Cordata Elementary School
February 2019 Newsletter
Promise Kindergarten opens at Cordata
Promise K is in its sixth year in Bellingham Public Schools. It is a free, full-day early entrance kindergarten for children who are scheduled to enter their full year of kindergarten in the upcoming fall. The program focuses on basic academic and social skills to help qualifying students get a jump start towards success in school. We are excited to host a Promise K classroom at Cordata this year!
How much screen time is too much screen time???
Have you noticed that your child is super motivated by access to computer and video games?
Have you ever wondered what is the right amount of screen time for your kids?
Do you worry about the impact of media is on their learning or brain development?
Media should work for you and work within your family values and parenting style. When media is used thoughtfully and appropriately, media can enhance daily life. But when used inappropriately or without thought, media can displace many important activities such as face-to-face interaction, family-time, outdoor-play, exercise, unplugged downtime and sleep.
The influence of digital media on the psychological and social development of children is profound. Thus, it is important for parents to carefully monitor our children's exposure to media and to provide guidance on age-appropriate use of all media, including television, radio, music, video games and the Internet. But, what is appropriate for your children?
Cordata will host a family engagement workshop on Media Use and Young Children. Join us for an informative session for parents to learn about current research and recommendations for media exposure by age of the child, how to create a family plan for media use, tips and resources for evaluating and managing media in the home.
When?: Tuesday night February 19th, Free dinner and child-care provided 6:00-8:30 PM.
Who?/: Alison Bonner M.ed
Parenting Educator at Whatcom Community College
Student Cell Phone Policy
First, we strongly encourage students to leave cell phones and other devices at home. We can not be responsible for lost or damaged electronics when students bring them to school. With that said, we do understand that some families rely on these devices for communication and safety outside of school hours. If that is the case for your child, below are the guidelines that we will expect all children to follow:
- Cell phones and other electronic devices must be left out of sight, in backpacks, and silenced throughout the school day. They are not allowed to be used in classrooms, on the playground, in the cafeteria, or in other areas of the school.
- If there is a need for parents/guardians to contact students, or students to contact their families, this must be done through the main office.
- If a student is using a device, or if it is audible during class time, the teacher will ask the student to place the device in a designated envelope and walk it down to the office.
- We will hold the device in the office for safe keeping.
- For a first offense, the child may pick up the device at the end of the school day. For subsequent offenses, we will contact parents/guardians for pick-up.
If you have any questions, please contact us in the Cordata office at 360-676-6461.
Cooking with Common Threads
A message from Margo, our wonderful garden educator:
Classes in all grades are enjoying monthly cooking lessons through March 12th. This month, our student chefs will prepare and taste Three Sisters Stew, a traditional and contemporary Native American dish made with squash, corn, beans and more. Keep a lookout for recipes coming home and visit https://commonthreadsfarm.org/recipes/ for more!
We are going to have a Garden Work Party to add compost, weed, and prune on Saturday, March 23rd. Come anytime between 1pm and 4pm to help prepare for spring gardening! As always, if you’re interested in getting involved, please contact me: margo@commonthreadsfarm.org.
Mark your calendars - UPCOMING DATES
Feb. 14 Valentines day - see below for information about Valentines celebrations
Feb. 18 - No school – President’s Day
Feb. 19 - 6:00 - 8:30 pm - Family Engagement Evening - Media Use and Young Children
Feb. 22 – Friendship Day Assembly
March 1 – PTA Family Fun Night – Crafts & Ice Cream Social
March 4 – Class Pictures
A note about Valentine celebrations
For these reasons, I strongly encourage you, if you and your child decide to distribute Valentine cards and notes, to do so without candy. Children will not be consuming Valentine candy while at school, but will take it home so that parents can help them take any necessary precautions. Thanks for your help and consideration!
Cordata PTA News
Contact Cordata Elementary
Email: analisa.ficklin@bellinghamschools.org
Website: http://cordata.bellinghamschools.org
Location: 4420 Aldrich Road, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: 360-676-6461
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CordataElementary/
Contact the Cordata PTA
Email: cordatapta@outlook.com
Location: 4420 Aldrich Road, Bellingham, WA 98226
Facebook: facebook.com/cordatapta