Parent Newsletter
February 21, 2019
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I Love to Read Month - February 2019
Jersey Day tomorrow - February 15
Birchview will have two local authors visit during the month of February. Sports writer and children's author Sean Jensen will discuss his writing with the 3rd-5th graders on February 22. Children's author and illustrator Nancy Carlson will discuss writing and illustrating with our Bright Starters - 2nd graders on February 27.
Our PTA will also be sponsoring a Book Fair during the week of February 25 as well as character dress up day and many other exciting I Love to Read Month activities. Please check your student's take home folder for more information.
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Morning Drop-off and Parking Lot
Our morning drop-off is not running as smoothly as it should. Here are some things we need parents to remember so that all students get to school safely and adults are through the line efficiently.
- Have your student wear all of their outdoor gear to school. Do not have them carry extra bags and shoes as this takes longer for them to get out of the car. Students should be independent. Feel free to practice this at home.
- Have your child sit on the driver's side back seat so he or she may get out quickly.
- Give your hugs and kisses at home. Parents need to stay in the car to keep the traffic flowing.
- Please watch for children. Safety is our priority.
- Pull along the blue line for students to exit the vehicle. This minimizes the time students have to walk near vehicles.
- We start drop off at 8:15. Plan to arrive no earlier than that and no later than 8:25. We can't guarantee your child will get to class on time if you arrive after 8:25
- Just a reminder, there is no parent drop-off in the front of the building between 8:10 and 8:30. Even if looks like there are no buses, there are times we may still be waiting for a bus. After 8:30 you will need to park your car and walk your child into school for a tardy pass.
- There is also no drop off in the staff parking lot. If you choose to walk your child to school, you will need to park your car and escort your child to the back door.
We know the drop off loop can be frustrating. Most of this frustration comes from adults not following our protocols. There is another solution...have your kids take the bus. They get to be with their friends, it encourages independence, the buses usually arrives on time, and if for some reason the bus is late, those riders will not be counted tardy because parent have done their job by getting students to the bus on time.
We will not be using staff to manage the drop-off loop. Staff are hired to support students. We expect adults to manage themselves for the sake of the community and for the safety of our students.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Fredrickson at 763-745-5310 or Sam.Fredrickson@wayzataschools.org.
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Did You Know?
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Conference Sign-up
Parent teacher conferences will be held February 26, 28, and March 5 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Our goal is to have every parent/child team meet with their teacher to discuss progress thus far and goals for the rest of year. Please take a moment to sign up.
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Trojan Pride Shout-out
Our Trojan Pride shout out this week goes to Cole, Riyaan, Amaya, Sophie, Anas, Naomi and William. Great work to these students for showing Trojan Pride in the lunchroom, hallways, Bright Start, and their classrooms. Keep up the good work!
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Specialists News
Wondering what is happening in specialists? Mrs. Godejahn is sharing what is going on in Music.
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Reminders
Order your Yearbook now
Your friends. Your school. Your yearbook. $13. Don't miss this year's school memories. Order your yearbook through March 15. Please place your yearbook order online.
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Home Base Kindergarten Registration
Home Base child care registration is beginning soon and space is limited. For more information regarding the Home Base program and upcoming registration, please refer to the Home Base website.
- Priority registration: February 4 at 7:00 a.m. - February 8 at 4:00 p.m.
(For current enrollees in any Home Base program component - Open registration: February 13 at 7:00 a.m.
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PTA News
The Birchview PTA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance learning outside the classroom, provide equitable opportunities to students and staff, create community and show appreciation for our community members.
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Lunch with a Loved One Volunteer Opportunity
The PTA needs volunteers next week to greet and assist families arriving for Lunch With a Loved One and restock/organize books during the Scholastic Book Fair.I'm a new Text block ready for your content.
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Birchview Staff Appreciation Book
Looking for cool ways to appreciate a Birchview Staff member?
The new Staff Appreciation book is here to help. Learn more about the things that light up our staff. Email Dan Neitz at danielneitz@comcast.net if you have questions use or improve the document. Insight from this book plus your creativity equals lots of wonderful moments for our awesome staff.
Please note: The link has been updated so if you were having problems getting it to work before, give it another try.
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Kids' College - Friday, April 26
Kids' College is an annual event in which Birchview students register for classes that introduce them to new interests, hobbies, cultures or vocation possibilities. The format for the event allows each child to participate in two different classes, each of which is 40 minutes in length. The more variety in the classes offered, the more enjoyable the event is for the kids. We need your help and want to encourage you to be a part of this year's Kids' College. Don't let words like teach, professor, or college scare you. Come and share an interest, hobby, or your vocation with your children's friends and classmates. The instructors do not have to be Birchview parents. If you know someone who would be willing to teach a class, please let us know.
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Volunteer Needs
Get more involved in your child's school while meeting new people and having fun! The PTA needs both event organizers and board members.
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Emergency School Closing
The superintendent may close school, delay the start of school or dismiss school early because of extreme weather or other emergency conditions. If schools are to be closed for the entire day, an announcement will be made as early as possible over WCCO 830 AM radio; WCCO-TV, Channel 4; KSTP-TV, Channel 5; KMSP-TV, Channel 9; and KARE- TV, Channel 11. Announcements will also be posted on the District’s website at wayzataschools.org and phone calls and email messages will be sent to all families using the district’s parent notification system.
Our school utilizes the SchoolMessenger system to deliver SMS text messages, straight to your mobile phone with important information. To participate in this free service, ensure that you have entered your cell phone number in the Skylert section of Skyward Family Access, then send a text message of "Y" or "Yes" to our district's short code number, 67587.
My Stop® App – Live Bus GPS Information
My Stop® is a web-based application available to all Wayzata Public School parents and students that lets them access live bus GPS information. Using a smartphone or tablet, parents and students can view the current location of buses on routes and the estimated time of arrival at their neighborhood bus stops. This simple tool gives families and students the ability to know approximately where the school bus is on its route. My Stop® displays the school bus’ approximate location on a map, as well as the estimated time of arrival (ETA) to a specific student’s bus stop. The school bus’ location is automatically updated every 1 to 2 minutes and the ETA is recalculated to accommodate any delays due to traffic while the bus is en route.
6th Grade Band & Orchestra Instrument Selection Nights
Remaining 6th Grade Band and Orchestra Instrument Selection Nights are February 11, 21 and 26. Students who are interested in playing in band or orchestra in 6th grade must sign-up for a 20-minute instrument selection time at Central Middle School.
| Band Instrument Selection Sign-up | Orchestra Instrument Selection Sign-up |
If you have questions, please contact Karen Frawley about band or Tom Pieper about orchestra.
We've had so many great Ask Ali questions flooding our inbox over the past month. Thanks to all who have submitted! We want you to know Ali, along with her network of local experts, have been working hard to answer these questions. Responses are posted every Monday on her blog at partnersinpreventionmn.org/askali. Parents, you've got to check out the responses to these questions! There are some interesting ones that have been asked; chances are you might be wondering some of these things. Keep the questions coming!
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WISHES offerings at Birchview:
Engineering Club - next session begins Feb 28
Shocking Electrical Engineering - starts March 12
Try our new class starting March 4! Meditation, Fitness, and Yoga Fun Bootcamp!
Youth and Adult Enrichment catalog is online! Check out all our offerings!
Upcoming Event:
Parenting with Vision - Gray Matter: Parenting through Complicated, Emerging Trends - A panel of experts discussing the difficult in-between areas of parenting. From vaping to privacy, these are just two of the gray topics that parents face trying to address emerging trends and raising youth in a world where things aren’t black and white. Tuesday, March 12, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Central Middle School
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Calendar
School Events
District Events
School Board Meetings
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425 Ranchview Lane, Plymouth, MN 55447 | 763-745-5300