Birch Meadow Newsflash
January 15, 2024
Notes From Dr. Burnham
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character–that is the goal of true education.” -MLK
*Well, the snow this past week made for an interesting morning, but it was a beautiful sunrise at Birch Meadow! My thanks to everyone for driving extra carefully at drop-off.
*At our next PTO General Assembly (February 13th at 8:30am) I will be presenting information on the 2022-2023 MCAS. I will also push out the presentation via the Newsflash for those of you unable to join us live.
*Please reference the important information below about student attendance put together by our attendance committee.
*WARM HEARTS, WARM COATS: COAT DRIVE - The Birch Meadow Student Council is thrilled to announce their collaboration with the RMHS Student Council for a special initiative: a coat drive to support the less fortunate in our community. From now until January 26th, student council members from Birch Meadow and RMHS invite you to join them in making a difference in the lives of children and adults by donating warm winter coats of all sizes. You can find their bin in the Birch Meadow Lobby. Please see the flier attached to this email for more information, or see the Birch Meadow Student Council Advisor, Patrick McCracken, with any questions. Patrick, thank you for forging this partnership with the RMHS School Council!
*We were thrilled to host the Parker Middle School Environmental Club at our K/1 lunch as they met with our Composting Ambassadors and observed how the Composting Initiative works at Birch Meadow! We wish them luck as they investigate ways to compost in their own building, and look forward to a continued partnership.
*The PTO has made an outstanding effort this year to ensure that all Birch Meadow students students have access to school events no matter how far from the school they may live. One way to assist with this is to become a METCO Found Family. Please see the attached flier for more information.
-Dr. B
Birch Meadow PTO News
Birch Meadow Day at Fenway Park!
We're so excited to bring back this favorite event in 2024!
LINK TO ORDER TICKETS by Saturday 1/27. Order fast as tickets are limited. If families would like to sit together, please coordinate and order your tickets in one order.
Game: Detroit Tigers vs. Boston Red Sox
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024 @ 4:10pm
Section: Right field Grandstand, Section 2
Tickets: $57 per person
Please see the attached flyer or click here to order your tickets! Unlike the Celtics tickets there will be no waitlist/order form this time. It's a straight-to-purchase-option!
Clearing out Clothing/Shoes/Textiles? Consider dropping at our BLUE Helpsy box outside the 4th/5th grade classrooms.
Outdoor Recess Snow Gear Donation
If your family discovered during last weekend's snowstorm that your child has outgrown any winter gear, please consider donating items to our school's new "Outdoor Recess Closet"! Items will be used for students who don't have boots, snow pants, etc. for outdoor recess, as students must wear these items to play in the snow during outdoor recess.
We are collecting:
* snow boots
* snow pants
* winter hats and gloves/mittens
Please drop off your donations to PTO volunteer Julie Wall's house (37 Colburn Road in Reading) so items may be sorted for sizes. Items may be left on the front stoop or the side deck. Please contact Julie with any questions (wall.julie516@gmail.com).
If your family has a specific need related to winter gear, please reach out to Dr. Burnham (stephen.burnham@reading.k12.ma.us) and include specific sizes.
Winter Gear Clothing Swap (Facebook Group) - We'd also like to encourage posting in a swap (read: free) format on the Birch Meadow Parents - Reading, MA group on Facebook.
Cold Weather/Parking Update
If you are parallel parking on Birch Meadow Drive please pull up to the car in front or behind you, paying attention that you aren't taking up two spaces. The lot across from Coolidge is open as well ❄️
Rolling Driveway Drop Off Procedure Reminders:
- Please pull as far forward as possible in the driveway.
- Children must exit the vehicle on the right-hand side.
- Parents are asked to stay in their vehicle at drop off.
- Traffic should be in a single line only.
- Once your student has exited the car, you can pull out and around the line in front of you if there is not a school bus or van with flashing lights indicating that children are loading/unloading. Please drive slowly and cautiously in the driveway.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER DATE REMINDERS
Monday, January 15th - MLK Day, No School
Tuesday, January 30th - Birch Meadow @ Boston Celtics Night
Tuesday, February 13th - PTO General Mtg @ 8:30AM or via zoom
Monday, February 19th - Friday, February 23rd - Presidents Day/February Vacation
Coming in March - READ-A-FUN fundraiser, stay tuned for details!
NEW VOLUNTEER SPOTS!
Birch Meadow Enrichment & Event Volunteer Opportunities:
If you are interested in helping with any of our open volunteer opportunities below:
March Read-a-thon fundraiser support (2 volunteers - 8-10 hrs of work overall)
BIRCH MERCH
CUSTOM NAME LABELS
MINTED STATIONARY & CARDS
Enjoy 20% off Minted cards & gift orders throughout the year, and Minted will donate 15% back to Birch PTO. Perfect for holiday cards!!
Use code: FUNDRAISEBIRCHMEADOW
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council works for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community (including ALL children on IEPs or 504 plans and children who may require specialized support). Watch this brief introductory video to learn more!
Follow SEPAC on Facebook or Instagram
See our 2023-2024 Calendar of Events
Upcoming event:
Tuesday, Jan 16th, 6-8PM
Basic Rights Workshop: Evaluation and Eligibility
A comprehensive introduction to special education laws and procedures.
Purpose of the law, referrals, evaluations, team meeting process, determining eligibility, services and placement, what if student is not found to be eligible for services, after the team meeting, parent’s response options to an IEP, procedural due process rights for resolving disputes.
Virtual Event - Registration required
Registration: https://fcsn-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZModuGurj8qE9YGNyYvN-XwRon-85VhYuZg
Social Media Pages
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