In This Section

Early Middle School

This page contains information for new students in grades 5 and 6 and their parents.

Welcome

Parent Orientation

Parents who missed the spring orientation may watch the recording of the meeting.

Bookmark this page so you can follow up on all the information provided below.

Preparing for a New School

Immunization Requirement

Instructions for completing the requirement by uploading your child's immunization records to the health portal will be included with Back-to-School Registration (see below). We cannot accept any forms that have been mailed, emailed, or dropped off.

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.

To help the school and our families meet this requirement, The Bear Creek School uses the School Module, an online system provided by the Washington State Department of Health. The School Module allows Bear Creek to quickly and efficiently check if your child has the vaccines required for school. This saves the health team from entering vaccination dates and frees up time to care for students.

On or before the first day of attendance, all new students and all returning preschool 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.

Math Placement

The Bear Creek School is committed to placing each student in the “best fit” class for math instruction. Math placement consideration for next year will be based on your child’s current math level—for most students, this means he/she will advance in math one year.

We ask all parents of new students to complete the Math Placement Information form by June 11 so we know which students to assess (if you have multiple children enrolled, please complete separate forms). If your child enrolls after June 11 or you have questions about math placement, please contact Early Middle School Division Assistant Carol Willard at cwillard@tbcs.org or Division Head Jenn McDonough at jmcdonough@tbcs.org.

Summer Review

Check out the Summer Assignments and Review page for enrichment activities and ideas. Also, check out the blog post from Division Head Jenn McDonough on 9 Ways to Prepare for Success in Middle School as a New Student.

Beginning Band

Together with your child, please review these Beginning Band resources to help him or her choose an instrument. Also, please complete the embedded interest form which will assist us in preparing for the new school year.

Fall Sports

Students in grades 6 – 8 are eligible to participate in Middle School fall sports which include boys and girls cross country, boys soccer, girls soccer, and girls volleyball. Sports registration is due by August 5. In the meantime, please schedule your child's sports physical as early as feasible and submit the signed forms online during Back-to-School Registration.

If you missed it, watch the recording of the sports information meeting held May 10.

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.

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.

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.