Kulshan Connect
April 3: Weekly Newsletter during School Closures
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 676-6456.
Kulshan Daily Announcements!
National Poetry Month!
It's National Poetry Month! You can visit Mr. Shaffer's Poem-a-Day on FlipGrid . He posts a new video every weekday. The Library OneNote also has links to podcasts, virtual field trips, directions for accessing digital books, and more! Take a look!
Counseling Connections
Our counselors really miss meeting and checking with our students so they have started a Flip Grid page to try to connect with kids. Each week they will be releasing 2-3 videos ranging in topics from self-care, establishing good routines, to Mood Meter Check-ins. Here is a link to their Flip Grid Page; to see more of their videos click on "Topics.” They have also started an Instagram Page and you can follow them here.
PE/Health: Engaging in our Daily Big 4!
Hello Families! It is such an important time to focus on wellness! We want to help you and your students by creating a daily Big 4 plan that you can follow. In each plan there will be suggestions for: mental/emotional wellness, physical activity, social connection, and reflection. Students were emailed a link to a new "read-only" PE/Health Notebook in OneNote. The Big 4 will be posted there daily. If your student is having trouble finding that notebook, please email Carrie Pasquale or Jason Sytsma. We hope you will join us in striving for wellness!
Kulshan Library is Online!
Use this link to access our Library OneNote. In this notebook you will find a variety of how-to videos, links to activities, podcasts, virtual field trips, and more. I am also reading a poem every day on FlipGrid. Find the link in the OneNote, or click here. Comment on the poem, share one of your own, or just check in! I would love to hear from you, either on FlipGrid, email, or Instagram (@kulshanlibrary)! I miss you and love you. I hope you are finding things to read, chatting online with friends, and getting fresh air. Email me about anything. I’m here for you. Mr. Shaffer
Kulshan Counseling
Our counselors now have the ability to conduct virtual counseling sessions with students either by phone or by using video conferencing via Zoom. If your student would like to arrange a counseling session with Mr. Tiger or Ms. Newbauer, they can fill out a self-referral form by using this Link. If you are a parent or guardian and you would like to request counseling for your student(s), you can email Mr. Tiger or email Ms. Newbauer . Counselors will arrange counseling sessions by either emailing or calling students and/or families. Starting next weeks, counselors will have office hours (to be announced) and will be available by phone (phone numbers will also be announced).
A Message from Nurse Barb
Do you have a general student health question during our school closure? Nurse Barb is available by phone (360) 201-6390 or you can email Barb by clicking this link. We have many COVID related health questions and answers on our district website here. COVID educational materials are available in 26 languages at the Washington State Department of Health website.
Free School Lunches - ages 0-18
Bellingham Food Bank Locations
Tuesdays: Shuksan Middle School from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: Christ the King on Meridian from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Thursdays: Civic Field from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
Check out the Bellingham Food Bank to learn more or to make a donation.
Advanced Academic Work
If your family has capacity for more learning at this time, we encourage you to:
· Read! All Bellingham Public Schools students have access to the Bellingham Public Library collection, and can check out e-books and other resources.
· Take advantage of this set of curated resources, vetted by our teachers.
· Reach out to your child’s teacher(s), understanding they are also adjusting to a new routine and means of teaching that is very different from what we are all used to. They know your children well. They will have suggestions and ideas for extensions and quality resources.
· Consider learning in other areas during this time — perhaps areas your own family has expertise in. These could include lessons in cooking and baking, outdoor learning, or practicing a new skill.
Thunderbird Cross Country
Hey Cross Country Thunderbirds! We want you to know that you will be receiving updates from us, your coaches, with information about safe activities that you can do from home while practicing physical distancing! We will have Walk-Run challenges, workouts, and surprises for you! Stay tuned, stay connected, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for updates!
District Resources Website
High School Registration Process
Attention 8th grade Parents: Most of our 8th grade KMS students were able to complete the high school registration process before we headed off into this extended COVID break. If you would like to view the Course Catalog , feel free to check out course offerings for next year. (Spanish version of Course Catalog) Do you have questions about high school registration? Please contact one of our Kulshan counselors with your questions. Thank you!
Kulshan Book Club
On March 19, Kulshan was scheduled to host local author Christine Day, who wrote I Can Make This Promise. Day is a member of the Upper Skagit tribe and the book takes place in both Seattle and the Suquamish ancestral lands. This book has been read aloud and discussed in 6th and 7th grade Social Studies and Language Arts classes. We will work behind the scenes to make a connection with this local author via online platforms. If you are interested, you can purchase this book or check it out via Libby. It makes a great family book club!
Did you know that April 1 was Census Day?
In the midst of COVID, the U.S. Census is still happening. In fact, it is more important than ever to be counted. Census data guides how more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year for schools, health care facilities, roads, transportation, recreation centers, social services and more. The U.S. Census Bureau will send you an invitation to respond online to the 2020 Census between March 12-20. Responding to the Census helps our community get its fair share of funding. Your responses are safe and secure. The law requires the U.S. Census Bureau to keep your information confidential, and your responses cannot be used against you in any way. Learn more about how you can shape your future at 2020census.gov.
Kulshan Office Hours
Kevin Terpstra, Assistant Principal
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