Thursday, December 20, 2012

Big Give 2012


Please help us raise much needed funds in order to maintain our IB Program and associated specials such as Garden, Spanish, Art and Library.  Our specials are an integral part of our IB Program and differentiate Birney from other Elementary schools.  Just $1 a day per student supports all of our specials for a year.  That is only $170 per year per student!   We know that not all families are able to give so generously, but any amount will help.
During last year’s Big Give we were able to raise $14,000 from 93 donors!  Surely with just a little more Give we can match or exceed the number of donors this year!  Another great reason to give during this event is that donations are matched by an anonymous donor -- making this a perfect opportunity to benefit our school.   The more money we raise the more we’ll get of the matching funds!

On Friday, the 21st go to the friends of Alice Birney website between the hours of 7AM to 7PM and click on the Big Give link and make your donation. 
http://friendsofalicebirney.org/
Our goal is to raise roughly $1000 an hour in a 12 hour period on the 21st.  Help us exceed that goal and get your tax deductible donations in before the year ends!
Give the children of Birney a holiday gift that will continue to enrich their lives in the months ahead. 

Big Give! Give now!


Monday, December 10, 2012

Family Dinner Night - this wednesday, Dec. 12

Family Dinner Night is this Wednesday 

5-8 pm at "On the Border" restaurant. Hope to see everyone there. 

20% of all sales of food and all beverages go to Birney.

In case you need a copy of the flyer. Download here. 

 http://www.nstpr.com/nst_upload/upload_NST_Files/On_the_Border_flyers.pdf

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Just in time for the Holidays...The Scholastic Book Fair in the Birney Library


Just in time for the Holidays...The Scholastic Book Fair in the Birney Library


December 7-11,  from 10:45 a.m - 12:15 p.m. during lunch time hours; On Family Friday, Dec. 7  we will be open from 8:30 - 9 a.m. & 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
& Dec. 10 & 11 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for ICES and PrimeTime families.
During Saturday School on Dec 8 we will be open from 8:30 am -1:30 p.m. and we encourage you to invite family and friends. 

This is Buy One, Get One Free for every item.
You can also donate books to your child’s classroom.
Teacher are creating a wish list for each grade.

Volunteers are still needed to help make this event a success. You can use VolunteerSpot at the following link to see the timeslots available http://vols.pt/2hBBJk or contact the PTA at ptabirney@yahoo.com.

Justo a tiempo para las fiestas decembrinas ... La Feria del Libro de Scholastic en la biblioteca de la escuela

Diciembre 7 al 11, de 10:45 AM - 12:15 PM durante lal hora del almuerzo. El 7 de diciembre, durante el viernes familiar estaremos abiertos de 8:30 - 9 AM y 2:30-4:30 PM. El 10 y 11 de diciembre abriremos de 5:30-6:30 PM para que las familias inscritas en ICES y  PrimeTime puedan participar.
El sábado 8 de diciembre durante "la escuela sabatina" la feria estará abierta de 8:30 PM -1:30 PM y te animamos a invitar a familiares y amigos.

Esta feria es Dos X Uno (compra un libro y te regalaremos el segundo).
También puedes donar libros a la clase de su hijo o hija.
Los maestros crearan una lista de libros que les gustaría recibir en donación.

Se necesitan voluntarios para ayudar a hacer de este evento un éxito. http://vols.pt/2hBBJk
Póngase en contacto con el PTA en ptabirney@yahoo.com

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Adcent Helps Out Birney!


EASY $$$ for Birney Elementary IB Programs!


Ascent Real Estate agents, TAMARA Z (Zyhylij) and NANCY WOLFING, Birney’s Partners in Education, will contribute $500.00 for each closed real estate transaction when the referral is identified as “for Birney!”

NO PLANS TO SELL OR BUY?
That’s okay! Refer your friend, your sister, your neighbor, you name them! Any person in any part of the San Diego. As long as they’re referred as a “friend of Birney”, Tamara and Nancy will contribute $500 at the close of escrow!

If you are planning to sell or buy a home or know someone who is, please call Tamara or Nancy right away. Using the Birney partner Realtors is an easy way to put money into Birney programs, AND, your friends and family will thank you for referring highly experienced & professional REALTORS

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Brews for Birney

Sample some unique local craft beers, nosh on some tasty snacks,
and support a great local school, all at the same time! 

Come out to Clem's Tap House at 4108 Adams Avenue
on November 27 from 6-10. 

Purchase tickets at www.friendsofalicebirney.org.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Family Dinner Night. Tomorrow Night!

   

California Pizza Kitchen FUNdraising Event!!

On Tuesday, October 23, 2012, California Pizza Kitchen at Fashion Valley Mall from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m will be hosting our next Family Dinner Night. California Pizza Kitchen will donate  20% of the sales to Birney for each table that BRINGS IN THE FLYER!

Classroom Competition

There was a problem with tabulating the results of the classroom competition from our July FUNdraiser, so to make it up to us CPK is offering Pizza Parties to the top 2 classrooms. Just make sure each flyer has the Teacher's Name and Room Number on the back (families can list more than one teacher). The 2 classrooms with the most flyers will each receive a Free Pizza Party.

Stickers and Flyers

Extra flyers and Stickers will be distributed Tuesday morning. Please be sure to give a sticker to each student as they leave for the day to help encourage a great turnout! :)

Thanks so much!

Download flyer here

Ralphs For Birney

Ralphs Community Program. For information on how this program can benefit Birney and how you can help. Click on the link that will download a pdf. http://www.nstpr.com/nst_upload/upload_NST_Files/Ralph\'s_CCP_Letter.pdf

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

School Fundraiser

Hi all,

Last week students brought home catalogs for our fall fundraiser. https://www.signaturefundraising.com/site_resources/2012fallbrochure/Default.html. You have one more week (orders due Wednesday, October 24) to offer friends, co-workers and family the opportunity to help support our school by buying the quality items included in the catalog. All products ordered through the student will be delivered to the school and distributed at parent-teacher conferences. Checks should be made payable to Birney PTA.

Supporters can also order items online https://www.signaturefundraising.com/shop_online.html. Be sure to include the student's name, school, city & state so your student receives credit for online orders. Online orders will be shipped directly to buyers.

This fundraiser is the PTA's main fundraiser of the year, and proceeds (40% on magazines and cookies, 50% on all other items) will help provide extra-curricular opportunities to help our children to connect with their education: field trips, educational assemblies, and family involvement events. As always, if catalog items are not your thing, tax-deductible cash donations are always welcome.

Thanks so much for supporting our kids, Birney and the Birney PTA!

Samantha
619.584.1802
Alice Birney PTA
a 501(c)3 charitable organization

Friday, October 12, 2012

Fall Festival

Here is something fun to do after the Trunk or Treat
on Sunday, October 28th.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

BIRNEY CHOSE DonorsChoose

Nicely done, Birney families! Ms. Touw's project has been fully funded and the Kinders will now get their trikes! Thanks to all who supported this excellent cause.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Choose DonorsChoose

The Birney Kinder classes lost their tricycles when we lost our state-funded preschool this year. Ms. Touw (Rm. 23) has set up a DonorsChoose project to try to get new ones for all the Kinders to use. Help our Kinders feed their need for speed! Use promo code PUMPKIN to have your donation matched! (It worked for several of us today, but if that code doesn't work, do a quick search and find another Match Code!)






http://www.donorschoose.org/project/trikes-trikes-trikes/826767/?utm_campaign=facebook&givingCartId=1776321&utm_source=dc&utm_medium=sharebar

Friday, October 5, 2012

FAMILY FRIDAY is Oct. 12

Just a reminder that Family Friday is October 12 this month.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Fresh and Easy Tomorrow night

Fresh & Easy

Shopping Night

for Birney Elementary


Wednesday, October 3, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market
3231 University Avenue (corner of University & 32nd)

Come on out and show your support for Birney!
Shop at Fresh & Easy between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and
5% of the sales will be donated to Birney Elementary!

We also need parent volunteers to help out with
this event.  If you have questions or are interested
in volunteering, please contact
Carrie Binder at:  cwbinder@gmail.com.
.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Birney Garden

Check out what is going on in our Birney Garden.

https://www.facebook.com/D3DigDownDeep

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Picture Day - Weddnesday, October 3

Clean up the kids...
Wednesday, October 3rd is
Fall Student Picture Day.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Back to School Night - Sept. 27

Back-to-School night is for the GROWN UPS to learn...

... about this year's curriculum and how the classroom will work from your child's teacher. 

There will be a brief introduction of the staff with Ms. Amanda out on the playground from 5:30-5:45.  Then there will be two identical sessions in the classrooms: 5:45-6:15 and   6:30-7:00. If families need to go to two classrooms, please attend the younger child's session from 5:45-6:15, and the older child's classroom from 6:30-7:00.

There will be school-age child-care available on the playground by Prime Time and ICES.

PTA/FOABE will be at the concessions table with discount cards, Birney clothing, and other items.
 
Take this opportunity to learn about your child's daily surroundings and influences.

We sure hope you can make it !!!!
 
 
 
.

Family Dinner Night at DiMille's

Enjoy a nice dinner out and help support the Birney PTA assembly programs at the same time.

Tuesday, September 25th
11:30am - Closing
3492 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA
Facebook - DiMille's Italian Restaurant

(to make reservations or to order take out items call: 283-3153)

Birney PTA will receive 20% of the proceeds on all sales of orders accompanied by the attached flyer.
Please present the flyer to server when ordering or picking up your food.
Also, feel free to print copies to share with family, friends and neighbors.

Here is a link to DOWNLOAD FLYER for the dinner night.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Helping Out Birney

For the price of two Lattes a month, for 1 year, you can buy your child: 
Spanish, art and a library. (Now that is something to drink about!)

Did you know that if every family at Birney Elementary contributes $10 a month for one year, we can keep our library open and fund Spanish and art programs for one full year? 

Kick start the Spanish and art programs and keep our library open by having a recurring donation of only $10 per month. 


Please click here to sign up Birney Monthly Donation.

Or download this flyer and follow the instructions.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Birney Bee Items on CafePress

Birney Bee Spirit Items!

We have mugs, hats, buttons and various items that have the Birney Bee Spirit Logo on them. 
These are great gift ideas for Teachers or for students or family members interested in showing school pride.

Check it out at Birney Bees.

.

Back-to-School Spirit Week!

Back-to-School Spirit Week Start Monday!


MONDAY 9/17
SPORTS DAY
DRESS IN YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS WEAR

TUESDAY 9/18
BIRNEY T-SHIRT
& CRAZY HAIR
DRESS IN YOUR BIRNEY T-SHIRT
AND MESS UP YOUR HAIR

WEDNESDAY 9/19
PJ DAY
DRESS IN YOUR FAVORITE WARM WEATHER PJS

THURSDAY 9/20
BIRNEY T-SHIRT
& CRAZY SOCKS
DRESS IN YOUR BIRNEY T-SHIRT
AND ROCK YOUR SOCKS

FRIDAY 9/21
WHITE T-SHIRT
FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY
DRESS IN WHITE T-SHIRT, WE WILL MAKE A PEACE SIGN

.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Fresh and Easy

Fresh & Easy

Shopping Night

for Birney Elementary


Wednesday, October 3, from 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market
3231 University Avenue (corner of University & 32nd)

Come on out and show your support for Birney!
Shop at Fresh & Easy between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and
5% of the sales will be donated to Birney Elementary!

We also need parent volunteers to help out with
this event.  If you have questions or are interested
in volunteering, please contact
Carrie Binder at:  cwbinder@gmail.com.
.
.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012





Jamba Juice Wednesday's start again next Wednesday, September 12 and will continue until the end of the school year. 

20% of the proceeds for sales go to Birney PTA. 

Jamba Juice is sold in front of the school. No need to drive anywhere or bring a flyer.

 

 

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Trikes! Trikes! Trikes!

Take a look at what Ms. Touw wants for her students: 

Trikes! Trikes! Trikes!.

 
If you chip in to help her classroom (or any other) reach its goal, you'll see the impact of your gift through photos, thank-you notes, and a cost report showing how every penny was spent.
Ms. Touw is using DonorChoose.org, an online charity that makes it easy to help classrooms in need.
 
My Students:
Was your favorite subject in school recess? Well,we need bikes! My students need to develop their gross motor skills and pedaling tricycles is a great way to accomplish this.
My students are a diverse group of four and five-year-olds. Our school is an International Baccalaureate, World Studies elementary school. My students are able to study Spanish, art, physical education, gardening, and computers as well as the kindergarten standards. My students have thirty minutes of recess where they need to get out their energy and exercise.

My Project:
In the classroom, my students develop their fine motor skills by writing and drawing. My students develop their thinking skills by reading and asking questions. My students develop social skills as they interact with each other in the classroom. Outside of the classroom, my students continue to develop their social skills. They have to learn how to be caring, principled and communicators. They will also develop their gross motor skills during recess.
Please help my school and the incoming kindergarten students get tricycles for our playground. My school doesn't have the funds to purchase trikes, and my students thrive
on a balanced recess program.

My students need: 
7 new tricycles to ride around the bike path on our playground to increase their
gross motor skills.

Click Here - Help this Classroom!

To help out the kindergarten at Birney Elementary!


Friday, July 27, 2012

Digital Safety Seminar

Assembly member Toni Atkins is hosting a digital safety seminar with Cox Communications and the California KIDS Coalition (Keeping Innocence Digitally Safe). The seminar is free of charge for parents and will cover how to prevent cyber bullying and sexting, and how to protect your reputation on social networks. 

The event is on August 16th from 6-7 p.m. at Roosevelt Middle School - 3366 Park Blvd., San Diego CA 92103. Cox  Communications will be raffling off an iPad and other prizes at the event. Parents can RSVP on Facebook or by emailing assemblymember.atkins@assembly.ca.gov.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Kinder Orientation

August 31, 2012

Join us for orientation. Kinder orientation will take place in All-Purpose room at 2:30. Parents and Students will be invited to the kinder rooms to meet the teachers at 3:15. All other grades will meet in the Art Room (room 302) at 2:30.

PTA/FOAB – would love to have helpers with the room 2 group as well as the kinder group – people who would be willing to answer parent questions. If you are interested in helping contact Ms. Amanda at <ahammondwilliams@sandi.net>

1st Grade Supplies

1st GRADE SCHOOL SUPPLIES
2011-2012 School Year


Take advantage of the many Back-to-School sales. Any donations of supplies to your child's specific classrooms will be greatly appreciated!

Your child should have:
Number 2 pencils (small or large)
3 glue sticks
1 pencil box

Other items that our classes will use and would love to have donated:
Hand Sanitizer Pumps
Extra Pencils
Extra Glue Sticks
Glue Bottles
Clorox Wipes (or similar brand)
Dry Erase Markers
Fine point black felt tip markers
Color Markers
White “copy” paper for printers/copiers
Costco Gift Cards (used for printing photos)

4th Grade Supplies

A list of supplies your 4th Grade child will need for the first week of school.


We hope that by giving you this list early, you will be able to take advantage of the many Back To School sales. Any donations of supplies you would like to make to your child's specific classrooms will be greatly appreciated:

Items each student will need:
Ear buds (headphones)
Computer Mouse
1 pkg #2 pencils (Ticonderoga preferred)
2-3 erasers
1 pkg colored pencils (for homework - not in class)
1 composition book (black and white) 100 sheet graph paper - 5 squares per inch
1 composition book (black and white - 9.75 x 7.5) with 100 sheets of wide ruled paper

Other items (but not necessary): 
1 small pencil sharpener (with cover to catch shavings)
1 glue bottle
1 3-ring binder with zipper closure
1 pkg of lined paper
1 scissors
Kleenex
hand sanitizer

Other items that our classes will use and would love to have donated include:
Kleenex boxes
hand sanitizer pumps
hand soap with pump
Extra pencils
Extra lined paper
Extra glue bottles
Scotch tape
Post Its (all sizes)
Cleaning wipes
Dry erase markers
Sharpie pens
White printer/copy paper
Band-Aids
Electric pencil sharpener
Staplers
Index cards

3rd Grade Supplies

A list of supplies your 3rd Grade child will need for the first week of school.

We hope that by giving you this list early, you will be able to take advantage of the many Back to School sales. Any donations of supplies you would like to make to your child's specific classrooms will be greatly appreciated:

Each student will definitely need:
- good #2 pencils (Ticonderoga preferred)
- hard plastic homework folders that have inside pockets
- black/white composition books for Writer's Notebook
- spiraled notebooks with lined paper for Math Notebooks and Word Study books
- multiplication flash cards – these have been seen at Target in the dollar bins
- white erasers

Other items that our classes will use and would love to have donated include:
Kleenex boxes
hand sanitizer pumps
hand soap with pump
Extra pencils
Extra lined paper
Glue sticks
Scotch tape
Post Its (all sizes)
Cleaning wipes
Dry erase markers
Sharpie pens
White printer/copy paper
Band-Aids
Journals
Folders
Electric pencil sharpener
Staplers
Index cards

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Kindergarten School Supplies List

 

KINDERGARTEN SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Here is a list of supplies your Kindergartener will need for the first week of school. We hope that by giving you this list early, you will be able to take advantage of the many Back-to-School sales.

Any donations of supplies to your child's specific classrooms will be greatly appreciated!

Your child should have:

1. For home:
crayons
Pencils

2. For school:
1 bottle of glue
1 black and white composition book (100 pages/cardboard cover)
(2) 2 pocket file folder (plain solid color, no brads)
1 pkg. primary crayons (16 count, the large crayons)

3. Other things the classroom needs:
Extra glue sticks
Extra composition books
Extra file folders
Extra crayons
hand sanitizer
hand soap with pump
white copy paper
assorted colored copy paper

cleaning wipes
tissue
Ziploc bags (gallon size)
scotch tape
post its (all sizes)
dry erase markers
band-aids
staples

5th Grads School Supplies

List of supplies your fifth grade student will need for the first week of school.

We hope that by giving you this list early, you will be able to take advantage of the many "Back To School" sales.

Any donations of supplies you would like to make to your student's specific classrooms will be greatly appreciated:

Each student will need:
1 Binder  (3 ring, 2-3 inch)
Pencil pouch for binder
Subject dividers for binder
1 journal for Daily Assignments and important dates
1 pkg college ruled lined paper
1 journal with small grid paper for math (graph paper)
1 pkg #2 pencils (ticonderoga preferred)
Pencil sharpener --hand held with a lid
6 folders with pockets and brads for 6 IB Units
6 spiral notebooks, College ruled
blue or black pen
yellow highlighter
1 pkg colored pencils
pencil cap erasers
2 glue sticks
2 rolls of  clear "scotch" tape, with or without the tape dispenser
ruler with standard and metric measurement
protractor


Other items that our classes will use and would love to have donated include:
Bandaids
Kleenex boxes
# 2 pencils
3 holed College ruled lined paper
Grid (graph) paper (small --approximately 1/4" grid)
Glue sticks
"Scotch" tape (refills--we have the dispensers)
Post Its (all sizes)
"White Out"  correction tape and liquid
Dry erase markers--black, blue, red, green
Sharpie pens--black, blue, red
White printer/copy paper
Journals--grid (graph paper for math)
Spiral journals--college ruled
Folders--two pocket with brads
Electric pencil sharpener
Staplers
Flat staples
Index cards (ruled)
hand sanitizer pumps
hand soap with pump

Thank you!
The Fifth Grade Team

2nd Grade School Supplies


Dear Families of Incoming Second Grade Students,

We are looking forward to meeting you next year.  Here is a list of supplies your child will need for the first week of school.  We hope that by giving you this list early, you will be able to take advantage of the many Back-To-School sales.  Any donations of supplies you would like to make to your child’s specific classroom will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
The Second Grade Team

Your child should have:
-1 package of yellow Number 2 pencils
-1 package of 8 colored markers
-1 package of 24 crayons
-glue sticks, (three or more)
-1 eraser
-1 pair scissors
-wide-ruled lined paper
-1 inch 3-ring binder
-5 tab dividers
-1 pocket folder
-1 spiral notebook
-1 plastic pencil box (8 ½ x 6)

Other items that our classes will use and would love to have donated include:
Gift cards to Staples, Target, etc. (to be used for purchasing additional supplies)
Kleenex boxes
Hand sanitizer pumps
Hand soap with pump
Extra pencils
Sanitizing wipes
Extra lined paper
Extra glue sticks, (always needed!)
Scotch tape
White paper for computer printers
Blue or black pens

THANKS SO MUCH!

Monday, July 16, 2012

ICES Camp needs you!

Hello Birney Families -
I am Aubrey Aftreth and I am the new ICES site director --- my phone number is 619.727.9417 and my email is aubreybrunswick@gmail.com.

A minimum of 40 students per day need to be signed up in order to actually have ICES camp and I have not yet made that quota.

There is an urgency to sign up for our summer program as soon as possible!!! The deadline is Wednesday July 18th.

A copy of the summer flyer is attached also. You are more than welcome to print it out, fill it out, and return it to me as soon as possible.

Thank you all so much for your help and support of ICES throughout the entire school year!

Aubrey Aftreth
ICES Site Director

http://www.nstpr.com/nst_upload/upload_NST_Files/Birney_summer_flyer.doc

Friday, July 6, 2012

ICES will be having a Summer Program.

Please sign up soon - 20 students per week are needed for these programs to be held.  

Program Fees
$130.00 for 4-5 days per week
$80.00 for 3 days per week
$52.00 for 2 days per week
$37.00 for 1 day per week

Program Hours
9 AM to 3 PM
Early drop off available from 6:30 AM to 9 AM for an additional 10.00/per week
Late pick up available from 3 PM to 6PM for an additional 10.00/per week

Activities included:  Themed days, show & tell, talent show, gardening, sports, theatre, relay races, arts & crafts, library, dance, computer, physical fitness, running club, demonstrations, playground, movies and snacks will be provided.   Please bring with your student a packed lunch and sunscreen! 

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Allie Chi at alicebirney@iceseducation.org or 619-727-9417.  Program Dates:  August 1-2-3; August 6-7-8-9-10; August 13-14-15-16-17; August 20-21-22-23-24

Have you heard the news?

There will be no class size increases next year! And it's not because the state gave our kids a bigger priority in the state budget!

Our teachers voted to:

  • forego deferred raises they were promised years ago
  • continue the five furlough days and
  • accept 10 more furlough days if the tax initiatives do not pass in the fall

Their sacrifices mean that 1,500 teachers will not be laid off and our kids class sizes will not increase. Once again, our teachers have made our children's needs their priority. It's time to thank them!!! Can you and/or your kids write a "thank you", buy some flowers, make a picture, or do something else to express your gratitude? We're hoping to gather hundreds of these by next Monday, July 9th, to put on display in front of the Ed Center before the July 10th school board meeting.

Please drop these off at the Birney office PTA box, Sandy Weiner-Mattson's house 1306 33rd Street or Jen Spencers house at 2912 Kalmia Street or at the "drop off" box in front of the school.

Contact Sandy (rhusmom@sbcglobal.net) or Jen (jensabo@yahoo.com) if you want to help. Please spread the word to other parents at other schools!
McKinley PTC

Bee PRIDE!

BIG Opportunity for Birney!

Volunteers needed!

Saturday July 21, 7am – 12pm


The school district has given us permission to COLLECT DONATIONS for parking in the district's lot during the annual San Diego LGBT Pride Parade.

In order to take advantage of this opportunity, we need volunteers to: place cones and signs, direct cars where to park and collect donations. Set up will begin at 7am and breakdown will probably be completed by 12pm.

This parade is the 4th largest in the United States attracting over 197,000 cheering spectators, and there is a huge potential for raising a lot of money for Birney. Roosevelt Middle School raised $12,000 at a similar parking event during December Nights.

Please contact Jennifer Ayala if you can help. 619-985-9280 or Jennifer@ayala-arch.com

This is a great opportunity to raise funds for Birney Students!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

2012 Circus Summer Camp





Students learn tumbling acting trapeze, tight wire and juggling to name a few of the fun activities. We provide a healthy snack and students need to bring a lunch. There is a student show every Friday at 2:30. Come cheer your circus campers on.

For more information about the camp programs, click here.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Passport To Adventure THIS SATURDAY

The big event is coming soon.

Saturday, June 23, 2012  • 11 am - 2 pm

Visit 6 exciting countries
China, Eritrea, Finland, Iceland, Philippines and the United States of America
Games, Food, Crafts, prizes and a whole lot more...
The cost for tickets:
14 for $5 (presale) • 12 for $5 
or 50¢ each (on the day of the event)

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Local Habit Fundraiser - Coach Lord to tend bar.

Come by and make a toast to Birney.

Monday, June 25, 2012

4:30pm until 10:00pm


Proceeds from the nights sale will benefit Birney. We will make the following profit:
-$1 from every draft beer sold
-$1 from every glass of wine sold
-$2 from every T-Shirt sold
-$1 from one or more of our small plates

The Local Habit's goal is to create a community in San Diego based around local organic produce, meats, and craft brewed beers. We will showcase hand crafted pizzas and sandwiches featuring the amazing produce from local organic farmers and award winning craft brews found right in San Diego’s backyard.


Local Habit 
3827 5th Ave, San Diego CA 92103

Is There Life Beyond Elementary School? Yes There Is!

Some Information for Anxious Parents About the IB Pathway from Roosevelt Junior High School and San Diego High School
Kelly Mayhew, SSC/SSG Parent Rep and SDHS Cluster Parent Rep at McKinley
I remember touring my son’s, Walt’s, preschool when I was pregnant with him.  Because my husband and I were so anxious that he be in the right place when he reached the ripe old age of 19 months, we wanted to make sure we got him on the waiting list early.  To say we were nervous about his future—and intent on planning for it as far ahead as possible—would be an understatement. 
Thus I was thrilled to be able to attend a San Diego High Cluster Meeting a couple of weeks ago with McKinley’s principal, Julie Ashton-Gray, where we would be hearing about not only what the other elementary schools were up to in our area, but also be able to talk to the representatives at the meeting from our feeder schools, Roosevelt and San Diego High.  I could then complete my now-second grader’s life path at least until he has to start thinking about college…in the 5th Grade.
Not every school in the San Diego High School cluster is IB.  In fact, McKinley, along with Birney IB and Jefferson IB, are just three out of the sixteen total elementary schools that will ultimately send their students to San Diego High.  While there are only three of us certified for IB, all the children in schools that do not go through the 8th grade will end up feeding into Roosevelt Junior High, which is also IB. 
This means, that the IB curriculum, values, and pedagogy will continue on with our children all the way through Junior High and into High School…should our kids choose to stay in an IB program when they get to high school.  I’ll come back to this point in a bit, but wanted to emphasize that our students have the opportunity to continue on the IB pathway all the way up to college if they stay in the San Diego High cluster area.
Roosevelt Junior High continues the IB learner profiles that our children enjoy at McKinley.  The curriculum emphasizes project-based learning and does not neglect the arts and humanities.  Students must continue learning a second language, as they do at McKinley, with Spanish being an option as well as French.  And Technology is introduced as an elective in the 7th grade.   There is no special IB track at Roosevelt; the entire school is IB, just like McKinley, Birney and Jefferson.  I was really pleased to hear that our kids would have such consistency up through 8th grade when they move on to high school.
Once kids move on to San Diego High School, they are then presented with a menu of options.  The thing that was hard for us parents to hear at the cluster meeting is that it will be the students, themselves, who choose which of the 5 programs or schools they will enter.  To be sure, the School of International Studies is one of the choices, but it’s not the only one.  As the website for San Diego High says:
San Diego High is the oldest high school in the San Diego Unified School District. We are located at the edge of downtown San Diego, and have a diverse student population of about 3,000. Our talented faculty instructs students in academic and extracurricular disciplines.
In the 2012-2013 school year, San Diego High School will have five (5) thematic schools. Each school provides a smaller learning environment for students with an emphasis on rigor, relevance and relationships.
School of The Arts
School of Business
School of International Studies
School of LEADS
School of Science and Technology
Thus, depending on your child’s interests and/or abilities, they can decide what “learning environment” will work best for them.  Every child gets their first choice.  Let me repeat that: your child will get her/his first choice—there are no caps for children who live within the residency area.  The rub, of course, is that it is up to your kid to decide where they want to go—not you, their parents.
There is a persistent myth that should your child decide on, for example, the School of International Studies (which is modeled on and houses the IB program), that it’s difficult to get in to.  This is not true, as the IB Coordinator/College Advisor Nirit Cohen-Vardi informed us at the cluster meeting.  When the Schools at San Diego High were funded by a Gates Foundation grant, there had initially been a cap because of the grant’s stipulations.  But a few years ago when the grant stopped funding the school, that cap was dropped and now every kid gets into the School at SDHS of their choice. 
Cohen-Vardi also clarified the relationship between IB and the School of International Studies.  International Studies houses the IB program and shares a lot of its curriculum.  But not every IS student opts to complete the requirements for an IB diploma by entering the IB program at SDHS.
In fact only 25% of students choose to participate in IB at San Diego High School because it is so rigorous.  Kids are not prevented from trying, but they are counseled to be cautious if they are not at the appropriate levels in math and language arts.  The IB Program really emphasizes reading at the college level, so that is something that teachers and counselors look for when helping kids decide what they want to pursue in the School of International Studies.
Every Junior in the School of International Studies takes a Theory of Knowledge class.  After that, students select how many IB classes they want to take.  The point is, is that it’s up to them to figure out if they can handle the workload.  This is why parent involvement, encouragement, and support is key in helping your kid make good choices for themselves.
Because McKinley is an IB elementary school, I was keen to find out about the IB pathway through Roosevelt to San Diego High.  Once your child gets to High School, however, IB is not a mandate, and each School at SDHS has a unique flavor that bears investigating. 
Check out San Diego High’s website (http://www.sandi.net/site/default.aspx?domainid=2601) to learn more about the other schools that might be of interest to your child down the road.  Roosevelt’s website (http://rooseveltmiddle.org/) also contains a lot of information about its IB program.
So now we can all get down to planning the rest of our kids’ lives!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

ICES will be having a Summer Program.

Please sign up soon - 20 students per week are needed for these programs to be held.  

Program Fees
$130.00 for 4-5 days per week
$80.00 for 3 days per week
$52.00 for 2 days per week
$37.00 for 1 day per week

Program Hours

9 AM to 3 PM
Early drop off available from 6:30 AM to 9 AM for an additional 10.00/per week
Late pick up available from 3 PM to 6PM for an additional 10.00/per week

Activities included:  Themed days, show & tell, talent show, gardening, sports, theatre, relay races, arts & crafts, library, dance, computer, physical fitness, running club, demonstrations, playground, movies and snacks will be provided.   Please bring with your student a packed lunch and sunscreen! 

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Allie Chi at alicebirney@iceseducation.org or 619-727-9417.  Program Dates:  August 1-2-3; August 6-7-8-9-10; August 13-14-15-16-17; August 20-21-22-23-24

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Food Trucks this Family Friday

Friday, June 1, 2012
3:45 - 7:30 pm
in the parking lot of the
New Vision Christian Fellowship
4353 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92103
15% of the proceeds to Benefit Birney!

Trucks confirmed are:
Crepes Bonaparte (crepes) and Operacaffe Mobile (Italian)

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Memorial Day Parade

Join the Birney Bees for the Memorial Day Parade this coming Monday.
Here is a link to a flyer with all the information you will need.
We hope you can make it so that Birney has the biggest group.

Also remember there is a big pancake breakfast as well.


Friday, May 11, 2012

Get to Know Contest

The Contest invites you to get outside and create original
works of art, writing, photography, videography and
music inspired by nature. This year’s theme is
“Get to Know Your Wild Neighbours.” 

The goal is to be as creative as possible -
so have fun and let the natural world inspire you!

For additional information or to register click here.


Birney Named "California Business for Education Excellence Honor Roll School for 2011"


May 8, 2012

Dear Principal Hammond-Williams,

On behalf of California Business for Education Excellence, I write to congratulate you on the outstanding success your school has made in raising student academic achievement.  After an extensive analysis of student achievement data for every public school in California, your school stood well above the rest in getting your students to grade level proficiency and beyond.

It is for that reason we have named you a California Business for Education Excellence Honor Roll School for 2011.

Your school was also honored for particularly high achievement in math and science.  Because of this accomplishment, we have included your school as one of the 100 STEM Honor Roll designees.

The list of Honor Roll schools continues to grow thanks to the hard work and effective practices of thousands of excellent principals, teachers and support personnel in our public schools.  Since 2006 the Honor Roll increased from 304 high performing schools to an inspiring 1,614 high performing schools in 2011.  This is a testament to the relentless focus on results for students that you, your staff and your peers have shown over the years.  It is also a strong statement about how success is spreading in public schools across the state.

As an Honor Roll and STEM Honor Roll school you will be recognized in local and state media as well as events across the state.  Your success story will provide hope and direction for many other public schools -- that all students can reach high levels of academic achievement.  Your school will also receive a large full sized banner that can be proudly displayed to announce your accomplishment.

To order your banner, at no cost to your school, please go to the following link and enter your information.   It will take 2-3 weeks for you to receive the banner.  http://www.edresults.org/honorroll/banner.

Your school or district office is encouraged to promote your school as a 2011 Honor Roll winner.  To assist you in that effort, please visit the CBEE website (www.cbee.org) and click on the Honor Roll logo for a sample press release and logos you can use in materials, announcements and your own website.

You can also visit the EdResults.org website for more detail about the Honor Roll and to find your school’s data profile at http://www.edresults.org/honorroll/honorroll11/.

Our heartfelt congratulations and thank you for a job well done.  We look forward to telling your story and promoting your success.

Sincerely,
James S. Lanich, Ph.D.
President

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Passport to Adventure


The big event is coming soon.

Saturday, June 23, 2012  • 11 am - 2 pm

Visit 6 exciting countries
China, Eritrea, Finland, Iceland, Philippines and the United States of America

Games, Food, Crafts, prizes and a whole lot more...

The cost for tickets:
14 for $5 (presale) • 12 for $5 
or 50¢ each (on the day of the event)

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! 

If you can help with this event, either before or during the event. So, please let us know if you can help, by contacting the PTA at ptabirney@yahoo.com or by calling Michelle at 619-368-4110. Thanks.

Chili With Class Cookoff



Enter your class in a best chili by a class contest!

Friday, May 18th, 2012 • 6 - 8 pm

4 categories
Best Traditional • Best Vegetarian • Hottest • Most Unique
(Votes for best chili will be counted at 7:15)
Purchase an art bowl for $10 - $15 (adult) - $5 (kids) paper bowls
Adult bowl, entitles you to 1 tasting of each chili while supply lasts
and 1 vote for each of the 4 categories.

Monday, April 9, 2012

$15 Off discount to attend Camp CaHiTo Day Camp in Balboa park

If you are still wondering where to put the kids for some fun camp activities, Camp CaHiTo is offering 15% off to Birney families...

Birney Families a $15 Off discount to attend one of our upcoming Spring Camps with the Discount Code "BirneySpr12"! Camp CaHiTo is part of Camp Fire USA San Diego and Imperial Counties Council, we have been serving the county for over 50 years. Camp Fire SDI's builds caring, confident youth and future leaders.

Camp CaHiTo is one of the most popular camps around, offering wholesome and fun camp experiences. Activities include hiking, archery, arts and crafts, games, sports and more! Each year, about 2,000 kids attend Camp CaHiTo Day Camps and discover an amazing 7.5 acre reserve in Balboa Park. We use the Camp Fire curriculum to facilitate outdoor games, songs, skits and self growth skills through our mission: Building caring confident youth and future leaders!

We are offering 2 more weeks of Spring Camp:
Spring Camp 3: April 16th-April 20th
Spring Camp 4: April 23rd-April 27th

Camp Schedule:
Half Day: 9:00am - 12:30pm (Little Stars Only)
Traditional Day: 9:00am - 3:00pm
Morning Care: 7:30am - 9:00am
After Care: 3:30pm - 6:00pm

Fees:
$165 Little Stars Half Day
$215 Little Stars Full Day/Starflight/Adventure/Discovery
Morning Care and After Care are available for an additional $10 per day.

For more information please feel free to email me at jpetty@campfiresdi.org or call me at 619-291-8985. You can also visit our website at http://campfiresdi.org/CampCahito.html, for more information. I thank you so much for your time and hope to hear from you soon, have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,

Julie Petty


Julie Petty
Director of Marketing, Special Events and Outdoor Education
Camp Fire USA San Diego and Imperial Counties Council
PO Box 3275
San Diego, CA 92163
Telephone: 619 291 8985
Fax: 619 291 8988
E-mail: jpetty@campfiresdi.org
http://www.campfiresdi.org

Monday, March 26, 2012

Old Desert Garden, Balboa Park

Dear Birney

Giving back to the community where we are living is a vital part of a full and rewarding life. Buddha's Light International Association (BLIA) has an opportunity to clean up and to plant some desert plants at the Old Desert Garden, Balboa Park on Saturday, March 31 from 9 am to 1 pm.

We would like to invite school staff and parents to join us together to make our community the better place to live. Breakfast will be provided at the Hsi Fang Temple located at 4536 Park Blvd., San Diego, Ca 92116 at 8:15 am. We will carpool together to the Balboa Park around 8:45 a.m. For those who wants to go directly to the Balboa Park, here is the location, 2130 Pan American Road West.

We hope you can join us, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Warmly regards,
Ellen Bach

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Easter Egg Hunts and Festivals

Below are a list of some of San Diego's Easter Events and Activities.

Sun, Apr 9 (Time TBA)
LGBT Community Easter Egg Hunt
Founded in 2003 by City Commissioner Nicole Murray-Ramirez and Linda Childers, the Easter Egg Hunt is an annual event where children and parents of LGBT community and other families come together for a day of fun in the park. During the first year, over 125 children attended with their families. In 2004, over 300 children were in attendance. 2005 brought over 400 children to Trolley Barn Park for the egg hunt, with each taking home an Easter Basket full of goodies, stuffed animals, toys and even bikes and wagons, all donated by businesses, friends and families of the LGBT community.



Sat, Mar 24 from 12:00 p to 3:00 p
Piazza Carmel, San Diego

Eggcitement is Guaranteed Easter Egg Hunt - Enjoy Easter Egg Hunt, Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, face painting, balloon art, & more. ... CA While supplies last, children get a FREE Easter basket to decorate & a treasure map to find prizes.

Sat, Mar 31 at 9:30 a
Reformation Lutheran Church, San Diego

Easter for Kids is on Saturday, March 31, from 9:30-noon for children ages 3-12. Lunch will be served in the gym at noon and an egg hunt will follow.

Sat, Mar 31 at 10:00 a to 2:00 p
Foothills United Methodist Church, La Mesa
Come hunt for eggs, make crafts, sing, play and celebrate Easter! Foothills United Methodist Church is putting on its annual Eggstravaganza family fair.

Sun, Apr 1 from 7:00 a to 11:00 a
Vista Optimist Club, 600 Optimist Way, Vista CA
Egg Hunt and All you can eat Pancake and Sausage Breakfast - Breakfast, Games and Pictures.

Mon, Apr 2 from noon to 2:30 p
North Park Recreation Center, 4044 Idaho St.
Children and teens, ages 2 to 16 are invited to bring a basket to hunt for eggs at the Spring Egg Hunt. Get your picture taken with the Spring Bunny. Free. (619) 235-1152.

Mon, Apr 2 from noon to 2 p
The Mountain View Community Center at 641 S. Boundary St.

Spring Egg Hunt Celebration with potato sack races, a jelly bean count contest and more. Free. (619) 527-3417.

Mon, Apr 2 from 1 p to 4 p
Normal Heights, Adams Avenue Recreation Center, 3491 Adams Ave.

Children ages 2 to 12 are encouraged to bring a basket to hunt for eggs. An inflatable jump, clowns and a bubble show are part of the fun. Free. (619) 235-1149.

Tue, Apr 3 from 10 a to 1 p
City Heights Recreation Center, 4380 Landis St.
Carnival games, craft-making activities, and pictures with the Spring Bunny for children ages 2 to 12 are a part of the Spring Egg Hunt. $2 photo fee. (619) 641-6125.

Tue, Apr 3 from noon to 4 p
Ingram Plaza, at the corner of Roosevelt and Cushing roads, Liberty Station
A concert by Rockola and an Easter Scavenger Hunt are part of the festivities.

Tue, Apr 3 from 10 a to 1 p
Pacific Beach Recreation Center, 1405 Diamond St.
Meet the Spring Bunny and hunt for candy-filled eggs. Free. (858) 581-9927.

Wed, Apr 4 at 9 a
San Diego First Assembly, 8404 Phyllis Place, San Diego.
Youngsters ages 12 and younger are invited to an Easter Egg Hunt with a petting zoo, face-painting and more. Free. (858) 560-1870.

Fri, Apr 6 at 2:30 p
Westgate Hotel, San Diego

Easter Bunny Teas - Enjoy the visit from Easter Bunny and a magician as well as our egg hunt and other activities for children. Easter For Kids.

Sat, Apr 7 at 10 a
Urban Church
Urban Church will be having their 4th annual FREE Bunny Bash and Easter Egg Hunt at 4346 Park Boulevard. Make sure to join us and Invite your friends and family as we will have thousands of eggs and prizes for children of all ages. Urban Church gives away thousands of eggs filled with candy and fun toys, prize-give-a-ways, bikes and much more!

Sat, Apr 7 from 10:00a to 12:00p
Lighthouse Christian Church, Oceanside CA
Community Easter Egg Hunt Lighthouse Christian Church invites children ages 2 through 5th grade to bring a ...

Sun, Apr 8 8:30a
San Diego First Assembly, San Diego
On Easter Sunday, April 8, come to a huge Easter Egg Hunt, free for the entire community. The event begins at 8:30 am with a petting zoo, 15 carnival games, face painting, craft table, and the Easter Bunny.

Sun, Apr 8 12:00p
Life Christian Church, Vista
“We invite you to join us for our annual Easter Egg Hunt! We have over 50,000 candy filled eggs and loads of free prizes. Eggstravaganza!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Jog-A-Thon 2012

On behalf of Friends of Alice Birney Elementary and the entire Birney community. . .
THANK YOU !!!
to Jennifer Ayala, our Jog a Thon committee chair extraordinaire!

A huge THANK YOU also goes out to all the people who helped make this year's Jog a Thon a fun, healthy success! It was a lot of work, but well worth it.

Jog a Thon Committee members:
Brenda Anderson
Carrie Binder
Debbie Brinker
Elizabeth Austin
Joe Foty- Ascent Real Estate
Nancy Wolfiing – Ascent Real Estate
Sara McLure

Our extended team that helped us get to the finish line:
Becky Jones
Beth Lunde
Claire Kreger
Hershey Sanchez
Kai Lombard, PTA President
Kim Gomez
Kim Seling
Konnie Dadmun
Lindsey Kovelant (Room 5)
John Amat
John Budlong
Maggie Boyd
Michelle Livermore
Molly McJohn
Robert Hunt
Samantha Boice
Sandy Barksdale

And many more volunteers for the day of the event! Birney ROCKS!!!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Star Pary and Carnival on March 23rd

Join us for our
6th Annual Star Gazing Party
The San Diego Astronomy Association
will be on our playground
Friday, March 23 from 7:00-8:30 pm.

Come share in this family event.


Everyone is welcome.


Also Happening...

Carnival!
from 6:00-7:00 pm.
including games, prizes, concessions and fun.
Fun for the Whole Family!

ICES Has Spring Break Camps - Sign Up Now!

Activities:
Themed days, show & tell, talent show, gardening, sports, theater, relay races, arts & crafts, library, dance, computer, physical fitness, running club, demonstrations, playground, movies, and more...

Snacks provided, please bring a lunch, water bottle and sunscreen.

Program Hours: 9 am - 3 pm
  • Early drop off is available from 6:30 am - 9 am for an additional $10 per week.
  • Late pick up is available from 3 pm - 6 pm for and additional $10 per week.
  • Students picked up after 6 pm will be charged $1 per minute.
Program Dates:
  1. April 9 - 13
  2. April 16-20
  3. April 23-27

Program Fee:

$130 per week (4-5 days)
$80 per week (3 days)
$52 per week (2 days)
$37 per week (1 day)

Full Payment is due upon registration to secure child's spot. We need at least 20 children registered per week in order to run the program. Payment is nonrefundable, however, if program is unable to meet required number of attendance, check will be voided.

Thank you for you support!
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Allie Chi at alicebirney@iceseducation.org or 619-727-9417.