Help us recognize Bear Creek as one of the region's top schools again this year! Please nominate Bear Creek in the Best of 425 Magazine 2015, by voting online for Best Private High School, Middle School, and Elementary School, and Best Preschool. Voting ends February 2. It is fast and easy to register, and 425 Magazine has a great local following. The top schools will be highlighted in an upcoming issue.

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 grades 1-6 on February 3 at Redmond Campus (RSVP) and for kindergarten on February 4 at Valley Campus (RSVP).

Please encourage your Kirkland-area friends and neighbors to come learn about Bear Creek from a parent's perspective over a cup of coffee on Tuesday, February 3 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Starbucks in Kirkland (Houghton). 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.

PTF will host two "inventory reduction" used uniform sales on Wednesday, February 4 and Friday, February 6 from 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM both days in the Farmhouse garage at Redmond Campus. Rock bottom prices on all items. Plaid – free; shorts, pants - $2; skorts, sweatshirts - $5; sweaters, cardigans, vests, fleece - $7.

There’s no doubt! We’re looking to re-Pete the success of last year’s super Summer Camp: Pursue Your Passion! We’re offering week-long, half-day and full-day camps in the following categories: Sports and Athletics, Arts and Crafts, Science and Technology, Academic and Life Skills. Bear Creek Summer Camp runs for six weeks from June 22 - July 31. Be more than the 12th Man; sign up to be a part of the team! Registration opens Friday, February 6 at tbcs.org/summer.

Are you curious about what sorts of changes are planned at Bear Creek next year? Be sure you avail yourself of the Move Up FAQ on the Build Up section of our website. If your question is not answered, feel free to post a question on the "Ask Mr. Carruth" forum found on the same page.

Itemized statements for contributions made to Bear Creek in 2014 have been mailed. This does not include donations made through employer giving campaigns, donor advised funds, foundations, or our annual auction for which you have already received a tax receipt. If you have any questions about your statement, please contact Lori Lee (llee@tbcs.org). Statements for your donations to and purchases at last year's auction were previously mailed; however, if you need another copy, please contact the Linda Sheppard (lsheppard@tbcs.org) in the Auction Office.

Upper School Division Head Tim Fenderson invites parents of seniors to join him for an informational meeting on Tuesday, February 10 at 8:30 AM in the Conference Room. Topics of discussion will include the Senior Capstone Project, updates from the Office of College Advising, and a review of the senior class calendar including the upcoming Senior Blast class trip.

Upper School students are excited to show their school spirit while raising awareness for the fight against childhood cancer. Starting with guest speaker Jeff Towne, founder of The Ben Towne Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, and culminating with the Senior Night/Blackout/Purple Cape basketball games against rival Overlake on Friday evening, followed by the Jam the Hype Christian hip-hop concert on Saturday night; it's going to be an awesome week! Click the article title for all the details.

The Bear Creek forensics team coaches are pleased to announce and certify the induction of new members, new degree conferees, and new members in Distinction in the National Forensic League, the honor society of the National Speech and Debate Association. Click the article title to see the full list of honored students.

Senior Jesse Domingo was the only Grizzlies forensics team member to compete at the 2015 UW Tacoma Winter Invitational, and he came away victorious in Humorous Interpretation as well as Spontaneous Interpretation (SPIN). With his first place award in HI, Jesse received a bid to the National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC) in Lincoln, Nebraska this spring.

Middle School students and families are invited to attend Jam the Hype, a Christian hip-hop concert, in the Cornerstone Theater next Saturday evening, February 7, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Tickets are $10 at the door. Proceeds support Strong Against Cancer.

The Middle School X-Bowl Social is tomorrow Saturday, January 31 from 9:15 PM - 11:30 PM. Pick-up and drop-off at Tech City Bowl in Kirkland.

Please congratulate the following students who were recognized at Chapel last week on January 26:
Nadia B., grade 3, for Courage and Bravery
Makena G., kindergarten, for Encouragement

Congratulations to the Super Sleuth winners for the week ending January 23. At Valley Campus, the winners were:
1. Ryan F., grade 5
2. Stefan K., grade 5
3. J.J. M., grade 5
There were no players at Redmond Campus last week.

The Lower School math team competed in the Federal Way Math Contest on December 13 at Thomas Jefferson HS bringing home a third place team trophy for grades 4 and 5 in addition to several individual awards. Congratulations to all the team members:

• Andrew L., grade 4, second place in ciphering
• Thomas V., grade 5, second place in ciphering and third place in computation
• Thomas H., grade 5, fourth place in ciphering and computation
• Stanley F., grade 5

All students (grades K-6) are invited to join the Jr. Grizzlies Cheer Squad on February 6 at our home basketball games. A practice session is scheduled earlier the same afternoon. Read the flyer for sign-up details, and email cindymccahill@hotmail.com if you have questions.

Grades 4-6 students are invited to bring their lunches (hot lunch or sack lunch) and join in the fun of discussing the "Battle" books, quizzing one another, and getting to know everyone participating in Battle of the Books on April 2. Battle lunches are held in the library - on Mondays at Redmond Campus and on Tuesdays at Valley Campus. Go to tbcs.org/battleofthebooks for specific dates and more information.

Let's get to know one another! All parents of grade 1 students are invited to join room moms and Kristen Gephart, next year's Grades 1-4 Lower School Division Head, for coffee and conversation. We will meet in the Ida Lairson Library at Redmond Campus from 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 5.

Lower School parents are invited to join our parent-run book group, an opportunity for you to connect with others in our Bear Creek community as we grow closer to God and to one another, and learn together as parents. At our February and March meetings, we will discuss Brain Rules by John Medina. During April and May, we will discuss Max Lucado's Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer. Join us on the second Thursday of the month from 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM in the Farmhouse at Redmond Campus. Sign up to be part of our book group by contacting Rachael Urban (drurban@comcast.net).

On January 24, Bear Creek lost to Seattle Academy (31-61). Junior Caleb Kesinger led the Grizzlies with 11 points. On January 26, the boys beat Eastside Prep (55-15), led by junior Jordan Block (10 points) and senior Jonny Magee (9 points). Don't miss Senior Night next Friday, February 6!

The Lady Grizzlies defeated Annie Wright (53-34) on January 23. The team was lead by junior Michelle Kahue (14 points) and freshman Ashley Cowman (12 points). On January 24, the girls lost to league leader Seattle Academy (28-34). Once again, Kahue led the team with 11 points. Senior Darryln McDonough added 8 points. On January 26, the team notched another victory, defeating Eastside Prep (25-22). Freshman Alyson Wong scored 16 points, Kahue added 12, and McDonough another 11. Don't miss Senior Night next Friday, February 6!