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Inside Billings
April 9, 2026
| | Our campus is buzzing with energy! Students are actively engaged in their classroom learning while also enjoying the many opportunities to connect through clubs, sports, and shared experiences beyond the classroom. | | Garden Club had their first official meeting last week! They took a tour of the school garden beds and started some seeds to transplant later in May. Next up, students will be clearing the garden beds and testing the soil for nutrient levels. Club meetings are every other Friday at lunch in Frida! The next club meeting is on 4/24. | | Environmental & Sustainability Club is planning an upcoming Walk/Transit/Carpool to School Day for Earth Day 2026. On April 22nd please support your student, if possible, in using an eco-friendly way to get to school. The E&S Club members will be raffling off prizes to those students who participate. If you have any questions leading up to the event please contact Emily. | | |
Culture Club is a space for students to share and learn about cultural heritage. This year, students are focusing on National Heritage Months. So far this year, the club has recognized Black/African American History, Women’s History, and Irish American Heritage. Students design posters and art with people and their contributions who represent each month. Last month, the club distributed 4-leaf clover cut-outs and shamrocks for students to illustrate something unique about them or a symbol of their culture. This month, the club will recognize Arab American Heritage. Next month, they’ll recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander, and Jewish American Heritage; and, in June, Caribbean-American Heritage.
Tennis players competed in their first match of the season this week, enjoying perfect weather at the Walt Hundley Tennis Courts as they faced Explorer West. It was a great start to the season and a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their skills and teamwork on the court. Their next match will take place on 4/22 at 4:00 PM at Chinook Middle School in Bellevue. Go Billings Bears!
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Bowling Club hit the lanes this week for an afternoon of strikes, spares, and plenty of fun with classmates. Students enjoyed spending time together outside the classroom, building friendships and sharing lots of laughs along the way.
Billings’ Spring Dance is coming up soon! This annual event is always a highlight of the spring term, bringing students together for an evening filled with music, laughter, and community. Mark your calendars for May 1, 2026.
| | 🎒 What's Happening at Billings? 📚 | | |
Spring Break is here! We wish all of our families a restful, relaxing, and fun-filled break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed for the rest of the Spring term.
Pinehurst Light Rail News and Updates
With the multiple closures and detours near campus please check for updates on the Pinehurst Light Rail Project page.
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Upcoming Events: 📅
- NO SCHOOL: Spring Break, April 13-17
- Clothing Swap: Friday, April 24
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Spring Reign: April 25-26
- Spring Dance: Friday, May 1
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This is a friendly reminder that there are TWO WEEKS REMAINING to register for the 2026 Billings Summer Camp Programs. The deadline to submit Summer Camp Contracts is Monday, April 20th.
To officially reserve your student’s spot, please complete and return the Summer Camp Contract to the Front Desk as soon as possible. Students can find additional copies of the Summer Camp Contract at the Front Desk with Becca. Exploring the Backcountry is nearly full, but there are still plenty of spots remaining for the other programs!
As a reminder - "Gone Fishing!" will take place July 13–17 and is a five-day program.
If you have any questions or need another copy of the contract, feel free to reach out to Nathan directly.
| | Billings Family Association | | |
Tomorrow’s Planning Meeting for May Faculty Appreciation
Please join us tomorrow 4/10 from 8:30–9:30am to organize faculty appreciation activities for the week of May 11th. If you’re unable to attend but would like to help, let us know.
Neurodiversity Affinity Group Meeting Tue 4/21
On Tuesday, April 21 at 7pm on Google Meet, Billings parent Erika Wright will host a discussion of issues coming up around supporting our neurodivergent children. Psst: It’s not too late to join the group!
Join the Clothing Swap on Fri 4/24
Billings families are invited to participate in a clothing swap! Bring in gently used clothes your middle schoolers have outgrown and “shop” for items that will fit them now. Clothing should be sized Youth 8/M to Adult XL.
Clothing donations can be dropped off at the front desk between Monday, April 20 and Thursday, April 23. The clothing swap will take place on Friday, April 24 at drop-off and pick-up.
SIgn up here to help sort clothes or staff the swap sessions.
And while you’re going through outgrown clothes: The school is looking for donations of ADULT-sized jackets and rain gear for the ExpEd closet. Please label your items “EXPED” and drop them at the Front Office. Thank you to all of the community members who have already donated items!
Invitation to LGBTQ+ Families Spring Social
Are you or your child in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community? You are invited to a potluck hosted by Billings parent Shannon Otto the afternoon of Saturday 4/25! Our goal is to foster intergenerational community relationships and enjoy some good food and fun together. Email Shannon to RSVP.
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We hope all students and families enjoy an adventurous or relaxing spring break next week! School lunch sizes and snack quantities is an important topic to discuss over break. Many of our students are a bit hungry and tired by the afternoon and some ask for extra snacks. Whether they notice or not, they are growing rapidly and a little extra nourishment in their school lunches might make a big difference. Warm & Fuzzy classes with Dean Rob have resumed this term, and this week students reviewed the concept of integrity. Ask your 6th grader about the examples they shared and the comic strip representations they created in class.
With our 7th graders away on their Central Washington trip, we know your homes may be a little quieter (the hallways at Billings are too)! This trip is designed to help prepare students for their first backpacking experience next month. While away, students are building trust and confidence as they belay and climb at The Feathers.
After Spring Break, we’ll begin final preparations for the Baker Lake Backpacking trip on May 6. During this three-day adventure in the North Cascades, students will carry their belongings and work together to navigate both the beauty and challenges of the trail. We’re excited to see this group in action!
| | The 8th graders recently finished up some large tests and projects in their classes. Students have been enjoying their time on campus and have been getting involved in clubs, sports, and other activities. After spring break, please look out for updates regarding the Coast Trip. Students are starting to gear up for a lot of exciting things after break including portfolio conferences, the Coast Trip, and yes, Graduation! | | |
8th grade ELA is reading poetry by Tracy K. Smith, the 22nd Poet Laureate of the U.S. from 2017-2019. We started our study with a journal prompt and lively discussion about Artemis II before reading selections from her Life on Mars. The class read three of her poems, which explore topics about life beyond earth and the tensions between the past and the future. Students use the poetry explication charts we’ve used previously to interpret and analyze how Smith uses poetic devices to convey meaning and theme. We’ll continue our spring study of poetry as we wrap up the week with selections from Langston Hughes.
Over the past few weeks, 7th graders have made amazing progress learning to top-rope belay their peers on our climbing wall. We’re excited to hear about their climbing experiences on real rocks and cliffs when they return from their trip!
Basketball has been the focus in 6th and 8th grade PE. Ask your student athlete about the technique nuances we’ve practiced: ambidextrous finger-tip touch and bent knees when dribbling, flipped thumbs with different types of passes, and using the entire body to shoot effectively.
In 6th grade Math, we just finished our unit on Positive & Negative Numbers. We will dig deeper into algebraic concepts with variables in our next unit, Expressions and Equations. Weekly homework assignments will be a little longer this term with stricter due dates. Delta Math homework is assigned every Wednesday and due the following Monday. There are no homework assignments over break, though students are encouraged to explore the optional enrichment activities on Delta Math if they have time.
With the section changes, Ryan (section A) and Ian (section B) have different groupings this term. We still teach in tandem, with the same content, activities, and enrichment, along with subbing for each other when necessary. By now, we both have a strong sense of every student’s strengths and areas for growth. Please reach out to both of us with any questions!
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Spring 2026 BIPOC Voice Summit
The Art of Becoming: Reshaping Ourselves
and the Spaces We Lead
This retreat creates space for educators to step away from the daily demands of school life to pause, reflect, and reconnect with their leadership during challenging times in which we are caring for students in community with one another. Through community-building, guided reflection, dialogue, and creative practices, participants will explore how intentional, healing-centered leadership can deepen belonging in schools. Facilitators will lead experiences that reconnect participants to their purpose, strengthen relationships, and highlight their impact as educators and administrators. Participants will leave with new insights, resources, and a renewed sense of grounding for their leadership. Join us and learn more about our Presenters.
May 1, 2026
8:30am— 2:30pm
Hamlin Robinson School
1701 20th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144
Free for POCIS NW member schools
RSVP Here by April 20
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Hands-on, social, and screen-free.
Register at squirrellyworkshop.com (spots are limited, invite a friend!).
Located in NE Seattle at: 5414 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105.
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Executive Function Workout!
Join me (Greg: Director of The Learning Center at Billings) for a regular morning EF workout from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM on Mondays. Developing EF, or Executive Function, requires the exercise of the brain in specific ways. Drop in on any Monday morning to share stories and explore strategies for strengthening our EF muscles and by extension, that of our students.
Think of EF (Executive Function) as the CEO of the brain, helping us improve our self-regulation and aid our ability to make both short and long-term plans that enhance our performance in many aspects of our life. At a middle school pragmatic level this includes things like: doing your nightly HW, working on long term projects, or doing chores around the house. This is not a class. This is an opportunity to share collective wisdom. While 30 plus years as a middle school educator has certainly allowed me to garner some wisdom, I am really a facilitator on Monday mornings. Regular attendance is not a prerequisite. I don't need advanced notice. Drop in as you are able.
We will be meeting in person in Mercury during advisory and the beginning of first period. If you do not want to attend in person and prefer Zoom, let me know and I will send you a recurring Zoom link. Masks are not required but can be worn upon request.
And if Monday mornings are not a viable option for you but you want to learn more, don't hesitate to e-mail me, and let's find time to chat 1-1.
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