The “Inspired to Learn” matching opportunity is underway! $15,000 is available to be matched from the BCS PTF to fully fund the middle school elective program. See below for details. Thank you so much!
Big things are happening in the middle school this year. If you stop by, you might see artwork on the bulletin boards, smell cooking in the kitchen, hear sewing machines whirring in the classroom or see Lego Robots moving down the halls. In addition to the Spanish elective which began two years ago, art, home economics, budgeting, health, yearbook & photography, Lego Robotics and percussion are being added to the middle school curriculum. Combined with the extra-curricular activities of soccer, basketball, archery, choir and bible study, 6th, 7th and 8th graders are inspired to learn through more subjects and hands on opportunities.
“Electives classes reveal the skill sets of some students that might not be obvious in their other classes, helping them see their strengths and affording them opportunities to be of value to their classmates. Reaching performance goals or learning a new language requires students to be organized, to set goals, and to evaluate if they’re meeting those goals,” says Ed Week, an education newsletter.
Ellie Schmidt, a BCS alumni and current Art Education student at WWU is co-teaching the art class. Cole Heilborn, a BCS alumni and owner of Portside Productions, a video production company, is working with 6th and 7thgrade students on photography skills along with the classroom teacher. Laura Nichols, a BCS alumni parent and certificated teacher will be developing and co-teaching the Home Ec. program. We are so blessed to have community members stepping up to help launch these new programs.