Briarwood Newsletter
March 29, 2022 www.briarwoodpta.org
Message from Mr. Lash
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 child’s physical. Upload the current immunizations and we can update the immunizations and physical later.
To enroll your child, 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 child in SMSD, go to Skyward and look for the new enrollment tab on the left side. Kindergarten Kick-Off will be April 7, 2022. 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/hija, vayan 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/hija 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. Se enviará más información a todas las familias inscritas. ¡Esperamos conocer a todos nuestros estudiantes de Kindergarten entrantes!
Important Dates & Deadlines at Briarwood
Science Night- don't miss out!
Wednesday, March 30 from 6:00-8:00pm
see details below
*
Order your 2021-2022 Yearbook now!
Deadline Extended! Order by April 15
https://briarwoodptaop.membershiptoolkit.com/login
*
Used Book Fair- coming soon!
April 27-29- see flyer below for details
*
Briarwood Night @ Culver's
April 28
*
Spring Garden Workday on Sunday, May 1 at 2:00pm
Volunteers needed, signup below
*
Save-the-Date for Briarwood's Annual Carnival
Friday, May 13 5:30-8:00pm
Details to come soon!
Science Night is Wednesday, March 30- volunteers still needed!
We hope to see you at Briarwood Science Night! This free event is open to the entire Briarwood community and only happens every other year - don't miss it!
There will be many exciting activities and demonstrations, including a Hoverboard, indoor fireworks, Tesla coil, stunt planes and more!!
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.
We need 2-3 volunteers from 5:30-8:00pm. If you can help, please text Melissa Clark 913-313-6312 or email her at melissafisherclark@gmail.com.
Volunteers needed for numerous PTA positions!
We need volunteers for PTA chairs! If you are interested in being a PTA chair, there are several positions open for the 2022/2023 school year. Please contact Kim Shelton (kim.shelton@outlook.com) by March 31 if you are interested in learning more about the roles or helping the PTA in one of these positions:
Membership/Membership Toolkit
Grade Level Parties
Progressive Dinner
Used Book Fair
Student Pictures
School Supplies
Maker Space Liaison
Yearbook
PTA-Sponsored Writing &Art Contests

Briarwood's annual Used Book Fair is back!
This fun, PTA-lead event will be held April 27-29. Students will have the chance to browse tons of used books during the school day as well as after school and during Open House. All books will be priced between $0.25 and $2.00.
But first, help us stock our shelves! During the week of April 18-25, we are accepting your donations of elementary-appropriate (K-6 grade) used books. (Please no video games or movies.)
All proceeds will go towards the Briarwood PTA to fund various school initiatives.
*Coming soon - used book fair volunteer opportunities!

Briarwood Landscaping - Volunteer for Sunday, May 1
Spring Garden Workday on Sunday, May 1st at 2:00pm
Please sign up to help us get our gardens and flower beds ready this year. We will be planting seeds and flowers, weeding, and installing a small fence around the front circle bed.
Signup Genius for May 1st Garden and flower workday:
A Space for Every Bulldog- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Briarwood
Celebrations and Recognitions in March:
Women's History Month
Social Worker Month
Women's History Month:
The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain – until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.
Jane Addams, “Mother of Social Work”
THINGS TO DO
- Learn about Briarwood Social Worker Cassie Horn in this PTA newsletter and talk with your student about their interactions with her.
- Listen to The House That Jane Built from StorylineOnline about Jane Addams
- Download the Goodnight Rebel Girls App for Free for stories about women in history
- Activities at the Public Library celebrating Women’s History Month
Social Worker Month:
Shawnee Mission School District social workers assist and support families in setting and attaining goals aimed at self-sufficiency and stability, and provide and connect families to comprehensive services in the school, neighborhood, and community. At Briarwood, our Social Worker, Mrs. Horn, partners with students, teachers and families to maximize students' academic and social success. She also provides support to families of students through resources and referrals.
Mrs. Horn can:
- 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
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:
Mes del trabajador social
El bien que nos aseguramos es precario e incierto, hasta que se asegura para todos nosotros y se incorpora a nuestra vida común. Jane Addams, “Madre del Trabajo Social”
- Aprenda sobre la trabajadora social de Briarwood, Cassie Horn, en este boletín de la PTA y hable con su estudiante sobre sus interacciones con ella.
- Escuche La casa que construyó Jane de StorylineOnline sobre Jane Addams
- Descarga gratis la aplicación Goodnight Rebel Girls para ver historias sobre mujeres en la historia
- Actividades en la Biblioteca Pública celebrando el Mes de la Historia de la Mujer
Mes del trabajador social:
Los trabajadores sociales del Distrito Escolar de Shawnee Mission ayudan y apoyan a las familias a establecer y alcanzar objetivos destinados a la autosuficiencia y la estabilidad, y brindan y conectan a las familias con servicios integrales en la escuela, el vecindario y la comunidad. En Briarwood, nuestra trabajadora social, la Sra. Horn, se asocia con estudiantes, maestros y familias para maximizar el éxito académico y social de los estudiantes. También brinda apoyo a las familias de los estudiantes a través de recursos y referencias.
La Sra. Horn Puede:
- 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
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.
Briarwood Education Foundation Council- volunteer today!

MakerSpace- updated donation list
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
Crossing Guards needed - sign up today!
- 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.
New Briarwood Facebook group- class of 2035


SMSD Research and Development Forum
- 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 Monday, February 28, 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 Monday, March 28, 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
Attention 6th Grade Parents/Guardians
If your rising 7th grader is interested in running cross country at Indian Hills Middle School in the fall, this summer camp at Meadowbrook Park is a great way to help them get ready.
The Conditioning & Training Summer Camp 2022 led by Danny Davis, Head Trainer & Owner of Atlas Custom Fitness Solutions, will be held for the second year in a row. Both training session options in this camp are designed for middle-school-aged athletes.
Session 1: Every Wed/Fri in June, 9am - 10:30am, $225
Session 2: Every Wed/Fri in July, 9am - 10:30am, $225
All sessions held at Meadowbrook Park
Sign up available through the flyer attached, or contact Danny directly at atlascustomfitnesssolutions@gmail.com.


Earn Money for Briarwood while you shop on Amazon!
Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7152153 and designate Briarwood as your charitable organization. Briarwood will earn .5% from most purchases.
Bookmark the website to use each time you shop! https://smile.amazon.com All of your account information will remain the same, but you’ll be raising money for Briarwood
SMSD Covid Information
Briarwood’s social worker, Cassie Horn is available to provide support to all families
- 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
La trabajadora social de Briarwood, Cassie Horn está aquí para brindar apoyo a todas nuestras familias de Bulldog
- 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
Social Media Info
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
2021-2022 PTA Executive Committee
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