Burns Park Family Newsletter
September 15, 2024
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From the Principal
Hello Burns Park Penguins,
We did it! We finished our first full 5 day week and I think we all felt it. The students and staff are leaning into the routine of the beginning of the school year schedule while slowly leaving summer behind. Thank you for prioritizing an earlier bedtime for your child(ren) and a super HUGE thank you for getting your child(ren) to school on time each and every day. We set our students up for success when they have a routine start to their day and being on time is where it begins.
The NWEA testing window is now open until October 10th. Classroom teachers have shared specific dates with you in their newsletters.
The Burns Park Fall Picnic & 100th Year Celebration Kick off is this Thursday 5:30-7:00 pm.
See you soon,
Principal Bullock
Previous Family Newsletters
All students in grades K-5 will take the NWEA test (3) times each year. The Fall Testing window is now open. This online test will provide teachers, families and the district with a beginning of the year data point in reading and math. Teachers use this, along with other data points, to form small groups for instruction. *All students who have current IEP and 504 plans will have their testing accommodations administered.
Curriculum Night
If you missed your child's curriculum night presentation, please take a look at your child's class newsletter, teachers have shared (will share) presentations with you.
Here is the Principal & PTO's presentation.
Meet Dr. Caitlyn Sorensen-Kowalski
Hi! I am Caitlyn Sorensen-Kowalski (she/her). I have lived in the Ann Arbor area for over two decades and have been working in AAPS since early 2022. I am very excited to be joining the team at Burns Park as a School Psychologist. I bring with me a strong passion for working with children and families. I started working with children as a teen, teaching dance! I have since worked with children in therapeutic, teaching and other developmental capacities. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Clinical Behavioral Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University. I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. In my early training and career, I worked with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families. I focused on research and providing assessment and therapeutic services. Before working in schools, I have worked with the SMI (serious mental illness) and trauma-affected populations, specifically differential diagnostics and intensive in-patient therapy. I work with evidence-based therapies and tools. At Eastern Michigan University, I have taught undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology. I am excited to meet and work with the Burns Park staff and families!
Picture Day
Save the Date, Friday September 27th is Picture Day at Burns Park.
Fall After-School Rec & Ed Classes
AAPS Rec & Ed is excited to offer several after-school classes focused on fun, learning, movement, and discovery. Registration is NOW OPEN! Visit www.aarecedonline.com for details. Scholarships are available! Please call (734) 994-2300 ext. 0 for assistance.
My Future Fund
My Future Fund: Unlock the benefits for your child!
We are thrilled that over $350,000 has been allocated to AAPS students’ My Future Fund accounts! My Future Fund has activated over 6,400 accounts for AAPS 2nd-7th grade students and 1st graders will join the fun this year. Every account comes with a $25 starting deposit and 1 in 3 students qualifies for a $475 bonus based on family income. Unlock all the benefits of the program by completing the Release of Information form before November 30, 2024. Over $800,000 is still waiting to be claimed. To learn more about the program and complete the Release of Information form go to www.myfuturefund.org or call 734-302-2626.
From The Burns Park PTO
Hello BPE PTO Families,
We enjoyed reuniting with old friends and meeting new families at Curriculum Night and our first PTO
Meeting last week. We are excited to announce that our budget passed unanimously, along with the
three proposed grants! You can read the meeting notes here. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday,
October 8 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.
FALL PICNIC – SEPT. 19
Join us for the 3 rd Annual Back to School Fall Picnic on Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5:30-7 p.m. Gordon the Magician is coming to dazzle the kids at 6 p.m. Then families will have a chance to mix and mingle.
Please pack your own picnic dinner and remember to bring a blanket or other seating.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
We are recruiting volunteers for the 2024-25 school year, including Room parents; Art Angels; Library
Helpers; Lunch Recess Helpers; Disability Awareness Workshop (4th Graders); Family Giving
Committee; Fifth Grade Capstone; Lost & Found; Science Olympiad; Staff Appreciation; Special
Events (Burns Park Run, Ice Cream Social, Field Day, etc.); Walk and Talk Coaches; Yearbook
Committee and MORE. Fill out the Volunteer Interest Form so you can learn about and connect to
opportunities. Learn more about our committees and how you can help here.
There are a range of opportunities available to help in many capacities and various commitment levels.
We appreciate any time and talents you are able to lend. If you have any questions reach out to
Volunteer Coordinator Kathy Brzoznowski at volunteering@bpepto.org.
WALK & TALK RETURNS SEPT. 23
Walk & Talk is an optional lunch recess activity where students in grades 1-5 can choose to walk or run
together around a specified loop in Burns Park. For miles completed, kids earn toe tags, they collect on
a chain and wear proudly! Students are motivated not only by the toe tags themselves but also by their
friends, the fresh air, exercise and the encouragement of parent/adult family volunteers. Coaches are
needed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during lunch recess to organize and distribute student
lap cards, keep track of laps completed, and distribute toe tags.
Sign up here to spend your lunchtime encouraging fitness while getting to know all the awesome
students at Burns Park!
Join the PTO Directory
The PTO website has a Directory that allows families to create an account and share contact details and class information, enabling parents to reach out to each other within class, grade level, etc. to setup playdates and otherwise foster a sense of community. Our current PTO directory is opt-in, meaning that families have to proactively create an account on our site to join. Returning families need to update their class assignments and new families should definitely sign up!
Your Burns Park PTO
Kory Zhao, President
Michelle Ding, President-Elect