Bellevue Big Picture School News
Nov 3, 2026
Upcoming Events
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 4- A week Wednesday- HIGH SCHOOL
Nov 4 - PROWL Shop starts for MIDDLE SCHOOL
Nov 4- HS Panorama survey in advisory
Nov 6- MS Panorama survey in advisory
Nov 6- Architect Conference Tour of Building
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 (2:10 pm)
Nov 11- No School- Veteran's Day
Nov 12- Modified Middle School Schedule (7 periods)
Nov 17- Innovation Family Engagement Night- 6:30-7:30 pm
Nov 18- B week Wednesday- HIGH SCHOOL
Nov 20- Chemistry Escape Rooms- Community Event at BP
Nov 21- PTSA Panther Makers and Bakers Market 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Nov 25- A Week Wednesday- HIGH SCHOOL
Nov 26,27- Thanksgiving- No School
Dec 8- Enrollment Information Night- Middle School 2027-28
Dec 10- Enrollment Information Night- High School 2027-28
Dec 11- Middle School Theater Arts Performance- Readers Theater- 7:00 pm
Dec 21-Jan 1- Winter Break- No School
Jan 6, 7- Enrollment Information Nights
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.
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
Join the Big Picture Student Ambassador Team! Help us recruit the next class of Big Picture Panthers!
Greetings BP Middle and High School Students-
Want to help future Panthers see what life at Big Picture is like? Join the Student Ambassador Team to represent our school, share your story, and help new students feel welcome! You’ll lead tours, answer questions on student panels, share internship experiences, support Big Picture Open Houses, represent Big Picture on elementary and middle school visits, and brainstorm ideas for social media. We’ll provide training so you feel ready to welcome visitors and share your Big Picture experience. Plan to participate in 2–4 evening events, 2–4 school visits at elementary or middle schools, and hosting prospective students on tours of Big Picture. You can earn community service hours while building leadership and communication skills and connecting with other students. Bring your ideas, be yourself, and help welcome the next class of Big Picture Panthers! If you are interested in learning more and joining the team, complete this form by November 3rd Big Picture Student Ambassador Team Sign-Up – Fill out form.
We’ll follow up shortly after Nov 3 to let you know if you’ve been selected for the team and when the training will occur.
Excited to launch our Student Ambassador Team this year!
Innovation Family Engagement Night- Nov 17th 6:30-7:30 pm
Come learn more about upcoming changes for our school program for next year. Our innovation team (comprised of staff, students, and parents) has been working for the past few years to research and design new features for our school program, including a shift to interdisciplinary courses, more student interest-driven projects, competency-based grading and assessment, and more internship days. We will begin phasing in these changes next school year. Our team has held several family and student meetings and focus groups throughout the course of our planning the last couple of years and are excited to engage families this year. Please join other BP families to learn more about our changes and to share your questions and feedback with our design team.
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
Volunteer Opportunities- We need office/library 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. We're also getting ready to get our library in the LTI Hub set up now that the shelving has arrived. If you're interested in supporting students checking out books during lunch or before school, please let us know. The BP Volunteer Interest Form is linked here. Or, email Hillary Macdonald at macdonaldh@bsd405.org
Other Ways to Volunteer at School
Hello BP Families,
Our BP community needs you!
- Field Trip Chaperones
- Panel Speakers
- Project Judges
- Internship Mentors
- And...More!
Get "volunteer ready" by completing this quick & easy background check!
Background Check Instructions
Please complete the 2-step background clearance process. If you already have an account and clearance with Sterling Volunteers, you can share that clearance with the Bellevue School District.
- Go to Volunteer – Bellevue School District (bsd405.org)
- Open the Athletics, Activities, Internship Mentors, & PTSA Volunteers section .
- Click the green Athletics and Activities Volunteer button.
- Select "Big Picture School" under Choice Schools for Preferred Location.
- Choose "Admin" for School Contact Type.
- Enter "Bethany Spinler" as the School Contact Name.
- Fill out the remaining information and complete the form.
Next steps:
- You'll receive an email from Sterling Volunteers with a link to complete the background check process. Check your spam folder if it doesn't arrive.
- Complete the background check promptly. The school district covers the cost, though you can pay if you wish.
- Sterling Volunteers will provide a secure account to view your report. They run a criminal background check only; no credit information is requested.
- The school gets notified of successful background checks within a few days, but they see no personal information.
If you have any questions or experience difficulties with the process, please don't hesitate to contact Hillary MacDonald at macdonaldh@bsd405.org .
Holiday Season Attendance
Did you know students only attend school for less than half of the year?
There are only 180 days of school each year. The rest of the year is peppered with days and weeks off to visit with family and friends.
So, please, as you make your holiday travel plans:
- Use only non-school days for travel, holiday celebrations, and visiting with family and friends
- If traveling, make sure that your plans allow for️ flight delays and️ inclement weather
- Allow your student time to rest and get back on schedule for a day or two before school starts again
Every day of school is an important opportunity for students to learn and connect with classmates and teachers.
Research shows that even two absences a month (whether excused or unexcused) can put a student behind in their learning.
Strive for Five! Attend 5 days a week and have fewer than 5 absences in a semester.
College Information
- Young Explorers Club is hiring after school STEM TAs & Camp Counselors
- Virtual UC Night for students on November 4th
- UW Common App & STARS webinar on November 4 & 10
- Need volunteer hours? Jubilee REACH needs help!
- UW Dental Dawgs is a free hands-on program for high school students interested in dental careers. Applications are due Nov 15
- 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