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March Family Newsletter
2023-2024 School Year
Dear Barley Sheaf School Community,
We hope that you are all excited for the month ahead! As we transition into March, we want to take a moment to update you on important events and developments within our school community.
February was a very busy month at Barley Sheaf! We kicked off the month with our Green Week Challenge. We are thrilled to report that we had over 50 participants! We would also like to congratulate Barley Sheaf students who were selected for the Young Artist Award. Mrs. Dribbon selected student artwork that was on display at the Hunterdon Art Museum.
A very special thank you to our PTO for sponsoring a special assembly program, Family Stages: Peter Pan. Our students really enjoyed the theatrical performance! Our PTO also hosted our first annual Reading is a Dream Night. We had so many students and families come to school in their pajamas to read bed time stories with our Barley Sheaf teachers. Thank you to our PTO and our teachers for organizing such a special event for our students.
Looking ahead to March, the Barley Sheaf Physical Education Department will hold its annual Safety Town unit. Our students and staff are also excited to celebrate Read Across America Week, with a focus on celebrating a nation of diverse readers. We are looking forward to author and illustrator Audrey Vernick visiting Barley Sheaf on March 21. Finally, the PTO will be hosting our annual PICTO Night on March 22. We hope you can join us for a fun family game night and basket auction!
Please note that Spring Break will take place from Friday, March 29 until Thursday, April 4. School will be in session on Friday, April 5 and will be an Early Release Day, with dismissal beginning at 1:20 p.m.
We continue our commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and enriching learning environment for our Barley Sheaf students. Thank you for your partnership and for being valued members of our school community.
With great appreciation,
Amy Switkes, Principal
Kimberly Bostory, Vice Principal
Hunterdon Art Museum
Family Stages: Peter Pan
Walking School Bus
Save the Date
3/4/24 to 3/8/24- Read Across America Week
3/9/24- PTO Family Skate at the Roller Rink
3/15/24- Early Dismissal for Students, Staff Professional Development
3/16/24- Dine Out Day at the Pretzel Factory
3/21/24- Author Visit with Audrey Vernick
3/22/24- PTO PICTO Night
3/29/24 through 4/4/24- School Closed, Spring Break
4/5/24- Classes Resume, Early Release Day
4/8/24- Solar Eclipse
5/19/24- Color Run
Read Across America
We have many wonderful activities planned for our Barley Sheaf students during Read Across America Week! Please see our special Spirit Days for March 4 through March 8.
Women's History Month
Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month. During the month of March, we will celebrate by honoring the remarkable contributions of women throughout history. Our library will highlight and share texts about inspiring women. There will also be a special read aloud from Mrs. Switkes and Ms. Bostory!
Ramadan
Muslims across the world are preparing for Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, reflection and community. This year, the holy month is expected to begin on Monday, March 11 and end on Tuesday, April 9. Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer, self-discipline, reflection, community, family and charity for Muslims. If your child is fasting for Ramadan, please let us know so we can make accommodations.
World Language Night at Hunterdon Central Regional High School
Hunterdon Central welcomes you to our annual World Language Showcase on Tuesday, March 12th in the Commons from 5-6:45 for games, activities, food, and celebrating our languages at the high school! We look forward to seeing you there! For more information, please contact Scott Saks at ssaks@hcrhs.org or Dr. Laura Arredondo at laura.arredondo@hcrhs.org. Thank you!
Solar Eclipse on April 8
A Total Solar Eclipse is coming to the United States on April 8! We will be observing the Solar Eclipse in school. More guidance, including a parent permission form, will be provided soon.
Varsity Tutors
Through grant funding, the Flemington Raritan School District has a contract with Varsity Tutors. Here is a link that shows all of the features that are open to all students in the district. All families in the district are able to use this link to access program features from Varsity Tutors.
Safety and Security Reminders
Families, please note these important safety reminders:
- Please be sure to obey crossing guards. Cars may not pass at the crosswalk until the crossing guard is back to the side of the road.
- Please obey the stop sign and flashing red lights when a bus is picking up and dropping off students. Cars may not pass a stopped school bus.
Borrowed Clothing from the Health Office
Families, if your child borrows clothes from the Health Office, please kindly wash and return them to our school nurse. Thank you!
From the Barley Sheaf Green Team
Please enjoy this update to our school community from the Green Team! We are working towards earning our Sustainable Jersey School certification!
From Our School Counselors
Families, please enjoy these helpful strategies and book recommendations for teaching empathy in children from our school counselors, Mrs. Collins and Ms. Coates!
Breakfast Available at Barley Sheaf
Research has shown that eating breakfast can help students improve concentration, perform better academically, and avoid trips to the nurse. Whether you are short on time or your child simply forgot, Maschio's, our food service provider, serves a low cost breakfast available for purchase each day at Barley Sheaf. Please see this flyer for more information and encourage your child to start their day with a meal!
Did you know that our food service provider, Maschio’s, partners with local farms to have dedicated acreage for growing fruits and vegetables for schools? Check out this flyer with more information on Maschio's Farm to School program.
Attendance Reminders
As we enter the spring season, please be mindful of your child's attendance. It is crucial that your child attends school regularly to ensure their success. More than 9 absences for the school year may negatively impact your child's education. Please review these helpful tips for what you can do at home to promote regular attendance for your child. Thank you for your partnership!
Requests for 2024-2025 School Year
The creation of class lists is an important responsibility that classroom teachers, content specialists, counselors, and administrators take very seriously. A great deal of time and effort go into creating classes which are well-balanced academically and socially. Many factors are considered in making placement decisions, including desirable social combinations of students, undesirable social combinations of students, numbers of students requiring academic support or enrichment, and overall number balance.
Placement decisions are not made casually. Because it is not as simple as placing a student with a teacher without considering all of the dynamics of each class and the individual and collective needs of the students, the Flemington Raritan School District does not honor parental requests for specific teachers.
Parents may write a letter to Mrs. Switkes stating specific needs that their child has which may be considered when placing the student. The letter should state facts to consider and not request a specific teacher.
Letters must be received by May 1, 2024.
Barley Sheaf PTO Newsletter
In case you missed it, here is the PTO March Newsletter!
School Information
Send a Birthday Message!
Make your Barley Sheaf child's birthday extra special by wishing him or her a Happy Birthday on the electronic sign in front of the building! Please send an email to Megan Campbell at megan.campbell@frsd.us at least one week before the date and include your child's name, birthdate, grade and teacher. A Happy Birthday message with your child's first name will appear on the sign on their special day. The $10 cash or check donation can be sent to Barley Sheaf either in your child's backpack or via US mail. Checks should be made out to Barley Sheaf PTO.