Welcome to Birchwood Elementary PTO!

School Principal:    
Debra Berndt
PTO Co-Presidents: 
Deb Foley
Dave Apkarian
The role of the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) is to organize educational and social programs that bring the Birchwood community together. These activities and programs are supported by fundraising activities throughout the year. All parents,caregivers and staff are welcome to be part of the PTO!
Birchwood Bulletin: Birchwood events and programs are announced in the weekly Birchwood Bulletin, which is sent by email on Thursdays. If you are not getting the email bulletin, or need to change your email address, fill out this form.
Calendars: you can also check out events and meetings on the Birchwood PTO Events Calendar. Additional school-based, non-PTO events are posted here and on the Birchwood Elementary School  Programs page. The Niskayuna School District is no longer printing its calendar for budget reasons, but it can be viewed or printed here.
In a hurry, and only need to know one little thing--like, how to pay for school lunch? When Monster Mash is? How to get your directory? Use the "Search this site" box (above right) to find info FAST!
The Arts In Education Committee has another great assembly coming up! Opera Saratoga's 2014 "Opera to Go" Program will be performing The Billy Goats Gruff  at Birchwood on Friday, March 14, 2014 at 9:00 AM for all students (K-5). Find out more about the program and the show here!  There's also a fun and informational guide about the show that both parents and teachers can use.
School Configuration Update
At the Tues. Feb 4th Board meeting, the School Board voted to table consideration of any potential school closure for another year.
The Board also voted to begin consideration of redrawing elementary school attendance lines for the 2014-15 school year. This is expected to impact some families at all five schools.  Discussion on this topic will be resumed at the next Board of Education meeting.  For schedule and agenda of all BOE meetings, go here.
The 2014-15 School District Budget Development process is underway.  Once again, the district is facing a budget shortfall of approximately $2.6 million due to the increasing costs of pension funds and the annual cuts in school state aid.  Parents and community members input is needed to guide the board's decisions about area cuts, but also to assist in developing new revenue streams which are desperately needed for our district to continue to thrive. The BOE calender for this year's budget development meetings is available here.


Birchwood's Book of the Month Club!

Our next Birchwood Book Club meeting will be Friday, February 28, from 2:15 - 3pm in the Media Center!
This time around you can read any book you want that has something to do with friendship.
Please come prepared to share the book you have read!
More information and registration form HERE!
(click the pic to see this month's school lunch menu!)
Birchwood's After School Enrichment Program is Underway! Children are loving their exciting classes! Don't forget, no ASEP on half days. For all class dates, please refer to the Winter ASEP Booklet.  Remember, pick up is at 3:15 at the ASEP 
class location. 
Due to the snow day, all Wednesday ASEP classes will go one week later as a make-up. Boot Camp did not meet on 2/11 and will be made up on 3/25. Mr.Parisi's Basketball class will not meet on March 10. That class will meet on March 17 instead. If you have any questions please email Pam Ober or call her at 785-8729.
Birchwood Community Members Make the News!
Click here to read about recent achievements and triumphs of Birchwood community members and alumnus. Find out, for example, about our Birchwood 5th graders' amazing, totally kid-driven effort to befriend and support Marine Troops in Afghanistan!
You can also find out more about community organizations and events (such as N-CAP's Niska-Game and Niska-Day) that support Niskayuna students and families here.  

A community forum titled "Creating Balance in our Kid's Heavily Scheduled Lives" will be presented at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 10th at the Niskayuna Reformed Church. David Olsen of Samaritan Counseling Center will lead the discussion. This forum is the third in a series presented in partnership with Niskayuna Central Schools, Rev. Scott DeBlock, Father Bob Longobucco, Rabbi Matt Cutler and N-CAP. More information available here.
Save the Date: Birchwood's Fun Fair will be March 14! Join friends for games, treats, and our traditional staff raffle. (March 21 will be the snow date).
THE FUN FAIR NEEDS YOU! Please consider working a one hour shift for this year's Fun Fair on March 14. Sign up to sell tickets, food service, assist with staff raffle sales, sell 50/50 tickets, or supervise the games in the gym. Pick your hour: 5:30, 6:30 or 7:30 (first shift helps to set up while the last shift assists with clean up). Please contact Paulette at pkdoudoukjian@gmail.com to volunteer today!
"Souper" Staff Appreciation Luncheon!
We are asking for your help to recognize our amazing staff at our annual Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Because our staff is so "Souper!" we're having a soup and salad buffet for them on Wednesday, March 12th. Please sign up to bring a crock pot of soup, salad, or dessert.
We can also use help setting and cleaning up--all volunteers are welcome!
Sign up with ease to bring food or volunteer your time at:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4FABAB29A57-staff.
Please contact Suzanne Brooksby at suzierunsl8@gmail.com or Joni Bonilla at jonisdoggietrain@yahoo.com with any questions.
I

t's Yearbook Order Time!
Yearbook order forms went home last week and are due March 24.  
You can also order online!  Go to ybpay.lifetouch.com and use ID Code 10694314.
Personal ads are still available!  Make this year’s yearbook extra special for your child with a personal ad from your family! Order forms for personal ads have been sent home in backpacks. Be sure to return your completed order form to the main office and email Amy Jasiewicz your child’s name, photo, and message. Ads are $15 each. Note that not all photos from camera-phones are high-resolution for print. Deadline for order forms, payment, messages, and photos is March 10th, but please do not wait until the deadline -- we would like as much time as possible to design your ad. Thanks for supporting the yearbook!
PTO Volunteer Positions Always Available!
Want to help with a PTO event or committee? Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents and learn more about
Birchwood. We recruit volunteers on a rolling basis to be PTO committee chairs and members, and/or "just-once" event helpers for the 2013-14 school year. 
See what's available and sign up online (print form here). Email us with any questions!
Did you know that Birchwood has a new school pledge? 
I pledge today to do my best,
In reading, math and all the rest.
I come prepared with all I need,
And make good choices to succeed. 
Nisky District News & Info are constantly being updated on the district website.  Highlights of district news impacting the Birchwood Community are also periodically updated here.  Check it out to find out more about district art and music, organizations like Nisky FOM, and the NCSD's upcoming 60th Birthday!
We welcome your comments and suggestions!  Please let us know what you think of the Birchwood PTO Webpage:

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