Weekly Family Newsletter

November 6, 2022

November marks Native American Heritage Month. This month of honoring and acknowledging the first peoples of the land now called the United States of America was established in 1990. It is a time to celebrate the culture, tradition, achievements and sacrifices of the first inhabitants of this land. We would also like to take this time to acknowledge and honor the privilege we have in Burns Parks sharing the geographical and historical space of the Anishinaabeg – (including Odawa, Ojibwe and Boodewadomi) and Wyandot peoples.

As a reminder, we do not have school on Tuesday, November 8th. Please don't forget to go out and vote! We will be sending out a newsletter on Tuesday morning for activities you and your child can do on this important day.

Our lost and found is still overflowing! We are close to being able to open a Burns Park Department Store - we have hats, lunch containers, socks, etc! Please be sure to stop by and check it out. Any items left by December 1st will be donated.

Have a wonderful week. Go Vote!

Heather & Leslee

Noon Hour Volunteers Needed!

We are in great need of additional support during lunch and recess time. If you are available only a few days a week, please consider volunteering in our lunch room. If interested, please use this sign up link.

No School - Election Day

As a reminder, there will be no school Tuesday, November 8th for Election Day. Please check out next Tuesday's exclusive newsletter for activities you and your child can do on this day off from school, such as books to read, social studies activities, etc.

Costume & Winter Clothing Drive

Dear Penguin community members,

Halloween Costume Drive

The PTO will continue with the Halloween Costume Drive through Friday, November 18. If you have outgrown your costumes, please consider donating them to BPE! We are in need of larger sizes that fit 3-5th graders. Thank you!

Winter Clothing Drive - the PTO will be collecting new or gently used winter clothing (coats, snowpants, boots, hats, gloves, etc.). Please bring these items to the office or drop off at 2008 Morton. These items will be shared with those who are in need of winter gear.

Thank you for your generosity!

Girls on The Run

Girls on the Run is looking for coaches! This program is for girls in grades 3-5 and helps girls build healthy habits and develop strong character traits through fun and engaging lessons. The spring season starts in March. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up!

GOTR Coaching Info

Viki Tijunelis (vsusinskas@gmail.com) was the site leader and coach last year and is happy to answer any questions.

AAPS Masking Policy

As of today, November 6th, Washtenaw County is in the CDC MEDIUM/YELLOW Community Level. Masks are encouraged indoors. Link to CDC Community Level page here.

For more detailed information about the AAPS Fall 2022 COVID and Health Guidance, please click here.

Breakfast/Lunch

School meals will no longer be provided free of charge for all as they were in the 2021-2022 school year. Families will need to fill out free & reduced lunch forms to qualify: 2022-2023 Free & Reduced Lunch Application. Please note that families are responsible for the cost until the application is approved. If you need help, please refer to this document. Paper copies will be available in the main office once the school year begins.

For more information about this change and to learn how to load funds onto your child's account, please click here. Student ID information was sent home the first week of school. You may set up your meal magic account with that information.

Please have a conversation with your child if you would like them getting food from school or not. Families are responsible for the cost of food. We will ALWAYS feed children if they say they don’t have food. We will not question it. Make sure they know the plan.

Also, please make sure your child knows which item is their snack. This is helpful for the classroom teacher.

Items from Home

Personal belongings (i.e. toys, trading cards, etc.) need to remain at home. Burns Park staff will not be responsible for managing the care and safety of personal belongings. Students who bring sports items for recess have an understanding that they are agreeing to share with others. If this agreement is not the understanding, students should not bring personal sports items. Please check backpacks before your student comes to school.

Dear Fantastic BPE Families,

I hope that everyone had a tremendous tenth week of school. The next PTO meeting is this week on Wednesday, November 9 at 7pm, all are welcome to join. Below are some of the current openings on the PTO and related committees, please contact info@bpepto.org with any questions.

School/Grade Wide PTO Volunteer Opportunities

· President-Elect – Year round

· Inclusion Co-Coordinator – Year Round

· T-shirts/Swag Shop – Primarily a Fall activity

· Disability Awareness Workshop – Scheduled for May 12, 2023, 4th grade centric activity

Science Olympiad – The Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (wesoscience.org) event has recently been scheduled for May 13, 2023. In the past WESO has requested elementary schools provide their head coaches in December, with student signups/practices beginning in January at BPE. So far we have 4 volunteers returning from last year but could use more, including one parent to take the role of Co-Head Coach with a returning volunteer, please email info@bpepto.org for more information.

Additionally, please consider the following classroom based volunteer opportunities below.

Calling all Art Angels!: SIGN UP HERE to help with Art

This is a one hour or less commitment (depending on the grade). You don't have to be good at art! You just need to bring helping hands and a positive attitude. Being an Art Angel is a wonderful way to get to know our BPE students and classrooms. Please check out this flier for more details on being an Art Angel and SIGN UP HERE to choose a day and time.

Calling all Library Lovers!: SIGN UP HERE to help with Library.

This is a one hour or less commitment (depending on the grade). You will help check in books, shelve returned books and help students find and check out new books. It's a great way to get to know our BPE students and classrooms. Please check out this flier for more details on being a Library volunteer and SIGN UP HERE to choose a day and time.

Walk & Talk: Signup Genius Link

This activity has just a few spots open for parent volunteers before it goes on hiatus for the winter, please help it finish strong by filling out the very few remaining spots, thanks. SIGN UP HERE to choose a day and time.

Your Burns Park PTO

Al Masias, President

info@bpepto.org