Chinook Newsletter: August 20, 2024
Topics
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Important Dates
- August 29
- New to Chinook Student Open House, 5:30pm-7:30pm
- August 30
- Chinook Office Closed
- September 3
- First Day of School!
- September 6
- Evacuation Drill (adjusted schedule)
- Ice Cream Social, 5:30pm
- September 10
- School Pictures
- September 16
- Curriculum Night
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.
During the school year, the Chinook Weekly Newsletter will be posted to our website every Monday and you will receive a link via text and email.
You can translate newsletter into more than 115 languages by clicking on the Language tool in the upper right corner of the webpage. The drop-down menu allows you to translate text on the Chinook website as well as any other Bellevue School District website.
We are all looking forward to a wonderful 2024-25 school year!
In Partnership,
James Peterson
Principal
petersonj@bsd405.org
New to Chinook Open House
On August 29th, the PTSA is co-hosting a 6th Grade and NEW TO CHINOOK Open House. This is a great opportunity for students to arrive with their schedules and map out their path to classes. We will also have WEB leaders to assist and several teachers and administrators available to answer your questions. The PTSA will have information regarding our upcoming events, programs and activities that we sponsor. It will be a great opportunity to ease our NEW TO CHINOOK students and parents into the school year. Doors open at 5:30pm! We are also bringing back the "Back to School ICE CREAM SOCIAL" on September 6th. This is an all-school welcome back celebration! We look forward o seeing you all there.
PTSA Essentials
Welcome Kodiaks to the 2024-2025 school year! Our PTSA has been working to make sure we get the year kicked off right for our students. Our website is updated, and we encourage you to check it out! We've also included a page for all the essentials of Chinook....membership sign up, Kodiak Korner signup, urgent volunteer needs and much more!
Incoming 6th grade Orientation
6th grade WEB (Where Everybody Belongs) Orientation will occur on September 3, 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, 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 3. Pick up your schedule in the Commons when you arrive. Don’t worry, we’ll help you find your way!
Laptop Distribution
Students will receive their Bellevue School District Laptops the first week of school.
Please pitch in and help distribute laptops to our students. We'll need several helping hands to distribute and sort laptops as well as direct the students. All help is appreciated as the students have a very small time frame to get their computers. Please sign up for several shifts if you can.
Bell Schedule Change
See the new Chinook bell schedule here. Chinook will not have an advisory period next year.
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.
Activities, Sports and Clubs
Activities begin the week of September 9.
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.
An Activity Bus is available at 4:10pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Registration for 2024-25 school year sports and activities opens on September 3rd. Families must complete registration forms in advance for participation in sports, activities, and field trips. Middle School athletics do NOT require physicals
Sports and activities usually start 2 weeks after school. Here is what our district website says https://www.bsd405.org/programs-and-services/athletics/middle-school-athletics-and-activities , and they have parents go to - Jubilee REACH Middle School site – for sign-ups.
Final Forms
FinalForms is the Bellevue School District Athletics and Activities online forms system that helps us manage student sports and activities and boosts compliance and safety. It is also the site that holds field trip parent permissions.
Each student has to complete their part in an email they receive, which can happen once they have their laptop.
School Pictures
School pictures are scheduled for Tuesday, September 10. Retakes are scheduled for Friday, October 25. More information will be coming soon.
Curriculum Night
Monday, September 16
Mark your calendars now.
Large Group Presentation | 5:45 pm. Featured speakers will include school administration, counselors and support staff.
Classroom Visits | 6: 09 pm – 7:43 pm – You will visit each of your child’s classes to learn about the class expectations, key topics, grading policies and strategies to support your child. Note: meeting with advisory teachers will not be included.
Suggested School Supplies
Click here to see the suggested supplies to begin the school year. Chinook does not require students to purchase any school supplies.
Student Schedules
Draft student schedules are now available online through Synergy StudentVUE and ParentVUE. Student schedules may continue to shift as we work to balance class sizes and will not be finalized until September 3.
Some students may notice that they have an incomplete schedule. Counselors will be working to fill any missing classes, and everyone should have a complete schedule by 8/26. All students will receive a paper copy of their final schedule when they arrive on the first day of school.
Please do not email counselors about schedule requests or missing classes. They are aware of your requests and any incomplete schedules and will be working to complete these items. Our schedule is a student driven schedule, and every effort is made to give students their first choice of classes. However, in some cases the alternate choices may be the only classes available.
Student Fees
Bellevue School District continues with the reduction in fees to ensure that all classes are accessible for every student. Possible fees for families:
- Music classes may have some fees that will vary for students
- Yearbook order (optional) available 4x a year beginning September 20-October 11.
- ASB fee (these funds provide the basis for all clubs and social activities at the school for students). All students who participate in a club or school activity need to pay the fee.
- PE clothing
The easiest way to pay class/school fees is online at Pay beginning August 22nd.
If you need financial assistance with school fees, BSD Fee Waiver program is a page included in the Federal Free Lunch application. You may also contact the office 425-456-6301 for assistance.
Bus Routes
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.
- Drive slowly.
- 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
- Drive slowly.
- 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 Bellevue School District Calendar here: Calendar - Bellevue School District (bsd405.org)
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.
Learn more about Safety and Security in Bellevue Schools here: Safety and Security - Bellevue School District (bsd405.org)
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.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers needed for schedule handout and Picture Day:
Please pitch in for these two events. Schedule handout takes place the first day of school!!! Join in on handing out schedules wishing them a great first day of school!!
The second ask is for Picture Day! This is a fun day to come in and help students prepare for picture day and student ID handout!
Please donate your time if you are able. These are two great chances to come in and see the kids as well.
Volunteers needed for Laptop Distribution:
Please pitch in and help distribute laptops to our students. We'll need several helping hands to distribute and sort laptops as well as direct the students. All help is appreciated as the students have a very small time frame to get their computers. Please sign up for several shifts if you can.
Back to School Resources for Families
The Bellevue School District welcomes back students, staff and families for the 2024-2025 school year! Get prepared with all the information you need to head back to school. Visit the 2024 Back to School Information web post to learn about enrolling at BSD, fall bus routes, laptop distribution, school meals, back-to-school events, and more. This web post will be updated over the weeks leading up to the first day of school, so be sure to check back frequently for new resources.