BFPP NEWS
Friday, March 18th, 2022
Principal's Corner
Dear BFPP families,
This is where I would normally write a little something....but this newsletter speaks for itself. Check out all of the amazing opportunities, community building and family centered activities. I am inspired and in awe. Thank you BFPP!!
Your extremely proud Principal, Dr. K
Get out your calendar!
End of 3rd Quarter Classes: April 1st
Spring Break: April 4th-April 8th No classes or meetings
Start of 4th Quarter Classes: April 11th
Below, you'll find info on:
- Family Field Trips
- Learning Together Workshops
- Children's Art Walk
- Spring Craft Fair
Upcoming Family Field Trips
Tues. March 22nd 12:30 – 2:30pm: Signs of Spring Hike through Hundred Acre Woods
Families frolicking in the forest together noticing the sights, sounds, and smells of budding changes of Spring. Please plan to meet behind Fairhaven Vet off of 24th St in the public parking area here. Rain or shine, be sure to come dressed for the weather with some water, snacks, and sturdy walking shoes.
Wed. March 30th 10am – 12pm: Salmon Release and Send Off
Our BFPP home provided a safe space to witness those tiny eggs grow into mighty swimmers. Now it’s time to release them into their habitat. Awe, wonder, curiosity, love, and hope abound in this ceremonial event where everyone can have a chance to participate. Please meet at Fairhaven Park here, north of the restrooms and playground. Rain or shine, be sure to come dressed for the weather and consider time if you’d like to for a picnic lunch in the park following.
All BFPP families are welcome! No RSVP needed. Questions? Contact Teacher Randy.
Learning Together Workshops
Children's Art Walk
It's time to start planning for the Children's Art Walk! Once again BFPP parent Lisa Spreyer is coordinating our school's participation. She's looking for another person to assist her - please email her if you can help!
For our local Art Walk, students are asked to submit one piece of art that will be displayed in the window of a local business for 2 weeks beginning May 6th. Submissions will be due and collected by mid-April. More info will be coming soon, stay tuned!
If you are interested in helping with this fun annual project (collecting art pieces, hanging it up, returning art to the artists), please reach out to Lisa Spreyer.
Spring Craft Fair
Student crafters, artists, and makers of all sorts are invited to sell their wares at this fun outdoor event. Stay tuned for all the details and sign ups. Let the crafting commence!
If you'd like to help with the craft fair (advertising, set up, take down), please email Heidi Zollner.
The weather is becoming warmer, and this is the time of year wear I pull out my flip flops, which reminds me of taking shoes off and going barefoot!
Here are some great resources for why going barefoot is important for humans.
Scientific Reasons Why Kids Should Go Barefoot:
- Builds Brain Development: Neural pathways and sensory information
- Builds healthy muscles in feet and toes
- Increases spatial awareness
- Helps skin hygiene
- Helps emotional regulation
Warmly,
Sammy
Mason Bee Nest
Our BFPP garden now has a Mason Bee Box!
Mason bees do not live in a hive, nor do they sting, which makes them very kid and pet friendly. People often confuse them with flies.
Mason bees come out in the wet cool weather of early spring. They are very effective pollinators. In fact, one mason bee can do the work of 100 honeybees! These super pollinators arrive just when fruit and nut trees begin blooming along with some berries. They are called mason bees because they pack mud at the end of the long tubes or tunnels where they lay their eggs.
You are welcome to come and visit our school mason bee box. As the weather warms you will begin to see more activity.
The Free Store
Do you know about the Free Store? You should definitely know about the free store.
Now that we finally get to come together and be back on campus, we can start utilizing this great little closet again. At the end of the hallway on the bottom floor is a closet the school has been kind enough to let us take over. It was started by and has been run by parents, and it works best when we all pitch in to keep it organized and updated.
The Free Store is a space to give and take used but quality (clean & not broken) items like household items, clothing, curriculum, toys, and books.
Currently its shape could definitely use some maintenance. There are still items in there from before the pandemic. Organizing and purging are underway.
Currently Needed: medium size boxes or totes that could fit on the shelves to organize clothing into sizes.
This has been such a great resource and it will continue to be with all of us pitching in. Bring some stuff, take some stuff, feel good about your thriftiness!
Warmly,
Marian
New Sensory Tools for Check Out
We have new sensory tools for you to check out! Sensory tools can help calm the nervous system during overstimulating situations. There are also tools available to help learners focus and to improve opportunities for learning.
Watch the videos in the QR codes found in the Student Tools Catalog below to see our own students using the tools!
If you think your learner might benefit from one of the tools, reach out to your learning plan partner or talk to Peggy at the front desk.
Questions? Comments? Reach out to Erica Wolverton
Oh my dear, why don’t you volunteer …. at BFPP
Find yourself with some time while your kiddos are in class? Families sharing their talents are what makes this a great place.
Please browse our sign-up sheets posted on the main floor hallway bulletin board, “Oh, the Possibilities”, next to the exit door facing the gym for the volunteer opportunities.
Contact Peggy at the front desk if you have any questions.
BFPP Family-led CLUBS
Student/Parent-driven clubs are a fun and integral part of BFPP. Past clubs have included math club, Pokemon club, chess club, kindness club, and several others!
Click here for a description of current clubs. Did we miss your club? Let Heidi know so we can add it to the list!
Interested in starting a club? Spend some time thinking about the Topic, Purpose, and Format of your club. Then contact your LPP with your idea!
Arts & Crafts Club
Hi! My name is Eli Z. Spain. 2 weeks ago I started an arts and crafts club for kids ages 8 and up (since we’ll be using hot glue guns).
We’re meeting this Wednesday (3/23) at 2pm, location to be determined. We’ll meet outdoors if weather permits, or indoors with masks. Last time we made these cool lanterns!
If you’re interested, and for details on the next project and meeting location, contact sivspain@icloud.com/206-349-9078 or ezspain@icloud.com
QSA Social Club
Zoom Link: https://bellinghamschools.zoom.us/my/triciaszoom
Questions: Teacher Tricia (our advisor) - patricia.becraft@bellinghamschools.org
RAE BROTHERS MAGAZINE
Click here to read the latest edition of BFPP students Abel and Waylon Rae's quarterly magazine, featuring photos, articles, artwork, and more documenting their adventures. There's even a "Birds of Washington State" crossword puzzle!
They've added a "Readers Write" section and would love to get some BFPP submissions! See the magazine for details on how to submit your writing.
*We love to feature student work and projects! Seeing what others are up to and how they're using their talents is a great way to be inspired. Do you have something you'd be willing to share? Send it to Heidi to include in an upcoming newsletter.
Sue C. Boynton Poetry Contest
There is still time to enter! All Whatcom County residents (including students grades k-12) are invited to participate in the annual Boynton Poetry Contest. Entries will be accepted March 1st - 31st. Winners will have their poems displayed on the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Walk outside the Bellingham Central Library.
Click here for contest information.
BFPP parent Jay Nahani is the Chair of the contest this year! Feel free to reach out to her with questions at boyntonpoetrycontest@hotmail.com or jsnahani@gmail.com.