Wade King Elementary
December 2020
A Note from the Principal
Hello Wade King Families,
As we move into December and I reflect on our most unusual year, I am incredibly grateful. I'm grateful for our Wade King kids, who are doing their best to learn and bring our staff great joy. I'm grateful for families, who are doing their best to support their children as they learn remotely. I know this is challenging! I'm grateful for the families of students who are learning in-person, for being incredibly cautious about making sure their children are symptom-free before sending them to school. I'm grateful for our staff, who have learned to teach and support students in an entirely different way. Our school community is special... and I am incredibly grateful for that.
With Gratitude,
Stephanie Johnson, Principal
Important Dates For December 2020
12/23-12/6 - Scholastic VIRTUAL Book Fair (sponsored by PTA)
12/2 Food Box and Library Book pick-up
12/9 2nd-5th Grade Supply Pick Up between 7:30 am - 3:30 pm
12/9 Food Box and Library Book pick-up
12/10 PTA Member Meeting 7:30 pm on Zoom (more info below)
12/11 Last day to Holiday Support Drive (more info below)
12/16 Food Box and Library Book pick-up
12/18 Last Day of School Before Winter Break
12/21-1/1 NO SCHOOL for Winter Break
1/4 Return to School After Winter Break
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
Wade King Clubs WEDNESDAY Mornings
Wade King Wednesday Clubs have started and they are a great way for students to connect with their friends. So far, students have had fun with Legos/Building and Arts and Crafts. Moving forward, we will rotate the focus of our clubs to things like oragami, pets/stuffies, coding, and maybe even baking. Mr. Holmgren is collecting ideas and coordinating our club schedule. Email your club ideas to him! Everyone is welcome - come and inspire your friends!
Wednesdays...
Use this Zoom link to join ANY of these clubs… https://bellinghamschools.zoom.us/j/86382618934
Kindergarten, 1st Grade, & 2nd Grade Clubs
Club from 9:15am-9:45am
Club10:45am-11:15am
3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Clubs
Club 10:00am-10:30am
Club 11:30am-12:00pm
Talented LEGO builders get together on Zoom to share their creations.
Here is what a club looks like - loads of fun!!
You can make practically anything out of LEGO
There is still time to shop our Virtual Scholastic Book Fair!
Our PTA sponsored Book Fair is online until Monday, December 6th! Support our school and help your child discover new books, favorite characters, complete series, and more! You'll love the fun new option to shop for Book Fair exclusives directly from the interactive booklist and enjoy free shipping on book-only purchases over $25. Every purchase benefits our school and helps develop a love of reading.
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Grade Supply Pick Up - Next Wednesday, December 9th
If you are learning at school (or have a sibling who is learning at school), we will send your toolkit home with you or your sibling.
If you are learning remotely, we hope someone in your family will pick your supplies on Wednesday, December 9th, any time between 7:30 am - 3:30 pm or between 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm along with food pick-up.
PTA Meeting - December 10th at 7:30pm
The Wade King PTA is going strong! You are invited to join their next PTA Meeting on Thursday, December 10th on Zoom. The Zoom link for the meeting will be posted on the Wade King PTA website the day of the meeting.
If you haven't yet joined our PTA, you can learn more about our PTA and even become a member by visiting their website.
Holiday Support for Our Families
Message from Ms. Wakefield...
As the counselor for Wade King Elementary for the past two years, I have been amazed at the generosity of our Wade King community. Collectively we have been successful at fulfilling the needs of our families during the holidays. Yes, in our own Wade King Elementary community we have families in need, and as we know, holidays are a particularly difficult time of year. Our collective financial support has fulfilled gift wish lists and provided family meals for an average of 30 families every year — an average of 68 children that received gifts due to your generosity! What often catches my breath when connecting with a family around gift wishes, is to hear them request winter boots, new tennis shoes, or a winter coat. I am hopeful to keep our tradition of support going strong and vibrant this year.
Like most things in 2020, holiday support must look different. This year, the PTA and I invite you to participate in our Gift Card Drive. I will continue to connect with our families, hear their need, and with your contribution, I will be able to offer a gift card to fulfill that need. Gift cards from Fred Meyer and Target offer the most variety; clothing, gifts and food, and any amount is appreciated.
If you are able to help, consider dropping off a Target or Fred Meyer gift card at Wade King during Supply Pick-up Wednesday, December 9th. If you have a kindergartener or first grader coming to the building, you may also send a gift card in with your student. We will be accepting gift card donations up until December 11th. This allows us time to gift our families in need prior to the winter break. As always, we are thankful for each and every one of you who make up this incredible Wade King Community!
In Gratitude, Jaymie Wakefield, Counselor, and the Wade King PTA Team!
If you are a family in need of winter/holiday support, please connect with me for a confidential conversation. Warmest, Jaymie Wakefield, Counselor
Highly Capable Referrals Open through Dec. 31st
We are accepting new referrals for BPS students to be considered for highly capable services through December 31, 2020. Teachers, parents, or community members may refer any student through grade 12 for assessment. All second grade students will automatically be screened in January so no referral is needed at that grade. Assessment for all referred students takes place, annually, this year in January or February depending on COVID-19 school closure circumstance. To refer a student for assessment, click this link parent referral form ( available in both English and Spanish). Referral forms must be received on or before December 31, 2020 for eligibility in the 2020-21 school year.
Apply for Promise Kindergarten
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.
Meal Boxes... Pick-Up On WEDNESDAYS
Weekly meal box distribution has returned to Wednesdays at the regular 21 locations.
The December 16th box will contain 21 meals to cover additional days during winter break. That box will also include a recipe for carrot ginger soup created by the Central Kitchen and Common Threads. All the ingredients needed for this soup will be in the box!
Important note: There will NOT be meal box distributions on December 23rd and December 30. The Bellingham Food Bank will continue to operate around the holidays. Visit their website for more information on times and locations.
If you need additional support, please contact the Family Resource Center now by filling out the help form or calling 360-676-6456.
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
Message to 2nd Grade Families...
In Dr. Baker’s message on November 24th, he shared that we are planning to bring second graders back for in-person learning, perhaps as early as January 14th. Our staff continues to work closely with the Health Department and has implemented safety protocols to mitigate risk. These protocols include having students remain with the same group of classmates throughout the day. Families and staff are watching for potential symptoms of Covid-19 and do not come to school if they have potential symptoms. Students and staff also wear face coverings, wash their hands often, and leave space between themselves and others.
When our second graders return to school, they will follow the same schedule as students who have already returned to in-person learning... Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm. On Wednesdays, all students learn from home.
Stay tuned... Dr. Baker will share the return date for our 2nd graders when it is finalized.
Wade King Family Handbook 2020-21
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.
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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