The Barnard Broadcaster
Weekly Updates
Dear Barnard Families,
March is Reading Month was off to a great start this week with fun spirit days and many mystery reader guests that filled our classrooms. We love having family members spread the love of reading by sharing some of their favorite picture books with us. We also hope that you have been enjoying watching the different read alouds from Barnard staff each day that you can access on our padlet. Not only do we have great books to share, it is also full of parent resources for families as well. If you haven't been able to join me yet in our school read aloud, Finding Gobi, it's not too late to join. Everyday I post a new update on the March is Reading Month Padlet, so be sure to bookmark the padlet for easy access if you haven't already done so.
A reminder that this Thursday, March 14th is a half day with dismissal at 12:59pm. Teachers will be holding conferences all afternoon and evening.
At the bottom of our newsletter is a link to our TSD Inclusive Newsletter from Chantelle Yancy, our Supervisor for Educational Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations. This months edition highlights numerous celebrations and recognitions across the month I hope you find enlightening and educational. To our families that are celebrating Ramadan this month, which begins March 10th, the Barnard staff wishes you a blessed Ramadan or Ramadan Mubarak.
Thank you to everyone for working hard over the past couple of weeks to drop off your students on time, by 9:09 at the latest. We have noticed a huge improvement and greatly appreciate your collaboration on this. Let's keep it up moving forward to finish out the year.
Karen Bush
Principal, Barnard Elementary School, Troy School District
Ext. 4320
Motto: Each person, each day, learning and caring in every way.
π Important Dates π
More Important Dates Coming Up:
March Dates
Monday, March 11th- PTO Meeting at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, March 12th- 5th Grade Parent Meeting for Growing Up Program
Thursday, March 14th- 1/2 Day- Dismissal at 12:59 pm; Virtual Conferences 1:45-4:30 pm & 5:30-8:40 pm
Friday, March 15th- March is Reading Month Spirit Day- Wear Sunglasses to School!
Tuesday, March 19th - 4th Grade Heritage Project Presentation
Thursday, March 21st- March is Reading Month Spirit Day- Wear a Hat to school.
Friday, March 22nd - Sunday, March 31- SPRING BREAK!
April Dates
Monday, April 8th- PTO Meeting at 7:00 pm
Thursday, April 25th- 1/2 Day- Dismissal at 12:59 pm; *Take your child to work day!
May Dates
Monday, May 6th - Friday, May 10th- Teacher Appreciation Week- Time to spoil Barnard Teachers!
Monday, May 13th- PTO Meeting at 7:00 pm
Wednesday, May 15th- Early Release at 2:37 pm
Monday, May 27th- NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day
June Dates
Friday, June 7th- 5th Grade Promotion- Fun Day!
Tuesday, June 11th- 1/2 Day- Dismissal at 12:59 pm
Wednesday, June 12th-1/2 Day- Dismissal at 12:59 pm
Thursday, June 13th- 1/2 Day- Dismissal at 12:59 pm- LAST DAY! Clap Out at 12:40 pm
π· Snapshots of Daily Happenings Across Barnard π·
π March is Reading Month π
Celebrating our Raffle Winners for our Blue Jay Tickets to Fly Program
π» Updates from Mr. Werner in Media π€
Kindergarten watched a short video on how a book is made and the many people involved. After checking out their new library books, they tried it themselves and created mini booklets to help celebrate March is Reading Month. Great job kindergarten!
Third grade used bonus time on Friday getting re-acquainted with Dash robots. We use Dash robots and the Suite of Dash apps to learn basic coding skills and to create programs to maneuver Dash in all sorts of ways. More to come!
Fifth grade learned how to assemble Cubelets into different robot configurations. Cubelets use 3 types of interchangeable blocks: power blocks, sensor blocks, and action blocks, and can be turned into many different useful robots. They even are designed to work with LEGO bricks!
π Helpful Parenting Tips π
Experts Share Ways to Manage Screen Time
Children are spending more and more time on digital devices. One study found that eight- to 12-year-olds spend an average of 5 hours and 33 minutes a day on recreational screen timeβgoing online, watching TV, playing video games.
While the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend families monitor and manage non-educational screen time, many elementary school students say there are no rules about technology in their homes. Experts recommend families:
- Β·Set technology curfews. Ask your child to turn off digital devices at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
- Designate screen-free times, such as during family meals and while in the car. This goes for all members of the family (adults included).
- Offer alternatives. Go on a winter walk. Play cards. Do a craft. Show that there are plenty of ways to have funβand engage your childβs brainβwithout sitting in front of a screen.
- Model for them these expectations by limiting your screen time as well.
Promote Independence with a Checklist of Responsibilities
Whether itβs keeping track of assignments or taking care of school property, responsible behavior is a must for school success. And the best way to teach your child responsibility is to give your child responsibilities.
Sit down together and make a list of tasks your child is ready to handle independently. Then make a checklist of everything you expect your child to do. Agree on small rewards for a job well done, and consequences for times your child shirks responsibility.
Here is a starter checklist of responsibilities you can adapt:
- Going to bed on time.
- Getting up on time.
- Fixing themselves breakfast.
- Helping set and clear the table.
- Completing schoolwork.
- Getting along with siblings.
- Keeping room clean.
- Reading at least 15 minutes a day.
- Taking care of personal hygiene.
- Putting dirty clothes in a hamper.
- Helping take care of family pet.
Most importantly as parents, it is our job to set clear expectations and follow through consistently with our children. This is an important way we can show our children that we see them, we value them and we love them.
π Kindergarten Round Up Coming Soon! π
Kindergarten Round Up
Save the date for Barnard's Kindergarten Round-Up on Wednesday, April 3rd. Enrollment is now open, please be sure to complete all paperwork as soon as possible. All paperwork must be complete before April 3rd. For access to the portal, please click here.
π TSD Community Read π
βοΈ Barnard Elementary Cold Weather Policy βοΈ
Thank you for keeping traffic moving at pick up and dismissal by pulling up far.
Karen Bush - Barnard, Principal Troy Elementary School
Phone: 248.823.4320
Email: kbush@troy.k12.mi.us
Website: barnard.troy.k12.mi.us