BFPP NEWS

Dear BFPP Families,

Happy New Year BFPP! January is a time of transition. We take some time in January to reflect on the school year so far and forecast for the remainder. It's an opportunity for reflection, recalibration and recommitment. Please pay special attention to next week's newsletter which will highlight our mid-year conversations and SEM2 (Semester 2) registration for enrichment classes. But for now, I am taking in the quote below from a timely book called, "Wintering".

In partnership, Principal Kate

Greetings BFPP Families,

Happy New Year! I hope that you and your family had a winter break full of joy and relaxation. The changing of the year is often a time to both reflect and look ahead to future plans. Does you family have any New Years traditions or goals for the coming year? It has been exciting to be back at school this week and connect with our BFPP community. The number of times I heard people say that they were happy to be back together (myself included) felt so heartwarming. I am looking forward to seeing what adventures this next year brings for all of us!

High School Information Panel

Do you have a middle schooler who has questions about high school or who is feeling nervous for that transition? Join us Tuesday the 14th from 3-4pm in the BFPP Library! We have invited previous BFPP students to come answer any questions your middle schooler might have about the high school experience. High schoolers from various high schools in the community will be present so this will also be a great time to see what kinds of high school options are available. We hope to see you and your learner there!

Manga & Me

Back by popular demand! I will offer this workshop series multiple times second semester – be on the lookout for days/times in future newsletters. No RSVP or registration needed. If you have already joined in a series, you can always return!

Hope 2025 is off to a wonderful start for your family!

Warmly,

Counselor Jess

jessica.sheasley@bellinghamschools.org

360-676-6424 x 4966

Tues. 1/14, 12pm: Tea With Kate

1/14-1/24: iReady Winter Assessment Window

Tues. 1/14, 3-4pm: High School Info Panel

Wed. 1/15 1-2pm: Winter Extravaganza

Fri. 1/17: Last Day of 1st Semester Enrichment Classes

1/20-1/22: No School

Thurs. 1/23-Fri. 1/31: Learning Plan Meetings ~ No Classes

Tues. 1/28-Wed. 1/29: Registration for SEM2 Enrichment Classes

Thurs. 1/30: Waitlists available for SEM2 Enrichment Classes

Mon. 2/3: 2nd Semester Enrichment Classes Begin

Mon. 2/3, 12:30-1:30: Programming Club Begins

Mon. 2/3, 2-3pm: Physics Club Begins

Join Principal Kate on Tuesday, January 14th at noon for the last Tea With Kate of 1st Semester! Bring your own mug and any/all topics of conversation.

The district offers an optional, additional and independent math class in second semester for 7th graders. The goal of class is to prepare students to take Algebra I in 9th grade. If you have any questions about whether this would be a good fit for your seventh grader, please reach out to principal Kate or your Learning Plan Partner. If your student would like to take on this challenging class, please fill out this form by January 14, 2024 for priority registration.

Join us on Wednesday, January 15th from 1-3pm for the WINTER EXTRAVAGANZA! Hosted and organized by the Design Collective Class, this event features a winter carnival and a secondhand sale. View this student-produced advertisement!

Interested in speaking some Spanish? There is lots of room in the 6-8 grade Spanish class, on Mondays from 12:30-1:25. This is a fun, low-stress class which focuses on simple conversation, common vocabulary and basic grammar. We also delve into cultural studies including music, art, geography, etc. I hope to see some new faces next semester!

--Maestra Carol

Join us for two new clubs at BFPP for ages 10 and up - starting February 3rd!

Computer Programming: Mondays 12:30 - 1:30 starting Feb 3rd
Learn how websites are built, build your own and make them interactive! We'll start off by learning HTML and CSS and then start learning JavaScript. All you need is a laptop and a desire to learn. Parents are welcome to join us.

Physics with CrunchLabs: Mondays 2:00 - 3:00 starting Feb 3rd
Mark Rober is now offering a physics class and we'd love to work through it with other families: https://www.crunchlabs.com/pages/class-unit-1 watch videos and do experiments together. It starts with Forces and Motion.

Both clubs are at BFPP downstairs in the Multi-purpose Room.

Contact Josh Shupack to sign up or with questions: yNaught@gmail.com

Thursday, February 6, 2025 - 10:00 AM

Bellingham Symphony Orchestra Brings Peter and the Wolf to MBT Main Stage

Join the BSO and our own Superintendent Dr. Baker as narrator for an unforgettable and educational experience, featuring Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf. Intended for elementary, but all ages are welcome! Instrument Petting Zoo with Wind Works the hour prior to the concert.

Mt. Baker Theater has generously awarded BFPP 50 scholarship tickets to Peter and the Wolf.

Sign up here to attend this free show, indicating your name, email, and the total number of people in your group (quantity). Questions? Email Heidi at heidizollner@hotmail.com.

We're looking for recommendations and suggestions for new titles for our library! Please visit our library catalog to see what's available, and then email Sheri your suggestions or fill out the request form on the library catalog home page.

Order your BFPP T-shirts and zip-up hoodies!

Ordering info here: https://forms.office.com/r/aLq1cbxP5q

T-shirts are Bella+Canvas 3001. Size Chart

Zip hoodies are Bella+Canvas 3739. Size Chart

Questions? Ask Meredith!

The sock drive is off to a great start! The Leadership in Action class is collecting new socks for the school district's Family Resource Center until January 31st. Look for the donation bin and dresser on the main floor. A big thank you to all who've donated!

Calling all 5th graders! The last year of elementary school brings with it a number of special events- Mountain School, 5th Grade Track Meet, puberty presentations, and more!

Please fill out this form to indicate your interest in participating in some or all of these opportunities.

I am gathering a cohort of students to attend a highly engaging weeklong overnight immersive arts camp on March 2nd – March 7th. This opportunity is called Explorations Arts Camp for students in Washington State in grades 7-9. Explorations is held at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington. We will form a BFPP artists cohort, led by teacher Jackie, meeting for four weeks prior to camp.

• Check out the website: https://centrum.org/program/explorations-youth-program/
• Register. Cost is $700.00 per kiddo – which includes lodging, all meals and multiple workshops. Some financial assistance available.
• Indicate interest on the Google form: https://forms.gle/uHaxkJEHE3G7suDo7

Please reach out with questions.

Warmly, Rachel Throolin rthroolin@gmail.com

If your child (ages 4 and up) is interested in taking an Aikido class, there is the potential for a class to be offered on Tuesdays, from 4:30-5:30, at the Aikido Peace Education Center (1101 N State St #200). A minimum of 10 students is needed for the class to run. Adults are welcome to take the class with their child/children.

If you are interested, and for more information, please contact Rob haradancerob@gmail.com, or fill out the contact form on their website: https://www.haradance.net/contact . Hopefully we can get enough interest to run a class! Thank you! ~Siv Spain

Whatcom Hills Waldorf School is excited to announce an all-ages community event with Baba the Storyteller on Tuesday, January 21st at 6:30pm at Bellingham High School! Entry is by suggested donation (just to help us cover the cost of the venue) and should not be a barrier - all are welcome!

Baba the Storyteller is one of the few recognized U.S. born practitioners of the ancient West African storytelling craft known as Jaliyaa, and has received numerous awards for his work as a folklorist, musician, storyteller, and community leader.

The Coding and Robotics Club has a brand new class! Drone Club for elementary school kids meets on Thursdays at 2pm or Fridays at 3:30pm and is full of challenges, teamwork, exciting flight simulation, coding and more! Combine Larrabee pick up at noon with this 2pm class for a STEM-tastic Thursday afternoon. The Coding Club is also offering new classes in AI and App Creating and Robotic Engineering. Check it out here and email with questions!

Newsletter contributions always welcome! Please send items of interest to our school community to Heidi Zollner.

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