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Mission: Birchwood ABC promotes a positive Attitude, excellent Behavior, and a Commitment to lifelong learning.

Vision: Our commitment is to ensure all students receive a high quality education and to produce responsible students in a safe environment that values lifelong learning.

I’m pleased to share that Birchwood is NOT on the recommended list for school closures! Our building has undergone significant, beautiful upgrades, and our enrollment is thriving at 252 students. That’s a gain of 62 students compared to two years ago, when Birchwood was initially considered for closure. We’re achieving remarkable progress, and there’s so much to celebrate within our school community. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to making Birchwood an inspiring place for our students to learn and grow!

Another upgrade will be rolled out on November 15th. Birchwood will be using a new visitor management system. Below is the message from ASD.

"Ensuring the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. To strengthen our commitment to providing a secure learning environment, we are pleased to share that the Raptor visitor management system is expanding to all our campuses. We launched a pilot program last year in selected schools.

This system will standardize the visitor check-in procedures and help us monitor who is in our buildings at any given time."

Once Raptor is implemented, all adult visitors will be required to present and scan a government-issued photo ID when entering the building during school hours. This quick and easy process will help us verify visitor identities and maintain accurate records.

The new system aligns with Board Policy 3515.5 and enhances our ability to keep students and staff safe.

How it works:

The visitor management system records the visitor’s name, date of birth, last four digits of the ID, and checks against a national database of registered sex offenders. No other data from IDs is gathered or recorded, ensuring privacy and confidentiality.

~Principal Hershman

Leadership: The action of leading a group of people or an organization.

• Oct 28-Nov 8, Annual Canned food drive
• Nov 1, Red, White & Blue Assembly @1pm
• Nov 4, Scholastic Book Fair
• Nov 5, REMOTE LEARNING DAY
• Nov 11, Veteran's Day, Thank you, Veterans! No school for students
• Nov 13, Career day-dress up day
• Nov 20, Hat day
• Nov 21, BAC meeting, 6pm in BW library
• Nov 27, Ken & Barbie Dress up day
• Nov 28 Thanksgiving! No School (Nov 28-29)

In Mrs. Turner’s Art Lab, students are practicing "30 Second Gesture Portrait Paintings," a quick and engaging activity where they create expressive, rapid portraits in just 30 seconds. This exercise encourages students to focus on bold brushstrokes, loosen up their technique, and let go of perfectionism, which builds confidence and quick decision making in art. Be sure to check out some of the finished pieces in the glass case in the main hallway.

Hi,

This is your Colt Times reporter, Jolene Collins and I am reporting some things YOU need to know!

• Student Council is getting some new recess equipment. For example, some new basketballs, jump ropes, soccer balls and hula hoops.
• The canned food drive is going on right now, October 28- November 8th so please bring in cans!

Thanks for supporting our school!

Our Student Council is excited to host the annual Movie Day, and this year, students have voted to watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (rated PG).

• When: December 6th

• Time: 12:40 PM

• Where: School Gym, featuring our awesome new inflatable screen, courtesy of the PTA!

We can’t wait to enjoy the magic of Hogwarts together! If you prefer your student not participate, please email their classroom teacher or Mrs. Turner, our Student Council coordinator, at cunninghamturner_c@asdk12.org to let us know.

After School Sports Club- JNYO

The Junior Native Youth Olympic Club will be available for all 1st-5th grade students. Details, including registration forms, will be in the December Birchwood Banner. Tentatively, the club will be after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the month of January. Students selected to be on the JNYO team will continue practicing through February. Students will be introduced to some of these indigenous games during PE this month and we will discuss this club.

There will be limited enrollment for this club and most likely meet twice per week.

For more information about the club/activity, click HERE

Healthy Future Activity Logs

October activity logs are due ASAP. Students do get a small thank you “prize” for submitting their activity logs. Turn in by Wednesday, Nov. 6 to guarantee a prize.They can be turned into your teacher, Mr. Olson, or the office.

Begin your November Activity Log Today! Due by Dec 4th

November is the FINAL month of the FALL CHALLENGE

Activity logs will not be passed out in PE as we try to encourage students to take on the responsibility of this task. Students may get logs from the media rack in front of the school office, from the folder as they exit school, print a log at home (click HERE) or my favorite is when they make their own log or calendar on a scratch sheet of paper.

After November, The next Healthy Future Challenge will begin in February, but students are always encouraged to continue logging activities throughout the year!

After School XC Ski Club!

After school XC ski club is for students who are looking for a little more experience skiing and are excited to be outside during the Alaskan winter. Click the sign up below to reserve a spot for Afterschool XC Ski Club. Volunteers also welcome, sign up below too!

No cost this year. Ski equipment provided.

Students will receive a waiver to participate after signing up below.

ENROLLMENT LIMITED

Who: 3rd through 5th grade (20 students)

When:Wednesdays, December 4, 11, 18

Time: 2:30-4:00

Where: At Birchwood ABC- Christy Loop Trail and Beach Lake trails

Sign up- HERE More Info- HERE

Say hello to your 2024-2025 Elected Student Council Officers and Room Representatives! These students serve as leaders and role models throughout the school year. They help organize and coordinate school-wide events, fundraisers, and spirit days, represent the student body in important discussions, and work to make our school a better place. Additionally, they participate in meetings where they voice their classmates' concerns, help with decision-making, and collaborate on projects that benefit both the school and the community. Their hard work and dedication ensure that student voices are heard and contribute to a positive and inclusive school environment.

Student Council Movie Day Snack Pre-Order

On December 6th, the Student Council is hosting a movie day. Instead of a concession stand, we will offer a pre-packaged snack pack filled with popcorn and popular candies for your student to enjoy. Each snack pack costs $5 and features an assortment of student favorites from past movie days.

To secure a snack pack, students can pre-order using this form. Pre-order forms are due by November 6th and can be turned into classroom teachers or Mrs. Turner in the Art Room.

We accept cash, check, or credit card via Parent Portal (the same location you’d pay for a field trip). Please make checks payable to Birchwood ABC.

Proceeds from this fundraiser will support student-centered activities.

Canned Food Drive Oct. 28th – Nov. 8th

Birchwood is excited to participate in the Annual Chugiak-Eagle River Food Fight, where local schools compete to collect the most weight. For the past three years, we’ve placed second, but with new rules in place this year, I’m hopeful we can claim first! Not only does this event help those in need, but classes also have the chance to win an ice cream party for collecting the most items. Donations will be accepted from October 28th to November 8th. Let’s work together to make a difference!

SUPPORT BIRCHWOOD ABC STUDENT COUNCIL

We are proud to partner with Full Circle to offer you a unique and convenient way

to eat healthfully! With each delivery of fresh, organic produce and natural grocery

items you receive, Birchwood ABC Student Council will earn 12% back when you

add promo code “ABC” to your account.

Call for Containers

SAVE those plastic containers! Art Class will need around 250 large plastic containers for a lantern project in January. If you’re able to bring in rinsed, liter-sized plastic containers, Mrs. Turner would greatly appreciate it! She will be collecting until Winter Break.

Also, check out other fun projects at www.thelittleartistsroom.com, like the tissue paper lanterns featured below!

Is it a tough time for your family right now? There are several local organizations with the goal of lighting up the holidays for children in need. If your family could benefit from a little extra help with bare necessities and the provision of holiday gifts to your children, please reach out to Nurse Paula. Please call 907-742-3452 or email dixey_paula@asdk12.org for further information. **Privacy will be protected, and all details will be managed discreetly.

First off—THANK YOU! We’ve had such an awesome kickoff to the year, and it’s all because of your energy and hard work! Here are some of the amazing highlights:

• Popcorn Fridays: Still a BIG hit!!
• GapCo Night: We raised a fantastic $446!
• Believe Kids Catalog: Record-breaking sales this year! We hit $19,465 in sales, meaning we’re bringing in over $9,200! Best year yet!

We’re excited to announce volunteer sign-ups are open for two of our favorite events:

• Book Fair - happening next week!
  
• Holiday Market - December 6, 10–13!

These events cannot happen without your support, and we can’t wait to work alongside our amazing volunteers! Sign up now to grab a spot and be part of the magic!

Thank you for all you do!

-Becca, Julie, Jessica and Erin!

Book Fair sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054BA8AF2BA4F85-52568307-2024

Holiday Market sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054BA8AF2BA4F85-52565311-2024

The BAC is a dedicated team of parents and guardians, elected by the school community, working together to represent the voices of all families in discussions with the school administration and staff. Your input and participation are invaluable, and we encourage everyone to join us in shaping our school’s future.

Please join us Thursday, November 21st at 6 PM in the Birchwood ABC Library for our second meeting of the school year. We hope to see you there! To contact us, please email bacbirchwood@gmail.com. Also, please connect with our Facebook page.

Students may not be dropped off prior to 7:30AM for breakfast. Only breakfast students who are eating school served breakfast may enter the building at 7:30AM. Regular drop-off time is 7:50AM and no earlier than 7:40AM because there will be no adults outside to supervise prior to 7:40AM.