The Bear Facts

This summer we are offering a variety of sports, arts, and STEM camps, running June 15 through July 3, in three one-week sessions. Students who will be in grades K – 12 next fall are eligible to enroll. Camps are open to the public. More information and registration coming soon!

Consent forms for the annual Senior Blast overnight trip are due Friday, February 6; see the detailed instructions emailed recently. This retreat to Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort in Leavenworth, scheduled for March 16 and 17, is a special opportunity for the senior class to spend time together and plan for the end of the school year.

The Upper School spring sports (baseball, girls golf, boys soccer, girls tennis, and track & field) registration deadline is Thursday, February 12. Please pay the fee online and visit the health portal to ensure all the necessary releases are signed and forms submitted. Practices will begin in March.

Seniors should submit initial Senior Capstone Project proposals by Friday, February 13, for Capstone panel approval. Students must also submit a parent‑signed Acknowledgement of Responsibilities form confirming that parents have reviewed and support the proposed project. The Senior Capstone Project Packet can be found on the Senior Class page. Read more for details.

To honor our graduating class of 2026 on social media, seniors are encouraged to fill out this survey by Friday, February 13, and submit up to four photos for inclusion in our social media posts. Please read more for specifications.

Juniors who wish to sit for the optional SAT School Day administered at Bear Creek on Wednesday, March 18, must register and pay fees online by Friday, February 20.

If your child is taking an AP exam this spring, please pay fees online by Monday, March 2. Read more for instructions.

Students who will be in grades 9 – 12 in the upcoming 2026 – 2027 school year must soon submit course preferences for next year. The course preferencing window will be from Tuesday, March 3, until Tuesday, March 10. Parents and students should look for an email from Registrar Amanda Hale on March 2 with instructions for submitting preferences for next year’s courses. Read more for instructions for booking an academic advising appointment.

National Honor Society candidates, including sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher, have been notified by email. Students who received this notification should review the eligibility requirements included in that message and complete all next steps by Friday, March 6.

The 2026 Senior Art Show will be held at Picket Fence Art Studio in Woodinville from March 9 – 11, and Advanced Studio Art students Joy Chen, Findlay Hartshorn, Lilah Pruner, Hanna Vinkemulder, and Jared Yu will host a special reception at the gallery on Friday, March 13, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Classmates, faculty, friends, and family are invited! Light refreshments will be served. Read more for exhibit hours.

All sophomores will sit for the PreACT on Friday, March 13. Students should bring the following items: a water bottle, snack, at least two #2 pencils, and a calculator. Arrive at Upper School by 7:45 a.m. to begin the test at 8:00 a.m.

Pre-registered students in grades 7 and 8 will compete in Battle of the Books on Wednesday, February 11, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Kindel Library. Visit the Battle of the Books page to learn all about this activity. 

Students in grade 5 will display their science research projects for parents and classmates on Thursday, February 12, from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Main Commons. Please enter the building through the main entrance.

Middle School (grades 6 – 8) spring sports (baseball, golf, tennis, and track & field) practices begin in March, and the sports registration deadline is Thursday, February 12. Please pay the fee online and visit the health portal to ensure all the necessary releases are signed and forms submitted.

Students have been reading great literature all year long in preparation for Battle Day. Battle of the Books for students in grades 5 – 6 will take place on Tuesday, March 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Kindel Library. Learn more about Battle of the Books and register online by Friday, February 13.

Middle School students will participate in an assembly and workshops with Jennifer Nielsen, author of numerous bestselling young adult and middle grade novels, including Resistance, Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award winner. Parents may preorder signed and personalized copies of Mrs. Nielson's books before Friday, February 20. Families of Lower School and Upper School students are also invited to preorder books for signing.

Bear Creek is hosting free basketball training sessions for all boys and girls in grades 6 – 8, held in the gym and Main Commons, each Saturday from January 10 through February 28. Whether your child is new to the sport or has been playing for a while, this is a great opportunity to grow in fundamental skills with friends. Please sign up for any dates your child will attend.

Students who will be in grades 7, 8, and 9 in the upcoming 2026 – 2027 school year must soon submit course preferences for next year. The course preferencing window will be open from Tuesday, March 3, until Tuesday, March 10. Parents and students should look for an email from Registrar Amanda Hale on March 2 with instructions for submitting preferences for next year’s courses. Read more for additional resources.

Parents of all students playing Middle School spring sports (baseball, golf, tennis, and track & field) should attend this online meeting on Tuesday, March 3, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., to learn important details about the season. Join the Teams meeting.

Parents are invited to join Middle School Dean of Students Daniel Bates and Middle School Division Head Jenn McDonough on Wednesday, March 4, at 9:30 a.m. in the Kindel Library for a meaningful time of connection as we deepen our understanding of what is on the hearts and minds of our Middle School students. A student panel, including current Middle School students and representatives from the Upper School student body, will share what they have learned and the advice they would offer their younger selves. Consider coming early for Chapel, beginning at 9:05 a.m. in the Cornerstone Theater. We look forward to seeing you.

Students in grades 5 and 6 are invited to a Movie Night Social after school on Friday, March 13, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Main Commons. We will watch the students' choice of either Finding Nemo or Toy Story, both by Pixar studios. Read more for additional details and please RSVP for this free event by Friday, March 6.

Students in grades 7 and 6 are invited to a Movie Night Social after school on Friday, March 27, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Main Commons. We will watch the students' choice of either The Lorax or Zootopia. Read more for additional details and please RSVP for this free event by Friday, March 20.

Students in grade 3 will display their animal research projects for parents and classmates on Thursday, February 12, from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Ida Lairson Library and Kindel Library. Please enter the building through the main entrance.

To ensure your child’s grandparents receive their invitation to Lower School Grandparents Day on Thursday, April 30, please update their contact information in your Household Profile in the Parent Portal by Monday, February 16. Read more for details.

On Friday, March 6, students in kindergarten through grade 4 will not have classes while Lower School teachers have an in-service day. The Main building office will still be open.

Preschool Valentine's Day class parties will be held on Thursday, February 12, for P3 2-Day and P4 classes, and Friday, February 13, for P3 3-Day and P5 classes. Students are invited to dress in Valentine-themed attire. Families are welcome to join in as we celebrate Jesus' great love for us! 

On Wednesday, February 25, Bear Creek Upper School students in Concert Choir will visit Preschool students to talk about the choir and sing several songs.

Preschool students are encouraged to wear their grade-level shirts as follows: P3 2-day and P4 classes on Thursday, February 26, and P3 3-day and P5 classes on Friday, February 27.

At 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, please join Preschool Division Head Rachael Urban in the Little Gym for coffee and conversation with Marissa Krauskopf, Upper School counselor, to hear about Helping Little Hearts: Guiding Children Through Big Emotions. Marissa will talk about how to nurture a child’s developing mind and give both practical and easy-to-apply strategies for parents and caregivers when it comes to parenting big emotions. Feel free to invite friends. RSVP.

Preschool students will enjoy a time of worship and teaching with Mrs. Urban during our monthly Chapel on Wednesday, March 4, at 9:00 a.m. in the Little Gym (except for the P3 2-day students, who have Chapel with their classmates on Thursday morning). Parents and siblings are welcome to attend.

On Friday, March 6, no Preschool classes will be held while teachers have an in-service day. The Preschool Office will be closed.

There will be no school for preschool students on Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17, while teachers are holding Parent/Teacher Conferences. Conferences are intended to be 1:1 with parents only without the student present. A link to sign up for a conference slot will be shared in your classroom teacher's weekly newsletter. We are excited to meet with you!

Bear Creek is hosting free basketball training sessions for all boys and girls in grades 6 – 8, held in the gym and Main Commons, each Saturday from January 10 through February 28. Whether your child is new to the sport or has been playing for a while, this is a great opportunity to grow in fundamental skills with friends. Please sign up for any dates your child will attend.

Check out EmeraldSoundConference.org for the latest sports scores (click the Sports tab) as well as the team schedules. Game schedules are posted on this page and on the Athletics Calendar. Go Grizzlies!

Out of town for a big game or match? Grizzlies home games are streaming live through the National Federation of High School Athletics (NFHS) Network. Create an account and subscribe to a plan that fits your family's needs. You may then star (favorite) Bear Creek to get alerts when the Grizzlies are streaming.