Kulshan Connect
June 4, 2021
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 360-676-6456.
June 15 @ 4:00 PM: KMS Band Concert
June 17: Tech Turn-In
All students who are attending Kulshan on site will turn in computers on Thursday, June 17. Please plan to have your computer, computer bag, stylus, headphones, and charger ready to turn in on June 17. If you are not able to find any of these items, please let Adam Shaffer or Tyler Dockins know as soon as possible so that we can problem-solve with you before the last week of school. Students who are 100% remote or BVL should return their laptop to Kulshan on Friday, June 18. If you choose to return your laptop after that date, please return it to our District Office on Dupont Street.
Summer Book Check Out!
Summer checkout is back at Kulshan! If your library account is in good standing at the end of the year, you may check out up to 10 books for some summer reading. This is open to all students, but a signed agreement is required. Forms are available in the library and also on the Kulshan Library website.
FAQ with Dr. Baker
Staff, students, families and others have many questions, which include what next school year may look like (spoiler: we hope more like pre-pandemic times); rules about masking and vaccinations; our ongoing equity, diversity and inclusion work and many others. Watch this video to learn more!
8th grade Celebration!
We will hold our Kulshan 8th grade ceremony on Friday, June 18 from 9:45-10:30 AM. The event will be livestreamed for families, as visitors cannot enter our building. We will send the link the week of the event. Student “stars” will be handed out to students, a taco truck will serve lunch, and outdoor activities will be planned on our KMS Field. We are so excited to celebrate our amazing Kulshan 8th graders!
June 18: Last Day of School
The last day of school for the 2020-21 school year is Friday, June 18.
- Elementary schools dismiss at 1:30 p.m.
- Middle schools dismiss at 2:30 p.m.
- High schools dismiss at 12:30 p.m.
Please note for planning purposes: The last day of school for high school seniors is Friday, June 11. The first day of school is Sept. 1, 2021. The 2021-22 and 2022-23 school year calendars can be viewed on our calendars webpage.
Learning Together
Part of our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion work in Bellingham is examining our curriculum to see if the voices and images of traditionally marginalized students and families are represented. Thank you to the KMS families and students who have sent me resources to integrate into our curriculum across all of our content areas. Here is an article and video that helps explain the term "BIPOC." (pronounced BYE – POCK) I really enjoy learning with you! Thank you.
Seeking Your Feedback!
Every year, Bellingham Public Schools asks for feedback from all our families and students in grades 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. We need your feedback about what we are doing well and what we can continue to improve. If you have children in different schools, please answer once for each school. Please take 5-10 minutes to respond to our online feedback form by June 4.
Your Artwork: Now in Our Main Office
Free High School Courses
KMS Garden Update!
Our gardening classes are in full swing at Kulshan! You can find our gardening and cooking resources on our website, by signing up for our newsletter, or by following us on Facebook or Instagram @CommonThreadsFarm. We have been planting a lot of leafy greens, peas, carrots, potatoes, and much more in the garden the past couple of weeks. We are looking for Spring and Summer garden care volunteers, if this is something you would be interested in, you can read about it and sign up here!
Please Bring a Water Bottle!
COVID Vaccine Clinics
- PeaceHealth is offering clinics Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. They recommend scheduling an appointment through their online system. Walk-ins are accepted but patients may experience a wait, depending on the volume. Spanish Medical Interpreters are onsite Thursday evenings from 4:45 – 7 p.m.
- Unity Care is scheduling appointments for Pfizer first doses at their Bellingham clinic this week and have a number of appointments available. Families can schedule by calling the vaccine line (360-746-3098) or using the online scheduling link.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in BPS
We are happy to share this May 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.
High School Merchandise
Meal Distribution
Meal distribution continues every Wednesday between 4:00 and 5:30 p.m. Families can still pick up a 3 day meal, even if the kids are back 4 days. The 3 day meal includes all the fruit & veg, the scratch cook entree and milk. School locations are now: Birchwood, Happy Valley, Northern Heights, Roosevelt, Wade King, Fairhaven, Kulshan, Shuksan, Whatcom. The community locations are: Evergreen Ridge Apartments, Regency Park Apartment Complex, Sterling Meadows, Sudden Valley Community Center, and Bakerview Mobile Park.
Youth Peace Poetry Contest open for submissions
April is National Poetry Month, and the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) Youth Peace Poetry Contest is open now for submissions! The contest is open to all youth ages 4 to 18 who live in Whatcom County. For more more information or to submit a poem, please visit the WDRC website. In related Poetry News, Bellingham Public Schools is sharing poems using the hashtag: #BPSPoetry. This is a great chance to share student poems in more public way.
Energy Assistance Available
If you are in need of energy assistance during this ongoing pandemic, please contact 360-255-2912 to schedule an appointment or visit this website.
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 Gayle Wright, 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.
Health Attestation Form
If you plan on sending your child back to in-person school at Kulshan, parents are required to complete this Health Attestation form before each quarter starts. Daily health screens are mandatory for in-person school to take place. Parents will be expected to screen their students before arriving at school every day. We are required by the state health department, the county health department and the state superintendent of public instruction to have a health attestation. This attestation will be completed quarterly and will be kept on file as evidence of your agreement to the terms. Thank you!
Parent-Student Handbook
Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center
The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center has many valuable opportunities for families. These include information, education, mediation, conflict resolution, and more. Check our their website for events such as Parent Nights and FREE virtual workshop series for youth (ages 7-12) and teens (13-18). https://www.whatcomdrc.org/
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 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.
KMS Counselor Corner
We acknowledge that these are challenging times for our students. Our school counselors, Sierra Truesdale 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)
Sierra Truesdale - 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. The CDC has listed their mask updates 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.
It's Easy to Join KMS PTSA
LGBTQ Support for Families and Youth
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.
Bellingham Food Bank Schedule
Folks may visit twice per week and may choose among all locations which they visit. They will join a car queue and when it’s their turn, volunteers will provide pre-packed food boxes without requiring person to person contact. There will be a bike or walk-up option as well. Pick up for up to 2 families per visit, no paperwork required. Check out the Bellingham Food Bank to learn more or to make a donation.
District Resources Website
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