Billings iNews: October 8, 2026

Inside Billings

October 8, 2026

🎒 What's New? 📚

Announcements

A reminder that Billings Middle School will not have classes Friday, October 9 or Monday, October 12, for Teacher In-Service. We'll see everyone back on campus Tuesday, October 13!

Starting Friday, October 9, Sound Transit will close the northbound I-5 off-ramp to NE 130th Street (exit 174) and eastbound NE 130th Street for 10 days. This closure will accommodate roadway paving at the intersection of 5th Avenue NE and NE 130th Street. Westbound NE 130th Street (over the I-5 overpass) will remain open. See maps for closure and detour information.

The 2026–27 Annual Fund Is Underway

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last Friday’s kickoff coffee! This week, co-chairs Ben and Theresa Glatstein and I sent a letter to your inboxes sharing what Billings means to us. The Annual Fund supports this year’s operating budget, so every gift directly shapes your child’s experience at Billings right now: our teachers, trips, and programs.

Each grade has its own part in the climb. We invite 6th grade families to join in, 7th grade families to stretch, and 8th grade families to make a Summit Gift, your most meaningful gift to Billings yet. Every gift counts, and participation from every family matters as much as the total.

You can make a gift today or make a pledge and pay any time through June. If your employer matches charitable gifts, please submit a match request. It’s one of the easiest ways to multiply your impact.

Thank you for investing in Billings!

-Nick

Sports

Winter Sports Registration is Open! Please contact our Athletic Director Daniel Shin if you are interested in coaching or volunteering.

Boy's Basketball

Boy's Basketball will start in the first week of November on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Location: Billings Home Gym. Game day transportation is provided to and from Billings. Away games only.
Coach Needed!
Season: November 1st week - January 2nd week.

Girl's Basketball

Girl's Basketball will start in the first week of January on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM
Location: Billings Home Gym. Game day transportation is provided to and from Billings. Away games only.
Coach Needed!
Season: January 1st week - March 1st week.

CO-ED Pickleball and/or Handball

Pickleball will start in the first week of December on Tuesdays or Thursdays from 3:45 PM - 5:15 PM once a week
Location: Billings Home Gym, Shoreview Tennis/ Pickleball Courts, Twin Ponds. Game day transportation provided.
Pickleball is volunteer only. Any and all support is appreciated!
Season: December 1st week - January 2nd week (End week TBD).

Please complete the registration form and concussion waiver (on the back). Once registration is complete and turned in at the front desk either physically or by email, parents will be added to GameChanger via an email invite. GameChanger will be used to share the full schedule for games, as well as provide updates and coach communication. Please install the app to stay connected.

Fall Season Updates

Volleyball:

Upcoming games:

October 13th at HOME 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
October 14th at HOME 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
October 22nd at HOME 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
October 28th at HOME 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM JAMBOREE
We are looking for volunteers to referee/ scoreboard throughout the 3-game Jamboree.

Cross Country:

Cross Country had a nice run in the rain last Tuesday! Upcoming meets:

October 6th Seward Park at 4:00 PM
October 13th Lewis Creek Park at 4:00 PM
October 20th Robinswood Park Playground at 4:00 PM
October 27th Evergreen Playfield Complex at 4:00 PM

Flag Football:

Flag Football will continue to meet weekly on Wednesdays. If you know of any nearby teams that might be interested in a scrimmage please reach out to me. Unfortunately our league does not currently have any co-ed teams, so we're hoping to find some teams to play against.

Billings Family Association

Billings Family Camp 2026

This year’s family camp at Rasar State Park was a huge success. The warm fall weather meant plenty of time at the beach and around the campfire getting to know the wonderful families in the Billings Community. A special shout out to our organizing team Wendy (Bryce 7th), Shannon (Spieck 7th), and Karen (Travis 7th). If you have any feedback, or want to help with next year’s trip, please email familyassoc@billingsmiddleschool.org.

October BFA Meeting Slides

Missed the BFA meeting this week? We heard from Dean of Student Life, Rob Heavner, about creating a supportive community where students can learn and grow and build shared experiences. You can check out the slides and email any questions to familyassoc@billingsmiddleschool.org. The next monthly BFA meeting will be November 9th at 6pm.

Keep up-to-date with our calendar below:

Community Calendar

In the Community:

Stop Managing. Start Mentoring. Raising Strong, Resilient Teens

Parenting teens often means navigating the space between stepping in and stepping back. Tonight's conversation will offer practical strategies for staying connected while helping teens build the confidence and resilience to navigate challenges more independently.

We'll explore how to:

Reduce power struggles while maintaining connection
Set boundaries without sacrificing trust
Help teens build resilience through challenges and mistakes
Navigate conflict with greater calm and confidence
Recognize when to step in and when to step back

Thursday, October 8 | 5:30pm-6:30pm

On Saturday, October 24, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., The Downtown School is hosting their 2nd annual Math Circle for current 7th and 8th graders. Students will spend the morning alongside DTS students and teachers exploring the creative and playful side of math. They can choose to create art with equations in Desmos or dive into puzzles, math games, and hands-on challenges. View the Math Circle flyer here for more information and registration details.

Executive Function Workout!

FEEL THE BURN!

Join me (Greg: Director of The Learning Center at Billings) for a regular Tuesday morning EF workout from 8:30am to 9:30am starting Tuesday, September 15th. Developing EF, or Executive Function, requires the exercise of the brain in specific ways. Drop in on any Tuesday morning, to share stories and explore strategies for strengthening our EF muscles and by extension, that of our students.