Barrington Weekly Update

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Dear Barrington Families,

As we step into a new month, we want to take a moment to celebrate all the learning, growth, and joy that September brought to our school community. It has been an incredible start to the year, filled with curiosity, teamwork, and wonderful moments of connection. From classroom activities to school-wide events, our students have truly embraced the spirit of learning, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.

October is sure to bring even more exciting opportunities, and we are eager to continue fostering a positive environment where every child feels supported and inspired. Thank you for your continued partnership as we journey together through this school year.

Here’s to a fantastic October ahead!

Wishing you a relaxing weekend,

Nichole Cooper and Heather Markward

We are so grateful for the many wonderful parents and guardians who generously volunteer their time to support our students, especially during field trips. Your involvement truly enhances the experiences we’re able to offer!

As a reminder, district policy requires all parent volunteers attending field trips to complete a background check. This helps ensure the safety and well-being of our students. Background checks can be completed at Mincy (1619 Zollinger Road) from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Please note that they are closed for lunch from 12:30 AM to 1:30 PM.

If you plan to volunteer on an upcoming field trip and haven't completed your background check yet, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible. Volunteers will not be permitted to attend the field trip without this background check completed. Thank you again for your continued support and involvement in our school community. We truly appreciate you!

Because the elementary school years are so critical to a student’s academic and personal growth, our teachers will be increasing the amount of communication regarding each student’s achievement this year.

In previous school years, elementary students have received Progress Reports three times a year, at the end of each trimester. There have also been conference opportunities for families in the fall and the spring.

Beginning this school year, teachers will provide Progress Reports in January and June. In the fall and the spring, they will provide Interim Reports for each student. Teachers will share each student’s fall Interim Report with families during conferences on October 8th-9th, 2024. While spring conferences are optional for families, all students will receive another interim report at that time. Interim and Progress Reports will be accessible to families in PowerSchool.

Our goal is to increase meaningful conversations between teachers and families regarding each student’s individual achievement, growth and learning needs. We are excited to launch this expanded reporting system this year and look forward to collaborating with you!

Our students practiced teamwork, perseverance, and a growth mindset during their second round of explorations. Check out the link for more about the activities our students did as well as a preview of what is coming up next!

Get ready—the Scholastic Book Fair is coming to our school! This is a great opportunity to connect with your child over the thrill of bringing home new books to dive into again and again. Studies show that kids read more when they choose books for themselves, and fostering a love of independent reading leads to a wide variety of benefits—including academic success and improved mental health.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Book Fair:

Dates: Sept. 30 through Oct. 8 - students will preview and shop with their classes, during school hours. Teachers will let you know when your child’s class plans to visit.

Location: Upstairs media center hallway

Parent shopping: Parents can shop during conference hours (11:00-4:00 and 5:00-6:00 on Oct. 8 and 4:00-6:00 on Oct. 9). We are only open for parent shopping during conferences, within the hours posted. No unattended children, please.

There’s even more info on our school’s Book Fair homepage:

https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/barringtonelementaryschool4

While you’re there, you can set up a Book Fair eWallet, the digital payment account that allows your child to shop for books at the Fair without cash. When you fund an eWallet, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to a giving initiative called Share the Fair™. Your contributions directly support our students who need help buying books from the Fair. Check out some of the books by browsing the book fair flyer.

Many of us still remember the rush of finding the perfect book at a Scholastic Book Fair. I hope you and your child enjoy the Barrington Book Fair and share a reading experience your child will remember forever.

Happy reading,

On Bobcat Days during the 2023-2024 school year, the students at Barrington learned various ways to help people in our community. One initiative that was started included a “Food Donation Program”. The donations allowed us to reduce the amount of food waste in the cafeteria, while also helping those in need. We collaborated with a local food pantry which took the donated food to various food shelters in the community.

We would like to continue this program during the 2024-2025 school year. However, there will be a few changes. We are not going to donate foods that need to be refrigerated at this time due to health code regulations. We are asking students to only donate foods that do not need to stay cold.

Please click here for more information.

Multilingual Parent Information Night

Thursday, October 3rd

6:30-7:30pm

Tremont Elementary Cafeteria

Please join us for our Multilingual Parent Information Night!

Come and learn more about the ML program! We will discuss a variety of topics, and provide resources related to school and the Upper Arlington community. In addition, we hope this event provides an opportunity for families to connect.

If you will be bringing your child, we will have quiet activities for them to do during the event.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your ML Teacher (see below.)

Please RVSP using the Google Form here: https://forms.gle/H9GrxTfuBWD7bAnj8

Cynthia Redman, Tremont

(credman@uaschools.org)

Anjali Das, Wickliffe, Windermere, and Barrington

(adas@uaschools.org)

Mary Ann Dunn, Greensview

(madunn@uaschools.org)

For a second year, the district is partnering with the Tri-Village Packers (TVP), a group of community volunteers who work to reduce food insecurity in Upper Arlington. Families with UA students can register throughout October and early November to receive grocery items that supplement their pantries during the upcoming Thanksgiving break. This is not a Thanksgiving meal but support to offset food insecurity by providing breakfast and lunch items during the extended break from school.

Last year, TVP provided food for more than 90 students during Thanksgiving break, and we believe there will be a greater need this year.

Please review and share the linked flyer and registration form weekly through November 1st. In the coming weeks, forms and flyers will be shared in additional channels and languages. Please reach out to Kristyn Anderson at kmanderson@uaschools.org if you have any questions or need support in a particular situation related to this program.

You can acces the flyer and registration form here. To receive the flyer translated into another language, email Kristyn Anderson (kmanderson@uaschools.org).

Monday September 30th: Scholastic Book Fair Opens

Friday October 4th: Making Tracks for Bobcats

Tuesday October 8th: Conferences, Early Release 11:05am

Wednesday October 9th: Conference Night

Friday October 11th: No School

Monday October 14th: No School, Teacher Workday

Monday October 21st: 3rd Grade Fall Ohio State Testing, ELA day 1

Tuesday October 22nd: 3rd Grade Fall Ohio State Testing, ELA day 2

District Calendar 24-25

ABCDE Calendar 24-25

On Friday, all students grades K-5 will be completing a 1-mile fun walk, raising money to support additional learning experiences at Barrington including guest speakers, field trips, amazing hands-on experiences and other external programming for students.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated to this year’s Making Tracks for Bobcats event! It is now LESS THEN A WEEK until our first fundraising event of the school year and we are excited to see the Barrington community come together to make it a success!

LAST CALL FOR DONATIONS

We are so close to hitting our fundraising goal! If each student raises or donates $50, we can surpass this year’s goal of $30,000. However, we are grateful for any level of financial support you are willing to offer Barrington students. Donations in excess of $50 are welcomed, but there is no required donation. The classroom with the most money raised will receive a pizza & ice cream party later this fall! Donations can be made here: 2024 MTFB Donations and Sponsorships

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS

Are you interested in helping with event preparations and/or on the day of the event? Volunteer opportunities are still available to help with event prep and during the event. Please sign-up to support here: Making Tracks for Bobcats Volunteer Opportunities

Please reach out to event chairs Maria Piersall at taskerme@hotmail.com or Katie Wilkinson at katiekelso21@gmail.com with any questions.

The Book Fair starts TOMORROW! Volunteers are needed daily through 10/10. There are many volunteer spots still available. Please sign up for a shift here if interested. Questions?

Contact our Book Fair Chair, Lauren Dominguez, at laurengirouard@gmail.com.

Please send your photos in for the yearbook. We will collect now through February 2025. Photos of Barrington rock, back-to-school, class parties, field trips, recess, safety patrol, service-learning and more, are all great submissions! Email photos to our Yearbook Chair, Sonja Stanley, at barringtonyearbookphotos@gmail.com.