Chinook Newsletter: March 23, 2026

Mar 23 2026

Dear Chinook Community,

This is a reminder that course registration for next school year is due by the end of the day today. Completing registration on time is important as we plan classes, staffing, and supports for the year ahead. Please visit our Registration Hub for details and step‑by‑step guidance.

I also want to briefly address last week’s incident involving a hate symbol. Antisemitism, racism, and all forms of hate have no place at Chinook, and we remain committed to ensuring our school is a safe, inclusive place where every student feels a strong sense of belonging.

As a reminder, there is no school this Friday, March 27. We hope families are able to enjoy the long weekend.

Sincerely,

James Peterson (Principal)

Topics

Important Dates
6^th grade Camp Parent Volunteers
PTSA Updates
Avoid the Spring Slump- Keep Attendance Strong!
Student Survey – Spring 2026
Attend the Grading Practices Family Information Session- TONIGHT
BSD High School and Beyond Plan: Preparing Students for their Future
In Case You Missed It

Important Dates

March 23: Next Year Course Selections Due (more information)
March 24: PTSA Chipotle Fundraiser (show this flyer or enter code LVWZGJW)
March 24: Choir Concert, 7:00 PM
March 25: PTSA Meeting, 6:30 PM (learn more)
March 25: Orchestra Concert, 7:00 PM
March 27: Non-School Day
April 6-10: Spring Break, No School

6^th grade Camp Parent Volunteers

We are looking for parents to help supervise and support students at Camp Orkila on Wednesday June 10-Friday, June 12. We expect 2 parent chaperones PER cabin. At this time, we are still determining a chaperone fee, we will notify you as soon as possible. More information will be sent via email by Kristin Jonas (6th grade teacher)!

LINK: 6th Grade Chinook: Orkila Parent Volunteer Application 2026 – Fill out form

PTSA Updates

World Culture Night 2026: Thank you to all of the amazing families who worked so hard to prepare for World Culture Night. We are so disappointed that the event was canceled. We are looking for a date to reschedule and will keep everyone updated.

Support our Chipotle Dine-Out Fundraiser: Take a night off from cooking and join us on Tuesday, March 24th from 5:00–9:00 PM at Chipotle. It’s a great way to enjoy a meal with other families while raising funds for essential PTSA programs. Show this flyer or enter code LVWZGJW and the school will get 25% of orders.

PTSA Membership Meeting: Please join us for our next meeting on Wednesday, March 25th at 6:30 PM with Bellevue School District speakers who will discuss current grading practice updates. We will be meeting via Zoom ONLY and the link will be sent prior to the meeting.

Parents Social: Please save the date for our first Parent's Social on Wednesday, April 1st at 6:30PM. More details to come soon!

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

Avoid the Spring Slump – Keep Attendance Strong!

As we enter spring, student attendance often declines — a trend known as the Spring Slump. Research shows that students who miss just two days a month (or 10% of the school year) are at risk of falling behind academically. Learn about strategies to help maintain strong attendance.

Student Survey – Spring 2026

We are launching the Spring 2026 Student Survey to gather valuable insights into students' experiences and to further support their growth and well-being. Students in grades 3–12 will participate in the survey during the school day at their school. Each school will administer the survey sometime between April 1 and April 30, based on their schedule.

The survey will focus on several key areas, including sense of belonging, student engagement, and social-emotional learning (SEL), offering students an opportunity to share their perspectives. Learn more about the Student Survey.

If you would like to opt your student out of the SEL portion of the survey, please complete an opt-out form by March 27, 2026.

Family Engagement Survey – Deadline Extended

The window to complete the family survey is currently open. We would love to hear about your and your family’s experience. If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to complete it. The survey window has been extended through the end of the day on March 27, 2026.

Your feedback helps strengthen partnerships, foster belonging, and support student learning and well-being across the district.

Complete the family survey.

Attend the Grading Practices Family Information Session- TONIGHT

Over the past several years, Bellevue School District has been engaged in ongoing work to strengthen grading practices across our middle and high schools. This work is guided by a simple goal: to ensure that grades are clear, fair, consistent, and accurately reflect what students know and can do.

Through research, staff collaboration, and feedback from students and families, the district has focused on four core grading practices:

Standards-Aligned Assessments - Grades are based on assessments that measure student learning tied to course standards, rather than behaviors such as attendance or participation.
Grades Reflect Evidence of Learning - A student’s grade reflects their level of understanding and mastery of content, not factors like timeliness, effort, or compliance.
Multiple Opportunities to Demonstrate Learning - Students may have more than one opportunity to show what they know, recognizing that learning is a process and that understanding can deepen over time.
A Common, Mathematically Sound Grading Scale - The district is working toward greater consistency in grading scales so that grades have the same meaning across classes and schools.

Together, these practices are intended to create a more consistent and transparent grading experience for students and families, while supporting student learning and growth.

Families of students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to attend our upcoming family information session to learn more and ask questions about grading practices.

Date: Monday, March 23

Time: 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Location: Online

Join the meeting on Microsoft Teams.

BSD High School and Beyond Plan: Preparing Students for their Future

Last fall we shared that Washington state has adopted SchooLinks as the universal solution to fulfill the statewide High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP) requirements for students.

In working on their High School and Beyond Plan, BSD encourages students in grades 6-12 to take ownership of their learning while exploring their values, strengths, passions and long-term goals. Students can then focus their learning on the skills necessary to reach their goals. The HSBP is a map to get a student from where they are to where they want to be, both academically and in life.

BSD is in the process of transitioning from our Naviance platform to SchooLinks following this timeline:

Earlier this year, all students in grades 6-11 learned how to use SchooLinks to begin using the HSBP functionality and college and career models in two classroom-based assemblies.
This spring, all students in grades 8-11 will participate in a HSBP Financial Aid Lesson via SchooLinks.
Once a student has finished all High School and Beyond tasks for the year in SchooLinks, students in grades 8-11 will submit their own High School and Beyond Plan by June 5.
BSD 2026 graduates (seniors) will continue to use our current platform, Naviance.
All BSD students in grades 6-12 will use SchooLinks for their HSBP and college application process in the 2026-2027 school year.

BSD will share more information as we work to fully utilize this very exciting platform via school and district communications, and on our district website.

Learn More

Washington state statewide: High School and Beyond Plan (HSBP)
Washington state HSBP vendor: SchooLinks
Bellevue School District College and Career Readiness

Cell Phone Expectations

Keeping classrooms focused on teaching and learning

At Chinook, our focus is on teaching and learning, and our expectation is that cell phones are silenced and away during instructional time so students can remain focused and engaged.

Research shows that access to cell phones during the school day has a negative impact on learning and peer interactions. When phones are not accessible, students are better able to concentrate, participate in class, and engage meaningfully with peers and teachers.

As a reminder, per district policy, students may use cell phones only:

Before school
Between classes
During lunch
After school

Students may check messages from family between classes, during lunch, or before and after school, but phones should not be used during instructional time.

During instructional time, cell phones, earbuds, and personal electronics must be silenced and stored in backpacks or placed in the designated classroom storage location.

During instructional time, cell phone and personal electronics must be silenced and stored in backpacks or placed in the designated classroom storage location.

Students may not keep cell phones on their person, including in pockets or clothing. Even when not actively used, phones kept on a student’s body remain a distraction and are easily accessed. If a phone is kept on a student’s person, staff will prompt the student to move it to their backpack or the classroom storage area.

Staff follow a common response when a cell phone is used during instructional time. This includes the phone being held for the remainder of the day, a brief conversation with the student about the expectation, and contact home with documentation.

With repeated violations, additional consequences may apply, including alternative lunch assignment or storage of phones in the school office.

If a family needs to reach a student during the school day for an urgent reason, please contact the Chinook office at 425-456-6600, and we will ensure your message is delivered.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting focused classrooms and strong learning conditions for all students.

E‑Bike Information and Guidance

E‑bikes are an increasingly popular way for students to travel to and from school. To support safety and clarity, the District has established expectations for e‑bikes and other personal transportation devices on school property.

What Everyone Needs to Know

Helmets are required for all riders using personal transportation devices (e-bikes, bikes, etc.) on District campuses. For assistance with low-cost helmets, families may contact one of the community organizations listed here: Free and Low-Cost Bicycle Helmets in King County.
Only legal e‑bikes are permitted. E‑bikes must meet Washington State definitions per RCW 46.04.169.
E‑bikes that exceed 28 mph are classified as e‑motorcycles and are not allowed on campus unless properly licensed, registered, and operated by a rider with a motorcycle endorsement. See RCW 46.04.330 and RCW 46.20.500.
E‑scooters and motorized foot scooters are not permitted on campus unless the rider is over 16 years old. See RCW 46.20.500.
No riding on sidewalks, grass, athletic fields, courts, or plazas.
Bicycles and e‑bikes must be parked and locked in designated bike racks during the school day.
Bikes, e‑bikes, and batteries are not allowed inside school buildings.
Unsafe riding may result in disciplinary action, including loss of riding privileges on District property.
The District is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal transportation devices.

Click here for full E‑Bike Information and Guidance on the Bellevue School District website.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Dates (Updated)

This spring, all students in grades 6-8 will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments in Math and English Language Arts. 8th graders also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science.

May 12: SBA English Language Arts Computer Adaptive Test (modified schedule coming soon)
May 14: SBA English Language Arts Performance Task (modified schedule coming soon)
May 19: SBA Math Computer Adaptive Test (modified schedule coming soon)
May 21: SBA Math Performance Task (modified schedule coming soon)
May 28-29: WCAS in 8th grade Science Classes (regular schedule)

Please note these dates and plan ahead to ensure your child is present at school. Additional details and modified schedule will be shared in the coming month.

Learn more about state level assessments here.

Ed Tech Advisory Committee

Your Voice Matters: Join the Ed Tech Advisory Committee

We’re excited to highlight the Educational Technology Advisory Committee and invite members of our learning community to get involved!

This committee brings together students, staff, family members, and community members to help guide how technology is used to support teaching and learning at Bellevue School District. Members will share diverse perspectives, help set best practices for using technology in meaningful ways, and review key decisions to ensure all students have access to fair, engaging, and effective learning tools.

To Join

BSD students: Please fill out the student interest form.
BSD staff, family and community members: Please fill out the staff, family and community interest form.

We welcome your participation in shaping the future of educational technology in our district!

For questions about the Educational Technology Advisory Committee, please contact Aysha Altayar at altayara@bsd405.org.

Safe Routes to School Survey

The City of Bellevue is working on a comprehensive school safety project called the Safe Routes to School Action Plan, and is seeking input from families, students, and staff on their experiences traveling to and from school. Please take a few minutes to provide your input through their Engaging Bellevue webpage about what you enjoy, what you would like to see more of, or any concerns you may have about your trips to school.

https://www.engagingbellevue.com/safe-routes-to-school-survey

Workshops for Parents