BFPP NEWS

Greetings BFPP Families! We are getting into the swing of things! The building has been so full of excitement as we are all transitioning from summer mode back into school mode. Speaking of transitions – this past Sunday was the Autumnal Equinox! That means that there was equal amounts of day and nighttime. After the equinox, the days will continue to grow shorter while the nights grow longer. Whether you are a squirrel stocking up on acorns or a goose flying south this transition in the natural world can impact routines and habits. What changes do you notice around you and with your family’s routines as the season changes?

Want to chat?

Email: jessica.sheasley@bellinghamschools.org

Phone: 360-676-6424 x 4966

Fri. 9/27, 12:30-2:30pm: Parkscriptions for 6th-8th Graders Begins

Mon. 9/30, 2:30-3:30pm: BellingJam Enrichment Class Begins

Tues. 10/1, 11-12pm: The Daily 5 Workshop

Tues 10/1 & Wed. 10/2: School Photos

Thurs. 10/10, 12:30-2pm: BFPP Move-A-Thon

Fri. 10/11: Author Visit at BFPP

Wed. 10/16, 11am: Tea With Kate

Fri. 10/18: No School

Mon. 10/21, 12-1pm: Community Potluck & Sing

“Fund”raiser and “Fun”raiser! To celebrate BFPP's 10th anniversary, we're holding our first ever BFPP Move-a-thon!

Thursday, October 10th from 12:30-2pm.

We will get our groove on in the gym, on the playground and field, plus maybe even walking/rolling/strollering around the block. Celebrate our first decade by dressing in the fashions of your favorite decade whether that's the groovy 60's, opulent 80's, or anything goes 00's.

Movement stations include:

*Obstacle Course on the field

*Wheels around the block: scooter, strollers, roller blades, like-a-bike, bikes, skates, etc.

*Walk/run on the black top area

*Hula-hoops/dance in the gym

*Playground chip area

*Bubbles in rocks/garden

There will also be:

*Water Zones

*Photobooth

*Morning Bake Sale from 10-12

This event is a fundraiser for BFPP- please donate here!

Ask family and friends to sponsor you for moving and having fun!

Funds raised will support field trips, supplies, and fun family activities.

We need volunteers to donate baked goods, staff the Bake Sale, and help with Move-a-thon stations. Sign up here!

See you on the afternoon of 10/10 - what a great date to celebrate TEN years of BFPP.

Hello BFPP Family, I wanted to introduce myself to new (and returning) families. After teaching in the classroom for many years, I began working specifically with K- 5th grade struggling readers in the district as a Reading Specialist. Since coming to BFPP, I have brought my knowledge and resources to share with families in the form of the Literacy Lab. The Literacy Lab has moved to a new location- in the portable called The Fort! I have been using the Literacy Lab to provide Literacy Consultation and Coaching to our families. Now that the year is rolling, I wanted you to know that I am available to meet with you 1:1 by appointment.

Here are some of the things I’m offering:

• Dyslexia screener (school district personnel cannot diagnose, but we can screen and discuss what we see)
• finding reading levels for your child
• work 1:1 with you on ideas for home literacy learning
• ideas for working with a struggling reader
• Curriculum suggestions
• Tactile/kinesthetic ways to practice sight words or letter formation

If you’d like to meet with me, please send me an email introducing yourself and briefly letting me know what you’re needs are (don’t forget to include your LPP). I’ll send you my Sign Up Genius to make an appointment. If you have a struggling reader at home and are in need of some help, please feel free to reach out. –Carrie Vining (carrie.vining@bellinghamschools.org)

Day: Fridays, Starting September 27th 2024, and running through the entire school year, except holidays/breaks.

Time: 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

(Note: if we receive more than 10 students we may offer another time option)

Audience: Grades 6th - 8th

Location: Outdoor Classroom in the 100 Acre Wood (Fairhaven Park)

Cost: Free!

Description: Recreation Northwest is returning to BFPP to offer an experience-based learning

opportunity for BFPP students. The main goal of the program is to improve the health of students through weekly nature exposure, mindfulness practices, and

place-based education.

Please click here to register!

Contact Information: Elizabeth@RecreationNorthwest.org, 360-820-6293, RecreationNorthwest.org

Beginning September 30th, BellingJam enrichment class will meet on Mondays from 2:30-3:30 in the fort at BFPP. This Musical Expression course is an introduction to music and various instruments.

We prioritize the mental and emotional wellness of our students and families! This means that kids are given the support they need to express themselves, collaborate with others, and develop a growth mindset.

Group Music Lessons Boost...

• Emotional Intelligence and Regulation
• Social Skills
• Academic performance and attention span
• Self-esteem and sense of well-being

Who: Ages 6-17
Where: Bellingham Family Partnership Program (the Fort)
When: Mondays 2:30 - 3:30, 9/30 - 11/12 (8 meetings)

Price: $150/session, with a 15% sibling discount
Register at www.inhomemusiclessons.org/enrichments
For more information: Bellingjammusic@gmail.com (360) 421-2730

If you couldn’t make it to the afternoon workshop with Teacher Carrie last week, here is another chance:

Tuesday, October 1st at 11-12pm

The Daily 5 (Read to Self, Read to Others, Listen to Reading, Word Work, Writing)!!!

Doing a little of these things everyday can make a rich literacy program with very little curriculum. What does this mean for different developmental levels? Let's find out!! (appropriate for all readers)

Sign Up Here

***Kids welcome with parent support. Bring an activity for your child to do quietly in the room.***

Please click here to reserve your picture day session.

***If you are wanting FAMILY images in addition to school photos, please sign up for 2 back to back slots, ensuring a full 10 min session. Thank you!

A big thank you to the club leaders who advertised at the Club Fair yesterday, and to all those who came. May clubs are getting underway next week - click the link below for a list of them, and keep reading for more details!

The Knit Wits will be meeting on Tuesdays in The Cottage from 1:30-2:30. Beginners. Intermediate and Advanced knitters and crocheters welcome! We have extra yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks. Come and work on your project in community in a relaxed welcoming environment. We welcome all activities that involve needles, yarn, thread and smiles!

10:00-12:00 in the Cabin every Wednesday

Come join us!

This is an opportunity for adults to come together and create community while sharing ideas, working alongside one another and making cool stuff! You can bring a current project, an idea or just come and connect!

Ideas Include (but are not limited to):

Sewing (please bring your own machine)

Knitting

Crocheting

Needle Point

Sashiko

Please contact Teacher Sammy with questions.

Please join us for our first meeting of Dino Club on Wednesday, October 2nd at 2pm downstairs in the multipurpose room. We'll have a dino-related show-and-share time and brainstorm what sort of club activities we want to do. All ages welcome for this monthly meet-up of dino lovers! Please RSVP with your name, student ages, and contact info to Jennifer Karnecki.

If you are parenting a neurodivergent child (or two, or three…) and are craving the community and support of like-minded parents facing similar challenges, please join us for support and fellowship. We meet on the first Friday of the month and would love to have you join us.

Our first meeting of this school year will be Friday, October 4th from 11-12pm in the Global Citizens Room.

Please contact BFPP parent Crystal with questions.

Please click here to pre-purchase signed books.

Violin lessons - From my growing up in symphony, to bluegrass and jazz, I love having conversations in music, and communicating how to participate in the language. I offer one-on-one and group lessons, each session spending time on instrument technique, theory, and improvising, and giving opportunities to perform and play in group contexts. More info and contact at annaduffus.com

A concerning trend recently surfaced on TikTok, known as the “English or Spanish” challenge. This challenge has been gaining popularity among our young learners and poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of our students.

The “English or Spanish” Challenge involves participants asking random individuals to choose between speaking in English or Spanish. Depending on the choice, participants then perform potentially harmful or inappropriate actions. This trend not only encourages risky behavior but also promotes a negative and unsafe environment for our children.

Our Requests of You:

· Monitor Social Media Usage: Please keep an eye on your child’s social media activity and discuss the harmful consequences of such challenges.

· Open Communication: Encourage open conversations with your child about the content they encounter online and the importance of making safe choices.

· Report Concerns: If you notice signs of children involved in this challenge or any other harmful activity, please report it to us.

We are strongly committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where every student feels a sense of belonging. As part of this commitment, we have curriculum and practices that encourage empathy and inclusion, and clear policies that prohibit the use of dehumanizing, hateful language and behaviors.

Dr. Baker recently shared, “We demonstrate commitment to nurturing a school environment where every student feels valued and represented through a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), which includes inclusive practices, diverse book options in our libraries, a culturally-responsive curriculum, social-emotional learning and more. Our EDI webpage highlights equity and diversity supports, such as the culture calendar and meaningful professional development opportunities.”

Our policies and practices are designed to ensure that every student feels safe and respected. We encourage families to talk with their children about the importance of respect in all interactions. Together, we can continue to create a positive, welcoming environment for everyone.

Welcome Guide

BFPP Calendar

Staff Directory

'24-'25 Enrichment Class Schedule

AL*e Parent Login

AL*e Parent Login Instructions

How to Use AL*e to Register for Classes

Vision, Mission, and Core Beliefs

Newsletter Archive

Website: https://fpp.bellinghamschools.org
Location: 1409 18th Street, Bellingham, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 676-6424