Middle School Matters
Whatcom Middle School Newsletter, February 2022
From the Wildcat's Den...
1984 it is, but it isn’t.
In 1948, George Orwell wrote the dystopian novel “1984” from his home on Jura, a remote island in the Hebridean island chain off the coast of Scotland. The phrase, “Big Brother is watching you” has resonated with generations as technology has ever increased the ability to provide video then digital ‘watchfulness’ throughout societies of the world.
Here at Whatcom Middle School, it’s 2022 and we have our own version of “Big Brother.” Thanks to the school security portion of the last district bond, we have a complete camera system now installed, capturing recorded video streams from common sections of the building and its surround. As we’ve gained expertise with the system, we’ve been able to assist kids with lost items, tracked issues of vandalism, reviewed physical conflicts, and prompted students to be more responsible with items at lunch time.
The intent and purpose of the system is to offer a more secure environment for the safety of all our students, while at the same time protecting the instructional process. To that end, there are no cameras in classrooms, but they are present in all other areas of the school and school grounds. Additionally, the system safeguards our facility when we engage in public rentals and events.
Students won’t have “Big Brother” watching as in “1984” but they may certainly have the Principal and Assistant Principal checking in from time to time.
Wishing you good learning and a safe learning environment,
Jeff
Translate this newsletter!
Mark your calendar!
Feb 15 - PTSA meeting, 7 pm via Zoom (link below)
Feb 21 - No School - President's Day
3/10 - 12:00 dismissal
Newly revised School year and A/B Calendars
Click on the button below for the new calendars.
Human Growth and Development Unit in PE
I want to share information with you about the Human Growth and Development and HIV lessons that we will be teaching your middle schooler this spring. Washington state requires HIV/AIDS prevention education for all students beginning no later than fifth grade. 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:
https://bellinghamschools.org/families/academics/curriculum/health-education/ .
In school, we strive to give students the basic information they need to keep themselves healthy as they grow. Beyond what happens in the classroom, the most valuable learning children experience about these important personal topics often happens with their families. We hope that you take this opportunity to look over these lesson plans and let us know how we can support you in having important ongoing conversations with your children.
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. You may email them using the links below.
Jeff Coulter
Greetings From the Counseling Office!
I want to pass on some information to our 8th grade families about an opportunity offered by Stevona Burks, Intervention/Prevention specialist at Squalicum High School. She's starting a parent group and wanted to reach out to families of 8th graders, as they'll be high school families next year! Here are some details:
SQHS is excited to be hosting its first Parent Wellness Group on February 24th, 2022, from 6:00-8:00pm in the library.
Come join an informative, interactive parent group to gain skills to support your teenager who is struggling with substance use issues and/or mental health challenges.
Please RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/AqXpMhTDPi
Please remember that masks are required. For up-to-date district COVID info please visit the district COVID site.
Beth Schille-O'Connor & Rita Hocking-Kombol
WMS PTSA Meeting, Tues, 2/15, 7pm
Topics of Discussion:
- Mental Health
- 2022-2023 PTSA Board member nominations and elections
- March meeting planning and school tours!
Our special guest this month will be one of our wonderful counselors, Beth Schille-O’Connor. She will be first on the Agenda with a presentation specific for WMS families and there will be time for Q&A after.
Following her presentation we will discuss our plans for the 2022-2023 PTSA Board member nominations and elections. We have some very exciting news to share about this that you will not want to miss!
Join us Tuesday 2/15:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81898697793?pwd=Qy9aU3lEZXdOSFBDbTlMd1RncEx0QT09
Zoom meeting ID: 818 9869 7793
Passcode: 123456We care about your family and want to help you stay strong together
The second Strengthening family podcast episode describes key family communication and relational skills to support all families.
We are confident you will appreciate the reflection and encouragement.
Episode #2 – House Rules
Spanish, Episodio #2 – Las reglas del hogar
Episode #1: https://soundcloud.com/wsu_sfp/ep_1_love_and_limits
Spanish episode:
Primer episodio : https://soundcloud.com/wsu_sfp/ep_1_amor_y_limites
Summer Scholarships
Last year, middle school students used their scholarships to attend a variety of local summer programs including Wild Whatcom, BellinghamART, Dancing for Joy, Camp Kirby, Volunteens, Chamber Days and Mountain Biking Youth Trail Corps. Applications are due by March 17th and scholarship winners will be notified by April 12th. The applicants must complete an application form, respond to an essay question, have their parent or guardian sign a publicity consent form and ask a non-relative to complete a recommendation form. Contact your school counselors with questions or to get an application:
Feb 24 Vaccine Clinic
After-school dinner program free for all children 18 and under
Bellingham Public Schools serves hot dinner at no cost to all children 18 and under. These meals are offered from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday through June 16, 2022. Dinner is served in the Shuksan Middle School cafeteria, located at 2717 Alderwood Avenue (at the corner of Northwest and Alderwood). It does not matter what school you attend in the district.
Accompanying adults are charged $4.75 per meal — please bring cash or check. Please plan to eat onsite in the Shuksan cafeteria.
The daily Monday through Thursday dinner menu is listed on the school menu webpage by day after the lunch listing.
Please note: Dinner will not be served on school holidays or on the following all school early dismissal days: Nov. 4, Nov. 24, Dec. 9, Feb. 10, March 10 and April 28.
Picking up students early from school...
The quickest way to check your student out early is to send them with a note to the attendance window in the morning before school starts or send an email to Beth.Pelto-Fishbeck@bellinghamschools.org. Your student will receive a pass allowing them to leave the building at the appointed time and meet you at your vehicle.
Do not make arrangements with your student's teachers!
If you have an unplanned check out, please call the attendance office, (360) 676-6460, opt. 1. Please allow us time to locate your student by calling in advance. You will then be required to come inside and sign your student out.
Students arriving to school late, or returning from an appointment, must come to the attendance window with a signed note from a parent or guardian. Your student will then receive a pass which they will take to their teacher.
Whatcom Middle School PTSA
Whatcom Middle School PTSA is committed to providing teachers and students with an excellent level of service this year. We are asking you to join PTSA by following the link below. Thank you for your help and please support your PTSA.
www.memberplanet.com/s/whatcommiddleptsa/whatcommiddleschoolptsaforms
2021-22 PTSA Board:
- President - Bri Smolen
- Vice President - Lorrie Melton
- Treasurer - Daniele O'Connell
- Secretary - Amy Guerra
Cell phone policy
Parents needing to contact their students may do so by emailing your student's district email address or by calling the Main Office or Attendance Office. Your child can call you from our attendance office.
Getting to School
Halleck St. (in front of the school) is closed to all vehicles except school buses. Please do not attempt to drop off your student on Halleck St. Please use one of the side streets instead.
Students not riding buses should not arrive until 9:00 am. At 9:00 students will be allowed to enter the building and go directly to their first period classroom. The first bell rings at 9:10 am signaling the time to be in their seats and the late bell rings at 9:15 am.
Bike racks are available in front of the school. Bikes should always be locked to prevent theft. If a student happens to forget their lock, we can help with securing the bike in the building for the day. Scooters and skateboards can be stored in the main office.
School Dress Code
Part of The Bellingham Promise, our strategic plan, strives to develop students and graduates who are respectful and compassionate humans. We want students to respect themselves and others. While we encourage individuality, the district’s dress code aims to foster a positive and healthy environment.
- Students should dress casually and comfortably for school, while wearing clothing that is well-suited for a school environment.
- Masks are required at all times in the building (except breakfast and lunch) and are optional outside.
- Appropriate headgear may be worn for warmth and protection outdoors, and inside for religious reasons or special circumstances.
- Clothing, drawings, tattoos and accessories that display or promote negative messages are not permitted. These could include drug, gang, weapon, alcohol or tobacco-related information, obscenities, put-downs, stereotypes, sexual innuendo, offensive words or graphics.
- A violation of the dress code will require a change of clothing.
- Special circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Skyward Emergency Contact Information
Sometimes emergency contacts change phone numbers or the contact in Skyward is no longer available. We would appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to log into Skyward Family Access and make sure your emergency contact information is up to date. If you need help or have questions, you can contact our registrar, Nancy Howell. Thank you!
Manage your notifications with Skylert
Skylert enables you to receive notifications concerning your children, including messages from Bellingham Public Schools and your child’s school. You have control over which notifications to receive and how you would like to receive them. Skylert is accessed via Skyward Family Access, so it is no longer necessary to login to a separate portal for SchoolMessenger to manage contact preferences.
WTA Bus Fare: FREE for Youth
BSD Family Handbook and 2021-22 Calendar
Follow us on Instagram @whatcom_ms
School Lunch Menus + Free and Reduced applications
Whatcom Middle School
Principal: Jeff Coulter
Assistant Principal: Tina Allsop
Administrative Assistant: Aileen Walton
(360) 676-6460
- Attendance, option 1
- Athletics, option 2
- Registrar/Counseling, option 3
- Main office, option 4
Email: aileen.walton@bellinghamschools.org
Website: whatcom.bellinghamschools.org
Location: 810 Halleck Street, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 676-6460