Kulshan Connect
January 14, 2022
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 360-676-6456.
Now Hiring!
Have you considered becoming a substitute or school volunteer? Our district is dedicated to keeping schools open and operational, but we need YOU! Being a substitute offers flexibility and helps support our schools, staff and Bellingham’s children in fulfilling The Bellingham Promise. We are currently accepting applications for substitute teachers, emergency certified substitute teachers, paraeducators, bus drivers, warehouse/delivery drivers, custodians, nurses, food service staff and office personnel. Join us!
Feb 8: Voters Decide Bond
Voters will decide on a bond on Feb. 8 regarding facilities for Bellingham Public Schools. This bond includes the highest priority needs that were identified by a districtwide task force this fall. Visit this webpage or watch this video for more information. This 2022 Bond includes expanding Kulshan Middle School by four additional classrooms and replacing existing grass field with turf. This is just one of the projects funded by the proposed bond. More details are on our website or check out our progress on facilities projects built from past bonds. If you have questions about the bond, feel free to contact the Department of Communications and Community Relations, 360-676-6520. Thank you and remember to vote in February! Look for your ballots in the mail later this month.
Jan 25: Strengthening Families
We are pleased to announce there will be another Virtual Strengthening Families Program beginning January 25th. We will meet for 7 weeks (on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 PM) Please share this opportunity with families who have youth ages 10-14. Here is the link for more information and to register. There is no cost to families, this program is brought to you by Whatcom County Health Department.
We care about your family and want to help you stay strong together
For those who find parenting, mentoring, and teaching middle schoolers a challenge, the Strengthening Families Training have timely pointers. We encourage you to become familiar with their local program, it is our hope to bring it to you at some point; however, check their online option, that can be done from the comfort of your home. There is no cost involved, just let us know you want to participate, and Elsa Powell will be able to enroll you at no cost. Leave a message or text at 360 676 4165. All podcasts are available free online, like this one on Love and Limits. Also available en español .
MAD HOPE Training
In partnership with the Whatcom Family and Community Network (www.wfcn.org ), Whatcom Prevention Coalition, Whatcom County Health Department, we offer the MAD HOPE (Making a Difference - Helping Other People Everywhere), training in our T-Bird Time classes. Students learn how to make connections others, community & self, build resilience, discuss mental health, and learn how to start a conversation and ask for help. The training is aimed at offering hope through positive action. We are pleased to offer this training as a valued resource for our students. If you have questions, please contact your student's T-Bird Time teacher our one of our KMS counselors. Thank you!
Jan 20: Village Books + Public Library Collab
Mark your calendar for Thursday, Jan 20 from 6:30 - 7:30 PM. Author event opportunity! Village Books and the Bellingham Public Library are hosting a virtual author event with Paula Yoo and Brendan Kiely. Yoo is the author of From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement. Brendan Kiely is the author of The Other Talk: Reckoning with Our White Privilege. Click the link for more information from Village Books and to register for this Zoom event. Multiple cost options, including free.
Also! Village Books is hosting an in-person event and virtual series around the book How to Raise an Intuitive Eater: Raising the Next Generation with Food and Body Confidence, by Sumner Brooks and Amee Severson (Amee is a local author). VB will hold four virtual events in January, culminating with an in-person event on Feb 5. All virtual events are free, but require registration.
Kulshan Food Pantry
Our Kulshan Food Pantry is experiencing low inventory! If you would like to donate, please bring shelf-stable food or health care items to our KMS front office. Wondering what to bring? Please use our Sign Up Genius if you can. We GREATLY appreciate your support. Questions? Please reach out to our Kulshan counselors: Aaron Tiger, Michelle Strobel, or Lacey Bachman.
Social Media Accounts
Have you seen concerning social media pages related to Kulshan students? We encourage all members of the Kulshan community to take action:
- Please report accounts to Instagram if the accounts are bullying or harassing or otherwise violating Instagram terms of service. This step is easy and anonymous.
- Talk with your family and friends about digital citizenship and appropriate social media behavior. If necessary, families and students can send information, tips, or concerns regarding a safety issue in our schools by texting or calling 844-310-9560 or by visiting bellinghamschools.org/safe for confidential, anonymous, two-way communication with our safety staff.
- Continue to stand up for our Kulshan values both in person and online, to protect our students’ mental health and well-being.
Kulshan Grant Winners!
Winter Weather and Bus Routes
COVID Vaccine Card to KMS
It is important for us to know your student's vaccination and booster status for contact tracing, as well as indoor events such as high impact sports. If you haven’t already, please email a photo of your student’s vaccination card to our registrar, Tatiana Samora at Tatiana.Samora@bellinghamschools.org. Thank you!
YMCA Youth Program
The YMCA is accepting 8th grade students into our After School Youth Institute Program! There is no registration necessary- youth are welcome to the FAC at the downtown YMCA on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 3:00 - 6:00 PM. Learn the skills needed to become proficient with technology, ace your next exam, and become a leader in your community. If you are interested in learning more or have questions you can contact your school counselors: Aaron Tiger, Michelle Strobel, or Lacey Bachman. Or you can contact the YMCA directly at: Libby Teerink, Teen Coordinator.
Cell Phones Off Please
If your student carries a phone to school, please remind them to keep it turned off and put away between 9:15 AM - 3:45 PM. We ask families not to contact their middle schoolers on their cell phones during the school day. If you need to contact your student, you can always call our school’s main line. In the cases where students are on phones during class repeatedly, we may need to direct students to check phones into the office during the day, potentially leading to having parents or guardians picking up the phone at school. Thanks for partnering with us to help your students learn healthy phone boundaries.
COVID vaccines for students ages 5-11
The Pfizer vaccine against COVID was authorized for children ages 5-11 earlier this month. You can find out where pediatric doses are being offered on the Health Department’s Pediatric COVID vaccine page or on the Vaccine Locator by filtering for “Pfizer-BioNTech Pediatric, ages 5-11”.
Attendance Office Reminders
Free Dinners Mon - Thurs @ 5:00 pm
Bellingham Public Schools Community Meals Program:
What: Dinner for children (up to age 18) and parents
How much: Free for kids up to age 18, parents pay $4.75
Where: Shuksan Middle School’s Cafeteria (2713 Alderwood Ave.), Meals must be eaten on site and can’t be taken home
When: 5:00-6:00 pm, Mondays-Thursdays
* No dinner on all-school early release Thursdays
Kulshan Garden Update
Hello this is an update from your Food Educator Karey! We had an amazing end to fall garden lessons last week. Students helped prepare the garden for winter, played garden games, and searched for plants in the same family. Unfortunately, this year we will not be able to teach winter cooking lessons due to the pandemic. However, I will be back in the spring to teach fun and interesting garden classes. If you are interested in volunteering over the winter to prepare the garden for the spring please contact: kulshan@commonthreadsfarm.org>
Safe Schools Zone
This fall, contractors installed security cameras inside and outside of several of our schools, including KMS. This project was approved by voters in our community as part of the 2018 school facilities bond. Security cameras will help us maintain the health, welfare and safety of students, staff and visitors. For more information, see policy 6610.
Open House and Teacher Videos
Water Bottles
Kulshan Clubs
Support for Tribal Affiliated Students
Did you know we have over 400 students in our district with tribal affiliation? Lummi Behavioral Health can serve students with ANY tribal affiliation/status. Here is the interest link for starting MH services with Lummi Behavioral Health. If you are interested or have questions please talk to your school counselors:Michelle Strobel, Lacey Bachman, or Aaron Tiger.
College Bound Application
Did you know college is free for qualifying families? Middle school is the only time that families can sign up for the College Bound Scholarship Program. The College Bound Program covers the average cost of tuition, some fees, and a small book allowance at over 65 Washington State colleges, universities and technical schools. Please fill out our district Free and Reduced Lunch Form to apply. Please let your KMS counseling team know if you have any questions.
Skyward Family Access
Is your contact information for your student up-to-date? You can do this online now through our Skyward Family Access program. Please review your contact information, mailing address, emergency contacts and complete the Annual Health Concerns form for your student. If you need your login and password information for Skyward Family Access, please contact us. Also, here are some great online resources and videos.
LGBTQ Support for Families and Youth
Bellingham Food Bank Schedule
The team at Bellingham Food Bank works tirelessly to make sure they have great food to give families. Anyone can visit the food bank as often as needed, regardless of address. The food bank is proud to be of service to our families—always striving to serve them with dignity, respect, and a smile. Check out the Food Bank website to learn more about their satellite food banks, home delivery and Whatcom County Foodbanks. You can also make a donation here.
WTA Bus Fare: FREE for Youth
Kulshan Contacts
Kevin Terpstra, Assistant Principal
Tatiana Samora, Registrar Я говорю на русском языке.
Jeneen Durand, Attendance Secretary
Elsa Powell, Family Liaison Hablo español.
Kulshan Middle School 1250 Kenoyer Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 360-676-4886