Chinook Newsletter: November 25, 2024
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Topics
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Important Dates
- November 28-29
- No School, Thanksgiving Break
- December 10
- Orchestra Concert, 7:00pm
- December 11
- Band Concert, 7:00pm
- December 12
- Shelter in Place Drill (Regular Bell Schedule)
- Choir Concert, 7:00pm
- December 23-Janaury 3
- No School, Winter Break
Greetings Chinook Middle School Community,
Welcome back! After three days away due to the bomb cyclone windstorm and its aftermath, it was wonderful to see our school bustling with life again today. These past few days have been challenging for all of us, whether dealing with power outages, downed trees, or disrupted routines, but our return today reminds me of the strength and resilience of this community.
I am incredibly proud of our students and staff for stepping back into learning with such positivity and focus. Watching everyone reconnect, share their experiences, and dive back into the school day was a reminder of just how special Chinook truly is.
To our families, thank you for your patience, flexibility, and unwavering support as we navigated the closures and uncertainty together. Your partnership means so much to all of us.
As we settle back into our routine, please remember that there will be no school this Thursday and Friday, November 28–29, for Thanksgiving Break. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy a restful and joyful holiday. Also, please note that there will be no Chinook Weekly Newsletter next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Our next newsletter will be sent on Monday, December 9.
In gratitude and partnership,
James Peterson
Attitude of Gratitude
This month, Chinook is embracing an Attitude of Gratitude with a fun activity for everyone! Around the building, students can discover Gratitude Turkeys, each with a Turkey Challenge designed to inspire acts of gratitude and kindness.
Students who complete a challenge can submit their names at the boxes near the Jubilee window.
Chinook thanksGIVING DRIVE
Join us in our Fall Community Service Night benefitting Bellevue LifeSpring. We will be collecting toiletries and feminine hygiene products from November 15th-December 11th to assemble the night of December 13th. Our hope is to collect travel size items and package them on the 13th.
We created a wish list of necessary items to be donated. The wish list has these items in bulk but we also have this as a guideline for items to be donated in smaller amounts.
Our PTSA has a donation bin located in the front office and items can be dropped off or shipped.
Rescheduled PTSA Events
The PTSA will reschedule Staff Appreciation and a 7th Grade Social event as they were cancelled due to the power outage. We will have more information in our next Kodiak.
Please also check out chinookptsa website for more information.
Attendance Matters
As we approach Thanksgiving and winter breaks, the Bellevue School District reminds families that it is important to try to avoid missing school days before and after the scheduled breaks. Thanksgiving break is Thursday, November 28 - Friday, November 29, 2024. Winter Break begins Monday, December 23, 2024. Students return to school on Monday, January 6, 2025. If your family is traveling during these breaks, please ensure that your student can rest and get back on schedule prior to the start of school.
Every day of school is important and provides an opportunity for students to learn and connect with peers and teachers. Even two absences a month (excused or unexcused) can significantly impact student learning. Make it a goal to attend five days a week and have fewer than five absences in a semester. If your child is healthy, encourage them to show up to class when school is in session.
We are very thankful for our students and families who do their best to show up daily even when it isn’t easy. We are grateful for our teachers and administrators who make school a welcoming and safe place for students to learn. We appreciate our support staff and community partners who provide the extra attention that our students need.
If your family or your student needs support, please reach out to your school counselor.
Reminder, if your student is going to miss 2 or more days of school, please have them fill out a prearranged absence form. This form needs to be turned in 5 days prior to the absence. This form can be picked up in the attendance office or found online on the school website under the Grades and Attendance icon.
Open Houses and 2024-2025 Open Transfer, Choice School and Choice Program Period
The Open Transfer, Choice School and Choice Program Application period for the 2024-2025 school year will open on Monday, December 9, 2024. Students and families are invited to learn more about Bellevue School District schools and programs during upcoming open houses and information events.
- Each school will host an open house during the Open Transfer and Choice School/Program application period.
- Families are invited to the Language Programs Fair on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, to learn more about the variety of language offerings available for students.
- Families with students between the ages of three to age five are invited to attend a Preschool Information Session on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, or Thursday, December 5, 2024.
Upcoming Open House Dates for the next two weeks:
- December 4, 2024 – Puesta del Sol Open House, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- December 5, 2024 – Phantom Lake Open House, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- December 5, 2024 – Sherwood Forest Open House, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- December 10, 2024 – Lake Hills Open House, 8:15 – 9:15 a.m.
- December 10, 2024 – Cherry Crest Elementary Open House, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- December 11, 2024 – Tyee Middle School Open House, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- December 11, 2024 – Big Picture High School Open House, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
- December 12, 2024 – Big Picture Middle School Open House, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
For all open house and information session dates, times and locations please view the open house webpage.
BSD Language Fair
Join the Bellevue School District MLL team for an evening dedicated to exploring the world of language learning and helping students and families choose the school and program that matches their interests.
Location: Highland Middle School
Date: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Time: Drop in anytime from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
What to Expect:
- Discover Your Options: Learn about language programs that meet every student’s needs.
- Explore Programs: Hear about Dual Language Immersion, Bilingual Education, and World Language pathways.
- Celebrate Student Success: View inspiring student work from our language programs.
- Get Your Questions Answered: Chat with knowledgeable district and school staff.
- Connect with Students: Hear firsthand experiences from students currently enrolled in a variety of language programs.
We look forward to helping current and prospective Bellevue School District families explore the possibilities for multilingualism for all. See you on December 3, 2024!
For more information, contact Paris Granville (granvillep@bsd405.org).
Supports for our Community
With the holidays approaching, there are numerous ways that our community can provide support for one another. Here are opportunities to Belong, Learn and Lead.
We Belong:
- For anyone needing access to temporary warming centers or charging stations, please view the options available through the City of Redmond and the City of Issaquah. In addition, the City of Bellevue City Hall and the city community centers currently open are available during business hours, as space allows for members of the community to warm up and charge devices during this current widespread power outage. Additional information can be located on the King County Cold Weather Overnight and Daytime Shelters page. The King County Housing authority has a regional services database which allows individuals to find a day or overnight shelter by filtering by needs and other factors.
- The Together Center Share Your Blessings Lunch. This event will include a Thanksgiving-style meal, tea and coffee, giveaways, and the opportunity to break bread and build community together. This free event will take place on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Please RSVP to ensure there are enough meals for all attendees. This year’s Share Your Blessings meal is a collaboration by the Together Center, Essentials First, and the Muslim Community Resource Center.
- The Eastridge Church is providing the community with 1,500 turkeys and bags of groceries, while supplies last. Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 23, families can pick up one meal and bag of groceries per household. Eastridge Church is located on SE Issaquah-Fall City Road.
- The Washington Migrant and Asylum-Seekers Support project is designed to meet the basic needs of people who have recently arrived in the United States and Washington state but are ineligible for federal refugee services. Participants may be eligible for housing support, immigration-related legal services, and culturally responsive case management. Participants are also connected to medical, education, and job-training resources that are available in the community.
- Apply: Complete and submit the Client Request for Eligibility Screening.
- Learn More: Read Washington state launches Migrant and Asylum-Seeker Support Project.
We Learn:
- Northwest Immigrant Rights Project will hold Rapid Response training on November 22, along with the WA Immigrant Solidarity Network - Red de Solidaridad de Inmigrantes en WA. This webinar will share information about existing rapid response networks that support communities and works to keep families together. Registration required.
- RSVP: Sign up online.
We Lead:
- Hopelink’s Lend a Hoping Hand campaign seeks to raise funds with the aim of supporting our community to ensure basic needs are met and everyone can experience warmth and joy during the winter months.
- Mary’s Place is sharing a request for holiday decorations and activities for their community. They hope to create a fun atmosphere for those they support.
In Case You Missed It
Book eFair
Our Follett Book eFair, Kodiak Super Reads Book eFair! will run until November 30th, a great opportunity to build your home library and to cross out names from your winter holidays shopping list. All orders will be delivered to our school about a week after the efair closes .
To browse titles and purchase books, visit book-efairs.follettcontent.com and enter our Book eFair Code in the box on the left side: M54LZ
Please let me know if you have any questions. We’re very excited about this opportunity. Thank you in advance for supporting the students and staff at Chinook Middle School.
Sincerely,
Ms. Kawaguchi
Library Specialist
P.S. All sales benefit our school, so please help us spread the word! If you or a local business would like to support our online book fair through a donation or purchase of an eGift card.