BFPP NEWS

Dear BFPP Families,

There is always so much activity and energy with our mid-year conversations and switch in semesters. The snow break last week was a minor bump, but our teachers and staff rallied, and everything is set to remain on schedule.

Please, take a few extra minutes to review the information below. Notice the new video from Teacher Meredith on how to register for classes, super helpful. I recommend that you try logging in and taking a look at the class descriptions and make sure everything is ready for you to register on Monday. There are links to information on that below as well.

Peggy, Erin and I will be ready to take any calls or Zoom on Monday to assist and problem solve. Emailing or phoning us directly will get you the most immediate assistance. Office phone is 360-676-6424 and email either Peggy.Gallegos@bellinghamschools.org, kate.baehr@bellinghamschools.org or erin.mccarthy@bellinghamschools.org.

All the best and have a great weekend,

Dr. Kate

Fri. Jan 26th: Last Day of 1st Semester Classes

Mon. Jan 29th 10am: Staff Appreciation Brunch

Mon. Jan. 29th 11am: Explorations Art Camp Info Meeting

Mon. 1/29 & Tues. 1/30: 2nd Semester Enrichment Class Registration

1/29-2/2: Semester Break~ Learning Plan Meetings~ No Classes

Mon. Feb 5th: 2nd Semester Classes Begin

Fri. Feb 16th 10-11am: EB Lewis Workshop

There are always a few minor adjustments so this is the best draft we have today! We'll send a finalized version after the registration window closes on 1/30. For example, the Uke and Choir dates will be updated due to the snow day calendar adjustments.

• Teacher Carrie is having foot surgery so you may notice some "double booking'. This is a built-in accommodation should our stairs be difficult to navigate. Also, notice those classes and literacy offerings are for after Spring Break until the end of the year.
• Teacher Carol and Teacher Piper are helping with Teacher Carrie's Learning Plan Partners during her absence and will also be able to offer a few courses for February until Spring Break.
• You may notice some clubs on the schedule. You don't need to register for those in AL*e but we wanted them on the schedule so you could see how they might fit your schedule.
• There are a few courses that have 0 enrollment, similarly we wanted them indicated on the schedule but they are accessed in different pathways from AL*e registration. Contact the instructor or your LPP.

You can now view classes in AL*e!

AL*e Parent Login

AL*e Parent Login Instructions

Teacher Meredith created a step-by step screencast showing how to register for classes. This quick video guide is useful whether it's your first time registering or you simply need a refresher on the quirks of AL*e: How to Use AL*e to Register for Classes

Registration begins 1/29 at 8:00am

The window will remain open on 1/30

Here are a few reminders:

• We are first and foremost a home learning program. Our enrichment classes are not intended to replace the important time needed to keep home learning as the primary focus.
• We recommend that you are not on campus more than two days a week for classes.
• Please consider leaving spots for other students if you have a robust schedule already.

There will be waitlists in the Collaborator Room starting on the 30th. Families must come in to put names on the lists. Please do not ask your LPP to do this for you (that creates some equity issues). If you are requesting an out of grade placement in an enrichment class please sign up on a waitlist.

*Enrichment classes begin the week of February 5th.*

Erica is gathering a cohort of students who want to attend a creative and highly engaging weeklong overnight immersive arts camp on March 4th – March 8th. This opportunity is called Explorations Arts Camp and it’s only for students in Washington State in grades 7-9. Explorations is held on the beautiful campus of Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend, Washington. There will be an informational meeting at BFPP on January 29th at 11am.

Please click on the document below to learn more.

You can RSVP for the informational meeting here.

BFPP jumped into the future and competed in Seattle last weekend!

Future City is a national competition that challenges students to consider what life might be like 100 years in the future. They were tasked with constructing a scale model of a city with an $100 budget, writing an essay about their city, and presenting their project to a panel of judges, all while making sure their city was 100% electric and had a moving part!

The competition consisted of 29 different teams from four different states this year. BFPP sent two teams - a middle school team (grades 6-8) and a junior team (grades 4-5). The middle school team had the 12th best essay and the junior team was the 1st place junior team. The junior team also won the most spirited team regional award because of their passion for presenting in costumes and with props! If you see them around campus with their bright yellow hats or wearing their future city shirts, tell them good job!

Several new clubs are starting second semester. Read below for details on the Knit Wits Club and The Science/Engineering Fair Club. Check out the complete list of 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.

The Knit Wits is a crochet and knit club for anyone who wants to learn how to crochet or knit. It is also a club for anyone who wants to crochet/knit in a group! You can join us on Mondays in the Cabin starting February 5th from 1:30-3:00pm.

For more info, email BFPP student Gwen (grahagwe000@bellinghamschools.org), or Annie Graham (annie.cmg@gmail.com)"

Have an awesome solution to a problem? Want to test an idea to see if it’s true? The Science and Engineering Fair club is for you! Led by BFPP parent and science enthusiast Juliana West, we will brainstorm ideas for a project, go through the science or engineering process, and conclude with a presentation at a school-based science fair in May.

Middle grades (6-8) will meet on Mondays from 10-10:55am. Elementary grades (4-5) will meet on Mondays from 11-11:55am. Club will begin Monday, February 5th and meet in the Fort. Contact Juliana with questions.

For grades 3 and up

Meeting twice a month~ the first and 3 Thursday each month.

Starting Thursday, February 22nd

Starting 12:30 and running until 2ish as it is open ended

Come join the fun of Geocaching. Do you love love to go on adventures and spend time outside? Do you like to search for treasure? Then Geocaching is for you!

Geocaching is a real-life treasure hunt that uses GPS to guide you to hidden objects or “ caches” Using an app with GPS tracking, intense visual searching, and occasional puzzle-solving, geocachers are led to the secret location of a weatherproof container aka the treasure!

Our goal in this club is to have fun outside and make new friends. The first few weeks we will explore the caches hidden by our school, but the plan is to assign a park for the remainder of the weeks and meet there. We are also going to create some BFPP caches and hide them ourselves!

Please contact BFPP parent Jill and her son Ethan Brown at 360-319-7768 via text with questions or to join in the fun!

A sign-up sheet for this workshop is hanging in the front entryway. Please contact Teacher Meredith with questions.

**To preorder EB Lewis books, please visit this link!**

Recreation Northwest is offering a free, experience-based learning opportunity for BFPP students.

When? Fridays 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Who? BFPP students in grades 6th - 8th

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!

Location: The majority of the experience will be at the Outdoor Classroom in the 100 Acre Wood (Fairhaven Park) with the opportunity to visit other City of Bellingham Parks.

Fill out this online form to sign up, or contact Elizabeth Nelson at Recreation Northwest with questions.

February 6 - June 11

Weekly classes: Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30 PM

Tuition: $270

Registration is open now at baay.org/theatre

Financial aid info at baay.org/financial-aid

The Bellingham Coding and Robotics Club is now offering Van Pick Up at BFPP for homeschoolers at noon on Thursday afternoons for our 2pm class! We will pick them up at noon and take them to our Club House where they can eat their lunches and have some STEM fun before our 2pm Coding and Robotics Class (for 5 year olds to 13 year olds). Parent pick up is at 3:15 at our Coding Club's new location at 3230 Meridian St.

The cost is $100 per month for a full Club Membership (that's HALF OFF price and includes weekly class, Club Nights and Saturday drop ins) and $25 per month for transportation and care.

Learn more here and email with any questions!

What:Adventure Quest

Who: Children aged 6-17

Where: Larrabee school (BFPP) gym & school grounds

When: Fridays 12:15 – 1:45 pm
Jan 19 – Mar 22 (skipping no-school days 2/2, 3/15; 8 days total)

Cost: $198

This program is open to all homeschool / BFPP families. Children will meet staff at the Larrabee school gym, and will Quest outside on school grounds as much as weather permits, utilizing the gym in case of inclement weather. See After-School Programs for more details and Click here to register.

Teen Author Cohort (TAC) is for ages 14-18. We meets weekly during the school year (except during school holidays) Tuesdays from 4pm to 5:30pm. Our meetings are a combination of generative writing, talking about writing, learning from visiting writers and related professionals, and creating publications. Click here to apply!

Looking for a bridge between BFPP and Running Start? Come see the new alternative for high school in Bellingham, ask questions, and register for the fall! This private program is offered by BFPP parent Don Antonen.

When: January 27th, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

RSVP: https://fairhavenprogram.org/open-house/

Sunday, 02/11/2024 - 4:00pm to 5:00pm at Village Books

Author E.Z. Spain, BFPP 6th grader, is coming to the Village Books Readings Gallery where he'll share his Foofy the Fox series! Click here to register for this free event. You can find his books in the BFPP library, or visit him at www.ez-spain.com.

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