Kulshan Connect
January 15, 2021
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 360-676-6456.
KMS Back-to-School Planning
This pandemic has posed many challenging circumstances for schools and this week has been no exception – yet there are some bright spots. We continue to plan to bring additional students back into the building as soon as we get the green light. We have started setting up classrooms using Whatcom County and District safety protocols. Hand sanitizing stations are being installed in every classroom. The airflow in our building turns over at least 5 times per hour. We have several covered outdoor areas and outdoor break times to encourage student movement. We are working with our district safety team to get everything ready for staff and students' return. We are looking forward to bringing KMS back to our building and we will continue to keep you updated about a return-to-school date. This webpage is geared for families and students. We regularly update these pages as guidance and information changes.
Wed, Jan 20: Books and Games!
Our monthly Book Group with Jen Lovchik, Teen Services Librarian at the Bellingham Public Library, is changing. Kulshan will still meet on the third Wednesday of every month (the next meeting is Wed, Jan 20). Instead of meeting with each grade level separately, Jen will divide the time by activity. From 1:00-2:00 PM, she will run an actual book club (first book to be determined). From 2:00-2:45 PM, the focus will be games/activities/discussion/etc. Students are welcome to join for both parts, or come for just one. For Zoom links and to be added to the invite, contact Mr. Shaffer.
Kulshan Pantry Re-Stock
We are stocking up our pantry for our Kulshan community! Please sign up here to help stock up our pantry for our KMS families in need. Items can be dropped off at Kulshan on Wednesdays during food pick up or on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Please note that parents cannot enter our school, so you can call our main school line or knock at our window if you drop off at our main office. If you have any questions, please contact Jen Newbauer, school counselor. If you are a family in need, please don’t hesitate to reach out for support.
Monday, Jan 18: Dr. MLK, Jr. Day
All Bellingham Public Schools and the District Office will be closed Monday, Jan. 18 in observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. The Whatcom Human Rights Task Force (WHRTF) will present the 23rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Conference, this year online over several day. The conference will be held Jan. 14 to 16, 2021 with virtual programming. More information about the conference is available online or email whatcomhrtf@gmail.com. The City of Bellingham MLK, Jr. Day volunteer activities and virtual event: The City of Bellingham is honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this year by promoting volunteer outdoor stewardship activities and co-hosting a virtual celebration from noon to 1 p.m. on Jan. 18.
We Need Your Photos
We're hoping to get your help in making sure that our 2021 yearbook is the best one yet. We are asking for images of Kulshan students engaging in school activities (practicing instruments, drawing, writing, reading, PE, etc.), participating in hobbies, chores, interests, and visiting local parks, places, Mt. Baker, trails. Please email copies of your images to Rob Hendricks or Kat Hendricks. Please include your student's name and grade in the subject line. Thank you!
Additional/ Optional 7th grade Math Class
Seventh grade families: you recently received a communication on behalf of all middle schools regarding an optional, additional and independent math class for second semester. If you have any questions about whether this would be a good fit for your seventh grader, please reach out to your school principal. If your student would like to take on this challenging class, please register here by January 22.
Scholastic Book Orders
Did you know you can access Scholastic Book Orders through the Kulshan Library? Here is a link. Our class (library) code is GLB8R. You can browse some flyers here, or search for many, many other titles online. Books ordered can ship to homes or to Kulshan for pickup. Ship-to-home is free for orders over $25, and you can also get a free $5 Book Pick with the code READS. Scholastic is a great way to find books for a good price. Every purchase supports the library and classroom collections.
New Middle School Attendance Areas
Are you wondering about Kulshan’s new attendance area for the Fall of 2021? You can access maps of the future attendance areas on our website as well as detailed maps to help you and families better understand the boundary changes. If your student participates in a choice program, like Bellingham Virtual Learning or the Bellingham Family Partnership Program, or a specialized program such as Life Skills or BRIDGES, this may not affect your family. We recognize that some families may wish to look into the possibility of transfers from their new neighborhood schools. All families will receive more information about our transfer process in early February 2021.
Is Your Information Correct?
Is your contact information for your student up-to-date? You can do this online now through our Skyward Family Access program. Please take a few minutes to log into Skyward Family Access to review your contact information, mailing address, emergency contacts and to complete the Annual Health Concerns form for your student. If you need your login and password information for Skyward Family Access, please contact me and I can provide that information. Please note that if you need to correct or update your address and/or mailing address, you will have to contact me with the new information (families do not have permission to update addresses online). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our registrar Viry Ferreira.
District Meal Distribution
Our district meal box distribution continues every Wednesday at all of our regular 21 locations from 4:00-5:30 PM. Additionally the Bellingham Food Bank offers weekly pick up locations and times. Visit their website for more information on times and locations. If you need additional support, please contact the Family Resource Center (FRC) now by filling out the help form or calling 360-676-6456.
Food Recovery Program
Starting in January, and continuing every week, unused, non-perishable food items from the district meal boxes can be returned to the 15 school distribution sites. Sustainable Connections will be working with Food Services to find a new use for the recovered food. Clean out your pantries from any shelf stable items you may not use. When you arrive in the meal box line, let the staff on hand know you have food for the Food Recovery Program. They will direct you to the drop-off box. School sites only.
KMS Counselor Corner
We acknowledge that these are challenging times for our students. Our school counselors, Jen Newbauer and Aaron Tiger, want to provide you with some information and resources. Feel free to reach out to our counselors via email or phone as well so we can give you specific resources for your situation.
Aaron Tiger - Counselor (cell 360-739-3991)
Jen Newbauer - Counselor (cell 360-739-4138)
Viry Ferreira - KMS Registrar
Updated WA State COVID Recommendations
Check this WA State COVID website for updates regarding restrictions and social gatherings. Specific information about travel recommendations can be found here. Bellingham Public Schools have also added their own COVID 19 dashboard, available on the district website and at this link. Governor Inslee's news and media releases can be found here.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in BPS
We are happy to share this January 2021 newsletter listing heritage months, cultural celebrations, holidays and other information supporting the important work of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in Bellingham Public Schools. Please visit the EDI webpage for an ongoing dialogue and focus on this key strategy of The Bellingham Promise. You can also reach out directly to the director of equity, diversity and inclusion Janis Velasquez Farmer.
Free COVID Tests in Whatcom County
Did you know that our Whatcom County Health Department has free, drive-up COVID tests? To arrange a COVID test, visit testdirectly.com or call 360-778-6075. Also, our Kulshan school nurse is Amy Eisenhauer, BSN, RN and she can be reached at 360-303-4667.
Every Wednesday KMS Book Pick Up
Students can use this link to look at the online catalog. If you see something you want that is unavailable, you can log into Destiny and place a hold (same login as for your laptop). To request books, use this form. Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Stephanie will get your books ready for pickup. Books will be available on on Wednesdays during Food Pick Ups: 4:00 - 5:30 PM.
Please enter your requests the day before book distribution. Requests received after that may not be ready for next-day pickup (but we'll do our best). As always, email Mr. Shaffer for book recommendations, or any other questions! Books not picked up on Pickup Day will be in the office and can be picked up (as well as returned) from 8:30 AM -3:00 PM on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri.
It's Easy to Join KMS PTSA
LGBTQ Support for Families and Youth
How to Join a Club
Free Cooking Classes
Weekly Announcement Videos
Power Outage?
If there is a power outage, our staff will help your student catch up. Please notify Jeneen Durand, our Attendance Secretary by calling 360-647-6877 or emailing kms.attendance@bellinghamschools.org . If a teacher loses connection during a class, students should stay on the class for a few minutes while the teacher logs back in. Then check students’ email and MS Teams for instructions from the teacher. More information can be found here on our KMS website.
Skyward/ Family Access
Are you in need of family support?
If you are in need of services or help with domestic abuse or sexual assault the local agency DVSAS (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services) is able to help. Here is a link that helps to explain their role and provides contact information. You can also call our KMS Counselors Aaron Tiger 360-739-3991 or Jen Newbauer cell 360-739-4138.
Wednesday Attendance
Did you know that we take attendance for all classes every Wednesday? Students will be marked present if they at least log in and check their MS Teams page. Please remind your students to do this every Wednesday for periods 5-8. Thank you!
KMS Attendance
(NEW!) Bellingham Food Bank Schedule
Tuesdays: 1175 Jersey Street from 1:00-4:00 PM
Wednesdays: CTK, 4173 Meridian St. from 3:00-6:00 PM
Thursdays: 1175 Jersey Street from 1:00-4:00 PM
Check out the Bellingham Food Bank to learn more or to make a donation.
District Resources Website
We Miss You and We Love You!
Kulshan Contacts
Kevin Terpstra, Assistant Principal
Jeneen Durand, Attendance Secretary
We love you and we miss you and we hope you are staying safe and healthy!
Kulshan Middle School 1250 Kenoyer Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 360-676-4886