Chinook Newsletter: October 6, 2025

Oct 6 2025

Hello Chinook Community,

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and we’re using this time to spotlight Community through Kindness—this week’s focus from our ROCKS values. At Chinook, our shared values of Respect, Ownership, Community, Kindness, and Scholarship guide everything we do. This focus reminds us that small acts of kindness can have a big impact, helping everyone feel safe, included, and valued.

When students feel connected and supported, they’re more likely to take risks, engage deeply in learning, and grow academically. A strong sense of community doesn’t just shape our school culture- it lays the foundation for student success.

Students are taking part in activities like the Kindness Card Challenge and Socktober, finding ways to support one another and give back. We’re also looking forward to Unity Day on October 22, when we’ll wear orange to show promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying.

Thanks for partnering with us to make Chinook a place where kindness and learning go hand in hand.

Best regards,

James Peterson (Principal)

Topics

Important Dates
Walk and Roll to School Campaign
SchooLinks Lesson: Exploring Careers and setting SMART Goals
Picture Retake Day Information
Shine on Chinook
Orange and Black Social
ROCKS Weekly Focus: Community through Kindness
Unity Day
Pay Attention to Attendance
Activities and Clubs
Student Dress and Costume Guidelines
Learn About BSD’s Sustainability Efforts
In Case You Missed It

Important Dates

October 9: SchooLinks Lesson (adjusted schedule)
October 10: Non-Student Day, Schools & Office Closed
October 22: Unity Day (more information)
October 24: Picture Retakes
October 24: ASB Dance, 5:30-7:30 PM
October 31: Last Day of Frist Quarter

Walk & Roll to School Campaign: October 6 – 10

Chinook is one of 22 schools participating in Bellevue SchoolPool’s Walk & Roll to SchoolPool campaign this October.

Bellevue SchoolPool is a program that encourages families and students to explore sustainable transportation options for their commute to and from school and alleviate congestion at drop-off and pickup times and locations. During the campaign, students and families are encouraged to walk, bike, carpool or take the bus to and/or from school.

This fall, the campaign is centered around National Bike & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, Oct 8, but SchoolPool encourages students to try a new way to school any time during week!

SchoolPool also provides students with fun keychain flashlights and a backpack flyer with travel safety tips, and participating helps raise money for our school.

SchooLinks Lesson: Exploring Careers & Setting SMART Goals

On Thursday, October 9, all students will participate in our second High School and Beyond Plan lesson through SchooLinks. This lesson's focus is on career exploration and goal setting, helping students connect their current academic efforts to future aspirations.

Lesson Highlights:

Career Clusters vs. Industries: Students will learn the difference between career clusters (groups of related jobs) and industries (connected by activities or products), and explore the 17 nationally recognized clusters.
Discovering Interests: Using SchooLinks' “What’s Your Reason” tool, students will identify career pathways aligned with their interests.
SMART Goals: Students will write a personalized SMART goal—Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic, and Timely—focused on improving academic performance in support of their career ambitions.

Why It Matters: This lesson empowers students to make informed decisions about their future by linking what they enjoy and excel at with real-world career paths. It also builds essential planning skills through goal setting, a key component of lifelong success.

We encourage families to ask their students about the career cluster they explored and the SMART goal they set. These conversations help reinforce the importance of planning and perseverance.

Learn more about SchooLinks here: SchooLinks - Bellevue School District

Picture Retake Day Information

Picture retake day is October 24 in the morning, on the stage.

Here is who should go to the camera on retake day:

Any student that was absent on the original picture day
Any new students who have not been photographed
Students wanting a retake photo of your purchased pictures. If a student ordered a package and wants a new photo, they should return the original package to the photographer on retake day.

Orders can be placed online at mydorian.com before picture day and up to 2 days afterwards.

Shine on Chinook

Chinook PTSA’s annual giving campaign is live from now until November 14th! Your donation helps fund classroom grants, student clubs and enrichment, arts, community events, and staff appreciation that are not covered by district funds. The PTSA invites every family to participate. Simply return the envelope—with a donation or without—and your student will be entered into drawings for Chinook merchandise and other fun rewards. Donations can be made online Shine on Chinook Button or by check. If your employer offers matching gifts, please submit a match to multiply your impact.

Orange and Black Social

Orange and Black Social is coming Friday, October 24 at 5:30pm. There will be a live DJ at Chinook, and you can dance with your friends. Pizza and snacks will be provided. ASB members are free to attend. Non-ASB members are welcome with $5 entry tickets. All participants will need to turn in parent permission slip and payment by Monday, October 20^that 3pm.

Download the permission slip here.

Membership and tickets are available for purchase online or at the office.

ROCKS Weekly Focus: Community through Kindness

At Chinook, our shared values—Respect, Ownership, Community, Kindness, and Scholarship—guide everything we do. This week, we’re spotlighting Community through Kindness, a powerful combination that reminds us how we can make our school a better place for everyone.

Middle school is more enjoyable when we all do our part to build a positive, inclusive environment. Community means showing up for one another, and kindness is how we do it—with small, meaningful actions that make a big difference.

Here are some ways students can practice Community through Kindness this week:

Interact positively with students and adults.
Say hello and show interest in others.
Include those who may feel left out.
Encourage and compliment others authentically.
Clean up after yourself—and help clean up even if it’s not your mess.
Help others and ask for help when you need it.
Stand up for others and respectfully provide feedback.
Participate in school events, teams, and assemblies.
Try to make at least one person smile each day.

Kindness and community go hand in hand. When we look out for each other, we all thrive.

Unity Day

Chinook Middle School stands together against bullying

On Wednesday, October 22, Chinook Middle School will join schools across the county in celebrating Unity Day, a day to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying.

We invite all students and families to wear orange to show support and help create a school culture where everyone feels safe and valued.

For more information, visit PACER’s Unity Day page.

Pay Attention to Attendance

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and on the job.

Strive for Five!

Attend 5 days every week
No more than 5 (excused or unexcused absences) per semester

Did You Know?

Frequent absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with schoolwork, dealing with a bully or facing some other difficulty.
By 6th grade, absences, whether excused or unexcused, are one of three signs that a student is more likely to drop out of high school and not graduate.
By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th grade test scores.
Missing 10%, or 2 days a month, over the course of the school year, whether excused or unexcused, can affect a student’s academic success.

What Can Families Do?

Make school attendance a priority by:

Talking about the importance of showing up to school every day
Helping your children maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep.
Trying not to schedule dental and non-urgent related medical appointments during the school day.
Keeping your student healthy. If you are concerned about a contagious illness, call your school or health care provider.
Making sure they have asked teachers for resources and materials to make up for the missed learning time in the classroom if they had to stay home because they were too sick for school.

Activities and Clubs

Clubs and activities are a great way to get involved, meet new people, and explore your interests! Clubs begin forming in the first few weeks of school and continue to develop throughout the year. Students and faculty advisors collaborate to create clubs, which must be approved by ASB before launching.

How to Find and Join Clubs

Stay informed! Look for flyers around campus, listen to daily announcements, and check your daily announcement emails for updates on new clubs forming.
Join through FinalForms: Once a club is ASB-approved, it will be added to FinalForms. To participate, your parent/guardian must register you in FinalForms.
ASB Membership Required: All clubs require an annual ASB membership. Purchase your ASB membership here!

Some clubs may have special requirements such as applications or lottery-based admission.

For full details and a list of current clubs, visit: CMSActivityList2025-26091225.pdf

Want to Start a New Club?

If you have an idea for a new club or activity:

Pick up an ASB New Club Application from the main office.
Find a staff advisor to support your club.
Return the form to our office for guidance and next steps.

Student Dress and Costume Guidelines

Bellevue School District’s Student Dress Policy 3224 applies during all socials and spirit days, with the goal of promoting an inclusive learning environment. School Staff will regulate student dress when:

A health or safety hazard is presented

Damage to school property will result from the student’s dress, and/or

A material and substantial disruption of the educational process will result from the student’s dress or appearance (may exist when a student’s conduct is inconsistent with any part of the educational mission/learning of the district).

This means:

No masks or decorations that cover the face
No weapons or look-alike weapons
No gore or costumes that depict violence or violent characters
Content of the costume needs to be appropriate for school
No oversized costumes that create a hazard walking in the halls
No costumes that promote the use of illegal substances or activities
No costumes that are derogatory or disrespectful
No costumes that mock/mimic another culture or race

If students are unsure whether their costume is permitted at school, they are encouraged to ASK a staff member in ADVANCE. Thanks in advance for your understanding, and support of a positive school climate and culture.

Learn About BSD's Sustainability Efforts!

Join us on Wednesday, October 8, from 4–6 p.m. in the Rainier Room at the Wilburton Instructional Service Center (12241 Main St, Bellevue, WA 98005) to learn more about the work of the Bellevue School District Sustainability Committee.

This is a great opportunity for staff and community members to:

Explore the district’s sustainability initiatives
Engage in conversations about environmental stewardship
Learn how to get involved — the committee will be adding new members this year!

No RSVP required — just bring your curiosity and passion for a greener future.

ROCKS Weekly Focus: Scholarship

At Chinook, our shared values—Respect, Ownership, Community, Kindness, and Scholarship—guide everything we do. This week, we’re spotlighting Scholarship, a core value that reminds us how important it is to take learning seriously.

Middle school is a key time to build strong habits as a student. Some of your classes may even count toward your high school transcript, so now is the time to lean in and level up!

Here are some ways to practice Scholarship this week:

🎯 Stay focused on learning—limit distractions and be present.

📝 Listen actively and take notes you can use to study later.

❓ Ask questions when you're unsure or curious.

🤝 Collaborate with peers who bring different perspectives.

🆘 Ask for help—in class, during tutorial, or from a trusted adult.

📅 Stay organized using a planner or digital tool to track tasks.

✅ Complete assignments on time and with care.

🔍 Reflect on your strengths and areas for growth.

🎯 Set goals and take steps toward achieving them.

📊 Check your grades and attendance regularly—know where you stand.

💬 Provide respectful feedback to your teachers if you need support.

Scholarship isn’t just about grades—it’s about building the mindset and habits that will help you succeed now and in the future. Let’s make this week a strong one!

Tips for Families: Supporting Scholarship at Home

You play a key role in helping your child build strong academic habits. Here are a few ways to support Scholarship from home:

Check in regularly about school—ask what they’re learning and how it’s going.
Help them stay organized by reviewing their planner or digital tools together.
Create a distraction-free space for homework and studying.
Encourage goal-setting and celebrate progress, not just outcomes.
Review grades and attendance together and talk about what they mean.
Support self-advocacy by helping your child practice asking for help or clarification.
Model lifelong learning—share what you’re curious about or learning yourself!

Together, we can help students build the mindset and habits that will serve them well in middle school, high school, and beyond.

Class Sizes and Communication

As class sizes have increased this year, our teachers are balancing more grading, more family outreach, and more individualized student support than ever before. Our teachers remain committed to responding to messages in a timely manner, usually within 24–48 hours, but there may be occasional delays due to their increased workload.

We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as our teachers work hard to support every student and stay connected with families. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust in our team!

Timely Student Pick-Up: A Safety Reminder for Families

We need your help to ensure a safe and smooth end to each school day. Recently, we’ve seen an increase in the number of students waiting for extended periods after dismissal. While we understand that delays happen, prolonged wait times create supervision challenges and raise safety concerns.

To support a safe environment for all students, we kindly ask that families make every effort to pick up their children promptly at dismissal time.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe!

After-School Activities & Activity Bus – Friendly Reminder

As part of our commitment to student safety and supervision, we want to remind you of the expectations for after-school participation and transportation.

Students need a green activity pass to:

Attend any after-school activity
Ride the activity bus

Here’s how it works:

Students receive their green activity pass during tutorial
They must bring that pass with them to their after-school activity
No pass = no entry to the activity and no access to the activity bus
Students who do not attend tutorial or do not have a pass will need to arrange a ride home

Activity Bus Schedule
The activity bus departs at 4:10 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.

To ride the activity bus, students must:

Attend a supervised tutorial
Participate in a supervised after-school activity
Present a green activity pass verifying attendance at both

These expectations help us ensure that all students are safe, supervised, and accounted for during tutorial and activity time.

i-Ready Assessment and Personalized Instruction - Program and Scores Overview

This fall, Bellevue School District transitioned from STAR to i-Ready as the districtwide diagnostic and instructional tool for reading and mathematics in grades K–8. At Chinook Middle School, students completed their first i-Ready Diagnostic Assessments during the first few weeks of school in both Math and Language Arts classes.

What is i-Ready?
i-Ready is an online program that helps us better understand each student’s learning needs and provide personalized support. It includes two main components:

Diagnostic Assessments that identify student strengths and areas for growth.
Personalized Instruction that adapts to each student’s learning level in reading and math.

These tools help our educators tailor instruction and monitor progress throughout the year.

What should families expect?
i-Ready scores may look different from what you’ve seen in the past. That’s expected—i-Ready uses a different scale and provides a more detailed picture of student learning. These scores do not impact your student’s grades or their placement in current classes. Instead, they help us better support each student’s academic growth.

When will scores be available?
Families will be able to view i-Ready score reports in ParentVUE by late October.

Refer to these resources as you view your student's reports as needed:

To learn more about i-Ready and how you can support your student at home, please visit BSD Launches i-Ready Assessment and Personalized Instruction for K-8 or our Assessment Information webpage.

SchoolMessenger & TalkingPoints

At Chinook Middle School, we use two key tools to keep families informed and engaged:

SchoolMessenger

This is the district’s primary system for sending urgent alerts (like school closures or delays) and districtwide announcements.

Families automatically receive messages via phone, text, and email based on contact info in ParentVUE.
No account is needed, but you can create a SchoolMessenger App account to:
- Customize how you receive messages.
- View messages from the past 30 days.
- Access messages on your smartphone (iOS or Android).

Tip: Use the same email address you used for Online Student Data Verification in

Learn more about SchoolMessenger here.

TalkingPoints

Chinook also uses TalkingPoints to support two-way text communication between families and staff.

Messages are automatically translated into your preferred language.
You can reply in your home language, and staff will receive it in English.
No app is required, but you can download the TalkingPoints for Families app for a better experience.

Learn more about TalkingPoints for Families here.

Increase in Pantsing at Some Schools

While this has not been reported at Chinook, it's important that we stay proactive and aware.

There has been an increase in incidents of “pantsing”—the act of pulling down another student’s pants across the District. Though some students may view this as a prank, this behavior is harmful and unacceptable.

Key Points to Be Aware Of:

“Pantsing” is considered sexual harassment under Board Policy 3205 – Prohibition of Sexual Harassment.
Depending on the circumstances, it may also violate Washington State law (RCW) and be classified as assault, indecent liberties, or harassment.
Students must understand the seriousness of this conduct and the impact it has on those targeted.

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