Grizzly Growl
June 3, 2022
UPDATE FROM MR. RUTHFORD
Happy Almost Summer Fairhaven Friends and Families!
As we prepare for the end of school, with our traditional spirit assemblies, 8th grade promotion ceremonies, and spring music performances, I want to start this last Growl of the 2021-22 school year with a gigantic thank you from all of us at Fairhaven for such a successful year. If you remember, we started this year with masks required inside, indoor lunch, vaccines were not available to all students, and we had other restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID. Over the course of the year, we worked together to bring many changes to our school’s processes and protocols, welcoming many of you into the building for the first time. It has been an exciting and dynamic year and we appreciate the support, partnership, and collaboration we have had with all of you.
Looking to the summer, please review this Growl for the important deadlines, dates, and preparations we are doing to wrap up this year. As you review, please reach out to our front office team with any and all questions, suggestions, or needs—we are all here to help.
Beyond the end of school on the 17th, everyone at Fairhaven hopes you all have a wonderful summer. We want to wish our 8th grade students and families well as they make the exciting transition to high school. We are also excited to welcome our new 6th grade students and families in the Fall!
My best,
Steven Ruthford, Principal
VIRTUAL GRRS...
Gabe Raifaisen
Dylan Jones
Kaleb Koehler
Harrison Robbins
Zosia Whitley
Kase Leggett
Adrian Chavez
Liam Daheim
Computer Turn In Information
All students will be required to turn in their computer this year for to be updated. On their scheduled day, students will be required to turn in their:
1. Computer
2. Stylus
3. Charger
4. Computer Bag
Tentative Computer Turn in Schedule:
Wednesday June 15th 8th grade students
Thursday June 16th : 6th and 7th grade students
If you have any questions, please let me know. I can be reached at michael.owens@bellinghamschools.org.
Summer Programs
Check out the attached City of Bellingham’s bilingual flyer. Please share with students who might want to participate in programs to see their peers this summer! As noted, there is an opportunity for scholarships to increase equitable access.
Here’s the link to register (unfortunately these are not listed in Spanish like on the flyer):
https://apm.activecommunities.com/bellingham/Activity_Search
Summer Library Checkout
Summer reading is important! Avoid the summer slide & brain drain!
ALL students returning to the Bellingham School District are invited to borrow up to 10 books over the summer from the FMS library for reading pleasure.
To take part in summer checkout students must:
· Have a clear library record – everything from the school year returned and fines paid
· Get parent/guardian permission
· Return this form to the library (either paper or electronic)
· Have a bag to carry books home
· Read and enjoy the books this summer
· Care for books by keeping them away from food, liquids, dirt, etc., out of the weather and out of reach of pets and small children
· Return all books to the FMS library on the first day of the 2021-2022 School Year
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Read on Fairhaven!
Librarian
A Message From Our PTSA
Join us at the FINAL PTSA meeting!
The last official PTSA meeting of the school year is next week:
Wednesday June 8th 7:00-8:00 PM !
Join Zoom Meeting:
PTSA Zoom Meeting Link
The meeting link will also be posted on Facebook the week of the meeting. You don’t have to be a member to participate, and you are welcome to pop in for what time you can spare!
This last meeting we will be voting on new board members, discussing processes for spending in the fall, announcing an end-of-year PTSA social hour, and *gently* reminding everyone to PLEASE have any receipts turned in to the Treasurer before the June 14th deadline so we can close out the books! Questions? Please reach out to FairhavenPTSA@gmail.com
Schools Sports Photos – Still Available Online!
If you are like us, you kept meaning to order these mementos…and now you keep meaning to look for the links…but you are SO busy! We’ve got your back, people – thanks (again) to our wonderful Tiffany Brooks, here is a of ALL the extracurricular team photo links that she took for our Grizzlies this past year. Please feel free to reach out to her if you have any questions!
**The PASSWORD for each main gallery is fms
**Some of the galleries below have individual photos linked as well. The password should be the student’s last name (try all lower case)
***If you would like financial assistance to order team photos, please contact your school counseling staff or email fairhavenptsa@gmail.com.
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmsfootball
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmsboyssoccer
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmsdance
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmsvolleyball
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmswrestling
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmsunified
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmsgrade7bball - this gallery will be updated soon!
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmsgrade8bball - this gallery will be updated soon!
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/17382184 - dance & tumbling team photos
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmsgirlsbball - this gallery will be updated soon!
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmsunifiedsoccer – this gallery will be updated soon!
https://photos.tiffanybrooks.photography/gallery/fmscrosscountry
TIFFANY BROOKS PHOTOGRAPHY
360.734.3605
https://tiffanybrooks.photography
905 Squalicum Way Unit 104
Bellingham, Wa 98225
Join the PTSA - Recruiting for Next Year!!
Are you interested in helping with upcoming school events? Joining a committee and making new friends and connections, all while doing good things to help our kids? CLICK HERE https://fairhavenmiddleptsa.memberplanet.com to sign up and/or reach out with membership questions to Jason at JoinFairhavenPTSA@gmail.com !
Questions about a role on the PTSA board? Please email Nominating Committee Chair Jeralyn at jeralynheil@gmail.com – she will be happy to check in with you, and help you figure out a way to connect for next year. You can also email fairhavenptsa@gmail.com over the summer for questions – we will be checking it occasionally and will get back to you.
And to all of you who have done SO much for kids and to support the school this past year, we THANK YOU!
-Your PTSA Board
Summer Reading Challenge
Click on the following link or pick up a Bingo card in the library to play. As you read this summer try and complete the different challenges on the card for a bingo. When you return in the fall, bring the Bingo card to the library and share it with staff. You will then be entered into a drawing for prizes.
New Course For Next Year. 6th and 7th Graders Can Apply Now
We are excited to offer a new course at Fairhaven for next year! It’s called AVID. We will have yearlong AVID classes at 7th & 8th grades, which will be held during Grizzly Time (Homeroom) so that all of our students can still take their enrichment classes. AVID is open to all students who are motivated to attend college, and students with life circumstances that may make access to college more challenging are encouraged to apply. AVID will help students explore college and career options as well as learn academic, organizational, and collaborative skills that are important for success at all levels of school. To learn more about AVID, you can watch this short informational video!
Students who are interested in AVID need to submit an application by Wednesday, June 8. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The application forms (online & printable copy) are available on our website.
Students who need help completing the application are encouraged to see Ms. Mansfield in the Library. All completed paper applications should also be turned in to Ms. Mansfield in the Library.