Straight from Station
May 2024
August 2024 Newsletter
Important Dates!
- August 5 - Schedules Published on Infinite Campus - After 8:00 AM
- August 12 - 6th Grade Walkthrough - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- August 13 - Camp 6th Grade - 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- August 13 - 7th & 8th Grade Walkthrough - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- August 14 - Camp 6th Grade - 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM or 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- August 15 - Teacher Institute Day - No Student Attendance
- August 16 - Teacher Institute Day - No Student Attendance
- August 19 - First Day of School
- September 2 - Labor Day - No School
- September 10 - PTO General Meeting - 9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
- September 10 - Back to School Night - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Welcome Back!
Dear Station Parents and Students,
I hope this message finds you well and that you have all enjoyed a restful and rejuvenating summer break. As the new school year approaches, I am filled with excitement and anticipation for the wonderful experiences and learning opportunities that lie ahead for the 2024-25 School Year.
To our returning families, welcome back! We are thrilled to continue our journey together and build on the successes of last year. To our new families, a warm welcome to our school community. We are delighted to have you join us and look forward to getting to know you better. Our dedicated staff has been working diligently to prepare for the new academic year, ensuring that our classrooms and facilities are ready to provide a safe, engaging, and nurturing environment for all students. We are committed to fostering a culture of excellence, where every student feels valued, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.
Here are a few important reminders and updates for the upcoming school year:
1. First Day of School: The first day of school is August 19th. Students will start their day in Colt Time with Teacher Mentors. Students should arrive by 8:52.
2. Student Walk Through: We look forward to welcoming students into the building the week before school starts. This is an opportunity for students to walk their schedules, and put some school supplies away in lockers. Walkthroughs are scheduled for August 12th (6th Grade) and August 13th (7th/8th Grades) from 9-12.
3. Student Schedules: We are currently finalizing the schedules and balancing rosters. Students schedules will be viewable through the parent portal in Infinite Campus, on Monday, August 5th.
4. School Supplies and Uniforms: A list of required school supplies can be found on our website under “Families”. Please ensure that your child comes prepared with the necessary materials.
As we begin this new school year, let us work together to create a positive and productive learning environment where every student can thrive. I am confident that with your support and partnership, we will make this year a memorable and successful one.
Thank you for your continued trust and cooperation. Here’s to a fantastic school year ahead!
Warm Regards,
Chad May
Principal
Colt Time Details and New Bell Schedule
One of the ongoing challenges that we have navigated here at Station Campus for many years, is getting students to have access to all of their teachers during our support period, known as Colt Time. Colt Time has always been a great opportunity to get help with your academic work, or participate in social and extension activities, but only one-third of the teachers have historically been available. Starting next year, we will be introducing Universal Colt Time, which will take place first thing each day, for all students. There will be many benefits, as a result…
1:12 Ratio with more teachers available to mentor.
Embedded activities to promote team building and belonging.
Family communications with Colt Time teachers, to increase connections between families and school.
Eliminate loss of instructional time due to long announcements, and late arrivals.
No more sharing of Performing Arts Students (Band, Orchestra, Chorus) in need of academic support during Colt Time for grades 7 and 8.
Daily check-in for all students with a trusted adult mentor, and access to social-emotional learning lessons on a weekly basis.
Personalized learning, long term goal setting, and executive functioning support.
This improvement has been a long time in the making, and we look forward to providing every Station student with an even higher quality experience in their middle years. Please see the new bell schedule here.
Camp 6th Grade
Camp 6th grade is a time for students to engage in activities that will familiarize them with the middle school, including lockers, classroom locations, schedules, and making new friends! Scan the QR Code to register for Camp!
Questions? Please email Joe Boscarino at middlesummerschool@barrington220.org
School Portrait Information
VIP will be back to capture your student's image for their School Portrait. Pictures will take place during the school day on Thursday, August 22nd.
Following picture day you will be able to select your student’s image for the yearbook (please remember to do so before it’s selected for you), and all orders will be delivered to your home. You’ll receive an email when your images are ready to view online and order online. Or, you can search for them at VIP PICTURE DAY LANDING PAGE shortly after photos are taken. If you need further assistance, contact VIP at support@vipis.com.
Station Athletics
We have many opportunities for students to participate in sports at Station Campus this fall! Please see the details below which include hyperlinks that w44ill take you to additional information for each specific sport season. All students will need a current physical on file in the nurse's office in order to participate in the program.
Softball
Tryouts: August 12th & 13th
Practices after school each day.
IESA Regionals: Sept. 11th-17th
Season Ends: October 1st
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Girls
Tryouts Begin: August 12th
IESA Sectionals: September 4th & 5th
6 Boys & 6 Girls selected for the team
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Boys & Girls
Registration Closes: August 7th
Cross Country
Practice Begins: August 20th
Practices after school each day.
Competitive meets 2-3 times per week.
Season Ends: October 19th
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Boys & Girls
First four weeks of the school year. Practices will be held twice a week.
Competitive games between the two middle schools on Sat., Sept. 7th, and Sat., Sept. 14th.
6th Grade Girls & 6th Grade Boys
Registration Closes: August 2nd
Boys Soccer
Tryouts: August 20th, 21st & 22nd
Practices after school each day. Competitive games 2-3 times per week.
Season Ends: October 9th
6th, 7th, & 8th Grade Boys
Girls Basketball
Tryouts: September 3rd, 5th & 6th
Competitive games 2-3 times per week.
IESA Regionals: November 16th - 20th (7th)
IESA Regionals: November 23rd - 27th (8th)
7th & 8th Grade Girls
Fall Play 2024
Interested in auditioning? Join the Schoology Course 735P-BBZ3-CBW3D
ALL STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE FALL PLAY INTEREST MEETING ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 20th at 3:45 pm.
Introducing Character Strong!
We are so grateful you are a part of the school community this year.
One of the aims at our school is to equip young people for all the realities of today’s world. With that in mind, we have partnered with CharacterStrong – an organization that provides training for educators and curricula for students. Their work in grades 6-12 focus on 3 main outcomes: increasing a sense of belonging for all students, improving skills that support student well-being, and deepening student engagement in their academics, in their school, and in their community. Here’s what the data tells us:
Here’s what the data tells us:
A sense of belonging in school is one of the most important conditions for learning and a fundamental support for social and emotional well-being. Nearly ⅓ of all students report a weak sense of belonging in their schools. Roughly half of 6th – 12th grade students say they don’t enjoy coming to school most of the time.
Mental health challenges for teens have been increasing and 7 out of 10 teens in the U.S. (between 13 and 17 years old) have named anxiety or depression as a major problem among their peers.
Student engagement drives learning and supports school success.
This curriculum was created to support school communities as they engage in the work of preparing young people to thrive in the 21st century. The research supports the effectiveness of this content to increase student’s academic success and college & career readiness. The lessons focus on developing skills and mindsets around building positive habits, understanding our emotions, improving teamwork, and increasing empathy.
One of the key parts of nearly every lesson is the “CharacterDare” for Middle School students and the “To Be List” for High School students. These are invitations near the end of most lessons to put the content that they are learning into action in the real world. If you ever want to play an active role in the CharacterStrong curricula, simply ask your student about the most recent CharacterDare or To Be List challenge. Maybe they’ll invite you to try one yourself!
Looking forward to a great year!
Barrington Youth and Family Services
Barrington #220 is excited to announce our renewed partnership with Barrington Youth and Family Services (BYFS). This collaboration aims to enhance the well-being and success of our students by providing comprehensive support services that address their emotional, social, and academic needs. Through this partnership, students will have access to a range of programs including mental health counseling, family support services, and family workshops. By working together, our schools and BYFS are committed to fostering a nurturing environment where every student can thrive, ensuring a brighter future for our community. To kick off the year, BYFS is proud to invite you to a back to school event. Details below.