BFPP NEWS
Friday, October 25th, 2024
Principal's Corner
Dear BFPP Families,
We know that the more we are involved and connection, the stronger our community is. There are daily examples of this all over BFPP. Whether a Come and Connect activity, club, Learning Together Workshop, theater production, Cuckoo Cafe, family event like the Move-a-thon, or just the regular interactions throughout the building, we are a thriving program.
I am excited to be offering several workshops throughout November. Details are listed below! I hope to see you at some.. or all. Thanks for all that you do to make our building an amazing place to be.
In partnership,
Kate
Counselor's Corner
Greetings BFPP Families!
It’s hard to believe that October is wrapping up already! The autumn color is in full force and the weather is changing. For some this time of year is very exciting and for others it can be a time when they have a drop in mood and motivation. No matter which of these feelings you identify with – we all have days or moments where we get in a slump! Here is an article that reviews some simple mood boosting actions that take less than 15 minutes: Mood boosters to snap you out of a funk : NPR. The article is a 26-minute listen but if you don’t have time to listen there are also some brief cartoons that review the strategies. These strategies can be useful for giving you a mood boost but are not a replacement for seeking support if you are struggling more acutely. Feel free to reach out to me if you are feeling like it might be more than just a slump!
Manga & Me Workshop
Global Citizen Room 1:30pm- 3:00pm
Part 2 – Monday October 28th
Part 3 – Monday November 4th
No School Monday November 11th
Part 4 – Monday November 18th
There will be a morning session of this workshop after the current series concludes. More information to come!
Hope that you all have a wonderful weekend - See you next week!
Warmly,
Counselor Jess
jessica.sheasley@bellinghamschools.org 360-676-6424 x 4966
Move-A-Thon Wrap-Up
We had great fun at the Move-a-thon celebrating 10 years of BFPP! We raised some money at the bake sale and we are still hoping to have some more donations come in. Donations are earmarked for BFPP and will support field trips, supplies, guest speakers and community events.
Upcoming Events at BFPP
Wednesdays at Noon: Community Meal
Wednesdays, 9:30-11am: Come & Connect Puzzle Group
10/28-11/1: Fall Family Fun (See schedule below)
Mon. 10/28, 1:30pm: Leadership Class Recycling Skit
Fri. 11/1, 12-3pm: Inside Out Movie Day
Mon. 11/4, 11:45-1pm: Staff Appreciation Lunch
Mon. 11/4, 10am: Around the Americas Show at MBT
11/4-11/14: Leadership Class Plastic Recycling Drive
Tues. 11/5, 12:30-1:30pm: LTW: Playing With Numbers
Thurs. 11/7, 10-11am: LTW: Sensory Integration
Mon. 11/11: Veterans Day, No School
Thurs. 11/14, 10-11am: LTW: How Can AI Help Me?
Tues. 11/19, 10:30-12pm: LTW: Sturdy Parenting
Tues. 11/19, 9am: Tea With Kate
Thurs. 11/21, 10-11am: LTW: The Importance of Play
Come & Connect: Puzzles for Adults
Come and connect at our puzzle group for adults on Wednesdays from 9:30-11am in the Performer/Creator Room. Drop-in is welcome or stay the whole time!
Community Meal ~ Wednesdays at Noon
Each Wednesday we receive a delivery of food from Sustainable Connections. Say hello and thanks to our volunteer, Bill, if you see him! Food is available at noon in the kitchen. Leftovers are labeled in the family lounge after the community meal, available to anyone who would like some. Feel free to eat it here at BFPP or take it home in your own tupperware for your family. Send Counselor Jess an email if you are interested in volunteering!
Plastic Film Recycling Drive Presentation ~ 10/28
This coming Monday, October 28th at 1:30, please join our leadership class in BFPP’s library for an informational skit and slide show about our school’s plastic film collection drive.
You’re invited to bring plastic film (ziptop bags, grocery bags, bubble wrap, etc.) to school on Nov. 4-14 for recycling. The film we collect with be picked up by Ridwell and used to make building materials. Come and learn more about plastic and what we can do about this problem.
Thank you! -Leadership in Action Class, Jackie Brown and Josh Shupack
Fall Family Fun! ~ 10/28-11/1
The week of Oct. 28th to Nov. 1st
Come join us for some added fun activities this week!
Inside Out Movie Matinee~11/1
Friday November 1st @ 12-3pm in the BFPP Library
I LOVE to watch and discuss movies and it is a passion that I would love to share with our BFPP community. Movies can be such a wonderful way to come together as well as give us organic opportunities to enter discussions about so many topics. If you and your family are movie fans or just looking for a relaxing way to spend a Friday afternoon, then I hope to see you there! - Counselor Jess
Showing Schedule
Advertisements - Email me if you want to include details about an activity, club, etc.
Movie - 1st half
Intermission
Movie - 2nd half
Discussion Café
Staff Appreciation Lunch ~ 11/4
Our first of three BFPP staff appreciation meals for the year is coming up on Monday, November 4th. We're doing a lunch of cozy fall soups and bread! If this sounds up your alley, please click here to volunteer to bring a dish for our terrific staff. Thank you!
MBT Around the Americas ~ 11/4
Mt. Baker Theater has generously awarded BFPP 50 free tickets to Around the Americas with 123 Andrés on Monday, November 4th at 10am. Please sign up here!
Learning Together Workshops With Principal Kate
Learning Together Workshop: Sturdy Parenting with Teacher Erin ~ 11/19
Searching For Success: Applying Dr. Becky’s “Sturdy Parenting” Model to Your Home Learning Goals Tuesday, November 19th 10:30-12pm
Are you struggling to feel successful in building the foundation of your home learning program? Are you still using MASSIVE amounts of energy to build stamina and rhythms in your daily/weekly learning routines? Would you like a place to share and inform your thinking while offering some suggestions for next steps? Then join us!!
This workshop asks participants to listen and learn from the Huberman Lab Podcast: Dr. Becky Kennedy: Protocols for Excellent Parenting & Improving Relationships of All Kinds (found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT_6Lvkhxvo) and apply our learning to our roles as home school parents. Participants will come together for a 90-minute workshop to make meaning from this podcast while applying key ideas to our goals in educating our children at home. Please RSVP Erin at erin.mccarthy@bellinghamschools.org by 11/16
2nd Graders: Highly Capable Screening Opt-In
Every year, all second graders in the district are screened for highly capable services eligibility.
If you would like your child to participate in the second-grade screening assessment at BFPP, please fill out this opt-in-form by October 27, 2024.
If you need more information about the highly capable learners program or the referral process, please visit the HCL webpage, or contact Rayna Brandon at 360-676-6470 x4447 or via email at Rayna.Brandon@bellinghamschools.org.
Children's Winter Craft Fair ~ 12/12
Calling all young entrepreneurs! BFPP's Children's Winter Craft Fair will be Thursday, December 12th in the gym. Look for sign ups and more info in November. It's not too early to start crafting!
Mini Cheer Camp at Squalicum High School ~ 10/29 & 10/30
Flower Arranging Workshop at The Lightcatcher~ 11/1
MINI BOUQUET MAKING WITH LAURA WHEELER
The Lightcatcher | 250 Flora St. |Friday, November 1st| 12:30 – 2:30 pm
Join BFPP parent Laura Wheeler of Humble Bouquet for a free workshop where you'll arrange your own mini bouquet of dried flowers inspired by Thomas Wood’s art in Under the Inspiration Tree.
Launching Success ~ 12/8-12/14
Launching Success is announcing "Black Fridays of November" where all in-store purchases (except Lego and gift cards) are 20% off on every Friday in November. If you haven't been to Launching Success, you're missing out! They have educational resources, toys, and gifts.
Then, December 8-14 is "Shop for Schools" week at Launching Success. Mention BFPP in person or in the notes on an online purchase. At the end of the week, Launching Success gives 10% of the pre-tax total back to the school.
Homeschool Park Days ~ Wednesdays
Homeschoolers from all over Whatcom County gather at different parks every Wednesday throughout the year for some fun and socializing! There’s no official start time, but most families arrive by 3 PM and stay until 5 PM. If you don’t see us right away, no worries—we’ll be there! Some parks can be busy, so it might take a moment to spot the group. Parents typically hang out by the picnic tables, while the kids enjoy the playground or run around the open spaces. Below is the list of parks we’ll be visiting. For weekly updates with specific details, just email parkday@west.best to join the email list.
Next Newsletter: Friday, November 8th
Newsletter contributions always welcome! Please send items of interest to our school community to Heidi Zollner.