The Bear Facts

Please listen to Bear Creek's podcast, Bear Conversations, a series of conversations with Headmaster Patrick Carruth and members of our Middle School and Upper School faculty, and hear about their passion for their subject areas, how that shapes their teaching as they guide students toward becoming people of wisdom, compassion, and courage. You can find Bear Conversations at tbcs.org/podcast or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Have you checked your mailbox this week? Look for the winter 2022 issue of Modus Vivendi and take a few minutes to read all the great articles this weekend. The magazine is also available online along with archived copies of earlier editions.

Students in grades K – 12 will celebrate Hope Week 2022 during the week of Monday, January 31 – Friday, February 4, our annual week-long emphasis on reflecting on the hope we have in Christ while sharing that hope with others by providing support for those in need around our world. Your family can support Hope Week by taking part in the Matthew 25 Challenge, purchasing your Hope Week T-shirt, making a donation to World Vision, and participating in our Hope Week activities.

Online reenrollment is quick, easy, and usually takes about 5 – 10 minutes. Using your Bear Creek username and password, please log in to reenroll now. Current Bear Creek student spaces will be reserved until February 2.

Please mark your calendars for a virtual State of the School presentation by President and Headmaster Patrick Carruth on Wednesday, February 9, at 7:00 p.m., for a financial recap and an update on the school's plans for second semester.

If your child tests positive for COVID-19, complete this form to report details to Bear Creek's health team.

If your child has recently been vaccinated for COVID-19, please upload his/her vaccination card to the health portal when the series is complete. Review information from School Nurse Lea Hysom.

If your child is identified as a close contact of a COVID-19 positive case at school, Bear Creek's health team is available to provide testing at school as a convenience to parents, with appropriate consent, furnished by completing these two items in the health portal:

• COVID-19 Student Testing Program Consent (sign electronically)
• Atlas Genomics Student Consent Form (print, sign, upload two pages)

Congratulations to the forensics team for its fine performance at the Glacier Peak Invitational held on January 7 – 8 and hosted online by Glacier Peak HS. Read more for all the details.

During spring semester, juniors will meet individually with Dean of College and Academic Advising Colleen Murray (cmurray@tbcs.org) to talk about interests and goals and receive college suggestions so they can begin researching and planning possible college visits. Appointments will be available January through March. Read more to learn how students may schedule an appointment.

Parents of seniors are invited to join Upper School administration on Tuesday, January 25, at 8:00 a.m., for a discussion about year-end senior class traditions and events including Senior Blast, Class of 2022 social media recognition campaign, Senior Capstone Projects, Prom, and Commencement Week. Join the meeting.

Our annual Senior Blast overnight trip is scheduled for March 7 and 8 at Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort in Leavenworth. This retreat is a special opportunity for the senior class to spend time together and plan for the end of the school year. Register by submitting the consent form online by Friday, January 28; see the detailed instructions emailed recently.

Parents of students in grades 9 – 11 are invited to join Upper School Division Head Carol Miller and Deans of Students Kevin Davison and Dave Urban online for conversation about the happenings in Upper School on Friday, January 28, at noon. Topics include course registration, student leadership application process, digital citizenship program, and more. Join the meeting.

Students and their parents are invited to learn more about Bear Creek's Advanced Placement (AP) program on Tuesday, February 1, at 7:00 p.m. This event is recommended for freshmen and their parents and any student considering an AP course for the first time. Join Teams Meeting.

Parents are invited to join V.P. for Academic Affairs Karen Blankenbeckler, Division Head Carol Miller, and Dean of Students Kevin Davison for conversation about the happenings in Upper School. Join the Q&A on Tuesday, February 8, at 11:00 a.m.

Students have until Tuesday, February 8, to add or drop any of their courses.

Juniors may sign up to sit for the SAT at Bear Creek on Wednesday, March 23, during the school day. The sign-up deadline is February 11.

We would like to honor our graduating seniors on social media. Read more to see how to help our Marketing and Communications team honor each member of the Class of 2022!

Winter Ball has been rescheduled! All Upper School students are invited to celebrate Twilight in Tokyo at Winter Ball on Saturday, March 12, from 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., at The Golf Club at Newcastle

The latest from the Office of Academic and College Advising for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors is posted in Naviance Student. Please email Ayoleida Paramo (aparamo@tbcs.org) if you cannot access Naviance Student or need the parent credentials again.

Upper School students may attend all home boys and girls basketball games this winter! Note listed theme nights below. Seating is limited, so students will need to sign up for each game. Look for the announcement posted in the General channel on the BC Upper School Student Body Team approximately two days prior each game. Go Grizzlies!

After grade 8 families have watched the video about our Upper School curriculum, please schedule an individual advising appointment with Dean of Academic Advising Emily Schuldt (eschuldt@tbcs.org) to ask questions and receive support as your child prepares for course registration in February.

Parents are invited to join V.P. for Academic Affairs Karen Blankenbeckler, Division Head Jenn McDonough, and Dean of Students Nathan Pettit for conversation about the happenings in Early Middle School/Middle School. Join the Q&A on Tuesday, February 15, at 11:00 a.m.

Bear Creek's Adopt-a-Grizzly program pairs grades K – 5 classes with high school athletes for a one-week period culminating in the home basketball games on Friday, January 21.

Parents of students in grades 4 and 5 are invited to join V.P. for Academic Affairs Karen Blankenbeckler, Dean of Students Nathan Pettit, and Division Head Jenn McDonough for an online parent meeting on Thursday, January 27, at noon regarding Middle School. Read more for details. Join Teams Meeting

The 2022 book list has been revealed! Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 are invited to sign up for Battle of the Books which will be held online on Friday, March 18. Find all the Battle of the Books details online and encourage your child to start reading today.

Parents are invited to join V.P. for Academic Affairs Karen Blankenbeckler, Division Head Jenn McDonough, and Dean of Students Nathan Pettit for conversation about the happenings in Early Middle School/Middle School. Join the Q&A on Tuesday, February 15, at 11:00 a.m.

Please congratulate the following students who were recognized at Chapel on January 18:

• Natalie L., grade 4, for Kindness
• Josh S., grade 4, for Initiative

Bear Creek's Adopt-a-Grizzly program pairs grades K – 5 classes with high school athletes for a one-week period culminating in the home basketball games on Friday, January 21.

Parents of students in grades 4 and 5 are invited to join V.P. for Academic Affairs Karen Blankenbeckler, Dean of Students Nathan Pettit, and Division Head Jenn McDonough for an online parent meeting on Thursday, January 27, at noon regarding Middle School. Read more for details. Join Teams Meeting

On Thursday, January 27, grade 2 students will perform their puppet show, The Rabbit Who Wanted Red Wings, in the Upper School's Diamond Performing Arts Center. Read more for details on attending and streaming.

The 2022 book list has been revealed! Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 are invited to sign up for Battle of the Books which will be held online on Friday, March 18. Find all the Battle of the Books details online and encourage your child to start reading today.

Join us online for our Lower School Division Head Connection on Thursday, February 3, at 11:45 a.m., with Division Head Kristen Gephart for fellowship and conversation. Join the meeting.

Parents are invited to join V.P. for Academic Affairs Karen Blankenbeckler, Division Head Kristen Gephart, and Dean of Students Tressa Parker for conversation about the happenings in Lower School. The next Q&A will be held on Wednesday, February 16, at 11:00 a.m. Join the meeting.