Dear Birch Lane Families,

March is here and we are beginning to plan for next year. Information nights for kindergarten and for the Montessori program are listed in this newsletter, as well as dates for kindergarten registration and registration for new first through sixth grade students. Please get the word out among your friends and new residents to the neighborhood so we can plan for all incoming students. If you have not yet returned your "Intent to Return" form, please do so and if you lost it, you can get a new one from the office.  6th graders will be visited by counselors form Holmes and Da Vinci later this month so they can get their planners completed for junior high. We anticipate increased class sizes for all grade levels next year, and having an accurate estimate for our enrollment helps us staff accordingly.

Thanks to all of you who provided sustenance to the teachers during conference week. Teachers were here from 7 am until 7 pm some days and they really appreciated on site snack options!

As always, thank you for all you do to support the students of Birch Lane Elementary.

Sincerely,

Kathy Tyzzer

Montessori Information Night:

Tuesday, March 20th, 7 pm - MPR

Meet the teachers, learn about our K-6 Montessori program, and visit classrooms.

Kindergarten Information Night:

Monday, March 26th, 7 pm - MPR

Meet the teachers, learn about Birch Lane's outstanding kindergarten program, and visit the classroom.

Kindergarten registration for all new kindergärtners will be on March 29th from 12-6 pm. Children need to be five by November 2, 2012 to enroll in kindergarten. Students whose fifth birthday falls between September 1, 2012 and December 2nd 2012 are eligible to attend Transitional Kindergarten and may register at Korematsu Elementary School.

To register your child, please bring proof of residence, your child's birth certificate, proof of a health examination (between March 1, 2012 and March 1, 2013) and immunization records.  Registration packets are available in the office now if you want to bring your packet completed on March 29th.

Thank you to all of you who supported our library by visiting our Spring Book Fair. Because of your patronage, the book fair grossed over $10,000. All of Birch Lane's portion of these proceeds will benefit our Birch Lane library by providing new books and support for other library needs and programs.

A huge thank you goes out to all of our volunteers who made the Book Fair possible by helping with set-up, staffing the fair, and take-down; this event would not have been possible without you. These volunteers include Ann Ryther, Brandi Lutzker, Delinda Nicolet, Kathy Barnes, Holly Istas, Kim Maslaniak, Tara Diel, Carrie Ziser, Julie VanderZeeuw, Jennifer Borenstein, Tobie Faith, Abby Koenig, Jeanne Stevenson, Lisa Dock, Nicki Guistin, Jacqui LeValle, Sandi Osterman, Stephanie Moss, Shelley Quinonez, Gina Nunes, Art Amuzeca. Soji Howe, Rachel Dorfman, Susan Chambers, Susie Carrell, Jay Finklang, Ann Ryther, Ursula Oerding-Hennessy, Jennifer Nachmanoff, Madelyn Schwartz, Jennifer Galas, and Matthew Guilfoil, as well as those who we have missed from this list -- All of your time is very much appreciated!

Jennifer Raven and Michael Bobell

Book Fair Volunteer Coordinators

CDC will be holding Parents Night Out on Friday, March 23rd from 6-10pm. The cost will be $25 for one child or $40 for two children.

Please see the following link to print out the enrollment form to sign your child up for Parents Night Out at CDC:

http://www.birchlanepta.org/novo/images/docs2012/nightoutsignupform.pdf

Spring Dates for Parents Night Out:

March 23

April 6

April 20

May 4

May 18

For more information, you can contact Rita Russell or Larry Murvine at the Birchlane CDC at 758-7251.