The Barnard Broadcaster
Weekly Updates
Dear Barnard Families,
As we enter the last week in April, it is definitely starting to feel like end of the year activities are just around the corner. We have some important deadlines coming up that I don't want anyone to miss out on, so please be sure to read all announcements below carefully. Class placements, AGP testing, and Lost and Found Pick Up are a few deadlines fast approaching.
An all new community event is fast approaching as a culminating activity to a great year and a launch to a fun summer! Be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, May 30th from 6-7:30 pm! Our Community Outreach Committee has planned a fun evening to share endless summer activities to help you plan out an enriching summer for your child. Be sure to join us for a fun evening!
Friendly reminder to make sure your child is dressing in layers this time of year, from cool mornings, to hot afternoons and anything from rain to sunshine, when the kids are prepared for all outside weather, it makes recess much more enjoyable. Thanks for your help!
Hope you all had a wonderful family weekend, looking forward to another great week ahead!
Karen Bush
Principal, Barnard Elementary School, Troy School District
Ext. 4320
Motto: Each person, each day, learning and caring in every way.
📆 Important Dates 📆
More Important Dates Coming Up:
April Dates
- MSTEP Testing Window April 8-May17th - 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade will all be testing this week on Tuesday and Wednesday
May Dates
Wednesday, May 1- Kindergarten Field Trip to the Zoo
Monday, May 6th - Friday, May 10th- Teacher Appreciation Week- Time to spoil Barnard Teachers!
Thursday, May 9th- Blue Jay in the Spotlight Assembly
Saturday, May 11th- 5th Grade Fun Run *See flyer for details below
Monday, May 13th- PTO Meeting at 7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 14th- 5th Grade Visits Baker Middle School
Tuesday, May 14th- 4th Grade Instrument Fitting 6:30-7:00pm at Baker Middle School
Wednesday, May 15th- Early Release at 2:37 pm
Wednesday, May 15th- 5th Grade Orchestra Concert at Athens at 7:00 pm
Monday May 20th- 4th Grade Advanced Grade Level Math Testing (Invite only)
Wednesday, May 22nd- 4th Grade Field Trip to Lansing
Thursday, May 23rd- 5th Grade Advanced Grade Placement Testing (must sign up in advance)
Monday, May 27th- NO SCHOOL- Memorial Day
Thursday, May 30th- Connect with the Community Event 6:00-7:30 pm *See flyer below for details
Thursday, May 30- Mrs. Simon and Mrs. Coffer Belle Isle Field Trip
June Dates
Tuesday, June 4th- 2:30 pm Athens Graduating Seniors Return to Barnard for a Clap Out
Wednesday, June 5th- Field Day K-5
Thursday, June 6th- Kona Ice Truck Visit!
Thursday, June 6th- Mrs. Thoenes 4th Grade Field Trip to Belle Isle
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 *Family Picnic at 12:00 pm
Thursday, June 13th- 1/2 Day- Dismissal at 12:59 pm- LAST DAY! Clap Out at 12:40 pm
🎈🎉 Celebrating Barnard Birthdays- We hope you had a great day! 🎉🎈
😃 🙌 Blue Jay Tickets to Fly 😃 🙌
👋 Daily Happenings Across the Grades 👋
🌟 Teacher Appreciation Week - PTO Needs Your Help 🌟
Our Barnard teaching staff pours their heart, soul, time and talents to all the kids here at Barnard all year long. This year, the PTO has put together a fun week to spoil our teachers and show how much we care. Thank you in advance for helping with the gift card donation for the culminating day on Friday.
Get your child involved in showing their teacher how much they appreciate them as well. PTO has planned fun ways for your child to be a part of the plan as well.
🔅 MARK YOUR Calendars for May 30th- School Wide Event! 🔅
🏃🏻♂️ Troy Fitness Run 🏃🏻♀️
📝 MSTEP Testing for Grades 3-5 📝
Below are some ways that you can partner with us to assist your child in preparing for the MSTEP:
Come to School Prepared: Remember to FULLY charge your IPad each night and bring headphones (plug in, not bluetooth) each day. Remind your child to leave cell phones and/or smartwatches in their backpacks if they must bring them to school. They may NOT have these on during the MSTEP. Keeping these devices at home on testing days would be very much appreciated.
Promote Healthy Habits: Create and enforce a bedtime schedule that allows for sufficient sleep, 8-10 hours of sleep each night. Ensure that you child has a healthy breakfast on testing days as well as healthy snacks (sugar free) to take to school. A healthy lifestyle can enhance cognitive function and concentration, leading to better performance on the test.
Foster Positive Attitudes: Emphasize the importance of a positive mindset. Encourage your child to approach the test with confidence, reminding them of their capabilities and past achievements as well as the test strategies they have been reviewing with their teacher. Finishing the test is NOT a race. Remind them to work at their own pace and to double check their answers.
Third Grade Testing Dates:
- April 16th and 18th- ELA
- April 23rd and 24th- Math
Fourth Grade Testing Dates:
- April 23rd and 24th- ELA
- April 30th and May 2nd- Math
Fifth Grade Testing Dates:
- April 23rd and 24th- ELA
- April 30th- Science
- May 2nd- Social Studies
- May 8th and 9th- Math
🏫 Class Placements for 24-25 School Year 🎒
As we approach the end of the school year, I wanted to take a moment to address the process surrounding class placements for the 2024-2025 school year. It's a topic that can often evoke curiosity and even concern among parents and guardians, so I hope to provide clarity on how we approach this important aspect of your child's education.
First and foremost, I want to emphasize that the placement of students into classes is a thoughtful and meticulous process. Our teachers invest considerable time and effort into creating equitable class compositions that aim to set all students up for success. While we understand that parents may have preferences or concerns about their child's placement, it's essential to trust in the expertise and professionalism of our educators in making these decisions.
It's important to note that there are numerous factors taken into consideration when assigning students to classes. These include academic abilities, learning styles, social dynamics, and individual needs. Our goal is to foster diverse and inclusive learning environments where every student feels supported and challenged to reach their full potential.
In the interest of fairness and impartiality, we do not accept teacher requests for specific students or classroom placements. This ensures that the placement process remains objective and focused solely on what is best for each child academically and socially.
However, we recognize that parents are valuable partners in their child's education, and your insights into your child's learning preferences and needs are invaluable. If you feel strongly about sharing specific information with your child's teacher regarding the type of learning environment in which your child thrives, we encourage you to reach out via email. Please ensure that any such communication reaches your child's teacher no later than May 3rd, as this will allow adequate time for consideration before class placements are finalized.
By working together as a collaborative community, we can ensure that every student receives the support and resources they need to succeed. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
➗ Math Test Out Options for 4th and 5th Grade ➕
Dear Families,
Annually, we offer opportunities for students who wish to accelerate in mathematics to test-out. As a district, we believe students’ 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 student’s 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 “2024 Math 6 Test-Out Registration” Form to complete registration
When and where is Math 6 Test-out?: May 23rd in your child’s 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.
👕 Lost and Found Items 🧤
HELP! Our lost and found is overflowing with winter items of all kinds! All lost and found items will be donated on Friday, May 3rd! Please take time to come look through the lost and found that we have pulled to the front vestibule to make it easier to remember to check.
Registration for C.A.R.E 24-25 School Year
🥯 May Breakfast and Lunch Menu 🍕
Sesame Free Menu
Gluten Free Menu
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