Kulshan Connect
October 1, 2021
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 360-676-6456.
Sept 30: Power Outage/ Open House
Kulshan Food Pantry
Our Kulshan Food Pantry is back! If you are dropping off non-perishable food or healthcare items for the pantry, please deliver to our KMS front office and let them know it's for the food pantry. We greatly appreciate the ways our families come together to support our Kulshan community. If you and your family are in need of food support, please reach out to any of our Kulshan counselors: Aaron Tiger, Michelle Strobel, or Lacey Bachman.
State Testing Schedule
- RESCHEDULED: 6th grade Science SBA (from 5th grade)
- New date: Tuesday, October 19th (not Oct 21)
- Only 6th grade will be on a Testing Schedule
- 7th and 8th graders will be on a normal schedule
- Wed, October 27 - 6th, 7th, 8th Reading SBA (from 5th, 6th, 7th)
- Testing schedule for all grades
- Thurs, October 28 - 6th, 7th, 8th Math SBA (from 5th, 6th, 7th)
- Testing schedule for all grades
Learning Together
Part of our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work in Bellingham is examining our curriculum to see if the voices and images of all students and families are represented. Thank you to KMS families and students who have sent me resources to integrate into our library or curriculum. Yesterday we honored Truth and Reconciliation Day. This day is a federal holiday in Canada and connects directly with our Washington state, “Since Time Immemorial Curriculum” and our state’s own legacy of Indian boarding schools. Here is short video that explains Truth and Reconciliation Day. This website explains the Orange Shirt Day tradition.
Water Bottles
Kulshan Clubs
Future Problem Solvers Club
We are looking for more students who are interested in participating in Future Problem Solvers. Our FPS Club will meet Wednesday mornings at 8:15 with Mr. Dockins. It’s an exciting and challenging team atmosphere where you will be a member of a 4-student team figuring our real-life issues that impact our society. Kulshan has had teams who have done well in FPS competitions and it’s a great opportunity for any student who wants to push themselves in a team environment. If you are interested, please stop by the main office or contact Mr. Dockins either in person or over email.
Mask Reminder
Masks at School: Our students are doing a great job following mask guidelines at school. Middle school is a time when students can grow rapidly, and it can be a challenge to keep up all that. One thing that would be worth checking is how your students’ masks fit when they leave for school. Masks should fit snugly over the top of the nose down to underneath the chin. We have extra masks we can and do provide students when they need them as well. Thanks for supporting the safety of all kids, and we are proud of how our kids have responded to our safety protocols.
Aviation Club
If you are interested in learning about aviation from pilot and Whatcom Middle School teacher James Walsh, we have a district-wide aviation club. The club will meet over Zoom on the first and third Mondays of every month from 4:45 to 5:15. Please email Mr. Terpstra or stop by the office if you are interested and we will get you the Zoom link.
KMS Fall Sports
We have had a remarkable and extraordinary start to our Fall Sports Season! Over 250 KMS students are registred and are participating in our after school sports. Throughout the season, coaches will add information on our KMS Athletics page. Feel free to check this page or contact the coach directly. If you have any questions about sports registration or Final Forms, please email Lisa Scott, our Athletics Registrar or call 360-676-4886 x4708.
Kulshan Instructional Spotlight
Katie Elliott is a Physical Education teacher in her second year at Kulshan Middle School. Her classroom is finishing a Lacrosse unit, where students are getting non-stop time in PE to play Lacrosse. One of the impressive aspects of Ms. Elliott’s instruction is that she maximizes the amount of time that kids get to play and learn with each other. As you walk into the gym, you see four equally distributed teams in different color jerseys playing an active and enthusiastic game of lacrosse. At the whistle, the teams rotate in a clockwise fashion from the court to the sideline and from the sideline to the court. This routine ensures that every teams gets to rotate through playing each other. She squeezes every second out of her class through economy of language. She says the most with the fewest amount of words. For example, at one of the transitions of the game, she freezes the class and quickly says “Some quick feedback for the sidelines: first, pay attention to your teammates and cheer them on. Second, pay attention in case the ball is coming toward you. Alright, let’s go!” In that quick phrase, she said a lot about how to be a good teammate, how to stay safe on the sideline from a lacrosse ball that may whiz by, and that she cared about kids not getting hit by the lacrosse ball. This is a tough skill to learn as a teacher, and Elliott has it down. It is one of the many things she does to create joy and learning in the classroom. There is some tremendous teaching happening in PE – be sure to ask your kids about it.
Written by Tyler Dockins, Instructional Coach
The Golder Thunder Award
Lacrosse Unit
Katie Elliott
Gardening with Common Threads
Hello! My name is Karey Sharp (she/her or they/them)! I’m delighted to join the Kulshan Middle School community as the new Common Threads AmeriCorps Food Educator. This fall, students in 6th through 8th grade will explore and learn in the garden classroom as they help build healthy soil, save seeds, plant cover crop, and enjoy the harvest! A huge THANKS to all who helped care for the garden during the summer! If you’d like to volunteer in the garden (for lessons or garden maintenance) please let me know: kulshan@commonthreadsfarm.org
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 michelle.strobel@bellinghamschools.org
Lacey Bachman lacey.bachman@bellinghamschools.org
Aaron Tiger aaron.tiger@bellinghamschools.org
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.
Attendance Office Reminders
You are invited to join PTSA!
Limited Pick Up Loop @ KMS
Universal “free” meals for 2021-22
Since the first menu of the school year was included in the back-to-school mailing, the Food Services program has been impacted severely by national supply chain issues in the food industry. To keep families updated on what will be served, a two-week menu will be maintained on the school menu webpage. Reminder! All breakfast and lunch meals are provided at no cost to families in the 2021-22 school year thanks to a USDA ruling earlier this summer.
Now Hiring in BPS
We are hiring in Bellingham! If you have questions about jobs available in our schools, please visit the district website at and click on “jobs”. For assistance with questions about temporary substitute assignments, you may contact Gabrielle Roberts, Substitute Coordinator by emailing 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 or by calling (360) 319-4999.
Skyward Family Access
Is your contact information for your student up-to-date? You can do this online now through our Skyward Family Access program. Please take a few minutes to log into Skyward Family Access to review your contact information, mailing address, emergency contacts and to complete the Annual Health Concerns form for your student. If you need your login and password information for Skyward Family Access, please contact us. Do you need help with Skyward/ Family Access? Here are some great online resources and videos.
LGBTQ Support for Families and Youth
Bellingham Food Bank Schedule
Our local food bank (1824 Ellis Street) is open Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The team at Bellingham Food Bank works tirelessly to make sure they have great food to give families. Anyone can visit the food bank as often as needed, regardless of address. The food bank is proud to be of service to our families—always striving to serve them with dignity, respect, and a smile. Check out the Food Bank website to learn more about their satellite food banks, home delivery and Whatcom County Foodbanks. You can also make a donation here.
WTA Bus Fare: FREE for 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