BA Blast Newsletter
 May 3, 2026 In this issue:
Mark Your CalendarMay 4 - May 8: Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week Weds, May 6: Walk and Roll to School Day Weds, May 13: Stanford Taiko assembly Weds, May 13: 2026/27 TK/K Family Orientation, 3:30 p.m., BA Library Fri, May 15 & Sat, May 16: SCEF at Hometown Days Sat, May 16: Hometown Days Parade Weds, May 20: BA Celebration of Learning, 5:30 p.m. Fri, May 22: Minimum Day, early dismissal, 12:25 p.m. Mon, May 25: Memorial Day, no school Weds, May 27: 3rd grade walking field trip to Arroyo; PTA meeting, 6:30 p.m., BA Library Principal's Message Dear Brittan Acres Families, It’s hard to believe we are already in May. The energy on campus right now is something special and full of energy. The warmer weather, longer days, and the growth we’re seeing in our students are all coming together in really meaningful ways. It’s hard to believe our 3rd graders are leaving BA to head on to their next adventures! One of the most noticeable shifts has been with our youngest learners. Our TK students have been joining us at assemblies, and our kindergarten students are now eating lunch and playing on the upper yard with first grade. Watching them step into these new experiences with joy has been incredible. Our kinders truly look like first graders already. One of the joys of being a TK–3 school is getting to see this kind of growth up close, from those first days of school to where students are now. The change is real, and it’s something to celebrate. It is also a lot of fun to watch. I feel so fortunate to have a front row seat to see all of this every day. At the same time, our third graders are stepping into an important milestone as they begin state testing this week. This is their first experience with CAASPP, and we’re already seeing them rise to the occasion during these practice testing days. They are showing increased ownership of their learning, holding themselves accountable, and using their voices to share ideas about their learning and their school experience. We’re proud of how they are approaching this moment. You can support your child during testing weeks by making sure they get a good night’s sleep, arrive at school on time, and come ready with a positive mindset. A calm, encouraging start to the day goes a long way. I also want to share a big thank you to our parent community for making Walk-a-Jog such a special event for our school. The time, energy, and care that goes into planning and running this event does not go unnoticed. It’s a reflection of what makes BA such a strong and connected community. Thank you to the families who take the lead and to everyone who supports in all the ways you can. With appreciation, Seen Around Brittan Acres    Announcements & Reminders  Staff Appreciation Week, May 4-8I want to take a moment to share how incredibly lucky we are to have the staff we do here at Brittan Acres. Our teachers show up every single day with care, intention, and a deep commitment to our students. They are thoughtful in their practice, supportive of one another, and always focused on doing what’s best for kids. That kind of consistency and heart makes a real difference. I see the work that goes into each lesson, each interaction, and each decision and I’m continually grateful for the team we have. If you have a chance this week, I encourage you to share a quick note or word of appreciation. It goes a long way. Thank you for being part of a community that values and supports such an incredible group of educators. 💙  Parent Survey ResultsEarlier this year, we asked our families to share their experiences at Brittan Acres, and I want to start by saying thank you. We had a strong response, and we truly value the time and thought you put into sharing your perspective. Your feedback matters and directly informs the work we do each day. The results reflect so much of what we see on campus. Strong relationships, a focus on supporting the whole child, and a community that is engaged and invested in student success. It’s clear that our students feel cared for, supported, and motivated, and that comes from the collective effort of our staff and families working together. At the same time, your feedback also helps us continue to grow. We heard clearly that communication and opportunities for parent voice are areas we can continue to strengthen, and that is something we are committed to improving as we move forward. I’m proud of what this data shows about our school, and I’m just as committed to building on it. Thank you for your partnership, your trust, and the role you play in making BA the kind of place it is for our students.  May Character Trait of the Month: SelflessnessFor the month of May, we are focusing on selflessness as part of our character education work. This means helping students think beyond themselves and consider how their actions impact others. In classrooms, teachers will be talking with students about what it looks like to show care without being asked, include others, share materials, and step in to help when someone needs support. You may hear students reflecting on questions like: How can I make someone else’s day better? or What does it look like to put others first in our classroom? Across campus, we’ll reinforce this through everyday moments. During recess and lunch, we’ll encourage students to invite others to play and show kindness in unstructured settings. In class, students will practice working collaboratively, listening to one another, and recognizing when a peer might need encouragement or help. We’ll also take time to recognize and celebrate these actions when we see them. Whether it’s a student helping a classmate, showing empathy, or contributing positively to the group, we want to highlight that these small actions are what build a strong, caring community. This is a meaningful focus as we move toward the end of the school year, when students are taking on more leadership and have more opportunities to support one another in authentic ways.  Character Trait Education Books of the MonthAs part of our focus on selflessness, students across grade levels will be engaging with stories that help bring this idea to life in meaningful, age-appropriate ways. In our TK–1 classrooms, students will be reading Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems. In this story, Gerald the Elephant wrestles with whether to share his ice cream with his friend Piggie. It’s a simple but powerful way for students to explore how selflessness can show up in everyday moments, like sharing, including others, and thinking about how our choices impact a friend. In grades 2–3, students will be reading Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts. In this story, a boy wants a pair of shoes that everyone else seems to have, but ultimately chooses to give them to a classmate who needs them more. This helps students think more deeply about selflessness and what it means to put others first, even when it’s difficult. Across all grade levels, students may also engage with Perfectly Norman by Tom Percival. In this story, Norman learns to embrace what makes him unique, and in doing so, helps create a space where others feel safe to be themselves. This connects to selflessness through inclusion and empathy, helping students understand that the way we treat others can make a meaningful difference in how they feel. Across all grades, we are helping students understand that selflessness can look different depending on the situation, but at its core, it’s about thinking beyond yourself and taking action in ways that support and care for others. These everyday choices are what build strong friendships and a positive, connected school community.  Culture and Belonging Book of the MonthAs part of our ongoing work around culture and belonging, students will be engaging with Dim Sum Palace by X. Fang. This story follows a young girl and her family as they visit a dim sum restaurant, sharing food, traditions, and time together. Through this book, students explore how culture is expressed through everyday experiences like food, language, and family traditions. It opens conversations about the different ways families connect, celebrate, and show care for one another. We use stories like this to help students see both what makes each of us unique and what we share in common. It’s an opportunity to build understanding, appreciation, and a stronger sense of belonging within our classrooms and across our school community  Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at BAAsian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated each May as a time to recognize the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of these communities in the United States. The AANHPI umbrella includes people with roots across the Asian continent including East, Southeast, and South Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. This month was chosen to honor the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, which was built largely by Chinese laborers. At our school, we value the many cultures, traditions, and experiences that shape our community. AANHPI Heritage Month offers a meaningful opportunity for families to learn together and celebrate diversity in ways that are engaging for children. One simple way to explore this month at home is through stories. Consider sharing books written by Asian authors, featuring Asian characters, or illustrated by Asian artists. Reading together can spark important conversations about identity, belonging, and respect. Here are a few picture books that are especially well suited for elementary age children:
You can also learn by watching and discussing together:
These activities are a great way to help children build understanding, appreciation, and respect for different cultures while also recognizing the many contributions AANHPI communities have made to our shared history.  Bear Hug Winners for April 15, 2026TK: Room 27, Josh; Room 26, Santiago; Room 25, Sacha Kindergarten: Noah, Claire, Ezekeiel. Benjamin 1st: Carlo, Ozzy, Noam 2nd: Joyce, Alorah, Clara 3rd: Edwin, Miller, Jules Congratulations to our Bears for showing kindness, perseverance, and responsibility across campus! This week's Breakfast & Lunch menuFree for all students, no pre-order needed. Weekly menus will be posted here in the Blast, in the entrance hallway to Brittan Acres and in the school office. Menu Update: School and PTA News Many Thanks for a Fun Walk-a-JogOur 2026 Walk-a-Jog was a blast! We are so glad so many of you could attend! Please enjoy reliving the fun through these amazing photos taken by Jen Burns. It takes a huge village to put on this event; if you would like to get involved for next year’s WAJ, please email me (Laura Blaich) at [email protected]. It is a fun and rewarding experience to be a part of this event’s planning! I want to extend a thank you to the magic-makers of the 2026 WAJ: Bag-Packers (led by Hilary Briant and Jenna Kruger): Anika Gupta, Megan Rivera, Celeste Thomas, Shelby Busen, Jessica Gimnicher, Hanuel Aharoni, Ms. Goines Set Up Crew and Clean Up Crew (led by Paul Briant): Mr. Sebastian; Ross Boberg; Nader Banki; Ken, Jaclyn, and Gavin Grayson; George Weiner; Matt Rivera; Mike Wozniak; Max Schneider; Neha Kapoor; Ken Lee; Rich Wahl BBQ Crew (led by Jared Nash): Matt Rivera, Paco Tovar, Claire Evangelista, Jeff Roecks, and Paul Briant Prize Booth Crew (led by Diana Banki and Nadya Sigona): Shweta Anand and Trish Baskin Carnival (led by Stephanie Wozniak): - 100s of volunteers - parents and students Registration (led by Jeff Roecks and Vanessa Reid): Adelene Prado, Zeelomi Wadiwalla Hamirani, and Cassidy Ozowara for helping with anything asked of! Tech Support: Drew Blaich Photos: Jen Burns Volunteer Coordinator: Liz Rennaker Signage and Supplies: Breyon Lauher Materials: Megan Rivera Communications: Emily Morse Administrative Support: Virginia Lu Anderson Photo Booth: Hanuel Aharani, Diana Banki, and Kim Yeung Sponsorship: Roxanne McClure and Ashley McManus Everything that comes up: Ms. Goines and Mr. Noyes All our student lap markers and Cole Moretti, our amazing Bruin Bear. Of course, thank you to the room parents for facilitating so much communication around the event and helping get volunteers and make class banners and thank you to all the parents who signed up for their class shifts at their carnival booths. Lastly, thank you to all the faculty and staff who supported this event by sharing their time, materials, and enthusiasm with us. Already can’t wait for WAJ 2027!  San Carlos Hometown Days ParadeLet’s show our school spirit and come together as a community! We’re inviting all Brittan Acres families to join our walking group in the Hometown Days parade! Families will gather early on Saturday morning, May 16 around 9am ahead of the 9:45am parade start. Plan on wearing your Walk-a-Jog shirt, BA gear, or blue and yellow! More info to come!  Help the PTA get an iPadThe PTA is looking for help acquiring 2 iPads. These iPads will be used for a variety of purposes such as photo booths at our fun PTA-sponsored events, at PTA meetings, as points of sale at PTA events like the Winter Boutique, at parent gatherings to make signing up for volunteer roles easier, and more. If you …..
… we would love to hear from you! Please email Laura at [email protected]  Get Ready for Staff Appreciation Week!
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