BFPP NEWS

Dear BFPP Families,

We are excited to announce that we will be partnering with Options High School to support BFPP students after 8th grade. When we started the program eight years ago the plan was to get K-8 up and running well and then consider expanding....now is the time. There are many options for students and families in secondary and beyond, we now get to partner in accessing them. With our strong model of family engagement, partners in the district and flexible thinking we will explore and expand learning options for our BFPP families. We do encourage all 8th graders to attend at least the open house for Options High School and their neighborhood high school (see information below). It is important to know all of your options! Having that knowledge will help you make informed decisions about what you want for your high school experience. Be on the look out for Thought Partner meetings to follow.

Warmly, Principal Kate

In March, the district's high schools are hosting informational family nights at each high school for incoming 9th graders and their families. Please see the flyer below for details about high school enrollment, in-district and out-of district transfers, and contacts for each school.

*Note the date change - Squalicum High School Family Night is now March 21st, 6:30-8pm, not March 20th as stated in the flyer below.

Sunday, 3/12 MMM Brackets Due

Monday, 3/13 - Friday, 3/17 BFPP Spirit Week

Monday, 3/13 Scholastic Book Orders Due

Tuesday, 3/14, 12-1pm Pi(e) Day at BFPP

Thursday, 3/16, 1-2:30pm Arts & Crafts Club

Friday, 3/17, 12-1 Home Learning 101 Workshop

Tuesday, 3/21, 12:30-1:30pm Literacy Conversation: Comprehension

Tuesday, 3/21, 1pm Tea with Kate

Wednesday, 3/22, 11:45am Children's Film Festival @ Pickford

Thursday, 3/23, 10-12pm Salmon Release @ Fairhaven Park

Tuesday, 3/28, 12:30-1:30pm Literacy Conversation: Fluency

Friday, 3/31 BFPP Apparel Orders Due

March Mammal Madness is a celebration of our natural world, animals, art, and storytelling.

Join in on the fun! March Mammal Madness at BFPP:

1. See an overview of the tournament and rules

2. Research the combatants (Here's a youtube playlist of videos- please preview for your family's use) and fill out your bracket predictions. Download your bracket below or pick up a copy at school by the Lost and Found. Pick your champion! So far, we have kids rooting for the wildcat, golden eagle, sea otter, okapi, and a few on team wolverine!

3. Take a picture of your filled-in bracket and email it to Heidi by 3/12 to be eligible for prizes! Grown-ups and siblings can join in too- the more the merrier!

4. Have fun following along with the battles

• On Twitter: #2023MMMk12
• On YouTube (posted the day after the battle): https://www.youtube.com/@RodentRoundtable

5. Check the big MMM bracket at BFPP by the Lost and Found for weekly updates on Thursdays.

6. Win prizes (distributed after spring break) and bragging rights when your bracket predictions come true.

Please place your online order by Monday, March 13th.

Our BFPP Class Code: RT8NH

Please email Heidi Zollner and let her know you've ordered so we can arrange pick up/delivery of your books. (Student names don't always appear on the orders and this way the right books get to the right students.)

Books should arrive at school before spring break.

Thanks for supporting our school's library with your purchase!

The Middle School Recess and lots of other visitors got together to vote on the following Spirit Day themes. Please show your spirit and embrace community by coming to school next week dressed accordingly!

Come celebrate the yummy intersection of math and baked goods from 12 to 1pm on Tuesday, March 14th (3.14) - Pi Day!

The middle school math club has been working hard to create a fun school event for all ages.

Drop off pie, pizza, or other round food donations at the family lounge any time in the morning.

Starting at noon, Principal Kate will pass out paper maps to each participant at the front entry. The maps show the location of student booths around the school. After getting a stamp from the four booths, participants head to the gym for a prize, pie craft, and potluck, followed by a sing-a-long with the BFPP music classes at ~12:45. Övn pizza is donating 10 cheese pizzas to our event.

Come early, booths are only open from 12:00-12:30.

We will meet Thursday, 3/16 from 1:00 - 2:30 in the multipurpose room, and will have special guest, Principal Kate, sharing a craft with us: Mitten Monsters!

Note the time - we are starting 30 minutes earlier than usual.

RSVP to sivspain@icloud.com by 3/14.

Friday, March 17th from 12-1pm on Zoom

Join BFPP Instructional Coach and former homeschooler Erin McCarthy as we focus on the logistical shifts and home management techniques that support families in their roles as primary educators. The intended audience for this workshop is adults who are new to homeschooling (this includes using online learning!). Basically, we’ll be taking the energy of “Yayyy, I’m homeschooling!!” and addressing the “Well, now what?!”

Please join us! RSVP Erin by 3/16 at erin.mccarthy@bellinghamschools.org for the Zoom link.

Let's kick off the reopening of our campus food pantry with a "meal drive"!

A meal drive is like a food drive, only with an emphasis on supplying a complete meal for families in our school community who could use some assistance. Think spaghetti and sauce, peanut butter, jelly and bread, full meals in a can such as chili and stew etc.

Starting on March 17th, look for donation boxes around campus if you have something you'd like to contribute. Look for details about the opening of the food pantry in an upcoming newsletter.

Email Kristi C. at krischris2@gmail.com with any questions.

Your whole family is invited to a special BFPP screening of "Hopeful Harmonies," twelve short films from eight different countries, as part of the Bellingham Children's Film Festival.

Who: Feel free to bring the whole family and friends (suggested age for the films is k-5th)

When and Where: Pickford Film Center on Wednesday, March 22nd at 11:45am

Cost: $3 per person, payable on arrival.

For complete details and to RSVP, please click here. Please RSVP by March 17th.

Hello BFPP Families, Let's come together to chat about different literacy topics!

I've compiled a list of topics I'm frequently asked about. I am offering the following Tuesday afternoon conversations (also known as Learning Together Workshops) to bring us together to talk and share thoughts, insights, resources, discoveries. These conversations are "stand alone" meaning that you can sign up for one, two, or as many as you want to. They don't go together in a series. 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!

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

Here are the March dates and topics:

3/21/23 12:30- 1:30 Comprehension Let's explore ways to discuss stories with our kids in a way that checks and extends their comprehension (appropriate for 1st -8th grade readers) Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0949AFAB2BA3FE3-literacy3

3/28/23 12:30- 1:30 Fluency Now that they know how to read, how should it sound? Let's talk about Fluency strategies! (appropriate for 2nd- 8th grade readers) Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0949AFAB2BA3FE3-literacy2

Click on the document below to see the entire spring schedule of Literacy Conversations.

Join Principal Kate on Tuesday, March 21st at 1pm in the reception/entry area for a cup of tea and conversation. This is a BYOM – bring your own mug - event!

The salmon are ready to be released!

Please join us on Thursday, March 23rd from 10-12 at Fairhaven Park. Each child will get their own fry to put in the stream.

Park in the lot by the playground and follow the sandwich board’s arrow to our location. Students from our environmental class will be sharing their knowledge about salmon and their life cycle.

Hope to see you there!

Check out these nifty BFPP t-shirts and sweatshirts now available for purchase online! Big thanks to BFPP parent Sean Spain for organizing this opportunity to update our wardrobes. Last day to purchase is March 31st.

Mondays 12:30 - 1:30

Art with Sammy and Annalee- Multi-Purpose Room

Tuesdays 12:30 - 1:30

Writing with Erica W. and Sven- Multi- Purpose Room

St. Patrick's Day Potluck- March 16th

Want to be involved? Connect with Kristy Tice.

All Whatcom County residents (including students grades k-12) are invited to participate in the annual Boynton Poetry Contest. Entries will be accepted March 1st - 31st. Winners will have their poems displayed outside the Bellingham Central Library. Several past winners from BFPP have their poems displayed in our school library!

Information about the contest, community events, and past winners can be found here:

https://thepoetrydepartment.wordpress.com/contest/

Wings Over Water (WOW) Birding Festival is in Blaine on March 17, 18, and 19 with an all-day birding expo on Saturday with live raptor presentations, kids’ activities, and more- all to enhance your outdoor experience and love of birding. Visit their website for more info.

Hi - My name is Eli Spain. I am in 5th grade and have ADHD. I would love to meet other kids my age who also have ADHD. Please email me at elispain@icloud.com if you would like to meet up sometime!

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

review by Marley Lotts

Ghost Boys is a book about Black equality and police brutality from a young Black boy’s perspective. It is set in Chicago, in a poor Black neighborhood. Gun violence is common here and Jerome is the latest person killed by the police. After his death, his spirit appears as a ghost boy. The author alternates two stories about Jerome as a ghost boy, and about him as a regular middle schooler before the shooting. In addition to the main theme, the stories are also about how to respond to bullying by adults and kids, about making friendships, and about seeing different people’s points of view. I recommend this book for people ages 11 and up and who are interested in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Have an event, talent, idea, or interest to share with the BFPP community at large? Please consider sharing via the newsletter! Email Heidi with your contributions. Thank you!

Next newsletter: Friday, March 24th.

Contributions deadline - Wednesday, March 22nd.

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