Kulshan Connect
October 16, 2020
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 360-676-6456.
Power Outage?
Thank you for supporting your student this week when we experienced the power outage. Here are some tips if we experience another power outage: If your home has lost power or internet, please email or message the teacher(s) once you are able to. Our staff will help your student catch up. Also, 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. If the teacher is unable to make it back quickly, please check students’ email and MS Teams for instructions from the teacher. More information can be found here on our KMS website.
Last Day to Order "Friends" KMS Gear!
Our KMS Gear orders are due TODAY (Oct 16) by 9:00 PM. You can choose from two specific 2020 messages: "KULSHAN: The one where they started the year online" or "KULSHAN: The one where they were on mute." You can order a sweatshirt, t- shirt, or one of each through our Skyward Intouch order system. Please contact Adam Shaffer or Jen Newbauer if you have any trouble with the ordering process. The sizes listed are adult sizes, but if you want to order youth sizes, just email Jen Newbauer.
Wednesdays 4:00-5:30 PM: Meal Boxes
Did you know meal boxes are currently free for all children 0-18? We are currently reimbursed for all meals, so we encourage all families to go to any location and pick up their weekly meals. You will be delighted and surprised by our made-from-scratch items. School sites: Alderwood, Birchwood, Carl Cozier, Cordata, Geneva, Happy Valley, Northern Heights, Roosevelt, Wade King, Fairhaven, Kulshan, Shuksan, Whatcom, Bellingham, Sehome. Community sites: Sterling Meadows, Eliza Court, Villa Santa Fe, Evergreen Ridge Apartments, Regency Park, Sudden Valley Community Center. if you think you might qualify for free or reduced lunch, please complete this form by December 1, 2020. Paper forms are also available at the distribution sites.
KMS Virtual Family Webinar
We held our first ever KMS Virtual Family Webinar last Tuesday, October 6. Thank you to our panelists and all of our participants! If you missed the webinar and you want to watch our video, please click on this link.
CLUB SIGN UPS ARE HERE!
KMS Library
Do you like listening to Mr. Shaffer read aloud? Want to hang out? Mr. Shaffer is hosting a Library Club! This is like our Library Lunch Bunch Club from last year, but not at lunch time. He'll read aloud, hang out, and maybe play some games. The first book we'll read is Prairie Lotus, by Linda Sue Park. Open to all grade levels! Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 3:30-4:00, starting on October 19, facilitated by Mr. Shaffer. Click here to sign up!
Art Club
Come join us for Art Club! This is a digital space for us to share our ideas, practice art, and socialize with other artsy peers. We will meet on Wednesdays from 8:15-9:00 AM, starting October 21, facilitated by Ms. Christiansen. Click here to sign up!
QT's Club
Seeking any LGBTQ+ students as well as any Allies and friends! Who is an Ally or friend? Anyone who has compassion for their peers and wants to help create a space of inclusion for all at KMS. Come join us to socialize, hang out, meet people who have similar interests, and generally a good time! This year we are teaming up with Fairhaven Middle School for double the fun! Thursdays from 8:15-9:00 AM, starting October 22, facilitated by our KMS counselor, Ms. Newbauer. Click here to sign up!
Dungeons and Dragons Club
If you are interested in learning about Dungeons and Dragons, building a character, joining a campaign or maybe even becoming a Dungeon Master then this club is for you. Students will be participating in a campaign, learning how to build characters or just hanging out and talking about D&D. We might also create breakout rooms for multiple activities. This club meets Mondays, 3:30-4:30 PM and is facilitated by our KMS counselor, Aaron Tiger. Click here to sign up!
Yearbook Club
Are you a picture taker? Do you like to edit digital photos? Do you work well with a deadline? These are parts of Kulshan’s yearbook advisory. Putting together a record of this school year will be a new challenge for all of us, but Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks are working hard to make it happen. If you would like to be part of the team, we will send you an application for Yearbook Advisory. Our club meets on Tuesdays from 8:15-9:00 AM, starting October 20, facilitated by Mr. Hendricks. Click here to sign up!
3rd Wednesday: Bellingham Public Library Book Club!
We are so lucky to have Jen Lovchik, the Teen Librarian at the Bellingham Public Library, join us each month for a Book Club! She will meet with Kulshan students on the third Wednesday of every month to hang out, talk books (she usually has a monthly theme), and more! Kulshan usually has the highest attendance of any school in the district. Let's make it happen on Zoom, too! Third Wednesday of every month, starting October 21, facilitated by Jen Lovchik (and sometimes Mr. Shaffer) 6th grade: 1:00-1:45 PM-- 7th grade: 2:00-2:45 PM -- 8th grade: 3:00-3:45 PM. Click here to sign up!
Skyward/ Family Access
Do you need a headset?
Do you need a desk or chair?
Our desks and chairs can be checked out to families. Just email Cindy Schuitema and she will get the item(s) ready for you to pickup.
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.
Free October Cooking Classes
Free YMCA Wifi!
Free Wifi for parents and students to assist with online learning. To reserve a spot, call the YMCA at 360-733-9630 or reserve your spot online. All are welcome, no YMCA membership required.
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
KMS Library Book Checkout
Do you want to check out some fun books this coming week? 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 to be picked up every Wednesday from 4:00 - 5:30 PM. Please enter your requests by the Tuesday before. Requests received after Tuesday 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!
Register to vote
With a Washington state driver’s license or state identification card, it is quick and simple at VoteWA.gov. VoteWA allows you to register to vote, update your voter registration, view voters’ guides, check the status of your voter registration. If you prefer to register by mail, download one here and mail it to the county elections office at: Whatcom County Elections, P.O. Box 398, Bellingham, WA 98227-0398. The deadlines for registration: online by Oct. 26, by mail / received by Oct. 26, or in person by Nov. 3. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Next PTSA meeting: Tuesday, Nov 10
We are so sorry! We had some technology kinks at our September PTSA meeting. We are working on this and things should be much smoother for our November PTSA meeting. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 10 at 6:30 PM. We will email the correct Zoom link to all KMS parents on the day of the meeting. And remember, you don't have to be a member to come to our meetings! See you there! Si necesita un intérprete para esta reunión, llame al 360-676-6456 para programarla.
Do you need Tech Support?
If students are unable to see the Zoom invites in their MS Teams or Outlook, here are some ways you can get your questions answered:
- take a look at this 2 minute video. The video is also available here in Spanish.
- check out these frequently asked Zoom questions
- call Kulshan at 360-676-4886
- fill out this Tech Support form
Do You Need Personal Care Items?
Please reach out to our counselor, Jen Newbauer, if you or someone in your family are in need of any personal care items. This might include: shampoo/conditioner, soap, toothpaste/brush, deodorant, laundry detergent, tampons, pads etc. She will work on getting these items together and will work with you to determine a pick up plan. On that note, if you are able to donate any of these items, please click on this Sign Up Genius to help support your Kulshan Community.
2020-2021 Kulshan PTSA
KMS Counselor Corner
Please feel free to reach out with any student or family specific needs and we will see how we can help. As always, our goal is to support the social and emotional needs of all our students. Take care and see you soon!
Aaron Tiger - Counselor (cell 360-739-3991)
Jen Newbauer - Counselor (cell 360-739-4138)
Viry Ferreira - KMS Registrar
Kulshan Garden
Bellingham Food Bank Schedcule
Tuesdays: Shuksan Middle School from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: Christ the King on Meridian from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
(NEW!) Thursdays: Bellingham High School from 1:00-4:00 p.m. 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