Kulshan Connect
April 15, 2022
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Kulshan Spring Sports!
We have had an amazing start to our Spring Sports. Schedules and information about each sport can be found here. Still want to register? Registration is open on Final Forms. Questions? Please reach out to Lisa Scott, our Athletics Registrar. This spring we are offering:
- Unified Soccer - open to all grades, all genders
- Cross Country - open to all grades, all genders
- Football - 7th and 8th grade, all genders
- Girls Basketball - open to all grades
Last Chance! Lost and Found Clean Up
State Testing this Spring
May 4 - 6 (Wed, Thurs + Fri): All grades ELA
May 12 - 13 (Thurs + Fri): All grades Math
May 6: Save the Date!
Our Kulshan Art students will be displaying art at the Allied Arts Gallery downtown on Cornwall near the Pure Bliss dessert shop. Art will be on display May 6 for the Children’s Art Walk and for a couple weeks following the opening event. Mark your calendar!
Free COVID Tests
Testing before returning to school after Spring break can help our community stay healthy. At-home rapid tests are available to families and staff on a weekly basis. Please come to your school’s front office to pick up tests. Testing continues to be available for staff and students at our schools and the Family Resource Center at Shuksan Middle School each school day from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The testing center will be closed over Spring Break.
Do you have questions about lice?
Lice have been around for thousands of years, and they are always in our community and schools. Head lice move by crawling; they cannot hop or fly. Head lice are spread by direct contact with the hair of a person with a lice infestation. Anyone who comes in head-to-head contact with someone who already has head lice is at greatest risk. Spread by contact with clothing (such as hats, scarves, coats) or other personal items (such as combs, brushes, or towels) is uncommon. Everyone should do their best to keep an eye out for lice. Doing weekly comb-outs or lice checks on your household members is a great way to avoid an infestation. If you do find nits (eggs) or live lice, regular combing and nit-picking is an effective way to treat them. Please start treatment right away. We don’t exclude students from school due to nits or lice. Here is more information on finding and treating lice.
(NEW) Spring Music Clubs
Drumline will be after school every Tuesday in the Band Room starting March 22nd. Ukulele Club will be after school on Thursdays in the Orchestra Room starting March 24th. You do not need to have any musical experience or be in any music class to join. Both clubs are open to ALL STUDENTS and all instruments will be provided (though you are welcome to bring your own ukulele if you would like). If you have any questions, email Ms. Petaia or come chat with her in the music rooms before or after school.
Mental Health for Teens
Idle Free Pick Up
Idle Free Pick-up at Kulshan: Did you know that idling your car for 10 minutes can put a pound of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? As you pick up your students from school or practice and are waiting in your car, we ask that you refrain from idling cars. Thanks for helping us preserve healthy air for our kids while putting less carbon in the air!
WCHD Vaccine Clinics
Our Whatcom County Health Department continues to offer clinics and pop up clinics throughout Whatcom County. Check out all of the dates and locations. For some of the clinics, they are offering $50 gift cards for people getting a first or second dose. Yay!
Homework Club Snacks Needed
New District Calendar
Attendance Office Reminders
Human Growth and HIV Lessons
Our Kulshan PE teachers will be sharing out the Human Growth and Development and HIV lessons that we will be teaching this Spring. Washington State requires HIV/AIDS prevention education for all students, and families are often curious about the materials and information that will be shared with students. Our PE teachers teach specific lessons which can be previewed here. As always, families may opt their child out of these Human Growth and Development & HIV/AIDS lessons. Please let your child's PE teacher know in writing if that is your choice. Thank you!
Free Family Podcasts
We care about your family and want to help you stay strong together.
We will share about protecting youth against substance abuse. Children and youth do best at home, school and with friends when their parents use both love and limits. The better you are at setting limits and showing love and caring the more likely it is your child will get through the teen years without getting into serious trouble.
Now Hiring!
Have you considered becoming a substitute or school volunteer? Our district is dedicated to keeping schools open and operational, but we need YOU! Being a substitute offers flexibility and helps support our schools, staff and Bellingham’s children in fulfilling The Bellingham Promise. We are currently accepting applications for substitute teachers, emergency certified substitute teachers, paraeducators, bus drivers, warehouse/delivery drivers, custodians, nurses, food service staff and office personnel. Join us!
Social Media Accounts
Have you seen concerning social media pages related to Kulshan students? Please report accounts to Instagram if the accounts are bullying or harassing or otherwise violating Instagram terms of service. This step is easy and anonymous. Send information, tips, or concerns regarding a safety issue in our schools by texting or calling 844-310-9560 or by visiting bellinghamschools.org/safe for confidential, anonymous, two-way communication with our safety staff.
Safe Schools Zone
This fall, contractors installed security cameras inside and outside of several of our schools, including KMS. This project was approved by voters in our community as part of the 2018 school facilities bond. Security cameras will help us maintain the health, welfare and safety of students, staff and visitors. For more information, see policy 6610.
Support for Tribal Affiliated Students
Did you know we have over 400 students in our district with tribal affiliation? Lummi Behavioral Health can serve students with ANY tribal affiliation/status. Here is the interest link for starting MH services with Lummi Behavioral Health. If you are interested or have questions please talk to your school counselors:Michelle Strobel, Lacey Bachman, or Aaron Tiger.
College Bound Application
Did you know college is free for qualifying families? Middle school is the only time that families can sign up for the College Bound Scholarship Program. The College Bound Program covers the average cost of tuition, some fees, and a small book allowance at over 65 Washington State colleges, universities and technical schools. Please fill out our district Free and Reduced Lunch Form to apply. Please let your KMS counseling team know if you have any questions.
LGBTQ Support for Families and Youth
Kulshan Contacts
Kevin Terpstra, Assistant Principal
Tatiana Samora, Registrar Я говорю на русском языке.
Jeneen Durand, Attendance Secretary
Elsa Powell, Family Liaison Hablo español.
Kulshan Middle School 1250 Kenoyer Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 360-676-4886
City of Bellingham hosts local activities for Earth Week 2022
Join the City of Bellingham in celebrating this year’s global Earth Day theme of “Invest In Our Planet” with a week of local activities during April 17-23, 2022. The City is hosting free activities for all ages to honor our planet, including a volunteer work party at Fairhaven Park to help restore Padden Creek, an art project at the Lightcatcher Building – help us populate a giant globe with animal life, Earth Day themed online Children’s Storytimes for kids ages birth to five years and an Essence of Bellingham photo contest. Submit your climate action photos for a chance to win the Climate Action Award! A full list of events with details can be found on the City’s website at cob.org/earthday2022.