Wade King Elementary
January 2021
A Note from the Principal
Hello Wade King Families,
2020 was a most unusual year and gave us opportunities to do many things in different ways. As I reflected on the year during winter break, I was reminded of the incredible technology skills that our students and staff have developed, the strong collaboration we established between families and teachers, the creative thinking our teachers have done to teach virtually and to teach in-person in ways that mitigate risk, and the grace we've given each other as we navigated teaching and learning in entirely new ways. Moving forward, there are some things from 2020 that we will want to hold on to... and some things we'll be excited to see go away!
I hope winter break gave you an opportunity to carry on some of your family's winter traditions, even if you had to do them in a different way this year, and that you are ready for a new year. As we move into 2021, I am excited that we will soon be able to offer in-person learning for the rest of our students. On December 16th, Governor Inslee had a press conference regarding preK-12 schools and bringing more students back for in-person instruction. He shared revised guidelines from the Washington state Department of Health and encouraged districts to continue bringing back more students for in-person learning. Our Superintendent, Dr. Baker, also shared some reflections and his thinking after that press release. Then, on December 20th, the Whatcom Health Department also released updated guidance on reopening schools. Our leadership team is using this information to plan for the rest of our staff and students to safely return to in-person learning. Today, Dr. Baker announced that our 2nd graders will be able to return to in-person learning on January 14th and we are looking forward to the return of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade soon.
It has been fantastic to have many of our kindergarten and first-grade students back at school, along with some of our students supported by the life skills program and within our Internet Cafe. I am thrilled to be able to start in-person learning for our 2nd graders on January 14th. We have strong protocols in place to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 being transmitted and those protocols have not stopped school from being a joyful place to learn and interact with peers. The pictures below will give you a glimpse into our in-person school day. These students bring us great joy each day and I can't wait to have more of our students back in the building!
Each time we are able to offer in-person learning to a new grade level, or group of students, we know there are some families that will want to continue to have their child continue learning at home. When that time comes for your child's grade to return to school, our staff will share your other options with you so that you have the information you need to make the best decision for your child. I'm grateful that we are able to offer several options to our families.
As always, don't ever hesitate to connect with me if you have questions, concerns, ideas, or great stories. I love hearing from you!
With Gratitude,
Stephanie Johnson, Principal
Important Dates For January & February 2021
1/4 Welcome Back! Classes resume virtually and in-person
1/7 2nd Grade Parent In-Person Info Mtg via Zoom at 3pm - optional
1/13 Supply pick-up for 4th grade only 7:30am-6:00pm
1/14 In-Person Learning begins for 2nd Graders
1/18 NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
1/25 1st Day of Promise Kindergarten
2/2 NO SCHOOL - End of Semester
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
HEALTH ATTESTATION for In-Person Learning
One of the ways we keep our students and staff safe, who are learning in-person, is with our Health Attestation. Families with children who are learning in-person at school, will need to periodically fill out our online Health Attestation to show their commitment to checking their child daily for symptoms of illness and keeping symptomatic children home from school. If a student comes to school with any symptoms, they will be assessed by our office staff in consultation with our school nurse, and are almost always sent home.
Wade King Family Handbook 2020-21
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
Paper Airplane Club from 11:30am-12:00pm
4th and 5th Graders are invited to Get Ready to Yeti!
Wednesdays at 9:00-9:30am starting THIS WEEK with Mrs. Hunter.
The link was posted to Seesaw on January 4th.
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.
Holiday Support Response Was Wonderful! THANK YOU!
The Wade King PTA and I are pleased to share that the generous donations from our Wade King community allowed us to successfully provide gift cards to ALL 23 families in need of holiday support. With your contributions, we were able to provide meals for our families and gifts for 45 children. Thank you to our amazing community for supporting one another in these unique times!
In Gratitude,
Jaymie Wakefield, School Counselor
PTA Meeting - January 14th at 7:30pm
The Wade King PTA is going strong... virtually... and they hope you will join their next meeting to share your ideas for family engagement. Do you have ideas for a virtual family night? How could the PTA help families connect with one another?
Join us on Thursday, January 14th via Zoom to share your ideas and/or hear the ideas of others. The Zoom link for the meeting will be posted on the Wade King PTA website the day of the meeting. Hope to see you online!
If you haven't yet joined our PTA, you can learn more about our PTA and even become a member by visiting their website.
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.
Promise Kindergarten Applications Are Still Being Accepted - but time is running out!
Do you have a child entering kindergarten next year who is not currently in preschool? It's not too late to apply! Promise K starts towards the end of January, so please turn in your application asap to be considered.
Bellingham Public Schools (BPS) provides a free, early entrance kindergarten, called Promise Kindergarten or Promise K for children who are scheduled to enter kindergarten in fall 2021.
Our Promise K program will run from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in several elementary schools within our district.
If your child qualifies and you are interested in enrolling him or her into our Promise K program, please fill out the application online. There is one final assessment date, January 6th, before the program starts. Your application must be in prior to that date in order to schedule an assessment appointment.
If you have any questions, please contact Kristin.Newberry@bellinghamschools.org or call 360-676-6488.
Parent Connect & Conversation with Ms. Wakefield - January 14th at 4:30 pm
You are invited to join Ms. Wakefield on January 14th for Parent Connect and Conversation. I am hearing "post-Zoom meltdown" theme from many of our families. This will be a time for us to share challenges, seek support and ideas, and celebrate wins. Bring your questions and concerns, and I will offer resources and strategies around remote learning stamina and how to manage those big meltdowns. I will also have some resources around childhood anxiety and how to answer worry when that worry is real! I look forward to connecting in January. I also available for one of one conversations and support anytime, feel free to reach out via email or call me at 360-647-6840 or 360-746-5319
You will find us at this Zoom link.
Mrs. Wakefield's ZOOM Office Hours - Wednesdays from 10-11am
Join with this link!
Mrs. Wakefield's Virtual Counseling Office
Confidential Counseling Connection Form
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.
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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