THURSDAY FOLDER

News & Information for Birchview Elementary

10/13/16

Party Planning

Now that we have gotten past the initial excitement of being named a 2016 Blue Ribbon School, its time to think about how we should celebrate as a community. So we are looking for people who are inspired by party planning.

Blue Ribbon Celebrations usually bring the whole school community together - students, teachers, parents and alumni. It is also a place to invite distinguished guests such as senators, congressmen & women, media, etc. Please contact Principal Fredrickson if you would like to be part of this work. The Blue Ribbon Committee in Washington DC has even given us some ideas. Click here to see them.

Bobcat Fun Run - October 28th!

Fall PTA Fundraising Event:
The Bobcat Fun Run!

During the school day on Friday, October 28, students and teachers will walk, run and skip around the Bobcat track for 20 minutes to the cheers of staff, students and parents. This event is about Birchview spirit, health/wellness and raising money for our wonderful school.

We are asking you to sponsor your children in their run and to invite friends, neighbors and relatives to do so as well.

We have no plans to do a spring fundraiser. The Bobcat Fun Run is it! So please pledge generously and ask family and friends for their support. Please also remember that many companies will match your donation so ask your employer!

Unlike past years (when we outsourced the PTA fundraiser and so only saw a portion of the money raised actually coming back to Birchview), this year 100% of the money collected goes directly to Birchview and donations are fully tax deductible.

Prizes and incentives:

Every student who raises $25 will receive a Magic Cube Puzzle key chain to proudly wear on their backpack!
Every student who raises $50 will receive a Large Beam Flashlight key chain.
Every student who raises $100 will get a VIP pass to go to the front of the line at our Birchview Community Night on November 17th (where we will have a huge bounce house AND a blow-up obstacle course)!
The top fundraiser in each grade wins a scooter!
If we raise $10,000, students get to use flashlights in school for a day as the lights will be off!
If we raise $15,000, Mr. Fredrickson will wear roller skates for a day!
If we raise $20,000, Mr. Fredrickson and other Birchview staff will get pied in the face at a school assembly!
If we raise $25,000, the whole school gets to wear pajamas for a day!
If we raise $30,000, students will get to watch a show during their lunch!

So, GET INVOLVED by encouraging family and friends to donate and then come out on October 28th to cheer the kids on OR run with them. You can also volunteer to help make the day run smoothly.

Together we can make our great school even greater!

If you have any questions, please contact Leigh Doyle at leighdoyle3@gmail.com or 612-386-2778.

Signing Up for Fall Conferences

Conferences are coming!

Tuesday, October 25

Thursday, October 27

Tuesday, November 1

From 3:30 - 7:30 PM

Our conference sign-up is open. Please sign-up for a conference time through Skyward Family Access. Click here to download instructions or here to see a helpful video.

We would love to see all of our families participate in conferences.

Preparing for Fall Conferences

Here are a few things to keep in mind when conferencing with your teacher:

1. Come prepared. Please have a list of things you want to discuss. This will help you stay on track and discuss the important issues within your 20 minute session.

2. Talk to your child before the conference. We will be setting goals at conferences. Please discuss with your child what areas of their learning they/you would like to see them focus on this year.

3. Start and end on time. Teachers have up to 28 families to meet with, if you go over the allotted 20 minutes, it puts others behind as well.

4. Blended families should plan on having only ONE conference time.

Thank you for helping to make conferences successful, we appreciate you and the partnership we have for our child's success.

Picture Retakes - October 27th

Absent on Picture Day?

Not happy with your Child's Pictures?

Retake day is Thursday, October 27. Families who would like retakes can return their original picture packet to school on that day and Lifetouch will retake your child's pictures at no additional cost.

If your child was absent on picture day it is not too late to order - just go to:

MYLIFETOUCH.COM and enter Picture Day ID: MI216020Y1

Lost and Found

At Birchview we have a lost and found that is growing larger and larger as the temps get colder and colder. Our lost and found is located right inside the front doors. Please stop and check this area during conferences.

All items will be donated right after conferences.
We donate items on a regular basis so please check before they are gone. You are welcome to check anytime!

LAST CHANCE!

This is your LAST CHANCE to take advantage of being a part of our Fun2Raise Birchview 2016/2017 all school directory. This is not to be missed!!

The value to you as a parent and business is Priceless! Our close knit school community is a perfect audience for your marketing message. You increase your visibility, while supporting the school and enhancing our children's future.

Once again this all school directory will contain all of our school family information, classes and teacher information, while promoting community sponsors like you.

Due to popular demand at this point spaces are limited. However, if you or anyone you know would like to place an ad in the Birchview 2016/2017 directory that will be distributed for free to every parent and teacher in our school, please email Jodi Rankin at jodi@fun2raise.com. You may also reach her directly at 952-641-7100 x 101. She will walk you through the process and help you choose a message or an offer that will generate business for you and money for our school.

The Birchview Fun2Raise directories will be released in early November.

The Intersection of Schools and Mental Health

The Intersection of Schools and Mental Health Services

Date: Thursday, November 17

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Where: Plymouth Middle School Cafeteria

10011 36th Ave N Plymouth, MN 55441

Schools often function as the "de facto mental health system for children. School-based mental health, which broadly includes mental health services offered in a school setting is an important strategy to meet the needs of children and families.

Panelists

Kris Lofgren, Department of Human Services

Mark Sander, Sr. Clinical Psychologist Hennepin County

Jamie Halpern, Area Manager Hennepin Co. HSPHD

Tom Delaney, M.A.T., Ed.S., MN Department of Education Supervisor, Interagency Partnerships

Cynthia Fashaw, NAMI MN, Children's Programs and Multi-Cultural Outreach

Adam Levy, Parent, Singer & Songwriter

This educational forum sponsored by the Legislative Action Coalitions, Family Service Collaboratives and the school districts of Robbinsdale Area Schools, Hopkins and Wayzata Schools.

October 19 Safety Drill

Dear Birchview Families,

In conjunction with the Plymouth Police, Wayzata Public Schools will conduct a safety drill on Wednesday, October 19 to practice safety plans, evacuation procedures and communication protocols. Elementary students will have school on the day of the drill. This event will take place at Central Middle School.

Our hope is that this drill will not interfere with your child's learning on October 19, however, it is important for you to be aware of the potential for distraction outside of the school building on this day due to proximity.

Additionally, you may decide it is necessary to discuss the possibility of disruption with your child(ren) prior to and/or on the day of the drill. Please use your best judgment. A similar letter was sent to all Birchview staff addressing the drill so classroom teachers can also choose to discuss the matter with their students.

Please know that our hope is to gain new perspective and learning with this drill in an effort to enhance the safety of our students, staff, and schools. Thank you for your cooperation.

Destination Imagination

Destination ImagiNation teams are forming now! Destination ImagiNation is a worldwide creative problem solving competition for kids. Learn more at wayzatadi.org. You can even get help forming a team by clicking the "Students Looking for Teams" link.

Registration deadline is October 28.

Winter Gear Drive

2016 Winter Gear Drive for

Interfaith Outreach Community Partners

Starts October 17th!

With cold temperatures right around the corner, many less fortunate families in our area are in great need of winter gear. Birchview will be starting our annual Winter Gear Drive next week! Get ready to clean out your closets and bring in your donations!

Donations accepted From October 17th - November 17th:

The deadline to donate will be the
Birchview Community Night.

Items Needed:

Coats, Snow Pants, Boots, Hats, Mittens, Gloves and Scarves

(All sizes from infant to adult)

All donated items need to be washed, cleaned and in wearable condition. Donation box will be available outside of the main office.

Let's help keep families warm again this winter!!!

Questions?

Please contact Jesse Lundquist at lundquist.jesse@gmail.com

What's New in Community Education?

New After School Enrichment Classes!

Register now at wayzata.thatscommunityed.com.

Discover Magic

Learn original magic and life skills too! Build confidence and communication skills and perform for family and friends.

Grasshopper and the Ants

Fun-loving grasshoppers try to distract the hard working ants in this funny school play. Join the cast and build new skills and friendships!

Shocking Electrical Engineering

Ready for some hair-raising fun? Build electrical circuits with batteries, wires, motors, buzzers and switches while learning about the flow of electrons.

Advanced Artist

Autumn Tree on Silk - Join us for this special one-day painting workshop using colorful silk dyes.

Electronic Game Design: Temple Escape

Create your own version of a platform game set in an ancient temple. Use Clickteam Fusion 2.5 to bring your storyboard to life using programming.

Jr. Civil Engineering

Explore the engineering behind sky scrapers, bridges, roads and more through hands-on exploration and design.

LEGO WeDo Robotics

Build, program and test different LEGO projects - eating alligator, motorized race-car and more!

Proud to be part of