Middle School Matters
Whatcom Middle School Newsletter, April 2023
Principal's Corner
April is here and we are crazily already ½ way into this month! We hope you all are getting to enjoy springtime and a bit more daylight and milder temperatures. We have jumped into our next sports season of XC, Football and Girls Basketball which they are all very excited about. We are also working on transitions of our 8th graders to HS and our 5th graders to Whatcom Middle School which is super exciting for our students. While we are sad to be saying goodbye to our amazing 8th graders, we are excited to celebrate their move into their next school journey.
You will also notice below that our incredible PTSA is seeking both members and officers. Our PTSA does so much for the students, staff, and families at Whatcom. Please see their call-out for support in this newsletter. We would love to have you join.
Wanted to give a “shout-out” to our amazing ASB/Leadership students and staff who hosted our first very successful dance before break. We had such a great turn-out and students were so well-behaved and happy to be at an afterschool activity- it was so heartwarming to see. We look forward to inviting them to more opportunities this spring.
Finally, attached is an invitation for a fun evening here at WMS in the cafeteria on April 27th from 6:30-7:30 put on by one of our very own parents, Esmeralda Olguin. She is an expert in “paint pouring” and will lead us through a session in which we get to learn this technique and create our own masterpiece! All materials are provided, and families will go home with 1-2 canvases. Space is limited so please RSVP here if you are interested.
We so appreciate your support and partnership. Thank you so much for sending us such great kids!
Have a great April!
With much appreciation,
Breann and Mischelle
Mark your calendar!
April 22 Earth Day
April 27 Early Release at noon
May 19 No School-snow make-up day
May 29 No School-Memorial Day
Absences and Bus Passes
Absences
Any time your student is absent from school, please contact Beth Pelto-Fishbeck to excuse the absence. Contact can be made by emailing beth.pelto-fishbeck@bellinghamschools.org , a phone call to 360.676.6460 option 1, using ParentSquare, or a note sent in with your student. If your student brings in a note, please have them bring it to the attendance window before first period. You have 48 hours to excuse absences.
Bus Passes
Students can ride home on a friend's bus but must have a prearranged bus pass. In order for your student to receive a bus pass, we will need a written note or email that contains the following information:
- Your student’s name
- Name of student they are going home with
- If possible, include the bus number and bus stop
Please have your student come to the attendance window or front office before school to receive their pass.
WHATCOM PTSA NEEDS YOUR HELP
We are in dire need of parents like you to step up and help out our favorite middle school. Our April General PTSA meeting will be on Monday April 24 at 7pm. With April here and in full swing, your Whatcom Middle School PTSA is looking towards next year. We have to nominate new people for the board positions, with the new officers being elected in May.
There is no June meeting, which means this month’s meeting is our 2nd to last meeting of the year. Five of our six Board Members don’t have students returning to Whatcom next fall, which means we need help to keep the PTSA going. Come to the meeting and learn about each position, and what it takes to run our PTSA. If we don’t have volunteers to be on next year’s PTSA Board there will be no Whatcom Middle School PTSA. Bring your kids along, there’s plenty of space for everyone, and your kids are always welcome.
If you have any questions about the responsibilities and commitment for each position, feel free to reach out to any one of our board members. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have. We know our WMS community will step up and make sure the PTSA continues on to next year and beyond, and we look forward to seeing you all on Monday April 24th at 7pm.
Best regards,
Your Whatcom Middle School PTSA Board
- President - Justin Nelson
- Vice President - Lorrie Melton
- Treasurer - Daniele O'Connell
- Secretary - Audra Stiles
Parking at WMS
We understand that parking at Whatcom can be a struggle, but did you know that access for handicapped students is limited to only two parking spaces? A couple of quick reminders....
We ask that you please do not park in these spaces unless you have a handicap accessibility pass.
The white space connected to the handicap parking is designated access for with the handicap parking so students can get out of their car in that space. Please do not “quickly” use that space at anytime.
Finally, if you pick up your student behind school, do not pull forward and block the people trying to enter or exit the handicap parking space.
Our families who need to utilize this space appreciate your consideration in this, as do we!
Thank you!
From the Counseling Office
Hello, Wildcat parents, I hope everyone had an enjoyable Spring Break. We’re gearing up for registration for next school year, which means we’ll soon be sending a link via ParentSquare/email for your child to make their enrichment choice(s) for next year. We’re waiting for information from the state and district before we finalize enrichment choices, but we have a general idea. There may be some adjustments, so students may not get their first choice, but we do want to know their preferences. Keep an eye on your ParentSquare or email for more information.
With increasing reports of kids vaping and reports of fentanyl-laced marijuana, I’m hearing escalating concern for our kids’ health and safety. While it seems like substance use/abuse has increased exponentially, the reality is MOST kids aren’t using; we’d like to keep it that way.
Parents talking openly and honestly with kids about substances and why you don’t want them to start (damage to developing brains/bodies, increased risk for long-term addiction, etc.), remains a critically importance piece of the prevention puzzle. Here is a link to SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) prevention tips for parents and caregivers: https://www.samhsa.gov/talk-they-hear-you/parent-resources/keep-kids-safe-brochures#teen-vaping (this one is specifically about vaping, but there are other links on that page). Kids often communicate using emojis; here’s a graphic called “decoding drug codes”: https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2021-12/Emoji%20Decoded.pdf One of these emojis in a kid’s text doesn’t necessarily mean they’re using substances, but it’s worth keeping an eye on!
If you have questions or concerns about your child, please reach out to us. Additionally, we have access to the Intervention/Prevention Specialist, Stevona Burks, at Squalicum High School for consultation and meeting with kids if necessary.
Beth and Rita
ParentSquare for communications
Whatcom Middle School
Principal: Mischelle Darragh
Assistant Principal: Breann Hulford
Administrative Assistant: Cindy Schuitema
(360) 676-6460
- Attendance, Option 1
- Athletics, Option 2
- Registrar/Counseling, Option 3
- Main office, Option 4
Email: cindy.schuitema@bellinghamschools.org
Website: whatcom.bellinghamschools.org
Location: 810 Halleck Street, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 676-6460