Briarwood Newsletter
February 8, 2022 www.briarwoodpta.org
Message from Mr. Lash
Parent-Teacher Night Conferences Rescheduled:
Parent-teacher conferences that were scheduled for Thursday, February 3 from 4:30-7:30 have been rescheduled for Thursday, February 10. Please contact your student’s teacher if you need to reschedule due to this change in date.
Enrollment for Kindergarten and Pre-K students in the SMSD Begins Feb. 4
We are excited to kickoff enrollment for incoming kindergarten and pre-kindergarten students at Briarwood Elementary School for the 2022-2023 school year. Online enrollment registration
opens at 8 a.m. on February 4, 2022. This will allow families to complete the enrollment
documentation for kindergarten or pre-kindergarten, reserve a spot for pre-kindergarten families, and allow the district to begin to plan to welcome our incoming early learners to our schools.
Click here to learn more about Pre-Kindergarten in the SMSD.
Click here to learn more about Kindergarten.
If you are unsure of what school your student(s) will attend, find out more by using School
Finder on this page.
How to Enroll in Kindergarten
- Online enrollment for Kindergarten opens at 8 a.m. on February 4, 2022. Click here for
enrollment links, which will go live on Feb. 4.
- Families will enroll their students using the online enrollment application form.
- Please note that the application must be completed on a desktop or laptop computer or
a tablet. It will not work on your mobile phone. If you do not have access to one of these
devices, please call the Briarwood office at 913-993-2200 to make an appointment to
enroll in person.
- Please be sure to indicate whether you are enrolling for Kindergarten or Pre-
kindergarten and that the enrollment is for 2022-2023 when prompted on the application
form.
- A child must be 5-years-old on or before Aug. 31 to enroll in Kindergarten, by state law.
- SMSD offers free, full-day Kindergarten for every student.
- Online enrollment allows the district to begin planning to welcome our incoming early
learners to our schools.
- Briarwood Kindergarten welcome activities will be held on April 14, 2022 at 6 PM. We
will follow up with you to share additional information about our full-day kindergarten
program and events coming up in the spring. These events are designed to offer
students an opportunity to spend some time in the school setting, while parents ask
questions and prepare for their child’s kindergarten experience.
How to Enroll in Pre-Kindergarten
- Online enrollment for Pre-Kindergarten opens at 8 a.m. on February 4, 2022. Click here
for enrollment links, which will go live on Feb. 4.
- This allows families to reserve a spot in Pre-Kindergarten
- To be able to enroll for Pre-Kindergarten, children must be 4-years-old on or before Aug.
31 (but not Kindergarten eligible).
- Please be sure to indicate whether you are enrolling for Pre-Kindergarten or
Kindergarten and that the enrollment is for 2022-2023 when prompted on the application
form.
- Fee and no-fee options will be offered in the 2022-2023 school year. Pre-Kindergarten is
a half-day program in Shawnee Mission.
- Please note that the application must be completed on a desktop or laptop computer or
a tablet. It will not work on your mobile phone. If you do not have access to one of these
devices for Pre-K enrollment, please contact the Early Childhood department at 913-
993-6441.
- Briarwood does not currently have a Pre-K program but students in our attendance area
may attend nearby schools who do offer Pre-K.
- Wraparound care options are available at some sites through Johnson County Park and
Recreation and YMCA.
For more information regarding site locations and programming:
Johnson County Park and Recreation link
We are excited to welcome future Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten students and we look
forward to working with families in support of each child’s success. We encourage all in our
district to share this information with any families in our community who have a student who is Pre-K or Kindergarten age.
Conferencias nocturnas de padres y maestros reprogramadas
Las conferencias de padres y maestros que estaban programadas para el jueves 3 de febrero
de 4:30 a 7:30 se han reprogramado para el jueves 10 de febrero. Comuníquese con el
maestro de su hijo/hija si necesita reprogramar debido a este cambio de fecha.
La inscripción para Pre-K y Kindergarten en el SMSD comienza el 4 de febrero
Estamos emocionados de iniciar la inscripción para los estudiantes que ingresan a
Kindergarten y Pre-K en la Escuela Primaria Briarwood para el año escolar 2022-2023. El
registro de inscripción en línea se abre a las 8 am el dia viernes, 4 de febrero del 2022. Esto
permitirá que las familias puedan completar la documentación de inscripción para Kindergarten y Pre-K, reserven un lugar para las familias de Pre-K y permitan que el Distrito comience a planificar para dar la bienvenida a nuestros alumnos entrando a nuestras escuelas por primera vez.
Haga clic aquí para obtener más información sobre Pre-Kindergarten en el SMSD
Haga clic aquí para obtener más información sobre el jardín de infantes.
Si no está seguro de a qué escuela asistirán sus hijos, obtenga más información utilizando
School Finder en esta página.
Cómo inscribirse en el jardín de infantes
- La inscripción en línea para Kindergarten se abre a las 8 am el 4 de febrero del
2022. Haga clic aquí para ver los enlaces de inscripción , que estarán disponibles el 4 de
febrero.
- Las familias inscribirán a sus estudiantes utilizando el formulario de solicitud de
inscripción en línea.
- Tenga en cuenta que la solicitud debe completarse en una computadora de escritorio o
portátil o en una tableta. No funcionará en su teléfono móvil. Si no tiene acceso a uno de estos dispositivos, llame a la oficina de Briarwood al 913-993-2200 para hacer una cita para inscribirse en persona.
- Asegúrese de indicar si se está inscribiendo para Kindergarten o Pre-K y que la
inscripción es para 2022-2023 cuando se le indique en el formulario de solicitud.
- Un niño debe tener 5 años de edad el 31 de agosto o antes para inscribirse en
Kindergarten (según la ley estatal).
- SMSD ofrece Kindergarten el día completo y gratuito para todos los estudiantes.
- La inscripción en línea le permite al Distrito comenzar a planificar para dar la bienvenida
a nuestros estudiantes entrantes a nuestras escuelas.
- Las actividades de bienvenida a los estudiantes de Kindergarten en la escuela Briarwood se llevarán a cabo el 14 de abril del 2022 a las 6:00 de la tarde. Nos comunicaremos con usted para compartir información adicional sobre nuestro programa de Kindergarten de día completo y los eventos que se realizarán en la primavera. Estos eventos están diseñados para ofrecer a los estudiantes la oportunidad de pasar un tiempo en el ambiente escolar, mientras los padres hacen preguntas y se preparan para la experiencia de Kindergarten de sus hijos.
Cómo inscribirse en Pre-Kindergarten
- La inscripción en línea para Pre-Kindergarten se abre a las 8 am del dia 4 de febrero del
2022. Haga clic aquí para ver los enlaces de inscripción , que estarán disponibles el 4 de
febrero.
- Esto permite a las familias reservar un lugar en Pre-Kindergarten.
- Para poder inscribirse en Pre-Kindergarten, los niños deben tener 4 años de edad al 31 de agosto o antes (pero no ser elegibles para Kindergarten).
- Asegúrese de indicar si se está inscribiendo en Pre-K o Kindergarten y que la inscripción
es para el año escolar 2022-2023.
- Se ofrecerán opciones con y sin cargo en el año escolar 2022-2023. Pre-Kindergarten es
un programa de medio día en nuestro Distrito de Shawnee Mission.
- Tenga en cuenta que la solicitud debe ser completada en una computadora de escritorio o portátil o en una tableta. No funcionará en su teléfono móvil. Si no tiene acceso a uno de estos dispositivos para la inscripción en Pre-K, comuníquese con el departamento de
Primera Infancia al 913-993-6441.
- Briarwood actualmente no tiene un programa de Pre-K pero los estudiantes en nuestra
área de asistencia pueden asistir a escuelas cercanas que ofrecen Pre-K.
- Las opciones de atención integral están disponibles en algunos sitios a través de Johnson County Park and Recreation y YMCA.
Para obtener más información sobre la ubicación de los sitios y la programación:
Johnson County Park and Recreation link
Estamos emocionados de dar la bienvenida a los futuros estudiantes de Kindergarten y Pre-K y esperamos trabajar con las familias para apoyar el éxito de cada estudiante. Sugerimos a
todos en nuestro Distrito a compartir esta información con cualquier familia en nuestra comunidad que tenga un hijo/hija en edad de Pre-K y/o Kindergarten.
Important Dates & Deadlines at Briarwood
No School-
Monday, February 21
Tuesday, February 22
*
Briarwood Night @ Dewey's Pizza
Tuesday, February 8- all day!
Mention Briarwood or show attached flyer
*
General PTA Meeting
Wednesday, February 16 @ 7:00pm
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4484763270
Meeting ID: 448 476 3270
*
Briarwood Skate Party
Friday, February 25 @ 4:00pm
*
Class and Briarwood Club picture day!
Monday, February 28
*
Order your 2021-2022 Yearbook now!
Deadline to order is March 25
https://briarwoodptaop.membershiptoolkit.com/login
see more details below
Briarwood Auction- Tickets on Sale Now!
Please check your student’s backpacks this week for your official invite to Double Down on Briarwood - our Auction, Casino Night and Poker Tournament.
Briarwood is a special place and it’s time to join together to support our Bulldog community! We are excited to host Briarwood’s 2022 Biennial Auction on Saturday, March 5th at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center. Tickets are on sale now at briarwoodauction.com! P.S. Don’t forget to add on your Poker Tournament Entry if you’d like to play - spots are limited.
We’ve just had two incredible companies step in as our All In sponsors for the upcoming auction! We’re very grateful to them for leading the charge as we count down the days until the auction on March 5!
Hadel Financial Solutions is a family owned and operated advisory firm established in 1981. They focus on retirement, investments and business continuation planning. Hadel Financial Solutions is a multi-generational firm with offices in Overland Park. To learn more, visit hadelfinancial.com.
Ascentist Healthcare is a multi-specialty practice with many offices across the KC metro. They specialize in disorders of the Ears, Nose, and Throat, including Audiology and Allergy, plus Orthopedics, Plastic Surgery and Sleep Medicine services. To learn more, visit ascentist.com.
Eat pizza & give back to Briarwood- Tuesday, Feb 8
General PTA Meeting- All Things Briarwood - Wednesday, February 16 at 7:00pm
Please join us for our second semester (virtual) General PTA Meeting on Wednesday, February 16th from 7-8:30pm.
There will be an update from Mr. Lash and other key staff members about All Things Briarwood - academic achievements, resources and more! Bring your questions and feel free to submit any questions in advance to Molly Lund, PTA Co-President (mollylund@gmail.com).
Topic: General PTA Meeting
Time: Feb 16, 2022 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4484763270
Meeting ID: 448 476 3270
Call for PTA Slating Committee Members
We are looking for volunteers to help nominate the PTA chairs for the 2022/2023 school year. This committee will work together to identify candidates in February and March, and is a small time commitment (10 hours or less).
If you’re interested in participating, please contact Kim Shelton (kim.shelton@outlook.com or 816-615-9064).
Crossing Guards needed - sign up today!
- Children must walk themselves and/or their bikes/scooter across the crosswalk
- Cars are not permitted to turn left off of 86th Street before and after school times
- Crosswalk times are 7:50-8:10am and 3:05-3:20pm (12:25pm-12:40pm on half days)
- If you are unable to make your assigned time, please find a sub or trade with someone
- Please try and sign up at least once a month and wear a mask!
Science Night- Presenters needed on Wednesday, March 30
Hello Bulldog parents!
Science Night is a fun, long-standing tradition at Briarwood. It takes place every other year (minus a skipped year due to COVID) and Wednesday, March 30, 2022 is this year’s event – mark your calendars now!
There will be more information to come about this family-friendly evening event, but in the meantime, we are reaching out to Briarwood parents who have a science-related career or hobby who might like to share their talents with our students and families!
The format for Science Night is meet, greet and inform. It is a busy evening, so individual contact is short – a quick hands-on activity or demonstration works very well.
Please reach out to Melissa Clark melissafisherclark@gmail.com with questions.
**Note, we will be following all SMSD COVID protocol for an indoor event, so masks will be required, and we will likely have 2 one-hour time slots for everyone to attend.
Briarwood Skate Party- Friday, February 25 4:00-6:00pm
Save the date- Briarwood Used Book Fair- April 26-28
Look for more details soon on how to donate your used books and sign-ups to volunteer to help run the fair. All proceeds will go towards the Briarwood PTA to fund various school initiatives.
A space for EVERY Bulldog- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Briarwood
This space is where we will identify opportunities that allow Briarwood families to engage with the broader community to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.
If you are interested in taking an active role in diversity, equity and inclusion at Briarwood, please contact PTA Chair of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Jessica Brooks-Bryon @ bryonfamkc@gmail.com.
Celebrations and Recognitions:
Black History Month
Chinese New Year
Celebrating Black History Month:
The theme for 2022 focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness.
Black History Month celebrates the rich cultural heritage, triumphs and adversities that are part of our country's history. This year's theme, Black Health and Wellness, pays homage to medical scholars and health care providers. This theme acknowledges the legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout history.
Things to do- Black History Month and Chinese New Year
Negro League Baseball Museum has FREE Admission in February
KCKPL Take Home Black History Month Kits for Kids
KCKPL BHM Celebrations: Science & Art of West African Dance
Disney Plus has a “Celebrating Black Stories” Collection
Lunar New Year Celebration | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
Este espacio es donde identificaremos oportunidades que permitan a las familias de Briarwood interactuar con la comunidad en general para promover la diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión.
Si está interesado en asumir un papel activo en la diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión en Briarwood, comuníquese con Presidente de la PTA de Diversidad, Equidad e Inclusión
Jessica Brooks-Bryon @ bryonfamkc@gmail.com.
Celebraciones y Reconocimientos:
Ano Nuevo Chino
El tema para 2022 se centra en la importancia de Black Health and Wellness.
El Mes de la Historia Negra celebra la rica herencia cultural, los triunfos y las adversidades que forman parte de la historia de nuestro país. El tema de este año, Black Health and Wellness, rinde homenaje a los académicos médicos y proveedores de atención médica.Este tema reconoce el legado no solo de los eruditos y médicos negros en la medicina occidental, sino también de otras formas de conocimiento (por ejemplo, doulas, parteras, naturópatas, herbolarios, etc.) a lo largo de la historia.
Cosas que hacer: Mes de la Historia Negra y Año Nuevo Chino
Museo de Béisbol de la Liga Negra tiene entrada GRATIS en febrero
KCKPL Kits del Mes de la Historia Afroamericana para llevar a casa para niñosCelebraciones KCKPL BHM: ciencia y arte de la danza de África OccidentalDisney Plus tiene una colección “Celebrating Black Stories”
Celebración del Año Nuevo Lunar | El Museo de Arte Nelson-Atkins
SMSD Research and Development Forum
Spring 2022 is the 60th year of the Shawnee Mission School District’s Research and Development (R&D) Forum. This year's forum will feature a Student Showcase and a live-streamed Pitch Finals competition at the Center for Academic Achievement.
- Who can enter: Any interested student, grades K-12
- How to apply: Application information can be found on the R&D webpage.
- Deadline: The deadline to apply for the pitch competition is Friday, February 25, 2022.
- Practice sessions with industry mentors will be scheduled for students who apply to compete.
Final Competition and Prizes:
Applicants chosen as finalists will pitch their Next Great Idea to a panel of judges during the morning of April 30, 2022 at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st St. The pitch competition will be live-streamed so friends and family can participate as well. Top awards are $2,500, of which $1,000 is a cash award to be used by the winner to pursue their passion and education and up to $1,500 will be awarded as "build it" grants to support making the winner's pitch a reality. A People's Choice category, determined by public voters, will be awarded a $500 prize. There will also be an Idea of Promise award with a prize of $500.
Student Showcase:
The R&D Forum student showcase, with display-only and competitive exhibits will be held in Spring 2022. Students, families, and staff members are encouraged to enter student-created projects, experiments, or art projects to share in this districtwide event. All submissions must be registered and information on how to register can be found online. The deadline to register for the showcase is Friday, March 25, 2022.
The SMSD community is invited to take part in this year’s 60th R&D Forum by attending the following events at the Center for Academic Achievement, 8200 W. 71st St.
MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL ART & ALL GRADES SCIENCE SHOWCASE
- April 18-21, 2022 - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Open House at CAA (entries on display)
- April 21, 2022 - 4:00 - 7:00pm - Reception for all entrants and families
ELEMENTARY ART & CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) SHOWCASE
- April 25-28, 2022 - 3:00 - 5:00pm - Open House at CAA (entries on display)
- April 28, 2022 - 4:00 - 7:00pm - Reception for all entrants and families
This annual event has always served as a celebration of student achievement and highlights innovative student projects and talent from across the district.
Sincere appreciation is extended to the Regnier Family for 60 years of generous support for the SMSD R&D Forum.
Click here for more information and contacts if you have further questions
Read Across SMSD- February
Each month of the school year features a new theme and book recommendations, provided by the National Education Association. Shawnee Mission School District librarians and educators have also compiled lists of similar titles that connect to each monthly theme.
February’s book is: “The Electric Slide and Kai”
By Kelly J. Baptist
Illustrated by Darnell Johnson
Earn Money for Briarwood while you shop on Amazon!
Go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/23-7152153 and designate Briarwood as your charitable organization. Briarwood will earn .5% from most purchases.
Bookmark the website to use each time you shop! https://smile.amazon.com All of your account information will remain the same, but you’ll be raising money for Briarwood
Briarwood’s social worker, Cassie Horn is available to provide support to all families
- Help students/families with anxiety, depression, suicide prevention, peer relationships and other family/school dynamics
- Help create behavior support plans with students/families/teachers
- Assist teachers with social emotional teaching and trauma informed approaches in their classroom
- Individual and group counseling within school setting
- Provide resources to parents struggling with emotional/behavioral issues at home
- Connect families to resources, such as our community partner Hillcrest Covenant Church. Resources include groceries, housing, clothing etc.
Please contact Mrs. Horn with any questions or concerns:
cassiehorn@smsd.org 913-993-2262
La trabajadora social de Briarwood, Cassie Horn está aquí para brindar apoyo a todas nuestras familias de Bulldog
- Ayudar a los estudiantes / familias con ansiedad, depresión, prevención del suicidio, relaciones con los compañeros y otras dinámicas familiares / escolares.
- Ayudar a crear planes de apoyo al comportamiento con estudiantes / familias / maestros.
- Ayudar a los maestros con la enseñanza socioemocional y enfoques informados sobre el trauma en los salones.
- Asesoramiento individual y grupal dentro del entorno escolar.
- Proporcionar recursos a los padres que luchan con problemas emocionales o de comportamiento en el hogar.
- Conectarlo con recursos junto con nuestro socio comunitario Hillcrest Covenant Church para nuestras familias. Los recursos incluyen comestibles, vivienda, ropa, etc
Comuniquese con ella con cualquier pregunta o inquietud
cassiehorn@smsd.org 913-9932262
Social Media Info
Briarwood Elementary Bulldogs on Facebook- Grade-level private Facebook groups, search:
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2028 (6th grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2029 (5th grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2030 (4th grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2031 (3rd grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2032 (2nd grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2033 (1st grade)
Briarwood Elementary Class of 2034 (K)
Instagram @briarwoodbulldogs
Twitter @BriarwoodElem
2021-2022 PTA Executive Committee
Co-Presidents:
Molly Lund • mollylund@gmail.com
Mary Boomer • maryseltzerboomer@gmail.com
President-Elect:
Deana Curtin• deanacurtin@gmail.com
VP Administration:
Kim Shelton • kim.shelton@outlook.com
VP Communications:
Jennifer Freund • jfrenchjhawk@hotmail.com
VP Community Events:
Krissie Kiehne • krissiekiehne@gmail.com
VP Student Services:
Kristin McClasky • Kdp1202@gmail.com
VP Funding:
Sadie Durbin • sadiedurbin@gmail.com
VP Finance:
Laura Strongman lstrongman@kc.rr.com
Treasurer:
Michelle Wiens mwiens678@gmail.com
Secretary:
Ashley Hunt • ashleyhunt910@gmail.com
Briarwood Foundation:
Wendy Hill • Wendyhill329@gmail.com
Diversity & Inclusion Chair:
Jessica Bryon • bryonfamkc@gmail.com