It’s proven that integrating arts and enrichment into the classroom engages and motivates students. The PTO is fortunate enough to work with BOCES of the Capital Region to schedule and fund assemblies, field trips, STEM activities, hands on learning, and more! What this means for you is we’re able to offer all of these invaluable opportunities to your children at no cost to you! We have exciting things already planned and many in the works! If you are interested in helping with Arts in Education events please contact Libbie.
A letter was mailed home over the summer explaining the changes in visiting the classrooms after the Halloween parade. As a reminder, parents who are helpers in their classrooms Halloween parties will be able to enter the school. Everyone else is more than welcome to go to the parade and we hope to see you there. If you have not heard from your homeroom parents about class parties yet you should soon and can always reach out to your teacher with any questions about the parties. Any questions regarding the security measures dictating this change should go to Mrs Berndt at 518-344-2910.
Calling all ghouls, ghost and goblins!
Shouting to all wizards, witches and warlocks!
Save-the-Date to join us for
Birchwood's Annual MONSTER MASH
* Friday October 26th from 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
* Food, Entertainment, Dancing, and Prizes
It will be an awesome night with plenty of tricks and treats for all!
We hope to you see you there.
Additional details and ticket sales coming soon.
Birchwood PTO Online – Update today!
Have you updated your family info on the PTO website for the 2018-19 school year? Log in to birchwoodpto.org (or register if you don’t already have an account), and go to ‘My Account’ to update your info for the 2018-19 school year. Pay dues ($15 per family) to gain access to the PTO directory.
Benefits of registering:
Sign up for open volunteer positions (lots still open!!)
Access to after school enrichment sign up
Online directory
Pay your dues and event fees online – no more need to send in checks!
The Staff Appreciation Breakfast is coming up on Monday, October 22nd. Please help us by signing up to send in breakfast goodies to say thank you to the wonderful faculty and staff we have at Birchwood!
After School Enrichment Program (ASEP)
It’s time to sign up for Birchwood’s After School Enrichment Program (ASEP). The ASEP Committee has put together a series of courses that should prove to be enjoyable and educational for all participating students.
There is a fee associated with each course to cover the expense of offering the course. The committee is aware that the assignment of fees may prohibit students from participating. Therefore, we have created ASEP “Scholarships,†PTO funds set aside for this specific purpose. If you would like to take advantage of these funds, please call Mrs. Berndt at 518-344-2910 or send a note care of the main office. All requests/inquiries are confidential.
Time is running out!! Slime Time on Thursday’s is now open to all grades - we need a couple more registrants to reach the minimum number of students. Optical Illusions might be pushed out to the spring due to low registration. https://birchwoodpto.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/2669
Thank You to Our Volunteers!
The Birchwood PTO would like to thank all of the parents that stepped up to help save Monster Mash this year! You stepped up and had a great response to the call for volunteers and 12 parents are now volunteering for Monster Mash. We know that everybody couldn't volunteer for this immediate need, but please remember to check future events that you can volunteer for. The PTO needs the help of parents like you to pull off all of these amazing projects and events for your students. If you have any questions about volunteering for any upcoming events or programs, please reach out to any PTO Board member. Thank you!
Nature Park After School Program
The Symbolic Monarch Butterfly Migration: Uniting Children Across North America
Students in the 3rd Grade are invited to participate in the 23nd annual "Symbolic Monarch Butterfly Migration" with students across North America. Over 60,000 students in the United States and Canada will create symbolic butterflies this fall and send them to Mexico for the winter. At the monarch sanctuaries in Mexico, children will protect the symbolic butterflies and send them north in the spring. The symbolic butterflies build bridges of communication between students in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. United by the monarch butterfly, children across North America learn authentic lessons of conservation, cooperation, and ambassadorship.
Click here to Register! Contact Katie Cowley-Cooper with any questions; cowleycooper.katie@gmail.com
CAP COM Fire Prevention Week Drawing Contest
CAP COM is celebrating National Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2018. This year’s theme is “Look. Listen. Learn.†Participants are invited to submit a drawing of how you would use your eyes, ears and nose to spot a fire, then alert others. Four winners in each age category will receive a $25 VISA® Gift Card. Drawings must be received by Monday, October, 1, 2018.
Additionally, CAP COM will donate $250 to 11 local Fire Departments to thank them for their hard work and dedication to our community.
Find more details and download the entry form HERE. An entry form must be submitted with the drawing.
Thank you to everyone who's completed the PTO Annual Survey. If you haven't already, please fill one out today. We want to hear from you!
