BFPP NEWS

Dear BFPP Families,

Second Semester is one week a way! Registration went fairly smoothly. One universal glitch that had a universal fix, which means there were no advantages and everyone had access at the same time. Here are some reminders and new information.

Mid-Year Conversations

We have the opportunity mid-year to hold some important conversations. The last week of the month Jan. 31st to Feb. 3rd we set the time aside to meet with each other. We gather to celebrate and reflect on the year to date and then spend some time thinking about the time remaining and setting some goals. Your LPP will be reaching out to set a time to meet. We hope to have those as much as possible in Zoom and in person.

Registration for SEM2

• Now that the registration window is closed LPPs can register families for classes, do out of grade level placement if no waitlist and okay with instructor, and make changes.

• Hopefully the schedule provided some opportunities for enrichment. The primary focus of BFPP learning and learners is home learning. The enrichment classes are just that....enrichment. You should really only have a few classes on a few days. Further, by being good stewards of your schedule and only taking a few classes this will allow plenty of space for others to take classes.
• We discourage "class shopping". This is a practice of signing up for way more classes then you intend on going to and trying them on. Again, this is taking up a spot from another learner. This is particularly challenging in the "popular" and year long classes. With over 70+ new students since registration last spring when those classes showed up on the schedule, new families have never had a chance to be in them.

Development of the schedule

• We did not make any substantial changes to the schedule from SEM 1. As we said last spring, the intent was to build a schedule to use for the year. We recognize there were and are some issues. We tried to add a few more options, however there are always challenges.
• During the spring we will begin developing the enrichment schedule for the 2023-24 school year. We are hoping to gather your input and lens of the family perspective. Our conversations as a staff so far are to create a predictable more streamlined schedule that includes some extended learning opportunities as well as the fun one-hour experiences. Be looking for invitations in the spring.

Excited for what is coming and opportunities ahead and happy to be sharing them with you!

Warmly, Principal Kate

Tues. 1/31-Fri. 2/3 No Classes Held - Mid-Year Conversations and LPP Meetings

Thursday, 2/2 9:30am Staff Appreciation Breakfast*

Monday, 2/6 Second Semester Classes Begin*

Thursday, 2/9 10:30-11:30 Inclusive & Assistive Technology Workshop*

Thursday, 2/9 1:30-2:30 Arts and Crafts Club*

Thursday, 2/16 Come and Connect Drop-Ins Begin*

*find more info on these events below

Thank you for supporting our Leadership class with both your donations and purchases at their used book sale- they raised $170 to support school activities! We hope you came away with some new reads (and didn't end up bringing back home any books you had donated!)

Don’t forget to pick up an MLK and Black History Month Activity by Peggy's desk in the main foyer. There are 3 learning opportunities that are fun and informative. Please return completed activities to Peggy as soon as possible so that we can display them through January and February. Thanks!

Calling all Minecrafters! Want to have fun in Minecraft with other kids from BFPP? Join us for weekly build and exploration activities in Minecraft Bedrock Edition (Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Playstation, iPad, or PC). This club meets online every Wednesday after school between 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm.

A few spots are currently available! Recommended for ages 8 and up.

To join, parents can email Jeff Anderson (Charlie’s Dad) at Bellinghamandersons@gmail.com

Thursday, February 2nd at 9:30am

Let's celebrate and appreciate our BFPP staff members by serving up a breakfast extravaganza.

A big THANK YOU to all who have volunteered to bring a breakfast item (or several!) Feel free to take a peek at the sign up genius if you haven't had a chance.

Please bring your contribution to the school kitchen by 9:30am on Thursday, February 2nd. You can also put items in the family lounge refrigerator labeled "Staff Potluck" ahead of time - just let us know.

You can contact Heidi with questions. Thank you!

Please join us for a workshop with Amy Connolly to learn about inclusive and assistive technology!

February 9th 10:30-11:30

Top Floor: Performer/Creator Room

Amy Connolly is the Assistive Technology Specialist for the Bellingham Public Schools.

Inclusive education, by definition, removes barriers, promotes accessibility, and fosters learner agency by embracing the fact that everyone is unique. Inclusive practices not only benefit learners with disabilities, or those in other underrepresented groups, but everyone else as well.

This workshop will provide information on inclusive technology tools and strategies that are available to all students, as well as assistive technology options for those who need them. For example, text-to-speech enables a learner to listen to text read aloud by a computer. Using this nearly universal feature of digital devices, learners can interact with written materials regardless of reading ability. Text-to-speech is just one of the accessibility features built into most devices; together, we will explore even more.

Objectives:

· Learn the difference between inclusive and assistive technology

· Learn various types of inclusive and assistive technology available in BSD

RSVP: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0949AFAB2BA3FE3-assistive

Hey artful and crafty friends! Arts & Crafts club will meet on the following dates in the Multipurpose room.

All are welcome!! Contact Siv Spain with any questions.

• Thursday, February 9th, 1:30-2:30
• Thursday, March 16th, 1:30-2:30
• Thursday, April 13th, 1:30-2:30

Friday Consultations with Erin McCarthy, BFPP Instructional Coach & Former Home School Parent

Are you feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with some aspects of your home learning practices? Perhaps you’re tentatively seeking another perspective to support your work and trouble-shoot some ideas? Well… sign up for a Friday Recalibration Consultation with Erin and let’s start knocking some ideas around!!

These Friday consultations can include deep conversations about curriculum planning, learning routines and activities, communication practices, incentive models, developmental milestones and whatever else you’d like some support with.

Email Erin McCarthy to arrange for a lunch time connection (12pm Zoom or in-person). 12pm meetings available every other Friday. 2/3, 2/17, 3/3, 3/17…

Photographer Lynn Tyler King will be at BFPP for school picture appointments on

• Tuesday, February 14th
• Wednesday, February 15th

Please click here if you'd like to sign up for an appointment!

You can email or call Lynn with questions - 360-201-4737

Join Principal Kate on Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14th at 1pm in the reception/entry area for a cup of tea and conversation. This is a BYOM – bring your own mug - event!

2nd Tuesday of the month at 1pm

• 2/14
• 3/14
• 4/18
• 5/9

Adult drop-in opportunities beginning February 16th... stay tuned for more details!

Sign-ups for YMCA summer camps are starting February 15th at 7am. It feels very early to be discussing summer resources, which is why we are trying to get the word out as much as possible for those who are interested.

Please see their website - YMCA Camp Information. Scholarships are available - you are able to apply online anytime here, YMCA Scholarship Application.

Feel free to stop by our Family Resource Center at Carl Cozier Elementary, 1330 Lincoln St., Portable A, for any questions or support to complete applications, we are here to help! We have walk in hours from Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm (closed from 12pm-1pm, Fridays open at 10:30am).

Raising School-Aged Children

Tuesdays, 9:30-11am, February 7th-February 28th

Location: Bellingham Family Partnership Program, in “The Cabin”

Cost: $79

Scholarships: There are scholarship opportunities for this class to cover 50% (or sometimes more) of the cost. You can request a scholarship when you register.

Registration: www.btc.edu/familystudies

Being an effective parent/caregiver can be challenging as well as rewarding. This course will provide a practical approach to improving adult/child relations for parents/caregivers of children ages 6-11 years. Learn how to effectively manage your own emotions while coaching your child to become resilient, self-disciplined, and emotionally intelligent. Explore how positive discipline can help create a loving, compassionate, scream-free household. Children and families can experience positive behavior change by taking simple steps covered in this class, leading to a happier and healthier life for both you and your children.

Experience Finland, land of 1,000 lakes, through film!

Moominvalley

FREE ADMISSION to this acclaimed and animated family show

11:00am Sunday, February 5th

at The Firehouse Arts & Events Center ~ 1314 Harris Avenue

About the Moomins: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moomins

BFPP Teacher/Maestra Carol is helping to organize this festival, and highly recommends the film 'Tale of a Lake' for our families. This is a part of the festival line-up and will be showing at 12:30pm on Saturday, February 4th.

Click here for more info on the festival.

BFPP first grader Evan Meier has an anatomy poem to share with us this week.

Check out these neat art pieces courtesy of the Middle School Experience class.

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, February 10th, 2023

Contributions deadline - Wednesday, February 6th

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