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October 2023
Principal's Corner
As we embrace this beautiful Alaskan fall, it is an opportune time to address two important themes that October brings with it: National Bullying Prevention Month and National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment:
Our commitment to creating a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment at BWABC remains unwavering. Bullying, whether physical or online, is something we take very seriously. We believe that every student deserves to feel safe and respected when they come to school, and our goal is to promote kindness, empathy and conflict resolution skills.
Educating About Online Safety:
In today's digital age, online safety is of paramount importance. With the rise of technology, it's essential that we equip our students with the knowledge and tools to navigate the online world safely. Please take time to discuss online safety with your children. Encourage open communication and ensure your child knows how to protect their personal information, recognize online threats, and report any concerns to a trusted adult or school authority.
Together, We Can Make a Difference:
Creating a safe and respectful environment is a collective effort. It involves not only the school staff but also parents and students. We appreciate your support in fostering a culture of kindness, respect, and responsible online behavior. By working together, we can ensure that BWABC remains a place where every student can thrive academically and socially. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education, safety, and well-being. Let's make this October a month of increased awareness and positive change in our school community.
Snow Gear:
The snow and cold will soon be upon us. Please remember that students will be outside in all types of weather during line up before school, at recess and after school when waiting for the bus or a ride. According to ASD policy, students are expected to go outside for recess to a chill factor of -10 degrees. Therefore, please make sure that your child or children are properly equipped. Please see below for the expected winter gear for each grade level:
- K-3 Winter coat, hat or hood, gloves or mittens, snow pants and winter boots
- 4-5 Winter coat, hat or hood, gloves or mittens and winter boots
Other things to consider:
- A hoody is not considered suitable for outdoor winter activities
- A physician’s note is necessary to exclude a student from participating in outdoor activities.
Thank you for helping us ensure that your child is safe, healthy and able to enjoy recess. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Additional information regarding the dress code can be found on the school website.
Mrs. Hershman
Principal
Birchwood ABC Elementary School
Anchorage School District
P.E. Corner
Effort Grading for PE
Students in grades 1st-5th receive an effort grade each quarter for PE. This grade is a guided self assessment, which means students score themselves most of the time. Effort grades are averaged to produce a grade for each quarter. As an example, if a student scores mostly 5s, they would receive an O (outstanding) on their report card. A few 5s may result in an S+. Please disregard, any percent attached to the grade in parent Q as it has has no reflection on student achievement.
For a greater explanation, visit Birchwood PE Assessment
Healthy Future Logs
September activity logs are due October 4th. They can be turned into your teacher, Mr. Olson, or the office. Begin your October Activity Log Today! Activity logs will not be passed out in PE as we try to encourage students to take on the responsibility of this task. Students may get logs from the media rack in front of the school office, from the folder as they exit school, print a log at home (click HERE) or my favorite is when they make their own log or calendar on a scratch sheet of paper. activityloglink
Cross Country Jamboree
Thank you everyone for a great turnout, the kids did fantastic!
GYM Shoes!
As snow is creeping down the mountains and students change over to winter boots, please remember that students will need a safe pair of gym shoes at school to participate in PE! Safe gym shoes should be tennis shoes that secure to the foot. If students have laces, it is expected that they already know how to tie shoes.
Health Corner
Dear Parent/Guardians,
I wanted to take a moment to send the CARE and participation rubric used for grading in Health class. I remind the students that their grade is for participating and trying, NOT academic achievement. That being said, the Health curriculum does include wonderful science content that we do together. Most of our Birchwood scholars should expect to receive an "S+" in Health class. This reflects our high expectations for behavior which does so often translate into academic success. Despite a percentage point being attached to your student's grade, they are being assessed by effort and appropriate participation. Please reach out to me via email if you have any questions about the district's grading rubric for health: senn_rebekah@asdk12.org.
Rebekah Senn
Chugiak and Birchwood ABC Elementary
Health Specialist
Art Corner
Last week, Ocean Alaska Science and Learning Center's Park Rangers visited Birchwood ABC Elementary to creatively delve into Resurrection Bay's zooplankton with our 4th and 5th-grade art students, sparking nature-inspired journaling adventures
Library Corner
*Overdue notices with book fee information will come home once a quarter. Please help your students return their books on time. Damaged or lost books need to be paid for or replaced - please communicate with me before purchasing replacement books. You may also receive email "friendly reminders" automatically when your child's books become overdue. Book check out periods are 1 week for Kindergarten & 1st grade, 2 weeks for 2nd & 3rd grade, and 3 weeks for 4th & 5th grade.
*Our 3rd annual cardboard challenge will be happening in the library during the week of October 29. Use this link https://youtu.be/faIFNkdq96U?feature=shared to watch "Caine's Arcade" to see our inspiration. Students may choose to create something out of cardboard to bring to the school on or before October 29. We will have fun being creative and using our imaginations. All kids will be able to enjoy the fun creations, but the more kids who choose to bring in items they created, the more fun we will have. Look for a flyer with more information in your child's Monday mail folder.
*If you would like to help out our library you can look at Ms. Tyson's Amazon wish list at any time. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/23MA8R719RZVP?ref_=wl_share
*The library does accept donations of books at any time if you are looking to clear out your bookshelves at home. However, please note not all donated books will become part of our collection. Some books may be used for projects or gifted to students, etc. We also accept donations of LEGOS to use with our LEGO wall and makerspace activities.
Tanya Tyson
Birchwood ABC K-5 Librarian
(907) 742-3450
Nurses Corner
2023 HealthCare Services Flu Shot Clinics will be hosted at select High Schools on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, from 1-7 pm and select Middle Schools on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 1-7 pm.
High School locations include East, West, South, and Eagle River High School.
Middle School locations include Wendler, Romig, Goldenview, and Gruening.
Feel free to bring the whole family before or after Parent Teacher Conferences.
Flu vaccines will be available for those 6 months and older.
Hope to see you there!
-Nurse Paula
PTA Corner
FINAL WEEK FOR FUNDRAISING!
This is our final week of fundraising with our Believe Kids Catalog. It's your last chance to purchase some of the BEST double sided wrapping paper around and some cute gifts that would arrive before the holidays! (We receive 40% of the profits from this!) If you haven't signed your student up yet, it's not too late, we have extended it through October 9th. If you sign up and send in their little coupon to the office, they will receive a free keychain, no purchase necessary! Also, don't forget to send in the other coupons as they sell items, or all at once at the end, either way is great just don't forget. These are the cutest keychains yet and the kids are loving them. (The coupons are at the bottom of the participation paper that came home in their original packets.)
Sign up today at shopfund.com
PICTURES
School pictures are online for parents to view and purchase. We will leave ordering open for two weeks with the option to ship to the school. After that two week period parents will have to pay for shipping home. If a parent didn't pre-register for pictures before picture day they will have to access photos by going to: Search (fotomerchanthv.com) and entering in their child's ASD student ID number. If a parent has any questions please direct them to email me at alicia@fitzgeraldphotos.com
BOOK FAIR!
Our Fall Book Fair is coming next month! If you're interested and able to volunteer a little bit of your time to help set up or run the book fair during the first week in November, we would love your help. Please see the attached Sign Up Genius to lock in your time slot. Thank you in advance!https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A054BA8AF2BA4F85-44662867-fall
POPCORN FRIDAYS!
We are happy to announce that Popcorn Fridays have been sponsored once again by Tara Barndt at Residential Mortgage!
Thank you, Tara!
https://residentialmtg.mymortgage-online.com/TaraMurdochBarndt.html
BIRCHWOOD HATS!
Winter is around the corner and we have hats back in stock. They are $20 and the kids love them! Let us know if you'd like one at birchwoodpta@gmail.com.
We also have hoodies! They are $30 and perfect for these cold days. We have all sizes in red and blue.
BAC Corner
Birchwood Advisory Committee (BAC)
October’s Character Trait is Self-Discipline: the training and control of oneself and one’s conduct, usually for personal improvement. Birchwood ABC Elementary embraces not only academic excellence but also a strong character education, emphasis on citizenship, values, discipline and patriotism. There is no meeting in the month of October, but we urge you to consider coming and joining us for the principal’s report and discussing any new news or concerns about the school.
Next Meeting: Nov 16th in the school library from 6-7 PM All Meeting Notes came be viewed at https://www.asdk12.org/domain/4692 Any questions can be emailed to bacbirchwood@gmail.com
Character Trait
Self-Discipline: Training and control of oneself and one's conduct, usually for personal improvement.
Good News Club
Community Events
Dates to Remember
Oct. 9th - Indigenous Peoples Day
Oct. 11th - Twin Dress Up Day
Oct. 18th - Picture Retakes
Oct. 20th - Student Release Grading Day
Oct. 25th - Crazy Hair Day
Oct. 25th - Parent Teacher Conference/Half Day
Oct. 26th -Parent Teacher Conference/Half Day
Oct. 27th - Student Release Professional Development Day
Nov. 3rd - Red, White, and Blue Assembly