BFPP NEWS

Dear BFPP Families,

Happy Fall! Just a short note this week. I want to say a big thanks to the district who purchased and installed some bike racks for us. They are located on the north side of campus between the gym and Cottage. Yay!

On a similar note, the facilities and maintenance department are diligently working to fix our boiler. In a building over 100 years old, and a boiler over 50, it is sometimes hard to find parts. Hopefully next week we will all experience a bit more warmth.

Speaking of warmth, I truly get a warm feeling when I think about this great community we are a part of. Thank you for bringing your families into our family at BFPP!

Warmly (from my heart and hopefully in my toes next week), K

Week of Oct. 23rd: Creative Connections Begin

Tuesday, Oct. 24th 1pm: NaNoWriMo Middle School Club Meeting on Zoom

Wednesday, Oct. 25th 10:30-12pm & 6-7:30pm: Theater Spooktacular

Friday, Oct. 27th 1:30-3pm: Field Trip to Maritime Heritage Park

Thursday, Nov. 2nd 2-3pm: Differently Wired Parent Group Meeting

Monday, Nov. 6th: Scholastic Book Orders Due

Now that the students are all settled into classes and routines it’s time for the adults to have some fun too. Beginning the week of October 23rd parents and staff will offer year long connection and creativity opportunities for adults called Creative Connections.

Here is the weekly ongoing schedule:

One-Off Wednesday Events

*Please check bulletin board outside the kitchen for ongoing opportunities.

Cooking with Kristy and Megan – October 25th and November 15th– This will be a demonstration lesson. Participants will learn a new cooking technique and then share the samples in community. RSVP here: Kristy.tice@bellinghamschools.org

Jewelry Making with Kate – November 1st (and possibly 8th too) – This will be a chance to make jewelry in community. Come and be inspired by the work of others or bring your own project to complete. RSVP here: Kate.baehr@bellinghamschools.org

*If you are a parent interested in offering a creative one-off or an ongoing creative connection group, please reach out to Erica or Sammy.

Don’t know what NaNoWriMo is? Well….NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month which is the month of November. The BFPP Middle School NaNoWriMo Club will meet in-person once a week for over 7 weeks to (or attempt to) crank out a novel of 50,000 words.

Specifically, we will be delving into the NaNoWriMo story-creating curriculum and online platform for writing a novel within the month of November. This means lots of social connection, lots of written output and lots of opportunities for middle schooler to wrangle their creativity into form. What’s not to love?

BFPP Middle School NaNoWriMo Club

Facilitated by Erin McCarthy

Tuesdays 10/31-12/12, from 12:30-1:30, onsite at BFPP

Check out the NaNoWriMo website for more info and please email Erin with any questions.

Ready to join us?

RSVP for the mandatory Zoom information meeting at 1pm on Tuesday, 10/24.

Zoom Link: https://bellinghamschools.zoom.us/my/erin.mccarthybfpp

The BFPP Theatre Class presents Spooktacular on Wednesday, October 25th from 10:30-12:00 and 6:00-7:30 PM in the gym.

Prepare for a spooky maze of adventure. Younger kids are invited the first half hour and then older students will be guided through the entire maze. There will be a live performance by talented ghouls midway through the event, culminating in a Monster Dance party.

The event is free! Donations for our theater program will be gratefully accepted.

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 Thursday of the month and would love to have you join us.

Our first meeting of this school year will be Thursday, November 2nd from 2-3pm in the Fort.

Please contact BFPP parent Crystal with questions.

Do you need some new books for your home library? Scholastic Books Inc. offers a great value on a wide variety of children's books.

Please place your online order by Monday, November 6th.

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 by the week of Thanksgiving.

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 book ordering opportunities 3 times through the year.

Friday, November 17 at 12:30pm at the WWU Concert Hall

BFPP has reserved 60 seats to the upcoming WWU Symphony Orchestra performance of Spirit Chief Names the Animal People.

Your whole family is invited to this free performance or Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate’s Spirit Chief Names the Animal People, which tells the traditional Okanagan story of Coyote’s ill-fated attempts to beat Bear, Salmon, and Eagle to win the best name before the arrival of humankind. This 45-minute program also includes the frenetic Sensemayá by Mexican composer Silvestre Revueltas, inspired by an Afro-Cuban ritual for killing a snake.

Please click here for detailed info and to reserve your seats.

Calling all makers and bakers.... mark your calendars for Thursday, December 14th. BFPP will hold our annual Winter Craft Fair in the gym. Look for sign-ups, a call for volunteers, and relevant details in upcoming newsletters.

5th grade students are invited to participate in some organized events on Fridays.

The next three Fridays (10/20, 10/27, 11/3) we'll be learning about puberty (body basics, pregnancy and reproduction and HIV.) In November we will be preparing for and going on a watershed field trip.

Fill out this form to indicate your interest in attending any of the activities. Events will also be posted outside the Innovator Room. Please contact Teacher Marci with questions.

1) Fill out the volunteer program form.

(Make sure you have 4 GREEN check marks indicating you completed all steps)

2) Once you have received an approval email, let Peggy know that you have been approved.

3) Give Peggy one week to get your badge printed.

4) Check the Volunteer Badge list located above the Family Mailboxes, to see if your badge is ready. If your name is listed that means your badge is in your mailbox.

Check out the library book displays about current holidays and observances!

Please read these books on site as they are borrowed from Bellingham Public Library.

If you have a holiday or observance you'd like represented, please contact Teacher Meredith.

There are several free resources for families to take advantage of on campus.

On the ground floor is the Free Store. Here you may 'shop' for items such as household goods, clothing, art supplies, toys, etc. Take what you would like--there's no limit. You may also donate your gently-used items directly to the free store. Please no stained, dirty, or broken items (broken jewelry for crafting is ok).

On the ground floor there is a cork board in the hallway by the kitchen for connecting with others to swap curriculum and other items.

On the main floor we have a Free Library in the Communicator Room. Books of all type are free for the taking! You may also donate your gently used books, curriculum and teaching aids. Please leave Free Library donations at the front desk with Peggy.

Student/Parent-driven clubs are an integral part of BFPP. We have several clubs already underway!

To see a current list of BFPP clubs, click here. You can find this list in the links at the bottom of each newsletter.

*Clubs do not have a sign-in North Star option. Families should plan on remaining on campus during club activities.*

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

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple Health (Medicaid) was expanded to Washingtonians around the state. Now Washington state is required to redetermine eligibility for all individuals currently receiving Apple Health.

There are still many school-aged children and youth who have not reenrolled and many of them may still be eligible, even if their parents or caregivers are not.

What you can do if your child has Apple Health or may be eligible:

• Watch your mail for a reminder to renew.
• Visit wa.healthplanfinder.org or call 1-855-923-4633 to update your contact information.
• Need help? Call Unity Care NW at 360-788-2669 for free help re-enrolling or enrolling.

For more information, visit the Washington Health Care Authority website.

Do you have something to share with our BFPP community? 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