BFPP NEWS

Dear BFPP Families,

I was recently reviewing some old newsletters. It's an interesting historical review and a reminder of how we have evolved and who we are. It was last year at this time when we were just starting to have families back on campus, and it was still limited. It both reminded me of all the changes and transitions that we experienced over the last several years as well has how different and isolating it was when we couldn't be together.

This was a quote from last year's newsletter: So, here is to choosing hope rather than fear, and love rather than hate, and possibilities rather than limits.

As we are still experiencing change, social unrest, school safety concerns nationally, and reclaiming a "new normal," I will strive to embrace these same sentiments.

This current newsletter shares so many ways that we can now gather and celebrate as a community! A big thanks to our staff and families who make all of this possible. We are stronger together!

Let us continue to seek hope, love and possibilities!

Warmly, Principal Kate

Friday, March 3rd Last Day to Claim Lost & Found Items

Friday, March 10th No School

Sunday, March 12th MMM Brackets Due

Monday, March 13th Scholastic Book Orders Due

Tuesday, March 14th Pi(e) Day at BFPP

Tuesday, March 14th, 1pm Tea with Kate

Thursday, March 16th St. Patrick's Day Potluck

Wednesday, March 22nd, 11:45am Children's Film Festival @ Pickford

Friday, March 31st BFPP Apparel Orders Due

We invite you to explore your creativity and create community!

Mondays 12:30 - 1:30

Art with Sammy and Annalee- Multi-Purpose Room

Tuesdays 12:30 - 1:30

Writing with Erica W. and Sven- Multi- Purpose Room

St. Patrick's Day Potluck- March 16th

Want to be involved? Connect with Kristy Tice.

In March, the district's high schools are hosting informational family nights at each high school for incoming 9th graders and their families. Please see the flyer below for details about high school enrollment, in-district and out-of district transfers, and contacts for each school.

Incoming 9th Grade Family Nights

Monday, March 20th at 6:30 pm

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

Thursday, March 23rd at 6:30 pm

• Options High School

Check out these nifty BFPP t-shirts and sweatshirts now available for purchase online! Big thanks to BFPP parent Sean Spain for organizing this opportunity to update our wardrobes. Last day to purchase is March 31st.

Please place your online order by Monday, March 13th.

New to ordering? Here’s how:

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

2. Click on 'Connect to a Teacher' and enter our BFPP Class Code: RT8NH

3. Create an account.

4. Shop the flyers and pay online for your order.

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 before spring break.

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

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 Twitter tournament is held that pits animals against each other in simulated 'battles.' Battles are narrated on Twitter 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. See an overview of the tournament and rules

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 3/12 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 Twitter: #2023MMMk12
• 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 Thursdays.

6. Win prizes (distributed after spring break) and bragging rights when your bracket predictions come true. Find out who will be the 2023 MMM Champion! “If you’re learning, you’re winning!”

Your whole family is invited to a special BFPP screening of "Hopeful Harmonies," twelve short films from eight different countries, as part of the Bellingham Children's Film Festival.

Who: Feel free to bring the whole family and friends (suggested age for the films is k-5th)

When and Where: Pickford Film Center on Wednesday, March 22nd at 11:45am

Cost: $3 per person, payable on arrival.

For complete details and to RSVP, please click here. Please RSVP by March 17th.

BFPP Student Enzo Krupa invites you to play Minecraft on his server on Thursdays 3:30-4:30. If you’re interested, please see details below.

From 3:30pm-4:30pm on Thursdays, I, Enzo Krupa, encourage you to play on our Minecraft server. Our server supports Java Edition!!! (think computer and laptop). On our server, “keep inventory” is enabled so if you die you do not lose your things. On our server we do not support pvp, griefing or swearing. Our server runs on minehut and the ip address for minehut is mc.minhut.com. Once you are in minehut, type in chat /join idealfairy. If you decide you want to play with us, please send me your username so I can whitelist you. My email is krupaenz000@bellinghamschools.org

We have a large pile of items in our Lost & Found area and growing! If you have noticed (or even if you have not noticed) anything missing, come check out the Lost & Found on the main floor. You might recognize a jacket, glasses or water bottle that you forgot about.

We will be placing items in the Free Store or donating to Goodwill after March 3rd.

BFPP parent Gretchen Anderson is putting together a family-organized, end-of-the-year trip to Olympia for 8th graders and their families. Tentative dates are June 5th and 6th. Itinerary, activities, and fundraising options are all in the planning stages. Stay tuned for details, and please contact her if your family is interested in this parent-led event.

We are fortunate in our building to have some communal as well as private bathrooms. For the safety and awareness of all, please follow these rules:

• Adults should only use the private bathrooms located on each floor
• If you are an adult entering the communal bathrooms downstairs announce you are entering before proceeding
• If you are helping a class just use the bathrooms to wash hands also make sure no one is using the bathroom before having students enter
• We have all inclusive family friendly bathrooms on each floor, use those as needed

All Whatcom County residents (including students grades k-12) are invited to participate in the annual Boynton Poetry Contest. Entries will be accepted March 1st - 31st. Winners will have their poems displayed on the Sue C. Boynton Poetry Walk outside the Bellingham Central Library. Several past winners from BFPP have their poems displayed in our school library!

Information about the contest, community events, and past winners can be found here:

https://thepoetrydepartment.wordpress.com/contest/

A PDF of the contest guidelines can be found here:

https://thepoetrydepartment.files.wordpress.com/2023/02/scbpc-2023-submission-guidelines.pdf

Wings Over Water (WOW) Birding Festival is just a few short weeks away! It will take place in Blaine on March 17, 18, and 19 with field trips, birding and wildlife cruises; an all-day birding expo on Saturday with expert speakers, wildlife presentations, live raptor presentations, kids’ activities, and more- all to enhance your outdoor experience and love of birding. Visit their website for more info and a schedule of events.

This week our student voices are movie reviews written by the middle school Spanish class. Students responded to question prompts after viewing the film, ‘La misma luna’ (Under the Same Moon) in class. Note: the ‘migra’ and INS refer to the department of Homeland Security.

photo by BFPP parent Thomas Wagner

Have an event, talent, idea, or interest to share with the BFPP community at large? Please consider sharing via the newsletter! Email Heidi with your contributions. Thank you!

Next newsletter: Friday, March 10th.

Contributions deadline - Wednesday, March 8th.

ParentSquare Login

BFPP Calendar

Staff Directory

Welcome Guide

BFPP Clubs

Vision, Mission, and Core Beliefs

AL*e Parent Login

AL*e Parent Login Instructions
Newsletter Archive

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