Lower School

This page contains information for new students in grades 1 – 4 and their parents. Please bookmark this page so you can follow up on all the information provided below as it is updated throughout the spring and summer. 

Welcome

Parent Orientation

Plan to attend our Parent Welcome and Orientation meeting for parents of new students entering grades 1 – 4 on Monday, April 22, at 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., in the Main building at Redmond Campus. Join V.P. for Academic Affairs Karen Blankenbeckler, Division Head Kristen Gephart, and Dean of Students Tracy Whitfield for a broad overview of the Bear Creek experience and receive information and resources that will help make for a smooth and successful transition to our school community.

Required

Your New Studentrequired
First Name
Last Name
Grade level your child will enter next fall
Parent Attendingrequired
First Name
Last Name
Additional Parent AttendingLet us know if both parents will attend.
First Name
Last Name
Let us know if both parents will attend.
For confirmation and reminder emails

Preparing for a New School

Grade 3 Animal Research Report

Tuition Payment

Whether opting for monthly payments or a single annual payment, sign up for a FACTS Tuition Management account no later than April 1, 2024. The first payment is due on May 5. The annual fee for FACTS is $50 per household (waived if tuition and facility fee are paid in full).

If you already have a FACTS account and need to add a new student, please contact Carol Willard, Accounts Receivable Specialist, at 425-898-1720 ext. 304 or cwillard@tbcs.org.

Families receiving tuition assistance, or any other credit, or enrolling late will have their accounts adjusted after the FACTS account is set up. Contact Carol Willard to verify monthly amount due.

Portal Access

Update your contact information and view your billing account on the New Parent Portal. Log in using the same credentials used to log in to the Admissions Portal. If necessary, click the drop-down menu on the column at the top portal page to switch from the Admissions Portal to the New Parent Portal.

Portal Login

If you have any questions about accessing the New Parent Portal, please email Communications Manager Sini Fernandez (sfernandez@tbcs.org).

Math Placement

Starting in grade 1, we place students in math class according to ability. Many students work at grade level, but if you believe your child is working above grade level, we will have him/her complete a Math Placement Assessment. However, if you know your child’s best fit class will be at grade level, your child does not need to take an assessment and we will place him/her accordingly.

We ask all parents of new students to complete the Math Placement Information form by April 12, so we know which students to assess (if you have multiple children enrolled, please complete separate forms). If your child enrolls after April 3 or you have questions about math placement, please contact Lower School Division Assistant Cady Reimer at creimer@tbcs.org or Division Head Kristen Gephart (kgephart@tbcs.org).

Math Placement

Summer Review

Check out the Summer Assignments and Review page for enrichment activities and ideas.

Summer Reading Program

Students entering grades K – 8 are encouraged to participate in our summer reading program.

Summer Camp

In June and early July, we are offering a selection of sports, arts, and STEM camps for students enrolling in grades K – 12 next fall. Browse the 2024 Summer Camp catalog to see what sorts of camps will be offered. Registration opens in April.

Immunization Requirement

Washington State law (RCW 28A.210.080) requires that all children enrolled at a public or private school must have documentation of the required immunizations or an exemption in order to attend school, preschool, or childcare, including those attending an alternative school program such as Running Start, vocational technical school, or virtual school. The immunization records must be on file at the school on or before the first day of attendance. See www.doh.wa.gov/vaxtoschool for additional details in multiple languages.

On or before the first day of attendance, all new students and all returning preschool, kindergarten, and grade 7 students must upload a medically verified Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form to the health portal by the summer deadline. Children cannot attend school until these records are provided. We cannot accept any forms that have been mailed, emailed, or dropped off.

A medically verified Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form is a:

  • CIS printed by a health care provider from the Washington State Immunization Information System (IIS). This is medically verified by the Immunization Information System.
  • CIS printed from MyIR which is a free Department of Health site that allows families to view and print their official immunization records themselves. This is medically verified by the Immunization Information System. You can access your child’s immunization record at any time at MyIRMobile.com. First-time users will need to register. Users who previously had an account on MyIR.net should be able to use those credentials to log in and access immunization records after connecting your mobile phone number to your account.
  • CIS completed by hand. 
    • Must be verified with a health care provider signature
      or
    • Must have medical vaccination records attached so it can be verified for accuracy by school staff

If your child is on a delayed schedule, also have your child's health care provider complete and sign the Certificate of Exemption. See Health Services for more information or contact Lea Hysom, school nurse, at lea.hysom@tbcs.org if you have any questions about your child's immunization records.

Grade 4 Computer Programming

School Uniforms

Information about uniform guidelines, dress days, and online ordering can be found on the School Uniforms page. Spirit gear may be purchased in the Grizzly Gear Shop, either online or in person.

Back-to-School Registration

Your child's Back-to-School Registration is due by August 1, 2024, and must be complete before your child may attend school. Look for email in mid-July announcing that it is ready for your attention.

School Supplies

Bear Creek provides most materials for our students; however, there are some school supplies that parents must purchase for their children.

Drop-off and Pick-up

Review our campus maps and familiarize yourself with the morning and afternoon routines (subject to change).

After School Programs

Bear Creek Plus offers after school enrichment classes for Lower School students. Registration will open on August 13.

Mark Your Calendar

On every webpage, you will find a link to the School Calendar which can be filtered according to your child's division (or check out the special Lower School Calendar). Parents may subscribe to the various sub-calendar feeds and/or subscribe to email/text alerts for specific events or calendars.

Inside Bear Creek

As part of your orientation to Bear Creek, please plan to join Patrick Carruth, President and Headmaster, and Mariana Keller, Vice President for Philanthropy and Community Engagement, at Inside Bear Creek in the fall. This gathering will provide you with important practical information about how to get involved in the Bear Creek community as a parent, an understanding of how the school functions beyond the classrooms, and an opportunity to connect with other new families. Look for an email in early September with more details.

Grizzly Hoops

Grizzly Hoops is Bear Creek's basketball development program for boys and girls in grades 4 and 5. Registration opens in September, and the season runs from November through February.

Contacts

By Division

Preschool (P3 – P5)

Lower School (grades K – 4)

Middle School (grades 5 – 8)

Upper School (grades 9 – 12)

By Department

Tuition and Fees

  • Director of Business Operations Kathleen Lewis, klewis@tbcs.org, 425-898-1720, ext. 302

Giving or Volunteering

  • Vice President for Philanthropy and Community Engagement Mariana Keller, mkeller@tbcs.org, 425-898-1720 ext. 340

Attendance

Health Services

  • Director of Health Services and School Nurse Lea Hysom, lea.hysom@tbcs.org, 425-898-1720 ext. 399

Back-to-School Registration

Athletics

  • Athletics Director Chad Pohlman, cpohlman@tbcs.org, 425-898-1720 ext. 431 (grades 9 – 12 sports)
  • Middle School Athletics Director Nate Campbell, ncampbell@tbcs.org, 425-898-1720 ext. 430 (grades 6 – 8 sports)

College and Academic Advising

Admissions

Also check out the online directory of faculty and staff.