Burton Bird's Nest
April 9, 2021
Welcome back to Spring at Burton
I am so proud of our children and how they have conducted themselves through this difficult and everchanging school year. They certainly have had a variety of learning experiences to explore. I am also equally proud of the Burton teaching and support staff. Each time we needed to pivot they rolled up their sleeves and learned new ways to educate our children all while loving them and making sure they had a good relationship with them and focused on their individual needs. As a staff, they are exhausted but pleased with what they were able to accomplish. Your kind words and support for your child's teacher is greatly appreciated. We are all hoping for a less complicated 2021-2022 school year.
The form indicating your return for next year is out and needs to be completed by today, Friday, April 9. Please be sure you complete this form as this information will help decide staffing needs for the building.
PTA is looking for committee chairs
Please Please Please remember to do the Clear to Go Screener every day
Diversity Alliance
Amelia Earhart built her own roller coaster.
With her uncle’s help, Amelia built a ramp, similar to a roller coaster . She zoomed off the homemade ramp in a wooden box, crashed, and got up, excited but dirty.
Sincerely,
Ceila and The Diversity Club
Diversity Alliance
They’re not too young to talk about race!
Why are we called white?
What does Caucasian mean?
Who decides what color you are if your mom and dad are different races?
Why aren’t there more black families in Huntington Woods?
Why are most of our teachers white?
These are a few of the questions participants of the Diversity Alliance Club (grades 3 – 5) have asked since the club began January 2021.
Often parents postpone talking to their children about race until early adolescence out of the belief they are too young to understand, it is “an adult” topic, their own discomfort with the topic, the lack of recognition of its importance or simply lacking the right words to say. Yet, research shows children have already used race to identify and place value on people before they even enter school.
Did you know:
- At birth, babies look equally at faces of all races. By 3 months, babies look more at faces that match the race of their caregiver (Kelly et al. 2005)
- Children as you as two years use race to reason about people’s behaviors (Hirshfeld, 2008)
- By 30 months, most children use race to choose playmates (Katz & Kofkin, 1997)
3 – 5 year olds used racial categories to identify themselves and others, to include or exclude children from activities, and to negotiate power in their own social/play networks (Van Ausdale & Feagin, 2001)
- Expressions of racial prejudice often peak at ages 4 and 5 (Aboud 2008).
- By five, Black and Latinx children in research settings show no preference toward their own groups compared to Whites; White children at this age remain strongly biased in favor of whiteness (Dunham et al, 2008)
- By kindergarten, children show many of the same attitudes in our culture hold – they have already associated some groups with higher status than others (Kinzler, 2016)
If you haven’t been talking to your children about race, start now. It is never too late! Below are several resources to help you get started.
- Arthur Takes a Stand (FULL EPISODE)
- Talking Race With Young Children (From NPR)
- How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids (From Common Sense Media)
- Racism and Violence: Using Your Power as a Parent to Support Children Aged Two to Five (From ZERO TO THREE)
- 10 Tips for Teaching and Talking to Kids About Race (From EmbraceRace)
Talking to Your Kids About Racism
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/talking-to-your-kids-about-racism
12 Powerful Anti-Racism Books for Kids By Age https://www.parents.com/kids/responsibility/racism/powerful-anti-racism-books-for-kids-by-age/
Sincerely,
Mrs. Cain, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Manuel
The Diversity Alliance Sponsors
If you need additional resources, feel free to visit Mrs. Cain’s website (https://www.berkleyschools.org/profiles/Marnie_Cain_Profile/), the district’s Emotional Health and Wellness webpage (https://www.berkleyschools.org/parents/emotional-health--wellness/) or contact Mrs. Cain directly at Martha.cain@berkleyschools.org.
If your child (grades 3-5) is interested in joining the club we meet afterschool in person on Wednesdays from 3:00-3:45. Please contact Mrs. Cain for more information.
Testing Season has begun M-Step Testing begins next week
Third and fourth grades will begin their assessments the week of April 26. They are assessed on the English Language Arts and the math portion only. Again virtual students will be offered time to come to the building to take the assessment.
If you have questions about the assessments please call Ms. Krehbiel
Live Streaming
For our third through fifth graders some classrooms are live streaming for a couple of students but not all classes need to live stream. For example, if one classroom has all students returning to in person instruction then there is no live streaming. The live streaming process is not an on demand option. If students need to quarantine because of Covid related situations then the teacher may need to live stream. This takes all different technology and classroom set up from when they were teaching everyone remotely. It is not as easy as a flip of a switch and then we live stream. We reserve the live streaming for students who are either virtual for the rest of the year or needing to quarantine for a longer period of time. It is not available for students who are absent because the are just home for the day. Make up work will be available for pick up at the school or the teacher will catch the student up upon their return when they are feeling well. Saying on the attendance line that you are keeping your child home for the day and will just "Live stream" for the day is not an option.
I hope this information makes it less confusing. I am happy to discuss this further if you have any questions.
KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP - MAY 5
Fifth Grade Clap Out Car Parade
Step Up Day
Technology borrowed from the District
Weekly Bulletin
Monday, April 12
7:00 Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, April 13
M-STEP begins – 5th Grade
3:30-5:00 Staff Meeting
Wednesday, April 13
M-STEP – 5th Grade
3:00-3:45 Diversity Alliance – Media Center
Thursday, April 15
M-STEP – 5th Grade
11:30-2:30 Group Yearbook photo’s
3:30-4:30 Independent Math Project Challenge
Friday, April 16
M-STEP make-up – 5th Grade
Photo’s are needed for our Yearbook. Please send to Burtonelementary.yearbook@gmail.com
Deadline is April 23
Burton Elementary School
Email: Maribeth.Krehbiel@berkleyschools.org
Website: www.berkleyschools.org/Burton
Location: 26315 Scotia Road, Huntington Woods, MI, USA
Phone: 248-837-8600