Wade King Elementary
April 2021
A Note from the Principal
Hello Wade King Families,
An important component of our I.B. Primary Years Program is reflection. Our staff engages in ongoing reflection as they teach Units of Inquiry to respond to student's questions and strengthen the learning engagements they plan. Our students also engage in ongoing reflection connected to their academic and social-emotional growth.
As our staff reflects on our experiences over the past year, there were several things that we needed to do differently because of COVID-19 that we want to hold on to as we return to a more 'normal' school experience. These are things like greater family-teacher collaboration and having the option of having family meetings via Zoom rather than in-person.
As you reflect on the school experience your child and family have had over the last year, I'm curious about things that you hope we are able to hold on to. If you are comfortable sharing, I would love to hear from you. This is also the time to share things that would be important for us to know about your child as we consider class placements for next fall. This form gives you a place to share your thinking.
As always, don't ever hesitate to connect with me if you have questions, concerns, ideas, or even great stories. I love hearing from you!
With Gratitude,
Stephanie Johnson, Principal
Important Dates For April & May 2021
4/5 to 4/9 NO SCHOOL for Spring Break
4/11 MOD Pizza PTA Fundraiser from 4-7pm (PTA Event)
4/15 Spirit Wear Orders Due (more info below)
4/22 Virtual BINGO Night at 6pm (PTA Event)
4/30 Friday Schoolwide Fun Event (more info coming soon)
4/30 Talent Show Video Clip/Photo due (more info below)
5/3, 5/4, 5/6, 5/7 Picture Day (more info below)
5/14 Parent Input for Class Placement due (more info below)
Contact Information
Stephanie Johnson (Principal) Stephanie.Johnson@bellinghamschools.org
(360) 676-6470 ext 2400 OR (360) 201-7801
Greg Holmgren (Assistant Principal) Gregory.Holmgren@bellinghamschools.org
(360) 676-6470 ext 2460 OR (360) 961-8539
Jaymie Wakefield (Counselor) Jaymie.Wakefield@bellinghamschools.org
(360) 676-6470 ext 2420 OR (360) 746-5319
Do You Need Tech Support?
Mrs. Hunter and Mrs. Anderson are always ready to help! You can also call our school office at 360-647-6840. Tell them your child's name, teacher's name, the best number to call you at, and as much detail as you can about the problem you are having.
Mrs. Hunter (Library Media Specialist)
Julie.Hunter@bellinghamschools.org
360-255-6872
Mrs. Anderson (Ed Tech Coach)
Hana.Anderson@bellinghamschools.org
360-255-2335
Wade King Wolves shared a Show and Tell Day
At the end of March, we had another Fun Friday Schoolwide Event planned by our Student Leadership Team: Show and Tell Day. Students and staff brought something to share. We had stuffies, and photos, and books, and LEGO creations, a South American flute, and even two kinds of bagpipes!
Mrs. Tipton's class shared their Show and Tell at their circle time.
Stuffies were an important part of the Show and Tell day.
Mrs. McMeel shared her bagpipes with 1st grades in front of the school.
5th Grade Exhibition
You are invited to learn from them as well.
HEALTH ATTESTATION for In-Person Learning
One way we mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission is for all of us (families and staff) to be screening our children for symptoms all the time. As students return to school after Spring Break, families will be asked to do a new online Health Attestation for each of their children. This will come in an email from our School District Communications Dept. Thanks for doing this!
If you ever have any questions about whether or not your child can come to school, don't hesitate to call our office at 360-647-6840. We're here to help!
MOD Pizza PTA Fundraiser - April 11th
Here is how it works:
You can participate with Take-Out, Delivery, or Pick up.
- You can order from the MOD pizza website- use the promo code "GR184985W" so 20% is donated back to our PTA.
- OR...as a walk-in order by going to 2925 Newmarket St - be sure to mention you are with the Wade King PTA before placing your order so our PTA gets 20%!
This is a delicious way to support our Wade King PTA.
PTA Virtual BINGO Night - April 22nd at 6pm
Bellingham Community Meals - April 24th
Announcing Our WK Virtual Talent Show!
- Video clips need to be 60 seconds or less.
- Students who wish to sing songs must do so acapella or have accompaniment (pre-recorded, karaoke or live instrument). No lip-synching.
- If an act includes music, parents should support students in choosing music with content that is appropriate for all ages.
You have until Friday, April 30th to submit your video. You can email it to WadeKing.SocialMedia@BellinghamSchools.org OR text it to Mrs. Johnson at (360) 201-7801.
Class and Individual Picture Day is coming up in May!
Do you know an incoming KINDERGARTENER?
Parent Input for Next Fall
Spirit Wear - One More Chance to Order... until April 15th
If you would like to support a student with a scholarship for a t-shirt, create a separate order for the scholarship t-shirt and type 'scholarship' in the 'notes to seller' section. We will adjust the size later if a scholarship recipient needs a different size.
News from Ms. Wakefield, School Counselor
If you are noticing new or increasing symptoms of anxiety in your child, you are not alone. Many, even most, of our students are thriving being back at school. They have craved interaction and face-to-face connection, and we see so much joy! And, we are in the midst of a pandemic. Many of our students are feeling the shift and changes and may feel the undercurrent of worry or apprehension. And let’s face it, continuous change, even wanted change, can be anxiety-inducing for many of us, our students included.
I am reading this book and I am really enjoying it: Freeing Your Child From Anxiety by Dr. Tamar Chansky. This books aligns with how I address student’s anxiety while at school; the approach is clear, concise, and based in research and best (effective) practice. The book has some heft to it. Like any good book on strategies, you get the “why” behind the strategies. This book is balanced in both understanding the nature of anxiety AND the strategies on how to address anxiety. What I especially enjoy about this book is that it goes beyond ways to reassure a child; it helps you teach your child how to reassure themselves. Overall a much more effective long-term strategy. The strategies guide children to be critical of their “worry brains” and instead learn how to truly assess anxiety-provoking situations.
“Kids don’t have to stop the thoughts. They simply need to change their relationship with their thoughts. The more your child can learn to trust themselves, and not their anxiety, the more they will be able to put the worry thoughts aside.”
I have 4 copies of this book coming and they should be available for check out by this Friday. Please let me or Stephanie Johnson know if you would like a copy to borrow.
Ms. Wakefield's ZOOM Office Hours - WEDNESDAYS from 10-11am
Students and families are encouraged to join Ms. Wakefield for her Zoom office hours.
Join with this link!
Mrs. Wakefield's Virtual Counseling Office
Confidential Counseling Connection Form
Wade King Clubs WEDNESDAY Mornings
Mrs. Bergquist, Mrs. Barclay, and Mr. Jim help facilitate Wednesday Clubs at Wade King. This is a great opportunity for students to connect with friends. The topics will rotate and are always posted for the following week in our Friday News for Kids. The topics below are for next week.
Wednesdays...
Use this Zoom link to join ANY of these clubs… https://bellinghamschools.zoom.us/j/86382618934
Kindergarten, 1st Grade, & 2nd Grade Clubs
Lego/Building Club from 9:15am-9:45am
Drawing Club from 10:45am-11:15am
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Clubs
Lego/Building Club from 10:00am-10:30am
Drawing Spring Flowers Club from 11:30am-12:00pm
4th and 5th Graders are invited to Yeti!
Wednesdays at 9:00-9:30am with Mrs. Hunter.
Check your Seesaw for the Zoom link and planned activity for the week.
Meal Boxes... WEDNESDAYS 4:00-5:30pm
Weekly meal box distribution has returned to Wednesdays at the regular 21 locations. Wade King is one of those locations! Drive through our pick up/drop off loop for a FREE 7-day meal box for each child in your family.
If you need additional support, please contact the Family Resource Center now by filling out the help form or calling 360-676-6456. Visit their website for more information on times and locations.
Pandemic EBT Funds
Pandemic EBT 2.0 is now here!
If you haven't already done so, families are encouraged to apply for free and reduced priced meals, making them automatically eligible for P-EBT 2.0. This EBT program provides additional support during the pandemic. Go to bellinghamschools.org/food-services for the free and reduced price meal online application.
If you have questions about the free/reduced price meal application, call 360-676-6572. All questions related to the P-EBT should be directed to 833-518-0282
¡Ya está aquí el EBT de la Pandemia 2.0!
Para más apoyo durante la pandemia, invitamos a que las familias apliquen para el lonche reducido o gratuito si es que aún no lo han hecho para este ciclo escolar, haciéndolos elegibles para el P-EBT 2.0. Vaya a bellinghamschools.org/food-services para llenar el formato en línea de la aplicación de lonche reducido gratuito.
Para asistencia con la aplicación del lonche reducido o gratuito, por favor llame al 360-676-6456. Todas las preguntas sobre la elegibilidad para el P-EBT pueden ser dirigidas al centro de contacto de P-EBT al 833-518-0282.
Ways to Help Our PTA Earn Money
Another way to help our PTA earn money is by linking your Fred Meyers Reward card to Wade King PTA 8.3.37. A percentage of your spending goes right back to our PTA and it does not impact your other rewards.
Safe Schools 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.
Multi-Language Message Line
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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