MARINER MEMO
02/01-02/04/2022
PRINCIPAL'S NOTE
This week we start up second semester. Student schedules are available in Skyward. If they prefer a printed schedule, a printed copy can be requested in the counseling office. If you have any questions about your schedule, please reach out to the assigned counselor.
Amy Hjelt, Counselor A - D: amy.hjelt@bellinghamschools.org
Jeff Smith, Counselor E-K: jeffrey.smith@bellinghamschools.org
Hana Schutz, Counselor L-Re: hana.schutz@bellinghamschools.org
John Vandermolen, Counselor Rh - Z: john.vandermolen@bellinghamschools.org
We know that many students continue to be out for multiple days due to illness. Please remind students to check Teams and to communicate with staff when absent. If students were out at the end of first semester for final exams or final projects, please be sure to reach out to teachers as soon as possible to make a plan for wrapping up first semester.
First semester grades will be finalized on February 9th with report cards being mailed out shortly after.
Happy Black History Month! We look forward to celebrating black history through a variety of activities this month. We have a group of students and staff putting together many ways to celebrate throughout the month. This year, the theme Black Health and Wellness, acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways in which the Black community has contributed to healthcare.
As always, reach out with any questions, comments, or feedback. Here's to a great 2nd semester!
Sonia Cole
Principal
1 - BLACK HISTORY MONTH
In 1926, when Dr. Carter G. Woodson established Negro History week, he recognized the importance of raising awareness of African Americans’ contributions to history. 50 years later, the week became a month, February, dedicated to Black history. Dr. Woodson intended to highlight the contributions of Black people throughout history, supporting equality and civil rights, while increasing the visibility of Black life and history, at a time when few newspapers, books, and universities took notice of the Black community.
The 2021 theme of Black History Month, Black Health and Wellness, acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways in which the Black community have contributed to healthcare. Examples include:
- James McCune Smith — Teaching your students about the human body and discussing doctors? Consider mentioning Dr. James McCune Smith. Born in 1813, Smith was denied entry into American colleges when he wanted to study medicine — forcing him to go overseas to attain his degree. Returning to the US, Smith became the first Black doctor in America.
- Henrietta Lacks – When talking about human rights, you may want to tell your students about Henrietta Lacks. Suffering from pain, the young Black woman went to a doctor at Johns Hopkins for help in 1951. Lacks was diagnosed with cancer, and her cells were sent off to a lab where they would be stolen by a cancer researcher and used in his research. Lacks’ cells have been credited for being helpful in the development of important medical breakthroughs, including the polio and COVID-19 vaccines, however, the usage of her cells without her consent highlights the racial inequities she faced. In the years since Lacks’ death, both scientists and members of her family have worked to establish stronger rules to govern the use of medical specimens just like those collected by her doctor.
- Daniel Hale Williams — Teaching about the cardiovascular system? You may want to introduce your students to Dr. Daniel Hale Williams. A Black cardiologist who received his medical degree in Chicago in the 1880s, Williams was one of just three Black doctors working in Chicago when he performed what’s considered the first-ever open heart surgery.
- Charles Drew — Are teachers in your school attending a blood drive? You can discuss it with your students and mention Dr. Charles Drew, the Black physician best known for establishing the American Red Cross blood banking system.
Globally, the contributions of Black scientists, authors, artists, teachers, community members, political figures, scholars and more impact our lives. In our schools, we commit to sharing authentic narratives and attempt to avoid the Dangers of Whitewashing Black History.
Resource: TeachStarter
Watch video highlighting safety, sustainability and accessibility
More Facilities Bond Facts
Two areas of investment in the 2022 facilities bond include improvements in safety, sustainability and accessibility, and completion of current projects due to increased construction costs and/or refinements in scope.
Safety, Sustainability and Accessibility — This bond would allow us to invest in improvements at numerous schools that include:
• Adding inclusive playgrounds and play fields
• Expanding Kulshan Middle School by four additional classrooms and replacing existing grass field with turf
• Improving Cordata Elementary School traffic and parking
• Increasing resource efficiency and minimize the effects of energy and water consumption and dependence on fossil fuels
• Implementing more visible and meaningful sustainability practices in schools to increase education and stewardship.
Current Projects — This bond would help us complete previously approved bond projects from 2013 and 2018. We need funds to help complete these projects due to increased construction costs and/or refinement in scope (e.g. adding bathrooms adjacent to our new high school fields).
Visit bellinghamschools.org/bond2022 for more on all the investment areas and a new FAQ which includes questions we are receiving from our community.
4 - CELEBRATE 2/2/22
5 - PARKING INFORMATION
VISITOR PARKING
TUTORING/LEARNING CENTER
The tutoring center offers help with most subjects taught at SHS…Contact the Learning Center and we will try to find you the help you need.
About the tutors:
They work with students 1:1 or in small groups in their content areas of expertise
· Answer questions on course content
· Aid in comprehension of course material, review, and test preparation
· Patient, dependable, and responsible when working with students
· Friendly, flexible, and sensitive to demands of high school students
Schedule a tutoring appointment
https://sehome.bellinghamschools.org/schedule-tutoring-appointment/
Visit the learning center website
https://sehome.bellinghamschools.org/students/learning-center/
Questions?
theresa.wines@bellinghamschools.org
9 -AP EXAMINATION INFORMATION
AP Exams 2022 – Payment Information
Payments can either be made at the ASB Office with Cash/Check or Credit Card or online.
Payment for AP exams must be made between Oct. 12 – Apr. 2, 2022 online here.
- Full payment fee = $43.50 per exam
- Qualify to receive free/reduced lunch? If so, your fee = $0 per exam. You must submit a Low-Income Student Verification Form. (also available at the ASB Office)
- Late registration fee (after 11/15/20) will incur an additional $40 charge.
- Cancellation/Unused exam fee is $40.
For questions/assistance with payments please contact the ASB Office at (360) 676-4971 or e-mail Catherine.Moran@bellinghamschools.org
10 - AFTER SCHOOL DINNER PROGRAM
After-school dinner program free for all children 18 and under
Bellingham Public Schools serves hot dinner at no cost to all children 18 and under. These meals are offered from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday through June 16, 2022. Dinner is served in the Shuksan Middle School cafeteria, located at 2717 Alderwood Avenue (at the corner of Northwest and Alderwood). It does not matter what school you attend in the district.
Accompanying adults are charged $4.75 per meal — please bring cash or check. Please plan to eat onsite in the Shuksan cafeteria.
The daily Monday through Thursday dinner menu is listed on the school menu webpage by day after the lunch listing.
Please note: Dinner will not be served on school holidays or on the following all school early dismissal days: Nov. 4, Nov. 24, Dec. 9, Feb. 10, March 10 and April 28.
Programa gratuito de cenas después de la escuela para todos los niños de 18 años o menos
Las Escuelas Públicas de Bellingham sirven cenas calientes sin costo alguno a todos los niños de 18 años o menos. Las cenas se ofrecen de las 5 a las 6 de la tarde de lunes a jueves hasta el 16 de junio de 2022. La cena se sirve en la cafetería de la Escuela Secundaria Shuksan, ubicada en el 2717 de Alderwood Avenue (en la esquina de Northwest y Alderwood). No importa a qué escuela asista en el distrito.
A los adultos acompañantes se les cobrará $4.75 dólares por comida - sólo en efectivo o con cheque. Todas las comidas deben ser consumidas en la cafetería de Shuksan.
El menú diario de la cena se encuentra por día en la página de internet de los menús escolares después del listado del lonche o almuerzo.
Por favor, tenga en cuenta: La cena no se servirá en los días festivos de la escuela o en los siguientes días de salida temprana de la escuela: 4 de noviembre, 24 de noviembre, 9 de diciembre, 10 de febrero, 10 de marzo y 28 de abril.
11 - EMERGENCY AND WEATHER PROCEDURES
Emergency and Weather Procedures
It’s that time of year to think about snow and our procedures and impact of weather-related school cancellations.
Depending on conditions (which could include snow, flooding, power outages, etc.), school could:
- close for the day (in the case of widespread power outages),
- open two hours late with regular bus routes or snow bus routes,
- open on time with snow bus routes.
How can I get weather/emergency information?
Changes to the school schedule are usually announced by 6 a.m., and we use a variety of methods to keep families informed:
- Sign up for alerts: To receive email, phone, and/or text alerts, set your communication preferences on the Skylert tab within Skyward Family Access. (Need help? go here for step-by-step directions or contact 360-676-6520.)
- Tune to local media: 790 AM, 96.5 FM, 104.1 FM or Seattle media.
- Check bellinghamschools.org
- Check @BhamSD on Twitter, @bellinghamschools on Facebook and @bellinghamschools on Instagram
- Call 360-676-6400 for a recorded message.
- Call 360-647-6815 for a message translated in Español, русский, tính từ and Punjabi.
Please familiarize yourself with our weather procedures at bellinghamschools.org/weather.
How to find your snow bus route: www.bellinghamschools.org/snow-routes
12 - MEDICATIONS AT SCHOOL
When a student requires medication at school, either prescription or over the counter (OTC), parents/guardians must return a completed medication authorization form with directions from a licensed health care provider (LHCP) to Sehome. One exception is that certain OTC medications that are self-administered do not require LHCP instructions, but they do require a parent/guardian to complete the medication authorization form. There is no situation that a student taking medications at school does not need a medication authorization on file.
The privilege of students self-caring their medications, whether prescription or OTC, requires students to take their medication as instructed on the authorization and being aware that they may not share their medications with anyone. Medications brought to school must be in the original prescription container or manufacturers labelled OTC container. Medication authorizations expire at the end of the current school year, or sooner as per LHCP instructions.
Link to Medication Authorization Form can be found here
13 -PTSA SNACK DRIVE FOR SEHOME'S LEARNING CENTER
The Learning Center needs your help!
It’s a great sight to see the tables and chairs full of learners! However, it means we’re running low on snacks. We have enough snacks to get us through to Thanksgiving break, but after that it looks grim.
Here is a wishlist on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/BTN3YUG5WQNZ?ref_=wl_share that shares what snacks the students enjoy the most, but anything is great!
Thank you so much for your support!
14 -COVID-19 UPDATES
SEHOME POINTS OF CONTACT
Sonia Cole, Principal: sonia.cole@bellinghamschools.org
Mike Couto, Assistant Principal: A - K mike.couto@bellinghamschools.org
Bethany Barrett, Assistant Principal: L - Z bethany.barrett@bellinghamschools.org
Colin Cushman, Athletics & Activities: colin.cushman@bellinghamschools.org
Amy Hjelt, Counselor A - D: amy.hjelt@bellinghamschools.org
Jeff Smith, Counselor E-K: jeffrey.smith@bellinghamschools.org
Hana Schutz, Counselor L-Re: hana.schutz@bellinghamschools.org
John Vandermolen, Counselor Rh - Z: john.vandermolen@bellinghamschools.org