BFPP NEWS

Dear BFPP Families,

November is an amazing month for our program! Quite often we are hitting our stride with home learning, deep in exploration in our enrichment classes, full of anticipation for upcoming celebrations events, and eager to be in community.

I have enjoyed kicking off the month with some workshops, and look forward to more coming up. The opportunity to come together, share learning, and gather resources is always a good time! Please take a few minutes to look through all of the great things happening that are shared in this newsletter. A reminder, we try to streamline our communications into this resource. It is the go-to for all that is BFPP!

In partnership,

Kate

Greetings BFPP Families,

These past couple months I have been continually wowed by the way this community supports and encourages each other. It makes me excited to come to work every day! At this point in the year I would love to hear from you about ways I could better help support your family and this community. I made a brief (5 question) survey to gather some information, so if you have a couple minutes please fill it out. Thank you!

The poems and messages from people in the counseling office have been delightful! Here are a few I wanted to share -

Love all

Trust a few

Do wrong to none

-William Shakespeare

Hope that you all have a peaceful long weekend - See you next week!

Warmly,

Counselor Jess

jessica.sheasley@bellinghamschools.org 360-676-6424 x 4966

Wednesdays at Noon: Community Meal

Wednesdays, 9:30-11am: Come & Connect Puzzle Group

11/4-11/14: Leadership Class Plastic Recycling Drive

Mon. 11/11: Veterans Day, No School

Tues. 11/12, 5:15-5:30pm: Zoom Study Abroad Meeting

Wed. 11/13, 12:30-1pm: Study Abroad Meeting

Thurs. 11/14, 12-12:30pm: Study Abroad Meeting

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

Wed. 11/27: Early Release: No Afternoon Classes

Thursday 11/28 & Friday 11/29: Thanksgiving Holiday, No School

Our building is open to BFPP families on school days from 8:30am-4pm. The building is closed to families and all club gatherings after 4pm, except by special pre-arrangement. All visiting adults and children must sign in with Sheri at the front desk and get a visitor's badge. Thanks for your help with these safety measures.

As we approach the festive season, our hearts are filled with gratitude for our community. Let's come together again this year to fill in the gaps for BFPP families facing financial challenges.

We're seeking donations of gift cards to help fill small, specific needs for BFPP families this winter.

Whether it's a gift card for groceries, clothing, or gas, your contribution makes a significant impact. Gift cards provide families the opportunity to choose what they need most.

How You Can Help:

• Donate Gift Cards: Fred Meyer gift cards in $20 increments are best! Gift cards to Safeway, Walmart, Winco, and gift cards to gas stations (in $20 increments) are also helpful.
• Donate Cash: Let us buy the gift card for you! No amount is too small. Venmo option available - @Heidi_Zollner
• Buy Raffle Tickets: Come to the BFPP Craft Fair on 12/12 and purchase raffle tickets - all proceeds will go to purchase gift cards.
• Drop off your donation with Peggy, Counselor Jess, or BFPP parent Heidi Zollner.

Help us reach our goal of twenty $20 gift cards by winter break!

Questions about donations? Please contact Heidi Zollner. Thank you! Your generosity truly makes a difference for families in our community.

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.

Thank you! -Leadership in Action Class, Jackie Brown and Josh Shupack

Are you interested in International study abroad with BFPP?!

The possibility is real:)

Help us decide where we go!

Families with current 5th - high school students are invited to attend one or both of our thought partner meetings NEXT WEEK!

Parent Info Sessions:

Tues. 11/12 5:15-5:30pm on Zoom: https://bellinghamschools.zoom.us/my/brookewertz

Wed. 11/13 12:30-1:00 in the BFPP Library

Thurs. 11/14 12:00-12:30 in the BFPP Library

If you are intrigued but not able to attend the info sessions, please email your thoughts, questions, and ideas to Brooke at brooke.wertz@bellinghamschools.org.

RSVP with Erin here: Erin.Mccarthy@bellinghamschools.org

RSVP with Kate here: Kate.Baehr@bellinghamschools.org

Calling all young entrepreneurs! BFPP's Children's Winter Craft Fair will be Thursday, December 12th from 1:30-3pm in the gym. Sign up to be a vendor here!

This event features a raffle of craft items with proceeds going to gift cards for BFPP families in need. Everyone is welcome to come and shop, so spread the word to your family, friends, and neighbors!

Hello BFPP Families,

We have recently started looking into the idea of painting a mural on the shed by the soccer field. We’re still in the design phase, but we would love to see your ideas in the mural too! If you want to give us your idea you can go visit Sheri at the front desk and ask to see the idea jar. Once you find it, you can write down a noun or an adjective on a slip of paper and put it in the jar. Your ideas and suggestions will help us figure out a theme and direction for the design. So, while you may not directly see your idea in the mural, it will be a part of the process. Reach out to Gwen Graham with any wonders. Thanks so much!

Hello community….do you have a slightly used microwave that you would be willing to donate to BFPP? Or would you be able to purchase and gift one to our program? We had a microwave that just broke and it would be wonderful to have it replaced. Thanks for considering and contact Kate with any questions or possibilities 😊

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!

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!

World Relief Western Washington works locally to help arriving refugee families locate housing and begin to get on their feet. They had a big influx of new arrivals in September, and could use help re-stocking their inventory of supplies. We are collecting new items for three cleaning kits:

• Dish soap

• Sponges (for washing dishes)

• Plunger

• Toilet scrub brush

• Toilet bowl cleaner

• All purpose cleaning spray

• Broom/mop/dust pan

• Paper towels

• Garbage bags (for kitchen & bathroom trash cans)

• Cleaning rags

If you'd like to participate, please bring any new items and drop them off in the containers in the downstairs family lounge next week. Contact Annie Graham (512-797-6813) with any questions, or for more info!

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.

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.

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