Parent Newsletter

March 7, 2019

Birchview Header Photo

A Message from Mr. Fredrickson

Dear Families,

 

We Need You! One of the unique offerings we have at Birchview is Kids' College. This is a chance for students to explore learning in multiple, unique ways that don't normally happen in an elementary setting. It is really a special event.

 

However, we need adults to pull off this event.

 

Currently, we have 9 classes for kids college. We need at least 16 more to run the event!  Because of the planning it takes to get students into classes of their choice, we need to have enough volunteers by Monday, March 25 or we are going to have to cancel.

 

Please consider teaching a class on something of interest to you. So far our classes are: 

  • Basic training
  • Brainz
  • Critter Close up
  • May day baskets
  • Berry much fun with DNA
  • Sew a picture
  • Dance
  • Silly scientist
  • Basketball 

If you are unable to be a professor for Kids' College, please consider talking to grandparents, friends, aunts, uncles, etc. about being part of this rewarding experience for both students and adults. A sign-up sheet is coming home today with your child. You can learn more by clicking this link. You can also sign up electronically by clicking this link.

 

Thanks for considering, professors!

 

Mr. Fredrickson

Did You Know?

 
Image
 

Trojan Pride Shout-out

Our Trojan Pride shout out this week goes to Evan, Zachery, Will, Malek, Shantalle, Miss Allison, Aarav, and King. Great work to these students for showing Trojan Pride in the lunchroom, hallways, Bright Start, and their classrooms. Keep up the good work!

Birchview's Prevent Hunger Food Drive

The Minnesota Food Share Campaign is taking place in March. Student Council will participate by holding our annual food drive from March 18-22. We have partnered with Interfaith Outreach Food Shelf to support them in providing nourishing meals to kids in our community. Please donate non-perishables such as canned vegetables, meat, fruit, meal-in-a-can or box, soup, cereal, rice, potatoes, pasta, healthy snacks for kids, or anything else you find on your pantry shelves! We will also collect household items such as cleaning products, diapers, toilet paper, paper towels, and other personal care items. We will also accept monetary donations. Interfaith Outreach has several partnerships that match these donations, making a larger impact than we may be able to at the grocery store. Each $100 in donations we collect can source $900 worth of food, providing 435 meals! Donations can be made at iocp.org/donate.

Low Cost Dental Services

Our next Children's Dental Services clinic at myHealth For Teens & Young Adults will be March 20,  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The clinics fill up fast, so please call and schedule early.

Specialists News

Wondering what is happening in specialists? Senora Erickson is sharing what is going on in Spanish.

Parent Input Form

During the spring teachers begin developing class lists for next year.  They use many factors in making decisions regarding student class placement, including input from parents.  If you would like to provide input regarding class placement for next year, please fill out the parent input form and return to the office no later than March 27.

Reminders

Note from the Health Office

We are seeing a large number of students with illnesses coming to school. Please help promote a healthy school environment by preventing exposure and spread of illness. Please report all illnesses or health conditions to the Health Service at 763-745-5315. When parents are called about a child who has become ill during the school day, it is the expectation that the child will be picked up within one hour. Parent cooperation is appreciated. If you have questions about these guidelines, please call one of the District Nurses.

Last Chance for Yearbooks

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.

PTA News

 
Birchview PTA Logo
 

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.

Birchview Staff Appreciation Book

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.

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.

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.

Around the District

Spring 2019 Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs)
Over the next several weeks, elementary students in grades 3-5 will be completing the 2019 Reading and Math Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs). Students in grade 5 will also take a Science MCA. If you have questions about the specific day(s) your child will be taking the MCAs, please contact your child’s teacher.

MCA Purpose, Use, and Results Information


Are Your Kids Ready?
Following the Minnesota State Statute 121A.15 (School immunization requirements) and Wayzata Public School Immunization Policy and Regulation, your child will not be able to start or remain enrolled at school without an immunization record that is up-to-date, actively in progress or without a legal exemption. Note: there are additional requirements for Kindergarten and 7th grade. It is best to receive vaccinations from your primary care provider, but in the event that you are unable to see your primary provider or if you do not have insurance that covers the cost of vaccinations, Wayzata Public Schools is a participant in the Park Nicollet Barrier Free Immunization Initiative. This program allows immunization-only visits on a same-day appointment basis, immunizes children without a doctor visit and provides immunizations with no direct charge to families.


Partners in Prevention Ask Ali

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!


Community Education

WISHES offerings at Birchview:
Engineering Club - next session begins April 11
Grandmasters of Chess - next session starts April 12
3D Minecraft Masterpiece - April 23
The Mechanics of Gizmos and Gadgets - begins May 21


Computer Sciences for Elementary: Python/Cloud Computing - Wednesdays, 6:30-7:45 p.m. at CMS, starts March 20

Youth and Adult Enrichment catalog is online! Check out all our offerings!


Upcoming Event: 
Young Scientist Roundtable - Sustainability of Plastics
Tuesday, April 9, 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Central Middle School

Event is free with no registration required.


Calendar

School Events

Thursday, March 14, 2019
3:10 PM - 4:30 PM
 
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
 
Monday, April 8, 2019
All day
 
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
All day
 
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
All day
 
Thursday, April 11, 2019
All day
 
All day
 
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
 

District Events

Tuesday, April 9, 2019
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
 

School Board Meetings

Monday, March 25, 2019
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 
Monday, April 8, 2019
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM