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Important Dates
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Greetings Chinook Middle School Community,
We held our first safety drill last Friday, an evacuation drill, and I am very proud of how our students responded. Student safety is a top priority for us at Chinook Middle School and we practice school-wide emergency drills monthly, including lockdown, evacuation, drop-cover-hold, and shelter-in-place, to know how to respond to actual emergencies. See more information about safety and security preparations on the BSD website here. Lots of important news and updates are below. In Partnership, James Peterson Principal |
School Pictures
School pictures are scheduled for September 12. All Chinook students will have individual pictures taken for their Student ID card and for use in the yearbook.
Portrait packages can be ordered for a fee online at www.mydorian.com, search for Chinook Middle School – Bellevue, WA. You can order online now and for up to four (4) days after picture day.
See the flyer from Dorian for more information.
Curriculum and Community Night
Please join us as for Curriculum and Community Night, Monday, September 18. Our focus this year is to build community. An outline of the evening is below. Families are invited to attend any and all portions they would like.
- 5:30-6:00 PM: Mix and mingle in the Commons with Chinook staff and other families, and explore informational booths. Dessert and light snacks provided.
- 6:05-6:40 PM: Grade Level Presentations. Hear from Teachers, Admin, Counselors, and more.
- 6th grade in the Commons.
- 7th and 8th grade in the Gym.
- 6:50-7:20 PM: Classroom Visits. Meet classroom teachers and see what students are learning. Families may choose which classes/teachers to visit from their student’s schedule. Note: Teachers will not be able to discuss questions or concerns related to individual students; individual questions or concerns can be addressed by individual arrangements in the future.
Activities and Clubs
Chinook Clubs and Activities will be open for registration starting on Monday, September 11th. Please log into FinalForms to register your students. If a club is not open for registration, the club advisor will be registering students. Your student should contact that adevisor/teacher directly.
- Clubs and Activities are grouped by the quarter in which they start. LINK to Activity List
- All Sports and Activities require registration on FinalForms at http://Bellevue-wa.finalforms.com
- Jubilee Sports require registration with Coach Ian White. whitei@bsd405.org
- Physicals are NOT required for Middle School Sports
- Student MUST attend Tutorial prior to attending any after school activity (2:30-3:00)
- Participation in ASB Clubs & Activities requires ASB membership. https://wa-bellevue.intouchreceipting.com/
The Activity bus will be starting on Monday, September 11th. It departs Chinook at 4:10pm. The Activity Bus route list can be found online at: https://bsd405.org/wp-content/pdf/transportation/activity-bus-schedule-chinook.pdf.
School Bus Stop Map · SchoolBusMap
Lockers
Students received an email, to their BSD email address, last week with instructions to request a locker. Lockers are optional and available for any student. Returning students may keep their locker from last year.
High School Athletics Attendance
Please know that any middle school student attending varsity games at any District high school during the 2023-2024 school year will be required to be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult. Unaccompanied middle school students will not be admitted.
When preparing to attend any athletic event, whether varsity or sub varsity, please note that all spectators at any District high school will watch contests from the designated stands. Restrooms and concession areas will remain available for breaks and refreshment.
You can purchase tickets ahead of any game by accessing the District’s Hometown Ticketing Box Office (https://bsd405.hometownticketing.com/embed/all?schools=2).
Reimaging Middle School
Bellevue School District’s Reimagining Middle School (RMS) Design Teams have started the work for 2023-2024. The goal is to develop structures and practices that best serve the development of social, emotional, and academic skills of all our students. Specifically, we will develop plans for successful implementation of Advisory/Homeroom and Problem-Based Learning. We will share our proposals with Bellevue School District’s executive team and Superintendent Dr. Kelly Aramaki, by the end of the academic year.
We seek your voice! If you are interested in providing feedback along the way for our Advisory/Homeroom and/or Problem Based Learning Design Teams, we invite you to join our Consultancy Board. To learn more about the Consultancy Board, please visit RMS Consultancy Board Member Responsibilities.
If you are interested in joining, please complete this interest form. You are also invited to follow our progress throughout the year through our RMS Steering Committee webpage.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns at RMS@bsd405.org
Bellevue Family Hub – New Hours and Second Location
The Bellevue Family Hub has new hours at its location at Highland Middle School and recently opened a second site at Stevenson Elementary. Families can receive emergency financial assistance and support for basic needs. Students and families can also attend free educational workshops and get connected to community organizations in a welcoming safe environment. The Bellevue Family Hub is generously supported through district partner, Bellevue LifeSpring.
BSD Texting App “Talking Points” to Use New Phone Numbers
The BSD texting app, “Talking Points,” will utilize new phone numbers this year. Bellevue School staff use Talking Points to send SMS text messages to families. Our vendor has let us know that this school year, the sender’s phone number will appear different to families than in the past. This means that when you receive a text from staff, it will appear to be a new sending number. If you attempt to reply to an old number, you will receive a reminder that the number has been re-assigned. We apologize for any confusion this may create. You will continue to receive all texts from BSD staff, but you may notice a new phone number.
Mental Health Resources for Families
Did you know that the BSD website contains a Mental Health Services section, which includes mental health resources for students and families? School administrators worked in partnership with support staff to strategize, align and provide access to this information in a user-friendly manner, to support students and families. Students and families are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the content to better understand mental health topics including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance abuse and suicide prevention. Students and families are encouraged to reach out to school counselors and MHAT counselors for additional mental health support.
Learn about mental health topics and access support resources.
Bellevue Special Needs PTA Meet and Greet
Bellevue Special Needs PTA invites families to attend their Meet and Greet on Saturday, September 23, at Crossroads Park. Learn how the Special Needs PTA promotes advocacy and education and empowers families. Meet families and share stories. Learn from the journeys of those who have parented students with 504 plans and IEPs. The event is open to all, and snacks will be provided!
Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Crossroads Park, southwest pavilions
Address: 16000 NE 10th St, Bellevue, WA 98008
View more information in the program flyer.
Screenagers Under the Influence
The Bellevue Schools Foundation is sponsoring a screening of Screenagers Under The Influence
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
7pm-9pm
Cinemark Lincoln Square Cinemas
700 Bellevue Way Northeast
Bellevue, WA 98004
We invite you to view the film ‘Screenagers Under the Influence‘ at Cinemark Lincoln Square Cinemas. This event is designed to enlighten and educate attendees about teenage drug use in the digital age. It is suitable for teenagers and their parents or caretakers.
After the screening, we will have an interactive panel presentation to provide resources for responding appropriately.
Panelists include:
- BSD Mental Health Assistance Team
- Dr. Ray Hsiao, Seattle Children’s Hospital
- Marnie Maraldo, Influence the Choice
- Angelica Zapata, Be Ready to Grow
Doors open at 6:30PM and the film starts at 7:00PM. We look forward to seeing you there!
Bellevue Youth Theatre – Fall Audition Information
The Bellevue Youth Theatre is a community theater for youth, teens and families. Fall auditions, open to students age 5 and older for all performances, will take place on September 7 and 8 at Bellevue Youth Theatre. Everyone who auditions will be cast in a production. There is no cost to participate for Bellevue residents.
In Case You Missed It
School Counselors
Chinook has 3 school counselors who work with an alphabetical caseload distribution. Their mission to provide a comprehensive school counseling program that will assist ALL students in acquiring the required skills, knowledge, and attitudes that will allow them to be successful in and out of the classroom. As school counselors, they value the unique potential of each student and will assist them in maximizing their goals and working to the best of their ability.
- Sam Glinsmann (glinsmanns@bsd405.org): Last Names A-H
- Carol Johnson (johnsonca@bsd405.org): Last Names I-N
- Jamie Johnson (johnsonj@bsd405.org): Last Names O-Z
See our counseling page for more information and resources.
Cell Phones- Away for the Day
Research shows that access to cell phones at school has a negative academic and social impact on students. When students do not have the freedom of accessing their phones during school hours, they are more engaged socially and academically.
Per BSD Policy, Telecommunication devices will be turned on and operated only before and after the regular school day and during the student’s lunch break, unless an emergency situation exists that involves imminent physical danger.
This means, students may use cell phones only:
- Before school in the Commons until 7:40 a.m.
- During Lunch in the Commons
- After school to communicate about after school plans.
Parents/guardians that need to send an emergency message to their students may contact the Chinook office at 425-456-6600.
Students are expected to Keep cell phones, earbuds, and electronics powered off and out of sight or in designated area (per each teacher’s expectations). Classrooms will have pocket charts behind teacher desks for students to store cell phones during instructional time.
The following process will be followed when students violate these expectations.
- Step 1: Device held in main office until after school, picked up by student.
- Step 2: Device held in main office until after school, and parent/guardian contacted.
- Step 3: Device held in main office until after school, and parent/guardian is contacted. Conference with administration and one week with device left at home or kept in office during school hours.
Social Media
How does your student use social media? How do you know? Chinook, like other schools nationally, has seen a rise in bullying and harassing behavior between students via text and social media. It is important for families to be aware of the social media activities of their children, to be aware of the apps installed on their devices, and to know what is in their feeds.
Resources:
Parenting, Media, and Everything in Between | Common Sense Media
What Are Some Basic Social Media Rules for Middle Schoolers? | Common Sense Media
Official Notices
The 2023-2024 Official Notices are now available on the district website. English, Spanish and Simplified Chinese versions can be found on the Official Notices page. Content in the District’s 2023-24 Official Notices includes:
- Student Education Records (FERPA & Directory Information)
- Notice of Rights Under the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment
- Notice of Students and Staff Rights and Responsibilities
- Non-Discrimination
- Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying
- Notice of Child Find
- Notice of Complaint Resolution
- Notice of Pesticide, Asbestos and Lead
- Weapons
- Truancy
- Office of the Education Ombuds services
This information above can also be found on the Official Notices webpage
Language Access
Chinook Middle School is committed to improving meaningful, two-way communication with families. If you or members of your family speak a language other than English, the district offers services to provide language support. We’re committed to help you connect with school and district events, programs, and services — all for free! For translation or interpretation services, please contact our office. For more information and to know your rights, please visit the district’s language access webpage.
Join the Middle School Student Well-Being Adoption Committee
BSD has a strong commitment to supporting well-being for all our students. This includes supporting their social, emotional, and mental health growth. During this school year, the district will need to review, renew and update curriculum materials and determine what will be best for students. We encourage you to join the Adoption Committee.
The committee will be responsible for a variety of tasks including determining criteria for curriculum selection keeping students at the center, exploring available curriculum, listening to feedback from various stakeholders, and identifying professional development needs for educators. For more details about the commitment, please read the Middle School and Well-Being Adoption Committee responsibilities document.
The Adoption Committee offers a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of our middle schoolers. As a member of the team, you will have the chance to make curriculum recommendations that meet the needs of our students and community.
If you would like to take part in the committee, please complete this short interest form before September 11, 2023.
For questions, please contact Wendy Powell (powellw@bsd405.org), Secondary Social Emotional Learning Curriculum Developer or Melisa Macias (maciasm@bsd405.org),.
2023-24 Cultural Calendar
The Bellevue School District learning community is comprised of a multitude of cultures, traditions, histories, identities, experiences and faith backgrounds. BSD strives to acknowledge and affirm each and every student, family and staff member. In collaboration with members of the Communications Ambassadors, BSD has developed a cultural calendar that incorporates the lived experiences of our community.
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 School Activities, 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.
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.
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.