Our Bears have been busy shopping for books at our Book Fair all week! Thanks so much to the 15 families who volunteered their time and energy to keep our book fair open for business. Special thanks to Annie Qureshi for her leadership in chairing the Fall Book Fair and to Jennifer Chen for agreeing to help learn the ropes with Annie.

We'd also like to thank all of the parents who joined us for our Classroom Parent Orientation and the PTO Meeting on Tuesday evening. In addition to discussing this year's PTO budget, recapping events, and discussing upcoming activities, we did a bit of brainstorming on ideas for additional ways the PTO can help enhance the school community. We'll have minutes in next week's Friday Features so you can catch up on all the details and stay informed.

Students and staff will participate in our annual “kick off” for the Week of Respect. Everyone is invited to wear the colors that represent the pillars of character on each of the days listed below.

• Tues., Oct. 1 - RED for Caring
• Wed., Oct. 2 - ORANGE for Fairness
• Thurs., Oct. 3 - GREEN for Responsibility
• Fri., Oct. 4 - YELLOW for Respect
• Mon., Oct. 7 - BLUE for Trustworthiness
• Tues., Oct. 8 - PURPLE for Citizenship
  

We'll enter you into a raffle to win an Amazon Echo Dot each time you complete one of our Back to School activities:

• Register for AtoZ Connect (1 chance to win)
• Verify your info in AtoZ Connect after registering (1 chance to win)
• Become a PTO Member (1 chance to win)

For more detail on AtoZ Connect registration and verification, check out our article on our BGS PTO webpage. You can become a PTO member during the verification process or by completing and returning the form below.

We'll draw a lucky winner in mid-October - it could be YOU!

Our BGS Student directory is perfect for setting up playdates, sending party invitations, and finding buddies for carpools. It's only helpful when you submit your info and right now we're still missing about 2/3 of our BGS families.

To enter your information in the student directory, go to join.atozconnect.com. Remember that YOU get to pick what information is shared. Be sure to enter your child's teacher (not just their grade).

If you're one of the nearly families who have already registered for AtoZ Connect, you're all set. We're aiming for 100% participation.

PTO Members will get electronic access to the directory via AtoZ Connect or can opt to purchase a paper copy of the directory. We plan to print the directory by the end of October, so don't delay - sign up today!

Our Homeroom Parents help to coordinate class celebrations and recognize the teaching staff throughout the year. To offset the costs of these activities AND limit how many times throughout the year that parents are asked for funds for teacher gifts, our Homeroom Parents request a single contribution of $20 per student just once at the beginning of the year. This covers 3 gifts for the teachers in the classroom, as well funds some small supplies for the class parties.

You can pay for class funds easily online via AtoZ Connect in the School Store area. If you prefer to send it through school, be sure to include a note with your child's name, the teacher's name, and mark the envelope "ATTN: Class Parent - Class Funds".

Please note, class funds are NOT the same as PTO membership and go directly to your class parents.

Thanks to all of our new volunteers who have fearlessly taken on the leadership of some of our PTO events. If you'd like to make a bigger mark in the BGS community, we have a few open Event and Fundraiser Chair Positions available. You'll partner with a seasoned co-chair, learn the ropes, and help to lead an event or activity.

Opportunities include:

• Faculty Meals Co-Chair
• Family Fun Night Co-Chairs
• Holiday Shop Co-Chair
• Spring Plant Sale Co-Chair
• Talent Show Co-Chairs
• Thanksgiving Feast Co-Chair

For more details on each of these chairperson positions, you can read our guide here then contact bgsptopresident@gmail.com if you'd like to volunteer.

The Special Education Alliance (SEA) is a Parent/Caregiver Support group for families with IEPs/504s in BRRSD--all are welcome!

Join us for our next meeting on Tuesday Oct. 15 from 7:00-8:30pm in the BRHS Library.

Topics:

● Introduction: Dan Silvia

● What is a 504/IEP?

● The Role of the Case Manager

For more details and to reserve babysitting, you can check out their flyer here.

Sept. 30 - School Closed for Rosh Hashanah

Oct. 3 - Anti-Bullying Assemblies (during school hours)

Oct. 3 - 6 - 8 PM - Back to School Night

Oct. 4 - Junior Achievement (in school)

Oct. 7 - Read-a-Thon Begins

Oct. 9 - School Closed for Yom Kippur

Oct. 11 - Fire Safety Day & Fire Truck Visit

Oct. 16 - Picture Day

Oct. 17 - 4 - 7 PM - Clothing Sale Drop Off

Oct. 18 - 9 AM -2 PM & 4-7 PM - Clothing Sale Drop Off

Oct. 19 - 9 AM - 1 PM - $1-2-3 Clothing Sale

Oct. 28 - 7 - 8 PM - PTO Meeting