Wade King Elementary
December 2019
A Note from the Principal
Dear Wade King Families,
Our staff embraces the Bellingham Promise by supporting rigorous academic learning, in conjunction with developing character. We ended November with a school-wide focus on gratitude. This is one way we develop character, specifically supporting our students in being ‘respectful and compassionate humans.’ During class meetings last week, students thought about and shared things in their lives that they feel grateful or thankful for. Many of our youngest learners were grateful for their families and pets, while 5th graders in Mrs. Howard's class were challenging themselves to think about relationships, opportunities, and resources they were grateful for. Incorporating opportunities to focus on gratitude is important because research has shown that regularly thinking about things we are grateful for, and expressing appreciation, positively contribute to a person's health, well-being, and relationships. David Steindl-Rast said, “It is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.” We ended last week with a Gratitude Lunch. While we dined by ‘candlelight,’ students who wanted to could share what they were grateful for in the microphone could. We will have Gratitude Lunches several more times this year and families are always welcome to join us!
Join us for our next Gratitude Lunch on Friday, December 20th.
Kinder Lunch at 10:45am
1st Grade Lunch at 11:05am
2nd Grade Lunch at 11:25am
3rd Grade Lunch at 11:45am
4th Grade Lunch at 12:05pm
5th Grade Lunch at 12:25pm
Stephanie Johnson
Principal, Wade King Elementary
Important Dates in December
12/2 Snowflake Drive begins
12/2 Scholastic Book Fair begins and runs through 12/10 (PTA Sponsored)
12/5 Winter Movie Night & Book Fair 6-8pm (PTA Sponsored)
12/6 Kindergarten field trip to Mt. Baker Theater (PTA Funded)
12/6 King Consort Performs at the Ferry Terminal Port Festival 7pm
12/10 Book Fair & Snowflake Drive End
12/12 Storyteller during all lunches (PTA Funded)
12/12 PTA Meeting in the Library 6-8pm
12/13 King Consort performs at Barkely Haggen to raise money for Food Bank 3:30pm
12/20 Gratitude Lunch during all student lunches
12/20 Last Day Before Winter Break - 2:30pm Dismissal
12/23-1/3 NO SCHOOL for Winter Break
1/6 Return to School
Scholastic Book Fair Date Change: Dec. 2nd-10th
You can also order Book Fair books online with this link!
Snowflake Drive - Taking Action to Support Other Families
Winter Movie Night - This Thursday from 6-8pm
Join us this Thursday Night for another fun family night sponsored by our PTA.
Bring a blanket...
Wear your pajamas...
and join us to watch a movie the movie: Happy Feet 2.
The Book Fair will also be open during this event from 6-8 pm
Wade King Spirit Wear - Orders Due this Thursday
PTA Meeting - Thursday, December 12th from 6-8pm
Our PTA invites everyone to join them for their meetings on the second Thursday of each month. This is a great opportunity to learn about things that are happening in our school community, share your thinking, and connect with other families. There is supervision for school-aged children in the gym!
MOD Pizza Family Night
MOD Pizza - Barkley Village
2925 Newmarket Street, Suite #101
BUS PASS REQUESTS
New Wade King PTA Webmaster/Social Media Volunteer
Looking for Good Books
If you are looking for great books, Julie Hunter, our Librarian, has helpful links to share. She is a fantastic resource any time you are looking for new books for your children. Don't hesitate to connect with her!
Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award
Washington Library Association Towner Award Non-Fiction Books
Washington Library Association Award for Short Chapter Books
Washington Library Association Award Nominees for Middle Grades (NOT middle school)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Readers Choice Awards
Books by our recent visiting author, Patrick Carman
School Library Journal Review of the best books of 2018 (2019 is not available yet)
Weather Alerts and School
With the change of seasons, it’s time to plan ahead for winter weather and how it may affect our schools.
This message will help you:
- update your contact information,
- find information on weather communications, and
- find your snow bus route if your child rides the bus.
Depending on conditions (which could include snow, flooding, power outages, etc.), school could:
- close for the day,
- open two hours late with regular bus routes or snow bus routes,
- open on time with snow bus routes
Please familiarize yourself with our weather procedures here.
How can I get weather/emergency information?
Any changes to the school schedule are usually announced by 6 a.m., and we use a variety of methods to keep families informed:
- Alerts: To receive email and/or text alerts, set your communication preferences on the Skylert tab within Skyward Family Access. (Need help? Go here for step-by-step directions or call 360-676-6520.)
- Tune in to local media: 790 AM, 96.5 FM, 104.1 FM or Seattle media.
- Check bellinghamschools.org
- Check @BhamSD on Twitter or @bellinghamschools on Facebook.
- Call 360-676-6400 for a recorded message.
- Call 360-647-6815 for a message translated in Español, русский, tính từ and Punjabi
What is a snow route and how can I find it?
If your child rides the bus to school, please check bellinghamschools.org/snow-routes to find out your family’s snow bus route. If your students receive specialized transportation and may need to use an alternate inclement weather stop, you will be notified in a separate communication next week.
A snow bus route (or snow route) is a modified bus route that generally runs on main roads rather than side streets or through neighborhoods. If snow routes are in effect, students must catch their bus at alternate stops. We have found that bus ridership is low on snow route days, so our snow bus routes run on main, well-traveled roads to increase the likelihood that we can keep school open (and reduce the need for snow make-up days).
During a weather event, please review Bellingham Public Schools weather communications carefully to determine if snow bus routes are in effect for the morning only or for the morning and afternoon routes. It is the responsibility of families to know their snow route bus stop and help their children know where to go.
If your child is a bus rider, please make arrangements to ensure the safety of your child at snow route bus stops.
And a quick reminder regarding summer vacation plans: We ask that you avoid making vacation or summer plans during the week of June 15-19, 2020 or you may miss the final days of school and end-of-the-year activities. Currently, the last day of school is Thursday, June 11, 2020 with two make-up days built in for Friday, June 12 and Monday, June 15, according to our school calendar and teachers’ collective bargaining agreement. If additional make-up days are necessary, other options will be discussed.
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