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Bulldog Update November 11, 2024

Bulldog Update November 11, 2024

#BulldogStrong

November 11, 2024

I type this newsletter with fingers still in mittens from the cold mornings and chilly evenings.


Below you will find new, important information to help you be successful in the upcoming week and key reminders that are foundational to the school year.

Week At A Glance

  • Monday, November 11th will be an B Day.
  • Click HERE for complete A/B calendar.

Academic:

  • Normal week of learning!😁


Activities

  • Monday Nov. 11th:
    • 8th Grade Girls 🏀 @ Lexington (4:15 PM)
    • 7th Grade Girls 🏀 vs Lexington @ Barr (4:15 PM)
  • Thursday Nov. 14th:
    • 7th Grade Girls 🏀 vs Hastings @ Barr (4:15 PM)
  • Friday Nov. 15th:
    • 7/8th Boys 🤼 @ Walnut for the Vet's Day Malay (4:15 PM)

Our Week in Photos

Barr community at its finest!

Leaning into learning!

Focused on growing!

Always room for fun! 🙂

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

You are invited!

Calling all parents! Come and be a part of the Barr PTO where you can invest in the culture of our school!

Join us at our next meeting!
Details are below:

📆 Wednesday, November 13th, 2024
⏰6:30 PM

🌐Barr Middle School

Safety on Campus

Morning Expetations

IMPORTANT!

Reminder:
Students will only be allowed into the building after the doors to the school open at 7:45 AM. As the weather gets colder, please send your student in a coat! And remember, after the bell, your student needs to be in their assigned area.


Parents/Guardians, please help communicate the importance of this to your student.


Drop Off: Students need to get out of the vehicle on passenger side- nearest to the sidewalk instead of the driver side- in the driveway through lane.


Parents/Guardians, please help your student be safe at drop-off!

End of the Day Expectations

Students are dismissed at 3:45 PM, and they should be exiting on the same side of the building they are dropped off on. Also, students need to be off campus by 4:00 PM or have a plan fro transportation (another bell reminder!).

Emailing Teachers form ParentVue

We have been made aware of some complications in trying to email teachers. First, we apologize for the inconvenience as we value open communication with stakeholders. Next, below you will find instructions detailing how you can email teachers from either the website or the app. Finally, thank you for your patience in this process, and if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the main office.


Here are directions on how parents can email teachers:


On the ParentVUE website:

  • Login to ParentVUE

  • Select your child from the list

  • Click on Grade Book

  • Click on the name of the course

  • Click on the teacher name in the upper left corner

On the ParentVUE App:

  • Login to the ParentVUE app

  • Select your child from the list

  • Click on Grade Book

  • Click on the name of the Course

  • Click on the teacher name at the top left

Phones Away

Please remind your student of this policy!

Phones need to be off (at 7:45 A.M.) and stored in student's locker (at 8:10 A.M.). Phones are also not allowed at school activities or on the bus.

District policy will be followed regarding personal electronic communication devices (ECDs)*.

Please note the consequences for violation of district rules, state/federal law or school board policy:


  • 1st Office Referral: The ECD will be confiscated, turned into the school office, and picked up by the student from the principal by the end of the day, unless the device is needed longer for examination by school or district IT personnel. Document MAJOR incident in Synergy
  • 2nd Office Referral: The ECD will be confiscated, turned into the school office, and picked up by the student at the end of the day along with parent contact. Document MAJOR incident in Synergy
  • 3rd Office Referral: The ECD will be confiscated, turned into the school office, and picked up by a parent at the end of the day along with parent contact. Document MAJOR incident in Synergy
  • 4th Office Referral: Insubordination - 1 Day OSS
  • 5th Office Referral: Insubordination – Individual student/parent plan


(See full policy HERE.)


*ECDs include: cell phones, smart watches, tablets etc...

Attendance

What is the difference between PR, AB, ILL and MED on Synergy?

Have you received a phone call or email about your student's attendance? If so, please know that our team has the best interest of your student in mind while trying to keep the focus on their learning.


An important part of understanding what you are looking at in Synergy is the following:

PR- "Parent Request" this means that the parent called to inform the school of the absence.

ILL- "Illness" means the parent called (which we appreciate!) but is not medically excused.

AB- "Absent" means no call, no show.

MED- "Medical" a doctor's note was received by the school and excuses the student for the dates that are also identified on the note. This is the only absence that does not count against a student's total.


If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office for clarification.

Be Thankful Challenge 2024

Starting November 18, students and staff will be participating in the "Be Thankful Challenge." They will bring items to donate to Hope Harbor. The grade with the most items brought will win a trophy. Each grade level Bulldog Time with the most items donated will win a popcorn and game time. Hope Harbor is an organization in Grand Island that provides services for homeless families and helps them become self-sufficient. Thanks for your donations to help others!

Homework Club

Homework Club meets Monday-Thursday and is for all students! From 3:45-4:30 PM, students can come and get support on school work.


If your student is going to use this opportunity, be sure to make transportation plans.


For questions, please call the main office so we will come alongside you in supporting your student's learning!

Save The Date!

Barr Musical- Zombeo and Juliet The Musical

SAVE THE DATE

PERFORMANCES:

SAT, DECEMBER 14, 7:30 PM, AUDITORIUM

SUN, DECEMBER 15, 2:30 PM, AUDITORIUM


JOIN OUR GOOGLE CLASSROOM WITH THIS CODE:

xkkjgrt


Barr Junior Thespians Website: https://sites.google.com/gips.org/barrjuniorthespians/home


Join our Remind here: remind.com/join/xkkjgrt


Contact the director, Dr. Garcia, at ekgarcia@gips.org with any questions.

Activities Reminders

Activities at GISH

As the sports seasons start up, the admin team from Sr, High wanted to remind the middle schools:

Backpacks and other small bags are NOT allowed at Sporting Events/Activities. You will NOT be allowed in the event with a bag or backpack. You must have your school issued ID to enter.

Activities at Barr

Students: if you attend with your Bulldog pass (and not with your parents) you are only allowed to visit the concession stand in between sets, quarters, or games. Also, while attending games the expectations from the school day should be followed- including no cell phone use and staying off your computer.

Calendars

Here is the District Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year.

Activities Calendar

This calendar has all the activities at Barr, from volleyball to wrestling to orchestra concerts, and is one you can subscribe to so you never miss an event!


Click HERE to access the calendar! (The rSchool Calendar is on the left hand side!)

Reminders From Previous Post (That are still important!) 😉

Notes From the Nurse

Reminder: Please turn in all medications to the school nurse including over the counter medications such as pain relievers, cough drops, eye drops, etc... to ensure the safety of our students and to align to district policy


If you have further questions, please call the front office.

Backpacks/Bags/Trapper Keepers

Back packs

Shoulder bags

Trapper keepers

Here is reminder/update on bags at Barr:


  • Backpacks need to be put in students' lockers at the beginning of the day
  • No smaller bags are to be carried during the day except for medical purposes that have been approved by the nurse


Thank you for helping communicate this to your student(s) and keeping our school a safe place!

Computer Reminder

Students, your computer case should contain your computer, charger, and a pencil in the outside pocket. You are responsible for computer screens that break due to extra items in your case.


If you have a fine, please plan on paying that this week when you attend parent teacher conferences.

Drop off and Pick Up

Drop Off

Doors open at 7:45 (do not arrive any earlier as there is not supervision before 7:45).

**Students will not be allowed in the vestibule before 7:45 AM**


Each grade will wait in respective areas (and they can eat school breakfast while they wait!). Please drop off in the following locations (and students will wait in the following areas):

6th Grade

Door 23 into the cafeteria on the east side (students wait in the cafeteria)

7th Grade

Door 3 on the west side (near the auditorium and old gym) (students will wait in the old gym)

8th Grade

Door 8 on the west side (north of main entrance) (students wait in the new gym)

Jr. Islander Power Club

A place to better yourself.

Who:

7th and 8th grade Barr Students


When:

Starts Wed Sept. 4th

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday*

7:30-8:00 Am

*Moved to Thursday to accommodate students also in show choir


Focus of Training:

Strength--Speed--Flexibility--Agility

Conditioning--Quickness--Leadership


Where:

New (north) gym

Enter door 8


Equipment needed:

T-shirt, shorts, gym shoes


Questions Contact:

Coach Felber--cfelber@gips.org

Coach Rodriguez--drodriguez2@gips.org

Water Bottles

Water bottles are allowed at school so that students can stay hydrated throughout the day. Please make sure to use clear water bottles and that only water is in the bottles.


Also, cups will no longer be provided during lunch, so students are encouraged to bring water bottles.

Previous Updates

Barr Middle School