Birch Meadow Newsflash

*For planning purposes, below are our projected MCAS dates. Please help us by trying not to schedule appointments on these days if you can help it. As always, please reach out to me if you have any questions about MCAS.

ELA Grades 3 & 4 April 2nd and 3rd (W/TH)

Math

Science

*As flu season is now upon us, I wanted to take a moment to remind everyone of the guidelines for returning to school work after a respiratory infection such as flu or covid. Students should stay home until symptoms have been improving for 24 hours and be fever free without use of fever reducing medications for 24 hours before returning. See here for more information about the flu and other respiratory illnesses.

*School Improvement Plan Presentation - I'm excited to present our 2024-2025 Birch Meadow Elementary School School Improvement Plan at our upcoming PTO General Assembly on January 28th at 8:30 AM in the cafeteria. My thanks to parents Amanda Haley, Kate Hersman, and Cerise Rabb, as well as staff members Leana Gagnon, Cindy Marte, and Lisa Azzarito for assisting create the plan as members of School Council. We will update you with the date of the presentation soon.

*Our "Parent Community Building Circles With The Principal" series will kick off this month with a circle for 5th grade parents on 1/24. I will send out information and a link to sign up directly to 5th grade families. Circles will focus on different grades each month through the winter and spring of 2025.

Breakfast Links:

KINDERGARTEN BREAKFAST

FIRST GRADE BREAKFAST

-Dr. B

The 5th Grade Yearbook Committee has started to collect photographs of all 5th grade students. We are asking each family to provide:

• 1 Baby photo
• 5-10 candid photos from K-5th years from school events or activities. Can include other 5th grade Birch students (no others in photos). Students must be currently enrolled at Birch.
• Kindergarten photo if your child did not attend Birch in Kindergarten
• No birthday party photos
• Send in HIGH RESOLUTION if sending from iphone/mobile phone
• IDENTIFY ALL CHILDREN IN PHOTOS, event and year when sending
• Please submit your pictures by Friday, January 17, 2025.
• If you only have physical photographs and lack access to a scanner, please send them in to school with your child’s teacher name and your name on the envelope.
• If you have taken photos of field trips, school events, please send to kristinsimmons2011@gmail.com.

The pictures should identify, in the photo title, your child shown in the photo and when and where it was taken. All photos (LABELED WITH STUDENT'S NAMES/year/event) can be emailed to the following email account set up for your child’s class:

• Murzycki: murzyckiclass25@gmail.com
• Valente: valenteclass25@gmail.com
• Slater: slaterclass25@gmail.com
• Cronin: croninclass25@gmail.com

If you have any questions about the photos or the process, please do not hesitate to reach out to Kristin Simmons kristinsimmons2011@gmail.com or Nicole Morinon nicole.morinon@gmail.com.

We're excited to bring back this favorite event in 2025! Join the Birch Meadow community, family, and friends for a day of fun this spring at Fenway Park.

ORDER TICKETS by Monday 1/27. Order fast as tickets are limited. If families would like to sit together, please coordinate tickets and place one order.

Game: Boston Red Sox vs. Orioles
Date: May 25, 2025
Time: 1:35 PM
Section: Grandstand Section 3, Rows 1-10
Tickets: $48 per person

Please click here to order your tickets!

Ongoing - Red Sox v. Orioles tickets go on sale! Game date: Sunday, 5/25/25 1:35PM

Jan. 20 - MLK Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL

Jan 22 - SEPAC Presents: Basic Rights: Understanding the IEP - REGISTER

Jan 24- 5th Grade Parent/Principal Circle.

Jan 28 - School Improvement Plan Presentation 8:30AM Birch Cafeteria

Feb. 17 - 21 - Presidents Day/February Vacation. NO SCHOOL

Jan 22 (Wed), 7-9pm (Online; Registration is required)

Presenter: Lynne Hanley is a former Special Education teacher in the Lowell Public School System. She also worked as an advocate previously and is currently a frequent presenter of Basic Rights workshops for the Federation for Children with Special Needs.

Join us for an informative online workshop with The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN). This presentation will delve into the Individual Education Program (IEP) document, its development, the breakdown of each section and understanding how the document will support a student.

Workshop Topics:

• Why the IEP is important, who is eligible for an IEP, and how is it developed

• Student/Parent Concerns

• Student/Team Vision and Student Profile

• Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance

• Postsecondary Transition Planning

• Accommodations and Modifications

• Goals & Service Delivery

• Response, Placement, and Procedural Safeguards

Click here to register for the Basic Rights: Understanding the IEP Workshop.

Registration required to receive the zoom link for the workshop.

Recorded events available on the Reading SEPAC Website:

• The Right to Read Panel Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw_oIuqkUt0
• The New IEP Presentation
• MCAS & Students with Disabilities Presentation
• Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Presentation

• Review tiered system of supports and provide examples

• Outline effective communication channels with your team and school

***Should you wish to reach out to Reading SEPAC anonymously, please use this form

• We have a Birch Meadow storefront and will post items and fundraisers throughout the year. We also welcome direct donations and company match: https://birch-meadow-elementary-school-pto.square.site/

• Drop off your donations of clothing and textiles to the two large bins to the far right of the main entrance on Arthur B. Lord Drive. Birch Meadow earns funds through Helpsy, a for-profit company that offers local non-profits like our PTO this easy, no-cost fundraising program!

Please "like" Birch Meadow Elementary PTO" Facebook page and follow our Instagram: @birch_meadow_pto