Kulshan Connect
April 29, 2022
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
A Message from our PTSA
May 2-6 is Staff Appreciation Week! Let's show how much we appreciate our amazing Kulshan Staff! Each day of the week we will have a different theme with special treats each day:
- Monday: "Breakfast of Champions"
- Tuesday: :You Have a Pizza Our Heart"
- Wednesday: "May the Fourth Be With Teachers"
- Thursday: "Nacho Average Teacher"
- Friday: "So Sweet Staff"
Use the links below to click on your child's grade level and donate! We understand it is a busy time of year, so if you cannot donate an item, you are invited to give a monetary donation and we will fill in the needs. Here are the links if you want to donate an item for a specific date:
Thank you so much for your support! We appreciate you!KMS Art Displayed Downtown
AVID Registration
Current 6th and 7th grade students have recently had the opportunity to sign up for AVID next year. AVID is a class that focuses on community building, leadership skills, and positive habits while keeping an eye toward high school and beyond. Our current 6th and 7th grade classes were able to watch a short introductory video describing AVID, and fill out applications if they wanted to. If you have questions about this class, please reach out to our AVID coordinator, Ashlea Shepherd.
Spread the Joy!
You are invited to our second annual JOY Project! We are celebrating five days of joy in our schools. Let’s celebrate them together. Here are our daily themes:
May 2: Diversity is beautiful
May 3: Art and music inspire
May 4: Eat good food
May 5: Staff appreciation
May 6: Get active
Get ideas for each day on the Foundation website. Be sure to follow the Foundation on Facebook at @ilovebhamschools and on Instagram at @bellinghamschoolsfoundation.
Feel free to share any pictures on social media with the hashtag #theJOYProjectBPS.
Summer Opportunities!
The City of Bellingham has published the Spring/Summer 2022 Playbook (formerly known as Leisure Guide) which includes several high school sports camps. The COB offers $200/person annual scholarships for Parks and Rec/Arne Hanna Programs. The Pass Program through Every Kid Sports provides up to $150 to athletes ages 4-18 for recreational sports programs. Families are expected to contribute $10 towards the camp or program. Blue Skies for Children in Bellingham provides funding through their Little Wishes programs for children experiencing homelessness, children who are in foster-care, or children who are eligible for free or reduced school lunches. The Bellingham Schools Foundation may also provide assistance if a student is unable to access any of the above funds. Contact Laurel Peak for assistance.
Progress Reports Sent Home with Students
Our Kulshan teachers sent Progress Reports home with students on Thursday, April 21. The printed version of Progress Reports may not show all comments due to printing constraints. If you would like to view your students' Progress Report online, please sign into Skyward Family Access. Parents can view them in their entirety on-line by clicking on the assignment and the speech bubble. Additionally, families can see assignment descriptions in that same location. Please reach out to your students' T-Bird Time teacher or our Registrar, Tatiana Samora, if you have questions.
2022-2023 Enrichment Choices
Our 6th and 7th graders have chosen their enrichment classes for next year, so it’s a good time to check in with your students about which classes they chose. We also shared information about how to apply for our AVID program. We are excited to run two AVID cohorts next year in both 7th and 8th grade. AVID will take place during T-Bird Time. We are looking for students from all backgrounds who are motivated to discuss their future goals, collaborate, and learn more about academic success at the next level. Questions about Enrichment? Please reach out to our KMS counselor, Aaron Tiger.
Debate Club
Bellingham United Debate Team is hosting a weeklong workshop for middle school and incoming high school students to learn and practice the basics of competitive debate. This will be a fun, engaging, and exciting summer opportunity that will give you lasting memories and valuable skills. Monday June 27th - Friday July 1st from 9:00am - 12:00pm, all 5 days at Bellingham High School. For more information about the Bellingham Summer Debate Workshop or the Bellingham United Debate Team, please email Coach Nick Phillips.
Kulshan Spring Sports!
We have had an amazing start to our Spring Sports. Schedules and information about each sport can be found here. Still want to register? Registration is open on Final Forms. Questions? Please reach out to Lisa Scott, our Athletics Registrar. This spring we are offering:
- Unified Soccer - open to all grades, all genders
- Cross Country - open to all grades, all genders
- Football - 7th and 8th grade, all genders
- Girls Basketball - open to all grades
State Testing this Spring
May 4 - 6 (Wed, Thurs + Fri): All grades ELA
May 12 - 13 (Thurs + Fri): All grades Math
(NEW) Spring Music Clubs
Drumline will be after school every Tuesday in the Band Room starting March 22nd. Ukulele Club will be after school on Thursdays in the Orchestra Room starting March 24th. You do not need to have any musical experience or be in any music class to join. Both clubs are open to ALL STUDENTS and all instruments will be provided (though you are welcome to bring your own ukulele if you would like). If you have any questions, email Ms. Petaia or come chat with her in the music rooms before or after school.
Mental Health for Teens
Idle Free Pick Up
Idle Free Pick-up at Kulshan: Did you know that idling your car for 10 minutes can put a pound of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? As you pick up your students from school or practice and are waiting in your car, we ask that you refrain from idling cars. Thanks for helping us preserve healthy air for our kids while putting less carbon in the air!
WCHD Vaccine Clinics
Our Whatcom County Health Department continues to offer clinics and pop up clinics throughout Whatcom County. Check out all of the dates and locations. For some of the clinics, they are offering $50 gift cards for people getting a first or second dose. Yay!
Homework Club Snacks Needed
New District Calendar
Attendance Office Reminders
Human Growth and HIV Lessons
Our Kulshan PE teachers will be sharing out the Human Growth and Development and HIV lessons that we will be teaching this Spring. Washington State requires HIV/AIDS prevention education for all students, and families are often curious about the materials and information that will be shared with students. Our PE teachers teach specific lessons which can be previewed here. As always, families may opt their child out of these Human Growth and Development & HIV/AIDS lessons. Please let your child's PE teacher know in writing if that is your choice. Thank you!
Now Hiring!
Have you considered becoming a substitute or school volunteer? Our district is dedicated to keeping schools open and operational, but we need YOU! Being a substitute offers flexibility and helps support our schools, staff and Bellingham’s children in fulfilling The Bellingham Promise. We are currently accepting applications for substitute teachers, emergency certified substitute teachers, paraeducators, bus drivers, warehouse/delivery drivers, custodians, nurses, food service staff and office personnel. Join us!
Social Media Accounts
Have you seen concerning social media pages related to Kulshan students? Please report accounts to Instagram if the accounts are bullying or harassing or otherwise violating Instagram terms of service. This step is easy and anonymous. Send information, tips, or concerns regarding a safety issue in our schools by texting or calling 844-310-9560 or by visiting bellinghamschools.org/safe for confidential, anonymous, two-way communication with our safety staff.
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.
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.
LGBTQ Support for Families and 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