Burns Park Family Newsletter

Hello Penguin Families,

Thank you to everyone who attended the PTO January PTO meeting last week. We have a lot of exciting things coming soon. We hope everyone’s staying warm and celebrating the amazing life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

JANUARY PTO MEETING RECAP

Missed our PTO Meeting on January 14? Check out the notes from the meeting here. We’re looking for motivated individuals to help us plan and arrange for childcare to bring back in-person meetings. Those interested should contact info@bpepto.org. View the Friends of the AAPS Libraries presentation here or check out their meeting on January 22 at 6 p.m. at Huron High School. The February PTO Meeting will be held Tuesday, February 11 at 7 p.m. via Zoom.

DISABILITY AWARENESS WORKSHOP FEBRUARY 21

The Disability Awareness Workshop is a one-day program to teach 4th grade students an empathetic understanding of physical, developmental, and learning disabilities. This hands-on-activity based program is designed to help students understand how difficult and complex daily living can be for individuals with “diverse abilities.” The workshop helps build a culture of understanding that is invaluable, with the goal to learn, through experience, that all individuals deserve respect no matter how they may look, act, walk or talk.

On Friday, February 21 we will need volunteers from 8:45 am to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers need only be kind and compassionate. No experience working with people with disabilities is necessary. You will be provided training upon arrival, and will have easy to follow activity instructions to oversee students as they participate in activities. (If you have any area of particular interest or expertise, please use the comment form so we can try to place you appropriately.) Please click here for examples of some activities you'll help facilitate. Lunch will also be provided for workshop volunteers.

There is also space for additional volunteers the Thursday evening before and Friday afternoon immediately after the workshop to help with setting up/breaking down and moving some of the materials. Sign up to volunteer before, during or after the event here.

Please contact the DAW co-chairs Shannon Hautamaki (smhred12@gmail.com) and Asha Hitihami Mudiyanselage (ashahitihami@gmail.com) with any questions.

VOLUNTEER UPDATE

• Science Olympiad Coaches and Co-Coaches Needed: Burns Park participates in the Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO). It is a chance for students, grades 2-5 to learn science through teamwork and hands-on experiences in different areas, leading up to the WESO tournament on May 10. We are in need of coaches for our team from Feb-May. Coaches choose an event and lead a group of students through eight 45 minute practices between February 23 and May 4. You do not need to be a scientist! Most events are very simple, such as building structures from paper and foam, or launching straw rockets. Sign up and learn more here.
  
  

• Burns Park Run Volunteers - The 47th Annual Burns Park Run will take place on April 27 at 8:30 am and we’re in need of a variety of volunteers. Cheer runners on as a Course Marshall at intersections throughout the race route, hand out medals, arrange brunch, help with a/v and table set up, help with registration, bicycle with the lead runners, AND MORE! You need to be at least 14 years of age, but no other experience is necessary! Click here to learn more and sign up.
  
  

• Morning Library Check In & Shelving - Looking for a quick and easy way to volunteer? 30 minute slots are available each morning after drop off. Sign up here.
  
  

• Fifth Grade Capstone - We need help planning the last week of school activities for our fifth graders. Help make sure our kids get a memorable and fun filled send off from Burns Park Elementary. We will split up the tasks among the volunteer group with a goal of making it very manageable for everyone. If you can find a few minutes to help out, please reach out to Ellen Delonis at ellendelonis@mac.com for more info.
  
  

CALL FOR YEARBOOK PHOTOS

We are in desperate need of photos for the yearbook from:

• 5th Grade Classes

• Band/Orchestra

• Field Trips

• Classroom activities, etc.

• Specials

• Art

• Music

• Library

• PE

• PLTW

• Theater

Please share any photos you may have of your Penguins in action during Burns Park activities using this link.

To upload photos: click on the down arrow to find your child’s grade folder. No identifiers are needed, but please tag your photos with the classroom’s “Teacher name – event.” For example: “Hane – Lansing Field trip.” Please do not include Rec & Ed sport photos.

Have questions? Contact us at yearbook@bpepto.org.

Your Burns Park PTO,

Kory Zhao, President
Michelle Ding, President-Elect