Birch Meadow Newsflash

*I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family. On this Thanksgiving, I am beyond grateful to work in such a supportive community with families who are so invested in the education of their children. December is quite the sprint of a month, so buckle up!

*Kick off your holiday season on Saturday and Sunday, December 7th and 8th by visiting Reading Education Foundation’s (REF) 22nd annual Festival of Trees, a winter wonderland of decorated holiday trees donated by local families, organizations, businesses and schools that festival visitors can win for themselves! This signature REF fundraising event, held at Reading’s Parker Middle School, is a magical and memorable community holiday tradition for adults and children of all ages. Fun can be had for all ages while raising money that REF provides to the Reading schools through teacher-initiated grants. There is local entertainment throughout both days including live performances by school choruses, bands and local groups. Food trucks will be outside selling items at the event. Lucky winners of tree raffles will be selected at closing on Sunday night.

*A brief reminder that, for a variety of reasons, dogs are not permitted on school property. While I personally love seeing and saying hello to your four legged family members, please refrain from walking them up onto school property.

KINDERGARTEN BREAKFAST

FIRST GRADE BREAKFAST

-Dr. B

If you're sending out holiday cards this year, please consider using Minted.

Enjoy 20% off Minted cards & gift orders throughout the year, and Minted will donate 15% back to Birch PTO.

Use code: FUNDRAISEBIRCHMEADOW

We definitely needed rain, but not on Turkey Trot day 😞 The reschedule date is being discussed between Dr. Burnham and Mr. McCraken. We will be sure to let everyone know what is decided. In the meantime, FUNDRAISING IS STILL GOING ON - we are at $21k of our goal - AMAZING!

Make sure your student's fundraising page is set up on Fund Hub.

ONLINE https://getmovinfundhub.com/login

SCHOOL IDENTIFIER: 631b6ea3be89a

All School Goals & Prizes (🏆 = prize achieved!)

$1,000 - Silly Sock Day 🏆

$2,500 - Board Game Day 🏆

$5,000 - Dance Party 🏆

$7,500 - Movie Day 🏆

$10,000 - Pajama Day 🏆

$15,000 - Extra Recess 🏆

$20,000 - Principal Pie in Face 🏆

$25,000 - Field Day T-shirts

Top Student Fundraisers - (1st place gets to choose, then 2nd place)

Principal for the Day

Ride in police car to school

Ride in fire truck to school

Top Classroom Fundraiser

New in 2024! Turkey Trot Trophy - with Teacher/Grade/Year engraved - to be displayed at Birch Meadow with space for future engraving!

Top Grade Fundraiser

Visit from Officer Rusty across the classrooms for a day

Join us for our second annual Birchie Bears @ Celtics Night!

• Game: Boston Celtics vs. New Orleans Pelicans
• When: Sunday, January 12, 2025 - 6:00pm
• Location: TD Garden, Sections 323, 324
• Cost: $150 per ticket

There are a few tickets left. The fundraiser will run until December 4th . All payments and forms must be received by Friday, December 5th. The cost covers ticket, service fee and donation to the PTO.

Tickets are first come, first serve and will be delivered electronically in advance of the game. We will contact you for payment separately in the order of requests received via this form.

Link to Reserve Tickets

Questions? Email Lindsay Leete at lindsayb25@gmail.com.

Ongoing - Turkey Trot Fundraising IS LIVE- SET UP YOUR CHILDS PAGE

SCHOOL IDENTIFIER: 631b6ea3be89a

December 5th - Last Day to Request and Pay for Celtics Tickets

December 7-8th - REF Annual Festival of Trees. The PTO and Birch Student Council have paired up to donate a tree for this year's Festival of Trees - See flyer to donate to Birch Meadow's "Jingle Jitter Tree" We'll accept new and used Legos for decorations!

Mon 12/23 - Wed 1/1 - WINTER BREAK. Back to school Thurs. 1/2

• We have a Birch Meadow storefront and will post items and fundraisers throughout the year. We also welcome direct donations and company match: https://birch-meadow-elementary-school-pto.square.site/

• Drop off your donations of clothing and textiles to the two large bins to the far right of the main entrance on Arthur B. Lord Drive. Birch Meadow earns funds through Helpsy, a for-profit company that offers local non-profits like our PTO this easy, no-cost fundraising program!

This year our theme is 🌊UNDER THE SEa-PAC🌊. We will have a beautiful ocean-y tree that highlights SEPAC work and the diagnoses of young people for whom SEPAC exists.

We encourage you to participate by doing any of the following:

• Anonymously add to the list of disabilities and diagnoses that will be highlighted on the tree

• Purchase items to make the tree

• Contribute sea-themed or sea-colored gifts for under the tree (here’s some inspiration)

• Help craft a “coral reef” for under the tree (all ages welcome)

Items are needed by THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th (earlier is preferable). The mailing address is:

SEPAC c/o Maria Morgan

26 Lee St.

Reading, MA 01867

There will be a covered bin by the garage at 26 Lee St., and purchases made via the Amazon wishlist will have the address as an option.

Our participation in the REF Festival of Trees not only helps a worthy cause that benefits all Reading Public School students, but it also raises awareness for SEPAC and celebrates our kids.

• Link to add a diagnosis

• Link to Amazon Wish List to make the tree

• Link to Pinterest Board of inspiration for ideas of gifts to go under the tree

• Join the tree-crafting team (all ages welcome)

Recorded events available on the Reading SEPAC Website:

• The Right to Read Panel Discussion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw_oIuqkUt0
• The New IEP Presentation
• MCAS & Students with Disabilities Presentation
• Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Presentation

• Review tiered system of supports and provide examples

• Outline effective communication channels with your team and school

***Should you wish to reach out to Reading SEPAC anonymously, please use this form

Please "like" Birch Meadow Elementary PTO" Facebook page and follow our Instagram: @birch_meadow_pto