Sehome High School Mariner Memo
Week of March 1 - 5, 2021
Note from the Principal
Dear Sehome Community,
Can you believe it is March 1st? I am excited for the added daylight and signs of spring. I am also thrilled to be welcoming our freshmen back on campus on Wednesday for orientation. It feels like a fresh start to the school year.
This rotation ends on Thursday, March 4. Please encourage your child to reach out to their teacher during office hours with any questions or additional help to finish this rotation strong. On Friday, March 5th, we start the 5-8 rotation using the new hybrid schedule. There are many things changing and shifting this week. Please reach out with any questions as we transition to our new hybrid learning.
It has been fun talking with many of you about the questions you have about returning to in person learning. We still have many phone calls to make, but know that we will be in touch if you asked for a phone call on the survey. We will also be providing a webinar on Tuesday evening, March 2nd at 6 PM to review all of the safety protocols and to answer any questions you may have.
On March 8, teachers will be providing instruction in a variety of ways. Some teachers will be providing in person hybrid instruction. Other teachers will be providing instruction remotely with a certificated teacher supervising students in the classroom. Teachers will communicate with students about what their afternoon asynchronous time will look like.
Starting on March 8, buses will pick students up from Sehome at 12:30. Students who drive or are being picked up can leave school at 12:30. If students want to remain on campus for in person office hours, they can either leave for lunch and come back or they can eat their lunch at the distanced tables in the Commons or outdoor eating areas. An additional bus will run at 3:30 for students who stayed for the afternoon.
If you have not done so already, please complete the Return to School Preference Form. This helps us in our planning for students returning on Monday.
We know that this is a big shift and there is a lot of information to keep track of. Please reach out with any questions you or your child has. We are here to support you.
Sonia Cole
Principal
Current Freshmen Orientation
Freshmen Orientation is March 3rd and there will be two different sessions based on Alpha splits by last name.
A-K GROUP: 10:00 – 11:30
L-Z GROUP: 1:30-3:00
Bus transportation will be available or parents can drop off students. Parents will need to leave and come back to pick up students. This event is for students only. More information on drop off and pick up and bus transportation will come out later this week with more specifics in an email to families about orientation.
Orientation is for students who are planning to come back to in person school. Orientation will be an opportunity for freshmen to get a tour of the school and know where their classes are located, a time to get to know a small group of freshmen and upper classmen mentors, and go over and practice the safety protocols that students will do each day they come to school. In order to help us in planning, please let us know whether or not your freshman will be attending by completing this form- Freshmen Orientation Survey
We encourage all Freshmen to wear their class t-shirt to orientation.
Second Semester Supply Pickup March 3rd, 12:00 - 5:00
We are hiring!
Bellingham Public Schools are so excited that students and staff are back in our schools for in-person instruction. We are hiring! Please consider joining our team of substitute teachers and support staff. These positions are working in our schools and on-site to provide continuity of the learning environment and student safety.
If you are a parent, grandparent or community member looking for part time work and you enjoy working with children, please let your school principal or office staff know. You may also contact the District’s Employment Specialist for more information about paraeducator, office positions, bus drivers, and other part time job opportunities in our schools. These jobs are ideal for those who are looking for part time and flexible work assignments.
All staff and students are required to complete COVID safety protocol training to ensure safety for students and adults. If you have read Dr. Baker’s recent messages, you will know about the safety protocols the district has put in place to mitigate risks.
· We have developed safety protocols based on the advice of the Whatcom County Health Department and CDC as well as guidance from Governor Inslee.
· Here is an overview of our safety protocols, which include key mitigation strategies: mask-wearing, physical distancing, hand washing and staying home when sick.
· Our district has a comprehensive contact tracing process if/when needed, which is also a key component in risk mitigation and is led by our COVID safety team in partnership with the Whatcom County Health Department.
If you have questions about jobs available in our schools, please visit the district website at
www.BellinghamSchools.org and click on “jobs”.
For assistance with questions about temporary substitute assignments, you may contact
Gayle Wright, Substitute Coordinator by emailing gayle.wright@bellinghamschools.org or by calling the office at (360) 676-2784 or (360) 398-5572.
Questions about other job opportunities in our schools may be addressed by contacting
Kara Silsbee, Employment Specialist by emailing kara.silsbee@bellinghamschools.org or by calling (360) 319-4999.
Supporting Mental Health During COVID-19
Registration Update
Hello students and families,
Wow! We had a fun, busy registration week with students exploring future courses by viewing videos and talking with teachers. Here are our next steps:
- If students have not entered their requests in Skyward, they can still do so. Please do! We want you to have a choice. Here is our registration page for reference: Registration Page, and a helpful resource for choosing classes: SHS Courses and videos
- Counselors will meet one on one with students between now and March 17th to finalize their courses. Mrs. Simpson will send an invitation and Zoom link ahead of time to students through their school email. These emails will be sent 1-2 days before the appointment. These appointments will happen during asynchronous learning time.
- For students who plan to attend Running Start in the fall, Mrs. Zender is hosting a webinar on March 24th from 9-10 am. Here is her Zoom link: Prospective Running Start Zoom. She will go over the "next steps" to enroll at the college.
We know this year is unusual in many ways and we don't want registration to be an additional stress for students and families. Students are always welcome to email their counselor with questions. We are here to help! Thank you.
Sehome Counseling Team
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
It’s that time of year to think about snow and our procedures and impact of weather-related school cancellations.
Depending on conditions (which could include snow, flooding, power outages, etc.), school could:
- close for the day (in the case of widespread power outages),
- close in-person instruction with all classes being held remote (K-2 would follow their remote schedule, watch for Zoom link from teacher),
- open two hours late with regular bus routes or snow bus routes,
- open on time with snow bus routes,
- no busing for internet café at middle and high school
How can I get weather/emergency information?
Changes to the school schedule are usually announced by 6 a.m., and we use a variety of methods to keep families informed:
- Sign up for alerts: To receive email, phone, and/or text alerts, set your communication preferences on the Skylert tab within Skyward Family Access. (Need help? go here for step-by-step directions or contact 360-676-6520.)
- Tune to local media: 790 AM, 96.5 FM, 104.1 FM or Seattle media.
- Check bellinghamschools.org
- Check social media: @BhamSD on Twitter or @bellinghamschools on Facebook
- Call 360-676-6400 for a recorded message.
- Call 360-647-6815 for a message translated in Español, русский, tính từ and Punjabi.
Please familiarize yourself with our weather procedures at bellinghamschools.org/weather.
How to find your snow bus route: www.bellinghamschools.org/snow-routes
FAFSA Questions?
Seniors, now that you have submitted your FAFSA … what now?
What is included in your SAR ( Student Aid Report) and who sees it?
What is your family’s EFC? ( Estimated Family contribution)
Learn the answers to these and more at:
https://www.collegecovered.com/resource/9001/
If you have not competed your FAFSA please contact Mrs. Zender in the Career Center for assistance!
Hello Mariners:
Whether your student is returning to part-time in-person learning, or planning to continue fully online, we need your support! Our PTSA offers a variety of ways to be involved, in-person and 100% remote.
How can you help?
- Attend our next general membership meeting tomorrow night, March 2, about 7:00 pm (directly after the SHS safety protocol webinar). Get an update, and vote!
- Join us for the monthly business meeting, next Tuesday, March 9th, at 6:00 pm. Learn more about your SHS PTSA. Members will receive a Zoom link via email. If you are not a member, email us for the link at sehomehighschoolptsa@gmail.com.
- Come to our next auction committee meeting on 03/13/21, at 10:00 AM. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85132525560?pwd=UkQxajlEQkYxMjA2alhJREVWZkRnQT09
- Ask about current and future committee and board positions.
- Follow us on Facebook to get notified of volunteer opportunities.
- Become a member! Add link
Check out our website to meet our current board, and for new volunteer requirements. Add links
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