School officials unsure when, where classes will resume for Whatcom students

KIRA COX - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

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BELLINGHAM - School is canceled for Whatcom Middle School students and staff until at least Thursday, Nov. 12, giving Bellingham School District officials time to work out the details of temporarily housing students elsewhere in the district.

Whatcom students and staff are being relocated due to a three-alarm fire that burned the top floor of the three-story building Thursday, Nov. 5 and caused much of the roof to collapse.

All Whatcom parents, guardians and students are invited to a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in the Bellingham High School theater. District officials will share information about student placements and transporation and answer questions at that time. The meeting is only for Whatcom families.

Share your memories of Whatcom Middle School

There are 55 staff working in the school and 580 students who attend from a variety of areas in Bellingham, including the Columbia, Cornwall Park, Lettered Streets, Silver Beach and Roosevelt neighborhoods.

District officials spent much of Thursday discussing options, however details and plans were "still in flux," said Tanya Rowe, spokeswoman for the Bellingham School District.

There is a priority to keep as many students together as possible, potentially by grade level.

"In times of crisis, it is important for all of us to pull together," said acting Superintendent Sherrie Brown. "Our staff throughout the district and our community have been incredible in their offers of support and their desire to be part of the solution during this difficult time. We are extremely grateful."

If school resumes Thursday, students will have missed only four days of instruction because Wednesday, Nov. 11, is a district holiday for Veterans Day.

No other details were released Thursday. For updates, to go bsd501.org.