Important DatesOctober 19 Unity Day: Wear orange to show Unity. Learn more. October 20 Great Shake-Out: Earthquake Preparedness Drill October 24 Multi-Lingual Principal Coffee, 8:15am November 1 Family Technology Night at Chinook, 6:00-7:00pm November 7 2nd Quarter Begins |
Greetings Chinook Middle School Community,
As you know, today was a non-school day for students and a professional development day for teachers. Please know that these professional development opportunities are incredibly valuable for our staff. I understand how challenging it can be to find childcare options for these professional development days and appreciate the support we receive. Lots of other news and updates below. In Partnership, James Peterson Principal |
BSD Family Technology Nights
Parents, would you like to learn more about the educational technology your student uses here at BSD?
Here is your chance.
BSD K-12 families are invited to attend one of our educational technology information nights to learn:
- How parents can access critical information for your student
- The technology ecosystem your student navigates as a learner
- How BSD protects students online
- How parents can get technology help
This is also an opportunity for parents to share your technology needs
Choose the night and location most convenient for you
- Tuesday, October 25, 6-7 p.m. at HIGHLAND Middle School
- Tuesday, November 1, 6-7 p.m. at CHINOOK Middle School
- Tuesday, November 8, 6-7 p.m. at TYEE Middle School
- Wednesday, November 16, 6-7 p.m. on TEAMS– Click here to join the meeting.
PTSA Directory Now Available
Your PTSA directory is now available. If you have a Directory Spot account already, it is automatically updated and you can just login as normal. You will see this year’s information.
if you have not accessed the directory before, download “Directory Spot” to your device. Login with your email that is registered at the school. Hit the Login button and it will prompt you to set a password.
if you have any questions or would like to opt out of the directory, please reach out to Melissa Johnson at [email protected]
Many thanks to Anh Luu for putting together our directory.
The PTSA is proud to present this to all of our families free of charge.
Multi-Lingual Principal’s Coffee
- When: October 24, 8:15am
- Where: Chinook Middle School
- What: Format is at a slower pace, providing time for in-person translation into multiple languages. We currently have in-person translators for Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. Electronic translation can be provided in additional languages.
Reimagining Middle Schools Steering Committee Seeking Family Input
Earlier this week families received an anonymous, four question survey from the Reimagining Middle School (RMS) Steering Committee. By completing the survey families can support the RMS Committee as they develop ideas for reimagining our five comprehensive middle schools. All families are encouraged to provide their input. The survey will be open until October 19. The survey is available in English, Simplified Chinese, or Spanish. To change the language of the survey, click the arrow beside the word “English” (located in the upper right corner of this page).
Questions or concerns about this survey? Families can email Melisa Macias, BSD Director of Teaching and Learning for Middle Schools, at [email protected], or Anna Van Windekens, BSD Research Scientist, at [email protected].
The Reimagining Middle School (RMS) Committee was formed in the fall of 2022 to develop suggestions for a new, “reimagined” middle school model. This reimagined model will be based on research, co-designed with stakeholders, and aim to provide students with an innovative and personalized learning experience.
The Great ShakeOut – Drop, Cover and Hold!
Chinook students and staff will practice earthquake preparedness on October 20th as part of the Great ShakeOut!
Below, you can find information and links on earthquake preparedness:
Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) and Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA)
Both organizations work in concert to create an exceptional experience for your children, your family, and your community. And, both these organizations count on your support to fund their work. Please consider extending your support to both BSF and Chinook’s PTSA. They are working hard every day to ensure your child has a wonderful school experience.
Learn more about the difference between BSF and PTSA.
In Case You Missed It
Attendance Procedures
Please review the Chinook Middle School Attendance Procedures.
Picture Retakes
Picture retakes are on October 21. More information and ordering.
See Chinook Behind the Scenes on Upcoming Tour
The next I-Connect meeting for parents/guardians features a VIP behind-the-scenes tour of our Chinook campus. Access the inner workings of the building. Examine the school through the eyes of the people who designed and managed its construction. Discover the forgotten past of original Chinook, established in 1961. The tour begins in the Commons on Wednesday, October 26, at 9:00 a.m. All parents/guardians are welcome. Dress for the weather, and wear your walking shoes.
Tour guides for the “Hidden Chinook Walking Tour” will be:
Andy Cottrill, Associate Principal of Design, BLRB Architects
Jack McLeod, Director, Facilities, Bellevue School District
Cyndi King, Director, Capital Construction, Bellevue School District
Jason Clark, Assistant Principal, Chinook Middle School
What is I-Connect? I-Connect meetings are informative monthly gatherings that provide an opportunity for parents/guardians to meet and network with others in our school community. Attend one meeting or several; the choice is yours. Chinook PTSA proudly sponsors this program. For more information: www.chinookptsa.org/i-connect.html
Questions? Contact I-Connect Chair Sharon Pang: [email protected]
Student Locker Requests
Students received this email with information to request a locker to their BSD email accounts. Chinook students who would like to request a school locker should use the FORM link below. Students with lockers assigned last year will keep the same locker.
Please fill out the online form completely. This is the only way for you to request a locker. You will be notified when your locker is available to use.
FYI, there are NO Upper lockers available in the front of the 1500 wing.
LOCKER REQUEST FORM LINK (only students can access this form)
Reminders:
- For the safety and security of your own items, do not share your locker combination with others – not even your best friend.
- All lockers are to be treated with respect. Please do not decorate your locker with stickers.
- Do not hit or kick your locker. This can cause damage and may result in disciplinary action.
- Any changes in locker assignments will be handled by the office ONLY.
- If you have any concerns or problems with your locker, please check with the office for assistance.
- All lockers at school are a part of the building and are subject to inspection by school administrators.
October Observances and Acknowledgments
During the month of October, we acknowledge the following: Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, Czech Heritage Month, Italian American Heritage and Culture Month, and Polish American Heritage Month.
In addition, please note the following dates of cultural importance to many members in our community taking place throughout the month:
- 10/5/2022 – Yom Kippur – Starts at sunset on October 4
- 10/9/2022 – National Indigenous People’s Day
- 10/24/2022 – Deepavali/Diwali
- 10/25/2022 – Birth of the Báb
Advanced Learning Winter Testing Applications Open
Applications for Advanced Learning winter testing are now open. Any parent/guardian of a BSD student in grades 1-11 may apply for their student to test. Any parent of a private/home-school student in grades 1-11 who lives within the Bellevue School District service area may also apply for their child to test. Applications must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on October 31, 2022.
All BSD Kindergarten students are automatically screened for Advanced Learning services. There is no need for this group to apply for testing.
Learn more and apply for winter testing.
Volunteers Needed
Show your support for our safety solutions by volunteering to be an attendant for our carline during morning or afternoon drop off and pick up. To volunteer or if you have any questions, please use this link.
Reporting COVID-19 Cases and Outbreaks
The updated guidance from WA DOH requires notification to staff, students and their families when there are cases and outbreaks in schools. The Bellevue School District maintains an online dashboard for this purpose. COVID-19 cases for the 2022-23 school year are located on the COVID-19 Cases in Schools Dashboard, with data updated daily at 7:00 a.m.