THURSDAY FOLDER
News &  Information for Birchview Elementary


08/18/16
Back to School Open House
All parents and students are invited to attend the Birchivew Blast on Wednesday, August 31 from 5-7 PM.  This is a great opportunity to meet teachers, bring in school supplies, and catch up with old friends.

The Birchview PTA will be grilling and invites you to join friends for a picnic before visiting classrooms.
2016-2017 Staffing Updates
Staffing can be a moving target over the summer, but as of today we are nearly completely staffed. We offer a world class staff that will work wonders for our students.

KindergartenCarmen Block, Becca Gunter, Andrea Thurston and new-to-Birchview Jeremy Willenbring.
1st Grade
Lisa Anderson, Daeaun Messer, Renee Wenberg and new-to-Birchview Mai Huynh 
2nd Grade - Aaron Benesh, Marianne Brinda, Michele Mondoux, Rebecca Wilkens and U of MN Teacher Candidate Tayler Bengtson 
3rd Grade - Christa May, Lauren Hansen, Trina Snow and U of MN Teacher Candidate Mackenzie Fiedler
4th Grade - Tami Schulz, Andrea Lanz, Scott Sykes, Lisa Carlson and U of MN Teacher Candidate John Ruekert
5th GradeDave Jackson, Bob Schultz and Sara Gammack
Special Education - Robert Bevars, Rachel Palmatier and Judi Selinger 
Social Worker - Kathy Banks
Specialists - Heidi Martin (PE), Kellie Heidelberger (Technology), new-to-Birchview Ana Arguedas-Schmidt (Spanish), Terry Klotz (Art) and Michelle Gehrz (Music)
Intervention - EL/Laura Engelbret (EL); Reading/
Anne Turnen, Sarah Storvick and Brenna Backstrand; Math/Heather Zenzen and Risa Paloney; Achievement/Laurie Tarbox; and Vision 21/Danielle Miller
Media Center - Elizabeth Robertson and Kathleen Nafstad
Instructional Coaches -  Dave Zukor (technology), Ann Carlson (literacy). and Ann Schwartz (Q-Comp)
Health Office - Irene Merz (Nurse) and Judy Haux (Health Para)
Behavior Interventionist - Diane Krull
Paraprofessionals - Susan Snow, Sheri Frick, Kathy Bucher, Cress Fazendin, new-to Birchview Denise Krzewinski, Lisa Rocca, Mona Domas,  Lory Dornbusch, Melissa Evenson, Janet Jirgis, Lisa Yentzer and Kevin Warns
Office Staff - Cathy Lynch (Secretary) and new-to-Birchview Teresa Reding (Office Paraprofessional)
Principal - Sam Fredrickson
School Hours
As you start making family plans for the fall, it will be important that you are aware of our school hours. Please plan your days so your students are in class and ready to learn at 8:30 and will be able to stay until dismissal at 3:10. Other important times are:

8:10 - Students may enter the building for breakfast
8:20 - All students may enter the building to go to class
8:30 - Students are in class ready to go
3:00 - Getting ready for dismissal
3:10 - Dismissal
3:15 - Busses leave the school
Class Assignments
We are in the final stages of matching students with teachers. Grade levels worked hard last spring to create balanced classes based on needs, requests and class "chemistry". Over the summer, minor changes have been made to adjust for moves in and moves out. We will be mailing class assignments on Friday, August 26th. You will also be able to see assignments in Skyward starting Monday, August 29.
When Visiting our School - Please Bring ID
NEW THIS YEAR:
Upon entering a district building, visitors will be asked to present a valid, state-issued ID, which will be scanned into our new visitor registration system.  Once entry is approved, the visitor will be issued a badge that identifies the guest, the date, and the purpose of his/her visit.  A visitor's badge will not be necessary for those who visit our school simply to drop off an item in the office or pick-up paperwork. 

In addition to knowing who is in our school, the system will check and notify staff if a visitor is a registered sexual offender.  It is important to note that the system only scans the visitor's name, date of birth, and photo for comparison with a national database of registered sex offenders. 

Additional visitor data from the driver's license is not gathered nor is the system connected to any other system such as the Department of Motor Vehicles.

As always, photo ID is required to pick a student up during the school day.
Health and Information Verification
It is very important for us to have up-to-date contact and health information for every student.  Please take a moment to update your child's information in Skyward Family Access.
Click HERE for Family Access sign-up information.
School Lunch Information
Your child may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.  To apply, complete the attached Application for Educational Benefits following the instructions HERE.  A new application must be submitted each year. Your application also helps Wayzata Schools qualify for educational funds and discounts.
Culinary Express will mail student lunch PIN numbers to families during the month of August.  Families can also access PIN numbers on Skyward Family Access.  For more information on our lunch program, menus, and payment options please click HERE.
Transportation
Bus route postcards will be mailed to families during the week of August 29th.  If you need to make changes to your student's transportation please click HERE to access transportation forms.
Please be patient with busing during the first week of school.  Routes may run ahead or behind of schedule as drivers and students are figuring out new routes.
Update Mailing Address
If you have moved or had a change of address over the summer, please contact the Welcome Center at 763-745-5240 or welcome@wayzata.k12.mn.us.  
Failure to notify the Welcome Center of address changes could result in transportation delays and problems receiving important back-to-school notices.
Proud to be part of
Excellence. For each and every student.
Upcoming Events

Wed, August 31, 5-7PM
- Birchview Blast picnic and Open House
 
Tues, September 6
- 1st day of School

Fri, September 9, 9-10AM
- Coffee with the Principal
  
Tues, September 27
-Picture Day
  
Fri, September 30
- Kindergarten Family Breakfast 7:35-8:20 AM
- Movie Night 6:30-9:30PM
  
QuickLinks
Lunch Menus

School Calendar

Parent Handbook

Health Office & Attendance Line

School Board Agendas & Minutes

Communicator Newsletter
Sincerely,
Birchview Elementary

Birchview Elementary
425 Ranchview Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55447-3936
Phone: 763-745-5300 Fax: 763-745-5391


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