BRIARWOOD ELEMENTARY pta newsletter

The Shawnee Mission School District has started the process of nominating an elementary and secondary teacher for the Kansas Teacher of the Year. At Briarwood, we are fortunate to have an amazing staff and I encourage you to nominate a Briarwood teacher. To nominate a teacher, click the link below.

• KS Teacher of the Year Nomination Link 2022
• KS Teacher of the Year Link 2022 Spanish

Here are instructions to change the language of your newsletter...

1. On the right side of the newsletter, a bar will appear with the Translation feature.
2. Click on the Translation bar then click on the Select Language button.
3. Choose your language of choice from the drop-down menu of languages and click close. The newsletter will now be translated.
   

En el lado derecho de la pagina, aparecerá una barra con la función de traducción. Haga clic en la barra de traducción y luego haga clic en el botón Seleccionar idioma. Elija español en el menú desplegable de idiomas y haga clic en cerrar. El boletín ahora se traducirá.

Briarwood’s PTA (Parent Teacher Association) works to support every student and teacher at school. The PTA provides additional extra activities, programs, and financial assistance not covered by the Shawnee Mission School District.

Joining the PTA is easy! Once you have updated/created your profile, purchase your PTA membership in the online Store. Individual memberships are $12 and Joint memberships are $24. Briarwood PTA works to support every student and teacher in our building and our goal is to have 100% participation from our families/caregivers and teachers. PTA memberships are also a fundraiser for Briarwood PTA. PTA members receive exclusive access to the online directory.

To join PTA and pay online now, please visit our PTA website at: briarwoodpta.org/join_pta

Questions? Contact: karen.jeanne.moore@gmail.com

For the 2022-2023 school year, we have enhanced our Briarwood PTA website and online directory!

Our site is hosted by Membership Toolkit, a secure, user-friendly platform that will allow you to:

• Purchase your PTA Membership and make a donation
• Access the secure online directory for students, families/caregivers, faculty (PTA Membership required)
• View the School Calendar
• Signup up for school events (PTA or BW events? Like a Sign-up genius?
• Learn about PTA-sponsored programs, events and volunteer opportunities!

Get started today by visiting https://www.briarwoodpta.org, select “Directory”

1. Update or create an account through Membership Toolkit. Once you update/create your account, you can decide what information is shared in the online directory, which is ONLY accessible to other BW registrants.
2. Our directory will only be as useful as YOU make it. Please register to help us build a stronger community network for parents/caregivers and students.
3. Download the Membership Toolkit app from the App Store or Google Play for on-the-go access.

Questions? Contact Karen Moore: karen.jeanne.moore@gmail.com

Tuesday, August 23

Back to School Night, Grades 1-3

5:30 - 1st Grade

6:15 - 2nd Grade

7:00 - 3rd Grade

*

Wednesday, August 24

Back to School Night, Grades 4-6

5:30 - 4th Grade

6:15 - 5th Grade

7:00 - 6th Grade

*

Friday, August 26

Deadline to Order SpiritWear, order here

*

Tuesday, August 30

Skating Party at Skate City

4:00-6:00 PM

*

Wednesday, August 31

Room Parent Meeting (Briarwood Cafeteria) - 6:00-6:30 PM

PTA Chair Meeting (Briarwood Cafeteria) - 6:30-7:30 PM

*

Friday, September 2

Monday, September 5

No School

*

Thursday, September 15

Dining Partner: Culver's

*

Friday, September 16

Deadline to donate to the Briarwood Foundation Friends & Family Campaign

(see flyer below)

*

Thursday, September 29

Picture Day - More details soon!

Full BW PTA Calendar is available here

Thank you to our fabulous PTA Chairs and Volunteers who made the Popsicle Pop-In and Boo Hoo Coffee such hits these first couple of weeks of school.

Popsicle Pop-In was flawlessly executed by event chairs, Kara Griswold and Jodie Hayes, and volunteers, Kristin McClasky and Karen Moore. It was fantastic to be back in school, meeting teachers, and spending time with friends after the summer break.

Chairs Emily & Zach Luea and Jess Becker brought the BooHoo Coffee to the front lawn for our Kindergarten parents/guardians. Special thanks to our chairs, and Rachel Wymore, for a fantastic event!

This year we will be holding TWO back-to-school nights. BTS Night will be held on Tuesday, August 23 and Wednesday, August 24.

Tuesday, August 23

FIRST GRADE - 5:30 PM

SECOND GRADE - 6:15 PM

THIRD GRADE - 7:00 PM

Wednesday, August 24

FOURTH GRADE - 5:30 PM

FIFTH GRADE - 6:30 PM

SIXTH GRADE - 7:00 PM

At Back to School Night, teachers will introduce themselves, review important class procedures, and hold a question and answer session. Teachers will be sending out additional information in the coming weeks.

*** This is a parent event, but if you are unable to find childcare please bring them with you so you can attend.

Be on the lookout for information about our first PTA fundraiser of the year -- Grade Level Parties! This is a fun adult-only evening for all of the grown-ups in each grade to get to know each other – and to raise $ for PTA. While there is no cost to attend, donations are suggested and encouraged. Interested in helping?

Contact Erin Winters erinlynnwinters@gmail.com and/or Michelle le Roux michleroux3@gmail.com for additional details

Please help us keep our students safe by volunteering to serve as a crossing guard at 86th and Juniper. If each grade level can commit to filling 6 slots per month we will have every shift covered for the entire year (EASY!).

In this role, you will be reminding children that they must walk themselves and/or their bikes/scooters across the crosswalk. You will also help direct the after-school traffic and remind drivers that cars are not permitted to turn left off of 86th Street during the before and after school rush. Crosswalk volunteer shifts are 7:50-8:10am and 3:05-3:20pm (12:25pm-12:40pm on half days).

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B44A5A822A64-briarwood

Room parents are still needed for classes in the 4-6 grade classrooms. Please take a few minutes to see if your student's classroom is in need and sign up if you can.

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054CA4AF2AA3FA7-briarwood

Please reach out to Room Parent Chair, Valerie Moeder, with questions - valerielmoeder@gmail.com

AUGUST CELEBRATIONS & RECOGNITIONS

• National Back to School Month

Many kids may feel anxious about going back to school after a long summer break. Others may feel nervous about starting school for the first time. Parents/guardians can help ease the transition back to school by being able to recognize the symptoms of stress and anxiety and implementing some creative strategies.

• How to Ease Back to School Anxiety and Stress
• Back to School Anxiety

The Briarwood Foundation provides that little extra for our students. Directed by a board of parent/guardian volunteers, our primary purpose is to fund programs and supplies not provided by federal, state, school district or PTA budgets.

Thanks to your support, our students were able to utilize these enhanced learning tools for 2021-2022:

K-2 Phonics, Reading Curriculum

5 walkie-talkies for additional school safety

Kodable subscription

Raised Garden beds

News-o-Matic

Want to donate? Here's how:

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

Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA (SMAC) Clothing Exchange

The Clothing Exchange offers gently used clothing and shoes to those within the SMSD boundaries. All items are clean. Donations are made possible by SMSD residents. All residents are welcome.

Website: https://www.smac-pta.org/

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

Co-Presidents:

Mary Boomer • maryseltzerboomer@gmail.com

Deana Curtin • deanacurtin@gmail.com

President-Elect:

Ashley Hunt • ashleyhunt910@gmail.com

VP Administration:

Rachel Wymore • rla08@hotmail.com

VP Communications:

Terra Snyder • walker_terra@hotmail.com

VP Community Events:

Kristin McClasky • Kdp1202@gmail.com

VP Student Services:

Susan Jarrold • susan.jarrold@gmail.com

VP Funding:

Jessica Becker • jessica.becker85@gmail.com

VP Finance:

Denise Wheeler • denisetompkins@mac.com

Treasurer:

Michelle Wiens mwiens678@gmail.com

Secretary:

Diana Beckman • dianalbeckman@gmail.com

Briarwood Foundation:

Wendy Hill • Wendyhill329@gmail.com

Diversity & Inclusion Chair:

Jessica Bryon • bryonfamkc@gmail.com

Briarwood Elementary Bulldogs - all school Facebook page

FACEBOOK Groups are a great way to find out what is going on in your grade level community. Join your group to find out details on sports teams, scouts, and play dates happening throughout the year.

Grade-level Facebook groups (private):

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2029 (6th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2030 (5th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2031 (4rd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2032 (3nd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2033 (2st grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2034 (1st Grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2035 (K)

Website: https://www.briarwoodpta.org/
Facebook: facebook.com/BriarwoodBulldogs
Twitter: @BriarwoodElem

Instagram: @BriarwoodBulldogs