Birch Meadow Newsflash

*Student Council Kindness Challenge -Our Student Council is spreading positivity by launching the Kindness Challenge! The goal? To encourage random acts of kindness throughout our school. Anytime someone witnesses an act of kindness, they can write it down on a colorful slip of paper. These notes will be linked together to form a kindness chain, starting in the cafeteria and growing with every act of kindness. A big shoutout to our amazing student leaders and Student Council advisor, Holly Gallant, for inspiring us all to make kindness a daily habit! Be sure to look for the kindness chain next time you're in the cafeteria.

*School Nurse Update - Unfortunately, this winter has been rough for illnesses such as the flu and strep throat. As always, we are working hard to help control the spread of them and hoping to see an end soon! Here is some information that may be helpful.

Flu Vaccine:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the best way to prevent influenza infection is to get a flu vaccine, and it is not too late to be vaccinated. Studies have indicated that people who receive the vaccine are often protected from getting the flu and if they do contract it, the symptoms may be less severe.

Reinforce healthy habits at home:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

• Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can also be used if soap and water are not available.

• Cover your nose and mouth with your flexed elbow or with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

• Avoid touching the “T zone”- eyes, nose and mouth.

• Avoid sharing drinks and water bottles

Returning to activities and school:

• Keep your sick child home from school until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen. A fever is considered 100 degrees or higher.

• It is important for your ill child to get plenty of rest and drink a large volume of fluids.

• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces, toys, and commonly shared items at home.

*Breakfast Reminder - Just a reminder that the link for breakfast ordering is the same every week. Therefore, if there is an issue getting the Newsflash out on any given week, you can simply visit a previous edition and use the link there.

Breakfast Links:

KINDERGARTEN BREAKFAST

FIRST GRADE BREAKFAST

Students received their ReadaFun portal login information and instructions during library time last week and log in info was also sent home in backpacks!

While this is our biggest Spring fundraiser, prizes will be awarded based on minutes read 🎉 . Our school keeps 78% of each donation using this program. We are really excited to promote reading and help our school raise the necessary money for enrichment, field trips and other school-related expenses.

Here are two videos that explain how to participate:
- How to authorize your child's Reading-Raiser account: https://youtu.be/X4KCsWBwA7M
- How to become a sponsor and invite more sponsors: https://youtu.be/NrUbWdEfy24

IMPORTANT: Readafun works best if you use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox or Safari.

The book fair to support our Library is also this week! You are welcome to join your child during their class time (see flyer from backpacks) or before/after school hours.

Before School Hours: Tues - Thurs, 8am - 8:20am

After School Hours: Mon - Thurs, 2:45 - 3:15pm

Please reach out if you have any questions - birchmeadowpto@gmail.com.

The PTO is excited to host two upcoming evening community reading sessions for students to boost their reading minutes! Please join Dr. Burnham, other members of the Birch staff, and School Resource Officer Matthew Vatcher and his sidekick Rusty the Golden Retriever as they read their favorite children's books to us!

Reading night #1: Tuesday, March 11th in the Birch Meadow Library -

6:00-6:30 PM for students in kindergarten - 2nd grade

6:30-7:00 PM for students in 3rd - 5th grade

Reading night #2: Tuesday, March 18th on ZOOM - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4915113640

6:00-6:30 PM for students in kindergarten - 2nd grade

6:30-7:00 PM for students in 3rd - 5th grade

We look forward to seeing you and don't forget to log your minutes!

March 1 - March 31st - Read A Thon Spring Fundraiser!

March 11th - Reading with Rusty in the Birch Meadow Library 6 & 6:30pm

March 18th - Reading with Rusty over Zoom 6 & 6:30pm

March 19th - SEPAC Budget Review & Business Mtg

March 26th - RPS Presents: Social/Emotional Learning Workshop

Date TBA - Spring Shuffle (to replace the Turkey Trot/Winter Walk)

April 2-3 - Grades 3&4 ELA MCAS

April 7-8 - Grade 5 ELA MCAS

May 5 - 6 - Grade 5 Math MCAS

May 7 - 8 - Grades 3&4 Math MCAS

May 14 - 15 - Grade 5 SCI MCAS

Hi Birchie Bears -

We have some unclaimed raffle prizes from Trunk or Treat and we've tried to reach out, to no avail, so we're calling in our amazing community! Is this you? Do you know these folks? Do they want their prize?

KAYLASH - Ervin #647364

MATHNASIUM - Kris DePesa # 647455

PUBLIC KITCHEN - Alex Murtin #647408

Please contact nicole.morinon@gmail.com to collect your prize!

Wed, March 19th, 7pm (Online)

Philip Littlehale, Interim Director of Finance and Operations, will be presenting the Special Education Budget at the next SEPAC business meeting.

• Changes between the 2024/25 and 2025/26 Special Education Budget

• Special Education Budget funding priorities for the next school year

• Opportunity for parents to ask questions

If you attend only one SEPAC business meeting this year, this would be the one!

Additionally, Student Services will be available to answer your questions regarding the changes in Special Education or other special education related questions you may have.

Registration will be required to receive the zoom link for the business meeting and to submit questions anonymously to both Student Services and Phil Littlehale in advance.

Register for the Reading SEPAC Business meeting and Special Education Budget Review.

Wed, March 26th, 7pm (Online)

Social-emotional learning is the process of developing the self awareness, self control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success.

Registration Link: https://fcsn.org/event/reading-social-emotional-learning/

• 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!

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