Birch Meadow Update

It has been another great week at Birch Meadow! One of the things I love about this school is all the different ways our students step up, help one another, and contribute to our school community.

Our 5th grade Community Officers started their jobs this week! They have been helping students find their classrooms during arrival, reminding everyone to walk safely in the hallways, and even making the morning announcements for the entire school.

We also had some of our Birchie Bears take on the big job of organizing our Lost and Found during the before-school program. And when I say big job, I mean it! We have a lot of lost items, and they filled the steps along the entire length of the cafeteria stage! Missing something? Stop by the Lost and Found.

Our first graders have also been stepping up by volunteering to help with Composting in the cafeteria. They are helping their classmates figure out which items belong in the recycling, compost, and trash bins. What a great way to take care of our school and help others!

These are just a few examples of our students putting our Birch Meadow Core Values - Present, Safe, Kind, Responsible, and Respectful - into action. It is wonderful to see our Birchie Bears finding ways to help, lead, and make a difference in our community. What a great reminder that we all have a part to play in making Birch Meadow a place where everyone belongs, feels supported, and can grow!

Warmly,

Lisa

HOW MANY? JAR WINNERS (prizes to be delivered to school this Friday)

• Spider Ring Jar: Bridget Leik - 152 (she was closest as there were 163 rings)
• Gummy Bear Jar: Sajay Teraiya - 57 (exact match)
• Bracelet & Ring Jar - Lilian Martel - 35 (exact match)

RAFFLE WINNERS (haven't been contacted yet? Please reach out!) There's one "unknown" person: Raffle Ticket #647760 who won the Comically Speaking raffle. If we don't hear back by 11/6, we'll draw a new name. Our raffle raised $2,185 - thank you everyone who participated!!

Last call for Merry Lion sweatshirt orders!

Preorders will be open October 18th – October 30th, with all orders being submitted on October 31st.

• BIRCH MEADOW Varsity Sweatshirt (PREORDER) | The Merry Lion (shopthemerrylion.com)
• Youth BIRCH MEADOW Varsity Sweatshirt (PREORDER) | The Merry Lion (shopthemerrylion.com)

Fam-favorite Calareso's gift certificate sale is BACK! Birch Meadow receives 25% of all sales and you get a gift certificate that NEVER EXPIRES!

Think: Thanksgiving pies, mums, fresh produce, even CHRISTMAS TREES!

The fundraiser will run from 10/26-11/13. Payments and forms must be received by 11/13. Forms will be sent home in backpacks. ORDER ONLINE HERE!

Right after drop off on Wednesday, December 2nd, please join the PTO, Mrs. Azzarito, and Mrs. Marsh in the Birch Cafeteria to review the School Improvement Plan. Can't make it in person? A recording will be made available or you can join via Zoom - Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4915113640

Light refreshments will be provided.

The 5th Annual Turkey Trot fundraiser is on Mon. Nov. 23rd. All students will participate and we are asking parents to REGISTER ONLINE - we're aiming for 100% student registration (currently at 28%)!

Track our progress towards the $25,000 fundraising goal. Parent volunteer sign ups are also appreciated!

This week's goal was to raise $4,000 and we did it! Our school-wide prize is SILLY SOCK DAY on Wednesday, Nov 4th. Wear your wackiest socks in the craziest way - bring your creativity 🎨
The classroom with the most donations this week was... (drum roll please): MS. COSTA'S CLASS! Great job. Look out for a special turkey 🦃 visitor this week!

Weekly Fundraising Prizes (🏆= Prize WON!)

• Week 1 — $4,000: Silly Sock Day 🏆
• Week 2 — $8,000: PJ Day
• Week 3 — $12,000: Silly Hair Day
• Week 4 — $16,000: Reading Spirit Day
• Week 5 — Trot Week!

Total Fundraising Milestones

• $15,000: Character Day
• $20,000: Extra Recess
• $25,000: New England Patriots Fan Day (including Mrs. Azzarito!)

Individual Prizes

• The top three students may each choose one of the following prizes:

  • Principal for the Day
  • Ride to school in a police car
  • Private tour of the fire station

🏫 Top Grade - Officer Rusty Classroom Visit

Questions about the event should go to Paige Cocci and Sarah Narcus (paige@eventsavy.com and sarahnarcus@gmail.com).

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

8:30am - Volunteers Arrive

9:00am - Queen Bean Truck Arrives

9:00am - Kids start processing from Birch

9:30/9:45am - Whole School Warm Up

9:45am - The trot begins in two waves

10:00am - Kids head back to Birch

From the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to state and local offices, the decisions made by our elected officials affect our families, schools, and communities.

There are also 11 questions on the ballot. Questions 1-9 are state-wide questions. Questions 10, 11, and 12 (#12 is ONLY in precincts 1, 7, & 8) are specific to Reading. To preview the questions ahead of time, you can view a SAMPLE BALLOT (select 2026-11-03 State Election Sample Ballot)

Question #10 is the one everyone is talking about, the tax override. To learn more, please visit the Town’s website or Yes for Reading. Our students, our teachers, our staff, and our town is counting on your vote.

Take a few minutes to learn about the candidates and ballot questions, and make a plan to vote. Every election is an opportunity to make your voice heard!

Mon. 10/26 - Fri 11/13 - Calareso's Gift Certificate Sale

Tues. Nov 3rd - 7am-8pm ELECTION DAY at RMHS Fieldhouse

Wed. Nov 4th - Silly Sock Day 🦃🏆

Wed. Nov 11th - No School - Veterans Day

Sat. Nov 14th - METCO Bowling Event (details below!)

Mon. Nov 16th - Report Cards Sent Home

Mon. Nov 16th - Picture Retake Day

Thurs. Nov 19th - 12:45 Early release, Teacher Conferences

Fri. Nov 20th - NO SCHOOL Teacher Conferences

Mon. Nov 23rd - TURKEY TROT 🦃 & Queen Bean Coffee fundraiser. Rain Date Tues 11/24

Wed. Nov 25th - 11:00am Early release

Thurs Nov. 26 - Fri. Nov 27th - NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break

Wed. Dec 3rd - 8:30am PTO General Mtg, School Improvement Plan Presentation. Birch cafeteria and Zoom

Sat. Dec 5 - Sun. Dec 6th - REF Festival of Trees - Have an artificial tree you'd like to donate? Plz let us know!

Wed. Dec 23rd - District Wide Early Release 11:00am

Thurs. Dec 24 - Mon. Jan 4th - Winter Break

Thurs. Jan 7th - Fuddruckers Restaurant Night

Mon. Jan 18th - No School MLK Day

For over 30 years, the Adopt-A-Family program has anonymously matched donors and recipients for Thanksgiving dinner ingredients, holiday dinner ingredients, and/or holiday gifts for children 18 and under. Recipient families must live in Reading or have a child in the Reading Public School System. This program is coordinated by Reading Cares and the Rotary Club of Reading.

Deadline for Thanksgiving applications is 10/31. Holiday applications due by 11/12.

https://www.readingma.gov/790/Adopt-A-Family

Join us for a FREE Reading METCO family event! All Reading families are welcome!

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2027
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Boston Bowl
820 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester, MA 02122

The first 100 families to RSVP will attend for FREE! RSVP Here

Your free admission includes: Pizza, beverages, an arcade game card

Come spend time with our Reading METCO community, connect with other families, and enjoy a fun day together!

SEPAC 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). Reading SEPAC IS OPEN TO ALL parents/caregivers, not only families who have a child with special needs as we offer various opportunities to connect with other families and provide learning experiences. To learn more about Reading SEPAC, please visit our website: Reading SEPAC Website'

Join other SEPAC parents/caregivers for a back-to-school grownup gathering at the Kiely family's backyard. BYOB. Email sepacreading@gmail.com for the address and to RSVP. Reservations are requested for food planning purposes but are not required. Hope to see you there.

Saturday, November 14th 4pm-7pm.

Open call for SEPAC Board Candidates and SEPAC School Liaisons

• Drop off your donations of clothing and textiles to the two large bins to the far right of the main entrance on Arthur B. Lord Drive. Birch Meadow earns funds through Helpsy, a for-profit company that offers local non-profits like our PTO this easy, no-cost fundraising program!