BFPP NEWS

Dear BFPP Families,

One of the things I appreciate most about BFPP is the diversity of our community. We are a home where all are not just welcomed but loved. Please hold in your hearts that our building is a safe haven where there is joy, hope, and compassion. We are stronger united. In times of uncertainty, fear and real threat I hope that we can turn to each other and lift one another up. BFPP fills my sometimes-aching heart, I sincerely hope you feel that too.

In partnership, Principal Kate

If Bellingham Schools are closed, BFPP is also closed and all classes, meetings, and events at BFPP are canceled for the day.

If Bellingham Schools are open two hours late, all classes, meetings, and events at BFPP before 11am are canceled. Classes that begin at 11am and later will occur at their normal times.

Even when school is open for the day, families make their own decisions about travelling to campus during adverse weather.

Changes to the school schedule are usually announced before 6 a.m. Please familiarize yourself with our weather procedures at bellinghamschools.org/weather.

Greetings BFPP Families,

Congratulations on completing the first half of the school year! It is hard to believe second semester is about to begin. I hope that your Learning Plan meetings were an opportunity to recenter goals and celebrate your family’s many accomplishments so far this year!

This halfway point has me reflecting on my first five months at BFPP and how to continue to improve my work here through the end of the year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for welcoming me with open arms. Since the beginning, you have partnered with me to identify community needs as well as brainstorm ideas to address them. A special shoutout to those who responded to the survey earlier this year, pulled me aside in the hall, or made time to meet with me – having open conversations vastly improves the work we do together! Throughout second semester I will be adding some additional counseling programming to continue to respond to community needs and requests.

Scheduling conflicts has been identified as the primary barrier to engagement, to address this I will get more brief surveys out to gauge best timing for programming. One of the requests has been for groups where students can practice social/emotional skills with me – If this is something you are interested in, please take this brief survey!

Thank you for being you! Getting to know this community has been such an honor. Wishing you well!

Warmly,

Counselor Jess

jessica.sheasley@bellinghamschools.org

360-676-6424 x 4966

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

Tues. 2/4, 11-12: Parent Book Club Begins

Tues. 2/4, 12-1:30: Manga Workshop Series Begins

Wed. 2/5, 10-12: CC Textiles Kickoff

Fri. 2/7, 11-12pm: Differently Wired Meeting

Wed. 2/12, 2:45-4:30: Middle School Dance/Hangout

Fri. 2/14, 1-3pm: Alterhuman Meetup

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

You're Invited to a BFPP Book Club for parents!

First Tuesday Parent Book Club w/ Brooke Wertz (teacher) & Gretchen Anderson (BFPP parent)

Let’s come together to discuss good reads! This is an open format book club with the adult reader in mind. We may/may not choose to read some of the same titles and we will definitely share recommendations.

The goals for this book club are:

• Reading for ourselves and our balance
• Reading as models for our children
• Sharing recommendations and resources
• Let’s create community through a shared appreciation of book love!

Meeting are the first Tuesday of each month in the BFPP Library 11:00-12:00.

2/4, 3/4, 4/1, 5/6, 6/3

Bring a mug of your favorite drink. Excited to see you!

Are you a fan of manga and/or graphic novels? Are you not a fan yet but interested in learning more? Come join in! In this four-part workshop series we will use manga and graphic novel styles to explore personality, relationships, emotions, and storytelling. Email Counselor Jess with any questions. Hope to see you there!

Days : Tuesdays 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, 2/25

Time : 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Location: The Global Citizen Room

All ages welcome! No RSVP!

Textiles Creative Connections is an authentic opportunity for the adults at BFPP to come together and connect while dabbling in an artful collaborative practice. Carving out time to come together sparks countless opportunities for new friendships, conversation and creative inspiration. Let’s continue to build a strong sense of community together. This class is for adults only, but kids are welcome to come and work independently in the background. This time is for YOU!

When: Wednesdays 10-12, staring next week - February 5th!

Where: Performer Creator Room (top floor)

KICKOFF!

Creating an Art Journal

We will use this first gathering (2/05), to make an art journal that will later become the perfect place to collect our ideas, inspirations & other art we create. If you have any special papers you would like to use to customize your journal, please bring them with you. Otherwise, I will have materials for you to use.

You can find fancy papers such as watercolor paper, Tamarind Leaves Paper, Lokta Paper, and Mulberry Paper at Dakota Arts downtown for around $6- $12 a sheet. They have many colors and prints to choose from & the sheets are plenty big to make one 8.5 X 11 journal (cover and back). Please don’t feel pressured into buying anything, it’s just one idea if you want to spend money and have a vision. Otherwise, you are welcome to use the materials I have rustled up! I will also have collage materials for adults to work with if folks would rather jump right in to collaging vs. making a notebook.

One of the best ways to nurture the life of the mind and heart is to nourish ourselves.

In Partnership, Sammy

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 next meeting is Friday, February 7th from 11-12pm in the Global Citizens Room.

Please contact BFPP parent Crystal with questions.

Attention Middle Schoolers.. Do you like dancing? Music? Gathering with friends? Well BFPP is happy to announce the Middle School Valentine's Dance/Hangout on February 12th, 2:45-4:30, in the Gym.

Chaperones, treats and beverages will be provided.

Come spend the afternoon with friends!!

Contact Megan Renkert with questions at mamameg11@gmail.com

The next meeting of the Alterhuman Group is Friday, February 14th from 1-3pm. We meet every other Friday at BFPP from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. If you have questions, would like more information, or would like to RSVP to be a part of the group, please email Crystal Holtzheimer at choltzheimer@gmail.com. Please note: we are also a neurodivergent-affirming and queer-affirming group. We want everyone to feel welcome showing up as their whole and authentic selves.

Nurturing and Scaffolding the Writing Process (for all levels): Thursday consultations with Erin

Please reach out to schedule a one-on-one or small group consultation for support with how you guide and nurture the writing process at home with your learner(s). RSVP to Erin to schedule a Thursday morning 11-12pm time slot.

Need a break from meal prep? Want to save a little money on grocery shopping? Remember you can always take home food from community meals! Wednesdays at 12 noon. Leftovers are kept in the Family Lounge fridge/freezer. We are currently taking a poll of our favorite community meal food items – stop by for a snack and to cast your vote!

Please remember to leave some parking spots near the entrance of BFPP for our community members with mobility challenges. If you can park a bit further down the block that would be a huge help. Thank you!

The Free Store Closet is getting a bit stuffed! Can you help? Organizing and purging help is always needed and appreciated. Making sure your Free Store donations are in good working condition is another way to help keep the closet a useful resource.

BFPP Staff say an enthusiastic THANK YOU to BFPP Families for the delicious spread of food this week. It was so enjoyed and appreciated.

Building Community in The Village—this meeting will ask us to come together to reconnect and establish norms about who we are here at BFPP, why we are seeking this type of learning community and how we can continue to define and refine our work together as a village that supports young people and each other. Watch for this date and details in the next newsletter and reach out to Erin, Kate and Meredith in the interim if this piques your curiosity!

Get ready... MMM is coming to BFPP again this February and March! Look for more info in the next newsletter.

March Mammal Madness is a celebration of our natural world, animals, art, and storytelling. Based off the March Madness basketball tournament, and put together by a team of scientists and educators from ASU, every year a tournament is held that pits animals against each other in simulated 'battles' with story details pulled right from the scientific literature.

Led by Teacher Brooke and Counselor Jess. Parents and kids can participate in all or any of these. We recommend students and parents learn and play side-by-side for each meeting in the series. Maybe there will be a family that wants to take the lead to continue the club into the future!

March: Running/Walking/Movement Club for Grades 3-HS, Wednesdays in March 10:00-11:00, meet at The Cabin at BFPP

April: Mountain Biking Club for Grades 3-HS: Fridays in April 4:00-6:00, meet at the Galbraith Parking Lot

May: Recess Fun Time for Grades 3-HS, Wednesdays in March 10:00-11:00, meet at The Cabin at BFPP

Meet our newest BFPP community members!

Can you and your learner identify where in the life cycle our new friends are?

8th Graders and high schoolers have the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in a world language and earn high school credits and the Seal of Biliteracy.

Where: Bellingham High School

When: Saturday March 8, 2025 (high school) AND Saturday March 22, 2025 (8th grade) from 9:00-12:00 (extra time given if needed.)

Who: Any 8th grader or high school student who would like to demonstrate proficiency in a world language (native language or learned language) including ASL.

Why: (1) Students can earn up to 4 high school credits, (2) Students can earn the Seal of Biliteracy if they demonstrate advanced proficiency in all four language domains (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking.)

How: Students register by clicking on the registration link, entering their information and choosing a test date.

Language Proficiency Test Registration Form, Due Feb. 25, 2025

The deadline for registration is 5:00 PM on Tuesday Feb. 25th.

Please reach out to bps.languagetesting@bellinghamschools.org with questions!

Email Staci at Recreation Northwest with questions or to RSVP.

Whatcom Community College is pleased to once again offer its popular free workshops for middle and high school students to learn about high demand / high wage careers in healthcare and technology.

Guys & Guts

For boys to learn about careers in medical assisting, Nursing, and Physical therapist assisting

Saturday, March 8, 2025 | 9 am – 2 pm | Register at: //whatcom.edu/guysandguts

Digital Download

For girls to learn about careers in CIS/cybersecurity, Engineering, and Software development

Saturday, April 26, 2025 | 9 am – 3 pm | Register at: //whatcom.edu/digitaldownload

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