Chinook Newsletter: June 8, 2026

Dear Chinook Community,

I want to give a big shout out to our music students and staff. Band, Choir, and Orchestra each put on outstanding concerts last week, and then followed it up with an incredible showing at Music in the Parks on Saturday.

Our students earned multiple top honors, including:

• String Orchestra I: First Place
• String Orchestra II: First Place
• Middle School Orchestra: Overall Award
• Concert Band II: First Place
• Mixed Choir I: Third Place

These performances reflect months of practice and hard work. We are grateful to our music teachers for their leadership and to our students for representing Chinook so well.

Sincerely,

James Peterson (Principal)

Topics Important Dates Activities and Activity Bus Check for Fines and Fees PTSA Updates Current 8th Graders: Earn Service Hours Before High School Starts In Case You Missed It

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Important Dates

• June 9: Lockout Drill
• June 10-12: 6^th Grade Science Camp
• June 12: Last Day for Activity Bus Transportation
• June 15-18: Laptop Collection
• June 19: No School, Juneteenth
• June 22: 8^th Grade Promotion, 12:30 PM
• June 23: Final Day, 7:45-9:45 AM

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Activities and Activity Bus

The last Day for Activities and Activity Bus Transportation is next June12. Students staying after school after June 12 will need to arrange their own transportation.

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Check for Fees and Fines

Many Chinook students currently have outstanding fees or fines on their accounts. Please take a moment to check your student’s account using the following link: Student Account and follow the log in prompts.

Important Notes:

• Library book fines will be removed once books are returned.
• For 8th grade families: All fines must be paid before students can purchase a yearbook or attend homecoming events in high school this fall.

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PTSA Updates

New at Chinook: Science Olympiad!

If you missed our information meeting last Thursday, take a look at the information from the Science Olympiad meeting:

• Presentation: Science Olympiad Presentation
• Sign up link: Science Olympiad Sign up Form 
• Meeting FAQs: Science Olympiad FAQs

I-Connect: 8th Graders Tell All

Incoming 6th grade families are invited to join us for a fun and informative “Tell-All” session hosted by current Chinook 8th graders!

• Date: Wednesday, June 17th
• Time: 6:30PM-8:00PM
• Location: Chinook
• RSVP: RSVP here

This is a great opportunity for incoming students and families to ask questions, ease nerves, and get excited for the transition to middle school. 

8th Grade Party: Kodiak Coachella Festival

This is free event for all 8th graders, but RSVP is required and volunteers are still needed!

• Date: Thursday, June 18th
• Time: 7:00–8:30 PM
• Location: Chinook

RSVP & Permission Slip: 8th Grade Party Permission Slip - RSVP Here
Volunteer:  8th Grade Party Volunteer Sign-up Here
Donate: 8th Grade Party Donations Here

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

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Current 8th Graders: Earn Service Hours Before High School Starts

Did you know that incoming Bellevue High School freshmen can begin earning eligible Wolverine Guard community service hours during the summer before high school starts? The Wolverine Guard (WG) program, sponsored by the Bellevue High PTSA, recognizes students who complete 100+ hours of community service each school year and celebrates their commitment to leadership, service, and community impact. Volunteering is a wonderful way for students to build confidence, develop new skills, meet friends, and make a positive difference while preparing for high school.

Rising freshmen are encouraged to start exploring volunteer opportunities this summer and learn more about the Wolverine Guard program, requirements, and recognition opportunities at the Bellevue High PTSA Wolverine Guard website: https://www.bellevuehighptsa.com/wp/wolverine-guard/. Students can also find a list of community service and volunteer opportunities through Bellevue High School’s Community Service page: https://bellevuehigh.bsd405.org/academics/community-service.

Eligible volunteer hours for incoming 9th graders may begin counting on May 1 before starting at Bellevue High School. Summer is an especially great time to get involved, as students often become busy once the school year begins with academics, clubs, athletics, performing arts, and other activities. Getting a head start on volunteer hours during the summer allows students to make meaningful contributions to their community while building a strong foundation for a successful high school experience.

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View Community Flyers  

Submit a Community Flyer

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In Case You Missed It

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Library Books Due This Friday

As we wrap up the school year, all Chinook library books are due back by Friday, June 5.

Please take a moment to check at home for any library books and have students return them to the library as soon as possible. This helps us make sure all materials are accounted for and ready for next year.

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Travel Survey

We are participating in the City of Bellevue’s Districtwide Travel Survey to better understand how students travel to/from school. Please help by completing this short, nine-question survey for each school-aged child. This survey helps the city's  Bellevue SchoolPool program evaluate strategies to reduce drop-off and pick-up congestion at schools. 

Please use this link to complete the survey by Friday, June 12, 2026.

Thank you for your participation!

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Bellevue Youth Climate Action Fund

Bloomberg Philanthropies launched the Youth Climate Action Fund to help empower the next generation of climate leaders. As a Bloomberg Sustainable City, Bellevue received funds to distribute as microgrants to youth groups seeking to address climate change and its impacts on our community. The city was awarded $50,000 to fund projects through microgrants to youth teams to lead the climate action they want to see in their communities.

Microgrants of $1,000-$5,000 will enable youth-led organizations to implement new projects related to one of the following focus areas in our Sustainable Bellevue Plan(External link):

• Climate Change
• Energy and Buildings
• Mobility and Land Use
• Waste and Materials Management
• Natural Resources

Projects can be focused on climate mitigation (reducing pollution), climate resilience (adapting to the impacts of climate change), or climate engagement (getting people educated or involved).

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from July 15 to October 1, 2026. Interested and want to stay up to date? Fill out the early interest form(External link) to get started.

Learn More - Attend the Upcoming Webinar

Get an overview of the Bellevue Youth Climate Action Fund.

• Date: June 3, 2026
• Time: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
• Location: Online event

Register Here.(External link)

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Apply to Join the Bellevue School District EdTech Design Team

Bellevue School District is forming an EdTech Design Team and invites students, families, and staff to apply. The Design Team will review how educational technology is used across the district — including topics such as how devices are used, screen time, access to platforms such as YouTube, cell phones and other personal devices, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Together, the team will:

• Develop shared beliefs and guiding principles to inform future policy and practice.
• Create actionable recommendations that support student learning, engagement, innovation, and equity.

If you are interested, please complete the application survey by June 5. Applicants will be notified by June 12 if they are selected to serve.

Learn more about the EdTech Design Team.

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Summer Resources and Information for Families

The Bellevue School District seeks to support our community through the summer months when students are away from our buildings. Please check back frequently to locate information about summer meals and grocery programs, summer learning, health and immunization requirements, information from student technology services, and more. New details have been added about summer meals and important dates for fall 2026. View all of the district’s summer resources.

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8th Grade Promotion Ceremony

We’re excited to celebrate our 8th grade students as they complete their time at Chinook Middle School!

Date and Time

• The 2026 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony will take place on June 22 at 12:30 PM in the Chinook Middle School Gym.

Schedule for 8^th grade Students for June 22 (6^th and 7^th grade students go to classes as normal)

• 1st & 2nd Periods: Regular class schedule (attendance required)
• 3rd Period Onward: Promotion rehearsal and preparation (attendance required)
  All 8th grade students are expected to attend the rehearsal to participate in the ceremony.

Backpacks and Attire

• No Backpacks: Students should leave backpacks, binders, and school supplies at home.
• Dress Up Encouraged: Students are encouraged to dress nicely for the ceremony. Clothing must meet BSD’s Student Dress Guidelines (Policy 3224P).

Ceremony Duration

• The ceremony will last approximately 1½ to 2 hours.
• After the ceremony, students may:
  • Leave with their families, or
  • Remain on campus until dismissal
    There will be no afternoon classes for 8th grade students.

Guests and Seating

• No Tickets Required
• Due to limited space, please limit guests to 2–3 per student.
• Doors open at 12:00 PM – please do not arrive earlier.

Chinook Sibling Attendance

• If a Chinook sibling will attend the ceremony, a parent/guardian must submit a note to our attendance office at ChinookAttendance@bsd405.org by June 8. Please remember that seating is limited.

Parking Information

• On-campus parking is extremely limited.
• Please follow all posted parking regulations.
• Do not park in the bus loading zone behind the school.

Accessibility Needs

• If you require wheelchair-accessible parking or seating, please contact Linda Harter at harterl@bsd405.org.

Final Day of School

• Tuesday, June 23: Final day of school (7:45–9:45 AM only)
  While an official school day, no tests, projects, or classwork will be assigned. 8th grade students are welcome to attend.

We look forward to honoring our 8th grade students and celebrating this important milestone with their families!

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Student Technology Collection

The BSD Technology Services Department will be collecting all district-issued student devices for annual maintenance and reimaging.

At Chinook, device collection will follow this schedule:

Grades 6 and 7

• Students will return their laptops during science class on June 15.
• Styluses must be placed in the stylus bay. Missing styluses will be considered lost.
• Students should keep their chargers in a safe place at over the summer.

Grade 8

• Students will return their laptops, chargers, and styluses during science class on June 18.
• Eighth graders will receive a new device when they start high school.

Online World Language Students

• Devices will be collected on June 22 as students exit their language class.

If your student will be leaving early for summer break, all devices and accessories must be returned before their last day at Chinook.

Need a Laptop for Summer Learning?
Students who need a laptop for summer learning can check one out at the Wilburton Instructional Service Center:

Wilburton Instructional Service Center
12241 Main Street, Building 1
Bellevue, WA 98005

• Mondays and Wednesdays
• July 6–24
• 8:00 am to 3:30 pm

For more details, visit the Student Technology Collection page on the BSD website.