Principal's Newsletter

Website: https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/sbhs
Location: 5105 SE 302nd Ave, Gresham, OR, United States
Phone: (503) 258-4850
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Barlow-High-School/106146596083423
Twitter: @BarlowPride

It is hard to believe that we are now halfway through the school year. Students have completed their first semester of classes, our winter sports programs are at the tail end of their season, and we are beginning to plan for things like graduation and forecasting for the 2024 - 2025 school year.

By the time you receive this newsletter, your student will have completed their final exams and grades will have been recorded. Take some time to talk to your student about the grades they have earned. This is a nice time to celebrate successes as well as planning for improvement where needed. This process of reflection is great for your student and will help you to gauge where they are both academically and emotionally. If you have questions or concerns about their grades, please don’t hesitate to contact their teachers or counselor to get more information. This is especially important if you have a senior and are wondering about your student completing all of those graduation requirements.

We have been super excited to start the second semester. I am pretty certain that your student has had a few changes to their schedules. They may have a new elective class or a new teacher for one of their core classes. With those changes come new classroom procedures, new personalities, and changes in expectations. Asking them to describe these things is key to starting the new semester on the right foot. These are also great conversation starters that require more than a one-word response or the proverbial “everything is fine” that you may get between naps or the mid-evening refrigerator run.

Another Successful Year With Our Graduation Rate:

For the past four years we have been working very hard to make some key changes in order to increase the success of our students. Fortunately, that work is beginning to really pay off. The Class of 2023 posted a graduation rate of 86%, which is 5% higher than the state average. Our six-year average for our graduation rate is 86%, which demonstrates that we have some great programs in place to support kids and consistently trend above state and neighboring schools. Moving forward, we are targeting a graduation rate of 90% within the next three years and aim to make Barlow a quality place for each student.

I hope both you and your student have a fantastic second semester and as always, Go Bruins!

• President's Day: No School - Monday, February 19th
• Standards & Assessments: No Students - Friday, March 8th
• Spring Break: No School - March 25th - March 29th

Forecasting begins this week for the 2024 - 2025 school year. This is a great opportunity to work with your student and help them to see the potential of their future as it relates to the classes and programs we have to offer at Barlow. I have included key dates and the information that will be covered below. We will be spending some time during our Advisory classes to present key information, support students, and provide a workspace for them to ask questions in relation too forecasting.

Forecasting Calendar

Preview Week February 5th and 12th - 16th

• Videos by core content with all students will be shown in those classes. These include: Language Arts, Science, and Math
• Videos in Fine and Performing Arts, CTE, Social Studies, PD, and World Language will be shown in Advisory

Counselor Presentations

• Meet with Juniors in US History, AP US History - Tuesday, February 20th
• Meet with Sophomores in Biology - Tuesday, February 27th
• Meet with Freshmen in Pre-AP Language Arts - Thursday, February 29th

Student Meetings with Counselors

• Junior Pick up week-March 4th - 7th
• Sophomore Pick up week-March 11th - 15th
• Freshmen Pick up week-March 18th - 22nd

Please be sure to look for forecasting sheets from your student as this is how they will select the classes for next school year. Additionally, you may receive a recruitment letter for students who are a great prospect for our Advanced Placement Program. If you do receive a letter, please understand that we feel your student is a perfect fit for our advanced level coursework.

Over recent weeks, we have observed a concerning rise in tardy rates among our junior and senior students.

Recognizing the impact of punctuality on academic success, we are taking proactive measures to address this issue and support our students in getting to class on time. The administrative team has decided to implement a temporary suspension of parking privileges for juniors and seniors who accumulate excessive tardies.

Beginning after Winter break, our team will closely monitor tardy rates, and students who are at risk of losing their parking pass will be engaged in one-on-one conversations. The purpose of these conversations is to discuss the importance of punctuality and explore ways in which we can collectively improve student attendance. Students will be provided with the opportunity to regain their parking privileges by demonstrating a commitment to being on time. Students can earn back this privilege by improving their punctuality and reducing the number of tardies.

We understand the significance of open communication between the school and parents. If your child is identified as at risk of losing their parking pass, we encourage you to discuss the situation with them and support their efforts to be more punctual.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work together to create a positive and conducive learning environment at Barlow High School. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact the school office. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Spring Sports (Baseball, Softball, Golf, Tennis, Track & Field) will begin on Monday, February 26th. All athletes must have completed / submitted online registration form along with a current physical on file in order to participate. Please reach out to Karyn Dougharity in the Athletic & Activity Office with any questions. Email - dougharity@gresham.k12.or.us / Phone - 503.258.4895.

A recent question was raised at a Know Your School meeting by a parent, "Which app do I use and when?"

I would imagine it is overwhelming so my hope is to bring some clarity to the uses of the various digital platforms that exist and how and when we use them.

ParentSquare

ParentSquare is the system that we use to send written and voice communication home to parents and families. You can download the App in the App Store and Android Market and receive communications and notifications directly to your phone. You can also access features through the use of a desktop machine.

ParentVue

As a parent this is where I "live" with respect to tracking my student's performance. This app allows you to monitor grades, missing assignments, update contact information, and manage all the logistics of your student's information. This provides a very quick snapshot that will help you have conversations with your student.

Canvas

If your student is absent from school and needs to find out what went on in class that day, if you want to review specific assignments in one of their classes, or you are going to be gone for an extended period of time on a pre-excused absence you will be able to view all assigned work. It is the expectation that our teaching staff post all of their assignments to Canvas for access to both students and parents.

If you have any questions or comments regarding the various platforms above, please contact the school and we can assist you.

You can download the ParentVue App directly to your phone for free. It’s very simple to do and we have included the step-by-step instructions for you below.

• Go to your App store or Android Market and search for ParentVue.

• Click ‘install’ and then ‘open’ when installation is complete.

• You will have a screen prompting you to swipe left to find your district. If location is activated on your phone, our district should pop to the top. If not, type in Gresham-Barlow School District in the search bar.

• Once you choose Gresham-Barlow School District, you will be asked to log in.

• Once you have logged in, you will have access to your student's information, such as;

• Class Schedule

• Current Grades in all classes

• Progress Reports

• Attendance

• Teacher communications

• Access to update your contact information

• Many more…

• You can also select which language you prefer to use by clicking on ‘change’ at the bottom of the screen.

This is a great resource to have at the tip of your fingers. If you need assistance logging in or resetting your password, please contact Brandie Seibel at seibel6@gresham.k12.or.us

Parent/Guardian Observer in Canvas

One of the greatest features available to you is accessing your student's classrooms via Canvas. Canvas is the learning management system we use to post all classroom expectations, assignments, and contact information for your student's teachers. This is a fantastic system that not only serves to provide work for students, but also enables parents to see what is being assigned in classes. To make life easy, all teachers have the same "landing page" that will provide easy access to information. See below for some details:

• Modules: This is where you will find all of your student's assignments and daily work that has been shared with them along with additional resources teachers provide to students.
• Class Information: This contains the syllabus for the class as well as other key information describing the course and expectations for students.
• Contact Me: If you access Canvas, you can select this button to send an email directly to your student's teacher.

It is the expectation that all teachers post their assignments to Canvas for student access. If your student is absent, they can always go to their Canvas page to find out what they have missed and even complete assignments when gone. Realize that some of our project based elective classes may not have many traditional assignments posted. For example, it is quite difficult to post a welding project on a digital platform. However, in this case, if there were plans that needed to be drawn, safety information about equipment, or a project description then you should find that information.

Gaining Access to Parent/Guardian Observer in Canvas

1. Download the ParentVue app (see above) and establish a ParentVue Account.
2. Follow the directions for creating a Parent/Guardian Observer Password

In order to connect with our school community, Principal Jason Bhear will be hosting a monthly parent meeting on the fourth Monday of each month. During this meeting, Mr. Bhear will present on a variety of topics to inform participants of what is taking place at Barlow. These meetings are never "one way" as Mr. Bhear will gather input from parents and guardians to help make the Barlow experience quality for all.

The meetings begin at 7:00pm and end at 8:30pm and this year we are running a hybrid model with some meetings being conducted virtually through the use of Google Meets and some in-person in the Media Center. The meeting dates for the 2023-24 school year are: 2/26 (virtual), 3/18 (virtual), 4/22 (in-person), and 5/20 (in-person).

Each month an invitation will be sent to you with an agenda via email outlining the topics for discussion along with the link to the Google Meet for virtual meetings. We look forward to seeing you at the end of each month.

Sam Barlow High School is home to an amazing College and Career Center. Tia Molony, our College Coordinator, is consistently finding ways to connect students with scholarship opportunities, hosting presentations from colleges and universities, and helping students with the college application process. LindaLee Frazier, our Career Coordinator, works to provide students with exposure to career opportunities by linking local businesses to classrooms, hosting presentations from business leaders, and connecting students to apprenticeship programs, the military, and local job options. These two work tirelessly to provide opportunities for your student.

Please see their newsletter for incredible details and current opportunities:

• College and Career Center Newsletter

Sam Barlow High School's Concert Choir recently performed at the Oregon Music Educators Conference in Eugene, Oregon on January 12. Music educators from around the state had the opportunity to hear their concert, "Love You to the Moon and Back". Featuring soloists Christina Chung, Jack Kohler, Jonathan Matheny and Ania Vilius, the choir's outstanding performance received a standing ovation and discussions of their stellar musicianship have resonated throughout the state. Mrs. Schroeder and the choir are particularly thankful to the Barlow Vips for their help in planning, and Mr. Bhear and Mr. Nickolas for attending the concert.

In order for students to reach their full potential in the classroom, they must attend school. We want all students to attend at least 90% of all school days. Students should only miss school if they have a fever, have been vomiting, have a medical appointment, or a family emergency. We fully understand that students will sometimes miss school, but limiting the number of missed days is important. Students can’t learn unless they are in class. If we have more students attending at a higher rate, we can also increase the success of our students and our graduation rate.

To access key dates and information regarding the Class of 2024, please visit the Senior Page on our website. You can also get more information about what Jostens offers on their website jostens.com.

The Booster Club is hard at work planning and fundraising for an epic Senior All-Night Party. Please follow our Facebook page - Barlow High School Booster Club to stay up to date on our fundraisers and meeting schedule. You can also contact us by email barlowboosterclub@gmail.com. We'd love to hear from you!

Upcoming Fundraisers

50/50 Superbowl Squares are currently being sold. Squares are $10 each. You can choose yours squares at SuperBowlPoolSite.com

Senior yard signs are available for $22. Venmo @barlowboosters and pick up in room 500

High School Trivia Fundraiser

February 16, 7pm @Mad Cow Brewing (686NW Eastman Pkwy)

Grab some friends and make a team - or come solo and join a group. Trivia is free, but we will have a 50/50 raffle, and a special donation round of Barlow themed trivia.

BINGO!!

March 10th @ Growler Garage (243 NW Miller)

Prizes, raffle and a whole lot of fun!

Auction

We are planning an auction for late April - early May. Stay tuned for more info!

Below are instructions on how to access online state test score reports for your student. The document below has instructions in both English and Spanish.

How To Access Your Individual Student Report - English & Spanish

Oregon state law requires all districts to inform parents that a form is available from the Oregon Department of Education that provides the opportunity to opt your child out of the ELA and Math assessments. The form must be filed annually and is available in multiple languages.

1. Parents must return completed form to the school office. This is an annual requirement.
2. Incomplete or modified forms will not be accepted.
3. Parents may not write in additional assessments on the state opt-out form.
4. Forms will be accepted at any time. If a form is submitted after a student has begun testing, the student will stop testing but the items answered up to that point will be scored. The student will receive a performance level and/or overall score based on the incomplete submission.

The purpose of the assessments is to show individual student growth over time and to provide supplementary student-specific data that teachers can use to ensure each and every child is on track to reach goals for college and career readiness.

30-Day Notice and ELA/Math Opt-out Form (grades 3-8 & 11)

English | Español

What are the office hours?

7:00am - 3:30pm daily

Closed on holidays and some inservice days

What is the main office number?

503-258-4850

Can I leave a message for my student?

Yes. If necessary, we can take messages from a parent or guardian only. Messages will not be delivered to class except in an emergency, but will be held in the office. Students are paged during designated paging times, and it is the student’s responsibility to pick up the note.

Can I bring a present or send flowers/balloons to a student?

We are unable to accept gifts, flowers/balloons for students. We will refuse all attempted deliveries.

Can I deliver coffee/specialty drinks to my student?

No. We will not accept any Dutch, Black Rock, Country Coffee, etc.

Additional questions?

Please call us! 503-258-4850

If you have concerns about your child’s schedule or other issues, the following are the staff to contact. Email is a quick way to get answers to the questions you might have.

COUNSELORS (Caseload by Last Name)

A-C Shae Morris morris62@gresham.k12.or.us

D-H Erin Boelow boelow@gresham.k12.or.us

I-M Paul Quirke quirke@gresham.k12.or.us

N-Sa Oscar Rethwill rethwill@gresham.k12.or.us

Sc-Z Molly Ninneman ninneman@gresham.k12.or.us

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER

Katie Ray ray43@gresham.k12.or.us

HS SUCCESS COACH

Amanda McLeod mcleod2@gresham.k12.or.us

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT LIAISON

Puka Ahina ahina5@gresham.k12.or.us

ELL LIAISON

Araceli Arredondo arredondo4@gresham.k12.or.us

NURSE

Kaylee Martin martin156@partner.gresham.k12.or.us

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS

A-G Heidi Husbands husbands@gresham.k12.or.us

H-O Julie Rowell rowell5@gresham.k12.or.us

P-Z Doyle Huelsman huelsman2@gresham.k12.or.us

If you would like to subscribe to Sam Barlow calendars on your phone or other devices, use the links below:

Activities - SBHS Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_73jhabthgqh7h2910qn0c6baq8%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

Athletics -SBHS calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_kv7l5hldmkp5s4cgp4dmg8fnls%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

Sam Barlow Main Public Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_4jj9ve163iticdogb11b6ggp1s%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics