Ongoing School Activities and Programs

There are numerous ways you can help the school with its day-to-day operations as well as with special activities held at school for students and/or staff.

Enrichment Programs: (all year) Two to three parents per grade work with the Enrichment Chair and grade level lead teachers to help coordinate planning and execution of grade level field trips and/or in-school enrichment events. Our teachers hand pick enrichment programs each year to augment their curriculum and this is a fun way to meet your child's classmates, get to know their teacher and see first hand the things they are learning about.

Garden: (all year) The Garden Committee works to beautify our Birch Meadow landscape and gardens. Much of the committee work is done over the summer in time for the first day of school, but volunteers, supplies and creative ideas are needed throughout the year.

Grant Writing: (all year) Always appreciative of volunteers helping us find alternative fundraising sources for Birch Meadow.

Health and Wellness Committee: (all year) The Health and Wellness committee addresses issues related to wellness, safety and health. Members include the school principal, school nurse and parent volunteers. We promote the safety of the Birch Meadow Community in and around the school area and we encourage the physical and emotional well being of students at the Birch Meadow School. We are always looking for new parent volunteers and welcome multiple perspectives on health, wellness, and safety.

Library: (all year) Parent volunteers work on a rotating schedule (every other week) throughout the school year in the Birch Meadow library during their child's library time. Tasks may include checking books in and out, shelving books, helping the librarian with lessons, etc. This is a great way to get to know your child's classmates, their teacher and school staff.

Performing Arts Committee: (all year) The Performing Arts Committee was formed in 2017-18 with the mission of creating and supporting performing arts opportunities for the Birch Meadow community. The Committee believes that performing arts are instrumental in helping students learn and grow by inspiring creativity, building self-confidence, strengthening focus, sense of perseverance as well as problem solving. The Committee celebrates cultural diversity and promotes inclusion, teamwork, and accountability.

PTO Bulletin Board: (all year) The parent resource center is found right when you walk into school. The PTO updates the bulletin monthly.

Staff Appreciation Committee: Help honor and celebrate the amazing staff at Birch Meadow! The Staff Appreciation committee will plan two major events this year: a December holiday staff luncheon, and a weeklong celebration during the first week of May for National Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week! These activities will include online sign-ups for planning, setting up/decorating the events, and/or donating food items or gift cards.

One-Time Community Events

PTO events offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities, from helping from home during planning stages to working on site during events.

5th Grade Graduation: (Jun) Celebrate the end of the year with activities and a yearbook for the 5th grade.

Book Fair: (Sep) Week long book fair in the library with proceeds supporting the library.

Field Day: (Jun) Wednesday all-student activity held outside. Many parent volunteers needed for this program.

Health & Wellness Fair: (Nov) This school-wide event promotes physical, mental, emotional, and social health through fun, interactive activities.

International Potluck: (Apr) Celebrate our different cultures at the school.

Kindergarten and First Grade Play Dates: (Jul and Aug) Summer play dates for Kindergarten and first graders held at the school.

MCAS Breakfast: (Spring) The PTO provides a breakfast for grades 3,4 and 5 on the first day of MCAS testing.

Monster Mash: (Oct) 4th and 5th grade dance following Spooky Fun Fair.

Nomination Committee: (May) Be involved with determining future PTO Board positions

Read Across America: (Mar) This month-long, school-wide event is a wonderful activity promoting reading.

Spooky Fun Fair: (Oct) Halloween event (not scary) throughout the school filled with games and trick or treat lane.

Staff Appreciation: (May) Various activities/events celebrating the wonderful work done by the Birch Meadow staff.

Welcome Picnic: (September) PTO hosts a picnic (pizza for $2 a slice) to bring families together at the beginning of the school year.

Fundraising

In addition to our direct donation campaign, the PTO runs a number of passive and small fundraisers to support the programs we do all year long.

Amazon Smiles: (all year) Raise money by shopping on dedicated weblink.

Birch Meadow Merchandise: (all year) Show your school spirit with shirts, hats, and more!

Box Tops for Education: (all year) Collect non-expired Box Tops to be submitted on behalf of the school.

Employer Matching: (all year) Many local and national companies support non-profits, like the PTO.

Ice Cream Social & Kids Raffle: (May) Fun evening of ice cream/slush and raffles.

Helpsy! (All year) Donate your used textiles into the box at the front of the school.

Restaurant Fundraisers: (2-3x a year) No need to cook! Take a night off and go out to eat all helping the school raise money.

School Tool Box: (Spring) Order your school supplies for the following year and have them delivered to your house!

Schoola: (all year) Donate gently used clothing and portion of the consigned clothing comes back to the PTO.

Shutterfly/TinyPrints: (all year) Ordering pictures or gifts, use the specialty code and 13% of your order comes back to the school.

Stop and Shop A+ Awards: (October-March) Use your Stop and Shop card and portion of your purchase is donated back.