Sehome filmmakers take top honors at National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY)

Five Sehome students spent two days in early March writing, shooting and editing a film as part of the 48 Hour Film Off hosted by the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY). Just under a month later, the team traveled to Seattle for an April weekend of learning at NFFTY, punctuated with news the film took the grand prize.

The 48-hour film was awarded first place among 18 high schools, with each student earning a $10,000 scholarship to Vancouver Film School plus a group prize of $500 for the Sehome broadcast program.

Record number of students showcase multilingual skills by registering, completing World Language Proficiency testing

The benefits of World Language Proficiency testing are multi-faceted with the opportunity to earn high school credits, receive a state recognized Seal of Biliteracy and potentially improve job opportunities and salary with proven bilingual skills.

An all-time high number of students across Bellingham Public Schools registered and completed testing during two testing dates offered in March 2025. A total of 189 registrations were made with the vast majority completing testing across another record high of 17 languages. Story here.

Northern Heights fifth graders excel at IB exhibitions partnering with Squalicum students

Squalicum High School AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students in grade 10 supported Northern Heights Elementary School fifth graders on their International Baccalaureate (IB) exhibition projects. The exhibitions are a deep inquiry into a singular subject and is the culmination of the Primary Years Program (PYP) of IB curriculum. A hallway display in the school shared the basic structure of the IB project: select an issue, form groups, generate questions and become more knowledgeable.

The fifth grade teachers at Northern Heights (Tawni Eisenhart, Staci Shrum and Taraleen Wildly) and Squalicum AVID teacher Tasha Ericksen jumped at the chance to collaborate between their schools. During exhibition season, the fifth graders can always use a mentor at all stages of development. Bringing in the high school students was a win win. The older students could be there as thought partners for the younger students on their topics; and the younger students could practice sharing what they learned with the older students. Story here.

WWU students bring energy and skills to volunteering in schools

Bellingham Public Schools is indebted to our community partner Western Washington University (WWU) for sharing energetic and skilled college students who serve as volunteers in the district.

Each year hundreds of WWU students serve in our schools as volunteer interns, mentors and helpers. These volunteers come to us from many directions on campus.

Staff spotlight: Bill McClement, longtime BHS teacher and coach

Bill McClement has been a teacher and coach at Bellingham High School since 2000. Learn more about his story and impact on students via this staff spotlight, focused on his leadership of the Bellingham High School cross country and track and field programs alongside Eric Bachmeier, assistant coach and BHS library media specialist.

Watch or listen: Local experts talk about healthy technology use and share tips with families

Parent groups and PTAs from Wade King, Happy Valley and Lowell elementary schools hosted a panel of local experts at Wade King in March to help share information, resources and advice for families about healthy use of technology.

The panel of experts included Bellingham Police Department detectives April Mitchelson and Taylor Allen, internal medicine/pediatric specialist Dr. Stephen Weinberger, certified mental health professional Aaron Williams, psychologist and behavior specialist Dr. Sara White and Bellingham Public Schools director of safety and security Russ Robinson.

We encourage you to watch (video) or listen on Spotify on Apple Podcasts. (Content may not be appropriate for a younger audience. Please preview before watching/listening with your family.) Story here.