BRIARWOOD ELEMENTARY pta newsletter
January 26, 2023 www.briarwoodpta.org
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL LASH
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for the evening of Thursday, February 9 from 4:30-7:30 and Friday, February 4 from 8:00-3:30. Teachers are in the process of reaching out to families to schedule a conference. Parents can request an in-person conference or virtual conference.
Briarwood Spelling Bee
Congratulations to Jiya Bhavsar, who was the winner of the Briarwood Spelling Bee, and Kathryn Bartel, who was the runner up! There were 16 students from grades 3-6 who competed in the bee and they should all be proud of their effort. Jiya will go on to compete in the Johnson County Spelling Bee on February 4 at Woodland Spring Middle School in the Spring Hill School District.
Dogs
While many children and adults love dogs, some find them intimidating and they can be unpredictable when around large numbers of people. For the safety of our students, staff, and parents, dogs are not allowed on school property during the school day. This would include arrival and dismissal. Please share this information with relatives and friends who may be dropping off or picking up students.
Traffic Reminders
- We continue to have an increase of students being dropped off at school in the small circle drive during morning drop off between 7:50-8:10, which is causing traffic/safety issues and delays. Only kindergarten students should be dropped off in the small circle drive. It is okay to drop off and pick up using the small circle drive between 8:10-3:00.
- Vehicles waiting to pick up in the big circle drive will use Juniper Lane as the preferred waiting que for vehicles. Vehicles may be stacked only on the west side of Juniper. If you would like for your student to walk from school to a designated location for pickup do not park or wait for them on Juniper.
Lunchroom Visitor Signup
Follow this link to sign up to have lunch with your student during second semester. During January & February, we're encouraging grandparent(s) and/or senior(s) special to your student to signup. Lunchroom visitors are allowed every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday through May 4, 2023. Want to know what time your student eats lunch? Click here to see the class lunchtime schedule.
IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES @ BRIARWOOD
Thursday, February 2
Class & Briarwood Club Photo Day
*
Saturday, February 4
Trivia Night
*
Wednesday, February 8
Briarwood Night at Chipotle
6879 W. 91st Street, OP KS
4:00-8:00 pm
*
Friday, February 10
No School - Parent/Teacher Conferences
*
Monday, February 20
No School - Presidents' Day
*
Thursday, February 23, 7:00 pm
PTA General Membership Meeting
Briarwood Cafeteria
*
Full BW PTA Calendar is available here
Join the 2024 Auction Committee!
We are looking for the next auction leadership team and volunteers to make the 2024 Briarwood Auction a huge success! The auction is Briarwood's largest fundraiser and funds most of our PTA budget for two years. Do you have a special talent or skill? Are you looking for a way to get involved and give back? We'd love to talk with you and answer any questions you may have. Please reach out to Katie Enger (katieenger@hotmail.com , (913-972-7091) and Clarissa McMillan (mcmillan.clarissa@gmail.com).
Thank you for helping make our 2024 auction a great success!
JOIN THE PTA NOMINATING COMMITTEE
We need volunteers to help nominate the PTA chairs for the 2023-2024 school year. This committee will work together to identify candidates in March/April, and is a small time commitment (10 hours or less). Also, if you would like to be involved as a PTA chair next year,
let us know! Contact: Rachel Wymore, (913) 645-0363, RLA08@hotmail.com
LEGISLATIVE CORNER - STAY INFORMED
This is going to be a rough legislative session for Kansas public schools. Please take 5 minutes to read and learn about these current bills and potential threats here...
- Voucher bill that diverts public tax dollars to private schools
Allowing non-public school kids to participate in public school athletics/activities
Special Education funding
JOIN THE BRIARWOOD PTA TODAY!
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
CREATE/UPDATE YOUR ONLINE DIRECTORY PROFILE
Get started today by visiting https://www.briarwoodpta.org, select “Directory”
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
A SPACE FOR EVERY BULLDOG - DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION AT BRIARWOOD
CELEBRATIONS AND RECOGNITIONS
February (full month) – Black History Month
February 1st – Lunar (Chinese) New Year
Lunar (Chinese) New Year
During the Lunar New Year festivities, ancestors are honored and traditional ceremonies are held where people get together and welcome the new year with customs that shall bring good luck, good fortune, wealth, prosperity and happiness. In honor of the Lunar New Year, here are links with some historical context, activities and a local FREE activity for all ages.
Learn more about the Lunar New Year
Chinese New Year Activity Ideas | Scholastic
Lunar New Year Festival at the Nelson-Atkins
Black History Month
Today's need for greater racial equity and inclusion requires kids to be exposed to diversity at a young age. To uplift all voices that have an impact on our country, it's critical that Black history is studied and celebrated – not just in February, but throughout the entire year. African American history is American history, and when kids understand the fuller picture of the past, it will also help them understand the fuller picture of today.
How to Celebrate Black History Month With Kids
Black History Month for Kids – National Geographic
Negro League Baseball Museum is FREE for the month of February
VOLUNTEER CROSSING GUARDS NEEDED
CROSSING GUARDS STILL NEEDED :) Please help us keep our students safe by volunteering to serve as a crossing guard at 86th and Juniper.
- Remind children to walk themselves and/or their bikes/scooters across the crosswalk.
- Help direct the before/after-school traffic and remind drivers that cars are not permitted to turn left off of 86th Street.
- Crosswalk volunteer shifts are 7:50-8:10am and 3:05-3:20pm (12:25pm-12:40pm on half days).
ELEMENTARY
By Nana Ekua Bre-Hammond
Click here to learn more.
MIDDLE
“The Last Mapmaker"
By Christina Soontornvat
Click here to learn more.
YOUNG ADULT
NOW AVAILABLE: SMORE TRANSLATION
- On the right side of the newsletter, a bar will appear with the Translation feature.
- Click on the Translation bar then click on the Select Language button.
- 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.
GET SOCIAL - Connect With Us Online!
Website: https://www.briarwoodpta.org/
Twitter: @BriarwoodElem
Instagram: @BriarwoodBulldogs
Facebook: facebook.com/BriarwoodBulldogs
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)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2036 (NEW GROUP!)
2022-23 PTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
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