Greetings for Birney families and friends from Ms. Amanda:
This fall, we welcome our new principal, Ms. Graciela Rosas. If you did not see her letter of introduction, it is attached here. Ms. Rosas will filling my shoes with much more stylish ones than my Keens and Uggs, for sure! I am delighted to have her lead the Birney Bees to even greater achievements. Although Ms. Rosas officially started her year at Birney on July 22, we have been in constant communication over the summer and the school year is 95% set up - pending final approval of events from Ms. Rosas, the Birney School Governance Team, Birney staff and our "Beekeeper Alliance." Make sure your email is up-to-date in case of any changes and be sure to check back here on our webpage for any updates.
I want to make sure you have a sense of the earliest dates and events. Grab a beverage, a pen and your calendar and get to work - this is the year you don't want to forget any of the fun or important things happening at your kids' school, it means so much to them when you show you care about their school.
Monday, July 29 - Office reopens 8:00-4:00 for enrollment, etc. Call (619) 497-3500 with questions.
Monday, August 5 - Kindergarten Orientation and Assessment, 9:00-2:00, Auditorium; TK Orientation 9:00-2:00 on primary playground/TK classrooms - Sign-up emails were sent in June, I have linked the sign ups to click on if you haven't already. Click the link for more information.
Friday, August 9 - New family welcome/orientation, Beekeeper Alliance (Parent Organizations), 5:00-6:00, Auditorium. Enter school through the red auditorium doors, then leave through the main gate when it's time.
Friday, August 9 - ”Big Reveal” - New family welcome and playground playdate, Parent Organizations, 6:00, blacktop; class lists posted, Parent Portal reactivated.
Monday, August 12 - Wednesday, August 14 - 1:30 dismissal all 3 days
Monday, August 12 - First day of School (1:30 dismissal)
Monday, August 12 - "Boo-Hoo-Ray" parent coffee and treats 8:45-9:45, front of school - mingle with the other sobbing (boohooing) or ecstatic (hooraying) parents, ask your questions, have a coffee, calm your nerves - we got this! See you at 1:30 for pick up!
Tuesday, August 13 - Second day of school (1:30 dismissal) - no coffee this time, you already know the routine!
Wednesday, August 14 - Every Wednesday is 1:30 dismissal from here on out
Monday-Friday, August 19-August 23 - Birney Specials begin - if you're new you'll learn about Specials. They are what makes us special for sure. On Specials day you will want to make sure they have PE shoes and clothes that can get dirty (garden class, art class). The Specials schedule is:
MONDAY MORNING: 1ST GRADE; TUESDAY MORNING: 3RD GRADE; TUESDAY AFTERNOON: 5TH GRADE; THURSDAY MORNING: 2ND GRADE; THURSDAY AFTERNOON: 4TH GRADE; FRIDAY: K AND TK
Thursday, August 29 - Birney Beekeepers (BBA) Parent Meeting, Auditorium, 6 pm, dinner/childcare provided - come get to know other parents and network, ask all those questions, don't be shy!
Friday, August 30 - Family Friday, 2:30-3:35: Meet the teachers & class - 2:30-3:00 auditorium, 3:00-3:35 meet the teacher (format still under consideration)
Monday, September 2 - No School: Labor Day Holiday
Saturday, September 21 - SATURDAY SCHOOL ABSENCE/TARDY MAKE-UP DAY, 9:00-1:00 - if your child has had an absence, they can make it up at Saturday School. After each Saturday School, we post the Limo List of all the children who have ZERO absences and ZERO tardies, and students who qualify at the end of the year will get a limo ride to Mariposa Ice Cream! Last year we took just over 200 students with perfect (or nearly perfect) attendance. The kids LOVE Saturday School - what better way to get a guilt-free, kid-free morning?
Thursday, September 26 - Birney Beekeepers (BBA) Meeting, Auditorium, 6 pm, dinner/childcare
Friday, September 27 - Morning Buzz Coffee/Treats, front of school, 8:45-9:45
Friday, September 27 - Family Friday, 2:30-3:35: International Day of Peace: 2:30 Auditorium, 3:15: Blacktop for Peace Sign picture from drone
Monday, September 30 - School Picture Day - they will want to look their best!
Thursday, October 3 - 1:30 dismissal for Learning Contract Conferences
Friday, October 4 - No School: Off-calendar day
Monday, October 7 - School Picture Make-Up Day - just in case you missed Picture Day
Saturday, October 12 - SATURDAY SCHOOL absence/tardy make-up day, 9:00-1:00