Sehome High School Mariner Memo
Week of March 15 - 19, 2021
Letter from the Principal
- It is hard to believe that on March 13, it was one year since the school shutdown. I am so incredibly proud of the work our community has done to approach this pandemic. There are several things from this experience that I hope to take with me as we move forward.
- This year has taught me to slow down and enjoy the small things in my life. It has been an opportunity to distill down what things are truly important. I have enjoyed reconnecting at a deeper level with my family members, neighbors, and friends.
- We have unleashed a new level of creativity and problem-solving. I have loved seeing what people have created during this time- sourdough bread, macrame, gardening, painting, new recipes. We are also much more creative in our problem-solving. We are sitting outside to meet with friends. Educating students at home, in person, and a combination of both. Serving meals at school and creating meal boxes for families to pick up.
- I have also learned much more about the need for community and a group of people who love and support you. I cannot imagine getting through this time without an incredible group of people supporting me, bringing joy and laughter to each day.
Our community has shown up big for each other. As we head into the next year, we will continue to look for ways to come together and enhance our community. This week we welcome back our juniors and seniors. We cannot wait for all students have the opportunity to be back on campus. It is such an exciting week!
I hope you have a great week. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with a celebration, question, or concern.
Sonia Cole
Principal
Sehome High School
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
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
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