Bellingham Public Schools
![Sehome’s Kaden Schmidt is handed a state champ sign Feb. 21 while Squalicum’s Nolan Witman, Bellingham's Myles Ludwig and Bellingham’s Keaton Espinoza celebrate on the podium at the 2A state meet at the Federal Way Aquatic Center. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1773871451/bellinghamschoolsorg/ppsc6xlxnavnzj2yh2qi/SwimmingStateChampionships.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1773871451/bellinghamschoolsorg/ppsc6xlxnavnzj2yh2qi/SwimmingStateChampionships.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1773871451/bellinghamschoolsorg/ppsc6xlxnavnzj2yh2qi/SwimmingStateChampionships.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1773871451/bellinghamschoolsorg/ppsc6xlxnavnzj2yh2qi/SwimmingStateChampionships.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1773871451/bellinghamschoolsorg/ppsc6xlxnavnzj2yh2qi/SwimmingStateChampionships.jpg","width":1600}])
In the News February 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.
Kindergarten students at Central Elementary in Ferndale read books together in December 2023. Kindergarten registration for all public schools in Whatcom County opens on Feb. 17. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)
Kindergarten registration opens for Whatcom schools Feb. 17
Children who will be 5 before Sept. 1 can register
By: Charlotte Alden/Cascadia Daily News
February 12, 2026
Kindergarten students at Central Elementary in Ferndale read books together in December 2023. Kindergarten registration for all public schools in Whatcom County opens on Feb. 17. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)
Jason LaClair shares the importance of Indigenous perspectives in education
Children of the Setting Sun Productions collaborate to showcase Indigenous voices
By: Kamra Greenwall-Cox/The Western Front
February 19, 2026
Best of Green Schools Revealed
Ten schools, districts, teachers, students and organizations recognized by the USGBC.
This year’s winners represent diverse groups and individuals from across the U.S., including Bellingham Public Schools in Washington, Colorado’s Seal of Climate Literacy program, and former New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy. Each recipient is celebrated for their hard work to advance the green schools movement in their communities.
By: Cleaning & Maintenance Management
February 19, 2026
Transitional Kindergarten students participate in Jordan Fearer's class in April 2023 at Cascadia Elementary. Ferndale School District is one of many in the state to offer TK to students of families who do not qualify for state and federal aid and who also cannot afford private child care. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
With enrollment declining, Bellingham Public Schools considers elementary closures
Declining birth rates driving smaller kindergarten classes
By: Charlotte Alden/Cascadia Daily news
February 22, 2026
Prep Athletics & Activities Coverage
- Whatcom Preps – Bellingham Bayhawks
- Weekly recaps, podcasts, features
- Whatcom Preps – Sehome Mariners
- Weekly recaps, podcasts, features
- Whatcom Preps – Squalicum Storm
- Weekly recaps, podcasts, features
- Whatcom Hoops – Bellingham Bayhawks
- Whatcom Hoops – Sehome Mariners
- Whatcom Hoops – Squalicum Storm
- KPUG 1170
- Radio interviews and recaps
- Cascadia Daily News prep coverage
- The Bellingham Herald prep coverage
Sehome's Addie Phillips won the 1A/2A/3A state vault title Feb. 21 with a score of 9.475 at Sammamish High. (Photo courtesy of Kyle Kaltenfeldt)
Sehome’s Addie Phillips leads local gymnasts with vault gold medal at state
Phillips won in vault while two other locals placed top 20 in their events
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 25, 2026
Sehome’s Kaden Schmidt is handed a state champ sign Feb. 21 while Squalicum’s Nolan Witman, Bellingham's Myles Ludwig and Bellingham’s Keaton Espinoza celebrate on the podium at the 2A state meet at the Federal Way Aquatic Center. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News
State meet: Sehome’s Kaden Schmidt wins back-to-back diving titles
Squalicum’s Nolan Witman placed second in diving
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 21, 2026
Squalicum's Claire Hume embraces her father Scott after pinning Hockinson's Teagan Trenda for the 2A state title at 130 pounds. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Three locals become state champions at Mat Classic XXXVII
Squalicum's Claire Hume, Meridian's Rhett Duersch and Anacortes' Kade West each won titles
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 21, 2026
Bellingham's Bryan Razo, 106 pounds, competes against Orting's Declan Ricket in a 2A second-round match. (Photo by Joshua Hart)
1A/2A Mat Classic kicks off, while 3A wrestlers medal on their final day
Sedro-Woolley had two finalists in the 3A classification
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 20, 2026
Anacortes junior Caleb O'Donnell, left, passes another swimmer during districts in February 2025. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)
Anacortes boys swim and dive wins fifth straight district crown
Bellingham came in second, Sehome was third
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 14, 2026
Squalicum's Sydney Fuller reacts to her touchdown in the first half. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Lynden girls top Squalicum to claim first-ever flag football state title
Lions and Storm finish historic season as the top two teams in Class 1A/2A
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 14, 2026
Squalicum celebrates after defeating Klahowya 21-7 in the 1A/2A girls flag football state semifinals at Federal Way Memorial stadium on Feb. 13. (Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News)
Squalicum, Lynden win state semifinal flag football games
Storm, Lions will face each other for the 1A/2A state championship Saturday
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 13, 2026
Sehome’s Aspen Barge makes a basket Feb. 12 as the Mariners beat Lakewood 53-40 at home in the opening round of the 2A District 1 tournament. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Sehome girls overwhelm Lakewood in opening round of districts
Taylor Turrell scores game-high 16 points as Mariners run away in the second half
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 12, 2026
Lynden's Mariah VanderMey runs in for a touchdown against Chief Sealth in the district playoffs on Jan. 30. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News
Lynden, Squalicum play for first-ever girls flag football state trophy
Lions and Storm are favorites to play each other for the state title on Feb. 14
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 10, 2026
Bellingham Combined senior Diva Marsh throws the ball Jan. 6 during a match at Mt. Baker Lanes in Ferndale. Marsh led Bellingham to a 4A district title in Lynnwood on Jan. 28. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)
Bellingham United’s Diva Marsh captures state bowling title
Mount Vernon nabs top local team placement with eighth-place finish
By: Eric Trent/Cascadia Daily news
February 10, 2026
Squalicum quarterback Tayen Withrow throws a pass against Monroe on Jan. 7 in Everett. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Prep Spotlight: Squalicum’s Tayen Withrow
Withrow is the starting quarterback for Squalicum's flag football team
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 8, 2026
Squalicum’s Fiona George escapes from her Marysville-Pilchuck opponent. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Local grapplers earn Mat Classic berths after district tourney clashes
Meridian, Anacortes and Sedro-Woolley girls, and Blaine boys, all won district titles
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 7, 2026
Keira Cox celebrates with her teammates Feb. 7 after intercepting Sequim's pitch and returning it for a touchdown in a 28-0 victory in the 1A/2A state playoffs at Ferndale High. (Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News)
Squalicum and Lynden girls flag football head to state semifinals
The Lions and Storm will play for a shot in the state championship on Feb. 13
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 7, 2026
Sehome's Xavier Kelley flies past the Sehome defense for a basket Feb. 4 as the Mariners beat Squalicum 61-45 at Sehome High. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Sehome boys, Squalicum girls win in crosstown doubleheader
Squalicum girls snapped an eight-year losing streak to the Mariners
By: Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily news
February 4, 2026
- Community in Action