Kulshan Connect
December 18, 2020
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Si desea esta información en español llame al 360-676-6456.
Last Chance! Free Student Masks Available at KMS
We are continuing to distribute our Kulshan Thunderbird student masks! Each Kulshan student will receive one student mask with the Kulshan logo on the front. Parents can pick up a mask for their student or students can come on their own – walking, biking, or WTA bussing is encouraged. Please follow all COVID safety procedures: wear a mask, keep 6 feet distance from others, and wash/ sanitize your hands before you arrive. If you have any COVID symptoms, please ask a friend to pick up your mask for you. We are open:
- TODAY! Friday - - 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Is Your Information Correct?
As we wrap up 2020, please make sure your contact information and annual forms for your student are up-to-date. You can do this online now through our Skyward Family Access program. Please take a few minutes to log into Skyward Family Access to review your contact information, mailing address, emergency contacts and to complete the Annual Health Concerns form for your student. If you need your login and password information for Skyward Family Access, please contact me and I can provide that information. Please note that if you need to correct or update your address and/or mailing address, you will have to contact me with the new information (families do not have permission to update addresses online). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our registrar Viry Ferreira.
KMS Gear and Hats
College Bound Scholarship
If you have a student in the 7th or 8th grade they likely had a conversation in their Homeroom class about the Washington College Bound Scholarship. This is a scholarship that is given out by Washington State and can be used to go to a 4-year University, Community College, or a Tech School. The scholarship won't cover the entire tuition but it will cover a large portion of it over 4 years. Click here to see if you qualify for the Washington College Bound Scholarship. Students must be signed up for this scholarship before the end of their 8th grade year to be eligible. If you apply before January the required signature will be waived due to COVID, so fill it out now. If you have further questions you can reach out to Jen Newbauer or Aaron Tiger . To learn more and apply click this link.
District Meal Distribution
Important note: there will be no meal box distributions on Dec. 23 and 30. The Bellingham Food Bank will continue to operate around the holidays. Visit their website for more information on times and locations. If you need additional support, please contact the Family Resource Center (FRC) now by filling out the help form or calling 360-676-6456. Meal box distribution will remain on Wednesdays starting in January 2021 at all of our regular 21 locations.
Student STEM Items Available
Did you make a project in Mr. Hendrick's class? Did you ask him to print it on the laser printer? Laser-cut projects from all three grades of STEM classes will be available for pick-up in the main office of Kulshan. These are some fun projects, using Inkscape, that students have created. Please note that some students did not create a project or asked that it not be printed, so please check in with your child before pick up. Our office is open on Friday until 3:00 PM.
KMS Counselor Corner
With upcoming holidays and the likelihood that we will be unable to spend them with family in the same way as usual we know that this could be a challenging time for our students. Jen Newbauer and Aaron Tiger have noticed a recent increase in self-harm talk from students and want to provide you with some information in case you hear similar talk from your own student or a friend of theirs. For more information on suicide prevention and how to respond to suicide/self-harm talk click here.
Aaron Tiger - Counselor (cell 360-739-3991)
Jen Newbauer - Counselor (cell 360-739-4138)
Viry Ferreira - KMS Registrar
Updated WA State COVID Recommendations
Check this WA State COVID website for updates regarding restrictions and social gathering. Specific information about travel recommendations can be found here. Bellingham Public Schools have also added their own COVID 19 dashboard, available on the district website and at this link. Governor Inslee's December 16 press conference can be found here.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in BPS
We are happy to share this December 2020 newsletter listing heritage months, cultural celebrations, holidays and other information supporting the important work of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in Bellingham Public Schools. Please visit the EDI webpage for an ongoing dialogue and focus on this key strategy of The Bellingham Promise. You can also reach out directly to the director of equity, diversity and inclusion Janis Velasquez Farmer.
Free COVID Tests in Whatcom County
Did you know that our Whatcom County Health Department has free, drive-up COVID tests? To arrange a COVID test, visit testdirectly.com or call 360-778-6075. Also, our Kulshan school nurse is Amy Eisenhauer, BSN, RN and she can be reached at 360-303-4667.
January 6: KMS Book Pick Up
Students can use this link to look at the online catalog. If you see something you want that is unavailable, you can log into Destiny and place a hold (same login as for your laptop). To request books, use this form. Mr. Shaffer and Ms. Stephanie will get your books ready for pickup. Books will be available on Wednesday, January 6 during Food Pick Ups: 4:00 - 5:30 PM.
Please enter your requests the day before book distribution. Requests received after that may not be ready for next-day pickup (but we'll do our best). As always, email Mr. Shaffer for book recommendations, or any other questions! Books not picked up on Pickup Day will be in the office and can be picked up (as well as returned) from 8:30 AM -3:00 PM on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri.
It's Easy to Join KMS PTSA
LGBTQ Support for Families and Youth
How to Join a Club
Free Cooking Classes
Weekly Announcement Videos
Power Outage?
If there is a power outage, our staff will help your student catch up. Please notify Jeneen Durand, our Attendance Secretary by calling 360-647-6877 or emailing kms.attendance@bellinghamschools.org . If a teacher loses connection during a class, students should stay on the class for a few minutes while the teacher logs back in. Then check students’ email and MS Teams for instructions from the teacher. More information can be found here on our KMS website.
Skyward/ Family Access
Are you in need of family support?
If you are in need of services or help with domestic abuse or sexual assault the local agency DVSAS (Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services) is able to help. Here is a link that helps to explain their role and provides contact information. You can also call our KMS Counselors Aaron Tiger 360-739-3991 or Jen Newbauer cell 360-739-4138.
Wednesday Attendance
Did you know that we take attendance for all classes every Wednesday? Students will be marked present if they at least log in and check their MS Teams page. Please remind your students to do this every Wednesday for periods 5-8. Thank you!
KMS Attendance
(NEW!) Bellingham Food Bank Schedule
Tuesdays: 1175 Jersey Street from 1:00-4:00 PM
Wednesdays: CTK, 4173 Meridian St. from 3:00-6:00 PM
Thursdays: 1175 Jersey Street from 1:00-4:00 PM
Check out the Bellingham Food Bank to learn more or to make a donation.
District Resources Website
We Miss You and We Love You!
Kulshan Contacts
Kevin Terpstra, Assistant Principal
Jeneen Durand, Attendance Secretary
We love you and we miss you and we hope you are staying safe and healthy!
Kulshan Middle School 1250 Kenoyer Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 360-676-4886