Bellinghame Public Schools

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DATE: November 06, 2009 16:27:27 PST

Since Thursday's early morning fire at Whatcom Middle School, Bellingham School District staff worked collaboratively to develop a relocation plan for Whatcom students to begin school again on Thursday, Nov. 12 using the following criteria:

  • Keep as many students together as possible, preferably by grade level;
  • Get students back in class in an organized, effective learning environment as quickly as possible;
  • Utilize facility space that is already ready for students to learn for the short-term (space that already has furniture, computers, phones, bathrooms, cafeteria, gym space, etc.);
  • Minimize the impact of relocating Whatcom students on all students, families and staff throughout the district;
  • Factor in transportation, special learning needs and other important considerations; and
  • Focus on long-term planning once Whatcom students are supported and settled in their relocated sites.

Beginning on Thursday, Nov. 12, Whatcom students will begin school at the following locations:

  • Grade 8 will go to Bellingham High School. Students will have their same teachers in the Whatcom teams. Eighth graders will be in their own wing of the school with Whatcom staff to maintain their school community and identity. BHS students and staff are eager and will be ready to welcome Whatcom students into their school. They will relocate some classrooms of BHS students and staff to make space. About half of the eighth graders will attend BHS for ninth grade, allowing for a smooth transition for next school year.
  • Grade 7 will go to Fairhaven Middle School. Students will have their same teachers in the Whatcom teams. Staff at Fairhaven are excited and are getting ready to welcome Whatcom students, who will stay in their current teams and classes in a common part of the building with Whatcom staff. Staff at Fairhaven are relocating some their classrooms to make space.
  • Grade 6 students will go to Geneva Elementary School. Students will have their same teachers in the Whatcom teams. Six graders will remain in their current teams and classes. With the opening of Wade King Elementary school and new elementary school boundaries, Geneva's student population was reduced from about 580 to 438, creating additional classroom space. Geneva staff are eager to welcome Whatcom sixth graders.

"We appreciate all of the ideas and feedback that staff, parents and community members have been sharing with us regarding where and how to relocate Whatcom students," said Superintendent Sherrie Brown. "We brainstormed all of the ideas and possibilities, then refocused on what we could accomplish immediately. I ask this wonderful community, who have already demonstrated an outpouring of support, to join us in getting behind this short-term plan and help us make it work. Please know that we want to do what is best for all of our students and staff in this challenging situation. Once Whatcom students are settled, we can make adjustments as necessary and then focus on working with our community on long-term planning for Whatcom while we keep the rest of the district up and running, and our students learning."

Whatcom families will receive details about the plan, school schedules, transportation and get answers to their other questions at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9 at Bellingham High School. This meeting is for Whatcom families only. Parents will receive details from Principal Jeff Coulter, Superintendent Sherrie Brown and other staff. Following the informational part of the meeting, district and school staff will be at stations in the BHS commons to provide details and answer parents' questions about transportation, claims for personal belongings lost in the fire, school schedules at relocated sites, electives, sports/activities, how to volunteer and help through the PTSA, and more.

More details regarding transportation and the relocation plan will be posted next week to the district's Web site at www.bsd501.org. Schools that are receiving Whatcom students will also be hosting open houses and tours for Whatcom families, and this information will also be shared and posted next week.