Bellingham Public School offices are open to the public for new student registration. Click here to view summer hours. The first day of class for all students is Tuesday, Sept. 2. Check with your elementary school for kindergarten first-day schedules.
All district families should have received a Back-to-School Calendar and Handbook of information in the mail with school events in mid-August that includes the school year calendar, an application for free/reduced school meals, information about low-cost student health insurance, AM bus schedules with PM online, a student residency form, and a privacy form for opting out of release of student directory information for publicity purposes, student/parent directories and military recruitment (high school only) . Families may pick up a packet from the school or district office if they have not received one.
Visit "For Families" on the district's Web site for the following information:
- Which school a child should attend based upon school attendance areas
- Kindergarten information
- School supply lists
- Bus information
For other school-specific information, contact your school. For general information, call 676-6400.
Elementary School Registration
Elementary school offices reopen Monday, Aug. 18. New students should pick up registration packets at their neighborhood schools. Elementary school (kindergarten through grade five) office hours beginning Aug. 18 are 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. King Elementary opens Aug. 21.
Children eligible to attend kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before midnight Aug. 31. Kindergarten-age students must show proof of birth date. In addition, the immunization law requires that on or before the first day of attendance, the school must be provided with proof of full immunizations, initiation of a schedule of immunization, or a certificate of exemption for each child.
For kindergarten information and schedules, visit http://www.bham.wednet.edu/families/familieskindergarteninformation.htm, contact your neighborhood school or call 676-6512.
Middle School Registration/Orientation
Beginning Aug. 18, middle school offices will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Fairhaven will hold sixth grade orientation from noon to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 28.
Kulshan will hold registration for students not already registered by grade on the following dates: sixth grade, Aug. 26; seventh grade, Aug. 27; eighth grade, Aug. 28. Student schedules will be mailed the last week of August. Additionally, schedules may be picked up the first day of school. Sixth grade orientation will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 29. Sixth grade parents are invited to an informal orientation and question and answer session from 11 a.m. to noon on Aug. 29.Shuksan sixth grade orientation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 29. Other grades receive schedules the first day of school.
Whatcom will hold a sixth grade transition day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 27.
Student schedules will be mailed home the week of Aug. 25.
High School Registration
New students should contact their individual high school to make an appointment to register. Registration packets are available at the main office of each high school.
Bellingham High School
Appointments for new BHS students can be made by calling 676-6575, ext. 7110, after Aug. 12. Students in grades 10-12 may pick up their schedules in the Student Services Office on Aug. 26 and 27. On Aug. 27, BHS counselors will be available to help students with any schedule issues between 9 a.m. and noon and 1 to 3 p.m.
Freshman orientation will take place 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 29. All incoming ninth graders are encouraged to attend. Freshman schedules will be available at the orientation. Administrators and counselors will be available until 3 p.m. to address any questions or concerns freshman may have. Ninth grade BHS parents/guardians will meet at 11:30 a.m. Aug. 29 in the BHS Theatre.
BHS Athletics
Athletes must turn in a completed sports clearance packet to the Activities Office prior to their first practice on the day they clear.
BHS football clearance for grades 9-12 is scheduled with coaches from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 19 and 20 in the Activities Office.
Athletic clearance for all other BHS fall sports is at 7:30 a.m. on August 25.
See the BHS Web site for additional information and practice schedules.
Sehome High School
Appointments for new SHS students can be made by calling the main office at 676-6481. Appointments for new students start on Aug. 22 when the counselors return.
Orientation will be held on Aug. 26 with the following schedule:
All sophomores 2 to 3 p.m. in the cafeteria
All juniors 3 to 4 p.m. in the cafeteria
All seniors 4 to 5 p.m. in the cafeteria
All freshmen 4 to 7 p.m., barbecue dinner provided
Sehome Athletics
Sehome football and girls swimming clearance for grades 10-12 is scheduled at 8 a.m. Aug. 19 in the student lounge. Athletic clearance for all other Sehome sports is 8 to 10 a.m. Aug. 25 in the student lounge.
Squalicum High School
Registration packets for new SQHS students may be picked up at the main office any day during office hours and an appointment will be scheduled for the last week of August.
All Squalicum students report to school on Aug. 27 by grades according to the following schedule:
All freshmen at 8 a.m.
All sophomores at noon
All juniors at 1 p.m.
All seniors at 2 p.m.
SQHS Athletics
Athletic packets are available in the main office at Squalicum and must be completed and submitted on these dates:
Football clearance: 10 a.m., Aug. 20
Volleyball clearance: 9 a.m. Aug. 25
Girls' soccer clearance: 9:30 a.m. Aug. 25
Cross country clearance: 10 a.m. Aug. 25
Girls' swim and dive clearance: 10:30 a.m. Aug. 25
Boys' tennis clearance: 11 a.m. Aug. 25
Options High School
Returning students will receive information by mail in mid-August.
For new students, the Options office is open for registration beginning Aug. 18. New students interested in attending may pick up application and enrollment materials at the campus, 2015 Franklin St., on or after that date. New students will need to complete the application and successfully pass the orientation classes to be eligible to enroll.
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