BCS Weekly E-bulletin

Thank you to everyone in the BCS Community for your support of this year's BCS Gala Banquet & Auction! What a remarkable turnout...we reached an all-time attendance high of 513! The ambience, energy, & excitement were clearly evident the entire evening & this year's Auction was incredibly successful! Final numbers will be announced later this week after results are accounted. Thank you to our parents, alumni, parents of alumni and students for creating a night to remember. To God be the glory!

Thank you again to our wonderful corporate auction sponsors! Because of their generous support, the entire event was underwritten, enabling every dollar raised at the auction to go directly to support BCS. A complete list of Corporate Sponsors.

Still time remaining to apply for BCS Scholarships--April 1 deadline:

2008-09 Scholarship Information and Applications

Annual Fund News

Our Annual Fund drive is currently in progress...can you believe the year is half over? Your gift--no matter the size--supports every student on every campus.

Please join our BCS community who've made a gift to our students & school! We are so thankful for your generous support. Give now!

Volunteer Opportunities

Every BCS Family is encouraged to volunteer 30 hours-- just 3 hours monthly--at any campus.

If you are a BCS group needing volunteers for an upcoming event/activity or for a regularly scheduled event, contact Lynelle Coyle: lcoyle@bellevuechristian.org

with a brief (1-3 sentence) description of what is needed and include a contact name and email.

Junior High: Volunteers needed to help w/ Annual Hunger Drive (March 13) & related events. Success of this event depends on our great parent volunteers! Please contact Danielle Lopez @ dlopez@bellevuechristian.org for info & to sign-up to help.

Aslan's Too: Spring is here! Our winter bag day sale starts Tues., March 18: fill a large paper grocery bag with clothes & shoes for only $6! On Thurs., March 20, all new items on the racks! Lots of great clothes, for prices far less than you pay in the stores. Name brand, like new, some even with tags on. Haven't been out to Bothell to see your store? Now's a great time to do so! Please keep us in mind when you sort your closets! 425.485-5401

Preschools (more info...)

BCS Preschool offers your child an opportunity for a gentle, loving introduction into the Christian community and encourages his/her own personal growth within that community. Please contact slindor@bellevuechristian.org for more info.

Mack Elementary (more info...)

March

18 Chapel, 8:45 AM, MPR

Mack Drama Club performance for parents & friends, 6:30—7:30 PM, MPR

19 5th/6th Enrichment Students to King 5 News, 11-2 PM

20 Mack Drama Club to 3 Points, 7-10 AM

3rd Graders to Seattle Children's Theater, 9 AM-12:30 PM

21 Parent Group Meeting, 8:30-10 AM, LRC

24-28 IOWA Testing

25 Chapel, 8:45 AM, MPR, Mack Drama Club performs

26 Early Dismissal, 1 PM: Teacher Collaboration Day

April

1 Chapel, 8:45 AM, MPR

2-3 Spotlight On Speech

4 No School—Parent/Teacher Conferences

7-11 Spring Break

15 Chapel, 8:45 AM, MPR, Spotlight On Speech showcase #1

17 Kindergarten classes to “Hands On” Animal Farm, 9 – 11:30 AM

17 Parent Group Meeting, 8:30 - 10 AM, LRC

21-24 Outdoor Education: 5th graders

22 Chapel, 8:45 AM, MPR, Spotlight On Speech showcase #2

23 Early Dismissal-1 PM; Teacher Collaboration Day

25 2^nd graders to BCS High School, 10:15 AM – 1 PM

28- Teacher Appreciation Week

5/2

29 Chapel, 8:45 AM, MPR, Teacher Appreciation chapel

29 4^th Graders to Burke Museum, 10 AM- 2 PM

This upcoming Friday morning's Parent Group meeting features Tim Krell--JH principal & Bill Safstrom, HS principal. They will share about life beyond elementary school at BCS. Whether your child is ready to begin JH next year or has several years yet to go, you will enjoy hearing about the wonderful program at our Clyde Hill campus. Our meeting runs from 8:45-10 AM--free childcare is provided. Hope to see you there! Kim Jewett: 425.882.7377

New Playground Equipment Committee Meeting Tues., March 18: 1st meeting for giving input & doing research on new playground equipment. Meet in the office conference room after chapel--9:20 AM--coffee provided!

Share in the Blessing: Here’s a way to show our Mack staff they are greatly loved. Each month we provide a themed luncheon for our teachers. We've done a Taco Bar, Hearty Salads & The Mouhanna family provided a Lebanese Luncheon just to name a few. March's theme is an Easter Luncheon, April – Italian, May – Picnic & June – Hawaiian. I need a few more moms/dads each month to provide a food item. Just take the food into the staff room at drop off & then pick up your container Fri. afternoon. Friday luncheon dates: March 28, April 25, May 30 & June 13. If interested in providing a food item or need more info, call Carol Durst: 425.885.7809. Thanks in advance for helping us celebrate our amazing staff.

Three Points Elementary (more info...)

March

21 PTF Meeting, MPR, 8:30-10:20 AM; Tim Foley, Admissions Director, guest speaker

3rd Gr. Field Trip, Lake Hills Greenbelt, 9:35-11:15 AM

25-28 Staff Appreciation Week

26 Early Dismissal-1 PM

31 Spotlight on Speech

April

1 Spotlight on Speech, all day

2 Spotlight on Speech, am only

4 NO SCHOOL, Teacher Workday

7-11 NO SCHOOL, Spring Break

21-24 Outdoor Ed, 5th grade

23 EARLY DISMISSAL –1:00 pm

25 PTF Meeting, MPR, 12:30 –2:30 pm

29-30 Book Fair

Spotlight on Speech: March 31- April 2. Parents/grandparents needed to rate student recitations & speeches on a 5-point rubric. Are you able to volunteer 2 hours to encourage our students in their public speaking skills? Contact Kristina Valantine: kvalantine@bellevuechristian.org for more info & to sign up.

Junior High (more info...)

March

17 HS Science Open House, 7 PM--Greene Commons

18 Statetrip Leaders Meeting, 6:30-8 PM, B104

26 Early Dismissal, 12:55 PM

27 Intermediate & Concert Band Concert, 7:30-9 PM

28 Hunger Drive Final Event

April

1 BCS Town Hall Meeting, Superintendent Ron Taylor, 7 PM, Greene Commons

4 No School--End of 3rd Quarter--Teacher Workday

4-11 No School--Spring Break

17 Incoming 9th grade (2008-09) Parent Scheduling Meeting, 7 PM

22 Incoming 7th grade (2008-09) Parent Scheduling Meeting, 7 PM

24 Incoming 8th grade (2008-09) Parent Scheduling Meeting, 7 PM

High School Science Open House: If you'd like to know more about the Science experience your student will have in HS, please join us at the Science Open House March 17, 7-8:45 PM, BCS Commons. Flyers will be sent out in the JH March monthly mailing.

JH Hunger Drive: Volunteers Needed! Come help w/ the BIG TOYS & other activities during the Hunger Drive on Fri., March 28. Volunteers needed @ 1:30 PM to set up. We welcome volunteers for any amount of time 1:30 - 11PM, please contact Danielle Lopez @ dlopez@bellevuechristian.org. This event can't work without lots of volunteers!

Hunger Drive Events

Bucket Walk: Blue Buckets are in all JH classrooms for students to drop in their extra change. This money will be donated to the El Farito preschool in Nicaragua.

Book Drive: Large collection buckets are located outside JH Office. We're collecting preschool age appropriate books for the El Farito preschool.

Bake Sales: Student Council conducting bake sales Thurs., 3/20 & Fri., 3/28 during lunch.

Basketball Tournament Pledges: Students can begin collecting pledges for the Basketball Tournament held on Thurs., March 27. Those who collect the most pledges will be team captains. Money due: before 4th period Thurs., March 27.

Microwave Needed: JH office needs new microwave. Compact size appreciated. Thanks!

JH Track: begins Mon., March 31. Students sign-up at JH office.

Safe Surfing: we'd like you to know about a free educational event "Safe Surfing: Protecting Your Kids Online" being offered @ Lake Washington HS--Cadle Theater on March 18, 7 - 9PM. Flyers are available at the junior high office.

Statetrip Parent Leader Training: 6:30-8 PM, #B104 Tuesday, March 18. Driver's abstracts due. Info meetings/ dates: http://guybecker7.googlepages.com/statetrip

DC Trip 2008! We have an excellent Parent/Student ratio: 24 students/6 adults signed up to go! We need only 5 more participants to have our own tour bus & itinerary! Know of any home-schooling families who may wish to participate? Application deadline: 3/31/08 ??? gbecker@bellevuechristian.org Registration: www.worldstrides.com & enter Trip ID # 10994

Expanding Your Horizons: Annual Middle School Conference for girls grades 6-8: Sat., March 29 @ Bellevue Community College. Registration deadline: March 15. Information & registration brochure is being sent home in the JH March monthly mailing.

Town Hall Meeting: April 1, 7 PM JH/HS parents are invited to hear Ron Taylor provide an update about BCS including the status of the feasibility study (researching the possibility & viability of a plan to provide new buildings & refurbish existing facilities). Additionally, you will learn more about Understanding By Design--the vision for what BCS is doing instructionally including enduring understandings & assessment for learning. Tim Krell & Bill Safstrom will also give an update on specific goals & current program/student highlights at JH & HS campuses.

High School (more info...)

March

17 HS Science Open House, 7 PM

26 Early Dismissal, 1PM

27-30 Choir Tour

Attention Mississippi Mission Team: Final deposit of $400 is due this month to Sandra Ondracek in the HS office.

From the Counseling Office:

ACT/SAT Sample tests: Kaplan is holding a seminar March 27, 6 PM at Seattle Kaplan Center. Similar to the event held at BCS in Jan., it is a complimentary ACT/SAT combo test for students, as well as a short seminar on the College Admissions process for parents. Kaplan will host a score giveback April 5--great opportunity for those who missed the test at BCS. More info: 800.KAP-TEST or visit www.kaptest.com/practicetest

Please join us for a Town Hall meeting w/ Superintendent Ron Taylor-April 1, 7PM. JH/HS parents are invited to hear Ron Taylor provide an update about BCS including the status of the feasibility study (researching the possibility & viability of a plan to provide new buildings & refurbish existing facilities). Additionally, you will learn more about Understanding By Design--the vision for what BCS is doing instructionally including enduring understandings & assessment for learning. Tim Krell & Bill Safstrom will also give an update on specific goals & current program/student highlights at JH & HS campuses.

Athletics

Spring Sports have started. For schedules go to Athletics

Tuesday: HS Girls Softball game @ University Prep--3:45 PM; HS Boys Golf meet @ The Bush School-4:15 PM; HS Baseball Game v. U Prep--7 PM @ Bannerwood Park.

Spring Sports photos on Wed.: 3 PM @ Clyde Hill Flynn Field.

Scrip Information (more info....)

Upcoming due dates: March 24, April 14

Introducing INSTANT SCRIP at Mack Campus! Grocery, coffee & gas scrip available for purchase--Mack Elementary office. Payment must be made at time of purchase. Contact: Cindy Minette, 425-766-1003

Instant Scrip still available at Clyde Hill District Office. Contact Agnes, Colette or Tammy

Certified Mail Fee increases to $4 April 1, 2008.

Opportunities to Support BCS Financially

Tuition supports 90% of the BCS Budget each year. We ask each family to prayerfully consider supporting BCS financially, above and beyond tuition. The most important and cost effective gift is one to the Annual Fund. After that, there are many fun ways to support BCS programs and students!

Annual Fund: Give online to the AF

PACE--for info: Pace

Community Resources

Young Life Camp Opportunities--Following is a list of camps available to students:

Breakaway Camp: Aug. 5-9> students entering 7th grade in the fall

Wildhorse Canyon: Aug. 8-14> students entering 8th & 9th in the fall

Rock Ridge: June 27-July 1> students entering 10th in the fall

Malibu: July 9-15> those just finishing 10-12th grade

*Sign up on the "Bellevue Young Life" website under the Summer Camping 2008 Heading Men's Weekend: Malibu - May 15-18 Women's Weekend - Malibu - Sept. 11-14 *Sign up on the "Young Life North Puget Sound Region"

Positions Available

Check out these new positions for 2008-09! Certified & non-certified: positions available

The e-bulletin is a weekly electronic publication of Bellevue Christian School for the school community. Contact Lynelle Coyle with questions or comments.