Kulshan Connect
October 30, 2020
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 360-676-6456.
Nov. 4 Winter Coat Drive
We invite all families to drop off any coats you wish to donate on Wednesday, November 4. We will station a large bin near the front doors of KMS at the Bus Loop. Please donate any coats that we can reuse in the community. This coat drive is being organized by local Girl Scout Troop 45080, which includes Kulshan students. Thank you for your kindness and care for our community during this time.
Free Student Leadership Conference!
On October 30 (4:00-5:30) and October 31 (9:00-11:30), you are invited to participate in a Student Leadership Conference, put on by the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL). This is optional, but we encourage you to attend if you are interested in student leadership. And it's free! You don't have to attend the whole thing; you are welcome to pick and chose based on your interest and schedule. Click here for the link. All student sessions will stream on YouTube. There are both live sessions and on-demand sessions, as well as a FlipGrid for sharing ideas. Take advantage of them and find something that looks interesting to you.
November MAP Testing
We will be MAP testing our students in Reading (Nov. 3-4) and Math (Nov. 17-18). Homeroom teachers will provide students with directions on how to take the assessment while at home and let you know what assistance they may need. MAP is an adaptive test, meaning the questions get easier or harder as each student progresses through the test. Students will see many questions they may not know how to answer – they should just make their best attempt and move on. Families can learn more about MAP from the child’s teacher and from MAP’s Family Toolkit website.
Kulshan Wins Membership Award!
Next Pick Up Date: Wednesday, Nov 4
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. Pick up from 4:00 - 5:30 PM at these school sites: Alderwood, Birchwood, Carl Cozier, Cordata, Geneva, Happy Valley, Northern Heights, Roosevelt, Wade King, Fairhaven, Kulshan, Shuksan, Whatcom, Bellingham, Sehome. And these 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.
Land Acknowledgement
We want to acknowledge that the Lhaq'temish (Lummi) Nation and the Nuxwsa'7aq (Nooksack) tribes are located in the heart of Whatcom County. Accordingly, we take this opportunity to recognize that we live, work and learn within the original homelands of the Coast Salish peoples and that their language names many of our schools here, including Kulshan (Kwelshan). We acknowledge that the Coast Salish peoples have lived and nurtured these lands since time immemorial and we recognize that we are here because of the sacrifice forced upon them. In recognizing these tribal communities, we honor and seek to raise up and center their legacy, their lives, their descendants, and their living culture.
LGBTQ Support for Families and Youth
How to Join a Club
How to Start a Club
Weekly Announcement Videos
Free Cooking Classes
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
KMS Library Book Checkout
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 during Food Pick Ups: 4:00 - 5:30 PM.
In November:
- Wednesday November 4
- Tuesday, November 10
- Tuesday, November 17
- Tuesday, November 24
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
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 Schedule
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