The Family Bulldog Bulletin 4/15/24

Enrollment for Kindergarten is open. Please help us prepare by enrolling your upcoming Kindergarten early. Here is a link to the online process. All enrollments start online first.

The end of the 23-24 school year is fast approaching and with that comes assessments for all students. Please mark your calendars for upcoming dates.

May 1-May 24 End of Year Math and Reading Benchmarks (K-5th)

May 13-May 31 End of Year Summative Assessments (K-2nd)

May 30-June 12 End of Grade Testing (3rd-5th)

The USDA has launched a new, permanent program to provide food assistance to children and families during the summer. The SUN Bucks program will officially launch in summer 2024! SUN Bucks will provide grocery-buying benefits to qualifying families with school-aged children during the summer months when schools are on summer break.

Who will qualify?

Some families will have to apply for the SUN Bucks program, but many students will automatically qualify for the program. Children will automatically qualify if they already participate in any of the following programs:

• Free or Reduced-Price meals at school because they meet the FRP program income threshold, or
• Food and Nutrition Services (FNS, food stamps), or
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF, Work First, cash assistance), or
• Medicaid and household income below 185% of the federal poverty level.

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks

Parents may nominate their child at Briarcliff Elementary for the Single Subject Advancement, SSA, test. These students should be performing 2-3 grade level above their current grade in either math or reading. Please look at the data that we have such as NKT, Star Marth, NC Check Ins, EOG's, CogAT's, report cards, and teacher recommendations to see if this type of acceleration is appropriate. Students will need a nomination test request form turned in by April 12, 2024 and the testing window opens April 22-May 6 2024. Please contact Cammie Viverette cviverette@wcpss.net I will repond back within 24 hours to your questions.

Families, we are still looking for presenters for both events. For Careers on Wheels, If you have a career-specific vehicle we would love for you to join us! Examples include electric companies, florists, painting companies, mobile therapists, mobile libraries, food trucks, mobile groomers, mobile dentists, etc. Below is the interest form.

Career Day/Careers on Wheels

Purpose: Helping students do their best at Briarcliff requires a team effort. Parents, students, and schools all play important roles in this process. Help us make your child's school experience as positive and beneficial as possible by giving honest, thoughtful responses to the questions in the Panorama family survey.

When: Monday, April 8 - Friday, May 17. The survey will take approximately 7-8 minutes to complete.

Where/How: Families can access the anonymous surveys on any internet-connected device (smartphone, laptop, desktop, tablet). Use the link below to access and complete the survey on Monday, April 8.

Panorama Survey Link

Helpful Tips for Online Survey Experience:

Select Our School: Families must select Briarcliff Elementary from the searchable drop-down menu.

Preferred Language: Families will also have the option to select their preferred language from the top left drop-down menu.

Successful Completion: After answering all their questions, make sure to hit the blue submit button. Families must complete individual surveys in a single sitting. Surveys do not auto-save.

Once the submit button is clicked, respondents will see a thank you screen to confirm their completion.

Use the flyer(s) below to join a texting program that allows you to support literacy at home.

You’re invited to Dairy Queen Spirit Night – this Tuesday, April 16, from 4-8pm at the Cary location: 631 Walnut Street (map). Enjoy a meal or sweet treat with your Bulldog friends, while raising money for Briarcliff!

Our famous Prize Wheel will be there, and spins are just $1 each! Buy spins in advance on our website.

We can’t wait to see you at our Spring Fling picnic on the playground – this Friday, April 19, from 5-7:30pm!

• Last call to pre-order Chick-fil-A meals for pickup at the event! Purchase by Monday, April 15, on our website.

• We still need adult volunteers for the silent auction & raffle and admissions table. Sign up for a one-hour shift if you can help!

• Make an admissions donation and buy raffle tickets! Admission is FREE this year, but donations are appreciated – and look for our list of amazing raffle prizes soon! Donate and buy now on our website.

Save the date for Saturday, April 27, from 9am-noon. We have an exciting project to tackle during our next Garden & Grounds Day!

The Literati Book Fair is coming! Join us for a great big story safari on May 3-10, or shop online at efairs.literati.com. The online fair is already open, and every purchase benefits our school.

Briarcliff is celebrating National Walk, Bike, & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, May 15!

A group will start from Duck Donuts at 8:20am, and we’ll pick up regular walkers along their usual route before meeting staff near the school. Get all the details here!

Thank you for your support… And remember, it’s never too late to get involved with the PTA!