August 22, 2011
Dear Birch Meadow families,
Welcome back for the beginning of the 2011 - 2012 school year. Teachers and staff are excited and energized for the start of the school year. We hope you and your children are looking forward to the year as well. Birch Meadow will continue with the energy and enthusiasm that makes our school a special place for your children.
Since the summer began we experienced a number of changes which will further enhance you and your children’s experience at Birch Meadow. We have purchased additional computers which students can use in the classroom, a new SMART board was added to the library, additional cameras were purchased to enhance instruction, the walls in two of the hallways were painted by some dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, the display case in the lobby was polished and sliding glass doors replaced the solid glass pane, and the building looks great due to the hard work of our facilities office and custodial team.
Along with these improvements in the building I ask you also keep in mind supervision on the playground or in the cafeteria will not be available until 8:10 AM. The building doors will still open at 8:15 and our day officially begins at 8:25. The entrance to the traffic circle in front of the building will be open at 8:10. We ask parents dropping off in the circle pull as far forward as possible and soon as your car has come to a complete stop your child may exit the car anywhere along the curb. This will allow for many cars to unload simultaneously and therefore the line of cars has a better chance to keep moving. Thank you for your support and cooperation.
I hope you will join me as we welcome new staff to Birch Meadow this year:
• Mrs. Bell is our new kindergarten teacher
• Mrs. Casavant is our new special education teacher
• Mr. McCracken is our new PE teacher
• Ms. Steiger is our new music teacher
• Ms. Prindiville is our part time music teacher
• Mrs. Kwiatek will be our reading specialist
• Ms. Visconti is our new secretary
• Mrs. Devaney is working as a para educator in kindergarten with Vicki Bell
• Mrs. Anderson will be a student teacher with Janis Gerety
• Mrs. Bentubo will be filling in for Mrs. Lambert’s maternity leave
• Mrs. Santilli is the new district technology integration specialist for all elementary schools.
Since the summer began a few staff members have left for personal or professional opportunities. We wish the following people good luck in their future:
• Ms. Pelosi, a reading tutor and sub, relocated to New Hampshire
• Mrs. Bjarngard, a paraprofessional in the learning center and kindergarten, accepted a new role at Wood End
It is my goal to continue the greatness of Birch Meadow. The staff and I are committed to delivering a high quality education for your children. We look forward to a successful year. If we can be of any assistance, or if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me here at Birch Meadow at esprung@reading.k12.ma.us or 781-944-2335. We are partners in your child’s education.
Please review the district calendar to monitor important school dates throughout the year. See important dates below.
Wednesday, August 31st
First day of school
Wednesday, August 31st
AM kindergarten students, full day kindergarten students, and 1st grade - 11 AM dismissal time;
PM kindergarten - No school
Grades 2 – 5, 12:45 PM dismissal time
Thursday, September 1st
AM kindergarten students, full day kindergarten students, and 1st grade - 11 AM dismissal time
First day for PM kindergarten 12:00 PM – 2:45 PM
Grades 2 – 5, 2:45 dismissal time
Friday, September 2nd
No-School
Monday, September 6th
Labor Day Holiday – No School
Friday, September 16th
Picture Day
Thursday September 29th
Rosh Hashanah – No School
I hope you have a great year and I look forward to seeing you on Birch Meadow Curriculum Nights:
September 12th -- grades K-2
September 14th -- grades 3-5.
Sincerely,
Eric Sprung
