April 2008

From Heidi Alford, BCS Director

As many of you have heard and read, the Bellingham Cooperative School is in the position to buy the 2.2 acre property and school buildings occupied since 1982. This is a one-time opportunity and by letting this opportunity pass by, the long-term vision for the school at its current location could be lost forever.

Help Us Grow BCS

It's spring, the time for sowing seeds and growing gardens. It's time to GROW BCS! In order to preserve our school's long-term future, we need to immediately raise $5,000 to complete a wetland delineation and survey and then raise $75,000 for the school's down payment.

This is a Cooperative School, a Community School, and we need a cooperative, community effort to insure the viability of the school to continue to exist and serve the children of Bellingham. The magic in the farmhouse and the trenches and the grassy knolls that somehow transforms children into exuberant, passionate, and interesting people needs to remain an option for education in Whatcom County.

How You Can Help

Please give; give money; give time; if you have experienced BCS, give testimonials for why BCS needs to remain where it is for the sustainability of this community. Several BCS alumni have already come forward with generous donations to help to save their school. Consider the following levels of giving:

Friends of BCS Levels of Giving:

The Bending Tree Council $150,000 or more
       (investment in a parcel of land)
The Community Garden Council $50,000-$150,000
The Trenches Circle $25,000-$49,9999
The Stage and Theatre Circle $10,000-$25,000
The Green Machine Club $1,000- $9,999
The Connelly Creek Salmon Club $100-$999

BSC Serves the Whole Communty

Owning this property will secure the long-term vision for BCS. In addition, the GROW BCS Capital Campaign will let BCS serve the community by:

• holding weekend workshops and retreats
• introducing lifelong learners to the arts of writing, the science of salmon, woodworking, sewing, and more
• expanding our home school support program, with a certified teacher assisting parents and providing enrichment opportunities in a secular setting.

We thank you for your help. Now go out, and tell the story of BCS! Feel free to contact me with any questions or offers to help by emailing growbcs@comcast.net, or by calling 360.733.1024. Donations can be sent to 'Grow BCS,' 2710 McKenzie Avenue, Bellingham WA 98225.

It's Time to GROW BCS!

Heidi Alford, School Director,
and The Bellingham Cooperative School Board:
   Paul Brainard
   Steve Choat
   Kristina Daheim
   Sally Farrell
   Nicole Oliver
   Wendy Scherrer

Bellingham Cooperative School is registered as a charitable organization with the Office of the Washington Secretary of State.