Principal Victoria's Notes

Dear families,

We have a busy and exciting week ahead at Birch Hill! From celebrating the Celtics, supporting our PTO at Shorty’s, and enjoying Friday’s Trunk-or-Treat to our early release on Wednesday, there are plenty of opportunities to connect and show our Lion pride. Looking ahead, we’re also preparing for Halloween and Red Ribbon Week, so please check out the updates and flyers below to help your family plan for the fun ahead!

Cross Country. What a wonderful effort by all students on a very cold Saturday morning at Nashua North High School. We were so proud of the effort they put in to represent Birch Hill. Thank you to Mrs. Rich and Mr. Flaherty for all their organization behind the scene to make this experience avaialble for your students.

PTO Trunk or Treat. Trunk or Treat is this Friday! We are excited for Trunk or Treat on Friday, October 23! We hope you’ll join us for a fun evening of costumes, treats, and school community spirit. We can’t wait to see everyone there! (see separate flyer)

Facility Master Plan. (From the Superintendent) We're reaching the final stretch of our Facilities Master Plan! We invite you to join us next Wednesday, October 21st at 6:00 PM in the NHS North Board Room, where Harriman will be presenting the Facilities Master Plan (FMP) to the Board of Education. The following Wednesday, October 28th at 6:00 pm (NHS North Board Room), the Board of Education will hold a Public Hearing regarding the FMP presented by Harriman. We invite you to attend and speak to any questions you may have for Harriman and/or the Board of Education regarding the plan. Dr. Mario Andrade, Superintendent of Schools.

Early Release Day. Just a friendly reminder that Wednesday, October 21, is an Early Release Day at Birch Hill. Students will be dismissed at 1:25 PM. Please plan accordingly for the early dismissal. Thank you for your continued support!

PTO Fundraiser – Shorty’s Restaurant. Support Birch Hill PTO by dining at Shorty’s in Nashua on Wednesday, October 21! Shorty’s will donate 15% of your pre-tax food and beverage bill back to our school. Be sure to tell your server you’re participating in the Birch Hill PTO fundraiser when ordering or paying. Thank you for supporting our Birch Hill community!

Celtics Opening Game. Students are encouraged to wear NBA gear on Tuesday (Oct 20) this week to mark the opening game for the Boston Celtics.

National School Bus Safety Week. This week, we recognize National School Bus Safety Week and remind our Birch Hill Lions that safety is everyone’s responsibility! Students must follow the bus driver’s directions, remain seated while the bus is moving, keep hands and belongings inside the bus, and use safe behaviors when getting on and off. Families can help by reviewing bus safety expectations with their children and reminding drivers to slow down and stop when required around school buses. Together, we can help ensure every student gets to and from school safely!

Grade 2 Staffing Update. I am writing to share that our Grade 2 team will experience a staffing change, as one of our teachers, Mrs. Chenette, has submitted her resignation from the Nashua School District, effective January 6, 2027, due to personal reasons. We are grateful for the care and dedication Mrs. Chenette has shown to our students and school community. We wish her all the best moving forward. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining consistency in our students’ learning and daily routines. We will share additional information about classroom staffing and next steps as it becomes available. Thank you for your continued support and partnership as we work together to provide the best possible experience for every Birch Hill student.

REMINDER:

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.

OCTOBER 2026 Newsletter Here is a LINK to the October newsletter. https://app.smore.com/n/m2yuer

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.

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 drees to the daily theme. (See flyer attached)

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 Superintendent Visits Birch Hill
• TUESDAY Celtics Opening Day
• WEDNESDAY Early Release 1:25pm, PTO Fundraiser - Shorty's Restaurant
• THURSDAY
• FRIDAY 6-7pm PTO Trunk or Treat

• Oct 19-23 National School Bus Safety Week
• Oct 21 Early Release Day 1:25pm
• Oct 21 PTO Fundraiser - Shorty's Restaurant
• Oct 26-30 RED RIBBON Week
• Oct 26 PTO Meeting 4:30pm
• 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