Kulshan Connect
April 1, 2022 (see if you can find our April Fool's post!)
In our Kulshan Community, we are courageous, kind, and committed!
Kulshan Spring Sports!
Spring sports start Monday, April 11, which is the day after we return from Spring Break. Registration is open on Final Forms. We hope everyone can find something to participate in. If you have questions about Final Forms or your sports physical, please reach out to Lisa Scott, our Athletics Registrar. This spring we are offering:
- Unified Soccer - open to all grades, all genders
- Cross Country - open to all grades, all genders
- Football - 7th and 8th grade, all genders
- Girls Basketball - open to all grades
April 11-15: Lost and Found Clean Up
KMS ASB MOD Pizza Night!
Support Kulshan ASB by eating pizza! Get dinner (or lunch! Or Both!) at MOD pizza on Wednesday, April 13, and support Kulshan ASB! Mention "Kulshan ASB" when you order in person or by phone, or use the code GR204674K for online or app orders. 20% of all Kulshan ASB fundraising will go to this year's charity partner, Northwest Youth Services. More information can be found here!
A HUGE THANK YOU!
Thank you to all the parents, ASB leaders, staff, and especially custodial staff who helped make our school dance/social happen! Despite some bumps (we blew the amp on the first song and ran out of food much sooner than expected), kids had a great time and everyone seemed to roll with everything. Thanks for supporting our Thunderbirds.
Free COVID Tests
Testing before returning to school after Spring break can help our community stay healthy. At-home rapid tests are available to families and staff on a weekly basis. Please come to your school’s front office to pick up tests. Testing continues to be available for staff and students at our schools and the Family Resource Center at Shuksan Middle School each school day from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The testing center will be closed over Spring Break.
Family Spring Feedback Survey
Do you have questions about lice?
Lice have been around for thousands of years, and they are always in our community and schools. Head lice move by crawling; they cannot hop or fly. Head lice are spread by direct contact with the hair of a person with a lice infestation. Anyone who comes in head-to-head contact with someone who already has head lice is at greatest risk. Spread by contact with clothing (such as hats, scarves, coats) or other personal items (such as combs, brushes, or towels) is uncommon. Everyone should do their best to keep an eye out for lice. Doing weekly comb-outs or lice checks on your household members is a great way to avoid an infestation. If you do find nits (eggs) or live lice, regular combing and nit-picking is an effective way to treat them. Please start treatment right away. We don’t exclude students from school due to nits or lice. Here is more information on finding and treating lice.
(NEW) Spring Music Clubs
Drumline will be after school every Tuesday in the Band Room starting March 22nd. Ukulele Club will be after school on Thursdays in the Orchestra Room starting March 24th. You do not need to have any musical experience or be in any music class to join. Both clubs are open to ALL STUDENTS and all instruments will be provided (though you are welcome to bring your own ukulele if you would like). If you have any questions, email Ms. Petaia or come chat with her in the music rooms before or after school.
Mental Health for Teens
Strengthening Families
Kulshan Middle School is partnering with WSU extension and Whatcom County Health Department to host a Strengthening Families Program Wednesday evenings 5:30- 8 pm April 13- May 25 for youth ages 10-14 And their Caregivers. Over seven weeks, families learn communication skills, stress management tools, and ways to connect. Families will meet once a week for 2 hours to connect and learn together. Meetings will be once a week, and a light dinner and childcare will be provided. Click here for more information and to register.
Instructional Spotlight
Julie Capper is a 7th grade Social Studies teacher, and has been teaching at Kulshan for five years. In 7th grade, our students learn about Washington State history, and one of those episodes in history that we have a lot to learn from is known as the "fish wars". Student learn about what led up to the Boldt Decision, a legal case that created the co-managing of salmon and other fish based upon prior treaties. This time period is used as a means to discuss about the importance of looking at different historical perspectives, and how events have an impact on a variety of stakeholders.
What is most impressive about Ms. Capper's instruction is her consistent return to essential questions. Students are exploring: How do socio-political developments within our state lead to dilemmas that affect a variety of stakeholders? Ms. Capper leads students to analyze historical documents and stories given from many perspectives on an issue, and student continually return to this question as they learn more about a topic. By returning to these essential questions, student begin to see how their thinking changes over time. One artifact of this thinking is through the interactive journals that students use to record their observations, learning, and reflections about the different stories or historical documents they look at in class.
When interviewing one of her students and asked what they are learning and why it is important, as student responded "A lot of our history can be told from one perspective, and it is important learn about historical events from the perspective of many different groups. It helps us have a better understanding of what happened"
Some great historical thinking happening in 7th grade.
Questions to Ask Your Student:
- How can looking at different perspectives of history help us create a better understanding of what happened?
- What voices have typically been left out in the stories we tell?
- How has our understanding of historical events changed over time?
- What actions can we take to create a deeper understanding of current events?
Therapy Pet Joining KMS
Idle Free Pick Up
Idle Free Pick-up at Kulshan: Did you know that idling your car for 10 minutes can put a pound of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? As you pick up your students from school or practice and are waiting in your car, we ask that you refrain from idling cars. Thanks for helping us preserve healthy air for our kids while putting less carbon in the air!
WCHD Vaccine Clinics
Our Whatcom County Health Department continues to offer clinics and pop up clinics throughout Whatcom County. Check out all of the dates and locations. For some of the clinics, they are offering $50 gift cards for people getting a first or second dose. Yay!
Homework Club Snacks Needed
New District Calendar
Attendance Office Reminders
Human Growth and HIV Lessons
Our Kulshan PE teachers will be sharing out the Human Growth and Development and HIV lessons that we will be teaching this Spring. Washington State requires HIV/AIDS prevention education for all students, and families are often curious about the materials and information that will be shared with students. Our PE teachers teach specific lessons which can be previewed here. As always, families may opt their child out of these Human Growth and Development & HIV/AIDS lessons. Please let your child's PE teacher know in writing if that is your choice. Thank you!
Free Family Podcasts
We care about your family and want to help you stay strong together.
We will share about protecting youth against substance abuse. Children and youth do best at home, school and with friends when their parents use both love and limits. The better you are at setting limits and showing love and caring the more likely it is your child will get through the teen years without getting into serious trouble.
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!
Social Media Accounts
Have you seen concerning social media pages related to Kulshan students? 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. 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.
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.
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.
LGBTQ Support for Families and 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