BRIARWOOD ELEMENTARY pta newsletter

Veterans Day Celebration at Briarwood

Friday, November 11

Veterans Day Ceremony - 9:00 AM, Briarwood Playground

Join us as we celebrate our veterans, featuring invited speaker, Commander Sean Hughes, U.S. Navy Reserves, and Briarwood dad. Plus, "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "Taps" presented by SME choir and ROTC/ Colorguard, and Briarwood Veterans Medley organized by Mrs Sapp. Veterans are invited to arrive at 8:30 AM for coffee and donuts in the cafeteria. The ceremony will be held on the Briarwood Playground (rain location: Briarwood gym).

In the past, Briarwood celebrated veterans and grandparents on the same day. But, due to space limitations, we are only asking veterans to attend this year. (Stay tuned for more details about our early 2023 grandparents celebration plans). Examples of guests for our Veterans Day celebration may include grandparents or parents who are veterans; community members and neighbors who are veterans; aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters or any family member who is a veteran.) Please send an RSVP for veterans who plan to attend to Vanessa Watkins vanessa.justin@gmail.com or Katie Enger katieenger@hotmail.com.

In addition, to help us celebrate Veterans Day at Briarwood, use the STAR pattern attached to name a veteran in your life. Decorate your star, cut it out, and bring it to school by Tuesday, November 8. This year, we will display our stars in the cafeteria and on campus at Briarwood.

I want to thank Vanessa Watkins and Katie Enger, PTA Veterans Day Chairs, for all their help and support to make this event possible for our students and community.

Monday, November 7-Friday, November 11

Read-a-Thon Week!

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Sunday, November 6

Briarwood Fall Garden Workday

2:00-3:30pm

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Monday, November 7

MVP training

8:30-9:30am, Trailwood Elem.

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Friday, November 11

Veterans Day

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Wednesday, November 16

Dining Partner- Johnny's Tavern

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Monday - Friday, November 21-25

NO SCHOOL - Happy Thanksgiving!

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Tuesday, November 29

Picture Retake Day

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Full BW PTA Calendar is available here

***All scout troops are encouraged to wear their uniforms to school on Veterans Day to show their support.

Briarwood’s PTA (Parent Teacher Association) works to support every student and teacher at school. The PTA provides additional extra activities, programs, and financial assistance not covered by the Shawnee Mission School District.

Joining the PTA is easy! Once you have updated/created your profile, purchase your PTA membership in the online Store. Individual memberships are $12 and Joint memberships are $24. Briarwood PTA works to support every student and teacher in our building and our goal is to have 100% participation from our families/caregivers and teachers. PTA memberships are also a fundraiser for Briarwood PTA. PTA members receive exclusive access to the online directory.

To join PTA and pay online now, please visit our PTA website at: briarwoodpta.org/join_pta

Get started today by visiting https://www.briarwoodpta.org, select “Directory”

1. Update or create an account through Membership Toolkit. Once you update/create your account, you can decide what information is shared in the online directory, which is ONLY accessible to other BW registrants.
2. Our directory will only be as useful as YOU make it. Please register to help us build a stronger community network for parents/caregivers and students.
3. Download the Membership Toolkit app from the App Store or Google Play for on-the-go access.
   
   

Questions? Contact Karen Moore: karen.jeanne.moore@gmail.com

See who is on your ballot at voter.jocoelection.org. November’s ballot will have a BIG impact on our schools (funding for Special Education and Parent Bill of Rights). Do the candidates support our public schools and teachers?

Get out and VOTE! Deadline to vote is Tuesday, November 8

Read-A-Thon is almost here! Our sixth Read-A-Thon event will take place the week of November 7th - November 11th. A blue flyer and donation envelope will come home on Friday, November 4th in your student’s backpack. We are asking for donations from grandparents, aunts & uncles, friends & neighbors to support our Briarwood Bulldogs’ daily dedicated reading time.

You do not need to track anything at home - we will track reading minutes at school! All funds raised will support the Briarwood PTA!

Here are instructions to change the language of your newsletter...

1. On the right side of the newsletter, a bar will appear with the Translation feature.
2. Click on the Translation bar then click on the Select Language button.
3. Choose your language of choice from the drop-down menu of languages and click close. The newsletter will now be translated.
   

En el lado derecho de la pagina, aparecerá una barra con la función de traducción. Haga clic en la barra de traducción y luego haga clic en el botón Seleccionar idioma. Elija español en el menú desplegable de idiomas y haga clic en cerrar. El boletín ahora se traducirá.

CROSSING GUARDS STILL NEEDED :) Please help us keep our students safe by volunteering to serve as a crossing guard at 86th and Juniper.

• Remind children to walk themselves and/or their bikes/scooters across the crosswalk.
• Help direct the before/after-school traffic and remind drivers that cars are not permitted to turn left off of 86th Street.
• Crosswalk volunteer shifts are 7:50-8:10am and 3:05-3:20pm (12:25pm-12:40pm on half days).

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B44A5A822A64-briarwood

Briarwood's Grade Level Parties are fun events for all of the grown-ups in each grade to get to know each other – and to raise $ for PTA. Parent volunteers plan, pay for, and host each party. While there is no fee to attend, donations are encouraged to fundraise for the PTA general fund, which supports many programs at our school. Food and drinks will be provided. Click here for more info.

Questions?

Contact: Erin Winters, erinlynnwinters@gmail.com OR

Michelle Le Roux, michleroux3@gmail.com

November Celebrations & Recognitions

• Native American Heritage Month

• Diwali (Festival of Lights)

Something More:

Diwali

Diwali is the most important religious festival celebrated by followers of Hinduism. It is also called Divali, Deepavali or Deepawali and is commonly referred to as the Festival of Lights. The Festival of Lights celebrates the Hindu New Year. It is a celebration of the victory of light over darkness and the triumph of good over evil.

Links for Learning

Diwali: How to celebrate with kids (usatoday.com)

Native American Heritage Month with Kids - Multicultural Kid Blogs

Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7152153 and designate Briarwood as your charitable organization. Briarwood will earn .5% from most purchases.

Bookmark the website to use each time you shop! https://smile.amazon.com All of your account information will remain the same, but you’ll be raising money for Briarwood

Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA (SMAC) Clothing Exchange

The Clothing Exchange offers gently used clothing and shoes to those within the SMSD boundaries. All items are clean. Donations are made possible by SMSD residents. All residents are welcome.

Website: https://www.smac-pta.org/

Please note that there are two separate upcoming volunteer opportunities for the Clothing Exchange, both on October 4.

Additional information is located on the SMAC website:

https://www.smac-pta.org/volunteer

Co-Presidents:

Mary Boomer • maryseltzerboomer@gmail.com

Deana Curtin • deanacurtin@gmail.com

President-Elect:

Ashley Hunt • ashleyhunt910@gmail.com

VP Administration:

Rachel Wymore • rla08@hotmail.com

VP Communications:

Terra Snyder • walker_terra@hotmail.com

VP Community Events:

Kristin McClasky • Kdp1202@gmail.com

VP Student Services:

Susan Jarrold • susan.jarrold@gmail.com

VP Funding:

Jessica Becker • jessica.becker85@gmail.com

VP Finance:

Denise Wheeler • denisetompkins@mac.com

Treasurer:

Michelle Wiens mwiens678@gmail.com

Secretary:

Diana Beckman • dianalbeckman@gmail.com

Briarwood Foundation:

Wendy Hill • Wendyhill329@gmail.com

Diversity & Inclusion Chair:

Jessica Bryon • bryonfamkc@gmail.com

Briarwood Elementary Bulldogs - all school Facebook page

FACEBOOK Groups are a great way to find out what is going on in your grade level community. Join your group to find out details on sports teams, scouts, and play dates happening throughout the year.

Grade-level Facebook groups (private):

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2029 (6th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2030 (5th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2031 (4rd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2032 (3nd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2033 (2st grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2034 (1st Grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2035 (K)

Website: https://www.briarwoodpta.org/
Facebook: facebook.com/BriarwoodBulldogs
Twitter: @BriarwoodElem

Instagram: @BriarwoodBulldogs