September 17, 2024 Newsletter
September 17, 2024
Briarwood Families,
It is hard to believe we are already beginning the 5th week of the 1st quarter. As an educator and parent, the time does seem to go by fast. One of my goals this year is to be ridiculously positive as we work together to help each student reach their full potential. I hope we can keep that beginning of the school year excitement going all school year! Our Bulldog students continue to do an amazing job following the B.A.R.K. (Be Safe, Act Responsibly, Respect Self and Others, Kindness to All) expectations. I am fired up and looking forward to Movie Night and the Bulldog Jog! These are two events that are fun for students and the entire family. I hope to see you there! Go Bulldogs!
Vision, Hearing, and Dental Screenings at Briarwood
Briarwood will be conducting vision screenings for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th graders who have opted in on Tuesday, October 1st. The screenings will be performed by volunteers from the Lion’s Club using the SPOT vision screener.
Hearing screenings for Kindergarten, 3rd, and 5th grade students (who have opted in) will also take place this year. These will be conducted intermittently over the next few months, with each class being screened as time permits.
The date for dental screenings is still being finalized, so stay tuned for updates!
For any questions or concerns, please contact Nurse Blizzard at bethblizzard@smsd.org.
SMSD Illness Policy Reminder
To protect your student and prevent the spread of disease, please keep your student home when any of the following conditions are present:
- Temperature of 100 degrees or greater
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Severe sore throat or pain with swallowing
- Severe headache
- Severe cough
- Undiagnosed rash or skin lesions or sores that are weeping or draining
- Any suspected or doctor-diagnosed contagious disease
Students may return to school when they have been free from fever (without medication), vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours.
When you join the Briarwood PTA, you're not committing your time to volunteer or attend meetings. You’re providing a one-time donation for PTA-organized activities and programs for our students, and you’re gaining access to the school directory (hello, playdates!) while allowing us to communicate directly with you about upcoming events and initiatives. If volunteering is your thing, we’d absolutely love to have you!
Ready to knock out some first-of-the-year steps?
Complete or update your school directory information
Connect with the PTA
Purchase your Yearbook(s)
Questions? Contact Karen Moore: karen.jeanne.moore@gmail.com
By supporting our foundation, you’re not just contributing to a single event; you’re joining us in creating a lasting legacy.
For any questions or further information, feel free to reach out to Valerie Moeder at valeriemoeder@gmail.com. She is ready to assist you with any inquiries and provide you with any further details you might need.
September Celebrations and Recognitions
National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
National Suicide Prevention Month
September 8th – International Literacy Day
September 12th – National Day of Encouragement
September 16th – Mexican Independence Day
September 17th – Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
September 21st – International Day of Peace
Around The World Recipes
10 Recipes to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
These 10 recipes from different Latina-American countries are a perfect way to start conversations about Latino culture.
September Themes
- Respect
- Be Kind
September Descriptions and Skills
- Seeing value in all people and things and treating them with care
- Perspective taking
- Conflict resolution
- Leadership
Any questions please contact Briarwood's Social Worker Cassie Horn via email at casiehorn@smsd.org
VOLUNTEER CROSSING GUARDS NEEDED
Please help Briarwood students get to school safely! The intersection at 86th and Juniper does not have a SMSD-staffed crossing guard; the school relies on volunteers. All volunteers are welcome, but if your student uses this intersection, please consider signing up once per month.
SHIFTS:
- 7:50 - 8:10 am (school starts at 8:10 a.m. for all grades)
- 3:05 - 3:20 (dismissal at 3:10 p.m. for all grades)
- 12:25 - 12:40 p.m. on half days (half-day dismissal is at 12:30 for all grades; half days are indicated on the sign-up calendar)
CROSSWALK RULES:
- Cars are not permitted to turn LEFT off 86th Street onto Juniper (you may have to remind drivers)
- Students must walk themselves and/or their bikes/scooters across the crosswalk
CROSSING GUARD DUTIES:
- Manage pedestrian and vehicle traffic for safe street crossing
- Remind students to follow street crossing rules
- Help control car and pedestrian traffic conditions
Thank you!
