Grizzly Growl
May 15, 2020
Update from Mr. Ruthford
Happy Friday Fairhaven Friends and Families!
As we pass into the second half of May, there is not a lot of new information to report this week. This is a bit of a change, as so much of our lives and work have been so dynamic. I will take advantage of this pause and keep this message short.
Thank you for your continued support teaching and tutoring your children as we work to finish this COVID year together and strong. As a fellow Fairhaven parent, I am experiencing first-hand the challenges keeping my kids (and myself) engaged and positive, which some days is no small task. As the principal, I am also seeing how diligent our teaching staff is at making sure each student has a learning plan and is keeping up with the activities, albeit from home. Together we make an incredible team and I am looking forward to thanking you all in person very soon.
In the meantime, please continue to reach out to us with questions, suggestions, or ways we can support your child or family. We are all still here for you.
My best,
Steve Ruthford, Principal
Virtual GRR
A Grizzly Receiving Recognition (GRR) award recognizes students who go above and beyond. GRR awards are a way to publicly recognize a student for their excellence, exceptional effort, kindness toward others, or other significant contribution to our FMS community. Students chosen this week were:
- Maria Horja—6th grade
- Kyla Fairey—6th grade
- Kalei Vavao—6th grade
- Henry Bankowski—6th grade
- Logan Wiley—6th grade
- Cole Jones—6th grade
- Cece Stanton—6th grade
- Montana Walters--6th grade
- Zach Murphy—6th grade
- Maguire Darragh—6th grade
- Mason Grubbs—6th grade
- Madeline Buhl—6th grade
- Keegan Glennon—6th grade
- Ryan Boehm—6th grade
- Ivy Morrison—6th grade
- Addie Young—6th grade
- Holdin Bernard—6th grade
- Olivia Ling—6th grade
- Chelsea Fortna—7th grade
- Gabby Waltz—7th grade
- Oz Resnick—7th grade
- Jae-Yoon Lee—7th grade
- Krue Larsen—7th grade
- Galane Takele—7th grade
- Adia Ellsworth—7th grade
- Sofie Sanderson—7th grade
- Sophia Bettin—7th grade
- Erin Lin—8th grade
- Ryan Roelofs—8th grade
- Maya Moore—8th grade
- Lucy Bankowski—8th grade
- Abby Brandon—8th grade
- Adria Clines—8th grade
- Lillyana Nail—8th grade
- AJ Sirmans-Vongs—8th grade
- Cooper Howard—8th grade
Mr. Gillman Recommends
If you have missed hearing about Mr. Gillman's latest reads, we have a treat for you. Below you will find three book reviews.
Intense, edgy and deep--Dear Martin by Nic Stone--her first novel--and, wow, does it blaze and provide a very direct look at what it means to be black in America--through the eyes of a high school kid named Justyce, who attends an elite private high school, gets profiled and beat up by some local cops--and that's just a tiny piece of the action--as this event gets him to write 'letters' to the long-ago deceased Martin Luther King Jr.--as a means for guiding Justyce on how best to live. There are many scenes rated PG 13 in this book--but the content is so profound that I had to at least give it a shout-out.
After reading Dear Martin I was hooked and felt this raging need to get more educated about race relations in America--and that's how I found another amazing novel--Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham. It focuses on something I knew nothing about--the so-called and misnamed 'Tulsa Race Riots' from 1921. But the story is told in two voices--one by a mixed-race African American high school girl who lives in this day and age--and a teenage boy in 1921. Each chapter feeds on the other--as the author builds the story, increases the tension--my heart was racing as I was reading sections of this story--and it was so moving that it got me to do a bunch of research about Tulsa during that time period. Flat-out powerful!!
The last book The Downstairs Girl' by Stacey Lee--oh my, what can I say--the writing is incredible--at a whole other level--told through the voice of a spunky, edgy and aware 17-year-old Chinese girl who's squatting in the basement of this apartment with her adopted grandfather--in 1890 Atlanta--and yes, this is based on true American history--that after the so-called end of slavery, the wealthy southerners brought in some Chinese to do their dirty work. This girl Jo--she is something else--super witty and biting--and she ends up starting an advice column for a local newspaper in need of readers--and takes on controversial topics like gender stereotypes--and racism--as well as the arrogance of the elites. There is more--as the plot winds up--and you marvel at the author Stacey Lee's impeccable sentences and well-drawn characters. This book is a history lesson of the most inspirational order--and the most rollicking and wild of reads.
This Week's Message from the Pig Pen
Check out Ms. Bacon's and Ms. Penner's weekly videos that will discuss strategies/tips/ideas to boost your emotional intelligence and overall mental health. This week’s Counseling video, asks the question “How are you feeling?”
Click here to view videos.
Box Tops
You can still earn donations for FMS by using the Box Top App.
Many new manufacturers and products are participating. Just visit https://www.boxtops4education.com/
Yearbook Scholarships
We have a handful of scholarships for free yearbooks. If you would like to receive one of these scholarships, please email one of these staff members and they will put you on the list for one.
beth.bacon@bellinghamschools.org, angie.penner@bellinghamschools.org, sofia.byrd@bellinghamschools.org, or nicky.cook-desler@bellinghamschools.org
We need YOU for our Fairhaven’s Got Talent Virtual 2020 Showcase!
All school-appropriate FMS student talents are eligible – This is a chance to share your artistry, musicality, writing ability, tumbling, dancing, magic…Whatever your unique talent may be!
Please watch this video message from Mr. Nuqul & Mrs. Bacon, our talent show coordinators, to learn how to participate in our showcase!
Rental Assistance Opportunity
Opportunity Council has started taking requests for Rental Assistance for people experiencing economic hardship due to COVID-19. For more information and to be screened for this program please call (360) 734-5121 ext 316. This extension is a voicemail line. Clients should call once and leave a message stating name, return phone number, and if there are minor children in the household. Voicemails will be returned in the order they are received.
To be eligible clients need to have experienced economic hardship due to COVID-19 (job loss, reduced hours, etc,), be below 60% Average Median Income for household size, be on a lease and have a ledger from their landlord showing current rent due. Final eligibility will be determined by an Opportunity Council Case Manager.
The program is limited and appointments will be scheduled with clients who screen through on a first come first serve basis.
Sehome Dance Team
Interested in trying out for the 2020-21 Sehome Dance Team? Click here
to request information. Follow us on Instagram, @sehomedanceteam, for the latest updates.
Applications are due Tuesday, May 26th.
Tryouts are June 1-6.
Contact Coach Selena at:
selena.arciniega-storey@bellinghamschools.org if you have questions.
Sehome Cheer Team
Sehome High School’s cheerleading team will be having online tryouts for the 2020-2021 school year. For more information and a tryout packet, contact assistant
Coach Sadie at: Sadie.gildelamadrid@hotmail.com
Tryouts Begin June 1st, 2020
Wanted: More Photos of Students
The yearbook has been submitted but we still would like to see what you are up to. Send Ms. Cook-Desler photos of what you have been up to during our Stay Home Order. Send photos of you and your pets, you working on Language Arts, you doing a hobby, or anything.
At-Home Library News
Got Tech Issues?
Before you use the district form for tech issues, please email Ms. Cook-Desler first for some troubleshooting tips. If the issue needs to be addressed by the district tech department, she will get you assistance with that.
FMS Wish List
Book Club with Ms. Lovchik
Every Thursday through May, Jennifer Lovchik, the Bellingham Public Library Teen Librarian, will host a book club. Anyone can join!
Topic: Fairhaven Middle School Lunchtime Book Group
Time: Apr 23, 2020 01:30 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Every week on Thu, until May 28, 2020, 2 more occurrence(s)
May 21, 2020 01:30 PM
May 28, 2020 01:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 958 0568 0828
Password: 082383
Currently Reading
This week's book is perfect for fans of the book Wonder. Will Levine is not having a good 7th grade year. It does not help that his condition with his jaw is worsening, which makes him look more like the "Turtle Boy" kids at school call him. To make matters worse, as part of his bar mitzvah community service he is supposed to visit RJ, a terminal teenager, in the hospital. As he gets to know RJ more, Will realizes he actually enjoys his time with RJ and wants to help him fulfill his bucket list before it's too late.
"A strong debut novel about grief, loss, and coming out of one's shell."--School Library Journal
You can find this book on Libby or you can support Village Books by purchasing a copy of through their website Villagebooks.com
Read on,
Ms. Cook-Desler