The Byron Buzz

As the season of giving fills the air with warmth and generosity, we are reminded of the incredible power of community to uplift and support one another. At the Byron Community Education Center, our Food Pantry serves as a vital resource for families in need, providing nourishment and hope during this particularly challenging time of year. For many, the holidays bring added financial pressures, and the pantry ensures that no family has to face the season hungry. Read the message below from Katie Schmitt, Byron Community Education's Enrichment & Marketing Coordinator. As the person organizing the food pantry, Katie supports the work of our amazing volunteers, whose dedication makes this effort possible. It is truly a team effort, and it brings everyone joy to see their hard work directly assisting families in need. We invite you to join us in this meaningful mission by considering a donation to our food pantry. Continue reading for more information from Katie on the Food Pantry. - Jen Dole, Director of Community Education

Due to the short week of school, we will not be sending a Buzz on December 1st. We hope that you and your families have a great Thanksgiving Weekend.

This past week, the Byron School Family lost a dear colleague and friend. Ms. Beth Beytein passed away last weekend. Ms. Beytein had an incredible impact on so many students and families as she worked in Byron Schools for 37 years before retiring last May. Our thoughts go out to her family during this time.

We are excited to announce our annual “Giving Back” Initiative is starting next week! This is our opportunity for the students and staff at Byron HS to show our gratitude for all that we have by sharing with those in need.

On Tuesday, November 26th at 2:30pm, the students will present all of their donations to representatives from each of the organizations in our “Giving Back” Assembly. Here is the Donation List of needed items for each organization.

Here are the great causes we’ll be helping this year:

9th Grade: Byron Food Pantry & Community Closet - Located at the Byron Community Education Center, the Food Pantry & Community Closet provides food, household supplies, and personal care products to those in our community experiencing food insecurity or poverty.

10th Grade: Rochester Youth Services - Provides homeless teens ages 16 -21 with resources, services and support.

11th Grade: Rochester Women's Shelter - Provides outreach, advocacy, and housing to battered women and their children.

12th Grade: Ronald McDonald House - Provides a home away from home for sick children and their families

Byron PTO has a special online sale open now through November 30. Items will be ready for local pickup the week of December 16. Plan ahead for your Bearwear holiday shopping.

Link: Byron PTO - Winter 2024 Archives - A – Z Embroidery

PW: PTOWinter2024!

Beginning this fall, you are able to skip the ticket lines and purchase your tickets for any varsity activity/athletic competition online. We encourage people to use this online ticketing so we can serve you faster and more efficiently. Before attending a game, go to this link: Byron Athletic Homepage where you can pay for the tickets and download them to your phone. Skip the lines and get a better seat for the big game.

Tuesday, November 26 - Girls Hockey at South St. Paul - 7:00 PM

Tuesday, November 26 - Boys Hockey at Minnesota River - 7:15PM

Tuesday, November 26 - Girls Basketball vs. Zumbrota-Mazeppa at 7:15PM - Home

Monday, December 2 - Girls Basketball at Pine Island - 7:15PM

Monday, December 2 - Boys Basketball vs. Austin at 7:15PM - Home

Wednesday, December 4 - Girls Basketball at Benilde-St. Margaret's - 7:00PM

Thursday, December 5 - Gymnastics vs. Waseca at 6:00PM - Home

Thursday, December 5 - Girls Basketball vs. Dover-Eyota at 7:15 - Home

Thursday, December 5 - Boys Wrestling at Goodhue - 7:30PM

Friday, December 6 - Boys Wrestling at Rochester Century - 5:00PM

Friday, December 6 - Girls Wrestling at Lake City - 5:15PM

Friday, December 6 - Robotics Tournament at Byron Middle School - 6:00

Friday, December 6 - Boys Hockey vs. Fergus Falls - 7:00PM - Home

Friday, December 6 - Boys Basketball vs Fairbault - 7:15PM - Home

Saturday, December 7 - Robotics Tournament at Byron Middle School - 7:00AM

Saturday, December 7 - Gymnastics Invite 9:00AM - Home

Saturday, December 7 - Girls Hockey vs Mound Westonka - 2:00PM - Home

Mark Your Calendar: Winter/Spring Class Registration Opens at 1 pm on December 13

Your Community Education Team is working to add amazing learning opportunities for 2025! We are also bringing back your favorites, from Open Gym Pickleball to Cookie Decorating and After School Art Clubs to YEL classes (Jr Basketball, Robotics, Bricktopia, Flag Football, and Video Game Creation). Here is a sneak peek of new classes we are finalizing:

• Helping Hands: Crochet Assistance
• 11 Pickleball options including Round Robin and Court Time Reservation
• Baby Boomers Bounce class
• Open Pottery Studios - including Punch Card option
• Tasty cooking experiences
• Off the Cuff Improv Workshop (grades 9-12)
• STEAM Explorers (grades 2-5)
• Dungeons and Dragons classes for new and returning students (grades 3-5)
• 90s Craft Night for adults
• ECFE classes: First Friends and Ready Set Preschool
• Project Linus Workshop (grades 3-8)
• Beginner Sewing Class (ages 12+)
• Bike Rodeo
• Family Open Gym

View Winter & Spring classes and register online starting 12/13