BFPP NEWS

Dear BFPP Families,

As we embark on the month of March, I am filled with gratitude for our incredible school community. Your presence, participation and passion for learning makes this a great place to be. At the Partnership, our mission is "we promise to inspire learning and support families because together we achieve more" and you make that happen. Whether it's volunteering in the classroom, attending school events, leading clubs, joining a workshop or simply offering words of encouragement, your dedication to our school fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens the bonds that unite us.

As we look forward to the month ahead, I am excited about the opportunities for growth, learning, and connection that March brings. From celebrating Pi Day to engaging in meaningful conversations about Women's History Month, there is much to anticipate and explore together. Let us continue to embrace the spirit of collaboration and unity as we navigate the journey ahead, knowing that together, we can achieve great things for our children and our community.

In Partnership,

Dr. Kate

*Wednesday Community Meals: 11:45-12:30 in Multipurpose Room*

Monday, March 4th: Scholastic Book Orders Due

Tuesday, March 12th 10:30-12pm: LTW: Homeschooling 101 Condensed

Thursday, March 14th 12-1:30pm: Pi(e) Day at BFPP

Thursday, March 21st 10-11am: Tea With Kate

Friday, March 22nd 1-2:30pm: LTW: Supporting Mid-level Writers

April 1st-5th: Spring Break

Please set aside 5-10 minutes and help us collect important information about how our families and students experience our school: bellinghamschools.org/familyfeedback. We use this confidential information to help us know what we’re doing well and how we can continue to grow and improve here at Bellingham Family Partnership Program.

This is a chance to share your experience with home learning, the resources and services and also a place to voice requests or concerns. For example: high school at BFPP, special education, state of the building, etc. Here is a place to have your voice heard!

Please visit: bellinghamschools.org/familyfeedback

Mark your calendar as Math Club is again preparing a school celebration for Pi Day on Thursday, March 14th from 12-1:30. The day will start with math booths around the school run by our middle school Math Club (12-12:30) and end with a pie potluck in the gym. We welcome pie donations, and Övn will be donating 25 cheese pizzas. If your family is interested in helping the math club run booths, please contact Rachel Throolin.

Supporting Mid-Level Writers with Expository Writing ~ 3/22

Looking for a painless process to get more writing from your learner? Join Erin McCarthy, veteran academic writing teacher, for a family workshop that teaches how to use a “step-up-to-writing” process to support mid-level writers (grades 5-10) through the drafting process. Focus on effective informative writing techniques and 5 paragraph essays. This workshop is created to teach adult learners how to guide this writing process at home. (Student writers are welcome with a parent). This workshop will meet for 90 minutes.

• Friday, 3/22 1pm-2:30 in Performer/Creator Room
• RSVP erin.mccarthy@bellinghamschools.org by 3/20

Home Learning 101 Condensed: Connect & Calibrate ~ 3/12

Are you curious about the new onboarding workshop series that all new families are provided? Are you a returning family that could use a quick deep dive or new perspective into how to organize the many components of your home learning plan in a way that connects you to other families who are on this journey too? Join Erin for this 90 minute workshop that focuses on how to open the lens of learning (versus schooling) and addresses common questions and concerns about what learners need to be curious, content, creative and whole humans.

• Tuesday, 3/12 10:30-12pm in Performer/Creator Room
• RSVP erin.mccarthy@bellinghamschools.org by 3/10

Please join our Community Meal every Wednesday from 11:45 – 12:30 in the basement multipurpose room.

Each week we receive a delivery of frozen food from the Bellingham School District central kitchen, which we then share with anyone who wants to eat. If you are not here on Wednesdays, and you would like to enjoy some of the food, please help yourself to the food marked Community Meal in the family lounge freezer. Each week we replenish the supply in the freezer.

If you'd like to volunteer or contribute food to the meal, please reach out to a team member. Thank you!

Your Community Meal Team,

Erica Wolverton, Annie Graham, Kristy Christensen, Meredith Attar, Jackie Brown, Carol Makela, Marci Bass, David Wagner

Middle School lunchtime will continue this spring, by popular demand! Students from 6th-8th grade are invited to gather in the Global Citizen room from 12-12:30 on Wednesdays.

Parents, please sign up for a slot to supervise here.

Any questions - please reach out to Annie Graham

Here is a run-down of our current BFPP clubs:

Math Clubs ~ Mondays @ 10 & 11am

Science & Engineering Fair Clubs ~ Mondays @10 & 11am

Crochet & Knit Club ~ Mondays @ 1:30pm

Minecraft Club ~ Tuesdays @ 2pm

D&D Club ~ Thursdays @ 12:30pm

Geocaching Club ~ 1st & 3rd Thursdays of Month @ 12:30pm

Hiking Club ~ Fridays @10am

Check out all the details for these clubs and get connected here!

Interested in starting a club? Spend some time thinking about the Topic, Purpose, and Format of your club. Then contact Principal Kate or Heidi Zollner with your idea.

In March, the district's high schools are hosting informational family nights at each high school for incoming 9th graders and their families. In addition, they will be hosting an informational session specific to private school/homeschool students.

Please see the flyer below for details about high school enrollment, in-district and out-of district transfers, and contacts for each school.

The 2024-25 High School Course Catalog is now available online. This publication outlines the district’s graduation requirements and lays out the variety of courses available to high school students.

Private School/Homeschool Students Info Session

Friday, March 15th 2:00-3:00pm at

• Bellingham High School
• Sehome High School
• Squalicum High School

Incoming 9th Grade Family Nights

Monday, March 18th 6:30-8:00pm at

• Bellingham High School
• Sehome High School
• Squalicum High School

Thursday, March 21st 6:30-8:00pm at

• Options High School

Please place your online order by Monday, March 4th.

New to ordering? Here’s how:

1. Go online to: https://clubs.scholastic.com/

2. Click on 'Connect to a Teacher' and use our zip code (98225) and school name (Bellingham Fmly Prtnrshp Prog) to connect to a teacher (Zollner, Heidi).

3. Create an account.

4. Shop the flyers and pay online for your order. You can choose from any and all of the many different flyers available.

5. Please email Heidi Zollner and let her know you've ordered so we can arrange pick up/delivery of your books.

6. Books should arrive at school the week before Spring Break.

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

Every purchase earns us free books and other goodies for our school.

We'll have one more book ordering opportunity this year.

Congrats to Victoria West, Nathan Blum, Marley Lotts, and Henry Anderson on their participation in the MATHCOUNTS team math competition last Saturday in Mount Vernon. Way to represent BFPP!

Best wishes to the BFPP team of Ezra, Nicholas, Sam, and Eli! They're headed to Snohomish this weekend to attend the First Lego League Explore competition. They have created a moving pixel art museum.

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 from ASU and scientists and educators around the country, every year a tournament is held that pits animals against each other in simulated 'battles' with story details pulled right from the scientific literature. Sixty-four animals are hopeful contestants, but only one will be crowned champion!

Want to join in on the fun? Keep reading! March Mammal Madness at BFPP:

1. Watch a short video overview or view an guide to the tournament.

2. Research the combatants 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!

3. Take a picture of your filled-in bracket and email it to Heidi by Sunday, 3/11 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 the lib guide
• 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 Fridays.

6. Win prizes (distributed after spring break) and bragging rights when your bracket predictions come true. Experience the "bracket-busting bummers" when your picks are knocked out of the tournament. Find out who will be the 2024 MMM Champion! “If you’re learning, you’re winning!”

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!

*** The annual Global Kids Sewing Party in March is a month-long celebration for kids to sew a softie to give to someone in their community - so we'll be sewing softies on March 7th.

Where: Ragfinery Community Classroom
When: Thursdays, 2:00pm - 3:30pm.

March 7, April 4+18, May 2+30, June 13
Who: Ages 8 to 88 - Invite your friends to RSVP too!
Cost: Free to attend, with an optional donation to Ragfinery

More info here! Please read before you RSVP.
To be added to the club’s email list, fill in this Google Doc form. Limited to 10 attendees per session (classroom limit). Walk-ins are welcome if there are open spots.

Do you have something to share with our BFPP community? We're always on the lookout for events, resources, and opportunities of interest to our families. Please email your newsletter submissions to Heidi Zollner.

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How to Use AL*e to Register for Classes

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