Kulshan Connect
June 10, 2022
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
7th grade Parents
The 7th Grade Teachers are holding a camp at Whatcom Falls Park on Thursday June 16th and would love your help treating the kids with ice cream bars/popsicles. Use this Sign Up Genius here. Please drop off in the main office at Kulshan on June 16 by 10:00 AM. The kids are so excited, thank you!
Tues, June 14: Students Turn in Laptops
Laptops will be turned in during T-Bird Time on Tuesday, June 14. This is the time to track down anything that might be at home--bags, chargers, styluses. If you find that there are extras laying around your house, please send them in with your child. We would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!
Summer Garden Update
Our garden is looking AMAZING! We are seeking families to help with summer garden care so that students can return to a well-tended, bountiful garden in the fall. Don’t miss this chance to support our students, meet your neighbors, enjoy garden-fresh produce, and spend time outdoors with your family! Please email me with “Summer Garden Volunteer” in the subject line if you are interested in helping with summer garden care, and let me know your availability. Additionally, we are hosting a summer volunteer orientation and work party this Saturday June 11th from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM at the school garden, stop by at any point during that timeframe.
Tonight! KMS Band Concert
You are invited! Join us at our Kulshan End of Year Band Concert: Friday June 10, 7:00 PM in the KMS Commons.
June 15: Parent Volunteers Needed
Kulshan Summer Send Off
Our All-School Summer Send Off is Wednesday, June 15, 3:45-5:30 PM. Your ASB leaders have planned music, games, a slip-and-slide, face paint, food, and more! Here are some important things to know:
- We will have two food trucks--an ice cream truck and a taco truck. These food trucks are cash only.
- ASB will also be selling food and drinks--pizza, popcorn, chips, candy, soda, cotton candy. You must purchase food tickets for any ASB-sold food. Tickets are $1 each, and all food and drink (including pizza) will be 1 ticket each. Mrs. Schuitema will pre-sell food tickets during lunches on Mon, Tues, and Wed, as well as during the Send Off. Do not buy too many tickets! There will be a purchase limit of 5 tickets at a time. Remember that you can always get more tickets during the Send Off, and that the food trucks will not take tickets.
- There is no transportation after the Send Off. Please arrange for getting home.
June 16: 8th grade Celebration
Eighth families are invited to attend our 8th Grade Celebration in our Kulshan Commons from 2:30 – 3:30 pm. This ceremony showcases student talent and student leadership. After the celebration, families often hang out in the Commons to re-connect with other families and enjoy cookies and juice. Are you interested in donating items or your time to our 8th grade events? Please sign up by June 15. Here is the link. We appreciate you!
Kulshan Library News
Instructional Spotlight
Jennifer Frimml is a 6th grade Core (Language Arts/Social Studies) teacher, and has been teaching at Kulshan for 10 years. In the culmination of their final unit, students create a civilization and they document geographical location, climate, physical characteristics, stable food supply, organization of leadership (choosing a government system), and building a community’s culture. The driving question leading their decisions is “What does a community need in place for its people to feel safe and happy?” Additionally, students also draft a community map to demonstrate what they have learned about civilizations through time with relation to their characteristics and how they are organized.
An important part of this work is the attention to detail that Ms. Frimml has regarding reflection. Each day that students carry out their work on groups, students reflect on their progress and evaluate their group's ability to work together as a team. Building in these habits of reflection around both individual and group work are pivotal for students' success to contribute to groups later in life. Further, building in these reflective habits of mind will help kids to improve more rapidly in whatever endeavors they choose for the future.
When interviewing one of Ms. Frimml's students, and asking "why is reflection important?", her student responded with: "Reflection is important so we can improve on things for the next year, look back on yourself and feel good about how we have grown. If you go through life without reflecting on things, then you are wasting your time. Reflection strengthens your different skills, like academic and social skills."
Wow. That was a 6th grade response. Clearly, students are internalizing the important aspect of reflection in our daily lives, both personally and professionally.
Questions to Ask Your Student:
- What rituals or routines do you have at home with reflection as a family?
- What will end of year reflections look like to celebrate the growth for this year, and address future areas of growth next year?
- Can you share about a time where you reflected on something and improved? What did that look and/or feel like?
Middle School Mega Band Videos
The BPS Middle School Mega Band did a fantastic job performing in our Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, May 28! Here are the video clips of the students in the parade: Video Clip 1 and Video Clip 2.
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
BPS + COB Summer Camp Opportunities!
Bellingham Public Schools and the City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department are teaming up to offer a wide variety of fun athletic camps and activities this summer. In most cases, these are opportunities for students in grades 3 to 12. These summer camps are an opportunity to connect with high school coaches and athletes. Camps run throughout the summer with a variety of start and end dates. Click here for a complete listing of BPS-related camps or go directly to the registration site and search for listings. Please call 360-778-7000 with questions. Inquire about scholarships.
by June 15: Food Pantry Donations
Our Kulshan pantry is a resource for families in need of basic toiletries or extra food over the weekend. Click this link to see which items we are requesting. Reach out to our KMS counselors if you would like more information or would like to donate. Please send any food or toiletry donations by next Wednesday, June 15 the counselors will be putting together large care boxes for our students in need.
Summer School Opportunities!
Did you know that incoming 9th graders can take high school classes this summer? They can choose between health and/or tech literacy. Students just need to fill out a summer school application. They will then give their application to Mr. Tiger or Ms. Newbauer to sign and turn in. The classes will be in-person at Options High School from June 27 - August 4, Mondays through Thursdays. Students can choose to attend first morning (8:30-10:00 AM) or second morning (10:30-12:00) sessions. Please reach out by email to Roni Weston, Summer School Principal or phone: 360-647-6871.
Debate Club
Bellingham United Debate Team is hosting a weeklong workshop for middle school and incoming high school students to learn and practice the basics of competitive debate. This will be a fun, engaging, and exciting summer opportunity that will give you lasting memories and valuable skills. Monday June 27th - Friday July 1st from 9:00am - 12:00pm, all 5 days at Bellingham High School. For more information about the Bellingham Summer Debate Workshop or the Bellingham United Debate Team, please email Coach Nick Phillips.
Mental Health for Teens
Attendance Office Reminders
Human Growth and HIV Lessons
Our Kulshan PE teachers will be sharing out the Human Growth and Development and HIV lessons that we will be teaching this Spring. Washington State requires HIV/AIDS prevention education for all students, and families are often curious about the materials and information that will be shared with students. Our PE teachers teach specific lessons which can be previewed here. As always, families may opt their child out of these Human Growth and Development & HIV/AIDS lessons. Please let your child's PE teacher know in writing if that is your choice. Thank you!
Social Media Accounts
Have you seen concerning social media pages related to Kulshan students? Please report accounts to Instagram if the accounts are bullying or harassing or otherwise violating Instagram terms of service. This step is easy and anonymous. Send information, tips, or concerns regarding a safety issue in our schools by texting or calling 844-310-9560 or by visiting bellinghamschools.org/safe for confidential, anonymous, two-way communication with our safety staff.
Safe Schools Zone
This fall, contractors installed security cameras inside and outside of several of our schools, including KMS. This project was approved by voters in our community as part of the 2018 school facilities bond. Security cameras will help us maintain the health, welfare and safety of students, staff and visitors. For more information, see policy 6610.
Support for Tribal Affiliated Students
Did you know we have over 400 students in our district with tribal affiliation? Lummi Behavioral Health can serve students with ANY tribal affiliation/status. Here is the interest link for starting MH services with Lummi Behavioral Health. If you are interested or have questions please talk to your school counselors:Michelle Strobel, Lacey Bachman, or Aaron Tiger.
College Bound Application
Did you know college is free for qualifying families? Middle school is the only time that families can sign up for the College Bound Scholarship Program. The College Bound Program covers the average cost of tuition, some fees, and a small book allowance at over 65 Washington State colleges, universities and technical schools. Please fill out our district Free and Reduced Lunch Form to apply. Please let your KMS counseling team know if you have any questions.
LGBTQ Support for Families and Youth
Kulshan Contacts
Kevin Terpstra, Assistant Principal
Tatiana Samora, Registrar Я говорю на русском языке.
Jeneen Durand, Attendance Secretary
Elsa Powell, Family Liaison Hablo español.
Kulshan Middle School 1250 Kenoyer Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 360-676-4886