BFPP NEWS
Friday, May 26th, 2023
Principal's Corner
Enrichment Schedule Framework –
In partnership with families who came together to create the TPEST--The Parent Enrichment Schedule Team--we have developed a framework that we believe will be used in creating the Enrichment Schedule from here on out. This schedule provides a variety of course offerings with varied class formats: Discovery, Exploration, Experience, Zoom and Community to serve the needs of families who are seeking to take enrichment classes that prioritize socialization, collaboration, and community building. We hope that it supports the goals and priorities of TPEST and furthers a more predictable and consistent structure around class enrichment.
Additionally, when we think about class enrichment, we think: Enrichment is just that: EXTRA! These classes have been created to support your home learning experience with community, social emotional learning opportunities, the stuff better done in a group and too messy for the kitchen sink. As a home learning support program, we are glad to provide this supplemental option. The primary focus of our learners in BFPP should be on their home learning, therefore please be good stewards of the schedule and what you enroll in. We strongly encourage only two days on campus.
INFORMATION ON CLASS DAYS & FORMATS:
MONDAYS: “Discovery” courses are one hour with one teacher. Discovery classes have a variety of opportunities for students to discover their interests. Given the nature of the flow of classes we are asking that Mondays are supported with families on campus and therefore there will not be “Sign In North Star” on Mondays. These time slots will be consistent for the year. In other words, if there is a 3-5 class at a specific time, there will be a 3-5 class there all year. They are all 1 semester classes, which encourages different students to take different classes semester to semester.
TUESDAYS/THURSDAYS: “Experience” classes are 3-hour learning experiences with two teachers which will run year-long. They are offered in 2 sections a week. There are two sections each of these classes: K- Experience, 1-2 Experience, 3-5 Experience and 6-8 Experience. Two sections allows more students to participate. Also, we will be limiting the registration to 15 for capacity this spring, which will hold a few openings for fall registration for new students or those who did not register in spring. We ask that students give an opportunity for other students to enroll in these classes if they have had the opportunity multiple times. Also, you may only sign up for one section- either Tuesday OR Thursday.
TUESDAY AFTERNOONS: “Zoom” classes are reserved for Tuesday afternoons. We have at least one Zoom class for each grade band. These courses are all open to all BFPP students, but we highly recommend them for our LEO students who may not be accessing other onsite enrichments.
WEDNESDAYS: “Exploration” classes run for 2-3 hours once a week with two or more teachers supporting them. “Exploration” classes are an opportunity to go deeper into student interests and project/experience-based learning. Some of the courses are semester long and some are all year.
FRIDAYS: “Community” classes are held on Fridays and are classes that tend to include wider grade bands and are for broader community connections. Fridays will also allow for community field trips, events, clubs and workshops and give more access to classrooms for family-created learning experiences. These can happen on all other days too; however, by giving it a space on the schedule we want to further encourage the community to use this building for the learning experiences that they want to create.
Please, take a look at the Enrichment Schedule Framework above and 5 Day Schedule below. You can also log into ALE* and see it with course descriptions. Have a great weekend!
Warmly, Principal Kate
Fall Enrichment Class Schedule
Class Registration Info
Class Enrichment Registration will happen TWICE: this spring as well as in the fall. There are always a few alterations (usually additions) as staffing changes can happen late in the summer. Here are some reminders:
- June 1st at 8am– Choose 1 class (hopefully your top priority)
- June 2nd at 8am– Choose 2 additional classes (for a total of 3)
- Fall 1st day – open for 3 classes (you can make changes and this will allow new families to enroll)
- Fall 2nd day – open enrollment, you can add more
Upcoming Events
3 Weeks of School Left...
Wednesday 5/31: 3-4pm Talent Show Rehearsal
Thursday 6/1: 1-2pm Talent Show, followed by Celebration of Learning & Music Class Performances
Thursday & Friday 6/1 & 6/2: 8am Fall Enrichment Class Registration
Friday 6/2 5th Grade Track Meet at Civic Field
Friday 6/2: 11-12:30 Home Learning 101 Workshop
Wednesday 6/7: 12-3pm Tide Pool Exploration at Larrabee State Park
Thursday 6/8 8th Grade Celebration
Friday 6/9 Last Day of Enrichment Classes
Wednesday 6/14 All Laptop, Curriculum, and Library Book Returns Due
Thursday 6/15: 12-2pm Craft Fair and Carnival Games on Playfield
Friday 6/16 Last Day of School
Thank you!
MOD Pizza Fundraiser
Children's Art Walk
Children's Art Walk submissions are ready to be picked up. Look for them in the bin by Peggy's desk. Please take an Allied Arts participation bookmark as well. Thank you to all who participated and helped coordinate this neat opportunity!
Got Books?
If you’d like to see a book that is not currently in our library collection, please feel free to add it to our wish list!
We will try to include it in our next year’s purchase.
There are 3 ways to add a book to our wish list:
2) We have a clipboard in our BFPP library you can write in the book title
3) Email Peggy and let her know your request
Talent Show
Come one, come all!
The BFPP Talent Show will be held on Thursday, June 1, from 1-2:30pm in the BFPP gymnasium. We have over 50 students participating in 20 acts ranging from individual solos to group dances, instrumental performances to variety acts and more. Come support one another as our awesome BFPP students, teachers and families share what they love!
Questions? Reach out to Erica Wolverton or Laura McGough.
Celebration of Learning & Music Class Performances
Home Learning 101
New to BFPP? Please join us!
Friday, June 2 at 11-12:30 pm (Onsite)
Hi Families! Are you new to BFPP and looking for ways to wrap your head around how you start this new chapter called: Home Schooling…? We’ll this is the PERFECT workshop for you. Please join us for this 90-minute interactive learning experience that will have you addressing the routines, rhythms and relationships that are at the core of a strong home learning program.
This Learning Together workshop is facilitated by BFPP Instructional Coach and former homeschool parent, Erin McCarthy. In it we will focus on the home management techniques that support families in their roles as primary educators. The intended audience for this workshop is adults who are new/newish to home schooling and who have chosen this option for a variety of reasons and now just may need a little support from a partner about how to start and build ahead. I’m here to help with LOTS to share. Join us!
Please RSVP Erin by 5/31: erin.mccarthy@bellinghamschools.org.
Tide Pool Exploration
Laptops, Curriculum, & Library Books Return
ALL DEVICES (LAPTOPS) AND LIBRARY BOOKS NEED TO BE RETURNED BY JUNE 14TH.
You will receive a fresh updated laptop in the fall.
If you are planning on returning next school year, you can keep your curriculum materials to use next year. If you are not returning in the fall, please return all your materials before school ends.
If you have any questions, please contact Peggy.
Craft Fair & Carnival Games
Calling all crafters, makers, and bakers! Join in on the fun of one more craft fair before summer break.
Students are invited to sell their homemade crafts and baked goods, or create a carnival game to play. Design your own game- along the lines of "ring the milk bottle," or "fish for a prize," or "put-put golf." Make a game for folks to play for free, or sell tickets and award prizes, it's up to you. Google "DIY Carnival Games" if you need inspiration.
Please click here to reserve your selling spot.
Whatcom Youth Pride Parade
BFPP has adopted a block for the Whatcom Youth Pride Parade on June 3rd!!
Mark your calendars and join us if you can! Sign up here to let us know you're coming.
Please help show your support to Whatcom County's LGBTQIA+ youth by showing up and lining our section with love, flags, cheers, and your presence.
We will gather at 10:15 at in the Habitat for Humanity Thrift Store parking lot (1825 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 click for map). You can look for Teacher Carrie and Michelle Waterhouse near the northwestern wall/entrance of Habitat for Humanity. Youth that want to can join the Pride Parade that begins at 10:30am. Family, staff, and BFPP community members, will help us line the block we adopted. There will be a festival at Bellingham High School following the parade.
For sign making night and other youth pride events follow this link.
Make your signs and bring your pride flags!
Summer Camp Opportunities
High School Summer School Courses
Students in Bellingham Public Schools who will be in grades 9-12 in fall 2023 may take free online courses through Edgenuity for credit retrieval or limited credit ahead. Summer school courses are accelerated, completing an 18-week class in a compressed 6-week time frame. For this reason, although the coursework is completed online, students need to attend in person at Options High School Monday-Thursday from June 26-Aug. 3, ensuring they have quick access to academic and/or technical help. Please see the summer 2023 registration form for a complete list of available classes. Please note that students entering ninth grade are limited to Computer Applications (Tech Literacy) and Health for credit ahead.
NCTA Summer Session for High Schoolers
Summer session at our valued community partner the Northwest Career & Technical Academy (NCTA) offers free in-person exploration of career fields for students entering high school in fall through non-graduated seniors. Students can earn .5 high school credits while learning about careers such as aerospace manufacturing, construction, marine services, applied medical sciences, fire science, criminal justice, videogame development, investment and finance, and more. These in-person classes run from June 20-July 11 (no school July 3 or 4) at NCTA’s Mount Vernon, Anacortes or Sedro-Woolley campuses, and at Meridian High School. Bellingham Public Schools provides transportation to the Mount Vernon location. For more information or to register, visit the NCTA website or call 360-848-0706.
YMCA TEEN Drop-In
When: M-F | 3-6pm
Where: Downtown Bellingham YMCA - Teen Center
Who: 6th-12th Grade
What: Free snacks, art, rock climbing, swimming, board games, video games, and more! Each day staff will be available to support you in homework needs and connect you to resources (i.e. figuring out bussing, building a resume, applying to jobs, setting goals, etc.)
CLICK HERE for more info!
Book Review: City Spies
City Spies by James Ponti
Reviewed by Jack Graham
I would definitely recommend this book, it’s awesome and full of adventure. I think this would be a fun read for people who like books about spies and saving the world. Some parts were a little scary and had tension, so I would recommend it for probably ages nine and up. I was disappointed that Kat didn’t have a backstory, but I’m hoping she will in the next book. I think going to school in a castle (like the main characters) would be awesome!
Student Spotlight
Congratulations to BFPP Student Evan Meier who got to read his winning poem for the Boynton Poetry Contest entitled "Big, Tall Trees" at the ferry terminal this week.
After each unit of study this year he wrote a poem to reflect his learning with the goal of binding them all into a book. Evan loves word play and is an avid reader and writer with abundant imagination. He is waiting for the day his Hogwarts letter arrives to tell him he is a wizard.
Newsletter Contributions Welcome!
Have an event, talent, idea, or interest to share with the BFPP community at large? Please consider sharing via the newsletter! Email Heidi with your contributions. Thank you!
Next newsletter: Friday, June 9th.
Contributions deadline - Wednesday, June 7th.