Kindergarten Enrollment

Calling all future kindergartners! Now is the time to enroll for the coming school year. If you

haven’t already enrolled, please do so now as we need your child in our count. Our projected

staffing is based on the enrollment numbers so if you know that you will be attending Briarwood next school year please enroll today. You don’t have to wait to submit an enrollment until after your student’s physical. Upload the current immunizations and we can update the immunizations and physical later. To enroll your student, go to www.smsd.org and look for the Families tab and then click on Enrollment and follow the directions listed there. If you already have a student in SMSD, go to Skyward and look for the new enrollment tab on the left side.

*Kindergarten Kick-Off will be April 7 at 5:30 PM. More information will be sent out to all enrolled families. We look forward to meeting all of our incoming Kindergartners!

Inscripción de Kindergarten

¡Llamando a todos los futuros estudiantes de kindergarten! Ahora es el momento de inscribirse para el próximo año escolar. Si aún no se ha inscrito, hágalo ahora, ya que necesitamos a su hija/hijo en nuestro conteo. Nosotros planeamos el número de maestras basados en la cantidad de estudiantes inscritos. Así que por favor si sabe que asistirá a Briarwood el próximo año escolar, inscríbase hoy. No tiene que esperar para enviar una inscripción después del examen físico de su hija/hijo. Presenten las vacunas actuales y podemos actualizar las vacunas y el examen físico más tarde. Para inscribir a su hijo, vaya a

www.smsd.org y busque la pestaña Familias y luego haga clic en Inscripción y siga las

instrucciones que se enumeran allí. Si ya tiene un hijo en SMSD, vaya a Skyward y busque la

nueva pestaña de inscripción en el lado izquierdo.

*Los nuevos estudiantes de Kindergarten

podrán venir a la escuela el jueves, 7 de abril a las 5:30 p.m. Se enviará más información a

todas las familias inscritas. ¡Esperamos conocer a todos nuestros estudiantes de Kindergarten entrantes!

No School

Friday, March 11

*

No School- Spring Break

Monday, March 14-18

*

KC Community Garden Project @ Briarwood

Volunteers needed Friday, March 11

see below for more details

*

Order your 2021-2022 Yearbook now!

Deadline to order is March 25

https://briarwoodptaop.membershiptoolkit.com/login

see more details below

*

Science Night- Volunteers need!

Wednesday, March 30 6:00-8:00pm

see details below

*

Thank you for an amazing Auction!

Fun news - there are still some auction items remaining! Check out these FIRESALE items that are now discounted from the original starting bid. Check out the “Fixed Price Items” too as there are spots remaining for several parties! The Auction will officially close Friday night at 9pm. Bid here: https://one.bidpal.net/briarwoodelementaryauction/browse/all

Saturday night was a blast and we raised money that will help fund our terrific PTA programming. Our event was a huge success thanks to many months of work from our Auction Committee. A huge round of applause to our incredible Auction co-chairs Aimee Mayhew and Katie Enger! Many thanks to the rest of the awesome committee who volunteered time and talents: Megan Cicero, Allison Taylor, Clarissa McMillian, Michelle LeRoux, Sadie Durbin, Kim Hill, Brian Lee, Valerie Moeder, Lindsey Schulze, Jessica Becker, Jamie Carr, Lauren Hannawald, Cassie Horn, Mia Feldman, Jamie Smith, Libby Abruzesse, Summer Symonds, Kim Scott, Hailey Wank, Angie DalBello, Denise Harris, Jenny Lentz, Kirsten Burkett, Heather Rowe, Libby Hughes, Abbey Thomas, Terra Snyder, Rachel Wymore, Halley French, Emily Luea, Vanessa Watkins, Denise Wheeler, Krissie Kiehne, Casey Irwin, Candice Cooper, Erika Glueck, Melissa Gray, Cheryll Pacey, Karen Moore, Erin Reddell, Emmy Rice and Sarah Sampson.

As you clean out your student's closests for clothes that no longer fit, please consider donating any gently used items to Nurse Blizzard.

Nurse Blizzard is looking for:

• sizes 5T- 18 for both boys and girls.
• Pants, stretchy waistbands work the best as many kids don’t like to wear jeans.
• shirts
• Underwear, please send in new and all sizes for boys and girls (boys are in greater need)

Any donations that can't be used at Briarwood, Nurse Blizzard will offer to other nurses in the district or will donate it to the SMAC Clothing Exchange.

Raised Garden Construction Workday on March 11th from 10:00am to 2:00pm

Please sign up to help us construct three raised beds with assistance from Kansas City Community Gardens (KCCG). KCCG will provide all the tools and equipment, but we need at least 4 adults to help with the construction. Adults and kids that are 3rd Grade or higher are welcome to help.

Signup Genius for March 11th KCCG workday for raised garden beds:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545AFA92AA5FB6-briarwood2

Spring Garden Workday on March 27th at 2:00pm

Please sign up to help us get our gardens and flower beds ready this year. We will be weeding and getting the hoses set up for watering.

Signup Genius for March 27th garden and flower bed preparation:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080545AFA92AA5FB6-march

Please see the sign-up for more information and to volunteer:

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

Science Night is Wednesday, March 30 from 6:00-8:00pm. The format for Science Night is meet, greet and inform. It is a fun and informative evening!

There will be 2 sessions this year based on the letter of your LAST name:

• A-L is from 6:00-7:00pm
• M-Z is from 7:00-8:00pm

*Masks are optional and we will follow the SMSD mitigation protocols that are in place on March 30.

This family-friendly event is a long-standing Briarwood tradition and we need your help. Please reach out to Melissa Clark melissafisherclark@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.

Recognizing volunteers, educators, students and your PTA unit is easy to do with Kansas PTA. Nomination forms are available on the Kansas PTA website: www.kansas-pta.org for the following:

• Virginia Peak Outstanding Leadership Award

(for individuals)—deadline March 15, 2022

• Outstanding Student Award

(for individuals)—deadline March 15, 2022

• Outstanding Educator Award

(for individuals)—March 15, 2022

• Marjorie Holwick Wall of Fame (for individuals) This is a fundraiser for the Future Teacher Scholarship fund as well as a recognition event for volunteers who you feel need some deserved recognition for their time and efforts in PTA and at the school.

For additional information, contact the Kansas PTA office at kansaspta@gmail.com . Please make sure deserving educators, volunteers, and PTA units get the recognition they deserve.

Look for more details soon on how to donate your used books and sign-ups to volunteer to help run the fair. All proceeds will go towards the Briarwood PTA to fund various school initiatives.

Below is a NEW and UPDATED list that Mrs. Martens will be collecting for future MakerSpace projects. Please send donated items with your student on library day OR or contact Denise Wheeler denisetompkins@mac.com, 913-481-1572 to make other arrangements.

Plastic easter eggs for STEM activity (smooth surface) every 1st grader will be making a Humpty Dumpty for our fairytale unit!

Playdoh

Pipe cleaners

Cotton Balls

Toothpicks

Chess/Checkers sets

Always on the list: anything that can be used for building…

Legos of any kind -Duplo or regular

Magnatiles

Tinker Toys

Celebrations and Recognitions in March:

Women’s History Month: March 8- International Women’s Day

The International Women’s Day Theme for 2022 is Break the Bias.

A Poem from International Women’s Day

Imagine a gender equal world.

A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.

A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Together we can forge women's equality.

Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Things to do for Women's History Month:

8 Women’s History Activities For Kids

Women Who Dared Collection at JoCo Public Libraries

If you are interested in taking an active role in diversity, equity and inclusion at Briarwood, please contact PTA Chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Jessica Brooks-Bryon @ bryonfamkc@gmail.com.

Celebraciones y Reconocimientos:

El tema del Día Internacional de la Mujer para 2022 es Romper el sesgo.

Un poema del Día Internacional de la Mujer

Un mundo libre de prejuicios, estereotipos y discriminación.
Un mundo diverso, equitativo e inclusivo.

Un mundo donde la diferencia es valorada y celebrada.

Juntas podemos forjar la igualdad de las mujeres.

Colectivamente todos podemos #BreakTheBias.

Cosas que hacer para el Mes de la Historia de la Mujer:

8 actividades de historia de la mujer para niños

Colección Mujeres que se atrevieron en las bibliotecas públicas de JoCo

Si está interesado en asumir un papel activo en la diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión en Briarwood, comuníquese con Presidente de la PTA de Diversidad, Equidad e Inclusión

Jessica Brooks-Bryon @ bryonfamkc@gmail.com.

• Children must walk themselves and/or their bikes/scooter across the crosswalk
• Cars are not permitted to turn left off of 86th Street before and after school times
• Crosswalk times are 7:50-8:10am and 3:05-3:20pm (12:25pm-12:40pm on half days)
• If you are unable to make your assigned time, please find a sub or trade with someone
• Please try and sign up at least once a month.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090C4EA5AE2BA13-briarwood1

• Who can enter: Any interested student, grades K-12
• How to apply: Application information can be found on the R&D webpage.
• Deadline: The deadline to apply for the pitch competition is Friday, February 25, 2022.
• Practice sessions with industry mentors will be scheduled for students who apply to compete.

Final Competition and Prizes:

Applicants chosen as finalists will pitch their Next Great Idea to a panel of judges during the morning of April 30, 2022 at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st St. The pitch competition will be live-streamed so friends and family can participate as well. Top awards are $2,500, of which $1,000 is a cash award to be used by the winner to pursue their passion and education and up to $1,500 will be awarded as "build it" grants to support making the winner's pitch a reality. A People's Choice category, determined by public voters, will be awarded a $500 prize. There will also be an Idea of Promise award with a prize of $500.

Student Showcase:

The R&D Forum student showcase, with display-only and competitive exhibits will be held in Spring 2022. Students, families, and staff members are encouraged to enter student-created projects, experiments, or art projects to share in this districtwide event. All submissions must be registered and information on how to register can be found online. The deadline to register for the showcase is Friday, March 25, 2022.

The SMSD community is invited to take part in this year’s 60th R&D Forum by attending the following events at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st St.

MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL ART & ALL GRADES SCIENCE SHOWCASE

• April 18-21, 2022 - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Open House at CAA (entries on display)
• April 21, 2022 - 4:00 - 7:00pm - Reception for all entrants and families

ELEMENTARY ART & CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) SHOWCASE

• April 25-28, 2022 - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Open House at CAA (entries on display)
• April 28, 2022 - 4:00 - 7:00pm - Reception for all entrants and families

Click here for more information and contacts if you have further questions

Read Across SMSD- March

Each month of the school year features a new theme and book recommendations, provided by the National Education Association. Shawnee Mission School District librarians and educators have also compiled lists of similar titles that connect to each monthly theme.

March's book is: “Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston”

By Alicia D Williams

Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcántara

This is the SME Orchestra Booster’s main fundraiser of the year which helps to financially support the Lancer Orchestra in its various endeavors. This year’s theme is Global Boogie, featuring dance music from around the world! SME and Strings students get in free, otherwise it is a $10 suggested donation.

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

• 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

• Ayudar a los estudiantes / familias con ansiedad, depresión, prevención del suicidio, relaciones con los compañeros y otras dinámicas familiares / escolares.
• Ayudar a crear planes de apoyo al comportamiento con estudiantes / familias / maestros.
• Ayudar a los maestros con la enseñanza socioemocional y enfoques informados sobre el trauma en los salones.
• Asesoramiento individual y grupal dentro del entorno escolar.
• Proporcionar recursos a los padres que luchan con problemas emocionales o de comportamiento en el hogar.
• Conectarlo con recursos junto con nuestro socio comunitario Hillcrest Covenant Church para nuestras familias. Los recursos incluyen comestibles, vivienda, ropa, etc

Comuniquese con ella con cualquier pregunta o inquietud

cassiehorn@smsd.org 913-9932262

Briarwood Elementary Bulldogs on Facebook- Grade-level private Facebook groups, search:

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2028 (6th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2029 (5th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2030 (4th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2031 (3rd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2032 (2nd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2033 (1st grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2034 (K)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2035 (incoming 2022-2023 Kindergartners)

Instagram @briarwoodbulldogs

Twitter @BriarwoodElem

Briarwoodpta.org

Co-Presidents:

Molly Lund • mollylund@gmail.com

Mary Boomer • maryseltzerboomer@gmail.com

President-Elect:

Deana Curtin• deanacurtin@gmail.com

VP Administration:

Kim Shelton • kim.shelton@outlook.com

VP Communications:

Jennifer Freund • jfrenchjhawk@hotmail.com

VP Community Events:

Krissie Kiehne • krissiekiehne@gmail.com

VP Student Services:

Kristin McClasky • Kdp1202@gmail.com

VP Funding:

Sadie Durbin • sadiedurbin@gmail.com

VP Finance:

Laura Strongman lstrongman@kc.rr.com

Treasurer:

Michelle Wiens mwiens678@gmail.com

Secretary:

Ashley Hunt • ashleyhunt910@gmail.com

Briarwood Foundation:

Wendy Hill • Wendyhill329@gmail.com

Diversity & Inclusion Chair:

Jessica Bryon • bryonfamkc@gmail.com