Birch Meadow Newsflash

TURKEY TROT UPDATE- Unfortunately it looks like for the first time in the history of our Turkey Trot we will need to cancel due to weather. We waited as long as we could to make the call, but given the forecast and knowing that families need to have advanced notice to make arrangements we will need make a decision tonight. We will push out an update about a makeup date shortly.

*Lost and Found: Our lost and found is overflowing! Please visit the cafeteria to collect any missing belongings. Any items still here by Thanksgiving break will be donated.

*Attendance: A student is considered "Chronically Absent" when they've had 18 absences (10% of the school year). Students who have already accumulated 6+ absences for any reason at this point in the school year are 1/3 of the way to being chronically absent. We want our Birchie Bears to be here at school for their academic progress and their social emotional health. Please help us in supporting your learners by prioritizing their attendance at school.

• Schedule family vacations during school vacation windows. So far this year family vacations are the leading cause of absences.

• Make a consistent routine with your student every night and every morning.

• Schedule appointments outside of school hours.

• Familiarize yourself with the Respiratory Illness Guidelines attached below.

*Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is continuing to sponsor a free Parenting Solutions Library. MPY is offering this valuable resource in partnership with Peace At Home Parenting Solutions, a non-profit organization located in Mansfield, Connecticut. Through this partnership, MPY is providing proven resources to help students’ families thrive. Peace At Home Parenting Solutions specializes in empowering parents with evidence-based strategies to foster nurturing connections that safeguard their children's mental well-being. The Parenting Solutions Library is easily accessed using the link on MPY’s home page. No log in or passcode is needed.

Breakfast Links:

KINDERGARTEN BREAKFAST

FIRST GRADE BREAKFAST

-Dr. B

Make sure your student's fundraising page is set up on Fund Hub.

ONLINE https://getmovinfundhub.com/login

SCHOOL IDENTIFIER: 631b6ea3be89a

Add a photo of your student(s) to their page, then reach out by email and social media to your family members and friends - any amount helps us reach our goal of $25,000!

All School Goals & Prizes (🏆 = prize achieved!)

$1,000 - Silly Sock Day 🏆

$2,500 - Board Game Day 🏆

$5,000 - Dance Party 🏆

$7,500 - Movie Day 🏆

$10,000 - Pajama Day 🏆

$15,000 - Extra Recess 🏆

$20,000 - Principal Pie in Face

$25,000 - Field Day T-shirts

Top Student Fundraisers - (1st place gets to choose, then 2nd place)

Principal for the Day

Ride in police car to school

Ride in fire truck to school

Top Classroom Fundraiser

New in 2024! Turkey Trot Trophy - with Teacher/Grade/Year engraved - to be displayed at Birch Meadow with space for future engraving!

Top Grade Fundraiser

Visit from Officer Rusty across the classrooms for a day

Each grade will be escorted to the track and guided through a fun warm up! Feel free to come cheer on your kiddo(s)!
Turkey Trot Schedule:

• Kindergarten and 1st Grade:
• Call to the track: 8:40 am
• Arrival: 9:00 am
• End time: 9:30 am
• 2nd and 3rd Grade:
• Call to the track: 9:25 am
• Arrival: 9:45 am
• End time: 10:15 am
• 4th and 5th Grade:
• Call to the track: 10:00 am
• Arrival: 10:15 am
• End time: 10:45 am

Join us for our second annual Birchie Bears @ Celtics Night!

• Game: Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans
• When: Sunday, January 12, 2025 - 6:00pm
• Location: TD Garden, Sections 323, 324
• Cost: $150 per ticket

There are a few tickets left. The fundraiser will run until December 2nd . All payments and forms must be received by Friday, December 5th. The cost covers ticket, service fee and donation to the PTO.

Tickets are first come, first serve and will be delivered electronically in advance of the game. We will contact you for payment separately in the order of requests received via this form.

Link to Reserve Tickets

Questions? Email Lindsay Leete at lindsayb25@gmail.com.

Ongoing - Turkey Trot Fundraising IS LIVE- SET UP YOUR CHILDS PAGE

SCHOOL IDENTIFIER: 631b6ea3be89a

November 26th - ANNUAL TURKEY TROT 🦃

November 27th - Wednesday, 11AM District Wide early release for Thanksgiving

December 1st - Reading Downtown Tree Lighting on the Common. 2-4:30pm

December 5th - Last Day to Request and Pay for Celtics Tickets

December 7-8th - REF Annual Festival of Trees. The PTO and Birch Student Council have paired up to donate a tree for this year's Festival of Trees - See flyer to donate to Birch Meadow's "Jingle Jitter Tree"

Mon 12/23 - Wed 1/1 - WINTER BREAK. Back to school Thurs. 1/2

• 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!

Sarah Ward’s 360 Thinking Model (a link to the recording was emailed directly to all registrants on Oct 24 (Thu) via Zoom; recording will be available for 30-days)

Please email Reading SEPAC at SEPACReading@gmail.com if you would like access to the recording.

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

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