BRIARWOOD ELEMENTARY pta newsletter

Briarwood Spelling Bee

Congratulations to Jiya Bhavsar who was the winner of the Briarwood Spelling Bee for the second consecutive school year! I also want to congratulate Liam Langford who was the runner up and the 14 students from grades 3-6 who competed in the bee. They are all amazing spellers and should be proud of their effort. Jiya will go on to compete in the Johnson County Spelling Bee on February 3rd at Mill Valley High School.

Pre-K and Kindergarten 2024-2025 Enrollment Now Open

Please help spread the word that Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten enrollment is now open. To learn more about our Pre-K and Kindergarten programs and to enroll click the link below.

• https://www.smsd.org/families/enrollment/pre-kandkindergartenenrollment

Those without technology access are encouraged to contact their area home school for Kindergarten. Pre-K families are encouraged to contact the Early Childhood office. Everyone in the district is encouraged to share this information with any families who have 4 or 5 year-olds. To enroll in Kindergarten, your student must be 5 years old by August 31, 2024. Briarwood does not offer a Pre-K program, contact the Early Childhood office for information on where it is offered in the district.

Kindergarten Kick-Off at Briarwood will be on Wednesday, April 10th at 6:00PM for incoming Kindergartners AND their parent or guardian. More information about that will be forthcoming. In the meantime, please go ahead and enroll your student so that we have an idea of how many will be attending that evening.

Wednesday, January 17th

Peter Piper Pizzeria

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Monday, January 22nd-Tuesday, January 30th

Kindness Week- see details below

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Tuesday, January 23rd

Briarwood Auction tickets go on sale- see details below

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Monday, January 29th

Class & Club Picture Day

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Tuesday, January 30th

Skate Party 4:00-6:00pm

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Wednesday, January 31st

Staff Appreciation Gift Card Drive- see sign up below to donate

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Thursday, February 1st @ 7pm in the Briarwood Cafeteria

General PTA Meeting

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Thursday, February 15th

Science Night- see flyer below for details

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Full BW PTA Calendar is available here

Please join us for an informative IN-PERSON PTA General Membership meeting. We'll meet in the Briarwood Cafeteria on Thursday, February 1st at 7:00 p.m.

During this meeting, Principal Lash will review the academic progress at Briarwood, Briarwood's social worker, Cassie Horn, will review the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum, and Dion Sankar, Board Member of the Shawnee Mission Foundation will share information about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library program

Come learn what is happening at Briarwood and bring your questions!

We need your help! Please use this link if you are interested in helping with class/club pictures on January 29th. We need volunteers throughout the entire day, so please see if one of the shifts works for you.

The PTA Staff Appreciation Committee hosts monthly events to shower Briarwood employees with appreciation throughout the year. This January, we're organizing a gift card drive as a way to recognize the ongoing efforts of each and every Briarwood staff member as we kick off this second semester.

Please click on the sign-up genius link to participate. Gift cards will be distributed in student decorated envelopes on January 31 during a staff hot cocoa bar event. Note: To avoid any redemption issues, please include a gift card receipt or proof of purchase.

Nominating Committee:

We're looking for volunteers to help nominate the PTA chairs for the 2024-2025 school year. This committee will work together to identify candidates. This committee has a small time commitment. Please contact: Heather Rowe, (816) 308-9557, hgreenlaw_01@yahoo.com with any questions and interest.

Did you know It takes 60+ volunteers to help run all the fun PTA funded activities and programs at Briarwood. We'd love to know more about you so we can find you the right position. Fill out the Briarwood PTA Volunteer Interest Form today!

2024 dates: February 10, March 9, April 13 and May 11

Grad your family & friends and help our friends in the Comanche community. The Mobile Food Pantry distributes food primarily and is intended for families in need of emergency food assistance.

Comanche Mobility Food Pantry sign-up

Ms Martens is in need of supplies for the Makerspace. Below are items we need. Donations can be sent in with your student.

Pipe cleaners

Colorful duct tape

Cotton balls

Q Tips

Beads

Scotch tape

Playdoh

Googly eyes

Markers-washable any size

Washi tape

Straws

Popsicle sticks

Nurse Blizzard has asked for donations of gently used clothing of all sizes for the nurses office. If you have anything to donate, please drop it off in the office!

Families,

Did you get any gift cards you aren't going to use during the holiday season? Any gifts that are unreturnable? The auction committee will take those off of your hands! We are still looking for donations from local businesses! If you have anything to donate or would be willing to reach out to local organizations, please contact Jessica Becker at jessica.becker85@gmail.com.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to working with you to make our 2024 auction a tremendous success!

We are getting closer to the biggest event of the year, the Briarwood Auction on March 2nd! This is our biggest and most important fundraising event, and you don't want to miss it! Check out the newsletters coming directly to your inbox (from Briarwood Auction email address) that have a ton of great information about the auction, including FAQs, items you'll be able to bid on and donation and sponsorship opportunities.

Auction tickets go on sale starting January 23rd. Bookmark the ticket website so you can easily add your tickets to your cart. Tickets are limited and will sell out, so don't delay!

What to expect when purchasing your auction tickets:

• Individual or couples tickets will be available, tickets are $60 each.
• What's a masquerade without a mask?! Add on a gorgeous masquerade mask made by our very own 4th-6th grade students! They can be added on for $10 per mask.

**Please note that masks will be distributed at random, and we are not able to guarantee that you receive your child’s mask due to logistics. Masquerade masks are not required to be worn at the auction, just if you want to!

• Add a custom auction candle made locally by Pickwick & Co.! This year, we have partnered with Pickwick & Co. to create beautifully scented candles made exclusively for the Briarwood Auction. There are two scents with candles named "Briarwood" and "Bulldogs". Purchase a candle or two so you can fondly reminisce about your fun night out while helping out our amazing school.
• It's COLD here in KC, so an escape to Mexico sounds pretty good, right? When you purchase your auction tickets, you can also add an "Escape to Mexico" raffle ticket sponsored by RoyCo Roofing and The Alingh Family. Your raffle ticket will be an Andre's chocolate bar with a number on it. A winner will be drawn at the start of the live auction and will win a 7-night stay at a four diamond luxury Mexico resort!

All of this can be added to your cart when you purchase your tickets to the auction. Reach out to Clarissa McMillan at mcmillan.clarissa@gmail.com if you have questions about any of the options. And don't forget to buy your tickets on January 23rd!

Did you know that by simply purchasing a PTA membership, you are providing immediate financial support for our students and the Briarwood staff? Your membership helps fund additional activities and programs not covered by SMSD. Join now by clicking here!

The simple act of joining the PTA does NOT mean you are automatically registered to volunteer for any activities or programs. The PTA welcomes ALL volunteers, but we do not require anything of you. If you are interested in helping, we'd love to hear from you- Volunteer Interest Form.

Get started today by visiting https://www.briarwoodpta.org, select “Directory”

1. Update or create an account through Membership Toolkit. Once you update/create your account, you can decide what information is shared in the online directory, which is ONLY accessible to other BW registrants.
2. Our directory will only be as useful as YOU make it. Please register to help us build a stronger community network for parents/caregivers and students.
3. Download the Membership Toolkit app from the App Store or Google Play for on-the-go access.
   
   

Questions? Contact Karen Moore: karen.jeanne.moore@gmail.com

Please help Briarwood students get to school safely! The intersection at 86th and Juniper does not have a SMSD-staffed crossing guard; the school relies on volunteers. All volunteers are welcome, but if your student uses this intersection, please consider signing up once per month.

SHIFTS:

• 7:50 - 8:10 am (school starts at 8:10 a.m. for all grades)
• 3:05 - 3:20 (dismissal at 3:10 p.m. for all grades)
• 12:25 - 12:40 p.m. on half days (half-day dismissal is at 12:30 for all grades; half days are indicated on the sign-up calendar)

CROSSWALK RULES:

• Cars are not permitted to turn LEFT off 86th Street onto Juniper (you may have to remind drivers)
• Students must walk themselves and/or their bikes/scooters across the crosswalk

CROSSING GUARD DUTIES:

• Manage pedestrian and vehicle traffic for safe street crossing
• Remind students to follow street crossing rules
• Help control car and pedestrian traffic conditions

Thank you!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B44A5A822A64-briarwood

1. On the right side of the newsletter, a bar will appear with the Translation feature.
2. Click on the Translation bar then click on the Select Language button.
3. Choose your language of choice from the drop-down menu of languages and click close. The newsletter will now be translated.
   

En el lado derecho de la pagina, aparecerá una barra con la función de traducción. Haga clic en la barra de traducción y luego haga clic en el botón Seleccionar idioma. Elija español en el menú desplegable de idiomas y haga clic en cerrar. El boletín ahora se traducirá.

Website: https://www.briarwoodpta.org/

Twitter: @BriarwoodElem

Instagram: @BriarwoodBulldogs

Facebook: facebook.com/BriarwoodBulldogs

Grade-level Facebook Groups (private):

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2030 (6th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2031 (5th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2032 (4th grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2033 (3rd grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2034 (2nd Grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2035 (1st Grade)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2036 (Kindergarten)

Briarwood Elementary Class of 2037 (NEW- incoming Kindergarten!!)

Co-Presidents:

Deana Curtin • deanacurtin@gmail.com

Ashley Hunt • ashleyhunt910@gmail.com

President-Elect:

Rachel Wymore • rla08@hotmail.com

VP Administration:

Heather Rowe • hgreenlaw_01@yahoo.com

VP Communications:

Terra Snyder • walker_terra@hotmail.com

VP Community Events:

Kristin McClasky • Kdp1202@gmail.com

VP Student Services:

Susan Jarrold • susan.jarrold@gmail.com

VP Funding:

Jessica Becker • jessica.becker85@gmail.com

VP Finance:

Denise Wheeler • denisetompkins@mac.com

Treasurer:

Michelle Wiens mwiens678@gmail.com

Secretary:

Diana Beckman • dianalbeckman@gmail.com

Briarwood Foundation:

Valerie Moeder • ValerieLMoeder@gmail.com

Diversity & Inclusion Chair:

Craig Dawson • craigdawson@icloud.com