Dear Bellingham High School Community,

We are deeply committed to ensuring that every student in our school is cared for, respected, and protected. Recently, there was an incident off campus that has impacted our school. There was a physical altercation affecting one of our students. Our student returned to campus, and we immediately provided care and support while contacting the student’s parents and the police. Recent reports regarding this incident have raised significant concerns within our community. While we cannot comment on specific details due to ongoing investigations and privacy considerations, we want to assure you that we take any allegations of violence and hate-motivated behavior very seriously. Our mission is to provide a safe and inclusive environment where all students can thrive, and we are actively working with law enforcement to address this situation comprehensively.

At Bellingham Public Schools, we believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every student. We are dedicated to fostering an environment free from bias and hate, where every student feels safe and valued. Incidents of hate speech and behavior are not only unacceptable but also have lasting and harmful impacts on our community. We are committed to healing and educating to strengthen and diversify our next generation of leaders. Our policies reflect this commitment, and we will continue to implement measures that promote respect, understanding, and safety for all students.

Together, we will continue to uphold our values and work toward a school environment where every student can safely achieve their full potential.

Sincerely,

Martin Atkins, Principal