Kulshan Connect
September 23, 2022
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Important KMS Dates
Fri, September 23: No school for students
Sept 26 - 30 (Mon - Fri): Middle School Fundraiser
(New Date!) Tues, September 27: KMS Open House, 6:30-7:30 PM
Tues, Sept 27: Chocolate Milk Day @ Kulshan
Sept 27 - 28 (Tues + Wed): Fall MAP Testing
Thurs, October 6: KMS ASB Fundraiser at MOD Pizza
Date Change! Kulshan Open House is now Tuesday, September 27
Middle School Fundraiser
Our Bellingham Middle Schools are having our once-a-year fundraiser September 26th - 30th.
There’s nothing for students to sell, just collect tax-deductible donations.100% of donations go to our Middle Schools. View our video here! Donations help pay for field trips, classroom supplies, and special projects! Envelopes for donation collection were sent home with your students this week. Please make checks payable to "KMS PTSA". Donations are also accepted online here. We will have prize drawings each morning next week for any student that brings in funds (one entry per student). If the whole school raises $13,000 everyone gets a Popsicle party! If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at kulshanmsptsa@gmail.com
Device Check Out Form
Have you updated your forms in Skyward? We still have over 300 students and parents who have not signed the Device Checkout Form, which is required for having a district laptop. If you need a paper copy of this form, they are available in our main office.
Join Our PTSA!
Become a PTSA member to ensure you get PTSA activity updates, have a vote on PTSA issues, and show your support for our great Kulshan community. Membership link here. If you sign up between 9/19 and 10/31- you will be entered to win a $10 gift card! Drawings will be each Monday so join now!
Attention all Chocolate Milk Enthusiasts!
Twice a year in all school cafeterias, chocolate milk can be enjoyed as part of the school lunch or purchased on its own for only 50 cents. Our first Chocolate Milk Day of the school year is next Tuesday, Sept. 27. Students purchasing chocolate milk outside of the school lunch meal can pay with funds from their meal account or bring in cash. If students do not have exact change, they can apply the change as a credit to their student meal account. Non-dairy alternatives will be available for those with a diet prescription form on file.
Sign Up for the Mini Mariners Dance Camp in October!
The Sehome High School Varsity Dance Team is hosting a Mini-Mariners K-8 Dance Camp from Oct. 17 to 21. The camp will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with a special performance at the football game halftime on Friday, Oct. 21. The campers will participate in dance games and activities throughout the week and will learn a pom style dance for the halftime performance. Registration forms are available in your school’s main office or at this link. The cost to register is $50 and includes a set of poms and a t-shirt to wear at the halftime performance. The deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 30. If you have any questions, please email the Sehome dance team coach.
Save the Date! October 6
Kulshan Associated Student Body's first MOD Pizza fundraiser is coming up! On Thursday, October 6, eat at MOD and earn money for Kulshan ASB. Just mention "Kulshan ASB" when you pay for your order, or use the code MODF11162 when ordering online or thorugh the app. Kulshan ASB funds clubs, athletics, events, and much more at Kulshan. Eat some pizza for a cause!
MAP Testing Dates: Sept 27 and 28
Fall MAP Testing is around the corner. Students in all grades will take the MAP Reading test on September 27 and the MAP Math test on September 28. We will have a revised schedule to allow for a 2 hour testing block at the beginning of the day and shortened classes for the rest of the day.
A Great Place to Work
Are you interested in becoming a full-time or substitute paraeducator? Our paraeducators work 1:1 or in small groups with students. They support students in academic goals such as reading, writing, math, as well as social-emotional and organizational goals. Working as a paraeducator is a great way to connect with kids and help them increase their confidence. We would love to have you join our Kulshan team! You will be joining a team that cares deeply for students and is committed to providing a diverse, inclusive workplace where all people are valued and belong. Whether you want to work 1 or 2 days per week, or if you want to work 5 days per week, we have a place for you. Apply online here.
YMCA Youth Events!
Free! Teen Night Takeover: Friday, Sept 30 from 6:00 -9:00 pm for students in grades 6-12 at the Downtown Y. Youth will participate in raffles, movies, sports in the gym, video games, swimming, games, rockwall, food, and snacks. If you plan on swimming please bring a swimsuit and towel. If you plan on climbing please bring close toed shoes
Free! Teen Drop-in Center (Starting Oct 3rd) from 3:00-6:00 pm Monday - Friday for students from grades 6-12 at the Downtown Y. Our staff available to support you in homework and resources. Youth can also participate in art, rock climbing, and games.
Youth & Government: OPEN HOUSE: Monday, October 10 or Thursday, October 13 from 6:00-7:00 pm. For youth in grades 8-12 at the Downtown Y. Youth & Government teaches leadership and communication skills by examining public policy in a safe and non-partisan environment. Teens write and debate their own bills, take turns presiding over the delegation, and have an opportunity to present their bill in Olympia at the Washington State Youth Legislature.
More information is available by CLICKING HERE. Youth can also receive a FREE YMCA Youth Membership.
Nutrition Services at KMS
Are you wanting to add money to your student's lunch account? Just visit the My Payments Plus website to add funds - or send a check or cash with your student. Though meals were free in the past, they are no longer free at Kulshan. Click here to apply for free or reduced meals. School menus are available online. We have a Chocolate Milk day coming up at the end of September, and if a student wants a milk that day, they must have money on their account or a completed application.
Unified Sports
Are you interested in Unified Sports? Unified Sports is a Special Olympics program that brings together students with intellectual disabilities (called athletes) and those without intellectual disabilities (called partners) to play and compete together on the same team. This fall students can participate in Unified Bowling and Unified Robotics. Practices are once per week; Bowling practices at Park Bowl and Robotics meets at Bellingham High School. If you are interested, get signed up in FinalForms and your coach will contact you!
Got Absences? Leaving Early?
Please join us in welcoming MacKenzie Lee to our Kulshan Front office! Reach out to MacKenzie if your child is going to be absent. You can use KMSattendance@bellinghamschools.org Please remember to excuse your child's absence within 24 hours by phone or email. Also, if you need to pick up your student early, please send a note with them so that they can be ready when you arrive. Thank you!
Medications & Health Services
If your child had medications or health services requiring doctor’s orders, we need those orders before the first day of school. New orders are required every school year and can be found on the district’s website under “Forms”. New orders are required every school year. Your health care provider should complete and sign the form. Your signature is also needed. Then, deliver these completed forms and any medications to be given at school to the school before the first day of school.
Getting to and from school
ParentSquare
KMS Garden Update
Did you know we have an amazing school garden? Are you a Kulshan parent interested in helping out in our Kulshan Garden? Yay! We are so excited to meet you. Please email Common Threads with “Kulshan Garden Volunteer” in the subject line if you are interested in helping and let us know your availability.
TDAP Reminder
For the 2022-2023 school year, all students attending grades 7 through 12 must have had one dose of Tdap vaccine. For students in 7th through 9th grade, the Tdap vaccine must be given at or after age 10 to be accepted for school entry. Skyward Family Access will have a current list of the vaccinations we have received for your child. Please login to your Skyward account to check if we have received record of this vaccine for your child. To update your child’s Tdap immunization record at the school, you will need to turn in a medically verified immunization record to the Counseling Office. Thank you!
2022-2023 District Calendar
We thought it might be helpful for you to have a list of key dates and trainings for the 2022-23 school year. Please mark your calendars as needed. Online School and District Calendars: https://bellinghamschools.org/calendars
Kulshan Contacts
Nikki Lockhart, Assistant Principal
Tatiana Samora, Registrar Я говорю на русском языке.
Jeneen Durand, Principal's Admin Assistant
MacKenzie Lee, Main Office/ Attendance
Elsa Powell, Family Liaison Hablo español.
Kulshan Middle School 1250 Kenoyer Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 360-676-4886