All schools and the District Office will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 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 Dr. King.

All schools will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 21. This date was held as a weather emergency make up day in the first half of the winter. The District Office will be open regular hours.

All schools will also be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 22 to commemorate Treaty Day. The District Office will be closed to the public. Bellingham Public Schools first implemented this commemorative day off in 2024.  Read a story about why we recognize this day that honors the signing of the 1855 Point Elliot Treaty which established sovereignty and fishing, hunting and gathering rights for local and regional tribal nations. BPS students will be attending the third annual Treaty Day Film Festival later in January 2025.

Please note for planning purposes: The 2024-25 and 2025-26 school year calendars can be viewed on our calendar 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 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18 at Bellingham High School. This year’s theme is United We Stand: Where Justice, Love and Freedom Prevail. All are welcome to this free event. Breakfast is at 10 a.m. and the event program follows immediately, with service projects beginning at noon. This is an annual event sponsored by the Community Consortium for Cultural Recognition in Whatcom County.

Afternoon on Saturday, Jan. 18, the City of Bellingham will also host its annual volunteer work party in honor of the MLK Jr. Day of Service. In collaboration 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.

One more opportunity to celebrate MLK Jr. will be during the Community Food Coop’s annual MLK Jr. Day event at 7 p.m. Monday, January 20 at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, located at 1207 Ellsworth. Everyone is welcome at this free event. Special guests include emcee Lance Jones, musical guest Checo Tohomaso, and keynote speaker Dr. Sislena Grocer Ledbetter.