Sehome High School Mariner Memo
Week of Dec. 7 - 11
In this edition:
- Wednesday Attendance Reminder
- Home Visit Request
- Spirit Week
- Computer Help
- Yearbook Pictures
- Bus Loop Parking
- Meal box Pick Up
- Learning Center
- Wear Your Mask
- Community Service Opportunity
- PTSA Announcement
Message from the Principal
What a glorious week of sunshine and renewed energy! It was such a good reminder of the power of getting outside and having the sunshine on your face. I hope that everyone took full advantage this weekend to renew their spirit by getting outside.
It is hard to believe, but the end of the 1-4 rotation is only a week and a half away! December 15 officially ends these classes for this semester. All work for periods 1-4 rotation need to be completed and submitted by that day unless otherwise specified by the teacher. We begin our 5-8 rotation on December 16 and want students to be able to focus on those 4 classes during the next rotation. Please reach out to teachers, counselors, and our admin team if you have any questions or if we can be of assistance.
We know that this semester has been incredibly challenging on so many levels. Below you will see an opportunity to request a home visit. Our team will come and visit you and your student on the porch. We will all wear masks and practice social distancing. Complete the form below if you feel this would something that would benefit your family. We miss you all and would love to see you if you feel that is helpful!
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or anyone of our staff members. We are here to serve and support you.
Sonia Cole
Principal
A Message from the Department of Teaching and Learning
Dear high school students and families,
Tuesday, Dec. 15 is the end of our third rotation and is the end of the semester grading window for classes in periods 1-4. On Dec. 16, students will switch over to their classes in periods 5-8 until Feb. 1, which is the last day of the first semester.
As we shared with you the week of Nov. 23, our staff have been working very hard to adjust their grading practices to provide lots of ongoing feedback and grade in ways that are accurate, bias-resistant, and motivating. We have also worked very hard as a system to connect with students who are having difficulty engaging in school during these difficult times, and to respond with empathy, grace, and compassion.
Students have until Dec. 15 to complete work that demonstrates their learning in their first, second, third, and fourth-period classes. Teachers will update their gradebooks for those classes by Dec. 18, and the grade shown in Skyward will be the student’s grade for the first semester. All semester grades will officially post to transcripts in early February. If you need help logging into Skyward, please contact your school.
You will see traditional letter grades; you may also see grade marks such as I (Incomplete) or NC (no credit):
- I (Incomplete) means there is some evidence of learning, but, in the professional judgment of the teacher, not yet enough to earn a letter grade or credit.
- NC (No Credit) means that the teacher does not yet have any evidence of learning or progress that would earn credit.
If students are earning either an I or an NC in any classes, they may still be able to earn credit by working with their teacher on an individualized plan, which the school will communicate to the student and family.
Families and students — if you need help understanding what’s needed to earn an accurate grade in your period 1-4 classes, or need to provide more information about your circumstances, please engage with teachers, counselors and/or principals as soon as possible before Dec. 15.
Thank you in advance for recognizing how hard our staff are working in this remote environment and the high volume of email they are receiving. Please allow at least one to two days for a response.
If you have any questions, please contact your school’s principal.
Sincerely,
Linda Wise Miller, Bellingham High School principal
Miguel Perez, Squalicum High School principal
Sonia Cole, Sehome High School principal
Esta es información sobre la educación de su hijo/a. Solicite traducción o interpretación gratis si necesita al 360-676-6456
Ceramics Class with Mr. Schang
Erika Blain
Frankie Capristo
Lindsay Andren
2- Home Visit Request
Sehome High School misses our students and families! Starting this week, you (student or parent) can request a family home visit. Yes, that is right, one of our staff members will come to see you...right to your front porch!
If you would like extra support, have questions answered, or see someone from Sehome, consider asking us to come and see you.
Reasons you might ask us to come to your home:
• To say, Hi!
• Have a conversation with someone
• Need help with school
• Lonely
• Just to see if we will actually come
• Overwhelmed and need to talk with someone.
Complete this form to request your visit.
We hope all students, staff, and families in the Bellingham School District join in the fun:
1. Dress-Up for each Spirit Day Theme!
2. Change your Zoom/Teams Background/Rename yourself to match the Spirit Day!
3. Participate in the Daily Challenges (make it a “Do Something Good” December!).
4. Take lots of pictures of yourself, family, and friends participating in the Dress-Up Days and Daily Challenges and share them on all personal and school social media.
Monday, December 7th: PNW Day
Wear: Flannel, sandals with socks, hiking backpacks, rain jackets, etc.
Zoom/Teams Background/Rename: Trees, Nature, Mountains, Rain, PNW, Bellingham, Bham, etc.
Challenge! Get Back to Nature: Head outside into the breathtaking Pacific Northwest we call our home and snap a picture of what you’re up to! Anything from going on a walk, practicing a sport, or maybe even hugging a tree. Show your appreciation for the beautiful place we live and call home.
Tuesday, December 8th: Inside Out Day
Wear: Your clothes inside out, hat backwards, etc.
Zoom/Teams Background/Rename: Inside Out Movie Characters, your name backwards, flip your camera angle, or just say “Inside Out”
Challenge! Be a Helper: Either show some support at home (inside) by offering to help with meals (take a picture of you making dinner!) or helping with chores. Or, you could consider getting food to go (outside) from your favorite local restaurant, or support any local business! Make sure to share those pictures of support!
Wednesday, December 9th: Cozy Sweater/Sweatshirt Day
Wear: Comfy and warm sweaters or sweatshirts, ugly sweaters, fuzzy slippers, or any other cozy clothing.
Zoom/Teams Background/Rename: Winter, “It’s Cold Outside”, Comfy, Sweatshirt, Sweater, Snow, or tree names.
Challenge! Give to Others: While you’re deciding how you stay comfy and cozy at home, see if you or your family has any clothing (hats, gloves, coats, etc.) that could be donated (any time this week) to people in need in our community before the Winter. Some possibilities are: Goodwill, Lighthouse Mission, Value Village, Northwest Youth Services, etc.
Thursday, December 10th: Look Forward/Throwback Day
Wear: -High School: Throwback to your Elementary/Middle School Colors!
Zoom/Teams Background/Rename: The Color/Name/Mascot of your Past/Future School or your Future Career
Challenge! Say Thanks: While thinking about the past, send an email, note, picture or letter to a teacher, coach, mentor, friend, or family member from your past who meant a lot to you! Show your appreciation for the people who helped make you who you are today (and who you will become in the future)!
Friday, December 11th: School Spirit Day
Wear: Your School Colors/Logo/Gear
Zoom/Teams Background/Rename: Change it to the Colors/Logo/Slogan of your School.
Challenge! Give a Shout Out: Share what’s great about your school. In the SPIRIT of school spirit, share a memory, tell a story, or send a picture of you participating in a favorite school club, sport, or activity. Show some love for your school!
3 - Computer Help
NEW!!! Having issues with your computer, stylus, charger and need help? You can now email nicky.cook-desler@bellinghamschools.org to have these items replaced at Sehome. You will be able to pick up your replacement item within hours.
5 - Yearbook Pictures
For the first time ever, we are asking all students to self-submit a current, school appropriate photo for the SHS yearbook. Just one more way this year’s yearbook will be unique and memorable!!
Students, please use these links corresponding to your grade to submit your photo.
- Submit Freshman (9th grade) photos here.
- Submit Sophomore (10th grade) photos here.
- Submit Junior (11th grade) photos here.
Photo guidelines are listed below and we are asking that you submit your photo by December 9.
Requirements:
- a head-and-shoulders portrait where your face takes up about 1/3 of the width of the photo.
- have a neutral or solid color background
- taken straight-on, not at an angle; your face should be recognizable and visible, not hidden by makeup or accessories.
- a reasonably current image (no baby pictures)
- school-appropriate
- prop-free (this includes food, pets, musical instruments, friends, etc.)
IF THE PHOTO DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS WE WILL USE THE PHOTO FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
PARENTS-please remind your student to submit their photo by Dec. 9th.
And don’t forget to pre-order your yearbook! Price increases $15 second semester.
You have two options for ordering your yearbook:
1) You can order your yearbook through the online payment system. https://sehome.bellinghamschools.org/online-payments/
2) You can bring a check to Cathy Moran in the ASB office Monday-Friday from 8 AM – 4 PM. There is also a dropbox if she is not in her office.
The cost of the yearbook is currently $50. Starting second semester, the price will increase to $65.
You do not want to miss this yearbook. Our yearbook staff has done a phenomenal job documenting this unprecedented school year. If you have any questions about payment, please reach out to Cathy Moran at Catherine.Moran@bellinghamschools.org. If you have questions about the Yearbook or your photo entry, please email Lauren Tucker at Lauren.Tucker@bellinghamschools.org.
Best,
Sehome Yearbook
6- Bus Loop Parking/Drop Off
Our buses are up and running again!! As a reminder, please do not park or drop-off in the bus loop. There is lots of parking available in the parking lots. Please use the drop-off area in the main parking lot- see pictures below.
Thank you for ensuring the safety of our students and bus drivers.
7 - Free Meal Boxes Every Wednesday
Every Wednesday, free meal boxes will be distributed from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at 15 school locations and six community locations, including the Sehome bus loop.
For more information on locations, click the link below.
8- Learning Center
9- Wear Your Mask
10- Community Service During A Pandemic
“There has been a lot of research that when we are helping others, or when we are doing something for someone else, our reward centers light up in the brain and our stress levels go down,” says psychologist Mary Berg.
“If we engage in a regular daily practice of kindness and gratitude, we are essentially carving out pathways within our brains that make us healthier and a little more emotionally stable, “ Jenny Stotts, social worker and child advocate. (Rotary magazine 12/2020)
Even during this time of the pandemic there are safe ways for our students to participate in community service. Remember to log encourage your student to log their hours as scholarships and colleges will inquire about experience.
Volunteer Opportunities- from the Whatcomvolunteer.com website under Opportunities
*Meals on Wheels is looking for help placing labels on food delivery bags.
*Do you love to walk dogs? Many of our elderly love having a companion but lack the ability to give them the exercise they need.
Flexible days, times and frequency
WECU is supporting, "Dear Friend, Pen Pal Project," a letter writing campaign where community members are invited to write letters to seniors that are facing high levels of isolation due to Covid-19.
All WECU Locations, with the exception of Bellis Fair, The Home Loan Center, and the Business Loan Center are participating as drop-off spots for letter writers. WECU is requesting letter writers to use the Night Drop. Letter writers are asked to put the card/letter in an envelope with “Dear Friend, Pen Pal Project” written on top. If you would like to participate, please do! Make a card, write a letter with a child, create art, or just say "hi." The Aging Well Whatcom website goes into further detail. https://www.agingwellwhatcom.org/pen-pal-project
Here are some things you could write in the card:
I hope this brightens your day!
Sending smiles and good wishes to you!
May this card bring you a touch of love and joy!
For questions or more resources for volunteering contact
Martha Zender
High School & Beyond Coordinator
Sehome High School
11- PTSA Announcement
Happy December, Sehome families!
The holiday season has begun, and we hope it finds you safe and well. The PTSA appreciates all the support we have received from the Sehome Community this year.
You can continue to help SHS while shopping for the holidays at Fred Meyer or on Amazon.
- Fred Meyer: Link your Rewards card by going here. You will need to sign in, then search for Sehome High School or the organization number: SF659.
- Amazon: After logging in to your account, go to https://smile.amazon.com/. You will find us under “Sehome PTSA 8-3-100”.
You can also show your support by becoming a PTSA member! Click here to join now.
Do not forget to reach out to the wonderful teachers and staff at SHS, before winter break! They deserve some words of encouragement and holiday wishes. If you need an email address for a particular teacher or staff member, you can find it here.
Have a wonderful week!
Sehome High School PTSA
Sehomehighschoolptsa@gmail.com
https://sehomehighptsa.memberplanet.com/
Instagram: @sehomehsptsa
Facebook: @SehomeHighSchoolPTSA
Multi-Language Message Line
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
Kimberly Kirk, Dean of Students: kimberly.kirk@bellinghamschools.org
Jeff Smith, Counselor 9th Grade: jeffrey.smith@bellinghamschools.org
Amy Hjelt, Counselor A - G: amy.hjelt@bellinghamschools.org
Hana Schutz, Counselor H - M: hana.schutz@bellinghamschools.org
John Vandermolen, Counselor N - Z: john.vandermolen@bellinghamschools.org
Contact Information
Website: https://sehome.bellinghamschools.org/
Location: 2700 Bill McDonald Pkwy, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360)676-6481