Bellingham Public Schools will be on an early dismissal schedule for Thursday, Jan. 11. Elementary schools dismiss at 12:20 p.m., middle schools dismiss at 1:15 p.m. and high schools dismiss at 2 p.m.

All schools and the District Office will be closed Monday, Jan. 15 in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and day of service. Please consider joining local community events and volunteer opportunities listed below in honor of the inspiring legacy of hope of Dr. King.

Please note for planning purposes: The 2023-24 school year calendar and key dates for 2024-25 can be viewed on our calendars webpage.

MLK, Jr. weekend activities for staff and families

Local school districts and institutions of higher education, along with the City of Bellingham and other local partners, will host the MLK JR Day of Service breakfast and commemoration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15 at Sehome High School. This year’s theme is Community in Action/Materializing Hope. All are welcome to this free event. Breakfast is at 10 a.m. and the program begins at 11 a.m. with BPS teacher and coach Brian Young and graduate Isabella McFrazier keynoting.

At noon, attendees are invited to join local service opportunities both onsite at Sehome and in the community. Volunteer opportunities include organizing kits for the houseless and making tie blankets. If you attend the Monday event, please consider bringing a donation of non-perishable items for the community food drive. The collected food will be used to stock school food pantries. Food collection bins are also available throughout the community at City Hall, The Bagelry, Fringe Boutique and Ragfinery. Additionally, Squalicum High Latinos in Action students will be onsite at Sehome collecting hygiene products for their hygiene drive. More information on the Jan. 15 event and a list of other service opportunities are listed here.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, the City of Bellingham will also host their annual volunteer work party at Squalicum Creek in honor of the MLK, Jr. Day of Service. In conjunction with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA), community members are invited to plant native trees and shrubs as part of the ongoing Squalicum Creek Reroute project. All ages welcome! For more information and to register for this service day opportunity, please visit the City of Bellingham website.