BFPP NEWS
Friday, January 29th, 2021
Caring Connections ~ Conversations with Erica
Cat-like or Dog-like?
As we simmer in the sometimes-germy soup of winter, I wonder if it might be helpful to have a conversation with your loved ones about the ways others like/need/want to be tended when they are not feeling well. Our tendency is to take care of others in the ways we want to be cared for, but this doesn’t always match up, even when we have the most heartfelt intentions. In our family we identify ourselves as cat-like or dog-like when we are sick.
I am cat-like. When I feel something is off in my body, I need to be left alone. I seek a cozy dark space to hunker into so I can rest and find quiet and allow my body to heal. The fawning of others makes me feel pressured and a bit claustrophobic. I deeply appreciate people bringing me food (especially chocolate), but I prefer they place it on a tray outside the door, allowing me to access it when I’m ready.
My husband, on the other hand, is dog-like. He wants/craves loads of attention. He’s like my childhood golden retriever, Roscoe, who would come put his little red head on my lap whenever he needed attention. Roscoe wanted me to see him, to pet him, to care for him in a very active way. He needed extra treats and special care. The more I tried to ignore his pleas for comfort and care, the more he would pester me and ask for more.
The challenge with these differing styles is that we usually treat others in the ways we want to be treated. Since I am more cat-like when I am sick, I tend to leave others alone when they are feeling ill. I will offer empathy and close the door on their dark room so they can rest. I prepare meals and leave them by the door. This works great for one of my daughters, who is also cat-like, but this cat tending makes my other daughter and my husband feel ignored and neglected.
Years ago, during a family meeting, we took time to really talk about our needs when we are feeling sick. We named our cat/dog preference and then we each made a list of all the ways we wanted others to care for us when we are sick. We placed this list on our refrigerator and we still pull it out every time one of us is feeling ill. This process of self-awareness and family awareness has helped us love one another better and it has given each of us the permission we need to care for ourselves in the best way possible when we need to heal and rest.
Maybe this conversation will be helpful for your family too. Are you cat-like or a dog-like or maybe a dat or a cog? It’s fine to be a little of both as long as you can name what you need. What about your kiddo(s)? Even if your family is not ready for this type of conversation, maybe, next time someone in the family is under the weather, you can observe a little more closely by asking yourself, “Am I giving them what I need or am I offering them what they need?”
In the meantime, may each of you feel vibrant and healthy this winter.
And Away We Go ~ 2nd Semester Classes Begin Monday!
- Teachers will send out new class Zoom links and information via email.
- BFPP will hold classes on Tuesday, February 2nd even though it is a teacher workday for the rest of the district.
- We appreciate your patience and grace through our registration bumps on Tuesday. We understand how frustrating it can be when things don't go according to plan.
You'll notice a few changes to the class schedule:
- We cancelled a few classes that did not have enough students enrolled: Choir (4-8) and Stories that Awaken Justice (3-5)
- We added a new section of Engineering Showcase (K-3) on Monday at 1:00
- We split Global Perspectives into two sections: 4-5th graders Friday at 2:00, 6-8th graders Friday at 11:00
Materials Pick Up & Returns
Please return first semester class materials, in a bag labelled with the class title and your student's name.
Remember: If you or someone in your household has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, please do not come onsite for supply pick up/materials distribution or any other reason until your quarantine period is over. Thank you!
Promise Tomorrow Initiative
Is your 3rd -8th grader looking for extra academic experience? The Promise Tomorrow Initiative just might meet that need. This is project–based learning at its best. Students will work in teams on projects that envision creative solutions to transition to a better world.
Their projects will take multi-disciplinary approaches to innovate technologies, designs, or plans that forge connections in their communities to create positive change. Student collaborative groups will work across grades, meet weekly, and be supported by a volunteer and supervised by the coordinator.
Sign up deadlines: Quarter 3-Feb. 4th Quarter 4-March 22
2nd Showing: A Kids Play About Racism
Watch A Kids Play About Racism! on Friday, Feb 12th. Bring the whole family to watch and stay for a facilitated discussion! Save the date and the Zoom link.
For more info on the play, download the Active Audience Guide.
The Doodler School Newspaper
Check out the First Doodler of 2021!
Included are many well crafted articles written by our amazing newspaper staff.
If you like an article, please reach out and let the writer know.
Don't forget to look for the Doodler Dude!
Scholastic Book Order
Please place your online order by Monday, February 15th.
New to ordering? Here’s how:
1. Go online to: https://clubs.scholastic.com/
2. Click on 'Connect to a Teacher' and enter our BFPP Class Code: RT8NH
3. Sign up using your student's first and last name.
4. Shop the flyers and pay online for your order. You can choose from any and all of the many different flyers available. You can choose to have your order shipped to school for free, or to your home (free with $25 purchase).
5. Choose a free book (up to $5) with a $25 purchase.
6. Please email Heidi Zollner and let her know you've ordered so we can arrange delivery of your books.
7. Books should arrive the first week of March.
Thanks for supporting the BFPP library with your purchase!
Every purchase earns us free books and other goodies for our school.
Pokémon Club -Wednesdays at 1pm
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors
BFRBs: Learn what they are and what to do about them in this resource-filled article by BFPP parent Crystal Holtzheimer. Please click below to download.
Virtual Science Field Trips from Twig
Twig Education is excited to present a series of free student-centered field trip webinars and family nights in February to entertain, inform, and inspire. Each session will be based on content from the free topical science resource Twig Science Reporter, with quizzes and prizes for the top players.
Webinar Topics include:
Robot Spiders on the Moon… and More
How Do You Track Polar Bears… and More
Recycling Plastic from Tires… and More
The Rats Detecting Landmines… and More
Register today to secure your place!
Understanding Conflict Workshops for Kids and Teens
Join the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center for their FREE virtual conflict resolution workshop series. They are offering one for younger children (7-12) and one for teens (13-18). For either series, attendees can register for one session, two, or all three.
Parents are welcome to join with their child. Please click here to register today!
Strengthening Families Program
Register here: https://bit.ly/SkagitVirtualSFP