|
Important Dates March 13 I-Connect, Reimagining Middle Schools Committee Feedback, 9:00am March 17 Professional Development Day, No School March 21-24 6th Grade Science Camp
|
Greetings Chinook Middle School Community,
Hopefully we are past the time when inclement weather may impact our schedule. Having said that, we never know for sure. Please see BSD’s Inclement Weather and Potential Closure Reminders here. News and updates are below. In Partnership, James Peterson Principal |
Transformative Ideas to Change Middle Schools the Focus of March I-Connect Meeting
Have you ever thought your child’s middle school experience would be so much better if only [you fill in the blank] could be changed? The Bellevue School District’s Reimagining Middle Schools (RMS) Committee has been examining ways to innovate and alter the traditional model under which middle schools operate. After collaborating for six months, the 35-member committee has come up with some transformative ideas for change, which it will ultimately submit for consideration to the BSD Superintendent and Executive Team. First the committee wants to present its ideas to middle school parents to see what they think.
Join us at a special I-Connect meeting, “Have Your Say: How Would You Reimagine Middle School?,” for the opportunity to give input on institutional changes that could one day be implemented across BSD middle schools. All parents are invited to attend on Monday, March 13, 9:00-10:30 am in Room 1402.
Guest Speakers: Chinook Principal James Peterson, and Melisa Macias, Ed.D., Director of Teaching and Learning for BSD. Mr. Peterson and Dr. Macias are members of the RMS Committee.
I-Connect is a PTSA-sponsored program designed to promote community among parents. Monthly meetings focus on topics relevant to our Chinook community. All parents are welcome to attend.
PTSA Leaders Needed
The 2022-2023 PTSA board is on their second year of service. We are unable to return in our roles. We have not yet had anyone volunteer to take over as President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer for the 2023/2024 school year.
Without these important roles filled, we will be unable to have a PTSA next year. That would be a real loss for the students, families, staff, and administration. We are an important part of supporting the work that means so much to our students.
We are asking for your help. We would like these roles filled by our April 26th meeting, but worst-case scenario is in June.
If anyone is interested in taking on one of these roles, please reach out to Melissa Johnson at [email protected]
Stay Healthy
We strongly recommend you and your student to stay home if you are having cold-like symptoms. Please visit: https://bsd405.org/services/health/too-sick-for-school/. Giving a fever reducing medication just before returning to school does not make a student well. It may only mask the fever until the medication wears off. In this situation, a student needs to be home so others are not exposed to illness.
What are the fever reducing medications? Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Iburpofen, Aspirin, Naproxen, Dayquil, Nyquil
What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms: https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-02/420456-COVID19DecisionTrees.pdf
If you have one or more of these new, changed, or worsening symptoms: Fever (≥100.4°F) or chills, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Muscle or body aches, Loss of taste or smell, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, Headache, Fatigue, Sore throat, Cough. Stay home and test for COVID-19 or see a healthcare provider.
Vaping Among Teens
Vaping devices are popular among teens and are now the most commonly used form of nicotine among youth in the United States. Some research shows that many teens do not even realize that vaping cartridges contain nicotine, and assume the pods contain only flavoring. (https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/vaping-devices-electronic-cigarettes)
- Vapes are addictive because of the nicotine that is in them
- The chemicals in vapes affect brain development, and teens’ brains aren’t fully developed until they are about 25 years old
- Vapes contain many chemicals, some of which cause short-term problems like popcorn lung
- Long-term effects of vaping still have yet to be seen, as the products are still relatively new (consider the way that cigarettes were once seen as not dangerous, and over time we learned the truth about them)
- Vaping companies are purposely focusing their advertising on youth – if they can get young people addicted, they will have a customer for a long time (e.g., flavors, bright-colored devices)
CDC Website: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html
Vapes are not just used for nicotine, but are also a way for teens to access cannabis/weed (marijuana, pot, THC, etc.). Please take some time to educate yourselves around this topic and talk with your child about it. These items are around and our kids have access to them.
Learn more by watching this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dZS_Rniak0
Summer Learning Programs
Information about summer programs is now available on the the 2023 Summer Programs K-12 page on the district website.
Summer School Programs for elementary students will run July 6–28 at Lake Hills Elementary School. Summer School Programs for secondary students will also run from July 6-28 at Sammamish High School, with some variations for middle school students.
In Case You Missed It
Next Year Course Registration
- March 2: Bellevue High School counselors informed 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.