Cordata Newsletter
December 2020
Hello, Cordata Families!
Our most exciting news is that we are partnering with the Bellingham Fire Department to provide every Cordata student with a new winter coat at no cost to families! Students who are at Cordata for in-person learning (preschool, Kindergarten, first grade, and our students receiving services in Life Skills) will receive their new coat here at school on December 8. Students who are engaged in remote learning can pick up their new coat that afternoon, December 8 from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. The Bellingham Fire Department will be here to help us distribute the coats, and it's going to be super fun! Can't wait to see our Bobcats sporting their new winter coats!
On behalf of the Cordata staff, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for your continued contributions to your student's learning. Sometimes families ask what they can do to enhance learning at home. One suggestion is reading for 20 minutes every day with your student. Studies show this practice helps children see the benefits of being a lifelong learner and reader! Need books? Remember that library books are available for students in grades 2-5, and additional books are available for students in grades two and three. Check out the Cordata website for more information!
Looking forward to seeing you on December 8, and wishing everyone a pleasant winter break December 19-January 3.
Best,
Julie van Wijk
Cordata Principal
julie.vanwijk@bellinghamschools.org
360.676.6461 building
360.325.3295 cell
A Message for Cordata Families with Students in 2nd Grade
As you may have read in Dr. Baker’s message prior to Thanksgiving, we are planning to bring second graders back for in-person learning, perhaps as early as January 14th. Bellingham Schools is working closely with the Health Department and has implemented safety protocols to mitigate risk. These protocols include students remaining with the same group of classmates throughout the day, as well as taking part in regular handwashing, wearing a face covering, and physically distancing. Our daily and weekly schedule will support the time needed for cleaning classrooms each day. We have safety trainings and informational resources on our website that can provide you with more details related to our safety measures.
Our current schedule for second graders is the same as that for students who have already returned to in-person learning: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8:00AM – 1:30PM. On Wednesdays students will remain home. Transportation will be provided, as well as breakfast and lunch each day. Once we have a confirmed date for 2nd graders to return, you will receive an email asking you to sign up for transportation for your student.
Please stay tuned for more information about our 2nd grade Bobcats returning to in-person learning in the New Year!
Do you have a child entering kindergarten next year who is not currently in preschool? Apply for Promise K 2021!
Bellingham Public Schools (BPS) provides a free, early entrance kindergarten, called Promise Kindergarten (Promise K) for children who are scheduled to enter kindergarten in fall 2021.
Our Promise K program will run 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. located at elementary schools in 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.
Operation Warm Coats :)
Cordata is excited to partner with the Bellingham Fire Department and Operation Warm to provide winter coats for all Cordata students. Operation Warm works with manufacturers to create their own line of warm, high-quality coats in a variety of styles and colors.
We plan to distribute these coats outdoors, using a system similar to our food distribution and library curbside pickup, and will follow all COVID safety protocols. The Bellingham Fire Department will be there with firefighters and a fire truck. This event will take place Tuesday, December 8, from 4:00-5:30 PM.
If you are interested in checking out the coats our students will receive, please go to www.operationwarm.org