Resources

If you need more information, or are concerned and would like to make your voice heard, read the PTSA’s letter to families.

Read the B.F. Day Quick Guide for quick answers to most of your questions!

ArtFest

To celebrate the creative and artistic history of B.F. Day, in the Spring we hold our annual ArtFest. This event showcases a gallery walk of most students’ artwork, musical and drama performances. (Who – Students and families; When – Spring)

Annual B.F. Auction

Our not-to-be-missed annual adult-only auction which honors the artistic center of Fremont and one of the central tenants of B.F. Day.  Families, merchants, teachers, and classrooms offer services and donations to be auctioned at this event.  This event is highly anticipated and so fun. (Who – Grown ups only; When – Spring)

Assemblies

Each Monday morning during the school year there is an assembly. Families are always welcome and encouraged to attend. Please check the school schedule for when your child will be going to assembly. (Who – Students and parents; When – Monday mornings at 8am)

Boys & Girls Club

After school, some students at B.F. Day go to the Boys and Girls Club. There is a club on-site at B.F. Day that is currently at capacity and has a wait list. To get more information about future openings, please call: (206-547-7169).   The Wallingford Boys and Girls club is located at Stone and 45th. A bus takes students to this location after the school day. This location may still have spots available. Please call (206-436-1930) for more information.  

Bus transportation to this “club” needs to be set up by families in August by calling Transportation office at (206) 252-0900 or easier by emailing TransDept@seattleschools.org  It helps if your provide your child(ren)’s full name, ID#, and where they are traveling to and from.

Curriculum Night

Curriculum night is an adult-only event where families can meet students’ teacher(s) and learn about what is planned for academics during the school year. (Who – Grown-ups and caregivers; When – October)

Dragon Dens

One of the core beliefs of B.F. Day Elementary is that we support and encourage socio-emotional growth for students and each other. Dragon Dens are a monthly group meetings of mixed-grade groups who meet with the same adult every month. Students read books and engage with activities related to current topics and events, as well as conduct Q&A and workshops for the students to practice socio-emotional generosity and sensitivity.  Ask your student about these meetings, they are very special. (Who – Students; When – every month)

Field Day

End of year celebration with field games, all family and volunteer BBQ, and lots of fun, run by our wonderful P.E. teacher.  (Who – Students and parents; When – End of school year)

5th Grade Field Trip

Every year the 5th grade class take an overnight field trip.

Lost & Found

Lost and Found is located at the Northeast entrance and is often hung on the fence before it gets donated to charity three times per year (Winter break, Spring break, and Summer break).  If you lose something, please call the office to look for the lost item and save it.  Even better – label everything.  

Lowers, Uppers, and Upper Uppers

The three playgrounds at BF Day are named for their location. The “Lowers” is the playground in the southwest of campus; the “Uppers” is the playground on the main level. The “Upper Uppers” is a Seattle Parks playground that is also frequently used by students during and after school. 

Science Fair

Yearly exhibit of K-5 science projects.  Students are asked to come up with their own project or conduct a project suggested by their teacher. (Who – students; When – Fall; Required for grades 2-5)

Move-a-thon

Yearly run/jog/walk/move-your-body fundraiser with lots of fun costumes, competitions, and prizes. Students raise funds by asking friends and family for sponsorships on a per lap or flat participation level. (Who – students; When – Spring)

Take Your Parent to School Night

Annual “Open House” for students to give their families an opportunity to view their work in their classroom.  (Who – Students and adults; When – late Winter)

Village Day

One day close to the end of the school year, BF Day turns into a microeconomy. Each classroom creates crafts or experiences and sells goods or provides a service that can be purchased with BF Day Bucks. $1 USD = $5 Day Bucks.  The kids are given a stipend each year and can put their BF Day bucks in a savings account to use year after year. This is a popular event with many alumni attending. (Who – Students and parents; When – end of the school year)

Well-informed, engaged parents make a difference for student success in school and beyond. Research shows that family engagement in a child’s education increases student achievement, improves attendance, and reduces dropout rates. Joining the PTSA at BF Day is a great way to meet other parents, engage with staff and learn first-hand about the school’s needs, and pitch in on projects that are exciting to you that will help the school community.

B.F. Day School Counselor-B.F. Day Elementary

I am John Taylor and I am your school counselor! This will be my 9th year at B.F. Day and I describe the school counselor role as someone uniquely positioned to support three different subgroups of stakeholders: students, parents, and teachers. I am often the glue that holds all three together, all in hopes of supporting students and families through their elementary years at BF Day. B.F. Day Elementary believes that social-emotional learning skills are at the heart of academic growth, thriving relationships, and intentional decision-making. This focus can be seen in the generous support of the BF Day community. The community contributes the resources needed to make the school counselor profession a full-time one. The services that I provide can be separated into both direct and indirect services.

Direct Student Services

• Short-term, solution-focused small group/one-on-one counseling for several topics; Anxiety, Self-Control, Social Skills, Perseverance, Trauma, New Students, Divorce, Grief/Loss, Emotional Regulation, Study/Academic Skills.
• Support Students in Immediate Crisis; Repair Harm Between Students, Self-Harm ideations, Homelessness, and overall Student Safety.
• Psychoeducational Classroom Visits- Supplement the weekly SEL lessons by teachers with timely and relevant topics that staff have noticed are needed for increasing student skill sets. For example, if we notice that a particular grade level is reporting unsafe behavior during recess, I will partner with teachers to deliver lessons that are focused on personal space bubbles, behavior expectations, and how to show self-control during recess activities.
• Student Leadership- Co-lead student council and 4 th and 5 th grade school leadership program.

*Each year I will present approximately 80-90 additional lessons to classrooms.

Mr. Taylor does NOT implement discipline or decide what level is discipline is implemented.

Indirect Student/Family Services

• Develop and support teacher-led, school-wide SEL programs; Design scope and sequence for weekly Second Step Lessons in classrooms, provide professional development to staff on curriculums (Zones of Regulation/Second Step), Strive to strengthen school-wide systems for responses to behavior.
• Consultation and Collaboration with Stakeholders; Meet with staff and families to develop individual behavior/academic support plans, connect families with outside resources for mental health and additional services,  consult with students’ outside therapists, doctors, and psychologists, and Lead our school-based “Care Team” that meets weekly to discuss specific student needs.
• Family Support Program; Partner with Ballard Food Bank to provide weekly food bags to approx. 20 families, Partner with Charlie Produce and Ballard Elks Club to provide Thanksgiving meals to families, utilize district resources like Operation School Bell and the Right Now Needs Fund to provide much-needed resources and make home visits to
  families who are in need or are in crisis.

Accolades

In the 2023-2024 school year, the school counseling program at B.F. Day earned the distinct honor of being a Recognized American School Counselor Model Program (RAMP). Becoming the first school counseling program to ever receive this distinction in Seattle public schools, and third in the entire state of Washington.

Nominated by district leadership and peers for the school counselor of the year in 2023-2024.

Interested in connecting with Mr. Taylor? please reach out via phone/email to schedule an appointment.
Contact:
John Taylor
206 252-6018

• Black Lives Matter at School
• One Out of Five: Disability History and Pride Project from the Washington State Governor’s Office of the Education Ombuds
• Disability History Reading Room from the Seattle Special Education PTSA
• Seattle Special Education PTSA
• Arc of King County
• Parent to Parent: King County Facebook Group

We’re a group of parents who help make decisions on behalf of the PTSA. We aim to help raise student voices in advocacy efforts, manage the PTSA finances, and help improve communication between B.F Day families and staff. Each individual is welcomed to bring their unique skills, ideas, and creativity to the table and participate in any activity that interests them! Elections are held annually in the spring for the executive officers (President, VP, Treasurer, Secretary, and Fundraising Officer) positions.

If you need to be reimbursed by the PTSA, please fill out the form below.

Reimbursements are (generally) processed once per week. Reimbursement requests submitted by Friday at 8am will normally be available for pick-up by the following Tuesday morning.

Reimbursement checks can be picked up in the Treasurer’s Mailbox located in the B.F. Day Office Mailroom. Note, during school breaks there will be delays in reimbursements. If you have concerns about reimbursement timing, reach out to the Treasurer to work out a plan.

• Center for the Developing Child: Harvard University
  An academia focused on the most recent brain science of early childhood development.
• Sound Discipline
  Helps families and schools build respectful relationships with children using Positive Discipline approaches. We use many of these same principals at school with our students.
• SENG: Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted
  A resource to help families of academically advanced students meet emotional needs and challenges.
• Books that Heal
  A bibliotherapy blog with children’s books on various topics to help address topics that support healthy emotional development.
• Big Life Journal
  Organization that supports student’s resiliency and personal grit by having a growth mindset. The website has helpful videos and materials to engage both children and parents to persevere through challenges with a positive mindset.
• Parents Helping Parents
  A nonprofit parent-directed family resource that provides guidance, support, and services to children with special needs and their families.
• Dr. Dan Siegel Published Books and Materials
  Recommended Resource for Parental Education around emotional regulation/explosive behaviors and potential Trauma.

• 211
  2-1-1 is a free confidential community service and your one-stop connection to the local services you need, from utility assistance, food, housing, health, child care, after-school programs, elder care, crisis intervention, and much more. Call 2-1-1, if that doesn’t work dial 1-877-211-9274.
• Ballard Goodwill
  6400 8th Ave. NW 98107
• Ballard Food Bank
  1400 NW Leary Way 98107
• Solid Ground
  Help people get the resources they need to stabilize their housing, access healthy food, and build stronger futures for themselves and their families. Focuses on solidifying resources to maintain consistent housing.
• Family Works
  Community organization that partners with families and individuals to support their essential needs like food bags, housing, and clothing.
• Neighbor Care
  An organization that focuses on connecting patients with medical, dental, and mental health professionals, who work in collaboration with each patient to develop personal health improvement plans as well as food assistance.
  Medical (206) 633-3350
  Dental (206) 548-2964
  Pharmacy (206) 633-3365
  Clinic on 1629 North 45 th Street.
• YWCA
  An organization that helps community members explore and connect with several housing-related services. Services include rental/utility assistance, permanent housing, emergency shelter, homeless services, childcare.
• Mary’s Place
  Organization to support mothers who are transitioning between housing, and in need of a shelter or additional resources. Call 206-245-1026.
• Housing Justice Project
  Provides professional legal advocacy services for families who are at risk of experiencing homelessness.

• Seattle Childrens Hospital Mental Health Referral Program
  This free, telephone-based referral service is funded by Washington Healthcare Authority and operated by Seattle Children’s. The Mental Health Referral Service will provide thorough mental health referrals for children and teens 17 and younger from across Washington. Families can call 833-303-5437 or submit an online request form.
• Seattle Children’s Center for Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
  A link to their page on How To Get Services. When exploring an official diagnosis for Autism Seattle Children’s usually gets families in quickly.
• Psychology Today Website
  Online database of mental health professionals in the area. The website allows you to filter out several variables: insurance preferences, area of expertise, experience, picture of the therapist, and if they are taking new clients.
• Crisis Connections Hotline
  24/7 hotline that connects you with local resources and emergency services. Call 866-427-4747.
• Sound Mental Health
  Organization supporting a student and family’s overall wellness, including mental health services. We partner with SMH for term counseling.