Briarcrest Elementary PTA
What is the PTA?
Briarcrest Parent Teacher Association is a volunteer-led organization that fosters collaboration between parents, teachers, and school staff to support and enhance the educational experience for all students at Briarcrest Elementary. We work to strengthen the school community by organizing events, fundraising for essential programs and resources, advocating for children's needs, and facilitating communication between families and educators. Becoming a PTA member allows parents and caregivers to stay informed, get involved in their child’s school, and contribute to positive changes that benefit students academically, socially, and emotionally. Membership provides an opportunity to build meaningful connections, have a voice in school matters, and be an active part of creating a supportive learning environment.
News & Announcements
Washington State PTA Recognizes Briarcrest PTA with the Gold Membership Growth Award
Briarcrest PTA has recently been recognized by Washington State PTA as a Gold Membership Growth Award recipient! PTAs are presented with this award for enrolling at least 10% more members this year than last year. That means our PTA is growing! Thank you to everyone who has become a member so far this year: YOU are the reason our PTA achieved this award! If you haven’t yet signed up for a PTA membership or renewed from last year, please consider joining today! By doing so, you are demonstrating your support for our PTA and all it does for Briarcrest Elementary School.
Student/Family Handbook
To access more information about our school policies, please see the Briarcrest Student/Family Handbook on our website at https://briarcrest.ssd412.org/.
Volunteering at School
We rely on family volunteers to assist in classrooms, serve as chaperones on field trips, and support students before/after school or during lunch/recess. Every volunteer must complete a background check. This must be done every school year so even if you completed this process last year, it is time to do it again! The process is not very difficult or complicated but please know it will take 2-3 weeks to process the background check and you will not receive a phone call letting you know you have been cleared to volunteer. Instead, you will need to email us at bc.attendance@ssd412.org to confirm your application has been processed and you are cleared to volunteer. Please go to Volunteer Form – 2025–2026 to submit your volunteer application. Thank you!
Universal Free School Meals
We are fortunate at Briarcrest to provide free school meals for all of our students. We are able to do this because our families do an outstanding job completing the application for meal benefits each fall. Our ability to provide free school meals for next school year depends on the work we do between now and the end of October to ensure that our families are applying for the benefits. There is a paper application in your First Week of School Packets that you can return or you can complete the application on-line. To complete the application on-line:
Log in to your Family Access account and select the Food Services tab to get started. Be sure to go through the entire process and select "submit". If you are unable to successfully submit the electronic application, please contact Food Service at 206.393.4209. Once your application has been processed, you will receive a determination letter by email. Online meal application instructions: English -- Spanish. Information about Universal Free School Meals
Social Emotional Learning and Monthly Equity Observances
To see our weekly Social Emotional Learning Community Circle topics and our district’s Monthly Equity Observances along with possible read aloud resources used in classrooms please go to: Monthly Equity Themes, SEL Community Circles, 25-26, Community Circles, in Spanish. We update these documents regularly and would love to hear any book/story recommendations you may have. If you would like to preview any materials, you may click on the links provided and/or contact us to come in person.
PTA Changes Bank to BECU
In June 2025, Briarcrest was notified that our bank, Umpqua, would be merging with Columbia Bank. As a result of this transition, the board has encountered challenges related to the location and limitations of the new bank, as well as difficulties in updating our authorized check signers.
During the board and general meeting held on October 13, 2025, a motion was passed to open a new account with BECU. We will be transferring our funds to BECU, retaining only the amount necessary to cover any outstanding checks at the current bank. Additionally, we will be closing a $10,000 certificate of deposit (CD) and will discuss potential new CD options with BECU at our next meeting.
Upcoming Events
Family & Student Resources
Below are some resources provided by the Shoreline School District or the PTA Council that
families may find helpful.
The Works provides free, gently used kids' and teen clothing and self-care/hygeine items to Shoreline School District families. It is located at the Shoreline Center 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155.
The Shoreline PTA Council maintains a Community Resources page which lists dozens of programs and organizations families can utilize in our area.
Shoreline School District also provides a list of Community Resources, including food support and crisis hotlines.
Reflections Art Program is an annual art competition where students are invited to submit their artwork inspired by the theme of the year. For the 2025-2026 school year the theme is "I belong!"
Information about the program and how to make a submission will be announced in October 2025.