Wade King Elementary
February 2020
A Note from the Principal
Dear Wade King Families,
The Bellingham Promise was revised last year to call out our district focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion. At Wade King, our staff has started our own inquiry into the impact of cultural identities on teaching and learning. This inquiry will likely span years as we learn, reflect, and adjust, continually moving toward more equitable and inclusive practices within our school community, as well as building our understanding and appreciation of all holidays, beliefs, traditions, and celebrations in our community and world. In the words of Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”
I recently shared my decision to stop having students bring Valentine’s Day cards to school. I truly appreciate parents who shared their perspectives, questions, and concerns with me. My decision to move away from Valentine’s Day cards does not mean that we aren’t acknowledging Valentine’s Day. It is a day that is important to some kids and families. It’s a part of who they are, and it is not my intent to take that away. At the same time, Valentine’s Day is not celebrated by every family, and isn’t a joyful day for everyone. Rather than celebrating Valentine’s Day by bringing cards to school, we will be focusing on kindness, gratitude, and friendship as part of our social-emotional learning throughout the month of February. Many grade levels will engage students in writing notes of appreciation to their classmates, creating friendship books, sharing compliments, engaging in random acts of kindness, and other friendship activities. Some of these things may happen on February 14th, but they will happen other days as well. In the name of inclusion, it is important to me that we are being respectful of everyone in our school community. Shifting our practice away from having students bring Valentine’s Day cards to school doesn’t solve that, but it’s a step toward greater equity and inclusion.
If your child is asking why we are not bringing Valentine’s Day cards to school, you could respond by letting him/her know that people who celebrate Valentine’s Day are celebrating love and friendship and there are ways to celebrate those things without Valentine’s Day cards. You might also use it as an opportunity to talk about inclusion, explaining that not all families celebrate the same holidays that your family celebrates. Together, you might consider how it would feel for your family to be at a celebration for a holiday your family doesn’t celebrate.
You might be thinking, does this mean that holidays are not going to be acknowledged at school? No. In fact, over time, I want our staff, students, and families to have a much deeper understanding of the holidays, traditions, and cultural norms that are important to Wade King families, as well as families elsewhere in Bellingham and worldwide. We can learn a lot from one another, which is an important focus of International Baccalaureate Schools like Wade King. As we move forward, we will continue to hold tight to school traditions that are equitable, inclusive, and honor our diversity, and over time re-envision those that aren’t. We are working toward making sure the things we do at Wade King are inclusive of all.
I've heard concern that by changing our practice around holidays, we are taking away 'fun.' There will continue to be opportunities to celebrate learning and have fun together, as classroom and school communities. We are in the process of starting a student leadership team, with representatives from each of our 2nd-5th grade classrooms, who will work with our Assistant Principal, Mr. Holmgren, to solve schoolwide problems that arise and plan ways for our students to have fun together. I envision this group planning monthly schoolwide community-building activities that could include a spirit day, whole school dance party, extra time with cross-age buddies, music at lunch, or other fun activities.
Finally, in the coming months, we will establish a Wade King Equity Team that will include staff and parents. This team will meet and help guide our equity work within our school. I will be looking for a few parents to join that team.
Please continue to reach out to me if you have questions or ideas.
Stephanie Johnson, Principal
Important Dates in February and March
2/13 Family Game Night & Dessert Auction in cafeteria and gym 6-8 pm (sponsored by PTA)
2/17 NO SCHOOL - President's Day
3/3 Class Picture Day
3/6 Teacher Inservice Day - NO SCHOOL for students
3/12 PTA Meeting in the Library 6-8 pm (childcare provided)
3/13 Mobile Dental Clinic in Rm 30 - am only
3/13 Talent Show 6-9pm in cafeteria (sponsored by PTA)
3/18 5th Gr Exhibition 6:30-7:30 pm
3/23 1st Gr Field Trip to Mt. Baker Theater 9:30-11:30 am (sponsored by PTA)
3/25 King Consort Performance in the Music Rm 6:30-7:30 pm
3/25 BAAY Dress Rehearsal from 2:30-3:30 pm
Salmon in our Schools
Black History Month
Family Game Night & Dessert Auction - Thanks PTA
Every year we have terrific desserts donated by Wade King families. We need your help to have as many homemade or store-bought desserts as possible to make this event a success (nothing that needs refrigeration, however). This PTA fundraiser raised $1,060 last year. Can we raise even more this year?
Please drop off your donated dessert(s) in the school office any time during the school day on February 13th. Desserts go to the highest bidder at the end of the evening (bidding starts at $10 per dessert).
If you have questions or would like to donate a dessert, please contact Annie Chin at annie.byington@gmail.com
Parent Bookshelf
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Wade King Elementary School
Email: Stephanie.Johnson@bellinghamschools.org
Website: http://wadeking.bellinghamschools.org/
Location: 2155 Yew Street Road, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 647-6840
Facebook: facebook.com/WadeKingElementary
Twitter: @WadeKingElem
Census
Did you know that April 1, 2020 is Census Day?
The U.S. Census Bureau will send you an invitation to respond online to the 2020 Census between March 12-20. Responding to the Census helps our community get its fair share of funding. Census data guides how more than $675 billion in federal funding is distributed to states and communities each year for schools, health care facilities, roads, transportation, recreation centers, social services and more.
Starting in March 2020, everyone living in your home needs to be counted. That includes children and newborn babies, citizens and non-citizens, relatives and nonrelatives, and even those staying with you temporarily. You can complete the Census online, by phone or by mail. Your responses are safe and secure. The law requires the U.S. Census Bureau to keep your information confidential, and your responses cannot be used against you in any way.
Learn more about how you can shape your future at 2020census.gov.
Safe Schools Reporting and Tip LIne
Safety Reporting and Tip Line
Students, parents or community members who have information, tips, or concerns regarding a safety issue in our schools are encouraged to text or call 844-310-9560 or visit bellinghamschools.org/safe for confidential, anonymous, two-way communication with our safety staff.