A Message from the Department of Communications and Community Relations

We are excited to celebrate staff and volunteers in Bellingham Public Schools with our annual Promise Awards, which are tied to the vision, mission, core beliefs, key strategies and outcomes of The Bellingham Promise.

Nominations will be accepted now through 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6. Click here for the online nomination form.   

Nominations may be submitted for:

• Above and Beyond Service Award 

This award is designed to recognize a staff member who models superior service. They work hard to make students, families and staff feel important, respected and exceed expectations daily. Any classified employee in Bellingham Public Schools is eligible.

• Community Partner of the Year

Community partners may be an organization (such as a community nonprofit or parent organization) that provides a volunteer, unpaid service to the school or district.

• Collaboration Award

This award is given to a staff member or team that leads others through partnerships and collaboration. This award is intended for an individual or team that promotes effective partnerships, builds consensus and works to support The Bellingham Promise. Any individual employee or team in Bellingham Public Schools is eligible.

• Compassion and Service Award 

This staff member promotes staff morale and fosters community by building bridges for people to come together both inside and outside of the school. This staff member promotes their school or community through positivity. Any individual employee or team in Bellingham Public Schools is eligible.

• Great Teaching Award

This award recognizes a teacher in our district for exemplary work in teaching Bellingham students. This staff member exemplifies Great Teaching with Strong Support. Any certificated employee in Bellingham Public Schools is eligible.

• Outstanding Leadership Award 

This award is intended for a leader (e.g. principal, assistant principal, director, manager or supervisor) who exhibits commitment and dedication to The Bellingham Promise by supporting all staff and students.

• One Schoolhouse Award

Individuals or teams of staff or volunteers are eligible for this district-level award. The purpose of this award is to recognize those who are advancing the goals of the school system — beyond one classroom and school — for the better for all.

• Volunteer of the Year 

Volunteers may be an individual or team that is not a paid employee and provides a volunteer, unpaid service to the school or district.

Nominations tips and details: 

• Our Promise Award nominations are scored by a committee of former Promise Award recipients, using a scoring rubric. There are no shortage of deserving nominees, but please keep in mind the scorers likely do not know the nominee like you do. Scorers can only give strong scores to nominations that provide strong details and examples.
   
• If multiple staff members desire to put forth the same nominee, consider collaborating on a single nomination form to streamline the process for nominator and scorers. However, staff may submit multiple nominations for one staff member. These nominations will be collected and considered as one nomination for scoring.

Nominations are scored by members of the Promise Awards Advisory Group and award recipients from the previous year, using a scoring rubric based on The Bellingham Promise.

Visit our Promise Awards webpage for awards information and timeline, as well as a list of past Promise Award recipients.

For questions about the Promise Awards, contact the Department of Communications and Community Relations at 360-676-6520 or email margaret.gude@bellinghamschools.org.

Thank you and we look forward to celebrating the exceptional work of our staff and volunteers again this year!