In April, we shared the work of the High School Advisory Task Force to update the bell schedule and our model for advisory class, and we have also received a lot of feedback and suggestions regarding this plan. Thank you to the families, staff and students who shared their thoughts about how to best use the time we have each day and week in academic classes and in advisory. 

Now that we have the calendar for 2023-24 finalized, we are also able to update you all on the high school bell schedule and advisory schedule, which we will begin using next school year. All calendars, including the A/B calendar when finalized, can be found at bellinghamschools.org/calendars 

Bell schedules, effective fall 2023 

Here are the bell schedules that our high schools will be using effective fall 2023. Advisory will be on Tuesdays and Fridays for 40 minutes. Students attend periods 1, 2, 3, and 4 on A days and periods 5, 6, 7, 8 on B days. 

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday Schedule (no Advisory) 

• 1st/5th period: 8:30-9:55 
• Passing: 9:55-10:05 
• 2nd/6th period:  10:05-11:30 
• 3rd/7th period + lunch 

• • 1st lunch 11:35-12:10  | 3rd/7th period 12:15-1:45 
  • 3rd/7th split period: class 11:35-12:15, 2nd lunch 12:20 – 12:55, class 1-1:45 

• 4th/8th period: 1:50-3:15 

Tuesday and Friday Schedule: includes Advisory 

• 1st/5th period: 8:30-9:45 
• Advisory: 9:50-10:30 
• 2nd/6th period: 10:35-11:50 
• 3rd/7th period + lunch 

• • 1st lunch: 11:55-12:30, 3/7: 12:35-1:55 
  • 3/7 split period: 11:55-12:35, 2nd lunch 12:40-1:15, class 1:20-1:55 

• 4th/8th period: 2:00-3:15 

Early Dismissal Schedule  

• 1st/5th period: 8:30-9:40 
• 2nd/6th period: 9:45-10:55 
• 3rd/7th period + lunch 

• • 1st lunch: 11:00-11:30, 3/7 class 11:35-12:45 
  • 3/7 class 11:00-12:10; 2nd lunch 12:15-12:45 

• 4th/8th period: 12:50-2:00 

If you have questions about the new bell schedules or advisory, please read the FAQ below or contact your school. 

Marty Atkins, principal, Bellingham High School 

Katie Jones, principal, Options High School 

Sonia Cole, principal, Sehome High School 

Miguel Perez, principal, Squalicum High School 

Schedule FAQ: 

Remind me why the high school bell schedule is changing? 

These changes are based on the recommendations made by the High School Advisory Task Force, a group of staff, parents and students which met throughout winter 2022-23. You can read the full recommendation here. 

Why are the advisory days on Tuesday and Friday? 

Having advisory on Tuesday and Fridays allows for: 

• Planning for consistent and predictable days of the week for makeup work, connecting with teachers and other staff, assemblies, and other activities that take place during advisory class. 
• Reducing the total minutes per week of advisory but having two longer 40 minute periods in response to feedback that daily, short advisories did not always provide the best structure for academic support.  
• Having one advisory class on an A day and one on a B day weekly at BHS, SHS and SqHS. (Options follows a quarterly A/B schedule rather than alternating A/B days.) 
• Avoiding holidays, which are typically Mondays, and early dismissals, which are on Thursdays. 
• Built-in assembly schedule if needed on Fridays; fewer interruptions if an assembly is scheduled. 

What is the purpose of the longer passing periods on the mornings without advisory? 

You will notice that the first passing period of the morning will be 10 minutes long on days without advisory class. This time gives more flexibility for students to check in with teachers, get water and snacks, and take a needed break before returning to learning. 

What are the key purposes of advisory class? 

The task force determined that there are four key purposes for advisory time. Not every advisory class session has the same purpose, but this list helps to determine what advisory can be used for: 

• Advisory provides time for assemblies, class meetings, club meetings and other scheduled meetings without affecting academic class time. 
• Advisory provides time for learning support for coursework and assignments, either by collaborating with peers and/or seeking help from a teacher. 
• Advisory provides time for High School & Beyond Plan state graduation requirement. 
• Advisory provides time for social and emotional learning support through community and culture-building activities.  

Will students still be able to earn credit for advisory? 

Regular attendance in and participation in advisory class can earn students .25 credits per year. If a student attends our high schools for four years, they have the potential to earn 1.0 high school credit for advisory class.  

How do students know whether they have first lunch or second lunch? 

Students’ lunch is based on the teacher a student has for 3rd period on A days or 7th period on B days. Once students have their class schedule for next year, which will be available in August, their school will also communicate which teachers have which lunch. All students at Options High School have first lunch. 

Will there be other schedules that students need to know about? 

On occasion our schools may use a modified bell schedule; for example, if there is a late arrival due to inclement weather, or if there is an assembly that cannot fit within advisory time. Schools will use their newsletters, ParentSquare/StudentSquare communications, and other communication channels if there is a special schedule students and families should plan for.