Dear Upper School Community,

While I stood motionless in the catwalk, watching Disney's Beauty and the Beast, able to see the performers acting onstage and the support crew scurrying backstage, I was reminded of the wonderful Upper School community and how inter-connected helping students "become the individuals God intends" really is. Many new programs and classes have been launched to continue providing a high quality Christian liberal arts education, while at the same time creating space for students to feel supported and to enjoy their time at school. May I say thank you to each of you who have helped make this year a success. Thank you for your partnership!

New Upper School Division Head
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Karen Wright will join The Bear Creek School for the 2018-2019 academic year as the Upper School Division Head.

As many in our community may remember, Dr. Wright formerly served as a Lower School Division Head, providing leadership of teachers and students in kindergarten through grade 6. Prior to her work at The Bear Creek School, she spent 15 years working in the field of education in Texas. She served as the Assistant Principal of Highland Village Elementary School in Lewisville, Texas and as a lecturer and student teacher supervisor for the College of Education at The University of North Texas. As a classroom teacher, she taught fourth grade in Lewisville, Texas and middle school mathematics in Irving, Texas. Karen holds a B.S. and a M.Ed. in educational administration from the University of North Texas and teaching certification from Texas A&M University Commerce. In 2010, she earned a Ph.D. in educational administration and educational psychology from The University of North Texas. Her research and professional development areas of interest include teacher efficacy and motivation, educational psychology, administrator effectiveness, and campus climate and culture. She is passionate about the vocation of teaching and helping both teachers and students thrive.

Karen and her husband, Shawn, have been married for over 20 years and have three children, Audrey, Alec, and Austin. Karen loves reading, exercise, and spending as much time as possible in the kitchen with friends and family. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Wright back to The Bear Creek School faculty.

Visitors
To ensure we know who is on campus and keep our students safe, prospective students must arrange their visits through the admissions office, and guests of current students (i.e. students not currently enrolled at The Bear Creek School) may only visit during lunch with pre-approval through the Upper School office. Lunch visits much be arranged at least one week in advance.

AP Exams
Beginning today, May 7 through May 18, students sit for AP exams according to the schedule mandated by the College Board. Students are not expected to attend classes on the days when they are taking an AP exam, although they are of course welcome.

Counselors-in-Training
The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program needs students entering grades 9-12. Students can earn community service hours which may count toward the 100-hour Upper School community service graduation requirement. All applications should be completed electronically using the fillable application and sent via email no later than Friday, May 11.

Junior/Senior Prom
On Saturday, May 19, the boat departs from the Kirkland Marina Park Dock at 8:00 p.m. (all aboard by 7:30 p.m.) and returns at 11:00 p.m. All the details are available online including tickets, location, parking, dress guidelines, and guest request forms.

Authors & Artists
Join us for our annual showcase of visual, literary, and performing arts on Thursday, May 24 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Exhibits will be found all around Redmond Campus (see more details about this event). Come celebrate the arts and enjoy the food trucks on campus.

Return Books
All library materials checked out by Bear Creek students, parents, faculty, and staff are due Friday, May 25 to facilitate completion of the annual inventory.

Yearbook Distribution
Yearbooks will be distributed on June 1 with time for students to look at their yearbooks and exchange signatures. If you have not done so already, please order your child's yearbook. If you don't remember whether or not you ordered a yearbook for your child, click My Parent Portal on the Parent Page. After you log in, find the Billing Account button in the My Household section of the new Parent Portal. Scroll to the Paid Invoices section and VIEW the 2017-18 (not 2018-19) AX (not TU) invoice. Yearbooks are listed with your child(ren)'s name(s) and grade(s) if purchased.

Spring Semester Final Exams
Review days for final exams will be May 29 – June 1. Students in grades 9-11 may wear free dress when sitting for final exams:

• Monday, June 4, Science and History
• Tuesday, June 5, Math and Christian Studies
• Wednesday, June 6, English and Language

Students will be dismissed at 11:40 a.m. on final exam days.

Upper School Honors Assembly
June 7, 10:00 a.m. in the Performing Arts Center
Students in grades 9-12 will be presented with a variety of honors and awards celebrating their achievements, hard work, and great contributions to our school community. Parents are encouraged to attend, and no RSVP is necessary. Parents of juniors and seniors are especially encouraged to attend to witness the formal passing of leadership from the outgoing senior class to the juniors.

Commencement Exercises
Commencement for the Class of 2018 will be held on Saturday, June 9 at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, at 2:00 p.m., and everyone is invited. Tickets will be available for the Bear Creek community beginning May 15.

SAT and ACT Practice Tests
Middle School and Upper School students may register for a complimentary SAT and ACT practice test administered at school on June 12-13 by Compass Education Group, an independent test preparation company.

Looking Ahead to Summer
As we wrap up the year and begin to look ahead to next year, check out the Summer Assignments page on our website for a preview of any packets or reading assignments pertaining to your student this summer. (Note: The Summer Assignments page will be up-to-date for summer 2018 by June 1.) Also Bear Creek Summer Camp is offering a wonderful list of camps for Upper School students.

As you begin to plan next year, you may find the 2018-2019 calendar a helpful planning tool. Enjoy the end of the year and all the great opportunities you can still take advantage of at Bear Creek.

Grace and peace,

Patrick Carruth