SundayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturday
Feb 19202122232425
PTA Focus Day
PTA Focus Day

Date:
Monday, February 20
Where:
Olympia
Mid Winter Break
Mid Winter Break

Date:
Mon 2/20 - Fri 2/24
Mid Winter Break
Mid Winter Break

Date:
Mon 2/20 - Fri 2/24
Mid Winter Break
Mid Winter Break

Date:
Mon 2/20 - Fri 2/24
Mid Winter Break
Mid Winter Break

Date:
Mon 2/20 - Fri 2/24
Mid Winter Break
Mid Winter Break

Date:
Mon 2/20 - Fri 2/24
26272829Mar 123
6:30p 2012-2013 Kindergarten Parent Orientation
2012-2013 Kindergarten Parent Orientation

Date:
Tuesday, February 28
Time:
6:30p - 7:30p
Where:
Multipurpose Room
6:30p Skating Party
Skating Party

Date:
Friday, March 2
Time:
6:30p - 8:15p
Where:
Castle Ice

CLICK HERE for more information and to pre-order tickets, pizza or drinks.
See full calendar
Important! WELCOME!
Welcome to the new and improved Briarwood PTA website! You'll find lots of great features - to make it even easier to support our school.
Just click here to get started. Sign-in, add family info, join PTA, volunteer and more!

Science Fair Button Contest!
Prefer paintbrushes to petri dishes? Maybe you can design this year's Science Fair Button. Four designs (two from primary, two from intermediate grades) will be chosen and made into buttons four our teachers and scientists to wear on the day of the fair.

Here are the rules:
• Artwork must be original—no clipart, internet downloads, etc.
• The design must fit in the circle provided on the special form sent home with students. CLICK HERE to download an extra form.
• The words “Briarwood Science Fair 2012” must be part of your design.
• Art work is due by March 15. You can turn it in to your teacher.
• Be sure to include your name, grade & teacher on the entry form.
• Additional entry forms can be found on the Science Fair website or office.
Hint: Use bright colors—markers or colored pencils work best. Avoid Crayons.

Science Fair 2012
Briarwood's annual Science Fair is coming up on THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 6:00-7:00PM. This year there are new rules for grades K-2, expanded categories and lots more prizes! Everything you need to know is online - at this special website:

www.briarwoodelementary.oursciencefair.com

The registration deadline is MARCH 15. If you wish to purchase a display board through the website for just $5.00(and delivered directly to the school!) you must order by MARCH 1ST.

Participation in Science Fair is required for all Science Tech Students. Check with your child's teacher for more details on their class requirements.

It's Golden Acorn Time!
NOMINATION DEADLINE: MARCH 2nd, 2012

Briarwood PTA honors outstanding volunteer service for children by awarding the Golden Acorn Award annually. The winners of this award are people who volunteer in ways that meet the mission of PTA: promoting the health, welfare, safety and education of ALL children and youth in our schools and community.

To nominate a deserving volunteer, click here to download an application. You may save the form to your computer and email it as an attachment to lesliekahler@comcast.net or print it, fill it out and send it back to school in an envelope marked: Attention Leslie Kahler/PTA Awards. Extra forms are also available in the office. Questions? Please contact Leslie at 425-226-134 or lesliekahler@comcast.net.

GREAT SKATE NIGHT!
The Briarwood PTA invites you to a night of skating at Castle Ice Arena on Friday, March 2 6:30-8:15pm. Tickets for admission and skate rental are $7 per person. You may order your tickets in advance here on the website. Pizza from Little Caesars and drinks are also available - by PRE-ORDER only.

Just CLICK HERE to get to the information and ordering page. Note: you must first sign in to the website.

Pre-orders need to be placed by Thursday, February 23, and payment (checks made payable to "Briarwood PTA") must be sent to the school by Monday, February 27. You may also buy tickets the day of the event (but not pizza.)

For questions or to volunteer, please email Susanna Stratford. Remember to dress warmly! New to ice skating? There are many "ice walkers" for assistance! We will also have a party room designated for Briarwood for eating and storage. This is not a drop off event. Students should have adult supervision. Let's pack the rink!! You may skate longer than 8:15 but Teen Night begins at 8:30.

Volunteers Needed!
The new year brings lots of fun activities for Briarwood families. But we need your help to make these PTA-sponsored events possible. In the coming weeks - we'll offer our Lunchtime Book Swap, a Skating Night, Science Fair and Variety Show. There are lots of volunteer opportunities available - just CLICK HERE - to sign-up now! Your support is always appreciated!

Science-to-Go Kits!
Attention all Briarwood Students and Parents!
The Briarwood PTA is proud to once again sponsor “Science-To-Go-Kits”!
Starting Monday, October 17, 2011 The Briarwood School Library will have a “Science-To-Go Center” with 50 shoe box science kits available and ready for check out! Kits include experiments in electricity, magnetism, astronomy, weather, the senses, etc.
The kits are available to all students in grades 1 thru 5 and are checked out just like a book to be taken home for one week. Each kit contains instructions and supplies for one experiment, except for items commonly found in the home. Also included in each kit is a lab sheet for students to document their findings and/or experience then return with the kit. Please take a moment to read the following regarding the use and return of the kits.

1. Students can only check out one Science Kit at a time.
2. Student that checks out a Science Kit is responsible for the kit at home as well as to and from school.
3. ADULT SUPERVISION is required while a student is using a kit.
4. Items in the kit must be rinsed and dried before returning to school.
5. Any items that required assembly must be disassembled before returning to school.
6. Please dispose of any straw, paper, tissue or other items you may have used.

We hope that all Briarwood families have a chance to enjoy these experiments together at home throughout the school year! If you have any questions or suggestions please contact: Peg Garcia-Bergin, berginfamily@comcast.net

View all
VIS Bond Campaign Update
Only Nine Weeks Until Election Day!! February 2 Campaign Kickoff It was the best kickoff ever!  The King County Library Annex on Newport was packed – it was standing room only!  The event was kicked off by a singing group from Issaquah Valley Elementary called Listen Up. Check out their song , “You’ve Got to Vote” on youtube.  They will be performing at the February 21 Issaquah City Council meeting – the Council will be voting on a bond endorsement that night. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVv-WiysfOU&feature=plcp&context=C380de91UDOEgsToPDskIBEnt76ulbh4_BUnFVVsJ6&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active Fundraising We are climbing towards our goal of $90,000 – but we still have a ways to ... read full article

Legislative Update
The legislative boundaries around Briarwood are changing.  The new district lines will take effect in the 2012 election cycle. Be informed, know who your representatives are! Here's a map of King County with the new lines: http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/gis/maps/composite/leg2012.pdf   If you're not good with maps you can enter your address on the legislature website to find out which district you're currently in, but this will change for most every one exept those around Lake Kathleen.  http://www.leg.wa.gov/pages/home.aspx  (there's a "Find Your District" tab in the center of the page) 5th District Senator Cheryl Pflug   Representative Jay Rodne Position 1 Representative Glenn Anderson Position 2 11th District Senator Margarita ... read full article

Parent Education Seminars
Check out these parent education seminars coming up at various Issaquah school district schools:  The Brain Compatible Parenting System  (series) - Monday, February 27, March 5, March 12, March 19 - Maple Hills Elementary 7:00-8:30pm.  The class offers the latest research on how children's brains develop in the digital world. It is a four part series, but parents are welcome to attend only classes they feel are relevant to them. FREE.  More Info.  Helping Kids Learn and Thrive: Simplicity Parenting and the Family Brain - Thursday, March 1, 2012 - 7-8:30pm Cougar Ridge Elementary. Join Portland-based pediatrician and parent educator Kathy ... read full article

Every Member Matters!!
Every Member Matters!! When parents are involved with their child’s education, the child is more likely to succeed. Joining the PTA demonstrates your support of the mission and goals of the PTA and entitles you to “voice and vote”. Our goal this year is to attain 100% membership which means we have an adult PTA member for every Briarwood student. Remember: Joining does not obligate you to do anything more than that. Please join and show that you care and are invested in the welfare of our children. You are not required to volunteer – but we’d love it if you did! ... read full article

Construction Update
Construction of the new Briarwood is happening on schedule and we're all watching the progress.  You can check out the changes -in this  aerial slide show.   Here's the latest on the progress:   All interior concrete slabs are complete  Framing of North wing is complete Framing of West wing first floor is complete, second floor and mechanical penthouse is 50% complete Electrical and mechanical will follow framing Structural concrete block is complete and installation of block veneer on North wing is underway Windows are being installed and roofing is progressing in North wing Structural steel is complete and stairs are ... read full article

View all