BFPP NEWS

Friday, September 13th, 2024

Principal's Corner

Dear BFPP Families,

This week we can officially celebrate that our boiler is working! The radiators were pumping out heat several times as we transition into the fall weather. Definitely the season to wear layers.

Also, this week was the launch of our Enrichment classes! There were so many happy sounds throughout the building. I loved getting to see new and familiar faces. Just a reminder that we are asking families to be on campus while your students are in classes during the month of September. We will be sharing information about our "North Star" practices in the next newsletter. There are many opportunities to connect, and more are coming. Be on the lookout for workshops, Come and Connect, as well as clubs.

Our next big program wide event is the Curriculum and Clubs Fair, Open House on September 26th from 12:30-2:30pm. More information will come out next week, but for now mark your calendars!

Warmly (especially with a working boiler),

Dr. K

Counselor's Corner

Greetings BFPP Families! Happy first week of enrichment classes! How are we all feeling?

It was an exciting and busy week getting back to school. I saw so many excited faces as we said hello to old friends and made new connections. If the start of year is a bit overwhelming for you, that’s okay! Let’s all help support each other while we are getting into the groove.

This week parents and guardians were invited to come and make connections while our learners were in class. This was to get a sense of who will be around the building during similar times and build that community. Keep greeting each other and if you see a new face consider introducing yourself and saying hello!

The longest running study (83 years!) into life satisfaction concluded that relationships and connection to others was the biggest predictor of happiness. Our families, friends, and communities (like BFPP) not only support us but can actually improve our mental health! If you’re interested in listening to a brief overview of the study here is an NPR article you can listen to. The Key To Happiness, According To A Decades-Long Study : Consider This from NPR : NPR

Want to chat? Next week I will have Afternoon Tea in the counseling office on Tuesday and Thursday from 2pm to 3pm. Parents/Guardians and students are welcome! Whether you have a specific question or you just want to come and say hello, I am looking forward to seeing you!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Counselor Jess

Upcoming Events at BFPP

Sept. 16th-27th: iReady Fall Assessment Window

Mon. Sept. 16th, 10am: Middle School Math Club Begins

Tues. Sept. 17, 2-3pm: Afternoon Tea with Jess

Wed. Sept. 18th, 12:30-1:30pm: The Daily 5 Literacy Workshop

Thurs. Sept. 19th, 2-3pm: Afternoon Tea with Jess

Fri. Sept. 20th: No School

Thurs. Sept 26th 12:30-2:30pm: Curriculum and Clubs Fair, Open House

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

Mon. Sept 30th, 2:30-3:30pm: BellingJam Enrichment Class Begins

Tues Oct. 1st & Wed. Oct 2nd: School Photos

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

Fri. Oct. 11th: Author Visit at BFPP

Wed. Oct. 16th, 11am: Tea With Kate

Fri. Oct. 18th: No School

Literacy Workshop with Teacher Carrie ~ 9/18

Hello BFPP Families, Let's come together to chat about different Literacy topics! I am offering the following Wednesday afternoon workshop conversation to bring us together to talk and share thoughts, insights, resources, discoveries. My hope is that not only will you want to come learn with and from me, but also share your ideas and resources… learning TOGETHER! Sign Up Here.

Wednesday, 9/18 from 12:30-1:30pm

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)

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

~ Carrie

Open House ~ Curriculum Share and Club Fair ~ 9/26

Join us on Thursday, September 26th from 12:30-2:30pm for a drop-in style Open House featuring a Curriculum Share and Clubs Fair.

Curriculum Share

Calling all curriculum nerds and seekers of curriculum wisdom! If you love to talk spiral vs. mastery, all things units studies, project-based learning, unschooling, strewing strategies, or Charlotte Mason vs. Classical vs. Waldorf-inspired, we need you! Please come and share your curriculum knowledge and perspective. Bring your favorite materials! If you're wondering where to start with curriculum or even what you're looking for, come and glean insights from those who have likely been there and done that.

Clubs Fair

Interested in learning about the current family-led clubs at BFPP? Itching to start one? The Club Fair is the place for you. Maybe you'd like to offer a one-time event for students, adults, or both. In past years we've enjoyed family-led events such as cake decorating, flower arranging, jewelry making, cooking, puzzles, and more. Come share your ideas and inspiration and let's make it happen.

Parkscriptions by Recreation Northwest ~ starts 9/27

Day: Fridays, Starting September 27th 2024, and running through the entire school year, with the exception of school holiday and 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 Parkscriptions program empowers students to learn the

health benefits of time in nature to improve mental health, encourages social engagement within

community spaces and promotes environmental stewardship. The main goal of the program is

to improve the health of students through weekly nature exposure, mindfulness practices, and

place-based education.

Students will learn how to use their five senses and slow down while in nature, practice right

brain focused exercises to improve creativity, discuss what it means to participate in community

and how nature teaches us these skills, learn to identify native plants and invasive species, and

most importantly have an opportunity to play!

Please click here to register!

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

Bellingjam ~ starts 9/30

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

School Photos ~ 10/1 & 10/2

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!

Dino Club ~ 10/2

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.

Move-A-Thon ~ A Decade of BFPP ~10/10

To celebrate BFPP's 10th anniversary, we're holding our first ever BFPP Move-a-thon!

Mark your calendars for 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.

This event is a fundraiser for BFPP- please consider donating here!

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

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

If you would like to help, please let Kate know and we will add you to the committee.

~ Jill & Kristina

Author Visit ~ 10/11

Please click here to pre-purchase signed books.

Tea With Kate ~ 10/16

Save the Date ~ BFPP Campout!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Whatcom Water Week ~ 9/14 to 9/22

Celebrate our local water resources during Whatcom Water Week this September! Water Week offers family-friendly events throughout Whatcom County with opportunities to have fun, learn and make a difference. Visit WhatcomWaterWeeks.org for a complete calendar of events and details!

Our Hearts Beat as One ~ 9/19

Bellingham Youth Choir ~ starts 9/23

Creative Crafters Fiber Arts Club ~ 9/26

Looking for a fun, creative activity? We’ve got you covered. Come, relax, hang out, chat and create FiberArt! Bring your curiosity and use our scrap fiber materials/supplies to make something new (a project will be presented at each session) - or - bring your own fiber art project to work on and we will ooh and ahh over your progress - or - you can free sew as the inspiration strikes you! Click here for more information here.

Where: Ragfinery Community Classroom - 1421 N. Forest St, Bellingham, WA
When: Thursdays - every 2 weeks. 2:00pm - 3:30pm. Sept. 12 to June 5
Who: Ages 8 to 88 - Invite your friends to RSVP too!
Cost: Free to attend, with an optional donation to Ragfinery
RSVP: To be added to the club’s email list, fill in this Google Doc form.

Max: Limited to 10 attendees per session (classroom limit).
Walk-ins are welcome if there are open spots.

Learning Opportunity for 8th and 9th Graders

The Fairhaven Program is offering a biweekly Wednesday afternoon class for 8th and 9th graders. We'll work through the Touchstones Discussion Project curriculum, a structured approach to building the skills and confidence to lead and participate in discussions. There is no homework or outside preparation required for this class, but participants do need to commit for the year because the curriculum is cumulative. Class will meet on Wednesdays from 4-5:30 p.m. beginning in October, and the cost is 'pay what you can'. Email donald@fairhavenprogram.org for more information.