The Barnard Broadcaster
Weekly Updates
Dear Barnard Families,
We had a great first week back after Spring Break! I loved popping in to classrooms to hear students eagerly share their stories of rest and adventure. The highlight of our week was welcoming our new class of 2037 Barnard Blue jays and their parents to Kindergarten Round-Up. It was so wonderful seeing the smiles and excitement of our future learners as they had opportunities to meet the staff and enjoy some fun activities around literacy, music and movement as well as share Troy and Barnard points of pride to welcome new families.
As a reminder, Monday, April 8th at 7:00pm, Dr. Machesky will be visiting during our PTO meeting to present a Spring District update. I hope that many of you will be able to come out and join to hear his presentation. As a reminder, final PTO nominations for next years 24-25 board will be accepted. This will be your opportunity to hear from our candidates a little bit about them and why they want to be on the board.
The PTO online auction goes live today, a detailed email went out earlier today, so be sure to check it out for all the details as how you can bid for a fabulous prize or fun experience with a Barnard staff for your child.
As was shared by the district earlier this week, a total solar eclipse is happening on April 8, promising a celestial show you won't want to miss! The eclipse will begin at 1:58 pm, with its peak at 3:18 pm and conclude at 4:28 pm right here in Troy. As this eagerly anticipated event approaches, we're excited to share this event with our students, while ensuring safety remains paramount.
Given that the eclipse falls within school hours, students will have the opportunity to witness it at school. TSD is providing all students and staff with certified eclipse glasses so students may be a part of observing the eclipse. Teachers will discuss the importance of wearing the glasses while observing the eclipse and appreciate you having similar conversations at home as well. Students will be watching a video created by Athens High School Astronomy students that review safety procedures for wearing the glasses as well as additional information about the eclipse, Monday morning in their classrooms. The video and additional information is attached below should you choose to watch it with your child before Monday morning.
Finally, as we head into the weekend, I hope to see many of you at the Egg Hunt tomorrow, hosted by the Irani family as a fun community gathering at Brinston Park. If the weather holds up we should be looking at warmer temperatures and sunny skies.
Karen Bush
Principal, Barnard Elementary School, Troy School District
Ext. 4320
Motto: Each person, each day, learning and caring in every way.
๐ Important Dates ๐
More Important Dates Coming Up:
April Dates
Saturday, April 6th- Egg Hunt for Pre-K - 5th grade (sponsored by the Irani Family) 3 pm at Brinston Park - click here to sign up
Monday, April 8th- PTO Meeting at 7:00 pm *Dr. Machesky Spring Update *New Board PTO Nominations
Friday, April 12th- Barnard Family Skate Night *See flyer below for more details.
Monday, April 15th-19th- Autism Acceptance Week- More information coming soon.
Wednesday, April 24th- Author Visit for K-2, Kat Mitropoulos, Ready... Set...Frog!
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 20th-Wedednesday, May 22nd- Advanced Grade Level Math Testing (Sign up only)
Monday, May 27th- NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day
June Dates
Wednesday, June 5th- Field Day K-5
Friday, June 7th- 5th Grade Promotion- Fun Day!
Sunday, June 9th- Jimmy John's Baseball Game- Free Ticket from March is Reading Month
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
๐๐ Celebrating Barnard Birthdays- We hope you had a great day! ๐๐
๐ Solar Eclipse Detailed Information ๐
First Email Communication from the District in case you missed it...
Dear OneTroy,
As you may know, there is a total solar eclipse happening on April 8. Prepare for an awe-inspiring celestial show! With the eclipse beginning at 1:58 p.m. and ending at 4:28 p.m. here in Troy, itโs important to ensure you're prepared in advance. As the eagerly anticipated solar eclipse approaches, we're thrilled to provide you with some fantastic activities to enjoy while staying safe. Here is how you can make the most of this extraordinary event. Since the eclipse occurs during school hours for middle and elementary schools, some students will have the opportunity to view the eclipse at school. High school students and students at early-release middle schools will be home prior to the peak of the eclipse. Below you will find information for both home and school viewing.
- Safety Reminder: It is crucial to emphasize the importance of NOT looking directly at the sun, especially during an eclipse. Doing so can cause serious damage to your eyes, including permanent vision loss. Even if you're wearing eclipse glasses, never remove them while facing the sun. Protect your eyes and enjoy the eclipse safely!
Eclipse Glasses: TSD is providing all students, staff, and athletes with certified eclipse glasses. Glasses will be distributed this week to the buildings, and principals will hand them out on Monday. Please ensure that you and your students wear certified eclipse glasses to safeguard your eyes during the event. Parents that are interested in purchasing glasses on their own, please look for glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standard, indicating they provide adequate protection from harmful solar radiation. Since the eclipse occurs during dismissal time, students will be required to wear their glasses during dismissal and on the bus.
- Viewing from School: For some students still at school during the peak of the eclipse, we are planning for a learning and viewing experience for students to enjoy.
- Pinhole Projection: Create your own pinhole projector for a safe and fascinating way to observe the eclipse. With just a cardboard box, aluminum foil, and a pin, you can project the image of the eclipse onto a surface without staring directly at the sun. Get creative and experiment with different sizes and shapes to see unique projections!
- Observe Shadows Under Trees: During the eclipse, pay attention to the shadows cast by trees. The leaves act as natural pinhole projectors, creating crescent-shaped shadows on the ground. It is a mesmerizing phenomenon to witness and adds another layer of fascination to your eclipse experience!
- Virtual Observatory Experience: If our weather in Troy does not cooperate, or clouds obscure your view, you can explore the eclipse online through a virtual observatory experience or live stream. Many reputable organizations and websites offer real-time coverage, allowing you to witness the eclipse up close without leaving your living room. It's a fantastic way to learn more about this rare phenomenon while staying safe indoors.
Good Evening OneTroy,
We would like to provide clarification regarding the Solar Eclipse email sent out yesterday. It's important to understand that solar eclipse glasses are not like regular sunglasses; they are much darker and specifically designed for safe viewing of the sun or eclipse.
For safety reasons, students should refrain from wearing these glasses while moving around, as they significantly reduce visibility. Instead, we ask that students keep their solar eclipse glasses on hand for viewing. Thank you for your help in ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all during this event.
We will send this and a reminder out to families on the morning of the eclipse as well.
Have a great night!
Kind regards,
Kendra
๐ Solar Eclipse Details for Barnard ๐
WEAR ALL BLACK ON MONDAY TO CELEBRATE THE SOLAR ECLIPSE
1. All students will have an opportunity to go outside at 3:15 pm to enjoy and see the eclipse with their protective eyewear and then return back inside after the event.
2. Students will not be participating in outdoor recess after 1:45 pm as the eclipse event begins at 1:58 pm.
3. We will be running dismissal as we would an indoor dismissal on a rainy day. Our purpose is to be proactive around safety to avoid students having to be outdoors any longer than necessary to head to their bus or be picked up by their family. Students will be wearing protective eyewear at dismissal as well.
๐ต PTO Online Auction ๐ต
This year, Barnard will once again be holding our Auction event online. This is a great opportunity to bid on some amazing prizes. This is a fundraiser for PTO, but weโre really holding it more as an opportunity to get in on some fantastic in-school prizes. How would your child like to be Principal For The Day? Does your child love their teacher and want to spend a little extra time with them? You will find prizes for each grade level, and then some school wide prizes too.
But wait thereโs more! You will also find some great family fun prizes that you will get the chance to bid on. How about spending the day at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center? Maybe youโre in need of a day of playโwe have options there too. You will find some cool experience type of prizes that you can get your bid in on, and then itโs time to let the fun begin if you win.
So how does it all work? Simply click on the link below and you will be taken to Barnardโs Online Auction. You will see all of the prizes listed, and you can click through to get the details. If youโre interested in a given prize, just put your bid in right there on the site. The auction will stay live until Thursday, April 11th. Winners will be notified upon the closing of the auction, and then payment can happen right there on the site. Itโs that simple, and you can get some great prizes for your family!
We hope you see some prizes that you like and that your kids will enjoy. Everything should run quite smoothly on the site itself, but as always please reach out to the PTO with any questions you may have. Otherwise let the bidding begin on what is sure to be a fun Barnard Auction!
-Barnard PTO
Autism Awareness Week is Coming Up
โ Math Test Out Options for 4th and 5th Grade โ
Dear Families,
Annually, we offer opportunities for students who wish to accelerate in mathematics to test-out. As a district, we believe studentsโ needs are best met through differentiation in their grade-level course and we strive to provide the appropriate level of mathematical challenge and support for each child.
Current 5th Grade Students
Families that feel their studentโs math goals may be best met in Math 7 may enroll in an optional Math 6 test-out exam. This exam covers all the Math 6 content and math practice standards. Students who demonstrate mastery will be enrolled in the next level math course. Students will have the opportunity to take this assessment the week of May 20th and will receive feedback, in terms of standards mastered. This assessment will also be offered in August before the start of middle school. The August test date will be communicated via email prior to the end of the school year.
Below you will find all the information you need to sign-up.
How do I sign my child up for Math 6 test-out?:
- Log into PowerSchool with the following link. POWERSCHOOL LOGIN
- Click the Icon Forms from the Left Menu
- Open the โ2024 Math 6 Test-Out Registrationโ Form to complete registration
When and where is Math 6 Test-out?: May 23rd in your childโs elementary school during the school day
What happens if my student is absent?: We will work with families to schedule a make-up test. Every student who would like to take this test will have the opportunity to do so.
How much time is needed for the exam?: The exam should take about 60 minutes, but students are permitted up to 90 minutes.
What is covered on the test-out?: Please see our website for a detailed list of concepts.
Sixth grade math standards. Critical areas of study in Math 6:
- Ratios and rates,
- Division of fractions and rational numbers, including negative numbers,
- Writing, interpreting, and using algebraic expressions and equations,
- Developing understanding of statistical thinking,
- Area, surface area, and volume
What is the format of the test?: The largest portion will be taken digitally on student iPads. In addition, there will be a small portion that is paper/pencil.
Where can I find more information about the Math 6 test-out?:
All test-out information is posted on our website https://www.troy.k12.mi.us/academics/math/acceleration
Current 4th Grade Students
Elementary test out is considered for all fourth grade students. Students may qualify for optional Grade 5 math test-out based on all of the following requirements:
- Meet 95% qualifying score on the Spring Grade 4 TSD Math Benchmark Assessment (In the past, scores as high as 100% have been required to be eligible to take the Grade 5 AGP test-out exam)
- The Grade 5 AGP test-out exam information and date will be sent to students who exceed the Spring Grade 4 TSD Math Benchmark Assessment.
- Grade 5 AGP test-out exam will be administered during the school day on May 20th.
- This two part exam includes questions that cover grade 5 Michigan State Standards for math. Part 1 is multiple choice, and Part 2 consists of problem solving questions where student must show and explain their work.
- Students must earn > 90% on Part 1 and Part 2 of the Grade 5 AGP exam for the opportunity to take the Grade 6 mathematics at their home middle school as a fifth grade student.
๐๐ปโโ๏ธ Troy Fitness Run ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ
๐ผ 4th Grade Fundraiser for Next Year's 5th Grade Fun Day and Graduation ๐ผ
Registration for C.A.R.E 24-25 School Year
๐ Lost and Found Items ๐งค
๐ฎ April Lunch Menu ๐
Thank you for keeping traffic moving at pick up and dismissal by pulling up.
Karen Bush - Barnard, Principal Troy Elementary School
Phone: 248.823.4320
Email: kbush@troy.k12.mi.us
Website: barnard.troy.k12.mi.us