Chinook Newsletter: February 24, 2025
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Topics
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Important Dates
- February 27
- Evacuation Drill (Special Schedule)
- February 28
- World Culture Night (PTSA), 6:00-8:00 PM, Chinook Commons
- March 6
- Registration Info/Help Session for Parents of current 6th and 7th grade students (Online via Teams) 6:30 PM, Join Here.
- March 13
- Multi-Language Principal Coffee, Topic: Registration and Course Selection, 8:30AM, Chinook Library, Topic: Registration and Course Selection
- March 18
- Registration Info/Help Session for Parents of current 5th grade students (Online via Teams) 6:30 PM, Join Here.
- April 7-11
- Spring Break (No School)
- April 29-May 2
- 6th Grade Science Camp
Greetings Chinook Middle School Community,
As we begin the second semester, it’s a great time for students to reset and refocus. One way to support them is by encouraging short-term goals—small, achievable targets that build motivation and momentum.
Examples of effective short-term goals:
- Participate in class at least once a day.
- Study for 30 minutes daily before a quiz.
- Review notes for 20 minutes each evening.
The Power of Rewards
Recognizing progress helps students stay engaged and avoid burnout.
Simple rewards:
- A short break or walk.
- A favorite snack or song.
- Time for a hobby.
Bigger rewards for bigger goals:
- A night out with friends.
- A fun treat or experience.
- A day off from homework.
By setting goals and celebrating progress, students can build strong habits and stay on track. Thank you for your partnership in supporting their success!
Best regards,
James Peterson
🌍 Culture Night 2025 – Join the Celebration! 🎉
Chinook Middle School’s Culture Night is happening on Friday, February 28th, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, and we need YOU to make it a success!
✅ We’re still looking for culture table hosts! Share your traditions, food, music, crafts, and more to showcase the diversity of our school community. Whether you want to represent a country alone or as a group, we’d love to have you!
📢 Germany is looking for a co-host! If you're interested in helping with the Germany table, please sign up!
Countries/Regions Represented So Far:
🇨🇳 China | 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | 🇩🇪 Germany | 🇮🇳 India | 🇯🇵 Japan | 🇰🇷 Korea | 🇲🇽 Mexico | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 🇵🇭 Philippines | 🇷🇴 Romania - Eastern Europe | 🇷🇺 Russia | 🇹🇼 Taiwan (2) | 🇻🇳 Vietnam
🎭 Looking for student performers! Do you have a special cultural dance, song, or performance to share? Sign up to perform and make this night even more special!
🍽️ Bringing food? Please label all dishes with ingredients to help guests with allergies or dietary restrictions.
✨ All students and families are invited to attend! Experience an evening of cultural exhibits, performances, and delicious food samples. Come support your classmates and enjoy a fun, interactive night of learning and celebration!
👉 Sign up to host a table or perform here: https://forms.gle/ip6LK7aB2QyzjvJZ9
For questions, contact: Callia Kwan, 206-981-7651
We can’t wait to celebrate with you on Friday, February 28th! 🎊
Course Registration for the 2025-26 School Year
It's time to start planning for the upcoming school year! The courses students select will determine their 2025-26 schedule and help shape our master schedule
Visit our Registration Hub for everything you need to know! This is your go-to resource for:
- Step-by-step registration instructions
- Course options and descriptions
- Important deadlines and FAQs
The master schedule is built based on student course requests, so thoughtful selections help ensure the best possible class offerings and teacher assignments.
Explore the Registration Hub to get started!
YMCA Earth Services Corps Environmental Symposium
YMCA Earth Service Corps (YESC) is hosting its annual environmental symposium for youth in grades 8-12 on Friday, March 28, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the University of Washington (Mary Gates Hall, 1851 NE Grant Ln, Seattle, WA 98105). YESC is an environmental education program for Puget Sound teens that develops leadership skills through environmental service.
The symposium gathers student leaders at the University of Washington to learn about environmental issues facing our world and how to create a sustainable future for our schools, communities and beyond! Participants will take part in hands-on workshops led by local organizations designed to give teens the skills they need to address environmental issues in their schools and communities. Lunch will be provided. There will also be a free raffle of outdoor and environmental prizes.
To support teachers who would like to bring youth to this event, YESC is offering Teacher Substitute Reimbursements for teachers who bring seven or more students to the symposium. Spaces are limited, so contact us quickly to reserve a reimbursement. Finally, we are able to provide a Letter of Support that details the academic benefits of this event to help students receive an excused absence.
Participants can register online, by calling 206.587.6116 or emailing us at yesc@seattleymca.org. Deadline: March 14, 2025. For field trip/group registration, please contact Chelsey Wheeler directly at cwheeler@seattleymca.org.
Scholarship Opportunity for 7th grade Students
The Cooke Young Scholars Program is a selective five-year, pre-college scholarship for exceptionally promising 7th grade students with financial need. Educational Advisers help Cooke Young Scholars maximize the high school experience and prepare to thrive at the nation’s top-performing colleges. Our programming and support includes:
- Identifying an appropriately rigorous high school.
- Engaging in four-year planning and goal-setting.
- Funding for academic and extracurricular opportunities, such as music and art lessons; supplemental academic classes; and technology.
- Annual summer programs, including two required Cooke Young Scholar events.
- Year-round interaction and networking with a community of high-achieving peers.
Cooke Scholars come from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and from rural, suburban, and urban communities. Many Scholars are the first in their families to pursue higher education.
Click here to learn more and apply.
In Case You Missed It
Share Your Feedback: District Spending Reduction Plan
At the February 6 Regular School Board Meeting, Superintendent Aramaki presented a $20 million spending reduction plan for the 2025-2026 school year, to help stabilize the district’s finances.
In the coming weeks, you will have opportunities to share feedback on this proposal. Here are three different ways to provide feedback:
- Complete this survey by Friday, February 28
- Send an email to communityinput@bsd405.org
- Attend the Special School Board Meeting on Thursday, March 6 for public comment and sign up to speak.
In his message to the community, Dr. Aramaki invites you to be part of the conversation because this district is our beloved community — and together, we will navigate this challenge with the same spirit of resilience and collaboration that makes Bellevue exceptional.
2025 Youth Involvement Conference
Sponsored by Bellevue Youth Link. Bellevue Youth Link is a youth leadership and community service program cosponsored by the city and Bellevue School District. Since 1990, Youth Link has been giving youth in our community a voice and opportunity to create change. There are many ways to get involved! Learn more and join Bellevue Youth Link.
Free Medical Clinic
Inclement Weather and Potential Closure Reminders
Winter weather continues in our region, which makes it a good time to revisit the district’s emergency closure schedule protocols and our emergency closure decision-making process. While some decisions are made for the whole district, conditions may vary across different communities, which may result in different decisions for some schools. We encourage families to make personal decisions based on their specific circumstances. Read the full article to learn more about:
- Receiving emergency communications
- Transportation during severe weather, including snow routes
- Changes to childcare options in the event of delays, closures and early dismissals
- Special circumstances like power outages
Course Registration Dates
Current 5th grade Registration:
- Student Information Sessions: Week of March 10 at Elementary Schools
- Parent Information Session: March 18
- Course Selections Due: March 28
Current 6th and 7th grade Registration:
- Student Information Sessions: Week of February 24th in Social Studies classes
- Parent Information Session: March 6
- Course Selections Due: March 28
High School Registration:
- Student Information Sessions: March 3rd in Social Studies Classes.
- Course Selections due by March 9
More information about course registration will be shared soon!
Multi Language Principal Coffee (MLPC)
In partnership with our PTSA, Chinook Middle School is hosting a Multi-Language Principal Coffee on Wednesday, March 13, at 8:30 AM. This event provides a great opportunity for parents to connect and learn more about the course registration process for the next school year.
The session will cover important information about course options, key deadlines, and how families can support students in making informed decisions. We will also share guidance on using school resources and tools to navigate the registration process effectively.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) Dates and Schedule
- May 5: WCAS in 8th grade Science Classes (regular schedule)
- May 6: WCAS in 8th grade Science Classes (regular schedule)
- May 7: WCAS Make-Ups (regular schedule)
- May 12: SBA Prep (SBA Testing Bell Schedule)
- May 13: SBA ELA CAT (SBA Testing Bell Schedule)
- May 14: SBA Make-Ups (regular schedule)
- May 15: SBA ELA PT (SBA Testing Bell Schedule)
- May 20: SBA Math CAT (SBA Testing Bell Schedule)
- May 21: SBA Make-Ups (regular schedule)
- May 22: SBA Math PT (SBA Testing Bell Schedule)
View the SBA Testing Bell Schedule Here.
Save the Date: Education Connections - One Pill Can Kill: Fentanyl Awareness and Prevention
Join the Bellevue Schools Foundation for an important conversation with community partners about the dangers of opioids, including fentanyl. Learn where it comes from, how it impacts children, and how to talk to your kids about the risks. Together, we can support our schools and keep our community healthy and safe.
March 4, 2025
Community Partners Resource Fair, 5:45-6:30 p.m., WISC Baker Room
Presentation: 6:30-8:00 p.m. WISC Rainier Room 12241 Main Street, Bldg #1. Bellevue WA 98005