Kulshan Connect
November 2019
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Attendance 360-647-6877
kmsattendance@bellinghamschools.org
Main Office 360-676-4886 x2
Counseling 360-676-4886 x3
Si desea esta información en español llame al 676-6456.
Bellingham School District Calendar
Nov. 8: KMS Harvest Festival
Our WEB student leaders are hosting our first ever Harvest Festival at Kulshan Middle School on Friday, November 8 from 4:00-5:30 PM. Festivities include: Obstacle Course, Dance, "Donut On A String," Food, Candy, Drinks, Photo Booth, and Pie Walk. Ticket Prices are 2 for $1 for pre-sales and $1 each at the event. We hope to see you there! Parents: If you would like to volunteer at the event or bring items to the event, please click on this link.
Annual Family Survey
We love to hear family feedback. Every year, we ask for feedback from all our families and then we listen and respond to your feedback. We believe that all children should be loved and that every child can learn at high levels. All responses are anonymous, and none of your responses are linked to you or your child. We would like 100% of Kulshan families to respond. Please click here to take the survey.
Nov. 4: Deadline for Pre-Winter KMS Sports
Is your student interested in participating in a Pre-Winter sport? Our registration deadline is November 4. There are 3 steps parents need to take for sports registration: 1) Final Forms online registration 2) Sports Physical 3) ASB fee. We offer the following Pre-Winter sports: Dance & Tumbling (grades 6-8) and Boys Basketball (grades 7/8). If you have any questions, please email our Athletics Registrar at lisa.scott@bellinghamschools.org or call 360-676-4886 x4708. Boys Basketball practice starts November 7 at 4:00 PM. Dance and Tumbling practice starts November 12 at 7:30 AM.
(NEW!) KMS Gear is Here!
Fundraiser Last Chance: We Need Your Help!
We are just a little short of our middle school fundraising goal this year. We are hoping families who missed making a donation could make one today. Any amount is SO appreciated. Your donation funds field trips, art projects, and classroom supplies. Checks can be written to our KMS PTSA or donations can be made on-line through the Bellingham Schools Foundation at the link here. Thank you SO MUCH!
Free Sweaters & Sweatshirts
We have a large collection of gently used (and washed) free sweaters in the office at Kulshan. With cold weather arriving, feel free to send your child to the office for a free sweatshirt. They are for anyone who might need an extra sweatshirt or might have forgotten theirs. Also, if you know that your child needs a sweatshirt, but they might be afraid to ask, we can have them come into the office to meet with a counselor in a discrete way. All you have to do is email a counselor and if you could include your child’s sweatshirt size, that would be helpful too.
Emails: Aaron.Tiger@bellinghamschools.org or Jennifer.Newbauer@bellinghamschools.org
Pink Slips for KMS Busses
This time of year we have lots of students riding the bus with friends for visits. Thanks to all families who write notes so their children can get a bus variance slip, also known as a “pink slip.” We wanted to keep families informed that some of our KMS bus routes are at or near capacity serving their neighborhood routes, so there is a possibility that guest riders may not be able to ride home with friends, and since bus ridership changes daily, we may not know in advance whether a route will be full. Thank you for helping your children have a plan B. If there is not room on the bus for any pink slip riders, students will contact their families for transportation home. If you’d like more information on bus riding procedures, please see page 40 of our Family Handbook.
Free and Reduced Lunch Applications
The 2019-2020 application is available online or can be found in the back of the Family Handbook and Calendar mailed to families in August. Printed applications are also available in our school office. Families only need to fill out one application for all children in a household. The priority deadline for completing applications is October 31. Questions? Please contact Food Services at (360) 676-6504.
Kulshan Food Pantry
Thank you for all of your donations that is keeping our pantry up and running. Our food pantry was started last year as a resource to send home some easy-to-prepare food on the weekends for students and families in need. We are able to send weekly bags of food home with students, and we would not be able to support students without YOU . We are in need of some items to be restocked. Please click this link to sign to support our Food Pantry. If your student would be helped by this service, please reach out to Jen Newbauer, school counselor, at: jennifer.newbauer@bellinghamschools.org
Cooking with Common Threads
Cooking in the classroom begins October 28th! Classes will enjoy cooking lessons once each month through early March. In our first cooking lesson students will prepare and taste hummus in a leafy wrap. Volunteers wanted! If you’re interested, please contact: ruby@commonthreadsfarm.org - For more information about Common Threads please visit www.commonthreadsfarm.org
Nov. 13: KMS PTSA Meeting
KMS Family - Student - Teacher Conferences
Lost and Found Clothing & Lunch Boxes
Fall Conferences are a perfect time to look through our Lost & Found! We have many lunch bags, coats, and sweatshirts in our Lost and Found. We recommend that parents write their student's name clearly on the outside or inside of their lunch box and clothing items. This helps us reunite students and items. Please check our Lost and Found Area in the Commons. Our PTSA donates Lost and Found items to local charities every 4-5 weeks. Thank you!
Oct. 30 - Nov. 1: Kulshan Book Fair!
Our Book Fair will be open to parents on the afternoon of Oct 31 and all day on November 1 during parent-teacher conferences times. If you have a conference those days, please stop on by! If you don't have a conference those days, stop on by anyway! We definitely need some parent help to make sure the fair runs smoothly. Please visit this SignUp Genius if you are able to volunteer during the fair! If you have any questions, please contact Adam Shaffer .
Boys and Girls Club Van
Do you need a ride to the Boys and Girls Club after school? We have a van that will drive you from Kulshan to the Boys and Girls Club! Parent permission forms are available in our main office here at Kulshan. There are only 13 seats available, and it is first come, first serve. The van picks up at Kulshan at 4:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. If you don't yet have a membership to the Boys and Girls Club, we can also help you with that. Scholarships are available.
Student Lunch Time Writing Club!
Now Hiring in Bellingham Public Schools!
Are you interested in any of our substitute positions? We are interviewing and hiring substitutes custodial, food service and bus drivers. We encourage you (and people you know) to apply! Please tell your neighbors, friends, and family. You are our best recruiters!
Winter Warm Up Program
Blue Skies for Children’s Winter Warm Up program is now distributing new and gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves & blankets for children ages 6 to 18, who are homeless, low-income or in foster care. Blue Skies may provide items for up to five children per family.
This program will be available through Dec. 19th, and is by appointment ONLY. If your child is eligible for free or reduced lunch, please call to schedule an appointment at 360.756.6710. Their address is 2505 Cedarwood Ave, Ste. 5, Bellingham, WA 98225
Poverty Simulation Workshop
Poverty is a reality for many students and families in our school district…but unless you’ve experienced poverty, it’s difficult to truly understand. This event will give you a better understanding of the challenges people face when working and struggling to pay bills. Each attendee is assigned the role of a family member and they must navigate various challenges throughout the workshop. This eye opening experience raises awareness about poverty related issues in a way that inspires compassion and community action! Hosted by our Bellingham Public Schools Foundation. Register by clicking this link.
Thursday, Nov 7, 2019, 06:00 PM
Sehome High School, Bill McDonald Parkway, Bellingham, WA, USA
Kulshan Office Hours
Attendance 8:45 AM - 4:30 PM
Counseling 8:45 AM - 4:00 PM
Kulshan Middle School 1250 Kenoyer Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 360-676-4886