Incoming and Prospective Families Information
B.F. Day The Family School
Welcome Kindergarten Families 25-26!
Did You Know?
- Oldest operating school in Seattle. B.F. Day will celebrate its 132nd birthday on May 2, 2025.
- Preschool – 5th grade; Special education programs (Extended Resource & Resource).
- About 300 students attend B.F. Day School. There are typically 2-3 sections per grade level.
- B.F. Day has about 20 teachers and about 15 support staff.
Our school’s vision, mission and core values
Vision
B.F. Day Elementary School empowers students to become the best version of themselves. Our confident and compassionate scholars acquire the skills needed to thoughtfully engage with the world around them and build an inclusive future for themselves and others.
Mission
Strong family and community partnerships define our Family School. Every child is seen, heard, and valued within an inclusive climate. We educate all students to become responsible and courageous problem solvers, who attain their highest levels of academic achievement and civic engagement.
Core Values
At B.F. Day, we are caring, engaged, and responsible.
Kristen Eckert Principal
- LOVE B.F. Day! Amazing staff, amazing families, amazing students.
- 10th year in school leadership
- UW Danforth, Evergreen MiT
- Over 20 years of experience in Seattle Public Schools
Who will I find in the office?
Sonja Haas; Administrative Secretary
This will be my 9th year working at B.F. Day. I’m also the proud parent of B.F. Day Alumni. I know firsthand what a great community we have here, and why it is called The Family School. I look forward to working with you and your kiddos.
email: smhaas@seattleschools.org
phone: 206-252-6010
Brenna Kamppi;
Office Assistant & Attendance
email: bckamppi@seattleschools.org
phone: 206.252.6014
Attendance email:
bfday.attendance@seattleschools.org
School Nurse
Nurse Annette, RN; School Nurse
I am looking forward to caring for your children. To parents of children with health concerns: Pease reach out to me prior to make sure we have necessary medicine and papers in place.
Hours: Monday – Friday. 7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Email: alcologna@seattleschools.org
Phone: 206 252-6017 Fax: 206 743-3108
School Counselor
Tobi Nussbaum
What Does a School Counselor Do?
- Supports all students through social-emotional learning
- Teaches classroom lessons
- Provides short term student counseling
- Teaches groups of students
- Helps provide resources and referrals to families
It’s going to be an amazing year!
Kindergarten Teachers
- Shellie Ferrel, Reny Mathan, Jennie Berlin
- Jeff Scott, Nicole Banta, and Brianna Thurston (Special Education)
- Ms. Moon (Multilingual)
- Mr. D, Ms. Bethany, Mrs. Segura (enrichment)
- Mrs. P. (library and reading intervention)
Follow a consistent morning routine
7:50 a.m. is the first bell. This is when classes will begin moving inside. Instruction begins at 7:55 a.m.
Student supervision begins at 7:35 a.m. They may play on the playground, line up in their classroom area, or get breakfast in the cafeteria.
Being on time is the best way for your child to start the day!
Chronic Tardiness & Absenteeism
Chronic absenteeism is defined as 10 or more tardies and absences in one school year. Our data shows that students that are chronically absent from school will not achieve at the same academic levels as their same-aged peers.
Elementary school is critical! We are setting a foundation for your child’s success in secondary education. Every school day is important.
Please do your best to limit trips and extended vacations during our 180 days of school this year.
Lunch Time
- Students have 20 minutes to eat. Realistically, once they settle, it’s about 15 minutes.
- Practice eating lunch at home. Opening lunchbox, all containers, and any packed beverages. Notice how much food your child eats in about 15 minutes.
- Discourage “eat everything I pack for you.” This adds a layer of stress. Students will either panic to finish or throw away food and worry about what to say to parents.
- Encourage “please bring home what doesn’t get eaten.“
- Afternoon snack time is an option for eating lunch-time leftovers.
Buying Lunch at School
Pay either by: Check, Cash, or MySchoolBucks. Breakfast and lunch will be served at no cost to those children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals in grades K-12. Learn more on the district Culinary Services.
• Breakfast $2.25
• Lunch $3.80
• Milk $0.75
First Day of School
The first day of school for kindergarten and Pre-School students is Monday, September 8. Students in grades 1-5 start school on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Visit our Bell Schedule page for more information.
From September 3-5, kindergarten teachers will be hosting family connection conferences. Look for an email with sign-up options on August 28 (Popsicle Social).
The Source
- Visit the B.F. Day Website Homepage
- Select the the Student Family Portal at the top of the page.
- Select the Source
- Setup an account if needed
- What’s on the Source?
- The Source is Seattle Public Schools’ online communication tool that allows parents, guardians and students access to schedules, attendance, assessment scores, and more.
- Progress reports
- School Pay (field trips, technology, school lunch
- Attendance records
- Library books checked out
- The Source is Seattle Public Schools’ online communication tool that allows parents, guardians and students access to schedules, attendance, assessment scores, and more.
B.F. Day Things to Know…
- Students are not required to bring in school supplies at the beginning of the year. Rather, we have a suggested $40-60 donation per student. The money is deposited directly into our school account for supplies purchasing.
- The greatest school supply you can buy is a Sharpie. Label everything (water bottles, sweatshirts, jackets, lunch boxes).
- Bus riders, label your backpack with your bus number.
- Your child’s backpack should be large enough to fit a standard size folder, lunch box, and water bottle, but not so large that’s it’s difficult for them to maneuver.
- Pack a light snack for morning and afternoon recesses (crackers, banana, etc.).
- Dress for the weather. We go outside every day pending no imminent dangerous weather. Rain is not considered dangerous weather at B.F. Day.
- The lost and found is kept on a rack inside the north doors. Ring buzzer for entry. On sunny days, it will be rolled out by the principal office window.
- The doors by the principal window are called the “north doors.”
Leave lovies at home
All toys and stuffed animals need to stay at home. Consider supplementing with a family photo in your child’s backpack.
Drop Off, Pick Up & Parking Reminders
Our school was not built for excessive car traffic. We encourage walking and biking to school.
Linden Ave. (front of school) is the bus zone. Parents are not permitted to curb drop off in the bus zone.
We encourage parents to park on Fremont Ave. (back of school) and walk in through playground gates. We value safety. Lots of students walk to school and come in through Fremont Ave. If you are parking, please leave extra time to find a spot. Rushed parents make poor traffic decisions.
All pickup and drop off occurs on the playground areas. Please be on time. Wednesday is 1:10 p.m. early dismissal. M, T, Th, F school ends at 2:25 p.m.
Gates will be unlocked at about 2:20 p.m.
After School Enrichment & Childcare
After school enrichment: Organized through the PTSA. Prices range from $150-$300/class. Fall, winter, and spring offerings. Classes are taught from 2:30 – 3:30/4:00 p.m. Parents register directly through PTSA and vendors. The school newsletter will release the date/time for registration. Fall classes will begin in October 2025.
Childcare: On site Boys and Girls Club, Wallingford Boys and Girls Club, Hilltop Childcare Center, Jump on Languages.
The Dayette
B.F. Day’s Main Source of Communication
- Our school’s weekly newsletter. You will receive it via email every Friday afternoon through our School Messenger system.
- It will update on important dates and school-wide information. It is written by front office staff and administration. Read issues on the B.F. Day Website, Dayette page.
- Teachers communicate classroom specific information through classroom newsletters and emails.
View all the other ways as well that B.F. Day may communicate with families.
Volunteering in the Classroom
All Seattle Public Schools volunteers need to complete the volunteer application through SPS. Applications are good for 2 years. Volunteers must be vaccinated. Select Category A volunteer.
Please email Brenna at bckamppi@seattleschools.org when you’ve completed your application. She will confirm when it is cleared.
You may not volunteer until the office has confirmed your application is clear.
Join the B.F. Day PTSA!
PTSA We’re very proud of the relationship we have with our PTSA
One of the most impactful ways that you can benefit your child’s elementary education is to get involved with the B.F. Day PTSA.
School staff work in strong partnership with the PTSA. The PTSA ensures that all of our students have access to the resources that they need to thrive.
Learn more on the B.F. Day Website PTSA Overview page. Also visit the B.F. Day PTSA website with information for families.
As of August 28, 2025