December 2023 Bulletin
Dear BG Families,
The school year continues moving along and we are just a few days away from winter break. One of the most amazing places to keep in mind for winter break is the public library. Public libraries provide a wide array of services including reading areas for younger kids, books sections for younger readers, and all kinds of reading materials for everybody else in the family. Reading for pleasure after school, weekends and winter break will have a positive impact on your student’s reading proficiency, higher levels of intellectual engagement and creativity. Explore your local library to open doors to new exciting intellectual adventures.
Two of my favorite places in the metro area are the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (Walker Art Center). Both are free. MIA provides an indoor experience into different cultures/regions of the world as well as different time periods. MIA has a large and diverse art collection, thus plan for a few hours or maybe several visits to view specific areas. The sculpture Garden Center is a wonderful outdoor experience enjoying three-dimensional art. If you love the outdoors there are several city, county and state parks open during winter break. Some of them have free admission.
The early financial data from Minnesota Department of Education’s compensatory program seems to indicate that we will have a similar level of funding for next year. This funding source is driven by the percentage of families qualifying for educational benefits (former free and reduced). About March/April we will know how much of this funding will be assigned to us. If you have not completed the educational benefits form, please do it soon. More information can be found on the district website, and you may complete the application here.
We appreciate those of you who voted on November 7th. The referendum includes funding for some improvement projects at BG. In the incoming weeks the school district will share a timetable with different projects that will take place in the next couple of years. We are looking forward to planned improvements at BG such as updating the media center and the stage in the gym. Thank you for your support.
Congratulations to our 4th graders for a fantastic show on Nov 21st and thanks to families and friends for attending. Thanks to everyone who bought PTO’s Nothing Bundt Cakes to support our students. Our appreciation to all the students who are trying out for the school musical. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to support your family so your student(s) can participate. We are in the process of working collaboratively with Breck School and Urban Builders to have some of our 5th graders build their own longboards at school.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do for your family or your student(s).
Sincerely,
Dr. Ronald Salazar, Principal
YES: Voters Believed in Osseo Area Schools
Report Card Information
Student report cards will be available to view on ParentVUE by the end of the day on Tuesday, December 12th.
- Information about ParentVUE, including how to create an account, can be found here. Please email Help@District279.org if you have any trouble setting up or accessing your ParentVUE account.
- Follow these instructions to learn how to access your child's report card on ParentVUE. (Also available in Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, Somali, and Oromo).
- Click here for information about grading and rubrics, including descriptors by grade level. (Also available in Spanish, Hmong, Vietnamese, and Somali)
Congratulations, Dr. Salazar!
Principal Dr. Ronald Salazar recently received recognition for his outstanding work with a Distinguished Alumni award from the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development, where Salazar received his doctoral degree in 2003.
Dr. Salazar was nominated by an unknown person for the award, and he attended a ceremony in recognition of the Distinguished Alumni award winners Nov. 9 at the University of Minnesota’s McNamara Alumni Center. The award highlighted Salazar’s impact on underrepresented communities through educational leadership that promotes student learning.
Dr. Salazar expressed his appreciation for the school’s staff, students, families and for the district, which he said supports and encourages his commitment to equity.
Read more about Dr. Salazar's Distinguished Alumni recognition here.
News from the Media Center
Hello from the Media Center! I am Ms. Ellie Chovan, the Library Media Specialist, with a few exciting notes and reminders about what is happening in the media center this month.
Birch Grove has partnered with Barnes & Noble in Maple Grove to be the recipient of their holiday book drive. From now through December 8th, customers at Barnes and Noble will be offered the chance to purchase a book and donate it to Birch Grove Elementary for the Arts. We thank Barnes & Noble and the community for these generous donations!
Please help your students look for any lost or missing library items. Overdue notices go out to parents and caregivers by email once per week. If you have questions about a lost or missing library book, please contact Ms. Chovan at ChovanE@district279.org.
Thanks to all who stopped and shopped during our October Scholastic book fair. Benefits from the book fair come directly back to our school and media center. Our next book fair will take place during conferences in February.
Did You Know?? The Hennepin County Library in Brooklyn Park hosts “Connect and Play” sessions every Saturday morning through the end of December. Stop in from 10-11:30 to connect with your child during this drop-in program exploring early literacy activities. For children of all ages and their caregivers. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/ConnectAndPlay (And while you’re there, ask about signing up for a library card - it’s free!)
Twin Cities Holiday Gift Programs & Holiday Meals
If you or someone you know needs assistance with holiday meals or gifts this year, many resources are available. Here is list of organizations and resources in the Twin Cities area that provide support for the holidays.
Please contact our social worker, Megan Ruhland, at RuhlandM@District279.org if you need cold weather gear for your student.
Family Arts Night at Birch Grove
Birch Grove students and families had a blast at Family Arts Night on November 9th! Families went from room to room and engaged in activities including Art Room Extravaganza with Ms. Brown, Bead Bracelets with Ms. Fordice, Cookie Art with the PTO, and much more! We estimate around 300 people attended. Thank you for a great evening of art and family engagement!
Visit from Local Author Jerry Gale
Local author Jerry Gale visited Birch Grove on November 15th to read his book, Swimming in Grandpa's Pool, to the first grade students. All first graders received their very own copy of his book to take home with them!
Jerry has three grandchildren who attend schools in the district and he was delighted to share his book with the scholars at Birch Grove. There is a copy available to check out in the Media Center if your child would like to read it, too!
Barnes & Noble Book Drive
The Maple Grove Barnes & Noble is sponsoring Birch Grove this year with their holiday book drive! Visitors to Barnes & Noble may purchase books that will be donated directly to Birch Grove for our Scholars. Pictured is our building sub, Ms. B, with some of the books that have been purchased for Birch Grove - along with her own contribution!
The Book Drive runs through December 8th. If you or anyone you know will be out shopping, please consider donating a book to Birch Grove!
Birch Grove Troupe Shows
All performing Troupes are excited for their first shows of the year! You are welcome to join us for performances from Art Troupe, Choir Troupe, Drama Troupe, and Media Arts Troupe. These students will stay after school on their performance day to prepare for the show.
4TH & 5TH GRADE TROUPE SHOW
Date: Friday, December 8th
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Location: Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts
2ND & 3RD GRADE TROUPE SHOW
Date: Friday, December 15th
Time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Location: Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts
ALL students in Choir Troupe will perform BOTH NIGHTS.
Birch Grove Electives Showcases
Elective showcases for grades 1-5 will take place in December, and families and friends are welcome to attend! The showcases are informal displays and performances for students to show what they have been working on in their elective class. Troupe students will not be in the elective showcases.
IMPORTANT: All adults are required to sign into the building when visiting during school hours per district policy. Please bring your ID with you for easier sign-in.
4TH & 5TH GRADE ELECTIVES SHOWCASE
Date: Wednesday, December 13th
Time: 3:10-3:50 pm
Location: Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts
1ST GRADE ELECTIVES SHOWCASE
Date: Thursday, December 14th
Time: 3:10-3:50 pm
Location: Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts
2ND & 3RD GRADE ELECTIVES SHOWCASE
Date: Monday, December 18th
Time: 3:10-3:50 pm
Location: Birch Grove Elementary School for the Arts
NEW DATE: December 14th PTO Meeting
This month only, the PTO meeting has been changed to Thursday, December 14th. The PTO meeting will be held in the Birch Grove Media Center from 6:00-7:00 pm. You may also join online at the Google Meet link below. Moving forward, meetings will continue to be held on the third Tuesday of the month.
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Thursday, December 14th
Time: 6:00-7:00 pm
Location: Birch Grove Media Center
Earn Money for Birch Grove with Box Tops for Education
Download the Box Tops for Education App and start earning money for Birch Grove by scanning your shopping receipts.