King Elementary 2155 Yew Street Road • Bellingham, WA 98229

360.647.6840 http://wadeking.bellinghamschools.org

http://wadekingpta.org

Comments or Suggestions?

wadekingpta@gmail.com

January 2017

A Note from the Principal

Dear Wade King Families,

As we enter the new year, I have been thinking about action, a key component of Wade King’s International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP). In our guiding document, Making the PYP Happen, the International Baccalaureate Organization states, “education must extend beyond the intellectual to include not only socially responsible attitudes but also thoughtful and appropriate action. An explicit expectation of the PYP is that successful inquiry will lead to responsible action, initiated by the student as a result of the learning process. This action will extend the student’s learning, or it may have a wider social impact, and will clearly look different within each age range.”

Our staff and PTA continually model taking action within our school and community, knowing that modeling is an incredibly effective way to show students the many forms action may take. Before winter break, our PTA coordinated a Snowflake Drive that provided holiday support for 230 children and adults who have connections to Wade King, Lowell, and Alderwood Elementary Schools, as well as Fairhaven Middle School. When we returned from winter break in the snow, Mrs. Barclay, one of our playground supervisors, took action. She is always looking for ways to encourage creativity and fun on our playground. When she brought the cardboard she had been collecting out to the playground, our kids were soon using it as sleds. It was great fun! Mr. Gutzler, our Dean of Students, has been visiting classrooms to gather survey information from students about recess, lunch, and our Monday Morning Meetings. Students know that he is going to use the data he collects to continue to make these times of day even better for students.

Deciding to take action should always be voluntary and that has been the case for several students at Wade King. Mia Hall, Alli Barth, Isabelle Riemann, and Cate Brady wanted to take action to support individuals in our community who need personal care items. They encouraged our school community to donate items if they were able to, made posters to hang around the school, and set up a donation box by the office. They collected 3 boxes of items that are being donated to the Lighthouse Mission.

(continued on the next page)

Upcoming Dates:

1/20 Chinese Educators visit Wade King

1/24 Kinder & 2nd Grade to Mt. Baker Theater (PTA sponsored)

1/24 Family Night: Games, Gelato, Dessert Auction, & Spirit Wear Swap, 6-8pm (PTA sponsored)

1/25 Calendar Change–This is a school day!

1/25 Mr. Denton’s class & Mr. Livezey’s Class to Spark Museum (PTA sponsored)

1/26 Mrs. Gutierrez’s class to Spark Museum (PTA sponsored)

1/27 NO SCHOOL for Students – Report Card Writing Day for Teachers

2/2 Chinese New Year Celebration in Cafeteria at 8:40 am – Join us!

2/2 PTA Meeting in WK Library, 6-8 pm

2/4 Chess Tournament at Wade King (PTA sponsored)

2/9 Talent Show at 6 pm (PTA sponsored)

2/10 NO SCHOOL for Students – Staff Learning Day

2/15 Mobile Dental Clinic at Wade King

2/20 NO SCHOOL for President’s Day

2/23 Parent Café in the WK Library, 6-8 pm

http://wadeking.bellinghamschools.org/http://wadekingpta.org/

Are you able to volunteer? We have several

PTA Committee openings!

Open Now! Communication & Newsletter Lead Collect articles and compile them into a monthly newsletter. Financial Review of the PTA Budget

Open Next Year… Recruiting Now! President Membership Co-Treasurer After School Programs Spirit Wear Dessert Auction Chess Club Co-Volunteer Coordinator Phone Directory Farm to School Hospitality Talent Show Co-Facilitator Globe Trot (finance and lead planner)

Our school has been extremely fortunate to have a robust, active PTA to coordinate numerous activities that support staff, students and families. New volunteers are needed to maintain these valuable programs. Training, templates, and support are provided to help volunteers successfully coordinate items.

Please attend a PTA get together Thursday on March 2nd from 6-7:30 in the WKE library to learn more about the positions and reasons to get involved. Dinner and childcare provided. RSVP at wadekingpta@gmail.com

(Principal’s Message continued)

Olivia Aven, Marcel Senger, and Hailey Christensen are currently working on taking action to support children who need treatment or have a caregiver receiving treatment at St. Joseph's Hospital. They are collecting new stuffed animals and are inviting their fellow Wade King students to make homemade “Get Well Soon” Valentine’s Day cards. These will be delivered to hospital patients on February 14th.

Madelyn Warner has decided to take action to support students who are in need of backpacks. You will find her flier in this newsletter and will see her donation box outside the office.

Ms. Regina and Ms. Savory have also been working with a group of 15 fifth grade students who make up our school’s Action Team. They are working on taking action by creating a Kindness Challenge Week where all students will be challenged to complete a checklist of kind acts by the end of the week. They also plan to host kindness stations that will create the space and means for students to participate in acts of kindness throughout the week. There will be a focus on why kindness matters to our community at the Monday Morning Meeting on February 6th.

It is important to remember that action does not need to be grandiose. Last week, I watched 4th graders from Mr. Denton’s class helping their first grade buddies from Ms. McColl’s class learn new tricks while they were in the gym using the gymnastics equipment together. I saw another student take a coat from the Lost and Found because he knew who it belonged to and was going to return it. For several weeks in November, there was an anonymous note on the stairway landing that said, “You are wonderful. To anyone feeling sad.” Whether simple or complex, whether it’s for your family, a friend, a school, or the larger community, taking action helps students grow personally and socially and demonstrates their commitment to the attributes of the I.B. Learner Profile. As we observe students taking action, we know that our program is effective and that we are creating children who will change the world.

I’m wishing you the best in 2017! Stephanie Johnson, Principal

mailto:wadekingpta@gmail.com

Spirit Swap Do you have years of gently used and/or outgrown Wade King Spirit Wear lying around your

house? Or did you miss the window to buy Spirit Wear this year? Your chance to purge or purchase is NOW! We’ll be accepting old Spirit Wear between now and January 24th. There is a box in the main hall across from the office for donations. During our Family Game night on January 24th we’ll have spirit wear that was collected laid out for purchase on a donation only

basis. All money raised will go back to the Help and Hope Committee.

Family Fun Festivities Tuesday, January 24th from 6-8 pm

Wade King Cafeteria and Gym | Sponsored by the PTA

Dessert Auction (There will not be a dessert auction at the World Tour… It will be this night!) Spirit Wear Swap (Bring your old spirit wear… go home with something new) Bingo with Prizes Italy Themed Jeopardy Free popcorn and a scoop of gelato from Sierna’s for everyone!

Please RSVP at www.wadekingpta.org by Friday January 20th

** WE’LL BE COLLECTING SNACK DRIVE ITEMS **

9th Annual Dessert Auction

during Family Game Night

on Tuesday January 24th

The Dessert Auction will now be a part of the fun filled January game night for all Wade King families. There will not be a dessert auction during World Tour this year.

An assortment of delicacies and confections will be available for purchase by the highest bidder. The bidding will start at $10 per dessert.

Every year we have terrific desserts donated by our Wade King families! We need your help to have as many desserts as possible to make this event a success!

Please drop off your donated dessert(s) (no ice cream please) at the school in the office on Tuesday January 24th in the morning or throughout the day.

If you will be donating or have questions please contact Alona Wrightson at jagwrightson@yahoo.com

Wade King PTA Sponsored Event

http://www.wadekingpta.org/mailto:jagwrightson@yahoo.com

Wade King Chess Tournament

Saturday, February 4th at Wade King

You can find more information about our Chess Tournament and register for the event by clicking

on these links.

Our Primary and Intermediate King Singers

will be performing!

After School Programs Winter Enrichment Classes Update

Last chance to register for Art K-2, Drama, and

Crossfit (only 1-2 spots left in each)

King Singers Intermediate registration is

closing very soon!

These classes are full: Coding, Lego Robotics,

and 3D Art.

Note that afterschool classes have various start and end dates so pay close attention; you should receive a welcome email from the instructor prior to the first class. Refer to our catalog for more information. Parking Lot Tips During pick up and drop off times, always walk on

the sidewalks! THANKS for yielding to our buses so they can drive

into the school driveway and bus loop without waiting.

If you want to get out of your car, park in the parking lot and walk on the sidewalks up to the school.

If you chose to use the pick-up/drop-off loop, stay in your car, in line, and continue moving up as the line moves forward. Our staff will help your child get into your car when you get to the front of the school. Our goal is to keep this loop moving!

http://www.wadekingpta.org/programs/chess-tournamenthttps://chess4life.configio.com/ShoppingCart.aspx?com=detailview&iid=4572&cid=320&returncom=productlist&source=searchhttps://drive.google.com/open?id=0B881R1XIKhaESTByS0R4b2pvc00

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Donate Old Backpacks!

1. Look for old backpacks that are still

in good condition (no stains or holes) 2. Take everything out of it 3. Take off any additions (keychains, extra pockets, etc.) 4. Put the backpack in the donation box

by the office.

Backpacks will be donated to students in need.

Please support my effort! This was designed by Madelyn Warner (5th grader).

Wade King Kids Taking Action… and You Can Help!

Make A Valentine’s Day Card for someone at St. Joseph’s

Hospital.

Turn cards into the box by the office and we will deliver it to the hospital in time for

Valentine’s Day!

We are also collecting new stuffed animals for young patients in the hospital.

This is organized by Olivia Aven, Marcel Senger, and Hailey Christensen

Adult Volunteers Are Needed

For our Family Game Night – Tuesday, January 24th www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0C4FACAA23A2FA7-family

For Chess Tournament at Wade King – Saturday, February 4th http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0949AFAC22A0FB6-february

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4FACAA23A2FA7-familyhttp://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0949AFAC22A0FB6-february

Jack Brady was the Wade King Geography Bee Finalist for 2017. There were 24 student qualifiers from 4th and 5th grade classes who advanced to the Bee after choosing to take the preliminary geography test. The Bee was held at Wade King on Wednesday, January 4th. There were four other participants who made it into the final round; Matthew Sanders, Reiley Buri-Brown, Jason Henson, and Ethan Reedy. Jack prevailed in the championship round.

The written test includes categories on US Geography, Oceans, US Physical Geography, Cultures, Continents and World Geography. During the Bee, students listened carefully to oral questions, determined the best answer, spoke into a microphone and remained calm during the final rounds in this challenging competition. Other qualifying students not yet mentioned above were: Josie Decker, Bryson North, Araya Berdinka, Evelyn Sherwood, Koen Mathey, Ronan McCullough, Soren Sargent, Madeline Merriman, Lily Connot, Erica Mao, Jessica Nguyen, Jackson Rogers, Jessa Parfet, Eva Kaylor, Kayleigh Cornelsen, Grant Hula, Erik Anshus, and Laura Webb

The Geography Bee is a national competition sponsored by the National Geographic Society to encourage the study of geography. It is open to all 4th – 8th graders under the age of 15. The first place prize in the national competition is a $25,000 college scholarship. Jack took another written test to determine his eligibility to compete at the state level. He will find out in early March if he qualifies.

Congratulations to all who participated! You were risk takers!