The Bark Community Edition 2/7/2026

Feb 7 2026

Hello Bennett Families, and happy beginning of February!

Each school year brings a mix of ever‑changing experiences. These moments challenge us, bring us joy, help us reflect, and allow us to model for our students what it looks like to ebb and flow with grace. Every month, week, day, and hour offers something new, and our focus remains on recognizing the positive things happening all around us. We are seeing incredible growth in our students, and there is so much to celebrate.

This week we proudly honor National School Counseling Week, and we are incredibly fortunate to have Mrs. D as our counselor. She is a positive, supportive, and deeply appreciated member of our school community. She partnered with our wonderful PTSA to bring a hot chocolate celebration to our second and third graders who earned their 500 Pawsitive Paws reward. Thank you, Mrs. D, for your care, dedication, and all that you do for our students and staff.

Looking ahead, before we head into midwinter break, our Student Lighthouse Team has organized our Random Acts of Kindness Week. Our students wanted to find simple and meaningful ways to make kindness the norm and to spread positivity throughout our school.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We are grateful to be on this journey together.

With Bulldog Pride,

Jessica Strazzulla

Principal

Upcoming Dates

Save these dates on your calendar!

2/2- New Student enrollment opens for K-12 students
2/9-2/13- Random Acts of Kindness Week (details below)
2/9- Coffee with the Principal 8:30-10am
2/12- Student Lighthouse Team Meeting @8am
2/16-2/20 - Mid Winter Break - No School
2/27- Bingo & Movie Night (PTSA Fundraiser)
3/6- Spring Picture Day - Class Photos
3/10- PTSA General Meeting
3/26- Multicultural Night
3/27- No School -

*5th Grade Promotion Ceremony Thursday June 18th 2:30-3:30pm

BSD Cultural Calendar

RandomActsofKindnessSpiritWeek26_1 (PDF)

Health Corner

Health Services Update: 2026 Vaccine Guidelines for Kids

The district urges families to ensure their children are up-to-date on all vaccinations, as Washington state reports new measles cases in Snohomish and Kittitas counties. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe, highly effective, and offers protection against this extremely contagious virus that spreads through the air when an infected person sneezes, breathes or talks.

To help keep our community healthy, families should:

Stay current on all recommended vaccinations.

Create an account at MyIR Mobile to review your child’s vaccine history and get reminders for future immunizations. MyIR users can now access their health records in Spanish.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have symptoms or if you believe you were exposed to measles.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.

Learn more about measles, the MMR vaccine, and ways to help keep your family healthy and ready to learn.

Local Levies Help Fund Learning and Safety

Remember to Vote by February 10

Election day is approaching. Bellevue School District has two measures on the ballot that renew existing school levies that fund classroom, safety, and technology needs.

These levies help keep schools staffed, safe, and equipped with the tools students need to learn. They are not new taxes but a continuation of current local funding.

Ballots must be mailed or placed in an official drop box by Election Day, February 10. More information is available on our levy renewal web page.

District News and Resources

Exploring a New Secondary Language Offering: A Hebrew Community Input Session

The BSD Multilingual Department invites you to join us for a community input session as we explore the possibility of offering Modern Hebrew as a new secondary language beginning in the 2027–2028 school year. This session is an opportunity to learn more about the language program development process, share your perspectives, and help co-design the program through your input. Your voice and feedback are essential as we consider future language offerings for our students.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Time: 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Location: Wilburton Instructional Service Center, Rainier Room

Address: 12241 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005

Community members will be invited to share their input through guided discussion and a brief survey. All are welcome, including parents/guardians, students, staff, and community members.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and partnering with you in this important conversation.

Visit the BSD Welcome Center!

The Bellevue School District’s new Welcome Center is here to support families. The center provides a warm, inclusive space where families can get help with enrollment, access general information about BSD programs and services, receive language access support, and learn about volunteer opportunities. The Welcome Center is designed to nurture belonging and connection.

We look forward to welcoming you!

12011 NE 1st St

Bellevue, WA, 98005

Phone: 425-456-4235

Email: welcome@bsd405.org

Attendance Matters: New Semester, New You!

The second semester is a great time for students to reset. One of the best ways to make the most of this fresh start is by setting short-term goals. These are smaller, achievable targets that help students stay on track and motivated throughout the semester. Learn more in this edition of the Attendance Matters series.