Sehome High School Mariner Memo
Week of March 8 - 12, 2021
Note from the Principal
Dear Sehome Community,
This is a big week. On March 13, it will be one year since we shut down the school for what we originally said would be a 6 week shut down. What a year it has been! This year has taught us many things, including our ability to continually adapt and innovate a new way of doing things. It is exciting to bring back our freshmen and sophomores this week to in-person learning. Next week, we add our juniors and seniors to the mix!
We have updated Skyward to reflect the requests to continue working remotely. If you decide to change to in-person learning, please notify Toni Ladner in our attendance office and she will update your preference. The same is true if you selected in-person learning and decide to switch to fully remote, please let Toni know. There is a lot of flexibility between the different modes of instruction, but it is helpful for us to know what your plan is for your family.
Bus routing information has been updated. Click the link to access the Infofinder for updated information. Afternoon buses will run at 12:30 PM. There will be an additional activities bus that leaves the school at 3:30 and makes limited stops throughout town. This bus is available to students who are working with teachers on-site during the afternoon office hours.
We also want to acknowledge that approximately 25% of our Sehome families have selected to remain 100% remote. Our teachers will continue to support all students, both those working remotely or at school. We are very grateful that we can provide a range of options for our students and families.
Sonia Cole
Principal
Eligible bus riders!
If your child rides the bus to in person school, there will some adjustments to bus times effective Monday, March 8. These adjustments were needed as we welcome more high school students back to in-person school. Most bus times have only changed by a few minutes, but some of them are earlier, and we don’t want anyone to be surprised. If your student is or will be riding the bus to school, you can find their bus stop and time at Infofinder. Enter your street address (no zip code or school) and you will be able to see the location and times for your student(s). If you need help with Infofinder, please call the school office or Transportation at 360-676-6546.
Be sure to check routes before Monday morning!
We are hiring!
Now hiring for substitute paraeducators, food services staff, teachers, bus drivers, and more!
Bellingham Public Schools is hiring for part-time supervision paraeducators as well as other substitute paraeducator positions. Hours for the supervision para are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., four days a week — Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. This might be the perfect opportunity for someone looking for shorter hours on a school year schedule.
We also have openings for substitute teachers, bus drivers and food services staff for the remainder of the school year.
To view current vacancies and to apply online, go to bellinghamschools.org/jobs. If you have questions after visiting the website, please call (360) 398-5572 about substitute work and (360) 319-3999 about other positions.
Supporting Mental Health During COVID-19
Medication at School
If your student requires medication at school please provide a complete Authorization for Medications at School. Students may self-carry some medications with physician, parent/guardian and school nurse approval. Any medication that a student brings with them to school, must have a medication authorization form complete and on file at school. If you have any questions about your student’s health needs while at school please contact your School Nurse, Alyssa Johnson at 360-201-8766 or alyssa.johnson@bellinghamschools.org. We are looking forward to welcoming your student(s) back to Sehome!
Counseling Protocol
Hello students and families,
We have missed you! 😊
As we move into the building, we wanted to make sure you were up-to-date on how to access your counselor.
Currently the best way to reach your counselor or set an appointment is still via Teams chat, email or on their district cell phone:
Jeff Smith (9th Grade)
Jeffrey.Smith@bellinghamschools.org
360-739-3769
Amy Hjelt (10th-12th A-G)
Amy.Hjelt@bellinghamschools.org
360-746-5106
Hana Schutz (10th-12th H-M)
Hana.Schutz@bellinghamschools.org
360-739-2642
John VanderMolen (10th-12th N-Z)
John.VanderMolen@bellinghamschools.org
360-739-3793
Meghan Lever (Prevention Intervention Specialist)
Meghan.Lever@bellinghamschools.org
360.746.9845
Martha Zender (Running Start Advisor/High School and Beyond Coordinator)
Martha.Zender@bellinghamschools.org
Due to safety protocols, counselors will not be available for drop-in appointments. Many of our appointments will continue to be on zoom, and if you have an immediate need to talk with someone at school, you can check in with Mrs. Simpson at the front desk to get connected with your counselor.
Counseling Office Protocol
Step 1: Check in using QR Code outside of the counseling office.
Step 2: Use hand sanitizer and enter the counseling office.
Step 3: Check in with Mrs. Simpson to get connected with your counselor.
*If you do not have your phone for the QR Code, please let Mrs. Simpson know so she can get you checked in.
We are looking forward to being back in the building, and as always feel free to reach out with any questions!
Your Sehome Counseling Team
Amy Hjelt (A-G) amy.hjelt@bellinghamschool.org
Hana Schutz (H-M) hana.schutz@bellinghamschools.org
John VanderMolen (N-Z) john.vandermolen@bellinghamschools.org
College 101
The College 101 Series features free, bilingual, 3-hour, college preparation workshops held virtually in various time zones. The programs are designed to help middle and high school students – and their parents – prepare, plan, and pay for college. Topics include preparing for and applying to college, choosing a college that’s the right fit, writing a personal statement, researching financial aid and scholarship opportunities, and understanding the real cost of a college education. Students and parents can choose to receive information in either English or Spanish.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, March 10, 2021 – HSF College 101 – Eastern/Atlantic Time Zone
· English Session: Register here
· Sesión en español: Regístrese aquí
Registration Update
Hello students and families,
Wow! We had a fun, busy registration week with students exploring future courses by viewing videos and talking with teachers. Here are our next steps:
- If students have not entered their requests in Skyward, they can still do so. Please do! We want you to have a choice. Here is our registration page for reference: Registration Page, and a helpful resource for choosing classes: SHS Courses and videos
- Counselors will meet one on one with students between now and March 17th to finalize their courses. Mrs. Simpson will send an invitation and Zoom link ahead of time to students through their school email. These emails will be sent 1-2 days before the appointment. These appointments will happen during asynchronous learning time.
- For students who plan to attend Running Start in the fall, Mrs. Zender is hosting a webinar on March 24th from 9-10 am. Here is her Zoom link: Prospective Running Start Zoom. She will go over the "next steps" to enroll at the college.
We know this year is unusual in many ways and we don't want registration to be an additional stress for students and families. Students are always welcome to email their counselor with questions. We are here to help! Thank you.
Sehome Counseling Team
Jeff Smith, Counselor 9th Grade: jeffrey.smith@bellinghamschools.org
Amy Hjelt, Counselor A - G: amy.hjelt@bellinghamschools.org
Hana Schutz, Counselor H - M: hana.schutz@bellinghamschools.org
John Vandermolen, Counselor N - Z: john.vandermolen@bellinghamschools.org
It’s that time of year to think about snow and our procedures and impact of weather-related school cancellations.
Depending on conditions (which could include snow, flooding, power outages, etc.), school could:
- close for the day (in the case of widespread power outages),
- close in-person instruction with all classes being held remote (K-2 would follow their remote schedule, watch for Zoom link from teacher),
- open two hours late with regular bus routes or snow bus routes,
- open on time with snow bus routes,
- no busing for internet café at middle and high school
How can I get weather/emergency information?
Changes to the school schedule are usually announced by 6 a.m., and we use a variety of methods to keep families informed:
- Sign up for alerts: To receive email, phone, and/or text alerts, set your communication preferences on the Skylert tab within Skyward Family Access. (Need help? go here for step-by-step directions or contact 360-676-6520.)
- Tune to local media: 790 AM, 96.5 FM, 104.1 FM or Seattle media.
- Check bellinghamschools.org
- Check social media: @BhamSD on Twitter or @bellinghamschools on Facebook
- Call 360-676-6400 for a recorded message.
- Call 360-647-6815 for a message translated in Español, русский, tính từ and Punjabi.
Please familiarize yourself with our weather procedures at bellinghamschools.org/weather.
How to find your snow bus route: www.bellinghamschools.org/snow-routes
Sehome High School PTSA
Email: sehomehighschoolptsa@gmail.com
Website: https://sehomehighptsa.memberplanet.com/
Instagram: @sehomehsptsa
Facebook: @SehomeHighSchoolPTSA
Multi-Language Message Line
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
Kimberly Kirk, Dean of Students: kimberly.kirk@bellinghamschools.org
Jeff Smith, Counselor 9th Grade: jeffrey.smith@bellinghamschools.org
Amy Hjelt, Counselor A - G: amy.hjelt@bellinghamschools.org
Hana Schutz, Counselor H - M: hana.schutz@bellinghamschools.org
John Vandermolen, Counselor N - Z: john.vandermolen@bellinghamschools.org
Contact Information
Website: https://sehome.bellinghamschools.org/
Location: 2700 Bill McDonald Pkwy, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360)676-6481