Kulshan Connect
May 29: 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.
Need Some New Books?
It is time to refresh your book stack! When you come into school to drop off library books, laptops, uniforms, etc., and pick up yearbooks, you'll be able to pickup a new stack of books, as well! Books must be requested in advance. Students won't be able to browse the library. Take a look at what is available on the Library Catalog. Then fill out this book request form. Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Stephanie will get your book stack ready and put it with the rest of your materials for pickup. Email Mr. Shaffer with any questions!
Kulshan Staff Highlight
New Link! Lunchtime Book Talks
Jennifer Lovchik, Teen Services Librarian at the Bellingham Public Library, invites all Shuksan and Kulshan MS students to join her for a virtual “Lunchtime” book club! During these sessions, we’ll share what we’ve been reading/watching/doing during our “stay at home” time. Join us on Wednesdays at 1:30 PM. Join the Zoom Meeting here. Meeting ID: 979 6826 3425 Password: 750518
Health and Wellness for You!
Every week, new activities and tips are shared to promote wellness and self-care among our staff and families. We call these the Big 4 for Wellness because they include the four categories of mental/emotional health, physical activity, social connection and personal reflection. The current tips include using a pomodoro timer to remember to take breaks and information about the daily mile! Follow the weekly posts on Facebook or Instagram or visit us here. #Bhamselfcare #BPSBig4
KMS ASB Elections
Attention 6th and 7th graders! We will still hold our elections for ASB officers this spring. No matter what school looks like in the fall, we want to have student leaders in place ready to help make sure Kulshan continues to be a great place to learn and grow. Application packets are available here and are due by Friday, May 29. Candidates will submit their speech on FlipGrid, which are due by Monday, June 1. Voting will take place in early June. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Shaffer or Ms. Newbauer.
Local Author Christine Day
Good news! We are in the process of setting a date for a virtual visit with Christine Day in late May or early June. Mr. Shaffer has recorded audio of the the last half of the book, which should cover any classes that did not finish. Students can find the files here or in the Library OneNote. We encourage students and families to list to these chapters if they are interested. More details coming!
We Are Here for You
As we head into our last month of school, we wanted to let parents know that we are more than happy to share your student's information with you. Prior to March 13, parents would periodically receive progress reports and could access much of your child’s learning through Skyward. We are clearly in a different environment now. So if you are wondering about your child’s participation in our weekly assignments, please reach out to your child's teachers. We also realize that each of you are in different and unique situations. We do not want to add a layer of pressure or obligation, but rather to offer an opportunity to communicate with us if that feels right to you. If you want to reach out but are having a hard time finding teachers' emails, please let us know. We sincerely miss seeing your students each day and we are hopeful for the opportunity to see them again in the fall. Thank you!
Don't Forget: Register for next year!
Attention current 6th and 7th graders - - We sent an email this week with a form to choose your enrichment classes for next year. Don't forget to open that email and fill out the online form so that you have some choice in your classes! It’s quick, easy, and we would like to have these back by May 15. If you did not receive the email, or if it is buried in your inbox, reach out to us and we will resend you the link.
Common Threads Cooking Classes
Common Threads is offering new online cooking classes. Students are invited to follow along with our food educators over Zoom to make simple, healthy, and tasty recipes. Parents (and teachers!) are invited to join too. The ingredient and supply lists are posted in the event descriptions on our website - but students don't need to worry if they don't have the exact items. We'll be offering ideas for substitutions and creativity. Payment is on a pay what you can sliding scale. Families are asked to sign up no later than the day before the event. People who register will receive an email an hour before class with a link to join.
Online Writing Club!
Kulshan Writing Club with Sudden Valley librarian Marie Guenette is back! The club will meet on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm, via Zoom. The first meeting is May 5! Contact Mr. Shaffer if you have any questions. Join the Zoom Meeting here. Meeting ID: 454 081 8328 Password: booksrock
Kulshan Daily Announcements!
Sehome Cheer Tryouts
Students: Big 4 for Wellness at Kulshan
What are you doing to stay active and well? Your PE/Health teachers want to know! Each week we are asking to students to submit a record of what they are doing to stay healthy. There are two formats they can use, which are found in Microsoft Teams under the assignments tab. The Big 4 recommendations can help you as you move through the week. We hope you will join us in striving for wellness! If your student is having trouble finding any of these PE/ Health resources, please email Carrie Pasquale or Jason Sytsma. We hope you will join us in striving for wellness!
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.
District Resources Website
We Miss You!
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