Kulshan Connect
October 14, 2022
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Important KMS Dates
Friday, Oct 14: No school/ Teacher workday
Monday, Oct 17: "I Survived" author at Bham Public Library 4:30 PM
Thursday, Oct 27: Picture Retake Day
October 24 - 28 plus Oct 31: KMS Spirit Week!
KMS 8th grade Band
This Friday, October 14, is the Bellingham High School Homecoming Game at Civic Field! You may see some familiar KMS faces in the stands as the Thunderbird 8th Grade Band will have musicians joining the Bellingham High School Pep Band on songs like "Louie, Louie" and the "Hey Song." Support our student musicians as well as our student athletes at the game!
Kulshan Spirit Week!
Our first Spirit Week of the year is coming up Oct 24-28+31! Remember that all dress up must be school appropriate. The themes are:
- Monday, Oct 24: Blackout Day - Wear all black
- Tuesday, Oct 25: Anything but a Backpack Day - Bring your stuff to school in something unique! Remember to properly protect your laptop and nothing so big that it makes hall movement difficult
- Wednesday, Oct 26: Disney Day - Dress up as a favorite character or in Disney gear
- Thursday, Oct 27: Pajama Day - Get comfy!
- Friday, Oct 28: Thunderbird Throwdown - Choose a theme with your TBird/AVID/Read180 class and go all out! Classes will be judged on both participation and creativity. Winning classes achieve fame and glory for their class and the coveted TTT (Thunderbird Throwdown Trophy)!
- Monday, Oct 31: Costume Day - All costumes must be school appropriate. No masks, weapons, or cultural appropriation.
Volunteers Needed
Oct 17 Author Event @ Public Library
Veteran's Day
Our Kulshan ASB is planning our Veterans’ Day Assembly for Thursday, November 10. If you have relatives who are veterans and would like to highlight them in our slideshow, please email a photos and short description to Mr. Shaffer. (i.e. Hayley Fritz' grandfather served in the Army during Vietnam)
Free Boys and Girls Club Memberships
Volunteers Needed
Did you know we have an amazing school garden? Are you a Kulshan parent interested in helping out in our Kulshan Garden? Our Kulshan Garden needs your help! Please volunteer to clean up the garden Saturday, October 15th from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm. Sign up here!
Club Volunteers Needed
Attention Dungeons and Dragons fans: Mr. Tiger is looking for help on Thursdays from 3:45-4:45. We are looking for a couple of volunteers to be players and Dungeon Masters. Experience as a Dungeon Master is preferred but not required! If you would like to volunteer or know someone who would, please email Mr. Tiger here.
KMS Food + Pantry
Our Kulshan pantry is running low! This is a resource for our Kulshan families in need of basic toiletries or extra food over the weekend. Please consider donating via the link below so that we can continue to offer this resource. Reach out to our KMS counselors if you would like more information on how to receive support. For any additional questions, please feel free to reach out. If you would like to donate, please click here for the Sign Up Genius link.
PTSA News
Become a PTSA Member
Become a PTSA member to ensure you get PTSA activity updates, have a vote on PTSA issues, and show your support for our great Kulshan community. If you sign up between now and 10/31- you will be entered to win a $10 gift card! Drawings will be each Monday so join now!
Next PTSA Meeting: November 15th 7:00pm via Zoom, including KMS staff discussing vaping and drug use, we hope to see you there.
Yearbook Photos!
Do you have Kulshan sports photo or other photos to submit to our Kulshan Yearbook? Please email them to our yearbook advisor, Cynthia Johnson.
Hey Students! Want to Become a Pilot?
Device Check Out Form
Have you updated your forms in Skyward? We still have over 300 students and parents who have not signed the Device Checkout Form, which is required for having a district laptop. If you need a paper copy of this form, they are available in our main office.
A Great Place to Work
Are you interested in becoming a full-time or substitute paraeducator? Our paraeducators work 1:1 or in small groups with students. They support students in academic goals such as reading, writing, math, as well as social-emotional and organizational goals. Working as a paraeducator is a great way to connect with kids and help them increase their confidence. We would love to have you join our Kulshan team! You will be joining a team that cares deeply for students and is committed to providing a diverse, inclusive workplace where all people are valued and belong. Whether you want to work 1 or 2 days per week, or if you want to work 5 days per week, we have a place for you. Apply online here.
YMCA Youth Events!
Free! Teen Night Takeover: Friday, Sept 30 from 6:00 -9:00 pm for students in grades 6-12 at the Downtown Y. Youth will participate in raffles, movies, sports in the gym, video games, swimming, games, rockwall, food, and snacks. If you plan on swimming please bring a swimsuit and towel. If you plan on climbing please bring close toed shoes
Free! Teen Drop-in Center (Starting Oct 3rd) from 3:00-6:00 pm Monday - Friday for students from grades 6-12 at the Downtown Y. Our staff available to support you in homework and resources. Youth can also participate in art, rock climbing, and games.
Youth & Government: OPEN HOUSE: Monday, October 10 or Thursday, October 13 from 6:00-7:00 pm. For youth in grades 8-12 at the Downtown Y. Youth & Government teaches leadership and communication skills by examining public policy in a safe and non-partisan environment. Teens write and debate their own bills, take turns presiding over the delegation, and have an opportunity to present their bill in Olympia at the Washington State Youth Legislature.
More information is available by CLICKING HERE. Youth can also receive a FREE YMCA Youth Membership.
Nutrition Services at KMS
Are you wanting to add money to your student's lunch account? Just visit the My Payments Plus website to add funds - or send a check or cash with your student. Though meals were free in the past, they are no longer free at Kulshan. Click here to apply for free or reduced meals. School menus are available online. We have a Chocolate Milk day coming up at the end of September, and if a student wants a milk that day, they must have money on their account or a completed application.
Unified Sports
Are you interested in Unified Sports? Unified Sports is a Special Olympics program that brings together students with intellectual disabilities (called athletes) and those without intellectual disabilities (called partners) to play and compete together on the same team. This fall students can participate in Unified Bowling and Unified Robotics. Practices are once per week; Bowling practices at Park Bowl and Robotics meets at Bellingham High School. If you are interested, get signed up in FinalForms and your coach will contact you!
Got Absences? Leaving Early?
Please join us in welcoming MacKenzie Lee to our Kulshan Front office! Reach out to MacKenzie if your child is going to be absent. You can use KMSattendance@bellinghamschools.org Please remember to excuse your child's absence within 24 hours by phone or email. Also, if you need to pick up your student early, please send a note with them so that they can be ready when you arrive. Thank you!
Medications & Health Services
If your child had medications or health services requiring doctor’s orders, we need those orders before the first day of school. New orders are required every school year and can be found on the district’s website under “Forms”. New orders are required every school year. Your health care provider should complete and sign the form. Your signature is also needed. Then, deliver these completed forms and any medications to be given at school to the school before the first day of school.
Getting to and from school
ParentSquare
TDAP Reminder
For the 2022-2023 school year, all students attending grades 7 through 12 must have had one dose of Tdap vaccine. For students in 7th through 9th grade, the Tdap vaccine must be given at or after age 10 to be accepted for school entry. Skyward Family Access will have a current list of the vaccinations we have received for your child. Please login to your Skyward account to check if we have received record of this vaccine for your child. To update your child’s Tdap immunization record at the school, you will need to turn in a medically verified immunization record to the Counseling Office. Thank you!
2022-2023 District Calendar
We thought it might be helpful for you to have a list of key dates and trainings for the 2022-23 school year. Please mark your calendars as needed. Online School and District Calendars: https://bellinghamschools.org/calendars
Kulshan Contacts
Nikki Lockhart, Assistant Principal
Tatiana Samora, Registrar Я говорю на русском языке.
Jeneen Durand, Principal's Admin Assistant
MacKenzie Lee, Main Office/ Attendance
Elsa Powell, Family Liaison Hablo español.
Kulshan Middle School 1250 Kenoyer Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 360-676-4886