Weekly Family Newsletter
Burns Park Elementary

From the Principals
Hola and Shalom families,
First, we want to start by acknowledging Hispanic Heritage Month. This month long celebration begins on September 15 and ends on October 15. We ask you to join us in celebrating the culture, histories and contributions of those from or with ancestral roots of Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Additionally, we would like to say Happy Rosh Hashanah to all of our families that celebrate. This holiday is also known as Jewish New Year and is the start of the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah began on Friday evening and concludes this evening.
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This week we will host our annual Curriculum Night on Tuesday, September 19th. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to learn more about their student's grade level experience and to learn more about what it means to be a Burns Park Penguin. More specific details can be found below. We hope to see you there!
Additionally, there are some other important dates to mark on your calendar:
Wednesday, September 27 - Early Release Day
Friday, September 29 - Picture Day
We are looking forward to Week 4!
Peace and Love,
Principals Bullock & Miller
New News from Burns Park
Curriculum Night - Sept. 19th
6:00 - 6:25 Presentation #1 by Classroom Teachers
6:30 - 6:55 Presentation #2 by Classroom Teachers
7:00 - 7:30 Principals Presentation
From the PTO
Hello BPE PTO Families,
Thank you to everyone that was able to attend our first PTO meeting of the year last Wednesday, our next meeting will be on October 11. The meeting minutes are available here. We also hope everyone enjoyed the Back-to-School Fall Picnic and was able reconnect with friends and make new ones. Curriculum Night is this Tuesday, September 19 and we will be giving an in-person PTO update at 7 p.m. during the All-Parent Session.
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED! (Room Parent Signup Deadline, Monday September 18)
Thanks to all who have already submitted their interests via the Burns Park Elementary Volunteer Interest Form 2023 2024.
Room Parents – The signup deadline is tomorrow, Monday, September 18. If you are interested in being a room parent for your child’s classroom and helping to support the teacher and plan classroom specific events – please sign up! There will be a training session later this month for all returning and new room parents.
We are also still recruiting volunteers for: Art Angels / Library Helpers; Lunch Recess Helpers; Disability Awareness; Inclusion Committee; Special Events; Walk and Talk Coaches; Yearbook Committee and PTO Council. There are a range of opportunities available to help in many capacities and various commitment levels. Grandparents, other relatives and caregivers are all welcome to volunteer. We appreciate any time and talents you are able to lend! Much of the committee work can be done outside of school hours.
If you have any questions reach out to volunteer coordinator Kathy Brzoznowski at volunteering@bpepto.org.
WALK & TALK
Volunteers Needed for Monday, September 18 and Beyond - Signup Genius Link
Remind your Penguins to join us out in the field during lunch recess on M/W/F! You can help them record the miles they run or walk by signing up below. It is an easy way for you as parents/grandparents/caregivers to get involved and support our students. Join us for one or several lunch hours this Fall:
Bret, John & Kathy (walktalk@burnsparkpto.org)
PTO Directory
Our PTO website has a Directory that allows families to create an account and share contact details and class information, enabling parents to reach out to each other within class, grade level, etc. to setup playdates and otherwise foster a sense of community.
Our current PTO directory is opt-in, meaning that families have to proactively create an account on our site to join. Returning families need to update their class assignments and new families should sign up!
BPE Spirit Store (Open Until September 30, 2023)
There are only 2 weeks left! Are you bursting with BPE pride? Do you need year-round gear? We have exciting news: we’ve partnered with Midwest Graphics to relaunching the Burns Park Spirit Store! You can log on from now through Sept. 30, to order pants, fleeces, hats and MORE. Ordered items are taking about 2 weeks for arrival.
Note: The PTO does provide a school t-shirt to all new students for free and returning students can opt-in for a new shirt if needed. This year’s timing and process will be shared at a later date.
Your Burns Park PTO
Al Masias, President
Kory Zhao, President-Elect
Information from Previous Newsletters
Devices
Students are to leave their cellphone in their lockers and should not use their smart watch to communicate with others. The office phone is the required method for communication between students and their families. Please call the office phone (734-994-1919) if you need to get ahold of your student. If your student needs to get ahold of you, they will call from the office phone.
Items from Home
Snacks & Lunch
Snacks: Please pack fruits or vegetables for snack time. Classroom teachers will share details about snack time in their classroom. Snacks should be sent to school in a container separate from your student's lunchbox.
School Lunches: All families are eligible for Free & Reduced Lunch this year (see information below), however, a la carte items, such as milk, are not free. Students must take a complete meal for the lunch fee to be waived.
Michigan School Meal Program
Free Breakfast & Lunch, 2023-2024 School Year
Dear AAPS Parents and Guardians,
Please take a moment to complete the Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) application (also known as the Summer EBT application), either online through Meal Magic or download the application from the website and return it to your student’s school. You can also pick up an application at the school. This application is needed from all AAPS families because without this information, AAPS could lose important state funding for educational programs thatour students are entitled to. These supplemental grants and programs have the potential to offer supports and
services for our students including, but not limited to:
✓ Instructional staff (ex. Reading Interventionists, Math, Academic and Behavior Aids)
✓ Counselors, Social Workers and School Nurses
✓ Professional Learning for staff
✓ Parent and Community engagement supplies and activities
✓ Technology
Here is the link to the Free & Reduced Lunch/Summer EBT Application
Why is AAPS requesting financial information?
The FRL/Summer EBT application determines eligibility of a student or household. The total count of eligible students is used to determine funding amounts that will be made to a school. The more forms returned the better for the school district.
What do I need to do?
Please complete the FRL/Summer EBT form and return it either through the Meal Magic site, or via a hard copy to your school. Your assistance in helping us maintain our current funding levels is greatly appreciated. No matter your financial status we need every family to fill out the application.
How will this information be protected?
All financial and student information is protected in the Meal Magic online submission and in locked files, as required by the state and federal government.
What else might my student or household be eligible for?
Based on the information you give on the FRL/Summer EBT application your student may qualify for these programs:
✓ Summer Food/EBT
✓ Pay to Play or Pay to Participate for athletics
✓ Programs that provide food support
✓ Rec & Ed scholarships
✓ Potential household support for cable and internet
If you have any questions, please contact bollingere@aaps.k12.mi.us or call 734-994-2265.
Family Involvement Opportunities - Noon Hour
We are in great need of additional support during lunch and recess time. If you are able to volunteer a few times a week, please let us know.
If you are able to commit to 5 days a week for the entire school year, you might consider applying for a noon hour supervisor position at our school. A typical work day will run from 11:00 AM -1:00 PM.
1. Email Mrs. Bullock, jonesl@aaps.k12.mi.us and
2. Complete the AAPS Noon Hour Application as soon as possible. The job ID # is 15352– Noon/Lunch Hour Supervisor
Please be on the look out for more volunteer opportunities in future communications. We appreciate your support!
School Safety + Visitors
We welcome families and hope you can be a part of school activities!
We will continue to put safety as our top priority. All visitors must proceed to the office upon arrival and share a valid driver’s license or state ID. The ID will be scanned into our Raptor Visitor System. Name tags (badges) must be worn at all times while on school grounds.
Once your visit is over, please come back to the office to check out.
As we return to normal practices, your classroom teachers will reach out with opportunities for parents to support in the classroom as necessary. Teachers will work with parents to schedule these opportunities prior to visits during the school day.
Health Plans & Medications
We need current information on health conditions for your child such as food allergies, seizure management, diabetes, asthma, or any other condition that requires school intervention for care. This must be in place in order for us to provide care for your child’s needs.
If your child requires medications at school, reach out to your child’s health care provider to obtain the necessary medication forms or use the AAPS Medication Form. When medication is dropped off at school by a parent (ONLY), medications must be in the original packaging. Click HERE for the AAPS Nurses’ Corner.
Save The Dates
Tuesday, September 19
Curriculum Night, 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Wednesday, September 27
Early Release Day
Friday, September 29
Picture Day
Friday, October 13/Monday, October 16
Fall Break
Tuesday, October 31
Halloween/Early Release Day
General Information
Leslee Bullock, Principal, jonesl@aaps.k12.mi.us
Heather Miller, Assistant Principal, hooppaw@aaps.k12.mi.us
Meghan Nollen, Office Professional, nollenm@aaps.k12.mi.us