BRIARWOOD ELEMENTARY pta newsletter

Keeping our Students Healthy

You may have recently heard news reports about increases of illness this fall, as is typical with this time of year. In SMSD, we have begun to see increases in absence due to illness with a few physician-diagnosed illnesses and many generalized symptoms.

One of the most important things to help decrease the spread of illness is for those who are not feeling well to stay home. If your child has a temperature of over 100.0 or has vomited or has had diarrhea, they must stay home. Students may return to school when they have been free from fever (without medication), vomiting, or diarrhea for 24 hours.

Your child may also be ill but without these symptoms. They may have a sore throat, headache, cough, or generally not feel well. If you suspect illness, please keep your child home. If in doubt about sending your child to school, contact the school nurse or your child’s doctor.

Beth Blizzard, M.S. Ed., BSN, RN

School Nurse

Tuesday, December 20

Early Dismissal - 12:30PM

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Wednesday, December 21 - Thursday, January 5

NO SCHOOL

Winter Break

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Saturday, February 4

Trivia Night

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Full BW PTA Calendar is available here

Trivia Night is back... and we're going way back to the 90's! Bring your mad skills and fly fashion for a night away from the kids. Join us Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 7-10pm at Westport Flea Market, 817 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO.

Fifteen teams of ten will compete for dope prizes and bragging rights. Your ticket includes a cheeseburger buffet (the best in KC!) and fixings. Cash bar available. (Don't worry, credit cards are accepted.) Trivia isn't all you can expect. As if! Snag a 90's music bingo card at the door for $5 with more chances to win.

Tickets will go on sale on Monday Dec 12. Hurry, with only 150 spots, tickets won't last long. https://www.briarwoodpta.org/trivia

Free Agent $30 (1 ticket)
Power Couple $60 (2 tickets)

Briarwood’s PTA (Parent Teacher Association) works to support every student and teacher at school. The PTA provides additional extra activities, programs, and financial assistance not covered by the Shawnee Mission School District.

Joining the PTA is easy! Once you have updated/created your profile, purchase your PTA membership in the online Store. Individual memberships are $12 and Joint memberships are $24. Briarwood PTA works to support every student and teacher in our building and our goal is to have 100% participation from our families/caregivers and teachers. PTA memberships are also a fundraiser for Briarwood PTA. PTA members receive exclusive access to the online directory.

To join PTA and pay online now, please visit our PTA website at: briarwoodpta.org/join_pta

Get started today by visiting https://www.briarwoodpta.org, select “Directory”

1. Update or create an account through Membership Toolkit. Once you update/create your account, you can decide what information is shared in the online directory, which is ONLY accessible to other BW registrants.
2. Our directory will only be as useful as YOU make it. Please register to help us build a stronger community network for parents/caregivers and students.
3. Download the Membership Toolkit app from the App Store or Google Play for on-the-go access.
   
   

Questions? Contact Karen Moore: karen.jeanne.moore@gmail.com

December Celebrations & Recognitions

December 3rd : International Day of Persons with Disabilities

SOMETHING MORE

Recognizing Neurodiversity

“Neurodiversity” is a popular term that’s used to describe differences in the way people’s

brains work. The idea is that there’s no “correct” way for the brain to work. Instead, there is a

wide range of ways that people perceive and respond to the world, and these differences are to

be embraced and encouraged. Common types of neurodiversity we might see at Briarwood are

ADHD, Dyslexia or Dyscalculia, to name a few. To learn more about Neurodiversity and how as a

parent you can support your neurodivergent child, check out the link below.

LINKS FOR LEARNING

What is Neurodiversity

Scholastic Book list on teaching Neurodiversity

60 Books about Disabilities and Differences for Kids

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As the holiday season approaches, parents are not only presented with the opportunity to talk to their children about the traditions and holidays others celebrate at this time, but also how to be allies to their peers of differing faiths. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and Justice Department are reporting rising numbers of anti-Semitic incidents, which consistently make up the majority of religious based hate crimes in the United States. As Jewish children see their friends decorating freely and attending large city-wide events, Jewish families have to evaluate when and where they can safely celebrate while understanding that most public gatherings will include armed security or police presence.

With that understanding, the hope as always is that school can feel like a safe and supportive place for all children. Remember that treats, crafts, and games for the upcoming classroom parties should be “winter” themed instead of highlighting even the secular elements of the Christmas holiday to make them inclusive and fun for all. Remind your children that jokes or put-downs about the Jewish people and holidays won’t be tolerated at home or at school. Most importantly, be thoughtful about the rhetoric and language your child is hearing from trusted adults about people of other faiths.

As Elie Wiesel so wisely stated, “one person of integrity can make a difference.”

Happy Holidays to all!

CROSSING GUARDS STILL NEEDED :) Please help us keep our students safe by volunteering to serve as a crossing guard at 86th and Juniper.

• Remind children to walk themselves and/or their bikes/scooters across the crosswalk.
• Help direct the before/after-school traffic and remind drivers that cars are not permitted to turn left off of 86th Street.
• Crosswalk volunteer shifts are 7:50-8:10am and 3:05-3:20pm (12:25pm-12:40pm on half days).

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B44A5A822A64-briarwood

1. On the right side of the newsletter, a bar will appear with the Translation feature.
2. Click on the Translation bar then click on the Select Language button.
3. 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.

Shawnee Mission Area Council PTA (SMAC) Clothing Exchange

The Clothing Exchange offers gently used clothing and shoes to those within the SMSD boundaries. All items are clean. Donations are made possible by SMSD residents. All residents are welcome.

Website: https://www.smac-pta.org/

Please note that there are two separate upcoming volunteer opportunities for the Clothing Exchange, both on October 4.

Additional information is located on the SMAC website:

https://www.smac-pta.org/volunteer

Co-Presidents:

Mary Boomer • maryseltzerboomer@gmail.com

Deana Curtin • deanacurtin@gmail.com

President-Elect:

Ashley Hunt • ashleyhunt910@gmail.com

VP Administration:

Rachel Wymore • rla08@hotmail.com

VP Communications:

Terra Snyder • walker_terra@hotmail.com

VP Community Events:

Kristin McClasky • Kdp1202@gmail.com

VP Student Services:

Susan Jarrold • susan.jarrold@gmail.com

VP Funding:

Jessica Becker • jessica.becker85@gmail.com

VP Finance:

Denise Wheeler • denisetompkins@mac.com

Treasurer:

Michelle Wiens mwiens678@gmail.com

Secretary:

Diana Beckman • dianalbeckman@gmail.com

Briarwood Foundation:

Wendy Hill • Wendyhill329@gmail.com

Diversity & Inclusion Chair:

Jessica Bryon • bryonfamkc@gmail.com

Briarwood Elementary Bulldogs - all school Facebook page

FACEBOOK Groups are a great way to find out what is going on in your grade level community. Join your group to find out details on sports teams, scouts, and play dates happening throughout the year.

Grade-level Facebook groups (private):

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2029 (6th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2030 (5th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2031 (4rd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2032 (3nd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2033 (2st grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2034 (1st Grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2035 (K)

Website: https://www.briarwoodpta.org/
Facebook: facebook.com/BriarwoodBulldogs
Twitter: @BriarwoodElem

Instagram: @BriarwoodBulldogs