PTA

Briarlake ES 
 Week 6: 
September 11th-17th 



This Week: Odyssey of the Mind meeting, Surveys, Chick-fil-A Spirit Night and more! 
Box Tops for Education
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION - Little Things Mean A Lot!
$10,583.23! That is how much Briarlake has earned over the years from collecting Box Tops! Little things really do add up. A great way to get your children involved in raising funds for Briarlake is by helping you collect and clip Box Tops. Look for collection sheets in your child's Friday folder or print them online at www.BoxTops4Education.com .

Encourage your child to paste Box Tops to the collection sheet -- make it fun! Clipped Box Tops can also be submitted in baggies labeled with the number of Box Tops you are donating. Either way, drop them off in the Box Top Collection Box provided in the front office.

In addition to clipping and submitting Box Tops, you can now earn eBox Tops for 
Briarlake at www.BoxTops4Education.com. Just sign up online and designate Briarlake as the school you wish to support. Please bring in your Box Tops by October 14th to meet our Fall Deadline. Contact our 2016-17 Box Top Coordinator,  Mark Cochran  if you have questions or want to help! .
Parent Sponsors Needed for New Briarlake Clubs
4-H provides youth ages 9 and up with the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities such as STEM activities, environmental and agricultural activities, leadership development, summer camps, community service, and project competitions. We are looking for 1 or 2 interested parents to help get 4H started at Briarlake. You will be paired with a Staff Sponsor to help create this exciting opportunity for the children of Briarlake. Training and support will be provided via DeKalb County's 4H program. Contact Sonya Tinsley-Hook at stinsleyhook@gmail.com if you are interested!
Looking for 1 or 2 interested parents to help get a beginning Coding & Robotics club up and running at Briarlake. Club will be open to 4th and 5th graders. You will be paired with a Briarlake Staff Sponsor to help create this exciting opportunity for the children of Briarlake.  Contact Sonya Tinsley-Hook at stinsleyhook@gmail.com if you are interested!   
 
Track Club
Track Club (ages 7+) will begin 
September 15, 2:30-3:30  on the Briarlake Track. Please fill out the online permission slip.
 
BRIARLAKE BEAVER BOOST CLASSROOM CHALLENGE!!!
BRIARLAKE BEAVER BOOST CLASSROOM CHALLENGE!!!


Every class with 100% participation in the Boost will win a pizza party with Bucky the Beaver!

Mrs. Francis is catching up to Mrs. Spencer...who can surpass them?! Here are the standings so far:

Teacher
Participation
PK Wise
16%
K Baerman
38%
K McCarthy
35%
K Tonka
13%
1st Graham
23%
1st Sinclair
14%
1st Ward
33%
2nd Coffman
28%
2nd Law
26%
2nd Pittman
27%
2nd Roseberry
31%
3rd Conner
21%
3rd Foege
38%
3rd Reynolds
40%
4th Echols
24%
4th Moehlich
33%
4th Spencer
50%
5th Evans
15%
5th Foy
35%
5th Francis
45%
Warbington/Moseley
0%


Total donations so far: $8,773  (THANK YOU!)

 
Help us reach our goal: $20,000 by October 22!
 
The Beaver Boost is the PTA's primary annual fundraising effort. 100% of the money raised stays with the school. The suggested donation is $125 per family. Donors at this level will receive a Briarlake tote bag. Donations of ≥ $300 are entered in a raffle for an iPad! Donations from Grandparents, other relatives, and Briarlake alums are welcome and encouraged! Your donation is tax deductible (tax ID #58-6072359).
  
The Beaver Boost accepts donations via PayPal
undefined, check, cash, and  AffiniPay 

QUESTIONS?: Contact Ann Chahroudi or Anjevon Smith
 
The Odyssey of the Mind
Interest Meeting September 13th 
The Odyssey of the Mind is a student extracurricular competition which helps students develop creative thinking, problem-solving, and develop team-building skills. It involves forming teams of students who can then develop their ideas over the course of the year, depending on the schedule their team sets for themselves. Problems are STEAM oriented, with building, literary, artistic, and engineering components. There is a division for K-2nd grade and another division for 3-5th grade.
 
An interest meeting will be held in the BES cafeteria 6pm, September 13. Kids and parents who are interested should both attend.
 
Can't wait until then? Find more info at:
http://www.odysseyofthemind.com/materials/2017problems.php.

If you cannot make the meeting but are still interested, please contact Heather Hopper.

 
AdvancED Continuous Improvement Parent Survey
Dear Parent/Guardian,

DeKalb County School District and all of its schools are engaged in an ongoing continuous improvement process, of which all stakeholders are an integral part.

Briarlake Elementary School is using the AdvancED Parent Survey as a means to elicit your opinions to help target areas for the school system to improve and areas to continue to be effective. The five sections on the survey represent the five AdvancED Standards for Quality School Systems and provide a means for learning about parent expectations of a high-quality school system.

Your opinion is important to us, and we ask that you take the time to complete this survey. The online survey will be available from  September 6, 2016 - September 30, 2016. In order to complete the survey, please click on this  link.  

AdvancED requires 60% staff (certified and non-certified); 40% students; and 20% parents to complete the stakeholder surveys. This participation also impacts our STEM status.  We are working to include all stakeholders aforementioned. Be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous and your honest opinions are appreciated. 

If you have any questions about this survey, please contact  Ms. Natasha Stansfield or  (678) 874-2502. Thank you in advance for supporting Briarlake Elementary School's improvement efforts.

Sincerely,
Jamela Lewis
Principal

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WUnSwQSfpHo9MhUPe4BS0qDzUsJa6OjiJJdgjb1PO4U/edit?usp=sharing
Secondary Schools Study: Survey Due by Sept 16th!
Round 3 of the  Secondary   School  Study has begun.  Click  here   for more information and to complete the   ONLINE SURVEY  (available til  September 16th ).  

We urge you to take the time to complete the online survey after determining what you feel is best for the county and best for Briarlake.  

Option A has the greatest projected cost, but does not include split feeders.

Option B is the only option that proposes split feeder schools.  

Option C is similar to Option A with the addition of the relocation of the Chamblee Magnet programs.  


 
Green Team Litter Pick-Up
Sunday, September 18th  from  3-4pm
The Go Green Team Litter Pick Up has a new date and time! Join us on  Sunday, September 18th from 3-4pm to pick up litter around the campus. Gloves and bags will be provided. Cub Scout Pack 528 will be picking up trash along LaVista Rd in front of our school during that time, so join the fun and help keep our campus clean! 

School Council: 1st Academic Challenge Due Sept. 23rd
Our first Academic Challenge is a Social Studies based challenge that will be tied to the PTA's International Night.  It is focused on the social impact of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), and how STEM helps people in different countries improve their environment and/or quality of life.

Please read more about it here
Calling All Student Artists and Art Lovers!
PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home. Students from PK - 5 and of all abilities may participate and explore the arts based on the 2016-17 theme: What is Your Story?

Categories are: Dance, Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.

Take a photo! Draw a picture! Make a video or a dance! Students may submit a project from any of these categories. 
Last year Briarlake had students winners at the District and State level.

Update: Entries must be received in Briarlake's office by Oct 4. 

Questions about how to participate? Click  PTA Reflections or contact   Michelle Beule.

Fall Festival Team Members Needed
We have filled 15 of our 19 Fall Festival Team positions! Just 4 more team positions to fill and we'll be ready to hold Briarlake's most popular community-building event. We are looking for people to join the teams below:

 

1. Festival Lead(s) - Keeper of the central checklist/ central point of contact for questions, miscellaneous decisions


2. Logistics/Venue/Set-Up/Clean-Up (tables, chairs, garbage, recycling, borrowing tents, parking) - Coordinate getting tables, chairs, etc. from Briarlake school. Coordinate set up and clean up (with the help of many volunteers)

3. Sponsorships - Reach out to last year's sponsors and coordinate sponsorships. Most of our sponsors happily return each year!

Email Emily Graybill at emily.graybill@gmail.com or Sonya Tinsley-Hook stinsleyhook@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
September Important Dates to Remember

Tuesday, 9/13- Signing Choir Begins, 7:05am
  Odyssey of the Mind Interest Session, 6pm

Thursday, 9/15- School Picture Makeup Day
   Track Club Begins, 2:30pm
   Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night 5pm-7pm

Friday, 9/16- Secondary School Survey Completion Deadline

Sunday, 9/18Go Green Team Litter Cleanup 3-4pm

Tuesday, 9/20- Environmental Club Begins, 2:30pm
    Parent Teacher Conference Night
    State of the District Address, Tucker HS, 7:00-8:30

Friday, 9/23- First Academic Challenge Due

Sunday, 9/25- Briarlake Foundation Board Meeting 7-9pm

Tuesday, 9/27- PTA General Membership Meeting 5:30-6:00pm
     PTA International Night 6-7:30pm

Friday, 9/30- AdvancED Parent Survey due
     STEM Day

September Breakfast                 September Lunch
After-care 
Aftercare payments are going digital!  Here is the link to the Web Store.

Check out the "About us" section of the Briarlake Website so that you can keep informed about activities, fees, and schedules.

Sign up for important updates from Mrs. Hamilton through the after-care remind account.  Text the message @a8a67 to the number  81010.
Briarlake Pat on the Back
Did You Know?
In 2015-2016, Briarlake had 1st place County winners in both the Technology and Social Studies Fairs?
State of the District Address

DeKalb Parent Councils United will host the State of the District Address w
ith Superintendent Dr. R. Stephen Green on Tuesday, September 20 from 7 to 8:30pm at Tucker High School.  Be sure to arrive early for networking and refreshments from 6:30 to 7:00pm.
 
Oak Grove Consignment Sale
Oak Grove Young Children's School
1722 Oak Grove Road Decatur, GA 30033
Fall/Winter consignment sale

High Quality children's clothing (size newborn-14), shoes, Halloween costumes, toys, books, music, movies, games, nursery & baby items, strollers, car seats, swings, highchairs, gliders, play kitchens, bikes, outdoor toys, sporting goods, furniture, and more!  Sale will take place in gym and Fellowship Hall

Friday, September 23rd 9:15 am-1:30pm 
Saturday , September 24th 1/2 Price Day 9:00 am-12:30 pm 

Every Kid in a Park
Attention Fourth Grade families
You are eligible for free admission to all federal parks, historic sites and waters for a full year, starting September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2017.  The pass provides free admission to all fourth graders and three accompanying family members or friends.  Visit the Every Kid In a Park website to get your pass: https://www.everykidinapark.gov/
DeKalb School of the Arts Presents: "Premiere Weekend 2016" Events
DSA Invites You to Attend
Featuring performances from vocal, dance, instrumental, and dramatic Tour Groups - there is something for everyone!
Sept 23-25, 2015
 

Tickets $12 adults/$6 students at brownpapertickets.com

More information at www.dsa.dekalb.k12.ga.us
 
Sept. 23, 8:00 pm - Show Choirs and Dance Repertory
Sept. 24, 2:00 pm - Dance Repertory Co and Instrumental Music
Sept. 24, 8:00 pm - Instrumental Music and Drama Ensemble
Sept. 25, 2:00 pm - Drama Ensemble and Show Choirs

Sincerely,
 
Briarlake Elementary PTA
Quick Links
       2016-2017
     PTA Officers

Co-Presidents: Sonya Tinsley-Hook & Emily Graybill

VP Programs: Allyson Martin & Angela Barnett 

VP Fundraising: Ann 

Chahroudi & Anjevon Smith

 

Treasurer: Bret Moore

 

Secretary: Dan Kelly

CARPOOL SAFETY 
Please help keep our children & families safe.

Thank you for your cooperation in following the  Carpool Safety Rules & Map

NO LEFT TURNS from Briarlake Road into the school carpool lane. Please obey the law.
 
NO CELL PHONESPlease do not use cell phones during car pool. 

Carpool ends at 2:50pm. If parents come to pick up children after 2:50 pm, please come inside the front office to sign out children on the computer. 

       2016-2017 
   School Council
Chair: Deborah Martin-Gerstle

Vice Chair: Anjevon Smith

 

Secretary: Ellyn Cochran

 

Parent Representative:Jared Cobb  

 

Teacher Representatives: Ms. Wise and Ms. Law

 

Principal: Jamela Lewis

       2016-2017 
     Foundation      Board Members 
Co-Chairs: Ann Mancuso & Greg Brass

Treasurer: Amber Blanchard
 

Secretary: Vacancy

 

Members: Jacqueline Butler, Monica Cowles, Claire Foege, Paul Grant, Darryl Martin, Tim Martin, Emily Mason, Josh Newman, and Carolann Reiter

 

 

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Weekly Newsletter Information
Email to post information in newsletter: briarlakeblog@gmail.com
 
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Let's make our school even more spirited by encouraging our kids to wear Briarlake Spirit Wear each Friday.  Go Beavers!