The staff at Bear Creek Elementary extends a warm welcome to each of you. It is important to us that every student, staff member, and parent feels valued and welcomed in our school. We hope this is conveyed by a genuine feeling of warmth and friendliness, from the office to the playground to the classroom.

Knowing that our children will enter a work force that will be different from the one we entered as young adults, it is our goal to provide a strong academic foundation upon which they can build their future. Washington State and Northshore School District standards have made clear what students should be learning. In addition to mastery of basic skills, students must show they can reason, solve problems, analyze data, apply their knowledge, think creatively and conduct research. Classroom lessons that actively engage and challenge the students, as well as authentic integration of the curriculum, are key factors that give meaning to the learning that takes place at Bear Creek.

Bear Creek Elementary emphasizes working together to create an inclusive learning environment. Our school benefits from partnerships with Bear Creek Parent Teacher Association, Alliance of Bear Creek Community and many other community organizations. Outstanding teachers, coupled with excellent community support, are creating a robust learning environment that challenges and supports all students.

Gary Keeler, Principal

The mission of Bear Creek Elementary is to provide a learning environment in which all students achieve high academic standards and are prepared to be productive citizens in a diverse democratic society.

 During the 2009-10 school year, Bear Creek Elementary will focus on developing understandings and practices that improve math and literacy instruction. Our staff inservices and professional development include:

• Implementation of new Math Expressions adopted materials. August inservice days were dedicated to researching and learning about best practices in math.
• Continued staff discussions and plans for enriching our Professional Learning Community. Strengthening staff collaboration and cooperation to continually improve learning opportunities for all students.
• Inservices and support for new district assessments for math and reading. Understanding structural tips for testing delivery and analysis strategies for digging into data and its implications for student learning.
• Teachers are attending workshops on how to fully integrate reading, writing and word study during a blended and integrated literacy instructional block.
• Pathways: The principals of the feeder schools for Timbercrest (Cottage Lake, East Ridge, Hollywood Hill, Sunrise and Bear Creek) are meeting this year to discuss specific areas of concern or skill gaps, instructional practices and resources that can be utilized to support elementary to jr. high transition.
• Ongoing staff learning meetings for how to differentiate instructions to meet the diverse needs of learners.
• Staff Book Groups to explore and investigate key questions that arise during our professional development work.

Bear Creek Elementary was built in 1988.  Thanks to the hard work of our head custodian Lon Ruff, our school is in spectacular condition.  Unique features of Bear Creek Elementary include:

• Fourteen general education classrooms
• Four Elementary Advanced Placement classrooms
• Science lab
• Computer lab
• Learning center support classroom
• Large gym with functioning stage
• Full service kitchen
• Large school library
• Music room
• Before and after school YMCA child care
• Large playground with diverse play options for students
• Large covered play area

Bear Creek Elementary has a rich history of working with parents and community members as partners in education.  Our extended school community enriches the lives and learning opportunities for students through a variety of collaborative efforts.  Volunteers work in classrooms, assist on field trips, help at special school events, share their talents or special interests, tutor in extended day learning programs and assist in the library.  Our staff believes that ongoing communication between school and home is critical in increasing student learning.  Student progress is reported to parents in November, March, and June.

Cost to Educate a Child for One Day