Chinook Newsletter: March 10, 2025

 

Topics Multi-Language Principal Coffee Spirit Week Snacks at School Student Earth Month Art Contest PTSA Updates In Case You Missed It

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Important Dates   

• March 11
  • Lockdown Drill, More Information (Regular Schedule)
  • Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM
• March 13
  • Multi-Language Principal Coffee, Topic: Registration and Course Selection, 8:30AM, Chinook Library
• March 14
  • Pi Day Sprit Assembly (Special Schedule)
  • Movie Night (PTSA)
• March 18
  • Registration Info/Help Session for Parents of current 5^th grade students (Online via Teams) 6:30 PM, Join Here.
  • Band Concert, 7:00 PM (Bellevue High School)
• March 20
  • Band Concert, 7:00 PM
• March 25
  • School Board Visit, Parent and Family Session 7:50-8:20 AM, In-Person and Online via Teams, Join Here
  • Choir Concert, 7:00 PM
• March 28
  • March 28 is Now a Regular School Day Due to the Emergency Closure in November
  • Middle School Course Selections Due
  • Family Bingo Night (PTSA)
• April 7-11
  • Spring Break (No School)
• April 29-May 2
  • 6^th Grade Science Camp

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Greetings Chinook Middle School Community,

March is shaping up to be an exciting month at Chinook! Our calendar is packed with wonderful events that bring our community together and showcase the incredible talents of our students. From spring concerts that highlight our musicians’ hard work to at the Pi Day spirit assembly that builds school pride, and community events like Movie and Bingo Nights sponsored by our PTSA- there’s so much to look forward to!

As always, thank you for your support in making Chinook a place where students thrive. We look forward to seeing many of you at these events and celebrating our school community together!

Best regards,

James Peterson

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Multi Language Principal Coffee (MLPC)

In partnership with our PTSA, Chinook Middle School is hosting a Multi-Language Principal Coffee on Thursday, 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!

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Spirit Week

It's Spirit Week, culminating with a spirit assembly this Friday! Here are the theme days:

• Monday (3/10) - PJ Day
• Tuesday (3/11) - Rhyme Without Reason
• Wednesday (3/12) - Workout/Athletic Day
• Thursday (3/13) - Adam Sandler Day
• Friday (3/14) - Class Color Day - 8th grade Blue, 7th Grade White, 6th Grade Yellow, Staff Green

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Snacks at School

We kindly ask for your support in sending healthy snacks with your students. Lately, we’ve noticed an increase in large, family-sized snack items like big bags of chips and full containers of cookies being brought to school. While we understand that snacks are an important part of the day, we encourage options that support focus and energy for learning.

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Student Earth Month Art Contest

The BSD Sustainability Design Team is excited to host our first Earth Month Student Art Contest. This contest is open to all K-12 students. The theme is Our Planet, Our Power.

Submissions are open now and will close March 26, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Submit an entry.

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PTSA Updates

Staff Appreciation: Pi(e) Day

Thursday, March 13th

Bust out your best savory or sweet pie and help us celebrate Pi(e) Day for staff appreciation!! Whether it's apple, cherry, shepherds or quiche...we want to see your pie delights! Sign up HERE to donate and celebrate our teachers and staff!

Chinook Social Events

March 14th: Movie Night

Join us Friday March 14th for Movie Night. Please register your student HERE. You can also preorder pizza. Registration is required. The students are voting on their movie choice and so far, Mean Girls is in the lead! Please sign up to volunteer as well!

March 28th: Family Bingo Night

Join us for our March PTSA social events. We will have signups and more information sent out in the Kodiak this week.

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In Case You Missed It

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School Board Visit - March 25

Chinook Middle School will welcome members of the School Board on March 25 for a visit to learn more about our school, engage with our community.

Parent & Family Session

• 7:50 - 8:20 AM
• In-Person & Online via Teams [Join Here]

This is a great opportunity for families to connect with Board members, ask questions, and share their perspectives.

All parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend, whether in person or online, to take part in this meaningful conversation!

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Drop-Off & Pick-Up Safety Guidelines

With so many cars dropping off and picking up students each day, safety is our top priority. Crowds of people and moving vehicles can make it difficult for drivers to see pedestrians. Please follow these guidelines to ensure a safe and efficient process for everyone.

General Safety Reminders

For Drivers:

• Drive slowly and stay alert.
• Avoid distractions—no cell phones while driving.
• Be patient and respectful to staff, students, and other families.

For Students & Pedestrians:

• Stay on the sidewalk at all times.
• Only cross at designated crosswalks and watch for traffic.
• If you ride a bike, walk it on the sidewalk until you are away from school traffic.
• Bikes should never be ridden in the parking lot—it’s too dangerous.

Traffic Flow & Procedures

• The right lane (curbside) is for drop-off and pick-up only.
• The left lane is for thru traffic—please keep moving.
• Follow the directions of traffic attendants to keep things running smoothly.

Drop-Off Guidelines

• Pull forward to use the full length of the passenger loading zone.
• Do not stop in the middle of the zone.
• Watch for students crossing and be mindful of traffic signals.
• If you need to exit your car, please park in a designated spot.

Pick-Up Guidelines

• Pull forward to allow space for others.
• Remain in your car unless parked in a designated spot.
• Watch for students crossing and follow all safety instructions.

By working together, we can keep everyone safe and ensure a smooth traffic flow. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!

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Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) Dates and Schedule (updated)

• May 5: WCAS in 8^th grade Science Classes (regular schedule)
• May 6: WCAS in 8^th grade Science Classes (regular schedule)
• May 7: WCAS Make-Ups (regular schedule)
• May 8: SBA Prep (SBA Testing Bell Schedule) (New Date)
• 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.

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BSD Enrollment for the 2025-2026 School Year Now Open – Tell a Friend! 

Bellevue School District new student enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is now open! All new students in preschool through grade 12 interested in attending a Bellevue School District school are invited to begin the enrollment process.

Do you know a friend, neighbor or community member living in Bellevue with a student who does not currently attend a Bellevue School District school? Invite them to join the district named the best in Washington! Families interested in transferring into the Bellevue School District are welcome to learn more.

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Superintendent’s Blog: Honoring Bellevue’s Diversity and Preserving Civil Rights in Our Beloved Community

Superintendent Aramaki shares a message with the BSD community acknowledging recent celebrations and commemorations in our community, including Lunar New Year, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Black History Month, and Ramadan. He goes on to share that amidst the celebrations, there have also been many in our community who have experienced fear and uncertainty. In response to the executive orders coming from the federal government, many students, families, and staff — particularly our immigrant community, our LGBTQIA+ community, our families with children with IEPs and 504s, and our communities of color — have worried about their education, safety, and belonging.

As a district, we are doing our best to navigate the flurry of K-12 education-related executive orders and communications from the US Department of Education. In his most recent video communication (listen in English, Spanish, Chinese and Russian), Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal, addresses how the state’s school districts, including the Bellevue School District, are to respond to the executive orders. Dr. Aramaki encourages students, staff, and families to watch his video to get a better understanding of the implications of the recent executive orders. A few of the key points from Superintendent Reykdal that apply to the Bellevue School District are: 

• The Civil Rights of Undocumented Youth (Procedure 4310.1P)  
• The Civil Rights of LGBTQIA+ Youth (Policy 3211 and Procedure 3211P)
• Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (Policy 0130 and Procedure 0130P)  
• Focus on Funding Public Education

Dr. Aramaki goes on to share a personal story of how his family was impacted by Executive Order 9066, which in 1942 authorized the forced relocation of Japanese Americans along the west coast to internment camps. He expresses that even during this dark time in history, there was still hope. And in this instance, it was attributed, in part, to the courage and care of a former teacher in Bellevue’s beloved community. Read the full Superintendent blog for more of this story and to learn about the recent federal actions and guidance from the state.

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2025-2026 BSD Course Catalog Available – Now in a Web-Based Format

The 2025-2026 Course Catalog is now available in a new, web-based format! This new format provides enhanced content accessibility and language translation capabilities. The new Course Catalog allows users to quickly search for courses by grade or school, content area, or by using keywords. There are also a variety of resources available to students and families as they plan out courses for the year. 

The Course Catalog provides information about all courses offered at BSD’s middle and high schools, to assist students as they explore their options. From Career and Technical Education (CTE), to performing and visual arts, to world languages, BSD offers a wide range of innovative and rigorous courses to support the learning and development of students with all types of interests. Students should consider their passions and future goals while searching the available courses. 

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Updated School Calander

The updated 2024-2025 School Year Calendar is posted here. The three emergency days negotiated have been converted to school days. Information on the impact of the Wednesday, February 5th closure will be shared at a later date. If the school year is extended, Chinook’s 8^th grade Promotion date, currently June 20, will change.

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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!