August 6, 2024 Newsletter
August 6, 2024
August 6, 2024
A Message From Principal Lash
Important Upcoming Dates
August 13th - Classes begin Grades 1-6 (EARLY DISMISSAL 12:30 PM)
August 13th and 14th - Kindergarten Conferences
August 15th - First Day for Kindergarten
August 21st and 22nd - Back To School Night Grades 1-6
September 2nd and 3rd - NO SCHOOL
Welcome!
Briarwood Families,
I hope everyone has had an amazing summer and are enjoying the final days of summer break in Bulldog Nation! This summer I had a blast spending time with my wife Kodi and our three sons (Drew-10th grade, Chuck- 7th grade, Brody- 6th grade) as I attended many swim meets, baseball games and basketball games. I also enjoyed spending time at the pool, exercising, reading and taking our two goldendoodles for long walks.
As summer comes to an end, we all have school season to look forward to! With the start of a new school year, comes excitement, anxiousness and hope for a great year ahead! As principal, I encourage all our students, families and staff to Dream Big as we work together to make this the best school year ever! The Briarwood staff and I are excited and looking forward to welcoming students and families back this Thursday at Popsicle Pop-In! Briarwood is a community that fuels a passion for learning while educating all students to achieve their full potential. Please review the important school news below.
Popsicle Pop-In • Thursday, August 8th • Kindergarten through Sixth Grade
· On Thursday, August 8th you will receive an email notifying you of your child’s class placement. If you have a kindergarten student you will be receiving additional information about your child’s conference time on or before August 8.
· Students can visit their classroom, meet their teacher, drop their school supplies off, and enjoy a treat from the PTA. This is the teachers second day back from summer break so their classrooms will still be under construction.
· If your last name begins with the letters A-L you will attend from 4:00-4:45 and if your last name begins with M-Z you will attend from 4:45-5:30. If you need to switch your time for any reason please feel free to do so. The purpose of this is to help reduce the number of people in the building at one time to make for a more enjoyable experience.
Attention Job Seekers!
Why work at Briarwood?
· New Salary Schedule
· Excellent Benefits
· Supportive Work Environment
Online Verification • Student Fees • Free or Reduced Lunch Applications
It is time to prepare for the next school year. Back-to-School forms for the 2024-2025 school year (Online Verification Forms) are now online, and need to be reviewed and signed with an electronic signature. The procedure is streamlined for your convenience.
Steps to fill out forms:
- Visit smsd.org
- In the top navigation bar, click on “Skyward” and log in to your account. If you do not have a Family Access account, you may contact your child’s school office starting on July 24, 2024 to inquire about setting up account access. The guardian designated as Family 1 for a student within the Skyward system has the editing rights to complete the forms.
- Under “Home” you will see “2024-2025 RETURNING Student Annual Online Verification.” There you will be directions that walk you through the entire process.
- The process includes permission forms, a health history review, and a medication permission form. For middle and high school students, there is also an athletic packet. Please complete verification forms as soon as possible. It is a mandatory step necessary for student materials checkout. Students cannot be assigned a computer/device until forms are complete.
2024-2025 - Child Nutrition Program Meal Benefit Application
- Families are encouraged to complete an application for meal benefits – free or reduced priced meals – as part of Online Verification. The link to the Child Nutrition Program Meal Benefit Application is available on Skyward or the online application is on School Cafe. Families do need to create a School Cafe account if they do not already have one - additional information is located on the SMSD Food Service Free and Reduced web page. Contact the Food Service office by calling 913-993-9710 or emailing foodservice@smsd.org for questions on the meal benefit application.
Potential Benefits of Filling out the Application
- Families whose meal benefit application is approved for meal benefits can receive a breakfast and lunch at the free or reduced price – depending on their qualifying benefit.
- Families who complete an application and qualify also generate additional state funds for our schools.
- Families who qualify for child nutrition meal benefits may also receive additional benefits such as free/reduced instructional resource fees, transportation fees, and Pre-Kindergarten enrollment.
Consent for Disclosure and Eligibility
- Families are encouraged to complete a Consent for Disclosure form which gives SMSD Food Service permission to share a child’s eligibility status information with the programs families designate on the consent form. This form can be found on the SMSD Food Service Free and Reduced web page.
Upcoming Briarwood Events
Thursday, August 8th
Popsicle Pop-In
Last Names A-L 4:00-4:45 PM
Last Names M-Z 4:45-5:30 PM
*
Thursday, August 15th
Kindergarten Boo Hoo or Yahoo Coffee
8:10-9:00 am
*
Wednesday, August 21st
Back to School Night Grades 1-3
1st Grade - 5:00 PM
2nd Grade - 5:45 PM
3rd Grade - 6:30 PM
Parents/Guardians Only
*
Thursday, August 22nd
Back to School Night Grades 4-6
4th Grade - 5:00 PM
5th Grade - 5:45 PM
6th Grade - 6:30 PM
Parents/Guardians Only
*
Tuesday, August 27th
General PTA Meeting via Zoom
7:00 PM
Link and More Information Below
*
Wednesday, August 28th
Briarwood Dining Donation Partner Night
5:00 to 8:00 PM
Culver's of Kansas City
More Information Below
*
Thursday, August 29th
Room Parent Meeting
Briarwood Elementary Cafeteria Room
6:00 PM
*
Thursday, August 29th
Briarwood PTA All Chair Meeting
Briarwood Elementary Cafeteria Room
6:30 PM
*
Wednesday, September 11th
Briarwood Back To School Skate Party
6:00 to 8:00 PM
Skate City Overland Park
More Information Below
*
Friday, September 20th
Briarwood Family Movie Night
6:30 to 10:00 PM
Briarwood Elementary Playground
More Information Below
Stay In The Know! Connect With The PTA Today!
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
Paying By Cash or Check?
Please drop your payment off to the main office at Briarwood
All checks should be made payable to Briarwood PTA
A note with student(s) name/grade must be included with payment
Please consider purchasing a donation yearbook to ensure EVERY student receives one!
Briarwood School Spirit Store is OPEN!
Upcoming Event Information
Briarwood PTA General Membership Meeting
Please join us on Tuesday, August 27th at 7:00 p.m. for our first General PTA Membership Meeting of the school year. This meeting will be held via Zoom. Information and link below.
During this meeting, learn about upcoming PTA events, fundraisers, how to get involved – and vote on the 2024-2025 budget.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3872415181?omn=85211372596
Dial in: +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 387 241 5181
2024-2025 SMSD Calendar
Welcome To Our Kindergarten Families!
What Are Kindergarten Conferences?
Kindergarten families will participate in personalized kindergarten conferences on August 13th and 14th. Be on the lookout for information from the Briarwood Kindergarten team via email.
Instead of the usual Back to School Night, these one-on-one conferences with your child's teacher are designed to help both students and parents prepare for their first day of school on the 15th. This approach allows for individual attention, addressing any concerns and ensuring a smooth transition into the school year.
1st Day of Kindergarten Boo Hoo or Yahoo Coffee - August 15th - 8:10 to 9:00 AM
After drop-off, please join other Kindergarten parents and guardians on the front lawn, adjacent to the Kindergarten entry doors, for a cup of coffee and pastries. It's a wonderful opportunity to mingle and connect with others on this special day. Whether you’re feeling teary-eyed or ready to celebrate this milestone, you'll find comfort and camaraderie among fellow parents. Let's come together to mark the beginning of this new chapter in our children's lives.
Have Questions? Meet Your Kindergarten Liaisons!
Meet your Briarwood Elementary PTA Kindergarten Liaisons Jenny Lentz and Erin Reddell! Jenny and Erin are your go-to contacts for all your questions about school events like the Bulldog Jog, parent parties, progressive dinners, and more. They are dedicated to helping you navigate and enjoy all that Briarwood Elementary has to offer. Reach out to them today at their email addresses or phone numbers for any inquiries and support which can be found below.
Jenny Lentz - (816)-509-4414 - jbbielak@gmail.com
Erin Reddell - (913)-706-0949 - ekboyle@gmail.com
Hosts Needed!!!
We are seeking volunteers to help co-host parent-hosted parties this fall. Most grades have volunteer teams comprised of 8-10 families, working together to ensure the success of these events. This is a fun adult-only evening for the parents and guardians in each grade to get to know each other and to raise funds for the PTA. While there is no cost to attend, donations are suggested and encouraged. Your participation is essential in creating memorable experiences for our students and fostering a sense of community among parents. Please consider joining a host team and contributing to the success of this fall's events!
Sign Up To Be A Room Parent Today!
Become a Room Parent!!
Help support our teachers and students by serving as a Room Parent! We’re looking for 2 volunteers per classroom to help throughout the school year. Here are the basics:
Share classroom updates and information about PTA activities, through email, with the parents/guardians of your classroom’s students
Gather financial contributions from parents/guardians to purchase and deliver gifts for your teacher throughout the year (birthday, holidays, etc.) on behalf of the class
Offer general support to your classroom teacher
Contact Emily Luea at emilyc21@yahoo.com for questions or details.
School Supplies
Students may bring school supplies to Popsicle Pop-In on August 8th to leave at their desks, or they may choose to bring their supplies on the first day of school. All school supplies preordered through 1st Day School Supplies have already been delivered to your student’s classroom.
Briarwood Elementary School Foundation
Your donations to The Briarwood Foundation enhance our school’s ability to create rich educational experiences for all students. The money raised goes to grants requested by our principal, teachers, and staff to fund programs and supplies not provided by federal, state, school district or PTA budgets.
By supporting our foundation, you’re not just contributing to a single event; you’re joining us in creating a lasting legacy.
Click on the sponsorship form below to take the first step towards this exciting partnership. 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.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Great Reads
Many kids might be feeling anxious about going back to school after a long summer break. Others may feel nervous about starting school for the first time. Parents/guardians can help ease the transition back to school by being able to recognize the symptoms of stress and anxiety and implementing some creative strategies.
Around The World Recipes
Volunteers Needed - SMAC Clothing Exchange
The Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA Clothing exchange offers gently used clothing and shoes from infant to adult sizes. The exchange is a free service open to those who live within the SMSD boundaries. Donations are made possible by SMSD residents.
The Clothing Exchange is 100% volunteer staffed. Please consider volunteering today and reach out to Ashley Hunt at ashleyhunt910@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering.
Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA (SMAC) Clothing Exchange is located at the Shawnee Mission School District Early Childhood Education Center at 6701 W. 83rd Street Overland Park, Kansas 66204. Entrance in the back - Door # 7
Website: https://www.smac-pta.org/
Briarwood Before and After School Volunteer Crossing Guard Sign Up
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!
Briarwood Garden Club
UPCOMING SMSD DISTRICT EVENTS
Smore Translation
Instructions For Newsletter Translation
- On the right side in the newsletter when viewing on a computer device or at the top of the newsletter on a mobile device, a bar will appear with the Translation feature.
- Click on the Translation bar then click on the Select Language button.
- Choose your language of choice from the drop-down menu of languages and click close. The newsletter will now be translated.
En el lado derecho de la pagina, aparecerá una barra con la función de traducción. Haga clic en la barra de traducción y luego haga clic en el botón Seleccionar idioma. Elija español en el menú desplegable de idiomas y haga clic en cerrar. El boletín ahora se traducirá.
2024-25 BRIARWOOD PTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Co-Presidents:
Ashley Hunt • ashleyhunt910@gmail.com
Rachel Wymore • rla08@hotmail.com
President-Elect:
Craig Dawson • craigdawson@icloud.com
VP Administration:
Jamie Carr • jamieweatherly82@gmail.com
VP Communications:
Allison Stedman • allisonjstedman@gmail.com
VP Community Events:
Nick Reddell • nickreddell@gmail.com
VP Student Services:
Jamie Smith • jamie3smith@gmail.com
VP Funding:
Heather Rowe • hgreenlaw_01@yahoo.com
VP Finance:
Javier Centonzio • jac@centonziolaw.com
Treasurer:
Michelle Wiens • mwiens678@gmail.com
Secretary:
Brooke Miller • brooke@flatironequity.com
Briarwood Foundation:
Valerie Moeder • ValerieLMoeder@gmail.com
Diversity & Inclusion Chair:
Telma Wiesman • telmaweisman@gmail.com
Briarwood Elementary Social Media
Website: https://www.briarwoodpta.org/
Twitter: @BriarwoodElem
Instagram: @BriarwoodBulldogs
Facebook: facebook.com/BriarwoodBulldogs
2026 Briarwood Auction
Instagram: @briarwoodauction
Grade-level Facebook Groups (Private Groups For Grade Level Parents):
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2031 (6th grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2032 (5th grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2033 (4th grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2034 (3rd Grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2035 (2nd Grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2036 (1st Grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2037 (Kindergarten)