Summer is for staying active and getting outdoors! Sign up for one or more of our exciting sports and athletic camps at Bear Creek's Summer Camp. We have 22 different sports camps for all ages! Come pursue your passion for sports and enroll online today. With over 60 camps to choose from, there's something for everyone! Register today at www.tbcs.org/summer.

With the coughs and colds and sometimes fevers that go with this time of year, the health team reminds you to please keep your child at home when he or she is sick, and follow the 24-hour rule. Encourage your child to wash hands often and cough into his/her elbows.

Do you still need an idea for your auction item donation? Wine, restaurant gift certificates, shopping opportunities, casual jewelry, toys, getaways, and sports tickets are all good options. You may also choose to make a donation that directly underwrites the auction, sponsor a teacher's ticket ($125), or contribute to the Fund-A-Need. Underwrite, sponsor, donate, and RSVP online.

Please join us on March 19 for a festive celebration of the Bear Creek community at our annual auction and dinner. RSVP online by March 11. If you wish, you may also purchase a sponsored ticket which allows a faculty or staff member to attend at no cost. Watch our Facebook page and see the Auction 2016 pages on our website for a preview of some of the great items you can bid on at the auction: a basket of Apple products, a Sounders Suite for 18 with food, luxury condo in Cabo, half a hog, Napa Valley Wine Train, and so much more.

In our recent all-school partnership with the Strong Against Cancer campaign, the Bear Creek community raised awareness about the great cancer research being conducted at the Ben Towne Center for Childhood Cancer at Seattle Children's Hospital. Through the leadership of our Upper School students, we raised $3,270 for Strong Against Cancer, more than double the amount raised last year! This included the sale of 340 capes, 135 pairs of socks, 50 masks, 28 hats, and 19 pairs of shoe laces! Thank you for your enthusiasm during Wholeness in Christ and Upper School Spirit Weeks.

Join your friends at Bear Creek's first Moms' Night Out on Friday, March 4 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM in the Upper School Building. Doors open at 6:30 PM. You will be encouraged, inspired, and refreshed and have opportunities to craft, enjoy a DIY mini-spa treatment, learn cake decorating techniques, sing, shop, and sample crockpot recipes! Tickets $15. Get your ticket online today!

Senior Maggie Leist and juniors Leia Kirker and Brooke Kato win Gold Keys in the 2016 State of Washington Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. In total, fourteen Upper School students were honored with three Gold Keys plus eleven Silver Keys and 17 Honorable Mentions. Click the article title for all the details and a slideshow of the recognized art.

Juniors and their parents, mark your calendars for an important college advising meeting on Tuesday, March 15 at 7:00 p.m. Director of College Advising Frances Carhart will address how juniors move into the college application process as well as her availability this summer for application and essay support.

All juniors are invited to schedule an appointment with Ms. Carhart and their parents. Once all four of the assessments and the junior survey are completed in Family Connection, email Director of College Advising Frances Carhart (fcarhart@tbcs.org) to set up a convenient time.

Students will hear about great colleges that will make a difference in their lives. Colleges presented range from honors programs at large universities to Colleges That Change Lives schools (CTCL.org) to local gems that are often overlooked. Encourage your student to attend on February 24 at 8:10 AM in the Wesley Choir Room.

Following up on our conversations last fall, PTF and ParentNet invite parents of Middle School and Upper School students for a morning of refreshments, social connection, and facilitated conversation about a selected parenting topic. Headmaster Patrick Carruth will answer your questions. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 2, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM. We are looking forward to seeing you in the Farmhouse!

A combined exhibition by Advanced Studio Art students will feature the works of eight student-artists. Read their moving statements and get a preview of their art at tbcs.org/artshow. The artist reception is on Friday evening, March 4, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM, and the show runs February 28 through March 25 at VALA Art Center & Studios at Redmond Town Center (7730 164th Ave NE). You don't want to miss it!

Parents of seniors are invited to meet with Upper School Division Head Tim Fenderson on Thursday, February 25 at 8:30 AM in the Andrea Lairson Library. The agenda includes senior class activities and end of the year events including information for the upcoming Senior Blast Trip to Leavenworth.

Seniors will be heading out to Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort for their annual trip on March 14-15. Waiver and medication form are due on February 22. For all forms and packing list, see the email from Tim Fenderson dated February 3 or the Class of 2016 folder (under Upper School) on the Parent Page of the school website.

Zoe Osborn, grade 7, was recognized in the 2016 State of Washington Scholastic Art & Writing Awards competition. Click the article title for all the details and a slideshow containing her recognized art.

Middle School students should turn in this waiver and $20 by March 7 to attend the social at Family Fun Center on Saturday, March 12. Students will meet at school at 5:45 PM and take the bus to Tukwila, returning by 10:15 PM. Go karts, bumper boats, miniature golf, laser tag, and 10 tokens included.

Following up on our conversations last fall, PTF and ParentNet invite parents of Middle School and Upper School students for a morning of refreshments, social connection, and facilitated conversation about a selected parenting topic. Headmaster Patrick Carruth will answer your questions. Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 2, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM. We are looking forward to seeing you in the Farmhouse!

Please congratulate the following students who were recognized at Chapel on February 9:
Gavin G., grade 3, for Endurance
Ronin S., grade 1, for Courage
Elijah Z., grade 1, for Obedience and Diligence

The Ida Lairson Library is sponsoring another book exchange! Donate books (maximum 15) between February 22 and March 4. We will evaluate and sort the books March 7-11. Then students who donated can "shop" for books on March 14, 15, and 16 (8:00 AM - 4:00 PM). For more information and all the "rules," see www.tbcs.org/bookexchange.

Bear Creek Preschool for ages 3 and 4 offers individualized, accelerated learning in math, reading, and writing. Our teachers inspire discovery in a safe and nurturing environment, creating a community that shapes character and kindness. Our Preschool Open House is on Wednesday, February 24 at 9:15 AM at Valley Campus. Children are welcome. To invite your friends, share this page.

Our Preschool is growing, and we are excited to offer new options for the 2016-2017 school year. For more information about program and curriculum, please visit the Preschool pages of the school website. Feel free to pass on this news to friends and family who may be interested in Bear Creek Preschool for their children.

• P3 (age 3+) 2 Days: T and TH, 8:40 AM – 11:40 AM
• P3 (age 3+) 3 Days New Offering: M, W, and F, 8:40 AM – 11:40 AM
• P4 (age 4+) 3 Days: M, W, and F, 8:40 AM – 11:40 AM
• P5 (age 5+ by January 1, 2017) 4 Days New Morning Offering: M, T, W, and TH, 8:40 AM – 11:40 AM
• Enrichment Day: Classes are optional and provide one additional class day per week: T, W, TH, or F, 8:40 AM – 11:40 AM

The Lady Grizzlies have qualified for the Emerald City League wild card game on Saturday, February 13 at 1:00 PM at Forest Ridge. This is an elimination game, and a win would send the girls on to the Bi-District Tournament next week.

The boys basketball team will play in a league tie-breaker game tonight at 7:00 PM, taking on Northwest at Eastside Prep. With a win, the Grizzlies play the Pumas at University Prep in the ECL wild card game on Saturday, February 13 at 5:00 PM. The winner of the wild card game will advance to the Bi-District Tournament next week.

On February 5, the boys basketball team lost to Overlake (51-58). Senior Jordan Block scored 24 points and made 5 rebounds. Senior John Lee added 11 points, and junior Colby Cadigan had 10 more. Senior Caleb Kesinger made 11 rebounds. On February 8, the Grizzlies defeated Northwest (45-42). Block led the team with 15 points and 3 steals. Senior Matt Kaiser sunk three 3-point shots for 9 points. Kesinger contributed 7 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots.

On February 5, the Lady Grizzlies lost to Overlake (42-47). Senior Michelle Kahue led the team with 16 points, and sophomore Alyson Wong scored 12 points. On February 8, the girls lost to Northwest (28-35). Senior Tara Leuenberger shot for 12 points, and Wong added 11 more. On February 10, the girls lost to Forest Ridge (39-51). Wong led the team with 18 points. Kahue and Leuenberger contributed 9 and 8 points respectively.