Principal's Update

As most of you know, my current position as principal has been interim for the past year and a half. Today I notified the staff that after much consideration, I have made the difficult decision to move back into the classroom rather than apply for the position permanently. Please know that this was a very difficult decision for I have so enjoyed getting to know all of our Bellview students and families; I just don’t think I am ready to say goodbye to a career in the classroom. I truly feel blessed to have had this experience and know that the knowledge and skills I have gained will make me a better teacher. I look forward to continuing to serve and develop relationships with our Bellview students.

I can’t thank you enough for all the support you have given me; this past year could have been so much more challenging without the positive attitudes of our staff, students and families. I feel cared for and appreciated each and every day and for that, I am forever grateful. Of course, I will remain in this role for the remainder of the school year and will continue to serve the Bellview community in every way that I can. I love this school and I am so proud to be a part of this Bobcat family!

Of course this brings up the question of, who will be stepping into this role? I am overjoyed to tell you that Christine McCollom has agreed to return to Bellview as principal. It was much easier to make my decision knowing that she would be willing to come back to us. Working under her for most of my teaching years was a pleasure and I look forward to working under her leadership once more. I think deep in her heart she knows, “Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat!”

It is my great joy to have the privilege to return to the Bellview Family as Principal again in the fall. In July of 2020, I left Bellview to step into an interim district support role, knowing that I was leaving you all in the excellent and capable hands of Lindsay Gates. I will be forever grateful to Lindsay for taking such great care of our kids, staff and community during what is hands down the most difficult period of education that I have ever experienced. She is a phenomenal educator and I am so glad that Lindsay will be remaining with us in the classroom, where her passion for students and teaching is so evident. It has been a tremendous learning experience to get to work in the Ashland School District in a different role, and to get to know and work with others in a different capacity. I look forward to bringing those experiences with me as I continue to learn and grow as an educator, and support the Bellview family.

While I have appreciated many things about the role I have been in, I have missed the students, staff and families at Bellview tremendously! It was such a hard decision to step away from the school environment and I feel incredibly blessed to be returning. I look forward to seeing many familiar faces and getting to know all of the new ones! My love for Bellview runs deep- I first began as principal there in 2006, so this feels like a homecoming. I can’t wait to learn from and with you all again next year. As Lindsay said, “Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat”!

Christine McCollom

Ashland Schools

Director of Programs and Instruction

Pronouns: She/Her/ Hers

Mission: Bellview values diversity, builds essential skills, and fosters relationships to empower our students to become capable, independent, lifelong learners

Email: lindsay.gates@ashland.k12.or.us
Location: 1070 Tolman Creek Road, Ashland, OR, USA
Phone: 541-482-1310