Burns Park Family Newsletter

Hello Penguin Families,

Happy Black History Month!

Shout out to all the penguin families who have participated, volunteered and supported the Burns Park Players’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Tappan Auditorium this weekend. As our penguins had their lovely musical presentation on stage, we are happy to include some of the showcase photos in our upcoming Yearbook.

This week, we would like to invite you all to attend our next PTO meeting on Tuesday, February 11th at 7:00 PM via Zoom. We will touch base on some of our most wonderful events such as MIRM, Capstone, Science Olympiad and Yearbook, and hear from our dedicated committee chairs Ellen Delonis, Jennifer D’Souza and Mary Evans. We will also take a look at the PTO support letter to the Board of Education, beautifully written by Julie Rick and revised by our PTO executive board, and vote on it during the meeting. We appreciate everyone who has attended the January PTO meeting and would like to continue seeing your faces and hearing your voices! New penguin families are always welcomed to join us, as we value every input and feedback.

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD ANNOUNCEMENTS

Science Olympiad registration for children grades 2-5 opens February 5! You can prepare by looking over the event descriptions and asking your child what events they are interested in this year. Look for an email from the PTO that will contain the registration link on Wednesday.

We still need coaches or co-coaches for the following events: Circuit Wizardry (grades 4-5), On Target (grades 2-5), Potions (grades 4-5), iCompute (grades 4-5) and The Plot Thickens (grades 4-5). If we cannot find coaches we will not be able to offer these events this year. You do not have to have a child in the event, or have a science background to coach. We provide materials and know-how to help you. Sign up to coach here.

Questions? email bp.weso@gmail.com

FIFTH GRADE CAPSTONE ANNOUNCEMENTS

We’re gearing up for an exciting end of the year as our 5th graders celebrate their accomplishments and prepare for the next chapter! Please see below the details of our Capstone Events:

Monday, June 9th – Service Day
During the school day, our 5th grade students will participate in meaningful, coordinated service projects around Burns Park Elementary, including gardening, cleaning, and other community-building activities.

Monday, June 9th – Graduation Ceremony
Join us at 6:00 pm for the 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony, which will be held at Burns Park Elementary. Let’s come together to celebrate our students’ hard work and achievements!

Tuesday, June 10th – Fun Day
During the school day, students will be bussed to a nearby pool or activity space (TBD) for a fun-filled day of activities and bonding with friends.

Wednesday, June 11th – Last Day of School
The final day of school will be Wednesday, June 11th, with an early release at 11:30 am. Let’s end the year on a high note!

Mark your calendars and get ready for a memorable finish to the school year! More details will be shared as we approach these exciting events.

We look forward to celebrating with our 5th graders and their families!

BURNS PARK RUN ANNOUNCEMENTS

Registration is now open for the 47th Annual Burns Park Run! The run will take place on Sunday, April 27 at 8:30 a.m. Sign up or learn more here. The Burns Park Run, sponsored by Probility, is the major fundraiser for the Burns Park PTO and is organized and staffed by volunteers. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, the 5K and 10K races annually draw 1,000 to 1,500 runners aged 5 to 90 years, with over 200 elementary school kids running the 5K. For the youngest of participants, there is a separate 1/2 mile Fun Run around the park.

Burns Park Run Volunteers - The 47th Annual Burns Park Run will take place on April 27 at 8:30 am and we’re in need of a variety of volunteers. Cheer runners on as a Course Marshall at intersections throughout the race route, hand out medals, arrange brunch, help with a/v and table set up, help with registration, bicycle with the lead runners, AND MORE! You need to be at least 14 years of age, but no other experience is necessary! Click here to learn more and sign up.

Burns Park Run Sponsors - If you own or work at a business that would be interested in sponsoring the event, we have many different levels and would welcome your support. Please email rachel.ufer@gmail.com to get in before marketing begins!

YEARBOOK ON SALE NOW

The yearbooks are officially on sale, and the deadline to order is Friday, March 21!

Yearbook Price: $14

How to Order:

1) Online: Visit inter-state.com/order and use the code 91504W to place your order.

2) Cash/Check: Return the form sent home with your child to the Burns Park Office, along with cash or check made payable to Burns Park Elementary School. Lost the form? No worries! Simply send an envelope with cash or check, along with your child’s name and teacher’s name.

Donate a Yearbook to a Penguin-in-Need:
You can also help by donating a yearbook to a student in need. Donations must be made separately:

1) For online orders: Type “Donate Book” in place of a student’s name.

2) For cash/check orders: Send a separate envelope to school with “Donated Book” written on the envelope.

If you have any questions, reach out at yearbook@bpepto.org.

DISABILITY AWARENESS WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 21

The Disability Awareness Workshop is a one-day program to teach 4th grade students an empathetic understanding of physical, developmental, and learning disabilities. This hands-on-activity based program is designed to help students understand how difficult and complex daily living can be for individuals with “diverse abilities.” The workshop helps build a culture of understanding that is invaluable, with the goal to learn, through experience, that all individuals deserve respect no matter how they may look, act, walk or talk.

On Friday, February 21 we will need volunteers from 8:45 am to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers need only be kind and compassionate. No experience working with people with disabilities is necessary. You will be provided with training upon arrival and will have easy to follow activity instructions to oversee students as they participate in activities. (If you have any area of particular interest or expertise, please use the comment form so we can try to place you appropriately.) Please click here for examples of some activities you'll help facilitate. Lunch will also be provided for workshop volunteers.

There is also space for additional volunteers the Thursday evening and Friday afternoon immediately after the workshop to help with setting up/breaking down and moving some of the materials. Sign up to volunteer before, during or after the event here.

Please contact the DAW co-chairs Shannon Hautamaki (smhred12@gmail.com) and Asha Hitihami Mudiyanselage (ashahitihami@gmail.com) with any questions.

VOLUNTEER UPDATE

• PTO Treasurer Needed: PTO is looking for a new Treasurer to join our team next year! As our PTO Treasurer, you will play a key role in managing the finances of our organization, ensuring we can continue to fund exciting events, activities, and programs for our students and school community. The PTO Treasurer oversees the PTO’s budget and finances, and works with the PTO executive board to plan and allocate funds for upcoming events. We’re seeking someone who has basic knowledge of budgeting or accounting or a willingness to learn and can commit a year-long term. You’ll make a direct impact on the school community by helping to fund programs and events that benefit students! It’s a great opportunity to work alongside passionate parents and teachers who are committed to making a difference!

If you have any questions, reach out at bur_pto@aaps.k12.mi.us

• Science Olympiad Coaches and Co-Coaches Needed: Burns Park participates in the Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO). It is a chance for students, grades 2-5 to learn science through teamwork and hands-on experiences in different areas, leading up to the WESO tournament on May 10. We are in need of coaches for our team from Feb-May. Coaches choose an event and lead a group of students through eight 45 minute practices between February 23 and May 4. You do not need to be a scientist! Most events are very simple, such as building structures from paper and foam, or launching straw rockets. Sign up and learn more here.

• Burns Park Run Volunteers - The 47th Annual Burns Park Run will take place on April 27 at 8:30 am and we’re in need of a variety of volunteers. Cheer runners on as a Course Marshall at intersections throughout the race route, hand out medals, arrange brunch, help with a/v and table set up, help with registration, bicycle with the lead runners, AND MORE! You need to be at least 14 years of age, but no other experience is necessary! Click here to learn more and sign up.

• Morning Library Check In & Shelving - Looking for a quick and easy way to volunteer? 30 minute slots are available each morning after drop off. Sign up here.

• Fifth Grade Capstone - We need help planning the last week of school activities for our fifth graders. Help make sure our kids get a memorable and fun filled send off from Burns Park Elementary. We will split up the tasks among the volunteer group with a goal of making it very manageable for everyone. If you can find a few minutes to help out, please reach out to Ellen Delonis at ellendelonis@mac.com for more info.

CALL FOR YEARBOOK PHOTOS

We are in need of photos for the yearbook from special classes and other events:

• Library/Media

• Art

• Music

• PE

• PLTW

• March Reading Month

• Band

• 3rd Grade Play

• 5th Grade Winter Survival

• Burns Park Players

• Science Olympiad

• Class buddies

• Walk & Talk

• Lunch & Recess

Please share any photos you may have of your Penguins in action during Burns Park activities using this link.

To upload photos: click on the down arrow to find your child’s grade folder. No identifiers are needed, but please tag your photos with the classroom’s “Teacher name – event.” For example: “Hane – Lansing Field trip.” Please do not include Rec & Ed sport photos.

Have questions? Contact us at yearbook@bpepto.org.

Your Burns Park PTO,

Kory Zhao, President
Michelle Ding, President-Elect