Thunderbird Weekly Newsletter
Be the Flame! Spark Positivity!
March 2024
***Thunderbird Pride***
Weekly S.O.A.R. Winners
6th Grade Dates to Remember!
6th Grade Parents/Guardians
April 1: Pictures due to Sarah Moots ( video.You ) (sarahmoots@yahoo.com)
May 15: 6th Grade Olympics @Hocker Grove
May 17: 6th Grade Spotlight @BJF
***BJF PTA***
BJF Thunderbird Read-A-Thon
Our Thunderbird Read-A-Thon Donation Campaign is doing great! We have collected many donations so far. Thank you for your AWESOME support!
The Thunderbird community is incredible!
Check out our Daily Reading Challenge by clicking on the link below and choosing your students name in the participant lookup box. Once you click on your student’s name, you will be directed to your student’s page and the Daily Reading Challenge video. Please watch the whole video to support our school and have the opportunity to contact your family and friends to support our donation campaign.
*Please read at least 10 minutes with your student tonight.
*Click this link for Daily Reading Challenge Video:
https://app.pledge-drive.net/Campaign/bjfreads24
If you have any questions, email to sheb80@sbcglobal.net
Thank you for your generous support! Did we mention how much we appreciate you? You Rock!
-BJF PTA
***Skate Party***
Skate Party
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024, 06:00 PM
Skate City Shawnee Mission, 9800 West 62nd Terrace, Merriam, KS, USA
Chat & Chew
Please turn in your Chat and Chew books from last session. Thank you!
Last Lunch Date For grades 2-6:
Friday, April 19***BJF Info***
April 8, 2024, Solar Eclipse
On April 8, 2024, a solar eclipse will be visible on a path across the United States. Classroom teachers across the Shawnee Mission School District are preparing lessons to help students understand what is happening during an eclipse, and individual schools may provide additional details regarding viewing activities for their particular school.
As always, student safety is our top concern. Looking directly at the sun without proper eyewear is unsafe. The only safe way to look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses”. Per NASA, homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. SMSD will provide all elementary students who view the eclipse as a classroom activity with eclipse glasses to wear during this event. Although there is no way to fully guarantee student safety during such a rare event, we will take precautionary measures including pre-education to make students aware of the risks involved in directly looking at the sun.
At no time should students or participants remove their eclipse glasses and look directly at the sun as it could cause permanent eye damage or other unknown effects. Students will be directed not to remove their eclipse glasses.Please reinforce this by speaking with your child about the importance of keeping their eclipse glasses on at all times during this event.
Your student should have come home with a form with information. Please send that form back if you plan to opt your student out of the viewing.
We are in need of a few parents per classroom to ensure the safety of our students during this time. If you are available to help supervise, please fill out the sign-up genius below.
3rd Grade Camouflage
Can you find the hidden fish?
Summer 2024 Opportunities
JumpStart to Learning
Who can participate? Students residing within school boundaries in the Shawnee Mission School District who are kindergarten eligible for the 2024-2025 school year.
What can students expect?
● A focus on reading and math skills through fun and engaging activities ● Snack provided on site
● Free supplies and tuition
What is required?
Parents must agree to the following:
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● Student must be independent with toileting
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● Ensure regular attendance of their child
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● Call the attendance hotline in the morning to report an absence if child will not be able to attend
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● Ensure that student will follow school rules and policies to allow for a safe, fun learning
environment
SMSD Summer Enrichment (flyer attached below)
PROGRAM DATES:
Week 1: June 10 - 14
Week 2: June 17 - 21 (No school June 19)
Week 3: June 24 - 28 (No classes July 1 - 5)
Week 4: July 8-12
Week 5: July 15-19
LOCATIONS & CONTACT INFORMATION:
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● Summer Enrichment Program Site Westridge Middle School
9300 Nieman Road
Overland Park, KS 66214Office 913.993.9412 / Nurse 913.993.9416
Linda Long, Principal, lindalong@smsd.org
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● Summer Programs Main Office & Satellite Classes
Vicky Kopp, Student Services Secretary, vickykopp@smsd.org
***BJF Staff Superstars***
Mrs. Mitchell who is always flexible and willing to help those around her. She cares deeply for her students and teachers with creativity and fun!
Ms. White has been rocking her first year! She creates a positive classroom environment and has great relationships with students! Her passion for teaching is evident!
March Calendar
National Reading Month
Week of March 25:
Wed. Mar. 27
- Kindergarten field trip to Kaleidoscope
- Skate Party 6pm
April Dates
April 3: 5th Grade field trip to Starbase/Para Appreciation Day
April 10: 5th Grade field trip to Starbase
April 12: No School -Teacher Professional Learning Day
April 15: No School
April 24:
- 5th Grade field trip to Starbase
April 25: 4th Grade field trip to Shawnee Indian Mission
School Day Info:
School Hours: 8:10 - 3:10
- Students may enter the building at 7:55a.m.
- The tardy bell rings at 8:10a.m.
*Breakfast begins at 7:45a.m. Students should enter through the back doors (#11). If arriving after 8:00, your student should enter through the front main doors.
Attendance Matters!
Attendance is an important life skill that has a significant impact on student success:
- For elementary students missing 10% of school (approximately 2 days per month), it can impact their ability to stay on grade level in reading and math.
- For middle and high school students, absenteeism can have a significant impact on student achievement and can be a n early indicator of students not graduating from high school.
- On average, BJF students miss fewer than 10 days per school year.
Attendance Line
Attendance line: 913-993-2088
Thank you!
-Linda Blume, Clerical Aide
***Family/Student Services***
Starbase Summer Camp
Registration Begins: March 19, 2024 Download Enrollment form at:
Email Enrollment forms to:
Community Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 23rd
9:30 A.M. -Breakfast
10:00 A.M. - Egg Hunt Activities
5539 Quivera Rd. Shawnee, KS 66216
Homework Help
On Wednesdays and Thursdays from January 17 - April 25, 2024 at 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm, Central Resource Library (9875 W 87th St, Overland Park, KS 66212) offers Homework Help specifically focused on literacy support for grades 2-5. Students are encouraged to bring specific homework assignments from school, such as book reports, writing projects, vocabulary, spelling, science or social studies. More info...
2024-2025 Pre-K/Kindergarten Enrollment
As of January 8, 2024 online enrollment for Pre-K and Kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year is now open.
Help spread the word to any families who will have an incoming preK and/or Kinder student.
SMAC PTA Clothing Exchange
The Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA Clothing Exchange offers gently
used clothing and shoes from infant to adult sizes. The Exchange is a free service
open to those who live within the SMSD boundaries. All are welcome. If school
offices are closed, the Clothing Exchange is closed. www.smsd.org
El intercambio de ropa de la PTA del Consejo del Área de la Misión de Shawnee
ofrece ropa y zapatos usados con cuidado, desde tallas para bebés hasta adultos.
Exchange es un servicio gratuito abierto a quienes viven dentro de los límites de
SMSD. Todos son bienvenidos. Si el edificio de la escuela está cerrado, el
intercambio de ropa está cerrado. www.smsd.org
***Read Across SMSD***
Read Across America
Let's read and grow together with 12 months of recommended books and authors that promote diversity and inclusion.
Books of the Month:
Elementary: A Crown for Corina
Middle School: You Are Here: Connecting Flights
Young Adult: Invisible Son
March is also.....
National Reading Month:
Spread the joy with these titles in this Read Across America booklist about books and reading.
Women's History Month:
Bring women’s history to your readers with this Read Across America booklist.
Read Across America Day is March 2nd:
Get ready for your Read Across America celebration with these resources.
March 14th is Pi Day:
Circle around to readers and get everyone in on Pi Day fun with books in this Read Across America booklist!
Celebrate a nation of diverse readers with these recommended books, authors, and teaching resources.
***Food Services***
***SMSD Calendar***
***Health & Wellness***
Bluejacket-Flint Elementary School
Attendance Line: 913-993-2088
Attendance Clerk: Linda Blume
Email: tashahoward@smsd.org
Website: https://bluejacketflint.smsd.org/
Location: 11615 West 49th Terrace, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/151527849471491/
Twitter: @BThunderbirds