Sehome Mariner Memo
08/26-09/02/2022
PRINCIPAL'S LETTER
Dear Sehome Community,
I am excited to welcome all of you to the 2022-2023 school year. Our custodial team has been busy all summer making our building ready for another year of learning. A huge thank you to each of them for all of their work!
Our main office is open daily and is ready to serve you and support our students and families. Please swing by the main office or call (360)676-6481 if there are any questions or if we can help out in any way.
Computers are available for pick up by all students before the school year begins. Please review the graphic below for the times computer check-out is available. Our goal is to have as many computers out before the start of school as possible so that we can start the year with students having their devices. Please help us accomplish this goal by bringing your child to device pick up! If students are unable to pick up before school starts, students can go to the library before school on the first day and pick up their computer.
School begins at 8:30 AM. Our schedule starts with 1st period on A days and 5th period on B days. Please note- we no longer start the day with Anchor. Students start with an academic class. Please encourage your child to be on time for school each day. Anchor will be after the first period of the day. The daily schedule is below.
In order to help with our building safety and security, all students, families, and staff will enter the building through the main entrance. Our goal is to limit the number of access points and to be able to greet our whole Sehome community in the morning at the main entrance. Please also use the main entrance for activities within the building- such as in the theater or in the gym. Please park in the main parking lot and use the main entrance doors.
Another change to this school year is that we are no longer able to provide free lunch and breakfast to all students. If you want to add money to your child's lunch account, you can do that here. Families can apply for Free/Reduced meals for the 22/23 school year anytime by visiting the online application. We have an incredible school lunch program. Lunch menus can be viewed at https://bellinghamschools.org/families/school-day-information/school-menus/ The cost is $1.75 for breakfast and $3.25 for lunch.
All school supplies that students need will be provided through Project Free Education. A backpack is recommended but is not required. If your child needs a backpack, they are available in the Sehome Counseling Office.
Athletics and activities are a great way for kids to be connected to their school and to their peers. Fall sports are already starting up. Additional information about athletics and activities is below.
We are following the department of health guidance around COVID protocols. Masks are not required but a student can certainly choose to wear one if they prefer to.
Below, there is more information about the school year and upcoming events. I am excited for a great school year. We have a great staff who is ready and eager to welcome our Sehome students. If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please do not hesitate to reach out. We love to hear from you! If you have a child who is nervous or needs some additional time in the building to see where classes are or to ask questions, please reach out. We are happy to provide additional time and support. We are here to serve you and to help all students have a great start to the year.
I am so thankful for this community. Let's make it a great year together!
Sonia Cole
Principal
IN THIS EPISODE:
1 – KEY DATES
2 – PICTURE DAY
3 – NPR ARTICLE ON STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH
4 – GENERAL INFORMATION
5 – POINTS OF CONTACT
KEY DATES
KEEPING AN EYE ON YOUR STUDEN'TS MENTAL HEALTH DURING BACK-TO-SCHOOL
Recent article from NPR touches on student mental health during back-to-school season
SCHEDULES
- This year, you will not be receiving a printed copy of your class schedule. You can access your class schedule through Skyward.
- Freshmen schedules will be available for freshmen orientation on August 25.
- Schedules for Sophomore, Junior, and Seniors will be viewable on Skyward on Monday, August 29.
- If you are unable to access your schedule, please come by the main office or counseling office and we will print a copy for you.
- After reviewing your schedule, if there are circumstances that require a course change, please complete a Schedule Change Request Form which will be available outside of the Counselling Office.
- Schedule changes are not guaranteed and are subject to approval only due to extenuating circumstances. Schedule Change Forms are only accepted the first two weeks of school.
STAFFING UPDATES
NEW STAFF:
- Lourdes Aguliar, Band/Choir
- Kristin Dungan, Special Education
- Gwen Fetherolf, Counselor
- Jared Greenwood, PE
- Caden Mee, PE
- Lindsay Perwak, Multi-Lingual Learner Specialist
- Nick Viera, Social Studies
COUNSELING ASSIGNMENT CHANGE:
The new assignments are:
Amy Hjelt, Counselor A - D: amy.hjelt@bellinghamschools.org
Gwen Fetherolf, Counselor E-K: gwen.fetherolf@bellinghamschools.org
Hana Schutz, Counselor L-Re: hana.schutz@bellinghamschools.org
John Vandermolen, Counselor Rh - Z: john.vandermolen@bellinghamschools.org
If you have any questions about your child, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's counselor.
PARKING PERMITS
BUS LOOP & DROP OFF
Please use the main lot for drop off and pick up of your child. We ask that you pull all the way forward and do not park in the fire lane.
OPEN CAMPUS
FOOD SERVICE
We encourage Sehomefamilies to complete the federal free and reduced price school meals application online. You can find this linked on the food services webpage. If you prefer a paper application, we have them in our office, or contact food services 360-676-6504.
New this year! families who qualify for reduced-price meals eat for free; the reduced-price co-pay has been eliminated.
For paying students, the cost of school breakfast is $1.75 and lunch is $3.25
Student status – whether free, reduced, or full-pay is confidential. All students enter an id code into a point of sale terminal and student status – whether free, reduced, or full-pay is confidential.
Meal accounts are used to pay for school meals; more information can be found on the food services webpage.
The Good Food Project includes scratch-cooking from the central kitchen, fresh salad bars, locally-sourced products, and a variety of options with broad appeal.
If you have any questions about the food services program or CEP, please visit the food services webpage, email laura.davis@bellinghamschools.org or call 360-676-6504. School menus will be posted as we get closer to the first day of school.
BELL SCHEDULE
CAREER CENTER
Resources for Students:
· Field Trips to local colleges and local employers and training centers
College Visits and local tours
· College Fair (fall at Sehome)
· Teen Job Fair! (spring at BHS)
· Résumé help
· Volunteer Opportunities
· Scholarships and financial aid
· Sumer camp opportunities
High School and Beyond Support!
Students sign up in the Career Center
Contact:
Martha Zender
High School and Beyond Coordinator
martha.zender@bellinghamschools.org
ATTENDANCE
We believe strongly in the benefit of regular school attendance to support academic achievement, connection, and graduation. Families should contact the office within 48 hours regarding a student's absence. An absence can be classified as excused if it is related to illness, health condition, medical appointment, family emergency, religious purposes, court-related, or directly related to a student's homeless status(Policy 3122). We commit to supporting students and families around consistent school attendance. We may partner with the Juvenile Court system if unexcused absences(truancy) begin to hinder the academic progress of students. We look forward to learning together with your student this year.
Under a new WA state law (HB1834) taking effect this month, students can use excused absences from school as needed for mental health reasons.
In supporting the mental and academic wellness of each student, we know that these two are often connected, and students who attend school regularly have improved levels of mental health and wellness. We recognize that students may need to take absences due to mental health needs. Multiple school absences can also lead to increased stress or anxiety related to missing school, classwork and decreased social connection. Students, parents/guardians and school staff can work together to develop additional support that assists the student in attending school regularly. Additional information regarding this new law and its implications will be coming out soon. If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's assistant principal- Mike Couto (last names A-K) or Bethany Barrett (last names L-Z).
CAMERAS
AHLETICS & ACTIVITIES
Fall Sports Information:
Football Practices start Wednesday, August 18.
All other Fall Sports start Monday, August 22.
Please contact the coaches listed below for additional details.
To register for Fall Sports:
Update your student’s information and documents in Final Forms.
1. Go to FinalForms, click on “Parent” and login.
· If you forgot your password, click “Forgot your password?”
· If you have never set up your FinalForms account, click “Never logged in?” then enter the main email address that we have on file for you in Skyward to resend the confirmation link. Then, use the link to set up the account and login.
Coach Contact for Fall Sports:
Fall Sports
Boys Tennis Tom Sloane sloanes@comcast.net
Coed Cross Country Kevin Ryan kevin.ryan@bellinghamschools.org
Coed Dance Selena Arciniega-Storey selena.arciniega-storey@bellinghamschools.org
Coed Football Kevin Beason beas5112@yahoo.com
Coed Cheer Beth Kealy elizabeth.kealy@bellinghamschools.org
Girls Slow-Pitch Jim Emerson burgleremerson@comcast.net
Girls Soccer Emily Webster emily.webster@bellinghamschools.org
Girls Swimming Don Helling don.helling@bellinghamschools.org
Girls Volleyball Clayton Sin clayton.sin@bellinghamschools.org
Fall Sailing Scott Wilson whatcomsailing@gmail.com
Any questions, reach out to:
Kristin Cerenzia
Activities & Athletics Admin Asst
Kristin.cerenzia@bellinghamschools.org
Colin Cushman
Athletic/Activities Coordinator
TRANSPORTATION
Bus pick-up and drop-off times, as well as bus stops, have changed from last year.
MULTI-LANGUAGE MESSAGE LINE
PARENT SQUARE
This school year, Bellingham Public Schools is launching a new communication platform called ParentSquare, an app-based, web-based system that enhances two-way communication. Find out more online at bellinghamschools.org/parentsquare or look for the back-to-school checklist insert in the summer mailing.
We will be sending out an activation email and text soon to all families. Download the ParentSquare app now!
Sehome PTSA
To join the Sehome PTSA: https://www.memberplanet.com/packetview/sehomehighptsa/sehomehighschoolptsamembershippages
Email: sehomehighschoolptsa@gmail.com
Website: https://sehomehighptsa.memberplanet.com/
Facebook: SehomeHighSchoolPTSA
Instagram: @sehomehsptsa
Sehome Points of Contact
Sonia Cole, Principal: sonia.cole@bellinghamschools.org
Mike Couto, Assistant Principal: A - K mike.couto@bellinghamschools.org
Bethany Barrett, Assistant Principal: L - Z bethany.barrett@bellinghamschools.org
Colin Cushman, Athletics & Activities: colin.cushman@bellinghamschools.org
Amy Hjelt, Counselor A - D: amy.hjelt@bellinghamschools.org
Gwen Fetherolf, Counselor E-K: gwen.fetherolf@bellinghamschools.org
Hana Schutz, Counselor L-Re: hana.schutz@bellinghamschools.org
John Vandermolen, Counselor Rh - Z: john.vandermolen@bellinghamschools.org
Contact Information
Website: https://sehome.bellinghamschools.org/
Location: 2700 Bill McDonald Pkwy, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360)676-6481