FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Families,
We have loved welcoming our students back into our classrooms this fall! There is a new energy buzzing around our buildings as students enter each morning and it makes me realize, once again, how much I missed your children over the summer!
Last year, the focus of my letter each month was to introduce the West Irondequoit CSD’s Strategic Plan which included four areas, or “rocks,” for refinement. This year, I am excited to share that we are moving into year two of our Strategic Plan and while the four areas remain consistent, we will delve a little bit further into each. Like last year, we will continue to embed the Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Framework (CRSF) from New York State to ensure that our District motto of, “All Means All,” is realized in every classroom.
The first pillar in the CRSF is the creation of a welcoming and affirming environment. Part of building that strong and inclusive classroom environment is working to create opportunities for all students to see themselves in their learning. One way we will work to accomplish this goal is through the celebration of Heritage Months. For example, over the past two weeks and for part of October, we celebrate Hispanic heritage. In November, we will celebrate Native American Heritage Month to honor Indigenous People with a special school-wide assembly with the masterful storyteller Perry Ground, Turtle Clan member of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. You can read more about this in our Curriculum Corner later on in this newsletter.
We look forward to partnering with you and family this year to ensure that all students feel the impact that is created through a school environment that is identity-affirming. I look forward to working with you this year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Sincerely,
Brenna Farrell
CONTACT INFORMATION
Principal: Brenna Farrell | brenna_farrell@westiron.monroe.edu
Secretary: Amber Kash | Amber_Kash@westiron.monroe.edu
Main office: 585-336-1610
Fax: 585-336-1611
Website: westirondequoit.org/briarwood_school
Health Office: 585-336-1618
· Nurse: Lisa Marrapese
Transportation: 585-336-2992
District Office: 585-342-5500 | District website: westirondequoit.org
Happy Fall from the Office of Instruction! The excitement during the start of the school year has been amazing. Students have shown up ready to learn and teachers/staff are equally energized to provide authentic and positive learning experiences for our students. We wanted to share our district’s work regarding Heritage Months. In alignment with our Strategic Plan and the New York State Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Framework, we want to promote environments in which diverse cultures, languages, and identities are reflected, represented, and valued. To support this, last school year we brought together a group of administrators, teachers, community members and the Director of Diversity and Equity Planning from Monroe BOCES. The goal of this group was to provide visible opportunities for a students’ backgrounds to be celebrated through Heritage Months, such as Hispanic/Latine (Sept./October), Native American Heritage Month to honor Indigenous People (November), Black History month (February) and Arab American month (April). As the group continues to grow resources, we will continue to add celebrations. Each month, a menu of resources will be cultivated through our group and shared with each school building.
To learn about this, including the mission and vision of the group, please click the PDF below.
REMINDER: GO HOME EARLY DRILL IS OCT. 7
Friday, October 7th is the state-mandated “Go Home Early Drill.” It starts a three-day weekend. All students are released 10 minutes early. If you pick up your children at school, please arrive 10 minutes early, and expect students who ride buses to arrive 10 minutes early. The K-6 Extension Childcare Program will open early and remain open until 6 PM. Crossing guard schedules also will accommodate the time change.
UPDATE EMERGENCY CONTACT INFO
Parents/guardians,
Do you:
· Have a new cell phone number or email address?
· Have a new work phone number?
· Need to update your emergency contacts?
Be sure to keep your child's school informed of any changes to your phone numbers or emergency contact information. Update info directly on the Parent Portal, or send in a note with your child.
Thank you!
