BRIARWOOD NEWSLETTER

August 10, 2022 www.briarwoodpta.org

MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL LASH

The Briarwood staff and I are excited to welcome students back this week as we kick off the 2022-2023 school year! The energy and excitement is off the charts, and we are fired up for an amazing school year ahead in Bulldog Nation! The teachers and staff have been hard at work and are looking forward to the first day of school. Briarwood is a community that fuels a passion for learning while educating all students to achieve their full potential. Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to make this the best school year ever!

TRAFFIC PATTERN UPDATE

The Prairie Village Police Department has requested that we implement the following traffic pattern update to help make dismissal safer and more efficient.

Vehicles waiting to pick up in the big circle drive will use Juniper Lane as the preferred waiting que for vehicles. Vehicles may be stacked only on the west side of Juniper.
If you would like for your child to walk from school to a designated location for pickup do not park or wait for them on Juniper.

The goal with this change is to help the car line move more efficiently without delays caused by vehicles being parked while waiting for students to arrive, and to avoid vehicles going around a parked car which can create unsafe driving conditions for drivers and students/patrons walking.

SAFE WALKING ROUTES /CROSSING GUARDS

Students, parents, and family members should cross at the designated cross walks. We have two designated cross walks and there is a staff member that helps cross walkers at the entrance to the car drop-off and pick up lane.
Crossing Guard on Nall between 85th and Terr & 86th St.

ALL students and patrons who need to cross Nall to get to the West side should use the crosswalk with the crossing guard. This is the safest way for all pedestrians.
Students or patrons should NEVER cross in the middle of Nall unless at a light. As you head southbound on Nall from Briarwood there is an incline and difficult to see oncoming traffic and it is extremely dangerous for students or patrons to cross.

Crossing Guard on 86th

ALL students who need to cross to 86th Street in front of the school to get to the south side must cross at the crossing guard.
Students or patrons should NEVER cross in the middle of the street.

IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES @ BRIARWOOD

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Thursday, August 11

First Day of School

(grades 1-6) Half day- early dismissal 12:30pm

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Friday, August 12

Kindergarten Conferences

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Monday, August 15

First Day of School for Kindergarten

*

Monday, August 15

BooHoo Coffee (Kindergarten Parents)

8:10 - 9:00am

Join kindergarten parents/guardians on the Briarwood front lawn (adjacent to Kindergarten entry doors) for a cup of coffee and pastries after drop-off

*

Tuesday, August 16

Dining Partner Event: Chicken N Pickle

*

Tuesday, August 23

Back to School Night

Grades 1-3

*

Wednesday, August 24

Back to School Night

Grades 4-6

*

Monday, August 22

General Membership PTA Meeting

7:00 p.m.via Zoom (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87552620869?pwd=SzRLY1JxdysrZkhVV1gzQUF6Y2g3Zz09)

Learn about our initiatives, fundraisers, how to help and vote on the 2022-2023 budget

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Friday, August 26

Deadline to Order SpiritWear, order here

*

Tuesday, August 30

Skating Party at Skate City

4:00-6:00 PM

*

Friday, September 2

No School

*

Monday, September 5

No School

Website: https://www.briarwoodpta.org/calendar

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JOIN THE BRIARWOOD PTA TODAY!

Briarwood’s PTA (Parent Teacher Association) works to support every student and teacher at school. The PTA provides additional extra activities, programs, and financial assistance not covered by the Shawnee Mission School District.

Joining the PTA is easy! Once you have updated/created your profile, purchase your PTA membership in the online Store. Individual memberships are $12 and Joint memberships are $24. Briarwood PTA works to support every student and teacher in our building and our goal is to have 100% participation from our families/caregivers and teachers. PTA memberships are also a fundraiser for Briarwood PTA. PTA members receive exclusive access to the online directory.

To join PTA and pay online now, please visit our PTA website at: briarwoodpta.org/join_pta

Questions? Contact: karen.jeanne.moore@gmail.com

PTA GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Please join us on Monday, August 22 at 7:00 p.m. for our first General PTA Membership Meeting of the school year (via Zoom):

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87552620869?pwd=SzRLY1JxdysrZkhVV1gzQUF6Y2g3Zz09

Meeting ID: 875 5262 0869
Passcode: 450110

During this meeting, learn about upcoming PTA events, fundraisers, how to get involved – and vote on the 2022-2023 budget. For your reference, the proposed budget can be accessed here.

CREATE/UPDATE YOUR ONLINE DIRECTORY PROFILE

For the 2022-2023 school year, we have enhanced our Briarwood PTA website and online directory!

Our site is hosted by Membership Toolkit, a secure, user-friendly platform that will allow you to:

● Purchase your PTA Membership and make a donation

● Access the secure online directory for students, families/caregivers, faculty (PTA Membership required)

● View the School Calendar

● Signup up for school events (PTA or BW events? Like a Sign-up genius?

● Learn about PTA-sponsored programs, events and volunteer opportunities!

Get started today by visiting https://www.briarwoodpta.org, select “Directory”

1. Update or create an account through Membership Toolkit. Once you update/create your account, you can decide what information is shared in the online directory, which is ONLY accessible to other BW registrants.

2. Our directory will only be as useful as YOU make it. Please register to help us build a stronger community network for parents/caregivers and students.

3. Download the Membership Toolkit app from the App Store or Google Play for on-the-go access.

Questions? Please contact Karen Moore: karen.jeanne.moore@gmail.com

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT(S)

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This year we will be holding TWO back-to-school nights. BTS Night will be held on Tuesday, August 23rd, and Wednesday, August 24th.

Tuesday, August 23rd

FIRST GRADE - 5:30 PM

SECOND GRADE - 6:15 PM

THIRD GRADE - 7:00 PM

Wednesday, August 24th

FOURTH GRADE - 5:30 PM

FIFTH GRADE - 6:30 PM

SIXTH GRADE - 7:00 PM

At Back to School Night, teachers will introduce themselves, review important class procedures, and hold a question and answer session. Teachers will be sending out additional information in the coming weeks.

GRADE LEVEL PARTIES!

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Be on the lookout for information about our first PTA fundraiser of the year -- Grade Level Parties! This is a fun adult-only evening for the parents/guardians in each grade to get to know each other – and to raise $ for PTA. While there is no cost to attend, donations are suggested and encouraged. Interested in helping?

Contact Erin Winters erinlynnwinters@gmail.com and/or Michelle le Roux michleroux3@gmail.com for additional details

Order your Briarwood swag now!

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WANTED: ROOM PARENTS

Help support our teachers by serving as a Room Parent! We are seeking two (2) volunteers per classroom to fulfill these duties:

● Share classroom updates, and information about school-wide PTA activities, via email, with the parents/guardians of classroom students.

● Solicit financial contributions from parents/guardians to procure and deliver gift for your teacher throughout the year (birthday, holiday, staff appreciation) on behalf of the class

● Offer general support to your classroom teacher

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054CA4AF2AA3FA7-briarwood

Contact Valerie Moeder at Valerielmoeder@gmail.com for additional details or to learn more.

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SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Students may bring school supplies to the Popsicle Pop-In meet and greet on August 9 to leave at their desks, or they may choose to bring supplies on the first day of school. All school supplies preordered through 1st Day School Supplies have already been delivered to your student’s classroom.

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VOLUNTEER CROSSING GUARDS NEEDED

Please help us keep our students safe by volunteering to serve as a crossing guard at 86th and Juniper. If each grade level can commit to filling 6 slots per month we will have every shift covered for the entire year (EASY!).

In this role, you will be reminding Children that they must walk themselves and/or their bikes/scooters across the crosswalk. You will also help direct the after-school traffic and remind parents and other vehicles that cars are not permitted to turn left off of 86th Street during the before and after school rush. Crosswalk volunteer shifts are 7:50-8:10am and 3:05-3:20pm (12:25pm-12:40pm on half days).

To sign up or learn more please click the link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B44A5A822A64-briarwood

A SPACE FOR EVERY BULLDOG – DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION AT BRIARWOOD

AUGUST CELEBRATIONS & RECOGNITIONS

National Back to School Month
Friendship Week (August 15-21)

BACK TO SCHOOL BOOKS, WHY DIVERSITY IN LITERATURE IS IMPORTANT

Books help children understand their homes, communities, and the world around them. With books, children can gain a better understanding of themselves and others — especially if the books reflect the diverse groups of people in the world around them. Children can learn to respect not only their own cultural groups, but also other groups that they may or may not encounter in their own neighborhood.

To read more about why Multicultural Books are important or to read these concepts in entirety from their source follow these links:

Multicultural Books: Why They’re Important for Your Kids - ABC News (go.com)

Why We Need Diverse Books | ADL

DIVERSE BACK TO SCHOOL BOOK LISTS

15 Diverse Back to School Book s Kids Will Love

12 Diverse First Day of School Books

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Briarwood’s social worker, Cassie Horn is available to provide support to all families

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Mrs. Horn can:

Help students/families with anxiety, depression, suicide prevention, peer relationships and other family/school dynamics
Help create behavior support plans with students/families/teachers
Assist teachers with social emotional teaching and trauma informed approaches in their classroom
Individual and group counseling within school setting
Provide resources to parents struggling with emotional/behavioral issues at home
Connect families to resources, such as our community partner Hillcrest Covenant Church. Resources include groceries, housing, clothing etc.

Please contact Mrs. Horn with any questions or concerns:

cassiehorn@smsd.org 913-993-2262

BRIARWOOD FOUNDATION

The Briarwood Foundation provides that little extra for our students. Directed by a board of parent/guardian volunteers, our primary purpose is to fund programs and supplies not provided by federal, state, school district or PTA budgets.

Thanks to your support, our students were able to utilize these enhanced learning tools for 2021-2022:

K-2 Phonics, Reading Curriculum

5 walkie-talkies for additional school safety

Kodable subscription

Raised Garden beds

News-o-Matic

Want to donate? Here's how:

SMAC CLOTHING EXCHANGE

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Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA (SMAC) Clothing Exchange

The Clothing Exchange offers gently used clothing and shoes to those within the SMSD boundaries. All items are clean. Donations are made possible by SMSD residents. All residents are welcome.

Website: https://www.smac-pta.org/

Earn Money for Briarwood while you shop on Amazon!

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Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7152153 and designate Briarwood as your charitable organization. Briarwood will earn .5% from most purchases.

Bookmark the website to use each time you shop! https://smile.amazon.com All of your account information will remain the same, but you’ll be raising money for Briarwood

GET SOCIAL!

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Briarwood Elementary Bulldogs - all school Facebook page

FACEBOOK Groups are a great way to find out what is going on in your grade level community. Join your group to find out details on sports teams, scouts, and play dates happening throughout the year.

Grade-level Facebook groups (private):

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2029 (6th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2030 (5th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2031 (4rd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2032 (3nd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2033 (2st grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2034 (1st Grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2035 (K)

Website: https://www.briarwoodpta.org/
Facebook: facebook.com/BriarwoodBulldogs
Twitter: @BriarwoodElem