Chinook Newsletter: March 17, 2025

 

Topics Food Drive Pet Food Donation Campaign Ride the Bus with Us Supporting Student Health and Attendance In Case You Missed It

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Important Dates   

• 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 7:45-8:15 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,

Last week was truly special at Chinook as we celebrated Spirit Week! It was a resounding success, with students and staff alike showing off their school pride in the most creative and spirited ways. From themed dress-up days to engaging activities, the energy and enthusiasm in our halls were truly inspiring.

The week culminated in a fantastic Pi Day assembly on Friday, where we celebrated the wonder of mathematics with fun, laughter, and a great sense of community. The assembly featured fun and exciting games, including reciting the digits of Pi, relay races, a golf putting challenge, and of course, a pie-eating contest. A great time was had by all!

Best regards,

James Peterson

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Food Drive

Chinook ASB is partnering with Renewal Food Bank to collect non-perishable food items and hygiene items to be distributed to people experiencing food insecurity. There will be a collection box outside the main office.

Most needed items include:

• Rice
• Pasta
• Canned veggies and soups
• Peanut butter
• Ramen
• Oil
• Salt
• Sugar
• Toilet paper
• Laundry detergent
• Body soap
• Shampoo
• Dental products
• Dish soap
• Baby wipes

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Pet Food Donation Campaign 

Chinook ASB is partnering with the Seattle Humane Society to collect pet food. There will be a collection box outside the main office.

The pet food needs to be: 

• only for dogs and cats 
• only store bought 
• not expired
• cans of wet food or bags of dry food that were never opened 

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Ride the Bus with Us

The BSD Transportation Department wants to encourage all families to have your students ride the bus this week! We are conducting student ridership counts which give our district funding from the state of Washington, based on the total number of riders. So, please help us receive the maximum amount to ensure we have the right capital and resources for our students and our district.   

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Supporting Student Health and Attendance this Spring

We love seeing your children at school every day! With March here, spring brings not only blooming flowers but also busy schedules filled with school events, testing, and extracurricular. While these are exciting times, they can also be overwhelming, impacting students' health and attendance.

As schedules get busier, attendance can sometimes slip.  Even excused absences can disrupt routines that keep students engaged and connected to learning. Additionally, spring is still cold, and the flu season can impact student health and attendance.

Here are some important ways you can help your child stay healthy, engaged, and ready to succeed this spring:

Health Habits for Success

• Get vaccinated: Spring is a great time to make sure your student is up to date on all required and recommended immunizations. Contact your medical provider or sign up for MYIR to track your student’s immunization records.
• Wash your hands frequently and cover coughs and sneezes: Use soap and water and wash for at least 20 seconds, and use a tissue or the inside of the elbow to reduce the spread of germs.
• Stay Home When Sick: Review Bellevue School District's Too Sick for School Guidance to determine when your student should stay home.

Manage Seasonal Allergies: Spring allergies can impact focus and well-being. Help reduce symptoms by: 

• Taking allergy medications as recommended by a healthcare provider
• Using an air purifier at home to reduce allergens
• Keeping windows closed during high pollen days.
• Showering and changing clothes after spending time outside to remove pollen.

Prioritize sleep. Getting enough sleep is crucial for promoting brain function, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.  Lack of sleep can affect academic performance and mental health. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends following sleep guidance.

• Preschoolers (3-5 years): 10-13 hours (including naps)
• School-age children (6-12 years): 9-12 hours
• Teenager (13-18 years): 8-10 hours
• To Promote Healthy Sleep Habits
  • Avoid screens (TV, tablets, and phones) at least 1 hour before bedtime to prevent blue light disruption
  • Avoid caffeine and heavy meals before bedtime, especially for teens

Manage Stress, which is crucial for students’ well-being.

• Practice deep breathing exercises (e.g., inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds)
• Make time for hobbies and fun activities
• Connect with friends and family
• If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, Care Solace will quickly and confidently find available providers matched to your needs:
  • Call 888-515-0595 (available 24/7/365)
  • Visit caresolace.com/bsd405 and search your own or click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

Fuel your body

• Stay hydrated: Drink at least 8 glasses of water per day
• Eat a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible.  If your family struggles to access food, please see these local resources.

Thank you for your partnership in helping our students stay healthy and engaged in learning this spring!

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In Case You Missed It

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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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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

• 7:45- 8:15AM
• 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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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!