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Western Washington University students receiving federal financial aid will be able to receive the same amount of aid if the sequester occurs, as the school has pledged to use reserve funds to offset any possible cuts.
The automatic, across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester could go into effect Friday, March 1. For college students using federal financial aid, that could mean less money for school.
The school will draw on its reserves to keep students at their current aid levels through the end of this year and for 2013-14.
Here’s what WWU President Bruce Shepard had to say in a news release:
“The increasing likelihood of federal budget cuts is occurring at a time critical to our students and their families. Western students – those continuing and those anticipating coming — and their families are making financial plans for the next academic year. Western is also in the midst of awarding financial aid. Western is acting today to seek to lessen some of the uncertainty students and families may be feeling,” Shepard said. “This is the right thing to do. The university is strongly committed to our students’ success, and is constantly looking for ways to enhance access and affordability.”
I’m working on a more detailed story about this issue and whether other local colleges will be doing the same for their students.
In case you missed my story about the “No Trespassing” sign across from Fairhaven Middle School that makes indirect gun threats, you can read it here.
Here’s a photo of the sign. A lot of commenters are saying that it’s the property owner’s right and much ado about nothing. What do you think?
The presidents of Washington’s public universities have offered to freeze tuition for the next two years if the Legislature will restore $225 million in state funding to higher ed, according to The Seattle Times.
Tuition has skyrocketed at state universities over the past few years; in-state tuition at the University of Washington is nearly twice what it was five years ago, according to the article. But the state is predicting a $900 million shortfall for the next biennium, so that $225 million may be difficult to find.
Read the full article here.
Do you think it’s a valid proposal?
No. 2 pencils, glue sticks and backpacks are among the school supplies being sought for needy students in Ferndale schools.
Officials for the Ferndale School District, which is once again sponsoring the school supply drive, said donations have been slow coming in this year.
Last year, more than 500 students in grades K through 12 received school supplies, thanks to the drive.
Supplies will be distributed Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Vista Middle School to qualifying students.
School supplies may be dropped off in Ferndale at:
- Ferndale School District Office, 6041 Vista Drive.
- Ferndale Library, 2007 Cherry St. at First.
- Whatcom Educational Credit Union, 5659 Barrett Road.
- Ferndale Community Resource Center, 5694 Second Ave.
Other needed supplies include colored pencils, wide and thin markers, pencil boxes, loose-leaf paper, spiral notebooks, pencil sharpeners, ballpoint pens, yellow highlighters and dry-erase markers.
Donations of money also will be accepted. Send them to Ferndale Family Community Fund, c/o Alicia Roberts, FCC Special Events Coordinator, P.O. Box 698, Ferndale, Wash., 98248.
For more information, go online to www.ferndale.wednet.edu. Or contact Alicia Roberts at alicia.roberts@fsd.k12.wa.us or 360-410-7285
Northwest Park and Recreation District 2 is offering summer learning camps July through August in Blaine and Birch Bay for children who are 7 to 15 years old.
Children can learn about subjects that include biology, geology, ecology, engineering, physics and writing. They also may learn how to play badminton, go fly fishing, take photos and build hot-air balloons.
The next available camp session is the week of July 16-20. The last session is Aug. 20-24.
There also are one-day field trips.
Tutor Doctor is co-sponsoring the camps, and providing many of the instructors.
Camp schedules, costs and registration forms are online at nwparkandrec.org.
Or call 360-656-6416.
More than 700 people showed up at Roosevelt Elementary School the evening of Thursday, May 24, to see student performances and artwork.
It was the Bellingham school’s second annual Children’s Art Festival Extravaganza.
The school’s 430 students each displayed several pieces of art.
Roosevelt also held a dedication ceremony for the Poet Tree — a sculpture created by artist Tony Hermanutz.
Hermanutz donated it to the school.
Whatcom County parents: The Bellingham Herald is interested in how we can better serve you and your children. We hope you’ll take our quick survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3CWT6D6.
Feeling a little down about yourself? Think you need help communicating?
Whatcom Community College is offering free workshops to people who want to feel better about themselves or to improve their communication skills.
The Self-Esteem and Effective Communication Workshop will first be held 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, April 2, at the college, 237 W. Kellogg Road in Bellingham.
The same workshop also will be spread over two evenings, running from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, April 10 and 12, at Whatcom.
The workshop is offered through the college’s Turning Point program.
Registration is required.
To do so, contact Robin Bailey or Nancy Oettel at 360-383-3132.
People have until Thursday, March 15, to apply for a committee to help oversee the design of Birchwood Elementary School, which will be renovated.
Elementary school staff, parents and community members may apply for the Birchwood Elementary School Educational Specifications/Design Advisory Ad Hoc Committee.
The deadline is noon.
Committee members need to be available 12:45 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 20, for the first meeting.
Send applications to Ron Cowan, assistant superintendent for Bellingham School District, 1306 Dupont St., Bellingham, Wash., 98225.
Click here for more information, including the application form. Or call 360-676-6500.
Two workshops at Whatcom Community College will introduce middle-school boys and girls to non-traditional careers.
The March 17 “Guys and Guts” and April 28 “Girls Go Tech” programs will give 11- to 14-year-old students a chance to learn about healthcare and technology respectively.
Both workshops will include hands-on activities led by experts in their field, and run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Syre Student Center at the college, 237 W. Kellogg Road in Bellingham.
Students must register by Monday, March 12, for the “Guys and Guts” workshop, in which participants will learn about jobs that include medical assisting, physical therapy, nursing and emergency response.
The $15 workshop fee covers one middle-school boy and his parent or guardian. The fee is waived for students on the free-reduced lunch program at their schools.
For more information on this workshop, email guysandguts@whatcom.ctc.edu or call 360-383-3195.
A registration form is at available by clicking here.
The registration deadline for the April 28 “Girls Go Tech” workshop is April 13.
Instructors from Whatcom’s Computer Information Systems, Administration of Justice and Visual Communications programs will lead this workshop.
The $10 fee covers one middle-school girl and her parent or guardian. The fee is waived for students on the free-reduced lunch program at their schools.
For more information on this workshop, email girlsgotech@whatcom.ctc.edu or call 360-383-3195.
A registration form is available by clicking here.
Both workshops include information sessions for parents who want to learn more about access to college and professional technical programs offered through Whatcom.
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