Sehome High School - Mariner Memo -
Week of June 8-12
letter from the principal
I want to take a moment and acknowledge the death of George Floyd and the hurt that so many in our community and country are experiencing right now. 2020 has proven to be a year of many unprecedented events. I truly believe that we are being prepared for something. I hope that all of these events have brought us to a place in history where we will see real change in our community and our country for our Black children and families.
As a staff, we have engaged in conversation around equity, diversity, and inclusion throughout this school year. But this event has called us to greater action. We should have done it much sooner, but I am thankful that we have a renewed push towards creating anti-racist practices within ourselves, our school, and our community. We are examining the systemic racism that exists within our school system and actively seeking ways to dismantle them. I am encouraged by the conversations taking place between staff members, between our staff and students, between our students, and within our community. As a white woman, I am called to action and to lead the work of our school to create a place where Black students and families feel welcome and that they have an equal seat at the table to make decisions about things that impact teaching and learning. We have a long way to go, but I am committed to this work.
Our staff will be engaging in reading, listening, and learning throughout the summer. You can see a list of the books we will be reading below. If you have any further recommendations for articles, books, podcasts, etc, or would like a copy of any of the books, please let me know. I would also love to engage in conversations with anyone interested! I have SO much to learn and know there are many much further along this road than I. Sehome is a learning institution and we expect that all students and staff be lifelong, continuous learners.
I am humbled and know that I come from a place of privilege. I am where I am today because of my white privilege. I am called to use the privilege to create a space for others; to listen, to learn, and to actively fight to create opportunities for people who have not traditionally had a seat at the table.
This week we celebrate the graduation of our seniors. We send them out into a world of unknowns. One thing we do know is that we are truly blessed because of their contributions to our Sehome community. I feel hopeful that they are the agents of change we need in this world. I believe our Sehome students will be instrumental in changing our Bellingham community and will actively fight to break down barriers and things that have divided us for too long.
I would love to hear from you! I would love to hear your thoughts, experiences, and ideas. Please reach out.
With love,
Sonia Bell
Principal
Sehome Reads
If you have any recommendations for other texts, articles, videos, or other areas of learning, please send them to me! Our hearts and minds are open to learning.
Kendi weaves an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science with his own personal story of awakening to antiracism. This is an essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond the awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a just and equitable society.
In shedding light on this history, Stamped from the Beginning offers us the tools we need to expose racist thinking. In the process, he gives us reason to hope.
Senior Diploma Pick Up and Supply Drop Off
Note for seniors: lunch account balance
Graduating seniors with a remaining lunch account balance of $10 or greater will be receiving lunch account reimbursements, which will be mailed to the address we currently have on file. If you would like to transfer your remaining lunch account funds to a sibling or if you would like to donate all or a portion of your lunch account funds to the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation, please follow this link to our online request form. If you are unsure of your lunch account balance, please login to your MyPaymentsPlus account at or email jesse.cole@bellinghamschools.org.
Online payments are a simple, safe and secure way to make payments to your students account 24 hours a day at your convenience. We accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover. A convenience fee is attached to online purchases.
This service is offered by a third-party provider and a processing fee is included with your payment(s), similar to other online banking services. Your credit/debit card will be charged at the time of checkout. The district does not request or keep records of family credit card account information. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your browser. ASB online payment is available at: https://wa-bellingham.intouchreceipting.com
All returned, refunded, or canceled transactions will be handled in accordance with off-line purchase policies unless otherwise noted on the web store. Neither the district nor PayFlow Pro keeps or stores credit card information. Please remember to print out your receipt.
For questions regarding Bellingham online payments, please contact your ASB Office. For general questions, call (360) 676-6544.
senior exit survey
Please encourage your senior student to take our annual exit survey for seniors.
9-11th Grade Yearbook Pick Up
9-11th grade students will be able to drop off:
- Textbooks
- Library Books
- Uniforms
- Instruments
- Music
- Art Supplies
- Ceramics projects
- Any other items you need to return
You can pick up:
- Items from your lockers (PE, Athletic, and General lockers)
- Yearbooks
- Art projects
- Instruments
Please come during your specified time as much as possible to ensure that we have a consistent flow of people and to make it as efficient as possible.
A-D 3:00 –3:30
E-H 3:30 – 4:00
I-L 4:00 – 4:30
M-P 4:30 – 5:00
Q-T 5:00 – 5:30
U-Z 5:30 – 6:00
REFUNDS
PTSA Spring Auction, Fall Fundraiser, and Scrip
Prior to the pandemic, the PTSA was busy planning the annual Spring auction – our main fundraiser every year. Since so many families are struggling to make ends meet right now, we have postponed the event until Spring 2021.
Even with a parred down budget, we will need the support of our community to continue backing Sehome High School! SHS PTSA plans to host a simple on-line fundraiser in the Fall. So please: stay healthy, stay hopeful, and stay tuned!
If you would like to support SHS now, we still have some scrip cards available. Use the link below to shop.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f4da4a92aa2f94-scrip
PTSA Board & Volunteer Positions Available
Would you like to be more involved at Sehome High School? Do you want to help support our students and staff? Join the Sehome High School PTSA! We are currently looking to fill board and volunteer positions for the 2020-2021 school year. Email us at sehomehighschoolptsa@gmail.com for more information.
General Membership Meeting – June 9th – 6:30 PM
Please join our PTSA for the final membership meeting of the 2019-2020 school year. This is an important meeting, as we will be holding board elections and approving the budget for 2020-2021. We cannot do this without your help!
Members will receive a Zoom meeting link on or before June 9th. If you are not currently a member, it is not too late.
Contact us with questions at sehomehighschoolptsa@gmail.com.
Sehome Tutor Zooming
Tutor/Staff Supported
Daily 9-12 & 2-5
Starting 5/6/20
Study Groups
· Study groups of 1-8 students
· Booked by subject/time windows
· Visit anytime during window
· Staff/tutor supported
· Confirmation email with meeting link
· Zoom with friends
· Stay on top of your skills!!!
Student Zoom Technology Help
New Zoom Student Technology Help Meetings
Zoom Student Technology Help meetings will be held weekly on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:00 pm!
If you are a student who needs technology support, please fill out this survey!
Sehome Challenge
It has been really fun to see students, staff, and families participating in the challenges. Keep it up!
Multi-Language Message Line
Sehome Points of Contact
Sonia Bell, Principal: sonia.bell@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