Kulshan Connect
January 29, 2021
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 360-676-6456.
Important Dates
Tues, Feb 2: No School/ Teacher Workday
Wed, Feb 3: First day of Semester 2 (Homeroom only)
Thurs, Feb 4: New Middle School Schedule (Homeroom + Periods 1-4)
Feb 4: New Middle School Schedule
Next week, we will be adjusting students’ daily schedules starting Thursday, Feb 4. We have designed this new middle school schedule to work both for remote learning, as well as for in-person classes. Thursday, Feb. 4 is the first synchronous learning day of second semester. Our Wednesday schedule will remain the same throughout the school year. We held a webinar to help explain the schedule; the video link is here.
Wed, Feb 3: ASB Fundraiser
Join us on Wednesday, February 3 for our ASB MOD Pizza (2925 Newmarket St.) fundraiser. They will donate 20% of Takeout, Delivery & Pick up orders to support our ASB! We ask that you RSVP here: www.groupraise.com/events/160380 (even if you’re not completely sure) so MOD Pizza knows roughly how many orders to expect / how busy they will be. Feel free to forward this invitation to your friends and family. If you're ordering online or on your phone, the code is GR160380K.
Do you have art to share?
Feb 16 Webinar: New Middle School Attendance Areas
Are you wondering about Kulshan’s new attendance area for the Fall of 2021? You can access maps of the future attendance areas on our website . If your student participates in a choice program, like Bellingham Virtual Learning or the Bellingham Family Partnership Program, or a specialized program such as Life Skills or BRIDGES, this may not affect your family. We are holding Meet and Greet events at our schools via Zoom on Feb. 16 (in English) and Feb 17 (en espanol). We will be sending the link to you soon.
8th grade Families
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in BPS
We are happy to share this February 2021 newsletter listing heritage months, cultural celebrations, holidays and other information supporting the important work of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in Bellingham Public Schools. Please visit the EDI webpage for an ongoing dialogue and focus on this key strategy of The Bellingham Promise. You can also reach out directly to the director of equity, diversity and inclusion Janis Velasquez Farmer.
Weather emergencies/closures: where to find information and how to be notified
If we experience inclement weather in Bellingham, information will emailed to all families in Bellingham Public Schools and posted on the district website. With snow possible in the forecast early next week, please continue to monitor your email. For snow routes or information on how to update your notification preferences in Skylert, visit the Weather Procedures page of the district website.
KMS Back-to-School Planning
We don't yet have a return date for in-person school at Kulshan, but we continue our planning. We have set up classrooms using Whatcom County and District safety protocols. Hand sanitizing stations are installed in every classroom. The airflow in our building turns over at least 5 times per hour. We have scheduled outdoor break times to encourage student movement. We regularly update these pages as guidance and information changes: This webpage is geared for families and students.
Optional/ Additional Math Class
This is a final reminder to seventh grade students and families that all student in grade 7 who want to take the Bridge to Compacted 8/Algebra 1 must register for the course no later than 10 pm on Sunday, January 31. No students are automatically enrolled by the schools and there are no plans for a summer option. If your student would like to take on this challenging class, please register here or email Tyler Dockins, our Ed Tech Coach.
Promise Tomorrow Learning Opportunity Grades 3-12
Here’s a great opportunity for students looking for academic enrichment in a group setting with peers ~ The Promise Tomorrow Initiative is a great opportunity for motivated students to engage in student-driven inquiry! This is project-based learning at its best. Students will work on quarterly projects that envision creative solutions to transition to a better world. Students will research complex topics, then innovate technologies, designs, or plans to mobilize behavior. Student teams will meet weekly via Zoom, be supported by a volunteer, and be supervised by a Promise Tomorrow Coordinator. Projects will be presented quarterly with a final symposium in June. Those interested, please see detailed information and sign up link on the district website. Questions about the project can be directed to the project administrative team, by level: Margi Smith (Elementary) margi.smith@bellinghamschools.org, Eva Chazo (Mid—level) eva.warnerchazo@bellinghamschools.org, or Erin Burke (High School) erin.burke@bellinghamschools.org.
Kulshan Pantry Re-Stock
We are stocking up our pantry for our Kulshan community! Please sign up here to help stock up our pantry for our KMS families in need. Items can be dropped off at Kulshan on Wednesdays during food pick up or on Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Please note that parents cannot enter our school, so you can call our main school line or knock at our window if you drop off at our main office. If you have any questions, please contact Jen Newbauer, school counselor. If you are a family in need, please don’t hesitate to reach out for support.
We Need Your Photos
We're hoping to get your help in making sure that our 2021 yearbook is the best one yet. We are asking for images of Kulshan students engaging in school activities (practicing instruments, drawing, writing, reading, PE, etc.), participating in hobbies, chores, interests, and visiting local parks, places, Mt. Baker, trails. Please email copies of your images to Rob Hendricks or Kat Hendricks. Please include your student's name and grade in the subject line. Thank you!
Scholastic Book Orders
Did you know you can access Scholastic Book Orders through the Kulshan Library? Here is a link. Our class (library) code is GLB8R. You can browse some flyers here, or search for many, many other titles online. Books ordered can ship to homes or to Kulshan for pickup. Ship-to-home is free for orders over $25, and you can also get a free $5 Book Pick with the code READS. Scholastic is a great way to find books for a good price. Every purchase supports the library and classroom collections.
Is Your Information Correct?
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 me and I can provide that information. Please note that if you need to correct or update your address and/or mailing address, you will have to contact me with the new information (families do not have permission to update addresses online). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our registrar Viry Ferreira.
District Meal Distribution
Our district meal box distribution continues every Wednesday at all of our regular 21 locations from 4:00-5:30 PM. Additionally the Bellingham Food Bank offers weekly pick up locations and times. Visit their website for more information on times and locations. If you need additional support, please contact the Family Resource Center (FRC) now by filling out the help form or calling 360-676-6456.
Food Recovery Program
Starting in January, and continuing every week, unused, non-perishable food items from the district meal boxes can be returned to the 15 school distribution sites. Sustainable Connections will be working with Food Services to find a new use for the recovered food. Clean out your pantries from any shelf stable items you may not use. When you arrive in the meal box line, let the staff on hand know you have food for the Food Recovery Program. They will direct you to the drop-off box. School sites only.
KMS Counselor Corner
We acknowledge that these are challenging times for our students. Our school counselors, Jen Newbauer and Aaron Tiger, want to provide you with some information and resources. Feel free to reach out to our counselors via email or phone as well so we can give you specific resources for your situation.
Aaron Tiger - Counselor (cell 360-739-3991)
Jen Newbauer - Counselor (cell 360-739-4138)
Viry Ferreira - KMS Registrar
Updated WA State COVID Recommendations
Check this WA State COVID website for updates regarding restrictions and social gatherings. Specific information about travel recommendations can be found here. Bellingham Public Schools have also added their own COVID 19 dashboard, available on the district website and at this link. Governor Inslee's news and media releases can be found here.
Free COVID Tests in Whatcom County
Did you know that our Whatcom County Health Department has free, drive-up COVID tests? To arrange a COVID test, visit testdirectly.com or call 360-778-6075. Also, our Kulshan school nurse is Amy Eisenhauer, BSN, RN and she can be reached at 360-303-4667.
Every Wednesday KMS Book Pick Up
Students can use this link to look at the online catalog. If you see something you want that is unavailable, you can log into Destiny and place a hold (same login as for your laptop). To request books, use this form. Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Stephanie will get your books ready for pickup. Books will be available on on Wednesdays during Food Pick Ups: 4:00 - 5:30 PM.
Please enter your requests the day before book distribution. Requests received after that may not be ready for next-day pickup (but we'll do our best). As always, email Mr. Shaffer for book recommendations, or any other questions! Books not picked up on Pickup Day will be in the office and can be picked up (as well as returned) from 8:30 AM -3:00 PM on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri.
It's Easy to Join KMS PTSA
LGBTQ Support for Families and Youth
How to Join a Club
Free Cooking Classes
Weekly Announcement Videos
Power Outage?
If there is a power outage, our staff will help your student catch up. Please notify Jeneen Durand, our Attendance Secretary by calling 360-647-6877 or emailing kms.attendance@bellinghamschools.org . If a teacher loses connection during a class, students should stay on the class for a few minutes while the teacher logs back in. Then check students’ email and MS Teams for instructions from the teacher. More information can be found here on our KMS website.
Skyward/ Family Access
Are you in need of family support?
If you are in need of services or help with domestic abuse or sexual assault the local agency DVSAS (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services) is able to help. Here is a link that helps to explain their role and provides contact information. You can also call our KMS Counselors Aaron Tiger 360-739-3991 or Jen Newbauer cell 360-739-4138.
Wednesday Attendance
Did you know that we take attendance for all classes every Wednesday? Students will be marked present if they at least log in and check their MS Teams page. Please remind your students to do this every Wednesday for periods 5-8. Thank you!
KMS Attendance
(NEW!) Bellingham Food Bank Schedule
Tuesdays: 1175 Jersey Street from 1:00-4:00 PM
Wednesdays: CTK, 4173 Meridian St. from 3:00-6:00 PM
Thursdays: 1175 Jersey Street from 1:00-4:00 PM
Check out the Bellingham Food Bank to learn more or to make a donation.
District Resources Website
We Miss You and We Love You!
Kulshan Contacts
Kevin Terpstra, Assistant Principal
Jeneen Durand, Attendance Secretary
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