Staff, Volunteers Receive One Schoolhouse Award

In recognition of their outstanding work to help high school students achieve their dreams of attending college and qualifying for financial aid, high school counselors, FAFSA event staff and Sharon Camblin of the Northwest Alliance for College Access have earned Bellingham Public Schools 2012 One Schoolhouse Award.

This group of staff and volunteers was instrumental in bringing together all district high schools to host three regional FAFSA College Goal Sunday events for seniors and their families. They fostered connections and opened doors for all of our high school seniors. Volunteers consisted of financial aid representatives from Western Washington University and Bellingham Technical College, tax professionals, financial planners, retired educators, college access providers and community partners that provided more than 550 volunteer hours.

"I am proud of this work and thank this group on behalf of all of the district's students, families, staff and our School Board," said Superintendent Greg Baker at a recent gathering of counselors.  "Because of this work, the first generation College Bound Scholars program, transition programs for middle school students, and the relationships our counselors build daily with students, we have more young people who have made it to graduation this year and whose hopes and dreams for a better future are becoming a reality. As one of our graduates said, this is about 'taking care of each other.'"

The One Schoolhouse Award is given annually to those who work collaboratively across our school system for the benefit of all children.