BFPP NEWS
Friday, May 13th, 2022
Principal's Corner
I just got done sending my Learning Plan Partners a note regarding our last few weeks together and the work we have left. I titled the note "Almost there!". We are in the last inning stretch, the final mile, the closing ceremony, and final act of the 2021-22 academic year....and it is time for a a pep talk, some celebrations and things to look forward to.
- Help us with regular weekly check ins and those last few monthly reviews. This is part of state requirements, funding and compliance, plus the best way for us to support you and your learners.
- Staff are working hard to develop an enrichment schedule for next year. Our plan is to build a schedule for the year, publish it soon and hold registration in June.
- We'll also be drafting learning plans for next year and asking for curriculum requests. Be in touch with your LPP.
- So many community events and fun stuff are in the next few weeks, check for emails and calendar reminders!
We got this BFPP, see it to the end and finish strong. - Dr. K
Get out your calendar!
Below, you'll find info on these BFPP events:
- Kindergarten Open Houses - 5/16 & 5/23
- State Assessments at BFPP/Library closed for testing - 5/16-5/20
- Low Tide Exploration at Larrabee State Park - 5/17
- Children on the Autism Spectrum: Family Support Group *on Zoom - 5/18
- iReady Assessment Window for K-2nd graders - 5/18-6/10
- Pep Talks Workshop in-person - 5/18
- Mountain School for 5th & 6th graders - 5/25
- Spring Craft Fair - 5/26
Kindergarten Open House
May 16th 11:00-1:00 p.m. OR May 23rd 11:00-1:00 p.m.
We are thrilled to welcome your family to our Kindergarten Open House!
Between 11:00-1:00 p.m. you will have an opportunity to meet some of the Bellingham Family Partnership folks such as other families, our teachers, our principal Dr. Kate Baehr, and other community members.
During the Open House you can expect:
- A tour of the building
- A chance to see students in action
- Time for your kids to play outside on the playground with other children
- Time for parents to connect with other new families and seasoned families
- An opportunity to ask questions and dream big for your family and child’s kindergarten experience
We invite you to bring a picnic lunch and blanket and join us on the field for casual conversation and connection.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Sammy Cousens and check out our BFPP Welcome Guide and Early Learner's Archive to get a feel for our early learning philosophy at BFPP.
Library Closure for State Testing
During the week of May 16th-20th the BFPP Library and Explorer Room will be closed from 12pm-3pm for the Smarter Balance Assessment (SBA). Thank you for your understanding.
Low Tide Exploration: Tues. May 17th 1-3pm
A hidden world will be revealed during this -3 tide!! Join Teacher Randy for this low tide exploration on Tuesday May 17th from 1 – 3pm on the beach at Larrabee State Park.
Be sure to dress for the weather, and wear sturdy shoes. A Discover Pass is needed to park at the park. No RSVP required, and consider lingering before or after with a picnic!
Children on the Autism Spectrum: Family Support Group
A new family support group is starting this Spring facilitated by Kate Baehr and Carrie Vining. Our intention for this group is to facilitate an opportunity to gather, make connections, share resources, and find ways to build community from our experiences. We recognize that this is a short amount of time for such a big topic, however we hope to plant the seed for relationships and support to form outside of this group.
We will meet on the following Wednesdays from 11:00-12:00 on Zoom:
- May 18th
- June 1st
We hope to see you there! Please email to rsvp and get the zoom link: Carrie.Vining@bellinghamschools.org
i-Ready Assessment Opportunity for K-2 Students
The K-2 Foundational Skills Literacy Assessment window is open May 16- June 10! By having your student take the assessment each time the window is open, you will have the opportunity to see their growth in the Family Report you receive.
iReady open office hours to help you log in or answer questions:
- Monday May 16 @ 10:30-11:30am
- Monday May 23rd @ 10:30-11:30am
- Wednesday May 25th @ 10:30-11:30am
- Monday June 6th @ 12:30-1:30
Zoom link: https://bellinghamschools.zoom.us/my/carrieviningbfpp
Pep Talk Workshop
Wednesday, May 18th --PEP Talk: A Time to Reconnect to the Vulnerable Work of Homeschooling-- at 11-12pm at BFPP
Need a pep talk and a place to connect with others who are doing the vulnerable work of home schooling? I remember when I was home with my boys and we’d get into the sweet spot of self-directed learning and rich inquiry-led conversations. They would use LEGOS to describe dynamic loading, and pizza dough to mimic cell structures and I would think: We could do this forever! Homeschooling is clearly the best way for all learners! We’re never turning back!
And then the next day the bottom would fall out. They’d insist they’d never heard of the letter H (“What is this aiy-ch you speak of Mom?!), or they’d refuse to read anything unless it was part of a Garfield Fat Cat book and that went on for weeeekkkss (yes, there are 22 books in that series!). And don’t get me started on the years of struggles with writing. The writing? And I’m a certified writing teacher, darn it! Oh… the humbling of home learning….
So, if you’re in that space of questioning if you want to do this again next year and want some thought partners who may be able to help your process, come share your thinking with your community and a partner—BFPP Teacher Erin McCarthy—who has been in this place many times.
RSVP by 5/16 at erin.mccarthy@bellinghamschools.org
5th & 6th Grade Opportunity: Mountain School
Let’s go adventuring, exploring, and learning together outside! All 5th (and some 6th) graders this year are invited to join Mountain School. The program, adjusted for Covid again, is a full day together locally at Whatcom Falls Park on Wednesday May 25th from 9:30am to 2:30pm. This is an annual event to remember!
“Our program goals are to promote stewardship, practice observation and inquiry of the natural world, develop a sense of place and connection to local landscapes and cultivate community in class groups. Whether on the shores of Diablo Lake or in a park near schools, our instructors will provide a sense of wonder and fun for students and teachers alike.”
Please RSVP and direct questions to randy.leventhal@bellinghamschools.org by Friday May 20th with your interest. Follow up details, logistics, and forms will follow.
Come join Teacher Randy & Teacher Jackie as a unique and special year of opportunities continues!
Spring Craft Fair
BFPP student crafters, artists, and makers of all sorts are invited to sell their wares at this fun outdoor event.
Some of the goodies you'll see available at the fair are: cake pops, perler bead art, candles, luminaries, soaps, chocolates, hair clips, veggie starts, and more!
Pre-registration is required if you'd like to sell, and the last day to register is Friday, May 20th.
Please fill out one registration per family - list all students who will be selling followed by a general description of what they plan to sell.
Register here: https://forms.gle/LsZhVX5mc33Y8mp89
If you'd like to help with the craft fair (advertising, set up, take down) or have any questions, please email Heidi Zollner.
Books and Materials Return
It’s getting close to the end of our school year and it’s a good time to start gathering books and materials to return to BFPP. Books and materials have already started trickling in, which is great.
Please return all books and materials by June 16th, 2022.
Just a little reminder to place your returns on the shelf, on the right side of the front door as you enter. Peggy will scan it in and remove it from your account as time allows.
We will send out an announcement soon on the deadline to return laptops. Devices are collected each spring to be reimaged, which includes important system updates. They will be redistributed in the fall.
Also, if you are unsure of what you have checked out please feel free to email Peggy to get a list.
Who Says Writing Can’t Be Fun?
I remember years ago, when I taught 4th grade, I loved teaching math. It was sequential, step by step, concrete and unambiguous. Everything felt tangible; drawing representational pictures, working on number fluency, adding fractions, breaking down word problems, and finding patterns. Then I had to teach writing, and I felt like my whole world exploded! I always thought of myself as a writer but to teach writing, that was a whole different set of serious skills.
After many years of questioning, collaborating, planning, mentoring, workshopping, joining book studies, and lots of reflection, I slowly found my way. So, I can only imagine how some families feel when they try to teach writing to their kids, especially if they are resistant learners.
My advice, make writing FUN, ENGAGING, MEANINFUL and PERSONAL. Also, give kids CHOICE, while at the same time, setting the stage.
Below are some foundational pieces to guide you in your ever evolving homeschooling journey with your child(ren). These resources are a few fundamental pieces of the developmental writing process and a few creative, practical ideas to inspire you and your child(ren).
- Why Shouldn't I Spell Words for My Child To Write? explains how we can facilitate our children's developmental writing process.
- There are 8 Stages of Writing which are laid out nicely on this document with kid writing to match.
- Narrative Picture Books -mentor texts teach kids about how others write about their own experiences
- The Developmental Stages of Writing This is a great read if you are interested in the different components of reading and links to other activities.
- Here you will find a few resources that are FREE and practical that will help spark ideas with writing from Nellie Edge.
- If you are needing a Writer’s Notebook or Emergent Story Card, please let me or your LPP know, and we will put one aside for you.
Remember, it’s less about reading and writing at an early age and more about how language works!
In Partnership,
Sammy Cousens
Looking for more Early Learning articles?
Check out the Early Learner's World Archive written by BFPP teachers.
City of Bellingham's Meet-A-Truck Event
The City of Bellingham and their Public Works Department invites everyone to check out the big trucks and equipment that keep our streets, storm drains, sewer and water lines running smoothly! The Meet-A-Truck event takes place any time between 1 to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 19 coinciding with the elementary early dismissal.
The trucks will be outside Bellingham City Hall at 210 Lottie Street. This event is free and all ages are welcome. Details can be found on the City's Meet-A-Truck event webpage. For more information, email askPW@cob.org or call 360-778-7900.
Bike to Work and School Day
Join Smart Trips at the end of the day for the 1st Annual Soul Shakedown Party at the Pump Track. Location: Pumptrack and Kulshan Trackside at the waterfront. Time: 5-7pm. Brought to you by: Port of Bellingham, Kulshan Brewing, and the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition.
Here are links to more information and celebration stations throughout town.
Incoming Freshman Visits
Where: Bellingham, Sehome, and Squalicum High Schools
When: May 26th Thursday 12:30- 2:30pm
Who: All incoming 9th grade students
All private and home school students are invited. We're excited to welcome you to your new high school.
Parents, drop students off at 12:30 in the lower parking lot and we will have students there to welcome and guide your students!
Please contact your high school's registrar with questions.
National Learn to Row Day
Saturday, June 4th is National Learn to Row Day! Join Principal Kate and her son along with other members of the Whatcom Rowing Association at Bloedel Donovan Park. We will open the WRA Boathouse to the community to try rowing for FREE!
Participants will tour the boathouse, get an introduction to indoor rowing (erging), along with the basics of the rowing stroke and a brief overview of the equipment used and programs offered at WRA. The visit culminates in an on-the-water rowing experience (weather and Covid-19 regulations permitting).
WHEN: Saturday, June 4th, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
WHERE: Whatcom Rowing Association (Bloedel Donovan Park)
WHO: Ages 12+ No Experience Necessary, must be able to swim.
Free COVID tests available at BFPP
At-home rapid tests are available to families and staff on a weekly basis. Please come to our office to pick up tests.
COVID testing continues to be available for staff and students at our schools and the Family Resource Center at Shuksan Middle School each school day from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.