Bulldog Update August 25, 2024

I type this newsletter with fingers filled with wonder as the first full week of school is behind us and a new one awaits. Ask you student what in one thing you want to keep doing this week and what is one new thing to try? Challenge them to tell their Bulldog teacher in order to be held accountable at school while also trying to ask them about it during the week. Together, you and your student's teacher, can make this next week one of a kind!

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.

• Monday, August 26th will be a B Day.
  Click HERE for complete A/B calendar.

• Friday, August 30th students do not have school due to Teacher Professional Learning

The purpose of the Barr PTO is to develop a closer connection between school and home by encouraging parent involvement and to enrich the culture of Barr Middle School.

Consider yourself invited to the first PTO meeting of the 2024-25 school year on Monday, September 9th at 6:00 PM. Come and see how you can contribute to the overall experience for students and staff at Barr.

If you have any questions, please contact the school or email Mr. McHargue at jmchargue@gips.org.

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!

Please remember the school dress code (below), and please note that "spaghetti straps" are not allowed. We appreciate your help in having students "Dress for Success!"

• Keep covered from top of chest to mid-thigh
• Keep undergarments covered (spaghetti straps not allowed)
• Hats and hoods need to stay off or down
• Anything with profanity, alcohol, drugs/Illegal substances, gangs, etc. is not allowed
• IDs need to be worn everyday!

Picture day at Barr will be Thursday, August 29, 2024.

Be sure to bring your best smile!😁

Note: picture packets will be sent home with students next week and they are optional for purchase.

In order to provide end-user protection and peace of mind, GIPS is offering a voluntary electronic device protection plan. If you choose to enroll, the financial burden of accidental damage or theft will be lessened.

The protection plan works on a yearly fee with a per-incident deductible:

1st Incident Deductible = $20

2nd Incident Deductible = $40

3rd Incident Deductible = $60

See the GIPS Student Handbook for additional information: GIPS Student Handbook

HERE is the link to set up your student's plan!

The last day to add the protection plan [for this school year] is September 20, 2025.

Students need their own corded headphones that fit in their computer bag (supply list)! No earbuds or bluetooth options per school policy.

Attention 7th and 8th graders! Auditions for High Impact show choir are coming soon. All audition materials and information is on the Auditions Google Classroom (get the code from Mrs. Cossey). Door 3 will be open from 6:45am - 6:55am.

Audition Rehearsals

Monday, August 26th @ 7:00am

Wednesday, August 28th @ 7:00am

Auditions (Choose one day)

Tuesday, September 3rd - Thursday, September 5th @ 7:00am

For questions or more information, please see Mrs. Cossey or a current member of High Impact!

Audition information is shared below. Click on a link for more information or talk to Mrs. Cossey.

We're excited to announce that Grand Island Senior High will present Disney's "The Little Mermaid" as the fall musical November 1-3! More show information to come.

Do you know any 4th - 8th graders who want to be 'part of our world'? Young student ensemble auditions will be this Sunday, August 25 at Grand Island Senior High in Room 416 (vocal music room).

Date: Sunday, August 25

Time: 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Who: Students in grades 4-8

Fill out the audition form here: https://trst.in/Ss9pc3

View the audition materials here: https://trst.in/ccW9TV

6th Grade Band lessons will start next week. Mr. Schneider is currently in the process of verifying those who will use a school instrument. If you are providing your own instrument you may go get those any time and bring them to school! Yanda’s Music and Ron’s Music are great options for rentals. If you have questions please contact Mr. Schneider - aschneider@gips.org.

Who:

7th and 8th grade Barr Students

When:

Starts Wed Sept. 4th

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday

7:30-8:00 Am

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

The 6th graders are going to the State Fair Wednesday, August 28th from 12:30-3:30 PM.

Please reach out to Mr. McHargue at jmchargue@gips.org with any questions.

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

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!)

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):

We need your help! Read the following carefully.

• East Side of Building- The right lane is for drop off and pick up. The left lane is the drive thru lane where traffic needs to be moving continually!
• West Side of Building- The right lane is for drop off and pick up. The left lane is the drive thru lane where traffic needs to be moving continually!

Thanks in advance for your help in making our parking lots safer!

6th grade: on east side (cafeteria side)

7th & 8th grade: on west side (near main entrance)

Students who walk or ride home are asked to leave right away.

Breakfast and lunch meals will be available to all students at no cost at all of our schools for the 2024-25 school year!

What does “Meals at No Cost” mean for Middle Schools and GISH?

• Breakfast & Lunch will be available to all students at no cost at all three middle schools and Grand Island Senior High.
• CEP only covers “fully reimbursable meals” as defined by the state.
• A la carte items will still be available for purchase.
• To cover a la carte items, families will still be able to use LINQConnect to track and update balances just like last year.

Explore the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page for more information.

Students still have the option to purchase a la carte items (i.e chips, cookies, vitamin water) by adding money to their accounts. Click HERE to learn how!

At Barr, in the cooler (pictured to the left) students can choose items off the bottom two shelves as substitutes for their hot lunch while the top shelf is items for sale.

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...

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.

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