BLAINE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Back toSchool
Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! I am excited to have the opportunity to serve our students, families and staff as your interim superintendent. This school year is going to be exciting as we look to bring the student experience in our schools to the forefront of our focus. In the Blaine School District, every student matters and it will be my foremost goal to work together with each of you to make a difference for our students. Over the course of the coming weeks, I will be sending out information to invite students to participate in a student-superintendent advisory council. We will meet once per month once we get started with the overall goal being to include student voice in the overall school experience.
If you have a desire to volunteer in our schools please don’t hesitate to sign up. Citizens and parents who volunteer, play an important role in our schools and district that enhances the ability of staff to do things that they otherwise could not without this assistance. There are a number of different ways to be involved in our schools that include helping in a classroom, assisting with school events, going on a fieldtrip with your son/daughter or
Dear Students, Families and Community Members,
participating on various committees.
The thought exchange survey that went out to the community at the end of June is complete. The list of items that emerged as key themes that need deeper examination are the following: school merger, student safety, budget and resources, community trust and quality education. The school merger was stopped before it proceeded any further. We will develop plans for the other items that will include more opportunities for community input to help develop effective plans to improve each of the mentioned themes.
Finally, I plan to engage the school district and our stakeholders in a discussion to evaluate and consider the adoption of a policy and procedure around cell phones and social media use on campus during school hours. Having been part of moving a district to adopt an appropriate cell phone use policy and procedure I can tell from first-hand experience the positive impact this move had for everyone but especially our students! Once the policy and procedure were put in place, students interacted with each other much more while engaging in their school work in a more meaningful way.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me at dchaplik@blainesd. org or 360-332-5881.
Dan Chaplik
Interim Superintendent Blaine School District
BLAINE SCHOOL DISTRICT
Back to School 2025-2026
BLAINE HIGH SCHOOL
Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at Blaine High School! Whether you’re returning or joining us for the first time, we’re excited to support you in a year of learning, growth, and opportunity.
At BHS, we remain committed to providing an excellent educational experience that prepares students for life beyond high school—college, careers, the military, or wherever your path leads. Our focus on strong academics, character development, and student well-being ensures every student feels con-
BLAINE MIDDLE SCHOOL
Welcome to a new year of learning and growth at Blaine Middle School! We are excited to see students return on August 27.
Our top priority is building a safe and productive learning space for all students and staff. This year, we are excited to see students form lasting friendships, develop leadership skills, and take pride in being an important part of our school community.
Academically, our focus is on strengthening skills in literacy and mathematics. In literacy, we’re working on fluency, vocabulary, comprehension,
nected, challenged, and cared for.
We’re also pleased to welcome Chris Bolt as our new dean of students. He joins our team with a passion for supporting students both academically and personally.
As always, communication is key. We’ll keep families updated through our website, ParentSquare, and social media. Please make sure your contact info—especially your email—is current.
This year, we continue to emphasize resilience.
Challenges are part of growth. Keep showing up, ask for help when needed, and trust in your ability to succeed. We believe in you.
If you have any questions or concerns, reach out any time:
eeide@blainesd.org
cbolt@blainesd.org
Thank you for trusting in Blaine High School. Go Borderites!
and citing strong textual evidence—all with the goal of helping students read at or above grade level. In math, we want students to apply their foundational skills like surface area, volume, ratios, and linear equations to solve real-world problems.
Behaviorally, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports set clear, consistent expectations throughout the school. This helps ensure our campus is safe, positive, and predictable, with supports in place to help students make good decisions.
At the heart of our school culture we ask for three simple commitments:
• Care of yourself: Be responsible and prepared.
• Care of others: Show kindness and respect.
• Care of the community: Keep shared spaces safe and clean.
Additionally, students participate in “Four Houses Under One Roof” activities that help students feel connected across grade levels, building a strong sense of belonging. Students will participate in yearlong house and nest activities fostering meaningful connections.
Together, these values shape the kind of school where students can truly thrive.
BLAINE VIRTUAL LEARNING AND BLAINE HOMECONNECTION
Blaine Virtual Learning Program (BVL). This program offers a flexible, alternative way to learn, tailored to meet the diverse needs of our students. Using the Enginuity Curriculum, a proven and comprehensive educational platform, our online program provides high-quality instruction in a variety of subjects. Whether a student needs a more personalized learning pace, has a unique schedule, or simply thrives in a digital environment, this program is designed to help them succeed.
The program provides instructor-led online courses to students. BVL presents students with an interactive learning experience, not a textbook online. Full Time students are required to spend twenty-eight (28) hours per week working on their online coursework while being monitored by a Written Student Learning Plan. Admission to the program occurs quarterly, and the BVL curriculum mirrors the scope and sequence of content taught in the Blaine School District.
Numbers to remember
Administrative Offices (360) 332-5881
While we still believe in face-to-face instruction for the vast majority of our students. This program is intended to meet specific needs for specific students and families. We invite you to inquire about this exciting offering by visiting the Blaine High School website, where you’ll find a survey and application.
Blaine HomeConnection (BHC). This program is a K-8 ALE (Alternative Learning Experience) model that provides basic education to students. ALE can be defined as courses or grade-level coursework where some or all of the instruction for the courses takes place independent from the regular or classroom setting. The intent of ALE is to ensure that students have educational opportunities designed to meet their individualized needs.
At HomeConnection, families work with a certificated teacher to develop a WSLP (Written Student Learning Plan) to support each student’s individualized academic needs. Each student enrolled
Pt. Roberts Primary School (360) 945-2223
Blaine Primary School (360) 332-1300
Blaine Elementary School (360) 332-5213
Blaine Middle School (360) 332-8226
in Blaine HomeConnection is required to make two-way weekly contact with a certificated teacher. In addition, a monthly evaluation is completed to determine satisfactory or unsatisfactory progress each month.
Supplemental multi-age classes are offered on HomeConnection’s campus on Tuesdays that allow students to connect to both certificated staff and peers. This year supplemental classes are offered in the following areas: science, experiential learning, social studies, and art.
We invite you to inquire about BHC by visiting blainesd.org and clicking HomeConnection under the schools tab and access our interest survey. We are hoping to expand HomeConnection to Point Roberts and encourage families there to inquire about programming and partnerships. It is a pleasure to serve the students of our community and as always “it’s a great day to be a Borderite!”
Blaine High School (360) 332-6045
Blaine HomeConnection (360) 332-0483
Family Service Center (360) 332-0740
Special Education (360) 332-5881
District Schedule Hotline (360) 332-0789
Transportation (360) 332-0700
Attendance Reporting (360) 332-0393
New Student Enrollment (360) 332-0396
Beth Eide Principal Blaine High School
Darren Benson Principal Blaine Middle School
Scott Ellis Principal Blaine Virtual Learning and Blaine HomeConnection
Dare to Dream at Blaine Elementary School!
As we begin the 2025-2026 school year, the spirit of possibility is alive and well at Blaine Elementary. Our theme this year, Dare to Dream, invites every student, staff member, and family to dream boldly, pursue ambitious goals, and believe deeply in the potential within us and within our community.
I am excited to welcome the voices of our staff, students, and families as we explore how, when we dream together, we can create the future. To dare to dream means to imagine a brighter tomorrow and to act with intention and purpose to make those dreams real. We know there is work
BLAINE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Welcome to the 2025–26 School Year at Blaine Primary!
Welcome to a brand-new school year! We are excited to return as Blaine Primary—home to our youngest learners in preschool through 2nd grade. As we return to our familiar name and space, we carry forward a strong sense of purpose, connection, and joy.
My name is Michelle McKeown, and I’m honored to serve as the principal of Blaine Primary. This is my 21st year in the Blaine School District, and I remain deeply committed to our students,
ahead, but we also have hope and a shared commitment to rise to the challenge.
We are fortunate to have an amazing team of educators and support staff whose dedication to our students is unmatched. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence drive everything we do. Each day, they go above and beyond to create a safe, engaging, and challenging learning environment where every child can thrive. This year, we are also excited to welcome Mr. Chaplik as our new interim superintendent. His student-centered leadership and fresh perspective will strengthen and support the incredible work our staff does every day, helping us
dream bigger and achieve more for our students. Personally, I am honored to step into the role of principal after serving as assistant principal. I look forward to deepening partnerships with staff and families as we build on our strengths, act with purpose, and dare to dream big for our students.
At Blaine Elementary, we believe learning thrives in collaboration. This year, we invite families to dream with us, stay engaged, and help us shape a joyful, connected, and inspiring school experience for all.
Here’s to a year of dreaming, doing, and daring together.
families, and staff. I’m joined by Linsey Pike, our assistant principal, and together we are proud to lead a team of passionate educators who are focused on creating safe, engaging, and nurturing learning environments for all children.
At Blaine Primary, we believe in the power of relationships. Our work is grounded in helping every child feel seen, valued, and inspired to grow. From classroom routines to outdoor play, we strive to build a strong foundation for academic and social-emotional success.
Our staff has been working hard to prepare
classrooms where curiosity and kindness are celebrated. We can’t wait to welcome your child and partner with you for a joyful start to the year.
Stay tuned to ParentSquare for important updates and ways to get involved. We look forward to reconnecting with returning families and getting to know those new to our community.
On behalf of our entire Blaine Primary team, thank you for trusting us with your child’s learning journey. We’re so glad you’re here—and we can’t wait for the year ahead!
Welcome Back to a New School Year!
As we begin this new school year, our district is filled with excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to partner with our families, staff, and community in supporting the success of every student. This year, we remain deeply committed to creating learning environments where all students feel a strong sense of belonging, have equitable access to high-quality education, and can reach their full potential—not only academically, but also in feeling happy, confident, and proud of who they are and what they accomplish.
We are proud to offer a wide range of programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of our learners—highlighting a few: supports for our multilingual learners that honor and celebrate the richness of every language and culture while devel-
oping the skills needed to thrive academically; special education services that provide individualized support and inclusive practices to ensure students with disabilities have the tools and opportunities to succeed alongside their peers; and highly capable programming that challenges and inspires students who demonstrate advanced abilities, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a love of learning. These offerings, while not limited to the examples above, reflect our ongoing dedication to ensuring every student feels both successful and proud of their growth. We encourage families to explore the teaching and learning links on our district website to learn more about these and other opportunities available to our students.
This year, we are building on these foundations to offer robust learning opportunities that promote
inclusivity, expand access, and prepare students for a rapidly changing world. Our staff is dedicated to ongoing professional growth, collaboration, and the use of innovative teaching strategies to meet each student where they are—so that every learner can end the year feeling accomplished, connected, and joyful in their journey.
We believe that when we work together—families, educators, and the broader community—every student benefits. We invite you to engage with us, share your ideas, and celebrate the milestones and successes ahead.
Here’s to a year filled with curiosity, growth, connection, and achievement. Together, we will make this a year of belonging, access, and opportunity for every learner in our schools!
Michelle McKeown Principal Blaine Primary School
Jessie Hettinga Principal Blaine Elementary School
Lindsay Nowakowski Director Special Programs
Back to School 2025-2026
Calendar 2025-26
*NOTE: 1-Hour Late Start on Wednesdays, unless noted.
27 First Day of School for Students (Late Start)
Blaine School District Transportation Department
Welcome back Borderites!
The wheels on the bus are ready to roll and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome our students and families back for another great school year!
Your student’s bus route information will be found on Skyward Family Access. If you’re new to Blaine School District, have moved, or your student’s transportation needs have changed, please visit www.blainesd.org/page/transportation and click “Request Bus Transportation.”
Some routes, bus stops, and times have changed, so please pay close attention to your student’s busing information in Skyward Family Access. If you have questions or concerns, please email transportation@blainesd.org or call (360) 332-0700.
WELCOME BACK
Athletics is determined to continue its rise in the WIAA Scholastic Cup, building on three consecutive years of improvement. By heightening standards in the classroom, preparation for competition, and on the field of play, the program is fostering student-athletes who excel in all areas. Beyond academics and athletics, Blaine Athletics is committed to developing people of character. Servant leadership is a cornerstone of the program, with athletes encouraged to lead by example, support their teammates, and give back to their school and community. By prioritizing
teamwork, integrity, and accountability, we strive to prepare its students not only for success in competition but also for meaningful lives beyond sports.
To keep up to date on schedules, scores, and stories from Blaine Athletics, follow us online at our athletics website at www.borderitesathletics.com and/or download our athletics app. Go Borderites!
This Special Section is brought to you by The Northern Light and these community-minded sponsors.
Food Services
Blaine School District follows the National School Lunch Program in tandem with OSPI. For the 2025-2026 school year, our students in the Primary and Elementary school sites (TK- 5th grade) qualify for free breakfast and lunch. A Free and Reduced Application and a Consent to Share form need to be completed. Parents/ Guardians can access the application through Family Access or can get a paper application from the child’s building. We are looking forward to a great year serving our students!
Blaine
Chas Kok Athletic Director