcoming and supportive place" for students.
Reilly was celebrated during the Foundation's second annual Promising Futures Gala on October 17.
Remarks honoring her mentioned her ability to be "soft-spoken" but still "command a room," and as a teacher "whose quiet strength creates extraordinary outcomes" lifting up students to excel.
Pumpkins & Piglets: Farm Day in the Early Learning Center
There were lots of small hands to hold as the preschoolers left the Early Learning Center (ELC) in late October and boarded the yellow school buses to Cramer Farm in Lynden. Volunteers and staff were enlisted for a ratio of two kids per adult. The 2:1 ratio worked out great for this group of three- and four-year-olds to be able to fully experience their first field trip.
Burlington-Edison's Baile Folklórico showcases folk dances as part of Día de los Muertos celebration at Wade King
Wade King Elementary School was honored to host Burlington-Edison High School’s Baile Folklórico for a special assembly on Friday, October 31.
Baile Folklórico is Spanish for “folk dances” or “dances of the people” and incorporates styles from Indigenous and European cultures.
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