BFPP NEWS
Friday, October 16th, 2020
Principal Kate's Corner
Dear BFPP Families,
When you are with your family- together exploring, wondering, and taking time- you are finding authentic and meaningful learning opportunities. Never underestimate the power of a beach or forest walk in discovering new things about the world and each other. To suggest that there is a huge learning loss when kids are “out of schools” is to negate life learning, the role of family in their learning, and the oh-so important self-learning that they experience in everything they do. Schools did not teach children to walk or talk. Schools did not teach them to ask the million questions about their world. Embracing that learning is not dependent on schooling, well, you've got a good thing there. There is no learning loss, in fact I would contend that now is the time to excel in learning! Fundamentally for your child, you are enough. All they want is to have your love. No need for power struggles. Step away, read a book, play a game, give them that love and attention that they need (you need it too!) and everything else will happen in due time. Trust that the loving relationship between parent and child is the most important thing right now, and always. There is no learning loss and you are enough!
With love, k
Homeschool 101 ~ Oct. 21st and Nov. 4th
This workshop, facilitated by BFPP teacher and homeschooler Erin McCarthy, will focus on the philosophical shift and home management techniques that support families in their role as primary educators. The intended audience for this workshop is families (adults) who are new to homeschooling and have chosen this option for a variety of reasons, but mostly because they feel in their hearts, heads, and bellies that this is how their child could best learn right now. Basically, we’ll be taking the energy of “Yayyy, I’m homeschooling!!” and addressing the “Well, now what?!” Topics to be covered will be:
- Empowering the educator inside me
- Deconstructing “schooling” to promote “learning”
- Using deep conversation and play to promote inquiry and development
- Fostering independence in learning routines
- Embracing the messy and normalizing uncertainty
- Seeking mentors and establishing a support network
This workshop will be offered twice—10/21 and 11/4 from 10:00-11:30am.
Enrollment will be limited to foster engagement and interaction, so please RSVP at erin.mccarthy@bellinghamschools.org (by 10/20 and 11/3) for the Zoom link.
Circles of Care ~ Beginning Mon. Oct. 26th
We will gather every other Monday for guided learning, inspiration, connection and reflection.
Dates:
Every other Monday from 10:00 - 11:00am.
October 26th, November 9th, November 23rd and December 7th.
We ask that you make a commitment to all four meetings to provide consistency for our group.
RSVP required to anne.madsen-boydstun@bellinghamschools.org no later than Thursday, October 22nd. Registration will be closed at that time.
Hoping to circle with you!
Erica Wolverton and Annie Boydstun
Supporting the Supporter ~ Oct. 28th
Teacher Jim Diacoginnis will lead this workshop focused on ways other family members at home can support the primary home educator. Jim will share his insights from his years of supporting his spouse while she was the primary educator of their kids.
This will be a time of connection especially for those family members who may not always get to participate in the day-to-day efforts of homeschooling, but want to play an involved and supportive role in their kids' education.
Please RSVP to Jim for the Zoom link!
**UPDATED 10/23 - THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELLED
Above is our calendar of upcoming Learning Together Workshops and Labs BFPP staff will offer throughout this semester.
Each workshop or lab will offer two valuable gifts to you: Content AND Connection.
You will leave the workshops with new knowledge about the topic, an increased awareness of yourself as a home educator, and connection with the people in your community.
We sure hope you can join us!
Ways to stay connected and informed:
Facebook:
@bellinghamfamilypartnershipprogram
Instagram:
Helpful Links
Pick up Free Meal Boxes from BPS on Wednesdays from 4:00-5:30
*If you think you might qualify for free or reduced lunch, please complete this form by December 1, 2020. Paper forms are also available at the distribution sites.*
District Resource Requests (help with basic needs, meals, tech, counselor support, etc.)
MOD Pizza fundraiser next Thursday!
Volunteer Opportunity ~ Sea Mar FARMacia
The Sea Mar Bellingham/Everson Medical Heath Education team is looking for volunteers to help us operate a twice weekly (once at our Bellingham location and once at our Everson location) produce stand for our patients and community. The Food FARMacia is currently run on donations we receive from community groups and churches, and we expect to have the stands run until at least December. We are looking for 1-2 volunteers, a few hours a week, for each stand. This could be a great opportunity for an interested middle school student and their adult. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Michael Vieyra.
Padilla Bay Classes
National Museum of Math Offerings
Items for Sale
Newsletter Ideas and Contributions Welcome!
Send your ideas and news items to Heidi Zollner.