Family Newsletter

Jr. High/High School - Bimonthly Newsletter

11/3/20

Mike Olson,

Asst. Principal, Jr. High & High School

Remember when you first started driving? Every decision and action on the road required a specific and laborious thought-process. A left-turn into on-coming traffic was akin to performing delicate surgery… …in the dark…on a boat…with chop sticks.

Those of you who have taught your kids to drive recall what it’s like to take your newly permitted driver on the road. For those of you aren’t there yet, it’s kind of like watching a Seahawks game this year: Overall, it went well, but came down to the wire so you pitted out your shirt and bit your lip to the extent that salty foods are out of the question for the next day or so. So many things to be aware of, and so many steps to take, yet, when it’s over, the car’s in the garage, everyone’s safe and sound, and better for the experience.

So, it is with teaching and learning in 2020-2021.

In short, what we’re doing is just really hard. There are so many elements to pull off, but our teachers and students are doing it. Everything requires three or four extra layers, and it’s exhausting. It is, however, exhilarating to be in-person. The "B" building (where my office is located) will never be featured in Architectural Digest magazine, but it’s my home away from home and I love it. It’s made me nose-blind after all these years, but such is the weight of junior high glory. For those at home, we see you, value you, and want you back! Seeing classes in action, calling kids by their names (or in my case, first and middle names), and engaging in the important work of teaching and learning is a gift. As administrators, we are humbled, blessed, and grateful for the hard work that everyone is doing to make this happen. Someday, like the early days of driving, we’ll look back on this and say, “remember how hard that was?” That day will come, but for now, it’s time to find some more chopsticks.

On we go…

COVID-19, Flu & Cold Season

As we move into cold and flu season this year, symptoms for either can make it confusing and problematic when deciding whether to send your child to school.

A stuffy or runny nose, fever, headache or nausea, for example, are considered COVID-19 symptoms. If your child presents these or other COVID-19 like symptoms, please follow the guidelines provided by King County Public Health to ensure your child can return safely to school.

Note: The quickest way for a student to return to school after showing symptoms is to have them tested for COVID-19.

If your family is waiting for test results, please keep your child home until the test results come back.

We appreciate your cooperation to keep students, staff and faculty healthy and safe and your partnership to keep school open. Please take a moment to review the two scenarios you may face this school year:

Scenario 1:

If your child has 1 or more COVID-19 symptom(s) and has tested NEGATIVE, s/he can return to school:

1. After 24 hours have passed since fever resolved (without medication) AND

2. Symptoms have improved

If they have close contact of a COVID-19 infected person, and have a negative test result, they still must quarantine for 14 days.

Proof of negative test is required.

Please email proof of the negative test to clydehilloffice@bellevuechristian.org before the child returns to school.

You can find a map of COVID-19 testing sites here.

Scenario 2:

If your child has 1 or more COVID symptom(s) and has tested POSITIVE or had NO TEST: s/he can return to school:

1. 10 days after symptoms started AND

2. At least 24 hours have passed since fever resolved (without medication) AND

3. Symptoms have improved

One of the best resources for community members and schools is the "COVID-19 Screening Flowchart." We recommend families print it or save it to reference throughout the year.

The flowchart, and several other helpful COVID-19 resources are available on our COVID-19 webpage. (Flowchart is bottom right on our COVID-19 webpage).

Watch for more updates from Head of School Kevin Dunning and our principals on how BCS is responding to the pandemic while meeting the needs of our students and families.

Questions can be directed to Head of School Kevin Dunning (kevin.dunning@bellevuechristian.org) or Interim Principal Adam Hart (adam.hart@bellevuechristian.org.)

Viking Parent Group (VPG) News

Thank you to all of the parents who joined our VPG Zoom call. It was a pleasure to be with you all.

Join us at our upcoming meetings:

11/10: VPG Meeting-In Person: HOLIDAY HACKS!!! Be thinking of 1 or 2 of your very best holiday hacks, We will also finalize our Thanks-for-Giving details and staff gifts. RSVP vpg@bellevuechristian.org

12/1: VPG Meeting-Zoom: Fireside Chat & Guests: Denise Wilken & Shannon Lindor (our wonderful Clyde Hill Office staff)

12/15 @ 11am-In person: Enjoy boxed lunch and wrap staff gifts. RSVP vpg@bellevuechristian.org

Zoom link for our online VPG gatherings.

Info: ID: 425 985 9596

Passcode: 212160

The Zoom information will remain the same all school year.

11.3.20 Monthly thank you for our staff & faculty

Questions or suggestions? Contact our VPG Secretary at vpg@bellevuechristian.org anytime.

We are here to help.

Wear Your Viking Pride

Get your Christmas shopping wrapped up early!

Our online Spirit Store is stocked with casual clothes, outerwear, and bags. With brands like Adidas, New Era, The North Face, and more, you can wear your school colors with pride. Items come in a range of colors with customizable logo options.

Enjoy free shipping on any order over $150 through Thanksgiving (enter coupon code BCSFF20) and keep an eye out for Christmas shopping specials later this year.

Shop Now

Viking Chronicle

Our junior high newspaper staff has been hard at work to bring us a new edition of the Viking Chronicle. You can now find it on our website!

Reminder: Viking Seniors

Dear 2021 Seniors and Parents-

The yearbook staff is excited to begin collecting information for our senior portrait pages! Although we don’t know what changes are ahead for the rest of the 20-21 yearbook in this unprecedented school year, we are certain that the senior pages will remain, as they have in the past, a place for you to be celebrated. To achieve these pages we need your help! If you have not submitted your information already, please read the below instructions AND watch this video.

Seniors, we need you to share your favorite memories, activities, thank yous/shout outs…. Do this by clicking this link and filling out the form on the left side of the page.

Parents, we need you to share a childhood picture and a short message for your student…. Do this by clicking this link and filling out the form on the right side of the page. Please note that you need to upload your message and photo together, so be sure you have both ready before trying to submit.

Seniors and Parents, IF you would like to submit a professional senior photo…. You or your photographer can do this by clicking the link below and filling out the form at the bottom of the page. THIS IS AN OPTIONAL FORM, students can wait and use the photo taken by Vakker whenever we return to in-person learning.

We are hoping to have these submitted by Dec. 11. We also know this year has a tendency to throw us curveballs, so if you have a special circumstance, please email us so we can work with you and make sure every senior is represented well. Questions? Email Yearbook Adviser Mandy Fiechtner (mandy.fiechtner@bellevuechristian.org).

Nov.

High School Picture Day

Nov. 5 - Grades 9-12

NEW this year! Online ordering - learn about the process on the Clyde Hill Parent Portal - "Vakker Photography Instructions." Photo retakes for all grades 7-12 are on Nov. 19.

Communication & Resources

Parent Portal

Our Parent Portal is your best go-to resource as a parent. If you still have questions, please call our Jr. High / High School Office or email us. If you don't see something there that would be helpful for parents, please let us know. by sending us an email. We are happy to help!

Student Email Accounts

Students should get in the habit of checking their BCS email regularly. While Teams is a great day-to-day tool for classes, communication outside of the classroom is via email.

Attendance Line (425) 460-3321

Please call our 24-hr attendance line on school days to report an absence, late arrival or early dismissal. If end of school day plans change and you need to get a message to a student or need to dismiss them early, please call before 1pm to give our office staff time to relay the message. You may also email our Clyde Hill office staff - clydehilloffice@bellevuechristian.org. This is a NEW email address parents may use to contact office staff.

If your child will be absent for more than two days, please complete the Planned Absence form.

Please note: If students are learning from home, parents do not need to call the office or attendance line. As long as students are in class, P (present in-person) or PO (present online) then parents do not need to notify the office. If a student is going to be absent, then please leave that information on the attendance line.