What are we all about?: 

This group is a strategy to connect parents to conversations they are interested in. Creating connections with parents to each other, and to other services. 

Through the conversations, we are bringing community into what the schools are doing, and promoting parent interests.    

We are close to having a website, but you can always find what is going on with us on Facebook   

 

The Paper Tigers Movie.. was well attended  and apparently struck a chord with many of the district employees who attended.   2 more viewings will be available in the community .  Next is in February as part of the Human rights Film Festival

 

 Jeff McKenna,  Ron Robinson and students have been working with Whatcom Prevention Coalition, training many people in the community   (county wide)  about Suicide Prevention training.    Schools in 3 districts,  colleges   They are even training trainers with this model to saturate the community. 

  Next one:  Wed Oct 28th  Mad Hope   at  Bellingham Senior Center.   10:45  

 

See the website for more info:  http://www.madhope.org/    

 

Speaking of Suicide Prevention:   Kevin Hines will be in Bellingham WWU  11/16  7 pm  WWU  Viking Union Multi purpose room     There is no cost and no RSVP required.    Kevin speaks on "Life, Living and the pursuit of Suicide Prevention."  http://www.kevinhinesstory.com

 

Bellingham School district continues to walk the talk of caring about kids and families.  Students now have access to a  mental health counselor in 13 of the schools.  contracted with private Providers.   There is No charge to the district and students are able to access services, without the barriers involved in getting to an outside Provider.   

District employees attended an International institute of restorative practices Conferences. Steve Morse is being trained to bring the practice to all of the BSD employees.   

BSD is being recognized with a Peace Builder Award  by the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center, for this work

 

 

Parent Cafe,  piloted at Wade King 2 weeks ago was very successful    Huge shout out to :  Jenine Durand , Janet Meddick, Regina Wike and Geof Morgan for a very successful launch.  The Topic they discussed was anxiety, had coffee, cookies, and showed a few video clips Lynn Lyons.  Parent Cafe is a shared model where Parents are each others experts and connect to community resources.  

 If you would like to see a Parent Cafe (on any topic, or just for general connection)  in your neighborhood please let me know.  

 

Kathie Peterson and the students from SQHS  Prevention group have won state award for their prevention work.  With their scholarship money, they are planning a Capacity building event around substance abuse prevention.   Stay tuned for more details. 

 

Amy Hockenberry did a 2 hour ACES training for the Bellingham Police Department.  

She has been working with Jack Weiss of  county council to work on regulations / policy locally on  smoke free policy in public places and  e cig policy across county.. 

Marijuana tax dollars, are now starting to trickle in and will be spent of prevention efforts in Bellingham and Ferndale.  

 

Angela:  DVSAS  prevention education and technology specialist offers Start relating before they start dating.    free. 2 hour + 30 minutes dinner bring kids. focus on Parents and Caregivers. 

 

 

 

• October 31 6-9 Pm Masquerade Eve at Fairhaven Middle School   All Ages, entry by donation

• Fairhaven MS Not So Grim tales... Nov 4 and 5  7- 7:30  Art walk, Show, dessert. 

• Monday November 9th  6:30- 8 pm   1109 Victor (St Pauls Academy)  Our Relationship with Technology : a parenting program. Guest speaker  Lori Getz.  No cost

Whatcom Family Community Network continues to coordinate many volunteers, and organizations working for a healthy community, all while working to hire new director.  cCommunity builder awards:  Dec 9, 6-8 pm.       The prevention  Coalition will be meeting on Thursday, November 5th from 3:30-5pm at St. Luke's.

 

Book Recommendations: 

 Rising Strong  Brene Brown.  (building resilience)     

A Man called Ove  (suicide prevention.)  

Brainstorm:  The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain.

 

Our next meeting is: Wednesday November 18 8:30.  Please send me any ideas/ conversations you want included.  If you want to host our group for a field trip, it is always a great way to build a connection. 

 

I hope you are feeling as delighted as I am to live in a community which cares about our citizens; kids and adults.   Carry on with your amazing work with your kids and "our" kids.   

Don't forget to vote:  (Quenby Peterson for School Board) ;)