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Sunday, November 10, 2024
HomeLifestyleSpectacular September at Birch Grove in Tofte!

Spectacular September at Birch Grove in Tofte!

Birch Grove Com­munity School (BGCS) had a great start to the 24-25 school year, with one of the highest enroll­ment numbers in its 20 year history. The new school year started with its traditional Bell Ringing Ceremony, its annual Painting in the Woods with Mary LaBerge, garden har­vesting from the Tofte Community Garden, learning school and classroom expecta­tions, hitting curricu­lum both indoors and outdoors, and a show from the National Theater for Children. Birch Grove is also geared up to host the DNR Field Day for 5th graders from sur­rounding schools on October 1st.

Saplings student peeling apples. (Submitted photo)

Birch Buddies after­school programs are also underway with veteran K/1 teacher, Sara Knottski, leading the HIKE! program and partnering with returning 2/3 teach­er, Samantha Forster. More Birch Buddies specials this year will include a winter and spring HIKE!, Birch Buddies ~ SKATE!, and new program, Birch Buddies ~ ART! All of the afterschool programs are linked to the outdoors, a focus for BGCS.

The Saplings pro­gram, primarily for ages 3-5, and the NEW Seedlings pro­gram, primarily for ages birth-3, are also off to a great start this school year with Pam Holm, Saplings teacher, and Emi­ly VanDoren, Seed­lings teacher. Both programs have been engaging children in learning through play and projects, with time spent outdoors, mir­roring the school fo­cus.

This past year, BGCS was awarded High Quality Charter school status from the Minnesota Depart­ment of Education as well as the Award of Excellence in Ac­ademics and School Board Governance from VOA-MN, the school authorizer. Most recently, Birch Grove’s MCA scores for 23-24 rank higher than the state in both reading and math. The year is off to a great start and Birch Grove plans to contin­ue to Work Hard, Play Hard!

It’s never too late to enroll. For more information about Birch Grove Com­munity School or the pre-school aged pro­grams, go to www.birchgroveschool.com or call 218-663-0170

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