Chinook Newsletter: April 13, 2026

Apr 13 2026

Dear Chinook Community,

We are excited to welcome students back to Chinook today following Spring Break. We hope everyone had time to rest and recharge as we return for the weeks ahead.

This week includes two special schedules that support important learning and safety work at Chinook.

On Tuesday, April 14, students will participate in our third No Place for Hate common lesson, which focuses on the impact of harmful and discriminatory language and the role students can play as upstanders. This work is part of our ongoing commitment to belonging, respect, and community.

On Thursday, April 16, our students and staff will take part in an extended emergency drill. This drill goes beyond a typical evacuation and helps us practice how we would respond to a major emergency, such as an earthquake. This includes practicing systems we would use to safely reunite students with their families if needed. These steps are part of a larger structure called the Incident Command System, which helps ensure clear roles, communication, and coordination during an emergency. Additional details about the student reunification process are shared in a post below.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping Chinook a safe, inclusive, and prepared community.

Sincerely,

James Peterson (Principal)

Topics

Important Dates
Student Reunification Process
PTSA Updates
Community Flyers
In Case You Missed It

Important Dates

April 13: Beginning of 4^th Quarter
April 14: No Place for Hate Lesson (special schedule)
April 16: Extended Earthquake Evacuation Drill w/ Incident Command (Wednesday Bell Schedule)
April 16: 6^th Grade Science Camp Parent Information Session, 6:30 PM
June 10-12: 6^th Grade Science Camp
June 22: 8^th Grade Promotion, 12:30 PM

Student Reunification Process

What is the Student Reunification Process?

Due to an emergency event, the Bellevue School District may be required to release students to parents and guardians through our controlled Student Reunification Process.

Do not come to the school during an emergency. The campus may not be safe and your vehicle may block emergency crews. Information will be released through district communication tools such as School Messenger, websites and social media.

Please stay calm and follow the instructions given by the reunification staff. This will assist with the process of releasing students in a quick and more orderly fashion.

Download the Reunification Process Flyer: English (PDF) / Español (PDF) / 简体中文(PDF)

Learn more here: Student Reunification Process - Bellevue School District

PTSA Updates

Staff Appreciation
Our popular Grab & Go will take place on April 23rd. If you are able to help, please sign up here to support our efforts to show appreciation for our staff.

Save the Dates

PTSA General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, May 27th at 6:30 PM
Featuring guest speakers Lauren McGee and Kris Howard from Bellevue LifeSpring

Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
Friday, May 29th at 9:00 AM

For more PTSA news, check out our most recent Kodiak Korner Newsletter and visit the PTSA website.

Community Flyers

The Community Flyer page includes district‑approved flyers from local organizations offering opportunities for students and families. These may include youth sports, enrichment programs, camps, academic supports, and community events. Flyers are reviewed to meet district guidelines and are shared as a resource for families.

View Community Flyers

Submit a Community Flyer

Attend Computer Science Family Engagement Night

Curious how computer science fits into your child’s future? Computer Science Family Engagement Night is an opportunity for families to experience and learn about the vast array of computer science experiences that our students have from PreK-12.

Date: April 23, 2026

Time: 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Location: Newport High School

Address: 4333 Factoria Blvd. SE, Bellevue, WA 98006

RSVP to attend.

The event will include hands-on activities for all ages, featuring:

Student projects
Robotics
PreK-5 computer science
AI in BSD
Community partners
Rocketry
Partner vendors
Career and Technical Education (CTE)

For more information, contact computerscience@bsd405.org.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Dates

This spring, all students in grades 6-8 will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments in Math and English Language Arts. 8th graders also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science.

May 12: SBA English Language Arts Computer Adaptive Test (modified schedule coming soon)
May 14: SBA English Language Arts Performance Task (modified schedule coming soon)
May 19: SBA Math Computer Adaptive Test (modified schedule coming soon)
May 21: SBA Math Performance Task (modified schedule coming soon)
May 28-29: WCAS in 8th grade Science Classes (regular schedule)

Please note these dates and plan ahead to ensure your child is present at school. Additional details and modified schedule will be shared in the coming month.