Burns Park Family Newsletter

Hello Penguin Families,

Happy Lunar New Year to those who are celebrating this 15-day event. Lunar New Year officially began this past Wednesday, January 29th and it marks the start of a new moon after the end of a cycle of 12 lunar months. As some of us celebrate the Lunar New Year, we are so grateful for a full week of school in a warmer temperature. This week, we would like to invite you all to attend our next PTO meeting. It is going to be on Tuesday, February 11th at 7:00 PM via Zoom. Thank you to everyone who attended the PTO January PTO meeting last week. We would like to continue seeing your faces and hearing your voices, as we have a lot of fun events coming soon.

SCIENCE OLYMPIAD ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Science Olympiad registration for children grades 2-5 opens February 5! You can prepare by looking over the event descriptions and asking your child what events they are interested in this year. Look for an email from the PTO that will contain the registration link on Wednesday.

We still need coaches or co-coaches for the following events: Circuit Wizardry (grades 4-5), On Target (grades 2-5), Potions (grades 4-5), iCompute (grades 4-5) and The Plot Thickens (grades 4-5). If we cannot find coaches, we will not be able to offer these events this year. You do not have to have a child in the event, or have a science background to coach. We provide materials and know-how to help you. Sign up to coach here.

Questions? email bp.weso@gmail.com

FIFTH GRADE CAPSTONE ANNOUNCEMENTS

We’re gearing up for an exciting end of the year as our 5th graders celebrate their accomplishments and prepare for the next chapter! Please see below the details of our Capstone Events:

Monday, June 9th – Service Day
During the school day, our 5th grade students will participate in meaningful, coordinated service projects around Burns Park Elementary, including gardening, cleaning, and other community-building activities.

Monday, June 9th – Graduation Ceremony
Join us at 6:00 pm for the 5th Grade Graduation Ceremony, which will be held at Burns Park Elementary. Let’s come together to celebrate our students’ hard work and achievements!

Tuesday, June 10th – Fun Day
During the school day, students will be bussed to a nearby pool or activity space (TBD) for a fun-filled day of activities and bonding with friends.

Wednesday, June 11th – Last Day of School
The final day of school will be Wednesday, June 11th, with an early release at 11:30 am. Let’s end the year on a high note!

Mark your calendars and get ready for a memorable finish to the school year! More details will be shared as we approach these exciting events.

We look forward to celebrating with our 5th graders and their families!

BURNS PARK RUN ANNOUNCEMENTS

Registration is now open for the 47th Annual Burns Park Run! The run will take place on Sunday, April 27 at 8:30 a.m. Sign up or learn more here. The Burns Park Run, sponsored by Probility, is the major fundraiser for the Burns Park PTO and is organized and staffed by volunteers. Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, the 5K and 10K races annually draw 1,000 to 1,500 runners aged 5 to 90 years, with over 200 elementary school kids running the 5K. For the youngest of participants, there is a separate 1/2 mile Fun Run around the park.

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.

Burns Park Run Sponsors - If you own or work at a business that would be interested in sponsoring the event, we have many different levels and would welcome your support. Please email rachel.ufer@gmail.com to get in before marketing begins!

YEARBOOK ON SALE NOW
The yearbooks are officially on sale, and the deadline to order is Friday, March 21!

Yearbook Price: $14

How to Order:

1) Online: Visit inter-state.com/order and use the code 91504W to place your order.

2) Cash/Check: Return the form sent home with your child to the Burns Park Office, along with cash or check made payable to Burns Park Elementary School. Lost the form? No worries! Simply send an envelope with cash or check, along with your child’s name and teacher’s name.

Donate a Yearbook to a Penguin-in-Need:
You can also help by donating a yearbook to a student in need. Donations must be made separately:

1) For online orders: Type “Donate Book” in place of a student’s name.

2) For cash/check orders: Send a separate envelope to school with “Donated Book” written on the envelope.

If you have any questions, reach out at yearbook@bpepto.org.

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 with 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 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

“Raising a child takes a village. Let these resources be your helping hand.” – Bahjee Chea

Good morning, families, friends, and staff. I trust that you had a fantastic weekend. Let’s get right to this weeks’ resources:

• Are you, or do you know a family raising disabled children, teens, and adults who have siblings? You may be eligible to enroll in our Sibshops program. The program is virtual and open to youth ages 7-12 who have a sibling of any age who has a disability, autism, and/or chronic health conditions/disorders. Please see flyer for additional information.

• Do you need resources for immigration issues during these times? WICIR Washtenaw Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights -- Michigan Immigrant Rights Center -- National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild --Black Alliance for Just Immigration -- Michigan Support Circle (to coordinate needs for families) -- Call (734) 355-2707 if ICE shows up somewhere you are. This goes to WICIR. For more information visit https://www.washtenaw.org/3165/Immigrant-Resources

• LGBTQ+ Support Hotlines – We are in this together. Please see attached flyer for a list of phone numbers. Thank you.

• CLR Academy is back February 8th. FREE SPORTS NUTRITION,MINDFULNESS SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT LEARNING AND MORE. Register Under K-8TH PROGRAM 11:30AM-1PM https://www.clracademy.org/registration

• The Washtenaw Recovery Advocacy Project is hosting a Sober Bowl Celebration. 995 N Maple Rd – Ann Arbor. Sunday, February 9th starting at 6pm. Let’s go Eagles!

  <image004.png>

• FREE tax prep! The Housing Bureau for Seniors and AARP are offering FREE tax preparation. Appointments are offered starting Wednesday, February 5th through April 11th. All ages welcome. Volunteers can also complete back returns from 2021-2023. Call 734-998-9342 to schedule an appointment.

• Neighborhood Navigator can help get you connected to resources. It lists more than 40,000 social services by zip code. Learn where to get support with food, housing, transportation, employment aid, legal aid and finances. Give it try here Neighborhood Navigator and type in your zip code for a list of services.

• Visit Help Me Grow Washtenaw for warming centers and additional parent and community resources.