This year’s PARP (Pick a Reading Partner) theme is inspired by the Dog Man series, by Dav Pilkey, “Get Caught Reading a Great Book!” PARP will take place from January 12th - 23rd. Families are encouraged to read at least 20 minutes each day, whether
with a parent, sibling, grandparent, or any other reading partner of their choice. Reading challenges, classroom read alouds, Dog Man themed activities, special gifts from the PTA, and many other surprises will take place during these two weeks of PARP.
Your participation and involvement make a tremendous difference. Thank you in advance for supporting Birch Lane’s reading journey and making this year’s Dog Man themed PARP program, the best one yet! Attached is the PARP packet, which outlines PARP and the two weeks of activities. A black and white copy of this packet will also be sent home with your child on Monday, January 12th.
Any questions, please contact Elise Cahill at elisemartingale@gmail.com.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12U3f4GbNNPLUxTjvpQbIiMaJnhjUAxpo/view?usp=drive_link
Final REMINDER: To all Parents/Guardians of 5th Grade Students,
The window for entering requests for the Music and World Language courses you would like your child to take at Berner Middle School next year closes tomorrow Friday, January 9, 2026. If you have not already done so, please log into the Parent Portal and enter your child’s course requests as soon as possible. Please note: Beginning Saturday, January 10, 2026, the course request feature will no longer be accessible via the Parent Portal. Parent Letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mnj73aNBVfqTwilg8cclYsILc0u9YCOomP5gNnRo8bM/edit?tab=t.0
STEPS:
Sign-in to the Parent Portal - Web Portal: https://msdps.powerschool.com/public/home.html (Not available through the App)
Click on the "Class Registration" icon located in the Navigation menu
Select a Music Course and World Language Course
If you have any questions about the Music programs, please contact Mr. Green at 516-308-5085. If you have any questions about the World Language programs, please contact Mrs. Kirschner at 516-308-5774. If you have any questions about the course request entry process through the Parent Portal, please email the PowerSchool Parent Portal support team at powerschool@msd.k12.ny.us.
Thank you,
The Massapequa School District
Dear Parents -
Please click below to read the MSD Career and Technology Education Department's Winter 2026 Newsletter. This newsletter gives you an opportunity to see what our students have been learning this Semester in their Business, Technology and Family and Consumer Science courses. In addition, you will see the other extracurricular opportunities offered to BMS, Ames and MHS students.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lDC5gSVUeJJ0vpiMPYa3hH3tVNUjihcJ/view?usp=sharing
Regards,
Patricia LiVecchi
CTE Supervisor
Massapequa School District
plivecchi@msd.k12.ny.us
(516) 308-5975
Dear Massapequa Students & Families:
Please see the link below for information on our K-8 Science Discovery Fair to be held at Berner Middle School on Saturday, March 21st - 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Discovery Science Fair Flyer
Registration is now open and will close on March 6th - We look forward to seeing you there.
Thank You,
Katie Fasano
Supervisor of Elementary STEM
Massapequa Public Schools
Good Morning Birch Lane Families,
Happy new year! This Friday, we will be celebrating National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. We have several activities planned, including classroom visits from local law enforcement officers.
We invite all students and staff to show their support for our community heroes by wearing blue or any law enforcement-themed apparel on this special day.
Thank you for helping us honor those who keep us safe!
Stephen Aspetti and Joyce Larkin
Important REMINDER: To all Parents/Guardians of 5th Grade Students,
The window for entering requests for the Music and World Language courses you would like your child to take at Berner Middle School next year closes this Friday, January 9, 2026. If you have not already done so, please log into the Parent Portal and enter your child’s course requests as soon as possible. Please note: Beginning Saturday, January 10, 2026, the course request feature will no longer be accessible via the Parent Portal. Parent Letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mnj73aNBVfqTwilg8cclYsILc0u9YCOomP5gNnRo8bM/edit?tab=t.0
STEPS:
Sign-in to the Parent Portal - Web Portal: https://msdps.powerschool.com/public/home.html (Not available through the App)
Click on the "Class Registration" icon located in the Navigation menu
Select a Music Course and World Language Course
If you have any questions about the Music programs, please contact Mr. Green at 516-308-5085. If you have any questions about the World Language programs, please contact Mrs. Kirschner at 516-308-5774. If you have any questions about the course request entry process through the Parent Portal, please email the PowerSchool Parent Portal support team at powerschool@msd.k12.ny.us.
Thank you,
The Massapequa School District
Birch Lane Elementary is proud to celebrate Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on Friday, January 9th! To honor the occasion, we are inviting our very own family members in law enforcement to go "behind the badge" and visit our classrooms.
We would be honored to have you share insights into your vital work with our students and inspire the next generation of community leaders. If you are available to visit your child’s classroom, please complete the form below. Our team will follow up by January 6th with your scheduled visit time. We can’t wait to welcome you!
https://forms.gle/D4cdpKhHWPDusTys8
Best Regards,
Stephen Aspetti and Joyce Larkin
We are writing to inform you about something we addressed today. Within a bin of LEGOs inside one of our classrooms, staff found two old, spent casings mixed in with the play materials.
We immediately contacted our school security team and the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) to review the situation. After their assessment, it was confirmed that these casings were very old, worn, and completely inert. At no point was there any risk to students or staff.
The items have been removed, and we are taking extra steps to check classroom materials as an added precaution.
Please know that the safety and well-being of our students is always our highest priority. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.
Best Regards,
Stephen Aspetti and Joyce Larkin
It was brought to our attention that during fourth grade recess today, some students engaged in an activity where they intentionally held their breath to see whose face could turn the reddest. While this may have seemed harmless to the students, we want to make you aware that similar behaviors have been linked to dangerous “social media challenges” that encourage holding one’s breath for extended periods, sometimes until passing out.
Regardless of the intent, this practice poses serious health risks. Our classroom teachers addressed this concern with classwide discussions about the dangers of holding one’s breath and why it should never be attempted.
We kindly ask that you reinforce this message at home by talking with your child about the importance of safe choices and the potential risks of such activities.
As always, we thank you for your support and partnership!
Stephen Aspetti and Joyce Larkin
A reminder that our Holiday Spirit Week at Birch Lane begins tomorrow. Please see the flyer for details.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1De7qO0NTNabnNVxE7tl5UdfDOkg4owVl/view?usp=drive_link
Best Regards,
Stephen Aspetti and Joyce Larkin
Dear Elementary Parents/Guardians,
Elementary report cards will be available on the Parent Portal today 12/12 at 4:00PM. To access your child’s report card:
1. Sign in to the Parent Portal Web - https://msdps.powerschool.com/public (Report Cards not available through the Parent Portal App)
2. Click the Student Reports icon located in the navigation menu.
3. Under Archived Reports, select the report card.
If you need help accessing your Parent Portal account, please use the “Forgot Username or Forgot Password” link. If you continue to experience issues, email our PowerSchool support team at powerschool@msd.k12.ny.us. For questions about classes or grades, please contact your child’s teacher.
Sincerely,
The Massapequa School District
We are looking forward to our Holiday Spirit Week at Birch Lane. Please see the flyer for details.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1De7qO0NTNabnNVxE7tl5UdfDOkg4owVl/view?usp=drive_link
Stay warm this weekend!
Stephen Aspetti and Joyce Larkin
The Holiday Fair will remain today until 10:30am Friday (12/12) for any students who were unable to shop this week.
For any questions, please contact Tara Hochberg bigblue1208@yahoo.com, Peyton Farley phenry492@gmail.com, and Diane Sfoglia dianesfoglia@yahoo.com
Sincerely,
The Holiday Fair Committee
Dear Elementary Parents/Guardians,
We invite you to please read the following revised elementary report card letter with corrected Report Card Posting Dates – 12/12/25 at 4:00PM (Updated), 3/20/26 at 4:00PM, and 6/26/26 at 10:30AM.
Updated Letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yo21Vt-luqFxOiISIi9C7bbHp2RIe0jMPSXoCqv-TTc/edit?usp=sharing
Sincerely,
The Massapequa School District
To all Parents/Guardians of 5th Grade Students,
As stated in the letter sent home with your child last week and emailed/posted on our website and app, the Parent Portal is now open for you to enter course requests for the Music and World Language courses your child will take at Berner Middle School next year. The window for entering requests is today, Monday, December 8th through Friday, January 9th.
Grade 5 Parent Letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mnj73aNBVfqTwilg8cclYsILc0u9YCOomP5gNnRo8bM/edit?tab=t.0
STEPS:
Sign-in to the Parent Portal - Web Portal: https://msdps.powerschool.com/public/home.html (Not available through the App)
Click on the "Class Registration" icon located in the Navigation menu
Select a Music Course and World Language Course
If you have any questions about the Music programs, please contact Mr. Green at 516-308-5085. If you have any questions about the World Language programs, please contact Mrs. Kirschner at 516-308-5774. If you have any questions about the course request entry process through the Parent Portal, please email the PowerSchool Parent Portal support team at powerschool@msd.k12.ny.us.
Thank you,
The Massapequa School District
Please see the December/January edition of the PTA's Birch Twig.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iQE9rLjB_o94mkvnSoe2IZYwr_EIzBH4/view?usp=drive_link
Best,
Stephen Aspetti and Joyce Larkin
Birch Lane PTA’s Blood Drive will be held this Wednesday, December 10 from 4-8:30pm in the GP Room. In the event that a time slot fills up, please make an appointment in an available slot near the time that you would like to donate and come to school when you are available. Help save up to 3 lives with a single donation!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f_llwvH2ri1CJ2ruGN1Kshby1Qwc6A1s/view?usp=drive_link
The Birch Lane PTA
REMINDER: To all Parents/Guardians of 5th Grade Students,
We invite you to please read the important Grade 6 Music and World Language Course Requests letter. After, please note and save the course selection date - Monday, 12/8/25.
Grade 5 Parent Letter: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mnj73aNBVfqTwilg8cclYsILc0u9YCOomP5gNnRo8bM/edit?tab=t.0
Thank you,
The Massapequa School District
Our student government has once again organized a toy drive benefitting the John Theissen Children's Foundation. Please see the flyer for details.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mexICFXJ-ngAchtztVXFa0wHAU5HjmEa/view?usp=drive_link
Best Regards,
Stephen Aspetti