Principal Victoria's Notes

Dear families,

I hope you enjoyed a glorious fall weekend—the weather was amazing! Thank you to everyone who participated in Friday’s Trunk-or-Treat. It was a wonderful Birch Hill community event!

This week, we’ll celebrate Red Ribbon Week, encouraging students to make healthy choices and show school spirit by participating in the daily dress-up themes.

We’re also looking forward to our Halloween festivities on Friday, October 30! Kindergarten through Grade 2 students will participate in our Book Character Parade at 9:30 a.m., with families welcome to watch from the carpool lane. Students in Grades 3–5 may wear school-appropriate costumes and enjoy watching the parade. Please review the costume guidelines to help keep the day safe, respectful, and inclusive for everyone.

Finally, the Birch Hill PTO is partnering with Broad Street Elementary PTO for an Election Day Bake Sale on Tuesday, November 3, at Nashua North. Volunteers and baked-goods donations are welcome! Visit the PTO website for more information or sign up to help.

Thank you for your continued partnership in making Birch Hill a welcoming community for all!

Red Ribbon Week. Next week is Red Ribbon Week at Birch Hill! Throughout the week, we’ll encourage students to make healthy choices, practice kindness, make responsible decisions, and take care of themselves and others. Families can join us by continuing these conversations at home and encouraging children to think about the positive choices they make each day. We’re looking forward to a great week of learning, school spirit, and fun! Each day students are encouraged to dress to the daily theme. (See flyer attached)

Halloween Parade. We are looking forward to a fun and festive Halloween at Birch Hill on Friday, October 30, 2026! Please review the information below to help us make the day safe, enjoyable, and inclusive for everyone.

• K–2 Book Character Parade – 9:30 a.m. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 2 are invited to dress as their favorite storybook characters for our school-wide parade. Students will parade around the building and the central traffic island. Families are welcome to attend and watch from the carpool lane. Please arrive before 9:30 a.m. and park in the school parking lot. A separate flyer with additional parade information will be sent home.

• Costumes can be creative, non-frightening, and free of weapons or dangerous-looking props, even if they are plastic or pretend. There is no need to purchase anything new! Simple costumes made from items you already have at home are encouraged. Please send a change of clothes and shoes if needed for the remainder of the school day.

• Grades 3–5 – Halloween Costumes. Students in Grades 3–5 are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and will have the opportunity to watch the parade. Costumes are to be safe, school-appropriate, and respectful of others. Please review the following guidelines:

• Safety first: Costumes must allow students to participate safely in classroom activities, physical education, recess, and transitions throughout the school.

• No weapons or frightening costumes: Real or toy weapons, dangerous-looking props, violent or graphic costumes, and bloody costumes are not permitted.

• Clear vision and movement: Masks and accessories that obstruct vision, breathing, or safe movement are not allowed.

• School-appropriate attire: Costumes must follow school dress code expectations and allow students to use the restroom independently.

• Respect for everyone: Costumes must be respectful of all cultures, identities, and backgrounds and may not include offensive language or imagery.

• Participation is optional: Students who prefer not to wear a costume are welcome to participate in other ways.

Staff may ask students to adjust or remove any costume item that presents a safety concern or significantly disrupts learning. Thank you for helping us create a Halloween celebration that is fun, safe, and welcoming for all our students. We appreciate your partnership!

Bake Sale

Birch Hill PTO is joining forces with Broad Street Elementary PTO to host a Bake Sale on Election Day (11/3)! 🧁 And we need the help of our amazing school communities!

SIGN UP HERE!
Location: Nashua North

• Volunteer to work at the table; 1hr and setup time slots available! Kids welcome!
• Donate baked goods - homemade or store-bought are accepted! All goods need to be shelf-stable, individually wrapped and labeled.
• Baked goods can be dropped off on Monday, 11/2 or the morning of at NHSN (check the PTO website and/or Facebook page for updates and details on these specifics!)

PTO Website: https://sites.google.com/view/birchhillpto/home

Email BirchHillPTO@gmail.com with any questions!

Dimes for Democracy. Our Dimes for Democracy collection continues through the month of October. If you have some Dimes to donate please send them to the office. Currently we have raised $50 towards a new flag.

Birch Hill Ski and Ride Program. Birch Hill families, it’s time to start thinking about ski season! Our Ski & Ride Program at Pats Peak will begin February 12. Participating students will be dismissed at 2:40 PM on program days. Please check out the attached Birch Hill Ski and Ride Program Flyer for program information. Pats Peak prices increase November 30, so interested families should register before then to avoid the increase.

Veteran's day. As Veterans Day approaches, we want to take time as a school community to recognize and honor the brave men and women who have served our country. At Birch Hill, we are grateful for the veterans within our families and community and for the sacrifices they have made. We encourage families to take a moment with their children to talk about Veterans Day and the importance of showing gratitude to those who have served. At school we will have a short ceremony acknowledging our veterans. If you have a veteran in your family who would like to be part of the event please contact Kendra in the front office.

• MONDAY Red Ribbon Week: Wear a Red Ribbon
• TUESDAY Red Ribbon Week: Wear Red
• WEDNESDAY Red Ribbon Week: Wear a personal Hero or Superhero
• THURSDAY Red Ribbon Week: Wear Pajamas
• FRIDAY Halloween Storybook Parade and Costumes (9:30am)

• Oct 26-30 RED RIBBON Week
• Oct 26 Red Ribbon Week: Wear a Red Ribbon
• Oct 26 NHS North Field Hockey Coach Visit
• Oct 26 PTO Meeting 4:30pm
• Oct 27 Red Ribbon Week: Wear Red
• Oct 28 Red Ribbon Week: Wear a personal Hero or Superhero
• Oct 29 Red Ribbon Week: Wear Pajamas
• Oct 30 Halloween Storybook Parade and Costumes (9:30am)

ARRIVAL ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

Students who walk to school or are dropped off by parents/guardians are not to arrive more than 15 minutes before the start of the instructional school day. Please adhere to this time frame, as school supervision is not provided before that time.

When a student is absent from school, the following procedures must be followed:

1. Notify the School: Parents/guardians must notify the school of an absence on the morning of the absence or the evening before.
2. Written Documentation: If a parent/guardian is unable to notify the school by telephone, a written note must be provided by the end of the next school day. The note must include the student’s name, grade, date(s) of absence, specific reason for the absence, and the parent/guardian’s name, phone number, and signature.
3. Unreported Absences: If the school has not been notified of an absence by the designated time and the student does not arrive at school as expected, school personnel will contact the parent/guardian using the home, cell, or business phone number on file. Parents/guardians are responsible for keeping all contact information current throughout the school year.
4. Extended Absences: A doctor’s note is required when a student is absent for five (5) or more consecutive school days.

• Free and Reduced Lunch applications. Families who may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals are encouraged to complete an application. Your application helps ensure eligible students receive meal benefits and supports our school community. Apply for Free & Reduced Lunch

• Update contact information with the office. Please make sure the front office always has your current phone numbers, email address, and emergency contacts. Accurate contact information is essential so we can reach you quickly when your child needs you. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe!

• School District Calendar
• School District Webpage
• Birch Hill PTO
• Bus Stop Look Up