Birch Meadow Newsflash
February 27, 2020
Updates from the PTO
*Tap your finger on the screen to open the *new* smore newsletter in a new window and it’s so much easier to read on your phone!*
Welcome Back!
We hope you were able to enjoy some quality time over February break and the kids had some fun and rest.
And congratulations to Mrs Mucha’s 4th grade class for winning the box top competition with a total of 472 clippings. The competition alone raised just over $300!
Please reach out at any time with questions or suggestions. We love to hear from you.
Best,
Dita and Ashley
The Next Walk to School Wednesday - School Spirit day is next week!
Wednesday, March 4th! See you at the crosswalks! And School yard!
Month of March Read Across America
Read Across America is fast approaching! Students will kick it off at their all-school assembly on March 3rd. We will also be holding a Follett Book Fair March 2nd-5th to gear up for a month of reading. More details will be available after February break!
March
PTO General Meeting & Movie Night (Sponsored by Student Council): Thursday, March 19th @6:30pm
Restaurant Fundraiser @ Bunratty Tavern: Tuesday, March 31st
April
Intercultural Potluck Celebration: Friday, April 3rd
Birch Beautification Day: Wednesday, April 29th
PTO General Meeting (with Social Media Safety Presenter): Wednesday, April 29th @ 6:30pm
May
Staff Appreciation Week: May 4th-8th (luncheon on 5/8)
Restaurant Fundraiser @ Fuddruckers: Thursday, May 7th
Field Day: Wednesday, May 27th
Save the Date! 13th Annual Intercultural Celebration
Direct Donation
As of 2/25/20, we are @ 2k below our projected fundraising numbers for this school year. Our fundraisers have come in low this year - compared to last year, and we are still at least $1000 below our Direct Donation goal.
We have added a few more restaurant fundraisers to hopefully make up the difference.
Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to our Direct Donation!
If you would still like to donate or if you had planned on making 2 payments, you can do so anytime. 100% of funds raised go toward ALL School Enrichment and we fund many other programs with these dollars. Donations are strictly voluntary. Online payments may be made by clicking below.
If your employer will match your donation, please include an Employer Matching Gift Form. It can be found in the school office or our PTO page on the school website.
We are so close to our goal but fearful we will have to make some cuts in some of our programs, ie. staff appreciation, MCAS breakfast, teacher reimbursements… or other programs.
Community Sports Outing: Providence Bruins & Boston Red Sox!
If you missed the first round of ticket sales in November, the Providence Bruins have kindly offered us a last-chance ticket sale! We will have better seats for this game than we've been able to get at Fenway or TD Garden because it's a minor-league team, and kids will even get a free hat with their tickets! Every ticket sold will also benefit our PTO.
Game: Sunday 3/8 at 3:05 pm vs. the Hershey Bears (the farm team for the Washington Capitals - the NHL Bruins and Capitals are currently both #1 in their divisions, and the Bears are also currently #1 in their division of the minor-league AHL, so it should be a very good game!!)
Order form: print and return it to the school office with cash or check by this Friday 2/28. Feel free to put an order together with friends!
159 fans from Birch Meadow will be going to see the Red Sox together on Friday, May 22nd! If you ordered tickets, thank you! You should hear about how to get your tickets sometime in March.
Local Author Visit - Sarah Lynne Reul!
Each year, the Enrichment Committee arranges an author visit, which is an opportunity for every student at Birch Meadow to meet, talk with, and learn from a “real-live” published author. It is a very special time and a source of great reading and writing inspiration for our children. This year, we are very excited to welcome local author Sarah Lynne Reul to our school for two days of presentations on March 17th and 18th!
Families can extend their children’s connection to this experience by purchasing Ms. Reul’s books to have at home after the author’s school visit. The order form says it was due back at school with a check by yesterday (2/26), but we are extending the deadline through Friday 2/28. If you’re interested, be sure to send the form and a check into the school office tomorrow! If you have any questions, please contact Birch Meadow parent and Author Days Enrichment Coordinator Liz Castiglia.
From the Desk of Ms. Hendrix
Spring Time Communications
As we move into the spring season, there will be many communications home about the transition to the 20-21 school year. In the Newsflash, I will include information about current communications.
The first email for Grade 5 to 6 transition went out to all 5th Grade families on Wednesday, February 26th. Click here to read welcome letters from the middle school principals and download important forms.
Information about viral illnesses
I know that many of you are concerned about viral illnesses as there has been a lot of reporting in the news. Click here to find out information about how schools are addressing the spread of viral illness.
Enrichment Update
5th grade students also enjoyed an Enrichment program that week. A long-time Birch Meadow favorite, Wingmasters' raptor expert Jim Parks gave a presentation called North American Birds of Prey. The fifth graders loved seeing several different species of live birds up close and personal, and the experience supports their science curriculum concepts like adaptation, migration, and other animal behaviors.
Both of these Enrichment programs were made possible through parent donations. Thank you for your continued support!
Birch Meadow Extended Day Registration for 2020-2021
Extended Day 2020-2021 Registration Dates
The dates for extended day registration for families are coming up after February vacation. Here are the dates below.
- February 24th – March 16th – Priority registration for incoming kindergarten students and existing Extended Day families
- March 16th – ongoing – Registration is available to anyone in the district provided space is available
Birch Meadow PTO
Email: BirchMeadowPTO@gmail.com
Website: https://www.reading.k12.ma.us/birchmeadow/
Location: 27 Arthur B Lord Drive, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-944-2335
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BirchMeadowElementarySchoolPTO/
Twitter: @birch_meadow