We were hoping we would be able to return to Kulshan sometime this Spring, but as you may have seen in Dr. Baker's emails, all schools are closed in Washington State. However, we will continue to engage with students and families online through June 2020. Teachers will continue to email students the weekly academic plans and students can access these activities and assignments through One Note and MS Teams. If you are having a hard time viewing the learning activities in One Note or MS Teams, or if you want to receive emails directly, please email Viry Ferriera, our school registrar. She can help you access platforms on your students' device and/or she can help connect you to your student's teachers. Thank you so much for continuing to be patient with us as we continue through this unprecedented situation. We value the work and support you are doing on a daily and hourly basis at home.We miss you and your students so much.

Jennifer Lovchik, Teen Services Librarian at the Bellingham Public Library, invites all Shuksan and Kulshan MS students to join her for a virtual “Lunchtime” book club! During this first session, we’ll share what we’ve been reading/watching/doing during the first month of the “stay at home” directive. Join us on Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 1:00 PM. Join Zoom Meeting here. Meeting ID: 346 508 255 Password: 007594

Our counselors now have the ability to conduct virtual counseling sessions with students either by phone or by using video conferencing via Zoom. If your student would like to arrange a counseling session with Mr. Tiger or Ms. Newbauer, they can fill out a self-referral form by using this Link. If you are a parent or guardian and you would like to request counseling for your student(s), you can email Mr. Tiger or email Ms. Newbauer . Counselors will arrange counseling sessions by either emailing or calling students and/or families. Starting next weeks, counselors will have office hours (to be announced) and will be available by phone (phone numbers will also be announced).

Starting on Monday, April 6, our district meals will only be distributed on MONDAYS from 11:00-12:30 PM. Our district is serving free lunches at these school sites: Alderwood, Carl Cozier, Cordata, Geneva, Happy Valley, Parkview, Roosevelt, Wade King, Shuksan, and Options. We are also serving at these neighborhoods: Eliza Court, Evergreen, Regency Park, Sterling Meadows, Sudden Valley Community Center, and Villa Santa Fe. Any student can pick up food at any location. Several KMS staff members are helping at these sites and we hope to see you soon!

If your family has capacity for more learning at this time, we encourage you to:

· Read! All Bellingham Public Schools students have access to the Bellingham Public Library collection, and can check out e-books and other resources.

· Take advantage of this set of curated resources, vetted by our teachers.

· Reach out to your child’s teacher(s), understanding they are also adjusting to a new routine and means of teaching that is very different from what we are all used to. They know your children well. They will have suggestions and ideas for extensions and quality resources.

· Consider learning in other areas during this time — perhaps areas your own family has expertise in. These could include lessons in cooking and baking, outdoor learning, or practicing a new skill.

Do you still have a question that has not been answered via this newsletter or email? The Bellingham Public School website now has a (click here) one-stop resources page. On this website, you can submit a question about childcare, meals, learning resources, technology resources, mental health, and more. We are here for you.

Brigid Collins House is a community resource here in Bellingham offering free virtual parenting classes for parents during this difficult time. Click on this link to see all of their online virtual parenting seminars. These classes are for all types of families, using positive, practical, research-based approaches. Upcoming seminars include: Coping with Stress, Parenting in the Digital Age, Positive Parenting During the Pandemic, and Start your Day in a Positive Way with Play.

Our school building may be closed, but we are available everyday! Please email us if you have questions during this COVID school closure:

Meagan Dawson, Principal

Kevin Terpstra, Assistant Principal

Aaron Tiger, Counselor

Jen Newbauer, Counselor

Viry Ferriera, Registrar

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