Kulshan Connect
February 19, 2021
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 360-676-6456.
Arriving and Departing from KMS
Our pick-up loop will be counterclockwise around the lower parking lot at 2:30. With traffic constrictions around Kulshan, your patience is appreciated during pickup. As always, we encourage safe walking and biking practices for those not traveling in cars or buses. If you arrange to meet your child off-site for an alternative pickup location, please coordinate locations that are safe for your child to get to.
8th grade Families
Orchestra News
Orchestra students returning to school, please bring back your music stands on your first day back if you are not using the bus system for transportation. All students are required to bring their instrument to school on in-person days unless you play cello or bass. Please email Kathryn.barrett@bellinghamschools.org with any questions.
KMS Return to School Dates
We are excited to announce our return to school dates.
- Grade 6 returns Thursday, Feb. 18 (L-Z) and Monday, Feb 22 (A-K)
- Grade 7 returns Thursday, Feb. 25 (L-Z) and Monday, March 1 (A-K)
- Grade 8 returns Thursday, March 4 (L-Z) and Monday, March 8 (A-K)
We encourage you to watch this video we produced to help you imagine what school will look like with our new safety protocols. If you missed our Feb 11 Webinar, the recorded video is here.
Health Attestation Form
If you plan on sending your child back to in-person school at Kulshan, parents are required to complete this Health Attestation form before each quarter starts. Daily health screens are mandatory for in-person school to take place. Parents will be expected to screen their students before arriving at school every day. We are required by the state health department, the county health department and the state superintendent of public instruction to have a health attestation. This attestation will be completed quarterly and will be kept on file as evidence of your agreement to the terms. Thank you!
Return-to-School Plans
Thank you to all of you who have already filled out our online survey. If you have not done so yet, please complete the survey to help us plan for students returning in cohorts. If multiple people are completing the link at the exact same time, you will receive an error message. Just try again a few minutes later. We apologize for the delay. Here is the link.
Parent-Student Handbook
WSU Strengthening Families
Are you interested in learning more about adolescence during these middle school years? Hurry and register, as we kickoff on Tuesday February 16th for an hour orientation, and meet every Monday and Tuesday for 7 weeks after. We have held many sessions of super successful programs here at Kulshan. To learn more about Strengthening Families Program, and to register, use this link.
Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center has many valuable opportunities for families. These include information, education, mediation, conflict resolution, and more. Check our their website for events such as Parent Nights and FREE virtual workshop series for youth (ages 7-12) and teens (13-18) beginning the second week of February. https://www.whatcomdrc.org/
New Middle School Schedule
Do you have questions about the new schedule? We have designed this new middle school schedule to work both for remote learning, as well as for in-person classes. We started a new semester on Thursday, Feb. 4. Our Wednesday schedule will remain the same throughout the school year. We held a webinar to help explain the schedule; the video link is here. When your child is back at school in-person, they will be using this schedule.
Do you have art to share?
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in BPS
We are happy to share this February 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.
Weather emergencies/closures: where to find information and how to be notified
If we experience inclement weather in Bellingham, information will emailed to all families in Bellingham Public Schools and posted on the district website. With snow possible in the forecast early next week, please continue to monitor your email. For snow routes or information on how to update your notification preferences in Skylert, visit the Weather Procedures page of the district website.
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.
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!
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.
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. The CDC has listed their mask updates here.
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
Bellingham Food Bank Schedule
Folks may visit twice per week and may choose among all locations which they visit. They will join a car queue and when it’s their turn, volunteers will provide pre-packed food boxes without requiring person to person contact. There will be a bike or walk-up option as well. Pick up for up to 2 families per visit, no paperwork required. 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