Wade King Elementary
November 2020
A Note from the Principal
Hello Wade King Families,
This week, we welcomed many of our students in kindergarten and students supported by our K-2nd grade Life Skills program into the building. It has been a fantastic few days and confirmed that it is the little people who bring JOY to our school community. They are excited to be at school and did an amazing job wearing their masks and washing their hands often. The photos below will give you a glimpse into their day. There is also a Bellingham School District video 'Returning to School' that you might find helpful in picturing how their school day is both similar and different from a student's day pre-COVID-19. It answers the most frequently asked questions families have had about returning to school. If you haven't watched it, I encourage you to check it out.
At this time, Dr. Baker has shared that our first graders and students who are supported by our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Life Skills program will be returning to in-person learning on November 12th. Over time, we anticipate bringing more students back to school, but there are no set return dates.
With Gratitude,
Stephanie Johnson, Principal
Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Holmgren welcome students to school.
Thank you to our wonderful PTA for all the cheerful chalk messages!
Ms. Hall's class is practicing leaving space to be safe.
Mrs. Barclay helps students at recess.
Students' belongings are kept separate.
Students learn from specialists who visit their classroom.
Important Dates For Fall
NEW DAY: Food and Library Book Pick Up Day will be Tuesdays for the rest of November.
November 2nd (Monday) - First Day of In-Person School for Kinders & K-2 Students Supported by Life Skills
November 6th (Friday) - NO SCHOOL for Teacher Collaboration & Learning Day
November 10th (Tuesday) - Food Pick-Up 4:00-5:30pm and Library Book Pick-Up 4:00-6:00pm
November 11th (Wednesday) - NO SCHOOL for Veteran's Day
November 12th (Thursday) - First Day of In-Person School for 1st Graders & 3-5 Students Supported by Life Skills
November 12th (Thursday) - Parent Connect with Jaymie Wakefield, counselor 4:30-5:30pm (more info below)
November 17th (Tuesday) - Food Pick-Up 4:00-5:30pm and Library Book Pick-Up 4:00-6:00pm
November 24 (Tuesday) - Food Pick-Up 4:00-5:30pm and Library Book Pick-Up 4:00-6:00pm
November 26th & 27th (Thursday & Friday) - NO SCHOOL for Thanksgiving
November 30th (Monday) - MOD Pizza PTA Fundraiser from 4:30-6:30pm
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
Curious About Returning to School... The Most Frequently Asked Questions
Wade King Family Handbook 2020-21
Attendance is Taken Daily
Teachers who are teaching in-person AND teachers who are teaching remotely are taking attendance at the beginning of every day. We do this for both safety and accountability reasons.
If a student is learning remotely and unable to online learning times, please connect with their teacher. We expect them to engage in the off-line activities the best they can. If a student is unable to attend online learning times and unable to engage in the off-line activities, he/she will be marked absent for the day.
If a student is learning in-person, and unable to attend school, please call our office to let us know... 360-647-6840 ext. 1.
Students who are learning in-person learning, can NOT come to school if they are not feeling well or have any of the following symptoms:
- Fever (100.4° F or higher) or chills
- Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Sore throat, nasal congestion or runny nose
- Recent loss of taste or smell
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Unusual fatigue
Our SchoolMessenger system will begin sending out attendance calls/texts for those with unexcused absences. To avoid receiving these attendance calls, please call the school at 360-647-6840 ext. 1, and excuse an absence as early in the day as possible in advance of these call-out times.
On Wednesdays, ALL students learn remotely. ALL teachers take attendance during the online class meeting at 8:30am and students are expected to engage in teacher-directed learning throughout the day.
Follow these basic tips to help your student maintain good attendance:
- Help your child get into the habit of regular routines for both sleeping and eating.
- Teach your child that attending school is non-negotiable, even during the pandemic, unless they are truly sick.
- Reach out for additional support if needed. Your child's teachers, principals, and counselors are there to help!
Parent Connect with Mrs. Wakefield is Back!
Mrs. Wakefield, our school counselor, invites you to join her via Zoom on Thursday, November 12th from 4:30-5:30pm. This is a time to connect with other families and share concerns and ideas with each other as we navigate remote learning. Our guided topic this afternoon will be “Motivating Students To Engage With Remote Learning.” We invite you to bring your ideas, concerns, challenges, successful strategies, and victories to share with one another. If you are unable to attend at this time but hope to access strategies and resources that are shared, please email Stephanie Johnson, Principal, or Jaymie Wakefield, Counselor, and we will be happy to share those with you after the meeting.
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
Apply for Promise K 2021
Do you have a child entering kindergarten next year who is not currently in preschool?
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 elementary schools within our district. The sites for 2021 are not yet determined. This program will focus on basic academic and social skills to help qualifying students get a jumpstart toward success in school. The estimated start date is Jan. 25, 2021. Promise K will follow the district calendar; the last day of the school year is currently June 18, 2021.
The strategic plan for BPS, The Bellingham Promise, compels us to do all we can in support of all students at every level of education. One of our key strategies is to enhance and invest in early childhood learning opportunities. We believe offering Promise Kindergarten is a positive and critical step in helping your child transition into our schools and start his/her journey to becoming a lifelong learner.
If your child qualifies and you are interested in enrolling him or her into our Promise K program, please fill out the application online.
If you have any questions, please contact Kristin.Newberry@bellinghamschools.org or call 360-676-6488.
Join our Wade King PTA
The Wade King PTA, or Parent-Teacher Association, is going strong even though we are not together in the school building. Our school community is supported by our PTA in many ways. Please consider checking out our PTA website and/or becoming a member. There are lots of ways to volunteer but becoming a member does not commit you to volunteering. Just being a member of our PTA is a way to show your support!
PTA MOD Pizza Fundraiser - Monday, November 30th
You can support our PTA by having dinner from MOD Pizza on Monday, November 30th between 4:30-6:30pm. Order during that time and let their staff know you are part of Wade King and a percentage of your bill will be donated to our Wade King PTA. You can 'Commit to Eat' right now with this link.
Family Resource Center
If you are in need of these items, email our counselor Jaymie Wakefield, or call the Family Resource Center at (360) 676-6523. If you know a family in need, please share this information with them. We also encourage you to contact the Family Resource Center if you are able to make a donation.
Holiday Support
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 - Julie.Hunter@bellinghamschools.org
360-255-6972
Mrs. Anderson - Hana.Anderson@bellinghamschools.org
360-255-2335
UPDATE Your Contact Information
If you have not yet updated your family contact information online, please do! This ensures that we have the most recent information on your child and can easily reach you.
If you have not yet done this, please log into the Family Access system. Go to Skyward Family Access to update any changes in your personal information (such as address, primary phone, work phone, and emergency contacts).
SKYLERT: Managing your preferences for for how we contact you
Health Update
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.
Stay In Touch... LIKE US... FOLLOW US...
Stay Connected on Social Media...
How many LIKES and FOLLOWERS can we get?
On Facebook, LIKE US at Wade King Elementary and Wade King PTA
On Instagram, FOLLOW US at wade_king_elementary and @wade_king_pta
On Twitter, FOLLOW US at WadeKingEl
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