School Principal: Debra Berndt PTO Co-Presidents: Deb Foley Dave Apkarian 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!
Calling Birchwood gardeners and nature-lovers! The Birchwood Nature Park is coming out of
hibernation! Thanks to the 70+ budding gardeners who requested and received a Birchwood PTO custom-made planting kit. Hopefully you've planted your pots and are waiting to see some green. Take good care of your seedlings--there will be a planting event in May where you can come plant them in our great new vegetable beds at Birchwood! Questions? Contact Deb Foley.  Friends of Music would like to share upcoming dates for our musically talented students.
Congratulations to all our Birchwood musicians and vocalists on your hard work!! Elementary District Orchestra, 5th Grade Thursday, April 10th Niskayuna High School, 7:00 PM Elementary District Band, 5th Grade Thursday, April 24th Niskayuna High School, 7:00 PM Birchwood Chorus & Birchwood 4th Grade Strings Tuesday, May 13th Niskayuna High School, 7:00 PM  Kids earn $10 for each report card with the CapCOM Great Grades program! Students enrolled in the CapCOM school banking program can either email their March report card to greatgrades@capcomfcu.org or give a copy to School Banking reps by the end of April. Students can earn $30 per year for report card submissions and even more by participating in the CapCom Reading program. If your student isn't enrolled in School Banking, or you'd like more information, go here to find out more!  Birchwood’s 4th Annual Poetry “Open Mic” Night will be held on Thursday, May 29th, 2014 in the Birchwood cafetorium from 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM.Students: It’s time to start thinking about what poem you may want to read, or maybe you will write a poem for all of us to enjoy! Parents, teachers and staff: we want to hear your favorite poems as well. Watch in the coming weeks for sign-up sheets and more information.  Sad to See You Go! Our long-time school Secretary, Barbara San Angelo, has announced she will be retiring at the end of April, in order to spend more time with her family. We will all miss her very much, but we are grateful for her eight-plus years of service to Birchwood! Please welcome interim Secretary Carole Hourigan, who will be helping us finish out the school year through June. Mrs. Hourigan is a retired building secretary from one of Niskayuna's elementary schools.  (click the pic to see this month's school lunch menu!)  The Birchwood PTO will earn 5% of your total purchase when you present this flyer at checkout (flyer is required). It's a great opportunity to save a little money when outfitting your growing kids . . . all while helping Birchwood!  Are you webpage guru (or just play one on TV?). If not, do you want to be one? We're looking for someone to work on the Birchwood PTO website in partnership with current Webmaster Kim McClive-Reed during the 2014-15 school year, and to take over as Webmaster in 2015-16. Training is provided and no experience is required, though if you have experience in Google Sites or another do-it-yourself website program, you'll have a headstart! Working on the website is a great way to keep up with everything going on in the school and sharpen your tech and designer skills at the same time. It doesn't look too shabby on your resume, either. If you're interested in finding out more about the position, contact Kim McClive-Reed. She's really fun to work with. You'll see. :) Birchwood Community Members Make  the News! 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. |  Superintendent of Schools Susan Salvaggio has announced her resignation, which
will be effective on April 15th. The full announcement is available here. 2014-15 School District Budget Development  The schedule and information for all of this year's budget development meetings is available here. This information includes the recently published 2014-15 proposed budget summary. The schedule and materials for regular BOE meetings (which are also currently budget-focused) is here. At the previous board meeting on March 10th, district administration gave an update on the budget gap and on a recent request by the State Dept. of Education for partial repayment of building state aid. More information is available in District News. Parents and community members are also strongly encouraged to contact Assemblyman Phil Steck, Senator Farley and Senator Breslin (represents Colonie). These representatives have worked tirelessly to support increases in state aid funding for the Niskayuna School District as part of the final FY 2014-15 State Budget. Our representatives continue to advocate for us, and are enabled to do so with documented support (letters and emails) from you to present to the governor as proof of what the public wants! The District has also posted contact information for the governor and our federal representatives, a sample letter, and other helpful information on a new "Budget Advocacy" webpage here.  Oh, the DRAMA! ASEP Drama Club Weds & Fri April 9, (no 11), 23, 25, 30; May 2, 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 28, 30 PERFORMANCES June 3! The 4th and 5th graders of the Drama Club (a new ASEP class) had their first meeting (including auditions) for the play "Tom Sawyer" on April 9th. Mrs. Luyckx and Mrs. Albanese are leading this talented troupe through several weeks of rehearsal, costuming and set-building. We're expecting a fantastic performance on Tues., June 3rd (one during the school day and another at 7:00 PM for families and friends.) Questions? Contact Mrs. Luyckx for Drama Club information and Pam Ober for help with registration.  It's Almost Niska Day (May 17th) and Birchwood needs help with the beautiful Birchwood banner in time for the big parade! It's getting more and more difficult to carry the banner (it's heavy and the kids keep stepping on it) We need some alterations, including constructing a new, longer rod and shortening the length of the fabric. Anyone even semi-experienced in these matters should contact Amy Jasiewicz. PTO Volunteer Position Signups OPEN for 2014-15!  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 and during an annual spring "Volunteer Drive" to be PTO committee chairs and members, and/or "just-once" event helpers. Signup for the 2014-15 school year is open! See what's available and sign up online (print form coming soon). You can also email us to volunteer and with any questions you have! The District has created a Summer Enrichment Program   It's not too late to get a yearbook! There a re a few left, and the cost is $23.00. Contact Millie Gnatek to purchase.ALSO Birchwsood Spirit Wear order forms will be coming home with your children the Monday after vacation.
We need to have all orders in by that Friday so that we can be sure to receive everything by Niska Day!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.  |
Welcome to Birchwood Elementary PTO! |
