MGP Family Newsletter
November 2021
PTA Trunk or Treat is Tonight!
Vote BGPS Levy November 2nd
Veteran's Day Assembly November 10th
We would LOVE to include photos and short videos of our students thanking a Veteran they know. Click the BUTTON below to upload a picture or video.
Please join us for this recognition assembly on November 10!
4th Graders announce Wildcat Winners
In 3rd Grade Science
In 4th Grade News
Mr. Anderson's class just sent their first batch of Pen Pal letters up to 4th grade students at Lummi Nation School (an elementary school near Bellingham with students from the Lummi Tribe). Their goal is to connect with friends from a different cultural background and learn how we are similar/different. Since one of the big 4th grade history standards is understanding indigenous people who were first in this region, they thought it would be fun to learn more about this tribe. :) AWESOME!
Ms. Uribe's Music News
In music class, students have been building community and ensemble skills through singing, movement, playing games, instruments and more. Students have music once a week, with a rotating “bonus” class on Wednesday.
To support National Bullying Prevention Month, we sing “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars. After singing this song, students engage in class and small group discussions about friendship, what kind of friend we want to be, the value of kindness and belonging. In music we have a saying: “Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and included.”
Some of our older grades have also had discussions on the importance of what it means to be an upstander, not a bystander when they witness bullying. One of the lines in the song, “We find out what we’re made of, when we are called to help our friends in need,” really speaks to that concept. A third grader made that connection. A fourth grader spoke about how especially if it’s a “popular kid” who was doing the bullying, it might be hard to stand up for the victim, but it’s important to still do the right thing and help that person.
As this year continues, it’s heartwarming to hear our Wildcats speak about the qualities of true friendship, while connecting to this tried and true piece of music. How students communicate with each other and how they connect to this song with fidelity and integrity is a really powerful thing to witness.
Tom Petty said: “Music is probably the only real magic I have encountered in my life. There’s not some trick involved with it. It’s pure and it’s real. It moves, it heals, it communicates. It does all these incredible things.”
I feel so lucky every day to make music with these incredible young people. It’s truly an honor to witness their growth in this way year after year. Thank you!
An update from the Art room!
I am so excited to be able to display our AMAZING dots that students have been working on from our International Dot Day celebration in September. Students made MANY dots, and then chose their favorite to display on our wall. EVERY student made a dot to add, celebrating the creativity from the many different artistic styles we have in the school!
Staff even celebrated Dot Day by joining me for our MG Staff Art Club to create dots to add to the wall! Check out how great our school dots look all together!
Check back in the next family newsletter to see how students FALL into art!
Art On!!
Upcoming Events
1-HR Late Starts for Teacher Collaboration: 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1, 12/8, 12/15
PTA Trunk or Treat: Friday, October 29 from 6:00-8:00 PM in the MGP Parking Lot
No School, November 11: Veteran's Day
No School November 24, 25, 26: Thanksgiving Break
No School December 20 - 3: Winter Break
School Resumes on January 3
Aspire/Hi Cap Referral Window Open
Aspire referral window open through Dec. 3
Battle Ground Public Schools is accepting referrals to test students for the highly capable Aspire program. Aspire is designed for students in grades 1-12 who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels as demonstrated by one or more of the multiple criteria specified by the state (WAC 392-127-035). The district is accepting referral packets through Dec. 3.
Testing for Aspire takes place in January and February. Identified students will receive services beginning next school year, 2022-2023. Parents who submit the student referral packet by Dec. 3 will be notified by mail of the time and dates testing will occur at their school. Referral packets are available now on the school district’s website (http://www.battlegroundps.org/aspireadvanced-placement). For more information about the Aspire program, please contact (360) 885-5426 or (360) 885-5455.
New Covid Screening Flow Chart
We have been notified of some changes to the COVID-19 requirements for when a student must isolate or test before returning to school. A new, DOH-Flowchart is available for you below. The new flowchart distinguishes between more severe symptoms and those that are less severe, which should reduce the number of students asked to isolate. Certain types of symptoms require self-isolating for 24 hours if symptoms resolve, and others require a negative COVID-19 test to return to school, or a longer self-isolation while waiting for symptoms to resolve.