Important DatesFebruary 20-24 Mid-Winter Break, No School March 13 I-Connect, Reimagining Middle Schools Committee Feeback, 9:00am March 17 Professional Development Day, No School March 21-24 6th Grade Science Camp |
Greetings Chinook Middle School Community, Reminder- no school next week due to Mid-Winter Break. There will not be a newsletter next week. News and updates are below. In Partnership, James Peterson Principal |
Next Year Course Registration
- March 2: Bellevue High School counselors inform current 8th grade students about the registration process.
- March 9-10: Chinook counselors inform current 6th and 7th grade students about the registration process.
See our Registration Hub for more information.
AVID Elective Class Interviews
6th and 7th grade students who have expressed interest in AVID, or been recommended, will be invited to a brief interview on March 1.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an elective course offered in most all Bellevue School District secondary schools. It is a nationally recognized program for motivated students to grow their academic, collaborative, and leadership potential so they can realize their College/Career goals.
During Advisory, learned about our AVID elective class and had he opportunity to complete an online application for AVID. In addition to the application, there is an interview component to determine if students are a match for the AVID elective class.
Learn more about the AVID elective class here.
March’s Advisory Focus
Community: We will introduce the concept of “Global Competency” by asking students in each Advisory to select a Global Goal of interest (https://sdgs.un.org/goals) and engage in a thinking routine to spark interest in Investigating the World (one of the four dimensions of global competence).
Academic: Students will check their grades and/or conference with their Advisory teacher to identify growth and next steps. In addition, students will have opportunities to develop their organizational skills.
Social Emotional: Students will participate in a lesson designed to build self-management skills.
Safety: We will have a school-wide safety drill on Thursday, March 16th.
Chinook Yearbook – Student Pet Photos
Here’s your chance to show off your pet in the yearbook! Email pictures of your pets (with you) including the Name of Pet, Name of Student, and Student Grade to Mrs. Cosacchi at [email protected] by February 28th.
February Episode of KODIAK News
Kodiak News is a monthly student-produced show for Chinook Middle School. It is a collaboration effort primarily produced by our Film/Video Club members and includes contributions from our Video Production, Media Technology and Python Coding Classes. Ms. Cosacchi is the advisor. This segment includes: Robotics, Comedy Chat, Valentines, Kindness Week/Spirit Week, Black History Month/New Black Student Union/Interview with Coach T, 5th Grade Parent Night, Comedy Wut 2 – (yes 2 comedies!), and Band!
Link (Student Log In Required).
Imagine the Possibilities at March I-Connect Meeting
Save the date for the next I-Connect meeting when the topic will be: “Have Your Say: How Would You Reimagine Middle School?” All parents are invited to attend onMonday, March 13, 9:00-10:30 am in Room 1402.
Discuss innovative possibilities to improve the middle school experience for our students. Join Principal James Peterson, and guest speaker Melisa Macias, Ed.D., Director of Teaching and Learning for the Bellevue School District (BSD), and give your input. Mr. Peterson and Dr. Macias are members of BSD’s Reimagining Middle Schools Committee. What has this committee been doing? Learn about the revolutionary concepts being considered and give your feedback. This is an opportunity for Chinook parents to make an impact.
In Case You Missed It
Black History Month – A Legacy of Excellence
Black History Month is an annual celebration of African American achievement and recognition of the role Black Americans have played throughout history. The purpose of Black History Month is to remember both the important people of African descent and the important events in Black History, while also recognizing that the struggle for racial justice continues to this day. Some examples of how Black History Month is being recognized include:
- Featuring Artists of Color in Art classes
- Analyzing the works of Frederick Douglas
- Studying African American poetry
- Celebrating Black mathematicians, engineers, scientists, inventors, and their achievements
- Embedding the stories of civil rights activists in reading and writing lessons
- Understanding the cultural influence of Black musicians
- Celebrating Black History and culture from around the world in world language classes
Signs of Suicide Lessons
To start second semester, we will be completing the second half of our Signs of Suicide (SOS), suicide prevention lessons and BIMAS2 well-being screenings for students for 7th and The SOS teaches students how to notice warning signs of depression or suicide in themselves or a friend and encourages asking adults for support.
Students who have not yet received the SOS lesson will receive the SOS lesson at school sometime between 2/27-3/10.
Parents will receive a letter explaining SOS via email and can choose to opt their child out of the lesson and/or well-being screening prior to their child receiving the SOS lesson and BIMAS2. To learn more about SOS, check out https://sossignsofsuicide.org/parent.
Mental health resources, recorded parenting skills presentations, and more can be found at our new Mental Health Resources webpage.
We all have a role in preventing suicide in our community. You don’t have to have any special training to ACKNOWLEDGE warning signs of depression or suicide, show the person you CARE, and TELL a trusted adult or professional.
Apply to be a Youth Mentor with Rainier Athletes
Rainier Athletes is seeking volunteers for their youth mentoring program. Volunteers are paired with BSD students and need to be willing to commit to one year of mentorship.
Learn more about Rainier Athletes and sign up to become a mentor.
Bellevue Schools Foundation Needs Your Help
As you may already know, Bellevue Schools Foundation (BSF) raises about $2M annually to enrich our schools and enhance student learning. Much of that funding goes right into Chinook and other schools through grants! BSF makes an impact at Chinook in many ways school – from robotics, to culturally responsive libraries to Mental Health Assistance… and so much more.
BSF is looking for about 5-7 wonderful people committed to furthering public education in the area that work at some of our mid-sized companies, in government or at the district in Bellevue to join the board of directors for BSF. BSF wantw to strengthen relationships with our corporate and civic communities while we strengthen our schools.
Learn more and contact the Foundation here.
Reimagining Middle School Update
The Reimagining Middle School Committee continues its work in the new year by starting the design prototype phase to reimagine middle schools. The prototype phase allows the committee to test possible solutions to the identified areas for improvement. This allows for the development of continuous short cycles of innovation and improvement. The committee continues to center its work to reduce and remove barriers in search for equitable outcomes. Read the full update here.
Student Handbook Reminder
As noted in the Chinook Student Handbook, laser pointers and aerosols/sprays are not allowed on campus. Students should not bring or apply body sprays (Axe sprays, etc.), colognes, or perfumes anywhere at school including the locker rooms (please use stick, gel, or roll-on deodorants instead). Using aerosols/sprays at school can cause health problems and concerns for many people on our campus (students with Asthma, etc.). If you choose to apply these scents, please do so prior to coming to school. Students choosing to bring any of these prohibited items to school will have the item confiscated.
8th Grade Promotion: Save the Date
8th grade Promotion is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21st, during the school day. This is the last full day of school (June 22nd is a shortened two hour day). See the full District Family Calendar here. Please note: the date may change if there is an emergency school closure that extends the school year. More details coming soon.
Save the Date: Bellevue Schools Foundation Spring for Schools, April 1
Join the Bellevue Schools Foundation to join us at Spring for Schools on April 1st! This event provides critical programming for our school community and the total of 18,000+ students in every school in Bellevue School District. Here’s a snapshot of the Foundation’s support at Chinook.
Please be sure to indicate Chinook Middle School when you register here! With student performances, an Education Showcase, appetizers, and more, the evening promises to be a fun one in support of our students and community.
Learn more and register to attend.
Donate to 6th Grade Science Camp
The expected cost for 6th Grade Science Camp has gone increased and is expected to be approximately $325.00 per student. You can help reduce the cost for all students by donating. Make a donation.
Private School Applications
All private school applications are handled by the BSD Records Department.
For private school applications, please go to the Bellevue School District website for an explanation of the procedures.
https://bsd405.org/departments/records/private-school-applications/
Please use this link to submit your initial private school application.
Please note that BSD will NOT be uploading records to third party vendors such as Ravenna and Gateway. The records department will forward your student’s records directly to the school(s) you list on the application, and you will receive a confirmation email once the request has been processed.
Commitment to Nondiscrimination
Bellevue School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights, Racial Discrimination, and Gender Expression or Identity Discrimination:
Civil Rights/Nondiscrimination Compliance Coordinator Nancy Pham, (425) 456-4040 or [email protected]
Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment: Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or [email protected]
Disability Discrimination: Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Heather Edlund, (425) 456-4156 or [email protected]
Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.