Kulshan Connect
December 10, 2021
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 360-676-6456.
Dec 13-17: KMS Spirit Week!
Please join us in showing your sprit for the awesome Kulshan Thunderbird community:
Monday December 13 is Wacky Hair Day!-- Get your hairspray and hair ties and show us your style--mohawks, space buns, rainbow and more!
Tuesday December 14 is Homeroom Wars!-- Come together as a team and show us your theme! Tbird classes will each choose their own theme.
Wednesday December 15 is Bring Anything but a Bag Day!-- Pack your laundry basket or fishing net but not your school bag. Be aware of space and movement challenges--be creative but reasonable!
Thursday December 16 is Ugly Sweater Day!-- Grab Grandma or Uncle Billy's sweater, the uglier the better.
Friday December 17 is Iconic Duo Day!-- Salt and Pepper, Bert and Ernie, better together than apart. Can be a duo, trio, or group.
We hope everyone will participate to show our Kulshan Spirit!
By Dec 10: PTSA Holiday Gift Drive
With the holidays coming soon, it’s time for our annual Giving Drive. This year, we’re asking for donations of gift cards and treats. Last year's gift cards and packaged treats made such a huge impact on our families, we decided to do the same thing again this year. All gift cards and treats can be dropped off during school hours: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM in the KMS front office by Friday, December 10. If you are able to make a donation, please let us know by signing up!
Kulshan Grant Winners!
Lost and Found Lollapalooza!
Kulshan Food Pantry
Our Kulshan Food Pantry is experiencing low inventory! If you would like to donate, please bring shelf-stable food or health care items to our KMS front office. Wondering what to bring? Please use our Sign Up Genius if you can. We GREATLY appreciate your support. Questions? Please reach out to our Kulshan counselors: Aaron Tiger, Michelle Strobel, or Lacey Bachman.
Free Physics and Biology Classes
Is your child interested in Physics or Biology? Would they be interested in a free online course during Winter Break? Robotics for All is co-directed by Mihir Jain, a junior at Interlake High School and the co-founder of Robotics for All. Robotics for All is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization working on bringing STEAM education to all students across the globe. There are two free classes being held via Zoom during Winter Break – Physics 101 and Biology 101, open to 5th – 11th graders. Click on their website for more information! Robotics for All
Learning Together
These next few months are full of amazing and inspirational holidays around the world. Learning for Justice offers several resources to help students gain a deeper understanding of religious and secular holidays. Our students enjoy learning more about family activities and celebrations both in the U.S. and around the world. Another resource from Scholastic called "How do you celebrate?" helps students and families learn about how people gather and celebrate this time of year. It's such a magical time of year! Enjoy!
Winter Weather and Bus Routes
Kulshan Instructional Spotlight
Brandon Adams is in his 2nd year at Kulshan Middle School and has taught for many years in Ferndale and at Bellingham Technical College before coming to Kulshan. With his experience, he brings a depth of content knowledge that benefits the learning opportunities for our students. Currently, in 8th grade math, Mr. Adams’ students are learning about linear equations and how to identify slope and the y-intercept of an equation. Students are learning how to identify these parts of a linear equation through some playful work in Desmos, our mathematics curriculum. Students are given a coordinate plane with an assortment of coins and need to create the fewest equations possible to “collect” the coins. See the examples in the photos below
Mr. Adams provides time for kids to explore and play with mathematics using these technology tools for students to see how changing the slope or the y-intercept of an equation can change the expression of a line on the graph. Then, Mr. Adams artfully show calls (showing student work to the whole class) student work by putting it up on the board and says “Mary’s equation does this [shows the picture]. What do we think about this equation? Does it capture a lot of coins?”. These little moments help demonstrate to kids that they can do challenging work, builds positivity around mathematics, and exemplifies our values at Kulshan of being a community of learners supporting one another. There is some quality, challenging work happening in Mr. Adams’ math classes with many opportunities to support one another.
Written by Tyler Dockins, Instructional Coach
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. We love having KMS parents as KMS employees and subs!
COVID Vaccine Card to KMS
It is important for us to know your student's vaccination status for contact tracing, as well as indoor events such as high impact sports. If you haven’t already, please email a photo of your student’s vaccination card to our registrar, Tatiana Samora at Tatiana.Samora@bellinghamschools.org. Thank you!
YMCA Youth Program
The YMCA is accepting 8th grade students into our After School Youth Institute Program! There is no registration necessary- youth are welcome to the FAC at the downtown YMCA on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. Learn the skills needed to become proficient with technology, ace your next exam, and become a leader in your community. If you are interested in learning more or have questions you can contact your school counselors: Aaron Tiger, Michelle Strobel, or Lacey Bachman. Or you can contact the YMCA directly at: Libby Teerink, Teen Coordinator.
Cell Phones Off Please
If your student carries a phone to school, please remind them to keep it turned off and put away between 9:15 AM - 3:45 PM. We ask families not to contact their middle schoolers on their cell phones during the school day. If you need to contact your student, you can always call our school’s main line. In the cases where students are on phones during class repeatedly, we may need to direct students to check phones into the office during the day, potentially leading to having parents or guardians picking up the phone at school. Thanks for partnering with us to help your students learn healthy phone boundaries.
COVID vaccines for students ages 5-11
The Pfizer vaccine against COVID was authorized for children ages 5-11 earlier this month. You can find out where pediatric doses are being offered on the Health Department’s Pediatric COVID vaccine page or on the Vaccine Locator by filtering for “Pfizer-BioNTech Pediatric, ages 5-11”.
Attendance Office Reminders
Need Holiday Support?
Free Dinners Mon - Thurs @ 5:00 pm
Bellingham Public Schools Community Meals Program:
What: Dinner for children (up to age 18) and parents
How much: Free for kids up to age 18, parents pay $4.75
Where: Shuksan Middle School’s Cafeteria (2713 Alderwood Ave.), Meals must be eaten on site and can’t be taken home
When: 5:00-6:00 pm, Mondays-Thursdays
* No dinner on all-school early release Thursdays
Kulshan Garden Update
Hello this is an update from your Food Educator Karey! We had an amazing end to fall garden lessons last week. Students helped prepare the garden for winter, played garden games, and searched for plants in the same family. Unfortunately, this year we will not be able to teach winter cooking lessons due to the pandemic. However, I will be back in the spring to teach fun and interesting garden classes. If you are interested in volunteering over the winter to prepare the garden for the spring please contact: kulshan@commonthreadsfarm.org>
COVID Vaccines Available
If you are interested in getting your child the COVID vaccine, the Whatcom County Health Department has good information about available locations for walk-up and appointments.
Safe Schools Zone
This fall, contractors installed security cameras inside and outside of several of our schools, including KMS. This project was approved by voters in our community as part of the 2018 school facilities bond. Security cameras will help us maintain the health, welfare and safety of students, staff and visitors. For more information, see policy 6610.
Open House and Teacher Videos
Water Bottles
Kulshan Clubs
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, Lacey Bachman, or Aaron Tiger.
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.
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 review your contact information, mailing address, emergency contacts and complete the Annual Health Concerns form for your student. If you need your login and password information for Skyward Family Access, please contact us. Also, here are some great online resources and videos.
LGBTQ Support for Families and Youth
Bellingham Food Bank Schedule
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