Principal's Corner
Hello all,
Some of you may know….I am a huge Star Wars fan and next week is May the 4th. Here are some fun activities and videos to celebrate. I plan on sporting a few choice fan gear items (shirt, plus socks, shoes, earrings, and coat) while watching “A New Hope”. I was six years old when it first released and I remember standing at the center of the first row balcony, I couldn’t sit down, and have been hooked ever since.
Arts and crafts:
https://fun-a-day.com/star-wars-activities-adventurous-kiddos/
https://www.iheartartsncrafts.com/may-the-fourth-be-with-you-star-wars-activities-for-kids/
"SEAGULLS! (Stop It Now)" -- A Bad Lip Reading of The Empire Strikes Back
Cello Wars (Star Wars Parody) Lightsaber Duel - The Piano Guys
Jimmy Fallon, The Roots & "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" Cast Sing "Star Wars" Medley
“Do or do not, there is no try” – Kate (although I didn’t say it, Yoda did)
Planning for Next School Year
If you haven't already, please take a few minutes by Friday, May 7 and respond to this form to share your plans for your child(ren) as well as thoughts and questions for next year. We need one form for each child. This info will really help us to start planning staffing and program needs for next fall.
It is OK if you are not sure or are still considering what is best for your family—that is helpful information for us to have as well!
We look forward to continuing to serve all our students and families, whether in BVL, the BFPP or our neighborhood schools. Please note, in case this has been a question for you, that we anticipate that our neighborhood schools will start the year with in-person learning and strong safety protocols in place.
BFPP School Climate Survey for Students
We encourage all students in grade 3 and up to participate in the BFPP school climate survey. This survey is for students to fill out, as a similar survey for families will be coming soon.
Please have your learner click on the links below and use their district computer user name to access the survey. (User name is first 5 letters of last name, followed by first 3 letters of first name, followed by 3 zeros).
This survey is available until May 7th. We'd love to have as much participation as possible! Thanks in advance!
Elementary Survey for Students in Grades 3-5
Math, Art, Fidgets, Oh My!
By Crystal Holtzheimer
Are you looking for a way to bring some more zazz to your homeschool math time? What about a cool new art project? Are your kids getting tired of all of their current fidget toys and need a new one? What about some inspiration for the kitchen? Guess what? The answer to all of these needs is the same! I give you: the Hexaflexagon!
Part origami, part cool lesson in topology, hexaflexagons are easy to make and fun to play with. Just print out this template to get you started. With some simple cutting, folding, and decorating, you now have an awesome new fidget toy to play with. You can now use this new toy to learn some interesting things about mathematics. I recommend checking out the following videos from Vi Hart (whose entire YouTube channel is amazing, by the way):
After all of that wonderful learning, you will no doubt need a refreshing snack. Enter the Mexi-Hexaflexagon (though, I will warn you, if you are making these with gluten-free tortillas, it can be a bit of an adventure!).
I hope you all enjoy some awesome family math/art/cooking/fidget time with your new BFF, the hexaflexagon. Happy learning!
Kindergarten Outdoor Play
Where: Larrabee Elementary
How: With masks and distancing
Why: To build community & create friendships
Play Date Menu
May 7th Egg & Spoon Race and Egg Art!
May 14th Charades
May 21st BINGO!
May 28th Simon Says
June 4th Yoga
June 11th Obstacle Course
Families need to fill out this Health Attestation Form just once for these drop-in classes. You do not need to register for this class, just swing on by!
*An adult must stay with their kindergartener during each class.
*If it’s a rainy day we will put our raincoats and boots on and make the best of it!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Kristy.tice@bellinghamschools.org.
BIG LOVE, Sammy and Kristy
Children's Art Walk
Opening night of the 21st Annual Children’s Art Walk is May 7, 2021 - 5pm to 8pm!
BFPP and BVL student artwork will be on exhibit at Social Fabric, 301 W. Holly Street - that’s in Bay Street Village. To kick off the event, Social Fabric will host live music and snacks starting at 5pm.
Allied Arts of Whatcom County welcomes all to stroll through downtown Bellingham and delight in the works of the younger art community. Art can be viewed in over 50 different businesses throughout downtown, and will stay on display through May 21 in honor of the state wide Arts Education Month.
**If your child has artwork you were planning to submit and you haven’t done so yet, please contact Lisa Spreyer ASAP. LOV2009.wa@gmail.com or (360) 305.0284 text or call**
Killer Whale Tales ~ Trading Cards
If you participated in Jeff Hogan's Killer Whale Tales last week, you will know about the set of trading cards to help identify your Southern Resident Orcas!
You can find a copy of the cards attached here.
Book Club: Becoming Better Grownups
May 10th & May 24th 12:00-1:00pm
Becoming Better Grownups by Brad Montague
A New York Times-bestselling author looks for the meaning of a good life by seeking advice from the very young and the very old.
RSVP by May 7th to kate.baehr@bellinghamschools.org to receive the Zoom link.
Please be ready to discuss Part One: Chapters 1-5 on the 10th. Happy Reading!
Scholastic Book Order
Last call for this round of Scholastic Book Orders!
Please place your online order by Monday, May 3rd.
Use our BFPP class code to order: RT8NH
Summer Opportunities
Many other local youth programs are now advertising their summer options:
- Magestic Adventures - live action role playing game for kids (online and in-person)
- YMCA Trailblazers - youth running program
- Pace Atelier - art camps
- Bellingham Country Club - swim lessons
- Bellingham Coding & Robotics Club - STEM education
- Bellingham Sportsplex - soccer, ice skating, hockey camps and day camps
- Community Boating Center - sailing, paddling, rowing adventures
- Wild Whatcom and Feather and Frond are mostly full, but waitlists are available
