Birch Meadow Newsflash
2/19/24
Notes From Dr. Burnham
*My thanks to everyone who answered the survey on parent circles with the principal. I will use that information and begin putting together a schedule for when we return from February Break.
*It's the final countdown to the Polar Plunge, with faculty set to go this coming weekend! All money raised from the plunge will go to the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics is a cause that is near and dear to us at Birch Meadow as we have athletes compete in this event every year. Participating in the plunge this year are faculty members:
- Administrative Assistant Di Owens
- Adjustment Counselor Cindy Marte
- Special Education Team Chair Melissa Forbes
- Special Education Teacher Andrew Scarpa
- Principal Stephen Burnham
- Former Special Education Team Chair and Forever Birchie Bear Jackie Ryan
If you'd like to sponsor the team with a donation you can head to our team page by clicking the the following link: Birchie Bear Polar Plunge Team Page
*Please see the Art Room Newsletter created by Christina Erb and the "News From The Health Office" attachment from Peggy Costello.
*We’re excited to announce that in partnership with the PTO Birch Meadow will welcome local author and illustrator, Scott Magoon, to Birch on Tuesday, March 26. This will coincide with our Read-a-thon and Read Across America celebration. We will be using the cafeteria for 45-minute presentations that will combine 2 grade levels per presentation. You can access more information about Scott here
*For planning purposes, we are aiming for the week of June 3rd-7th for 5th grade “graduation” events. This week will prevent us from any conflicts with RMHS Graduation the week before, and Coolidge Middle School Graduation the week after.
*Summer Adventure Camp: Community Education is excited to announce the Summer Adventure Program! This seven week-long session led by RPS teachers and staff engages students in a variety of hands-on projects, sports, games, art and crafts, and academic enrichment activities. Click here to check out the flyer and learn more about registration details. For any questions or assistance, please contact Mackenzie Irwin.
*District Report Card: The federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requires districts to annually distribute school report cards to the families of all students enrolled in each of the district’s schools, regardless of the school’s Title I status or accountability determination. Report cards must include assessment and accountability results, teacher qualifications, and other information related to district and school performance. In addition to the report cards themselves, ESSA requires that districts notify all parents of students enrolled in Title I schools that they may request, and the district will provide certain information related to the professional qualifications of their student's classroom teacher(s). Please click here to read more about the district's report card.
BIRCH MEADOW PTO NEWS
READ-A-FUN Fundraiser Starts After Break
National Read Across America Day is Saturday, March 2nd! It's a special day to call attention to the efforts of educators, parents, and others who motivate and teach children to read.
There are a few fun activities we'll be doing at Birch Meadow to celebrate!
Read-A-Fun Fundraiser - March 4th - March 29th
Students will receive Read-A-Fun portal login information and instructions during library time beginning February 26th. Kick Off to Log Hours is Monday, March 4th
How it works:·
Students read books and log them on their personalized online profiles.
Students answer questions and earn Wisdom Coins to customize their Owlvatars.
Sponsors make pledges based on how much students read.
Our school keeps 80% of funds raised. Funding will go towards enrichment programs for all grades (including bus fees for all students), reimbursement of supplies for classroom teachers and support staff, staff appreciation events, special events and yearbooks for our 5th grade graduates.
Book Fair - March 4-8
Students will visit the book fair during their weekly library time. Parents are welcome!
Before and after school hours will be available
Author Visit
More Info to Come!
Community-Building Circles
This spring, Dr. Burnham will host three Community-Building Circles for Birch Meadow care givers (K/1, 2/3, 4/5 grades). If you are interested in participating, please respond to the survey with details about your child/children, availability and possible topics.
Dr B. Circle availability survey: https://forms.gle/d9pG5fxpFrnkTPFX9
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING DATE REMINDERS
Monday, February 19th - Friday, February 23rd - Presidents Day/February Vacation
Monday, February 26th - READ-A-FUN fundraiser login starts. Official event start date March 4th!
March 4 - 8th - Book Fair
March 21st - 🏆 Silly Sock Day!
PROJECTED MCAS DATES
- April 3 - 4th - 4th Grade ELA MCAS
- April 10 - 11th - Grade 3 & 5 ELA MCAS
- May 8 - 9th - Grade 3 & 5 Math MCAS
- May 15 - 16th - Grade 4 Math MCAS
- May 20 - 21st - Grade 5 Science MCAS
🏆 = TURKEY TROT PRIZE!
Outdoor Recess Snow Gear Donation
Please consider donating items to our school's new "Outdoor Recess Closet"! Items will be used for students who don't have boots, snow pants, etc. for outdoor recess, as students must wear these items to play in the snow during outdoor recess.
We are collecting:
* snow boots
* snow pants
* winter hats and gloves/mittens
Please drop off your donations to PTO volunteer Julie Wall's house (37 Colburn Road in Reading) so items may be sorted for sizes. Items may be left on the front stoop or the side deck. Please contact Julie with any questions (wall.julie516@gmail.com).
If your family has a specific need related to winter gear, please reach out to Dr. Burnham (stephen.burnham@reading.k12.ma.us) and include specific sizes.
BIRCH MERCH
CUSTOM NAME LABELS
MINTED STATIONARY & CARDS
Enjoy 20% off Minted cards & gift orders throughout the year, and Minted will donate 15% back to Birch PTO.
Use code: FUNDRAISEBIRCHMEADOW
Social Media Pages
Please "like" Birch Meadow Elementary PTO" Facebook page and follow our Instagram: @birch_meadow_pto