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Important Dates
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Greetings Chinook Middle School Community,
The beginning of the school year is filled with excitement and anticipation. I hope you find the information included in this newsletter informative and helpful. You can expect to receive the Chinook Weekly Newsletter every Monday afternoon with lots of important information and updates. These newsletters will always be posted to the front page of our website here. Lots of important news and updates are below. I am looking forward to a wonderful 2023-2024 school year! In Partnership, James Peterson Principal |
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering about the Daily Schedule, Advisory, Tutorial, Lunch, Lockers, and more? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Incoming 6th grade WEB Orientation
6th grade WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) Orientation will occur on September 5, as part of the first day of school.
Here’s a message to 6th grade students:
We’re excited to welcome you to Chinook with a special program just for 6th graders on the first day of school! This orientation is about having fun and getting to know your school and other students, including the 8th grade WEB Leaders who are very excited to meet you!
Here are some important details to know:
· When you arrive in the morning, pick up your schedule in the Commons and then go to your 1st period teacher (don’t worry, we’ll help you find your way😊).
· Please wear comfortable clothes.
· Do not bring school supplies! You can bring them with you on Wednesday.
· You will pick up your school laptop after lunch.
Questions? Just ask! We look forward to seeing you soon! Ms. Karnick (karnicka@bsd405.org), Mrs. Metz (metzj@bsd405.org), and Mrs. Erickson (ericksonk@bsd405.org)
New 7th and 8th grade Student Orientation
New 7th and 8th grade Student Orientation will be incorporated into the first day of school on September 5. Pick up your schedule in the Commons when you arrive. Don’t worry, we’ll help you find your way! New 7th and 8th grade students will also receive their BSD Laptops on September 5.
School Meals (Breakfast and Lunch)
BSD Nutrition Services offers Breakfast and Lunch for students.
Set up payment for student meal purchases. Nutrition Services uses PayPAMS for online payments for school meals. Families may also pay for meals by check or cash at school. For more information, visit the Nutrition Services page or call (425) 456-4507.
Free and Reduced Price Meal Application.
After SchoolActivities, Clubs & Sports
Activities begin the week of September 11.
Extracurricular activities are available to all Chinook students. Participation in these activities enriches the middle school experience. Activities offered are based on student interest. Some activities or clubs meet only once a week, while others meet daily. Most activities meet from 3:10–4:00 pm. Information will be distributed about the various sport and non-sport activities available for each activity session throughout the year.
Activities & Club schedules can be found on the Chinook website here. Updates are coming soon.
Registration for 2023-2024 school year sports and activities opens on September 1st. Families must complete registration forms in advance for participation in sports, activities, and field trips. Middle School athletics do NOT require physicals. https://bsd405.org/departments/athletics-activities/middle-school-athletics-activities/
An Activity Bus is available at 4:10pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
School Pictures
School pictures are scheduled for September 12. More information will be coming soon.
Curriculum/Community Night
Curriculum/Community Night is scheduled for September 18. More information will be coming soon.
Suggested School Supplies
Click here to see the suggested supplies to begin the school year. BSD schools will not require students to purchase any required school supplies for the 2023-24 school year.
Student Schedules
Draft student schedules will be available online through Synergy StudentVUE and ParentVUE portals by September 1. Student schedules may continue to shift as we work to balance class sizes and will not be finalized until September 5.
See https://bsd405.org/departments/district-technology/grades-attendance/ (also has instructions to activate ParentVUE account).
Paper copies of final schedules will be available the first day of school, in the Commons.
Bus Routes
Tip: Students should write down their bus route numbers and home address, and keep this handy the first weeks of school.
Chinook Activity Routes (Does not begin until week of September 11)
Questions about bus service? See Transportation – Bellevue School District (bsd405.org) or contact the BSD Transportation Office at 425-456-4512.
Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures
Goal: Safely and efficiently drop students off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon through a systematic process.
For the safety of our students, please:
- Drive SLOWLY
- Manage technology (no cell phones, please)
- Demonstrate respect and patience toward all
The right lane (curb) will always be drop off and pick up. The left lane is “thru” traffic. Please follow the guidance of the traffic attendants.
Drop Off
- Please pull forward, do not stop in the middle of the passenger loading zone.
- Watch for students crossing.
- Cars should pull completely forward and utilize the full length of the passenger loading zone.
- If you need to get out of the car, pull into a parking spot for continued traffic flow.
Pick Up
- Watch for students crossing.
- Cars should pull completely forward and utilize the full length of the passenger loading zone.
- If you need to get out of the car, pull into a parking spot for continued traffic flow.
School Calendar
See the 2023-2024 Bellevue School District Family Calendar here: 2023-2024 Family Calendar – Bellevue School District (bsd405.org)
Annual Online Student Verification & Attendance Policy Agreement
Update student information through the online student verification process beginning August 23, 2023. Synergy ParentVue provides parents and guardians with the ability to view the student assignments, grades and attendance. When logging on to update student information in August, a prompt will remind parents/guardians to acknowledge the yearly attendance agreement.
Current BSD Families:
Make sure to update your email address and the language you prefer to receive messages. This will ensure you are kept up to date throughout the year about district news and events.
Emergency Contacts
Please update your emergency contacts in Synergy ParentVue . More information on emergency contacts and emergency school release can be found on the student reunification process page.
Join the Chinook PTSA
Join us in our goal to create a strong Chinook community. The Chinook Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) strives to build a strong partnership between the school and the families to help every child achieve their potential.
Your membership includes an automatic subscription to the Kodiak Korner and up to two votes at membership meetings. Membership also includes special discounts through WA State PTSA partners.
When you join, you also have the option to purchase a membership for a Chinook Teacher/Staff member.
PTSA Membership Scholarships Available.
Print out the Chinook PTSA Membership Form or join online.
Learn more about the Chinook PTSA.
Attend the BSD Health Fair
In partnership with state and local partners, BSD will hold health fairs on Wednesday, August 30 and Thursday, August 31. The health fairs will offer immunization clinics to students in preparation for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, as well as information about community agencies, overdose awareness (watch a video shared by Superintendent Aramaki in July about this topic.), internet safety and resources from physical and mental health providers. The fairs are free and open to the public. Immunization appointments are required. Please note, COVID and flu vaccines are not currently available.
BSD nurses, athletics and activities, and technology departments will be on-hand to support families, answer questions and provide resources. Partner organizations will also be in attendance, including: Washington State Department of Health, Youth Eastside Services, International Community Health Services, and Safeway Pharmacies.
Two Options:
Wednesday, August 30
- 4:00-7:00 p.m.
- Chinook Middle School, 2001 98th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
- Sign up for an immunization appointment.
Thursday, August 31
- 4:00 -7:00 p.m.
- Odle Middle School, 502 143rd Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98007
- Sign up for an immunization appointment.
Chinook is Hiring
Chinook is hiring Para Educators for the coming school year.
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 phamn@bsd405.org
Sex-based Discrimination, including Sexual Harassment: Title IX Coordinator: Jeff Lowell, (425) 456-4010 or lowellj@bsd405.org
Disability Discrimination: Section 504/ADA Coordinator: Heather Edlund, (425) 456-4156 or edlundh@bsd405.org
Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.