The main office at both Redmond Campus and Valley Campus will close at noon today, December 18. On January 5 the office at Redmond Campus will be open from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM; the office at Valley Campus will be open from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM and 1:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Regular office hours resume January 6. Merry Christmas!

You have just two weeks left to reserve a paver engraved with your family’s name at the new Upper School and Fine & Performing Arts Center. We must receive your pledge commitment or gift of $1,000 or more by December 31 in order for your family to be recognized in this permanent way. If you have already made a gift to the Campaign of $1,000 or more, you are automatically eligible. We will send you a form in January so you may confirm the spelling and wording you would like on the paver. Be part of the legacy of Bear Creek, and make your gift or pledge online, or send in a check for the REACH UP Campaign today.

There are only 12 days left for you to receive 2014 tax benefits for your donation to Bear Creek. You gift must be postmarked by December 31. You may also use our online form to give now; online donations must be submitted by midnight on December 31. We are counting on a donation from every family at Bear Creek to help provide extraordinary opportunities for students in the coming months and for many years into the future. A gift of any amount will make a difference.

Have you designated Bear Creek to receive a cash donation via your company’s giving campaign? If so, please let us know by emailing Debbie Marchione (dmarchione@tbcs.org) with your name and the dollar amount, so we may acknowledge your gift in a timely fashion. Many companies do not inform us of these gifts for several months. This is of particular importance if your gift is $1,000 or more and qualifies you for a paver at the new building.

Attending an Open House is an excellent way to see firsthand the outstanding programs and experiences available to Bear Creek students. We encourage you to invite your friends who might be interested in a Bear Creek education for their children to one of our Open House events for kindergarten on January 7 at Valley Campus (RSVP) and for grades 1-6 on January 8 at Redmond Campus (RSVP).

Please encourage your Bellevue-area friends and neighbors to come learn about Bear Creek from a parent's perspective over a cup of coffee on Wednesday, January 7 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Panera Bread in downtown Bellevue. A few Bear Creek parents who are representing the Admissions Office will be on hand to answer questions about the school. Your friends may RSVP online at tbcs.org/parentcafe.

Mrs. Wang and Ms. Berg are teaching a quilting and sewing class during JanTerm and need to borrow 12 simple sewing machines and rotary cutting mats January 6-15. Rotary cutters and quilting rulers also needed. Please email Carol Wang (cwang@tbcs.org) if you can loan yours to the class. Thank you.

That does not mean you should buy anything, but rather as you are out and about, ask your favorite merchants to donate. You can solicit a restaurant where you stop to recharge, your nail or hair salon where you get party-prepped, or anywhere your child takes lessons. Remember if they recognize you as a valued customer, you have an edge when asking them to support our auction. Questions? Call Linda Sheppard (425-898-1720 ext. 338). Procurement materials, including forms and letters, are available on our website.

The Fine and Performing Arts Department proudly presents The Scoundrel, an adaptation of Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, on Thursday, January 15 and Saturday, January 17. Shows at 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM in the Cornerstone Theater both days. In lieu of charging for admission, donations will be accepted to support completion of the new Performing Arts Center. Your generosity will help move us closer toward the realization of a high-quality, dedicated theater experience for students and audience members.

Ten Middle School and 22 Upper School students were recognized in the fall 2014 art contest sponsored by CelebratingArt.com. Their works were selected for publication in an upcoming book. Additionally, Bear Creek art teacher Trinity Osborn was recognized as a teacher of distinction. To view the students' art, click the title.

JanTerm runs from Tuesday, January 6 - Thursday, January 15 (with a Ski Day on Friday, January 9). Students will also have various activities during the designated Activity Period (see printable schedule). During JanTerm there is no late start on Wednesdays and students may wear free dress.

Semester 1/Quarter 2 classes come to an end on January 22. Check out the classes, clubs, and academic teams that are running in Semester 2/Quarter 3 and enroll your son or daughter today! Register today at tbcs.org/plus.

We still have spots available in all the evening JanTerm for Parents classes on Tuesday, January 6 and Tuesday, January 13. See what classes are offered and register today! (Grandparents are welcome to register too!)

Parents of seniors, don't forget to create a Senior Ad for the yearbook to celebrate your student's hard work. To create one, go to www.jostens.com and select Yearbook Recognition Ads. From there you will need to create an account so you can start designing your layout. The deadline for your ad is January 16.

Ten Middle School and 22 Upper School students were recognized in the fall 2014 art contest sponsored by CelebratingArt.com. Their works were selected for publication in an upcoming book. Additionally, Bear Creek art teacher Trinity Osborn was recognized as a teacher of distinction. To view the students' art, click the title.

JanTerm runs from Tuesday, January 6 - Thursday, January 15 (with a Ski Day on Friday, January 9). Students will also have various activities during the designated Activity Period (see printable schedule). During JanTerm there is no late start on Wednesdays and students may wear free dress.

Semester 1/Quarter 2 classes come to an end on January 22. Check out the classes, clubs, and academic teams that are running in Semester 2/Quarter 3 and enroll your son or daughter today! Register today at tbcs.org/plus.

We still have spots available in all the evening JanTerm for Parents classes on Tuesday, January 6 and Tuesday, January 13. See what classes are offered and register today! (Grandparents are welcome to register too!)

Join varsity basketball coaches and players for skills clinics this winter. Learn the game, develop skills, and become the best player possible! Details and registration at tbcs.org/bballclinic (login required).

Please congratulate the following students who were recognized at Chapel last week on November 24 and 25:
Alexandra H., grade 4, for Responsibility
McLaine M., grade 2, for Compassion
Sonia S., grade 2, for Diligence and Humility

Congratulations to the Super Sleuth winners for the week ending December 12. At Redmond Campus, the winner is:
1. Andrew L., grade 4
At Valley Campus, the winners are:
1. Ryan F., grade 5
2. JJ M., grade 5
3. Alanna T., grade 5

Thank you to all of the dedicated volunteers who helped to make the Hidden Treasures sale a huge success! There is no way this sale could happen without your willingness to give of your time. This year we raised $5,414 for the Indra Silva Memorial Nutrition Program in Sri Lanka. Over the past eight years, the Bear Creek community has raised over $30,000 to support this program.

Semester 1/Quarter 2 classes come to an end on January 22. Check out the classes, clubs, and academic teams that are running in Semester 2/Quarter 3 and enroll your son or daughter today! Register today at tbcs.org/plus.

Join varsity basketball coaches and players for skills clinics this winter. Learn the game, develop skills, and become the best player possible! Details and registration at tbcs.org/bballclinic (login required).

The boys basketball teams defeated Eastside Prep (66-27) lead by junior Jordan Block (20 points) and senior Jonny Magee (11 points). Sophomores Colby Cadigan and Josh Gere put up 9 and 8 points respectively.

The girls basketball team beat Eastside Prep on December 12 (39-27). The team was led by freshmen Alyson Wong and Ashley Cowman, both with 12 points. Junior Michelle Kahue contributed 8 points.