September Newsletter

Principal’s Message

I would like to extend a warm welcome back to all students returning to Birchwood. A special welcome goes out to students new to the school and to all Grade 7’s who are just beginning their first year at Birchwood. The new school year is here and the entire Birchwood staff is looking forward to sharing their passion for teaching and learning with you and your child. It takes a partnership between home and school to see that your child has a successful year. Birchwood continues to strive towards excellence in academic and social development. Help us achieve our goal for your children. Together We Can Make A Difference! Once again, welcome back and all the best! Ron Carragher, Principal

Dates to Remember

September, 14 Birchwood Sports Expo
September 19, Meet the Staff Night 7:00 pm, Cafeteria
September 21, Student Photos with Re-takes Oct. 30th.
September 21, Terry Fox Run - Walk
October 8, Thanksgiving – No School
October 11-12, PEITF Annual Convention – No School

Welcome New Staff

We would like to welcome our new staff members to Birchwood Intermediate: Aritho Amfoubalela, Kimberly Wood, Murray MacInnis and Kathie Stevenson.

Meet the Teacher Night

Wednesday, September 19th at 7:00 pm is Meet the Teacher Night! All parents/guardians are welcome to come and meet your child’s teacher in the Cafeteria. See you there! Please see the "Staff" page for a complete 2012-2013 list.

Thank You

To our custodians Bill Gallant, Bernadette MacLean, Angela Monaghan, Jennifer Cormier, Rita MacDonald and Joanne MacDonald for all their hard work during the summer.

Public Health Nurse

We would like to welcome Ms. Linda Mahood, Public Health Nurse, to Birchwood Intermediate.

Grade 9 Immunization

Grade 9 students will receive vaccination on Wednesday, October 31st. They will receive two vaccines-dTap (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis or Whooping Cough) and Menveo (Meningocccal ACYW-135). Consent forms have gone out to the Grade 9 students on the first day of school. We need these forms signed and returned to the homeroom teachers as soon as possible in order to prepare for the clinic.

Recently there have been over 1,000 cases of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) reported in New Brunswick and some cases in N.S. The Chief Public Health Office is recommending that Grade 9 immunization be given in the Fall 2012 rather than the spring 2013.

General Information

Your child will receive the following forms to be signed and returned to their homeroom teacher.
1) Student Information/Consent Form
3) Lunch form (Grade 7)
4) Internet User Agreement (Grade 7 and new students to Birchwood)
5) Grade 9 Immunization Form
** PLEASE RETURN ASAP**

Electronic Devices/Cell Phones

Students are prohibited from the unauthorized use of all electronic devices in the school. Cell phones are not to be used in school during the school day. If students are caught using any electronic devices or cell phones these items will be confiscated for the remainder of the day.

Student Absence

Parents/Guardians are required to call the school before 8:30 am if your child is ill. Please make sure your child brings a note to his/her homeroom teacher to explain his/her absence or call the office at 368-6870. Any students who arrive late in the morning or afternoon, on a regular basis, without parental consent may be required to stay after school to recover class time.

Student Fees

Each Year Students are required to pay a student fee of $30 or $40 per family. This fee covers student locks, lockers, home ec ,wood working, handbook, winter carnival, special events, motivational speakers and other activities that occur during the school year.

Parking/Busing

Students must have a parent permission note to travel on any bus (if they are not a bus student), or if they are traveling on a different bus (if they are a bus student).

Kit Bags

Just a reminder for students that kit bags are not allowed to be carried around from class to class. When you enter the school in the morning and after lunch, your kitbag is to go directly into your locker.

Notice/Reminders

• Birchwood is a peanut free and scent free school
• Energy drinks and pop are not allowed on school grounds. Please encourage your child to make healthy food and drink choices!

Buses

At the end of our school day we would like to remind parents that our buses are on a time frame and must be depart the property at a particular time to connect to other buses. We ask parents not to park in the back parking lot which the buses use at the end of the day and not block the side parking lot entrance. Thank You.

Birchwood Breakfast Program

A notice to Birchwood students and parents/guardians that our Breakfast Program will be running again this year. Students are welcome to come to the cafeteria each morning at 8:00 am (no earlier please) for a bagel and some fruit. Monetary donations from local businesses and community members are greatly appreciated. Our Breakfast Program will start on Monday, Sept 17th. We are still looking for volunteers for our Breakfast Program, if you are interested in volunteering you can contact Michelle MacDonald at the school 368-6870.

Music Notes

• Welcome to all returning and new band members at Birchwood. We are preparing for a busy year in the music department. Noon and early morning rehearsals will begin the week of  September 17.
• All new band students (Grade 7) who did not attend band camp in August will be required to attend the "catch-up" camp this month. More information to follow.

Coaches Corner

Intramurals: indoor soccer. All students are encouraged and welcome to play in grade 7, 8 and 9.

School Sport Tryouts: Tryouts will start this week for many different sports i.e. soccer, volleyball and cross country. Tryouts will be announced over the announcements and posted down by the gym. See Mr. MacCallum for more information.

Library News

Welcome back to another great year at Birchwood! Books will be available for signing out as soon as all of the students’ information is updated in the office, so please return your forms as soon as possible. Announcements will be made. Ms. Poirier is looking for more library monitors, this year. Library monitors help keep the library functioning, they: shelve books, organize the library space, sign in and out books, assist students and staff with finding resources, etc. If a student is interested, they need to have permission form signed (on bulletin board outside of the library). 

“There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book.” - Frank Serafini

BISC News

Birchwood Intermediate Student Council will soon start up. Students who are interested in student council are asked to listen to announcements to find out when they can help. Students can assist in many ways; creating school-wide events, posters, working at events, fundraising, school spirit days, contests, etc. We will not have an executive student council this year; simply anyone who helps out will be part of student council. BISC develops work skills, such as: working together to achieve a goal, leadership, responsibility, esprit de corps, financial planning, etc. We hope many students will turn out for BISC, once we get started. Students may also talk to Ms. Poirier if they have any ideas they would like to put forward for student council; all ideas welcome!

Terry Fox Run / Fall Social

Birchwood School is organizing a “Welcome Back BBQ” for students, parents, and staff on Friday, September 21th. This will take place in the courtyard at the back of the school after our annual Terry Fox Walk/Run. It will be a great afternoon for the Birchwood community… so come join us for some exercise, and fun! The walk/run will begin at 1:00pm and the BBQ at 2:00pm. Any parents wishing to help out please contact the office at 368-6870. Hope to see you there!!!

Community Notices

Girl Guides

Girl Guides of Canada would like to extend an invitation to your daughter to register for Sparks, Brownies, Guides, Pathfinders and Rangers to experience everything that Guiding has to offer.

• Stratford: Stratford Town Hall Tuesday, Sept. 11th. 6:30 – 8:00 pm
• Cornwall Cornwall United Church Wednesday, Sept. 19th. 6:30 -7:30pm
• Sherwood Sherwood Hall Thursday, Sept. 20th. 6:30 – 7:30pm
• Springpark Springpark Church Thursday, Sept. 20th. 6:30 – 8:00pm
• Charlottetown St. Paul’s Parish Hall Monday, Sept 17th. 6:30 – 7:30pm

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

On Saturday, October 20th there will be a Pancake Breakfast at the Charlottetown Curling Club beginning at 9:00 am. This fundraiser is sponsored by the Hon. Doug Currie, MLA, District 11.

Celtic Step-dance Lessons

Judy MacLean of the Judy MacLean Private School of Dance is offering Celtic step-dance lessons at Birchwood Junior High School on Tuesday, starting Sept. 25th with registration, information etc., First class is 4pm in the Cafeteria. I will be offering an adult class later on once the classes are up and running. A special after-school class is also being offered for beginners (all ages) for students of Birchwood. Depending on the interest the class could be held from 3:15 – 4pm with special rate for students. Tap shoes not necessary, but if you have access to them please bring them to class. Sneakers not allowed. Please contact me: judymacleandance@eastlink.ca Learn easy steps from a professional dance instructor.