Bellevue Big Picture School News
October 26, 2026
Upcoming Events
Oct 26-30- Spirit Week
Oct 27: Disability Awareness Month PMU
Oct 28: B week Wednesday for HS classes
Oct 29: Spanish/Studio Art Field Trip to SAM
Oct 29- 6th grade Who Am I showcase in the cafe
Oct-Nov- MS and HS Student-Led Conferences (SLCs) scheduled by each advisor
Nov 2- BP Innovation Strategic Doing Team Meeting
Nov 3- ASB Interhigh Field Trip
Nov 6- End of Quarter 1
Nov 9: Deadline to sign up and pay for AP exams
Nov 10- Veteran's Day PMUs
Nov 10- Living Voices Presentation- 6th grade
Nov 11- No School- Veteran's Day
Nov 20- Chemistry Escape Rooms- Community Event at BP
Nov 21- PTSA Panther Makers and Bakers Market
Nov 26,27- Thanksgiving- No School
Dec 21-Jan 1- Winter Break- No School
Stay on top of events and activities and plan for important dates by reviewing the district calendar. Previous and current printable calendars, including the Family Calendar, are also available online.
Gratitude for an AMAZING DANCE
Thank you to the PTSA for putting together an amazing costume dance for our students this past Friday Night. It was so much fun to see our students dressed up and having a great time at the 1st dance in our new building. Students enjoyed pizza and snacks, great music by our in-house DJ, games, pumpkin decorating, and had a chance to win a variety of prizes. I am grateful for all the parent volunteers who helped with set-up and clean-up or chaperoned and to those who donated items, sold tickets, or assisted with the planning. Your partnership makes a difference in the lives of our students.
If your child missed the dance, ASB will sponsor the next one later in the winter. Be on the look out for ways to get involved.
Support our Staff with Amazon Wish List
If you are able to donate an item or two from our school's Amazon Wishlist this year, we'd really appreciate it. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3C630ZESAFCRS?ref_=wl_share
AP EXAMS
AP Exams Registration and Payment Information
Advanced Placement (AP) is a nationwide program designed to academically prepare high school students for higher education. Big Picture is offering two AP classes this year – Calculus and Environmental Science. High school students who are enrolled in these classes and choose to take the exam will use their College Board account to register in class for the May AP exam(s). Once they are registered, they will need to go to BSD’s online payment system to pay for the exam(s) before November 9th. Touchbase
Students who meet performance standards on AP exams may be eligible to receive college credit based on their institutional policies.
*Note that although all students are encouraged to take the AP exam for the class, it is not a requirement for enrollment, high school credit, or grade in the class.
Students needing help with join codes or financial assistance should visit the counseling office.
Students who are self-studying for an AP exam should visit the counseling office for an “exam only” code.
BSD will support families who are experiencing financial hardship by reducing fees for AP Tests with the aim that no student is denied access to AP exams due to financial constraints. Please complete this Scholarship Form by October 30, 2026. BSD will process Scholarship Requests as they are submitted and will email families the results. If a scholarship is awarded, the school accountant will place a reduced fee on the Touchbase account of the student for the exam(s). Payment is due by November 9th.
2027 AP Exam Dates: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/exam-administration-ordering-scores/exam-dates
Important Dates for AP Testing
September 28th -November 9th
Exam registration in class. Shop and Pay is open in Touchbase for AP Exam payments. $109 per exam.
October 30th
Scholarship Form due for students who do not qualify for Fee Waiver Program.
November 18th - March 8th
Late registration. Tests ordered incur $40 late fee levied by College Board. Shop and Pay will charge $149 per exam.
Questions??
Please contact Carmen pongc@bsd405.org or Amy Stephens@bsd405.org
High School Internships
BP High School students are out in the world every Thursday exploring their interests at locations all over the Puget Sound. We are incredibly grateful to have such amazing business partners and mentors supporting our students. And, we are proud of the hard work and courage our students show every day as they navigate the complexities of the world outside of school. Thank you to the high school staff and families for your ongoing support.
Current internship locations this year include:
City of Bellevue Business Operations, HomemadeCooking.com, Bellevue School District Curriculum Development, BBP Art Education, Will Dreher for State Representative, City of Bellevue Department of Transportation, Evergreen Veterinary Hospital, Woodridge Elementary School, Ground Zero Radio, Seattle Pacific University Athletic Training, Cherry Crest Elementary, NOAA/National Weather Service, Winners Sports, The Bellevue Urban Garden, Wheelab, Gellotte Hommas Drivdahl Architecture, BP Media Group, Mercer Island Thrift Store, Sherwood Forest Elementary, ICAN Children Therapy, Brandyn Callahan Glass Art Studio, Bellevue Boys and Girls Club, VIP Family Medicine Clinic, The Museum of Flight, BC XR Lab, David Meyer Game Development, and Sammamish Animal Sanctuary, City of Bellevue Junior Naturalist, The School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts, Spiritridge Elementary School, Sherwood Forest Elementary School, The Joy of Music, Ablaj Sneaker & Clothing Boutique, NOAA Fisheries, Signarama, Sammamish High School Tech Specialist, and Mahlum Architects (the ones who designed our building)
Volunteer Opportunities- We need office volunteers!
Have 1-2 hrs per week to volunteer? Consider joining us in the front office each week to help support greeting students, parents, and visitors, answering phone calls, and making copies. Our office team would greatly appreciate any volunteer support as it's been a lot to get the office up and running in the new building. The BP Volunteer Interest Form is linked here.
There are numerous volunteer opportunities available at Big Picture. Please complete the form indicating your area of interest, if you have a desire to volunteer this year.
Leadership Opportunities:
PTSA Committees– reflections, legislative, staff appreciation, newsletter/website, volunteer coordinator, nominating committee chair, etc.
Office Support Opportunities:
Office Volunteer, Library, Lunch Activity Supervision
School Program Support Opportunities:
Middle School College and Career Exploration– career and college guest speakers, information inter views, job shadows
Project-based Learning– guest speakers connecting academics to real-world work, project contributors partnering with teachers
High School Internship Program– career guest speakers, mock interviews, resume writing, informational interviews, host a job shadow or intern
Classroom volunteers/tutors– classroom, 1:1 student support, tutorial support
Club Jubilee Sports and Activities Volunteer– afterschool support for the middle school club Jubilee program
College Information
- Lake WA Tech Fall Discovery Day is on October 27th
- 2026 Seahawks Community Scholarship is due November 1st. If you are not 18 years old, but meet the other eligibility criteria, your parent/legal guardian may apply on your behalf.
- Sign up to attend a zoom Financial Aid Night for Parents & Caregivers on November 18th
- Black College Expo is on November 14th at Highline College
World Language Competency Credit (WLCC) Testing - 2026-2027 Dates
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:
October 28, 2026 - Newport HS (Registration deadline: October 18)
December 2, 2026 - Bellevue HS (Registration deadline: November 18)
February 3, 2027 - Sammamish HS / International / Big Picture / Bellevue Digital Discovery (Registration deadline: January 24)
March 3, 2027 - Interlake HS (Registration deadline: February 21)
March 9, 2027 - Interlake HS (Overflow) (Registration deadline: February 21)
April 7, 2027 - Make-up at Sammamish (Registration deadline: March 28)
BP Clubs
Interested in joining a club? Check out the website for club meeting dates and locations.
How to Report a Safety Concern
Bullying and safety concerns can always be reported to any staff member at your school. Reporting forms are located in the main office and each classroom. The Bellevue School District also utilizes an anonymous reporting tool called SafeSchools Alert through which anyone can make a verbal or written report of harassment, intimidation or bullying. Information on how to submit a report via any of these methods is available on the district website here
Big Picture PTSA
Interested in joining the BP PTSA? Please check out the PTSA Website.
The PTSA supports our students, staff and families in many amazing ways from classroom enhancement grants and support for school socials/activities to coordinating volunteers, family educational events and staff appreciation to name a few. You can also purchase school spirit wear. We deeply value our partnership with the PTSA and encourage everyone to check out their website to learn more.
- Order BP Spirit wear here: https://bigpictureschool.itemorder.com/shop/sale/
- PTSA membership: https://www.bellevuebpsptsa.org/membership
Questions? Contact Info.
Bethany Spinler, Principal
Maria Frieboes, Assistant Principal
Neeru Madan, Office Manager
Carol Anne Yamamoto, Registrar
Nicky Lekprasert, Attendance
Main Office: 425-456-7800