The Paw Print
February 2024
April 2024 Events
April 1
Silent Auction Ends
April 2
Unplugged Family Math Night
April 5
Report Cards Posted in HAC
April 8-12
Pre-K & Kinder 2024-2025 Pre-Registrations
April 8
Report Cards Sent Home
Solar Eclipse
April 9
Kinder Graduation Pictures
April 15
Teacher Work Day- Student Holiday
April 17
3rd-5th grade Reading & Language Arts STAAR Tests-No Visitors
April 18
5th grade Science STAAR Test-No Visitors
April 19
Spirit Shop
April 23
3rd-5th grade Math STAAR Test-No Visitors
April 30
Progress Reports sent home
Kinder and 3rd grade Field Day
May 1
1st and 4th grade Field Day
May 2
2nd and 5th grade Field Day
A Note from Principal Everson
Thank you to everyone who came out for our annual Spring Book Fair Family Fun Night. The turnout for the Fun Night was dynamic! Birkes loves bringing our community together for a night of family fun.
In addition, many thanks to those who participated in our Bulldog Bid Virtual Silent Auction. As of this morning, we have raised $4338. Our students truly enjoyed the opportunity to participate in a field trip this year. Our goal is to send all grade levels on a field trip next year as well, therefore, all proceeds for this silent auction will go toward the 2024-25 field trips. I have included the cost of each field trip so that you can have a better understanding of what it costs us to send our students on these adventures. We appreciate you contributing to our fundraisers!
Field Trips
- PK – Science Resource Center Free (transportation only)
- Kinder- Oil Ranch $1,911.16
- 1st Grade- Interactive Museum $1,754.51
- 2nd Grade- Dewberry Farms $2,591.88
- 3rd Grade- HMNS $1,597.56
- 4th Grade-Minute Maid $2,152.28
- 5th Grade - HMNS $1,681.06
Note: Transportation is embedded in these costs and is based on number of buses and mileage.
I would like to give a HUGE shoutout to our PTO Board members and PTO/VIPs members! Without our PTO, events such as the family fun nights, virtual auction, holiday parties, end-of-year parties, spirit shop, etc. would not be the same or would not be possible. These ladies and gentlemen dedicate their time and energy to contribute to creating a culture of greatness in our Birkes community! THANK YOU PTO/VIPS!
We have nine more weeks of school left of the 2023-24 school year. Let’s finish strong!
Field Day – 2024
Tuesday, April 30th
Kindergarten – 9:00-10:30
Third Grade - 12:00-2:30
Wednesday, May 1st
First Grade – 9:00-10:30
Fourth Grade – 12:00-2:30
Thursday, May 2nd
Second Grade – 9:00-11:00
Fifth Grade – 12:00-2:30
Solar Eclipse-April 8th
Thank you to all Birkes parents and Cypress Counseling & Behavioral Center for donating solar eclipse glasses. Our students and staff really appreciate your generous donations! 💖
We are still in need of more eclipse glasses. If anyone would like to donate, please feel free to drop them off at Birkes. Thank you!
Coins for Charity
The Birkes Student Council is collecting “Coins for Charity” for the Make-A-Wish Foundation for the next 2 weeks from April 2nd through April 12th. If you are interested in participating in this Birkes drive and donating to this charity, please send any spare change with your student to school. Our representatives will collect it from your child's homeroom teacher. The grade level that donates the most money will be awarded with an extra recess for their generosity. Thank you for helping Birkes to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses.
Student Attendance
Monitoring Absences HAC
Parents and/or legal guardians are strongly encouraged to regularly monitor the Home Access Center (HAC). The HAC allows parents to monitor their child’s attendance, grades, and schedule to ensure accuracy and take appropriate action when necessary.
Attendance
As per our district policy, please send an excuse note every time the student is not present at our attendance time 9:50am. "Admit to Class form" is not an excuse note, it is only for our office internal procedures.
Please send the note to school within 3 days of the absence. This note is to include the student’s name and grade, reason for absence, telephone number and signature of parent/legal guardian. If the student was absent due to a visit to the doctor/dentist, please provide a doctor/dentist's excuse note (*only dates referenced on note can be excused); parent note with a signature is required for any additional absence dates)
Loss of Credit Due to Excessive Absences
Loss of credit will be tabulated on the basis of days in attendance. A student may not receive credit for the year and may be retained unless they have been in attendance for at least 90% of the days during the school term or is successful in appealing the loss of credit as provided in this policy. This applies to excused and unexcused absences. If a student is in attendance for at least 75% but less than 90%, a student can be given credit for a class if the student completes a plan approved by the school principal that provides for the student to meet the requirements of the course. Parents of elementary students will receive written notice following the tenth absence.
Withdrawal procedures
A student may be withdrawn only by a parent or legal guardian. In the event there are legal documents affecting custody of the student, a copy must be provided to the campus prior to withdrawal and may affect a parent’s or legal guardian’s ability to withdraw a student. The parent or legal guardian withdrawing the student should notify the school in writing or by phone at least 24 hours in advance to provide time for the school to complete the withdrawal procedures. The parent or guardian should be prepared to present a government issued, photo ID to school officials when withdrawing the student.
Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance for the Third Nine Weeks
389 students made the honor roll and 315 were here every day of the third nine weeks.
We congratulate these students on their success!
Thanks to our parents for their support.
🔻 PTO NEWS 🔻
PTO Major Fundraising
Our Bulldog Bid auction site needs your help!
There are some great items to choose from! Our goal is to reach $10,000 to cover field trips for the 2024-2025 school year. Don’t delay and bid today! Auction ends on Monday, April 1st!
Click this link:
rmd.me/KUBp7fi6V2h
OR
download the free app: Auctria
All money raised from this spring fundraiser will go towards paying for all grade level field trips. Check this out: https://rb.gy/mglhhg
If you have any questions, please contact Penny Crowson, PTO Major Fundraising Email: jimcrowson@att.net
PTO March Spirit Shop Update
We raised over $1500 at Spirit Shop last month! Thank you for your amazing support each month! The students love it!