BFPP NEWS - Special Edition
Friday, January 28th
Principal's Corner
Dear BFPP Families,
This is a special edition newsletter that focuses on Second Semester, our new enrichment schedule format, registration, LEO (Learning Experience ON-LINE) and bringing families back to campus! There is a lot in this newsletter and we are excited to share it all with you. Happy reading!
-Dr. K
The New Enrichment Class Schedule Format
- We heard your feedback from surveys and LPs….there is a desire for deeper learning and extended learning opportunities
- We also heard that having kids on campus for bigger stretches of time would be helpful
- We agree and also feel that urgency
- So, we are offering a new and innovative schedule!
- This schedule includes 1 hour enrichment classes as well as some 3-hour extended learning experiences
- We continue to provide choice and option through format with in-person, Zoom and Excursion types of classes
Some features to notice with the new schedule format:
- There are options for families to choose longer or shorter class sessions depending on their learners' needs; includes 1 hour enrichment classes as well as some 3-hour extended learning experiences
- There are still multi-age/grade offerings
- The varied classes are similar to what has been offering in the past, amazing and fun one hour courses
- We continue to provide choice and option through format with in-person, Zoom and Excursion types of classes
- The course on Monday and Wednesday will be for different groups of students, allowing for more students to have the opportunity for deeper/longer learning sessions. Please only sign up for one of these per week.
Registration
Spring 2022 Registration Window
Day 1: 2/2, WEDNESDAY- 8am-11pm, Sign up for 1 class
Day 2: 2/3, THURSDAY- 8am-12pm, Sign up for 2 classes; Three classes total
Day 2: 2/3, THURSDAY- After 12:30pm-3pm OPEN ENROLLMENT
The rational behind this structure is to allow families their first choice enrichment class. On DAY 1, we hope to ensure that everyone gets their first choice class. On DAY 2, families may sign up for two more classes during the morning registration window. And the new OPEN ENROLLMENT, which occurs at the end of DAY 2, is a pilot. We want to allow families access to any additional enrichment classes that they think will supplement their home learning program. With OPEN ENROLLMENT, some considerations would be:
The purpose of the enrichment classes is to supplement your home learning program
How many classes feels like a sustainable load to your family schedule?
How often are you Zooming or coming to campus; does this support your home learning goals?
Are you allowing enough time and transition to support the rhythms and routines of your learner?
In our experience, we've seen that the "right-fit-for-most" is no more than 2 class days on campus for our younger learners and 3 class days on campus for our older learners
Talk to your LP for further information and insight
Also, we will look at wait lists to make adjustments and if you want an out-of-grade-level placement. Those changes are made AFTER the registration window and those requests go to your Learning Partner. Finally, if you have any thoughts or ideas about classes we should be creating, please share those with your Learning Partner. We are always tending to great ideas and we welcome your partnership in all these processes.
AL*e login information is at the bottom of this and every newsletter. We recommend you try logging in and looking at the available courses before the registration. Doing so ahead of time helps us problem solve any issues.
LEO (Learning Experience ON-LINE) Registration
Semester 2 Registration and Information
Families need to register for K-8 LEO (Learning Experiences Online) courses for second semester as LEARNERS WILL NOT BE AUTOMATICALLY REGISTERED FOR 2nd SEMESTER
LEO COURSES.
Courses included are:
- K-2 LEO: Using Seesaw, Dreambox, Lexia
- 3-8 LEO: Using Edgenuity (Please see the attached document which provides a brief description of each course).
Please use the following link to register: REGISTRATION LINK
Grades 3-8 Edgenuity Semester 2 Courses will open on Friday, 2/4/22.
WA State History: Connect with your LP if you want your 7th or 8th grader to take the LEO WA History course for second semester. You can register your student here: REGISTRATION LINK
Please fill out one form per student that you wish to enroll.
Questions?
Please reach out to your Learning Plan Partner for general questions or to one of the following members from our LEO Team for specific questions regarding the online platforms.
END DATE IN THE COURSE MAP FOR EDGENUITY GRADES 3-8:
Families, please know that even though your student’s course map shows the last due date of 1/27/22 for their last assignment, they have access until end of day on 2/1/22. They can keep working and all of their work will be submitted and saved as usual.
Janie Overman Janie.overman@bellinghamschools.org
Jim Diacogiannis james.diacogiannis@bellinghamschools.org
Erin McCarthy erin.mccarthy@bellinghamschools.org
Randy Leventhal Randy.Leventhal@BellinghamSchools.org
FAMILIES RETURNING TO THE CAMPUS!!!
We are very excited to announce that we will be able to start having families back on campus. We have waited a long time to ensure that we can do so safely, all the while fully appreciating how it is vital to our mission and vision; we are a Family Partnership Program after all!
Here is the link to the Bellingham Public Schools volunteer paperwork: https://bellinghamschoolsvolunteers.myschooldata.net/
And a link to the webpage with more information on the process:
Connection Parenting Group
When: Wednesdays beginning March 2nd from 10- 11:30 am for eight weeks
Where: In Person at BFPP
Who: 8-10 BFPP community members looking for community connection and new parenting tools. Facilitated by BFPP school counselor, Erica Wolverton.
How: Send your YES to erica.wolverton@bellinghamschools.org
Dear Community,
If you strive to live your healthiest, most creative parenting life and you are looking for a place where you are seen and valued, consider joining us in community in The Connection Parenting Group, in-person.
The Connection Parenting Group is a carefully facilitated group of parents coming together to learn new parenting tools and to share the parenting journey in a safe and supported community. During our six weeks together, we will:
- Meet in-person every Monday/Wednesday, beginning Feb. 28th/March 2nd from 1-2:30 or 10:00am – 11:30am for eight weeks.
- Learn or revisit skills such as: emotional and self-regulation strategies for kids and adults, recognizing and managing “flipped lids”, organizing family meetings, realistic self-care and much more.
- Get grounded in practical tools inspired by Jane Nelson (Positive Discipline), Mark Bracket (Permission to Feel), Dan Siegel (Brainstorm), and Brene Brown.
- Create accountability partners to help set intentions as you learn, practice and implement new skills.
- Get real about the parenting journey by acknowledging the difficult parts and celebrating the joys.
- Here is what the past Connection Parenting members said about our last Connection Parenting Group:
“I was hesitant to give up time and be in a room with a group of parents each week, and learned it was a freaking highlight of my week, each week! I am ecstatic I attended, learned tons, feel my family will benefit from the workshop a lot even though they didn't even attend, and I feel I became a better person. :)”
“It was beautiful. I feel more connected to my school community. Erica put her heart and soul into nurturing us all.”
“It was wonderful and so worth it to take the time out for myself and to learn valuable tools that have helped me in my everyday life.”
“The Connection Parenting Group felt: magical, safe, amazing, supportive, inspiring, connected, grounded….”
If this sounds supportive and you are ready to say yes, please consider the following:
- This will be a closed group of 8-10 people.
- Each workshop will invite active engagement. You will need to carve out time and space just for you for the full 1.5 hours for all eight weeks.
- Creating and maintaining community is one of the main intentions for this group, which means we will use a variety of interactive tools and strategies to engage with one another.
If you are ready to RSVP simply reach out with a YES in an email to erica.wolverton@bellinghamschools.org and I will get you all set up with the necessary details. If you have further questions, please ask.
I can’t wait to gather with you.
Warmly,
Erica Wolverton
Upcoming Events
Tues. Feb. 1st-Feb. 4th: Mid-Year Learning Plan Partner Check Ins
Wed. Feb. 2nd & Thurs. Feb. 3rd: Enrichment Class Registration
Mon. Feb. 7th: Quarter 3/Semester 2 First Day of Enrichment Classes