Dear Families,

We had a great first week back after spring break. It was great to hear the kids stories of traveling to Florida, relaxing at home, playing outside, going for bike rides and yes, one student was very excited to share with me that he enjoyed the extra time to sleep! 🙂 I could feel the renewed sense of energy across the building as kids jumped right back into their classroom routines.

A highlight of our week was our assembly that featured "Mr. Peace" a motivational speaker who travels the country to spread positive messages of love, kindness and self-worth to kids from kindergarten to twelfth grade. Check out the post below to learn more about his message at Barnard this week.

Have you missed your Monday morning walk/run at Barnard, well fret no more, BlueJay's Bright Beginnings is back this Monday!!! Please join Mr. Cavataio out back on the track at 8:30am to start your day off right with exercise. This will continue till our last Monday of school on June 2nd. Can't wait to see you there!

As we get back into the swing of our school routine to finish the year strong, parents I am asking that you remember our school start times. As a reminder, teachers open their classroom doors at 9:04am and then at 9:09 when the tardy bell rings, all students are expected to be in the classroom ready to learn. If you are running behind, please be sure to walk your child inside and sign them in for a tardy slip. Your partnership in ensuring your child(ren) arrive on time to school makes a huge difference in the morning routines in each classroom.

Another routine in our morning that makes a significant difference is pulling all the way up to allow as many cars into the drop off circle as possible. This helps with traffic flow so students are arriving on time as well. Outside supervision begins at 8:55 am, so you can begin drop off at this time to help with traffic flow in the circle.

Looking forward to another great week ahead!

With admiration,

Karen Bush

Important Dates Coming Up

April Dates:

• Monday, April 7th- BlueJay's Bright Beginnings Walk/Run Club 8:30-9:00am

• Wednesday, April 9th-Wednesday, April 16th- PTO ONLINE AUCTION! * Details coming soon...

• Wednesday, April 9th- Kindergarten Round Up at 6:30 pm

• Monday, April 14th- BlueJay's Bright Beginnings Walk/Run Club 8:30-9:00am

• Monday, April 14th-Friday, May 16 MSTEP Testing Window for Grades 3-5 *Specific testing dates will be shared by your classroom teacher.

• Monday, April 14th- PTO Meeting at 7:00 pm- PTO Nominees will be introduced! Don't miss out!

• Friday, April 18th- No School- Religious Holiday

• Monday, April 21st- BlueJay's Bright Beginnings Walk/Run Club 8:30-9:00am

• Monday, April 21st-Friday, April 25th- Autism Acceptance Spirit Week

• Monday, April 28th- BlueJay's Bright Beginnings Walk/Run Club 8:30-9:00am

• Monday, April 28th- Book Mobile Visit from 4:30-5:30pm

May Dates:

• Monday, May 5th- BlueJay's Bright Beginnings Walk/Run Club 8:30-9:00am

• Monday, May 5th - Friday, May 9th- Teacher Appreciation Week!

• Wednesday, May 7th- Walk, Roll, or Bike to School Day! *More details to come, mark your calendar!

• Monday, May 12th- BlueJay's Bright Beginnings Walk/Run Club 8:30-9:00am

• Monday, May 12th- Final PTO Meeting- Thank You Celebration for ALL Volunteers all Year!
• Dr. Machesky will be our guest with his spring update

• Monday, May 19th- BlueJay's Bright Beginnings Walk/Run Club 8:30-9:00am

• Tuesday, May 20th- 4th Grade Field Trip to Lansing; 5th Grade Field Trip to Science Center

• Wednesday, May 21st- 5th Grade AGP Testing *See Details Below

• Thursday, May 22nd- 4th Grade AGP Testing *See Details Below

• Friday, May 23rd- Athens Senior Clap Out

• Monday, May 26th- No School- Memorial Day Observed

• Tuesday, May 27th- 5th Grade Graduation Fun Day at Urban Air

• Thursday, May 29th- Field Day K-5 * Details Below to Sign Up

• Grades K-2 10:00-11:15 am
• Grade 3-5 2:00-3:15 am

• Friday, May 30th- 5th Grade Graduation at 2:15 pm

June Dates:

• June 2nd- BlueJay's Bright Beginnings Walk/Run Club 8:30-9:00am

• Monday, June 2nd- Kona Ice Day!

• Wednesday, June 4 and Thursday, June 5- 1/2 Day Dismissal at 12:59 pm

• Wednesday, June 4th- Family Picnic at 11:45 am

• Friday, June 6th- Last Day of School- 1/2 Day Dismissal at 12:59 pm

Each Monday, one student is selected per grade level from our Tickets to Fly Bulletin Board, to receive a prize for showing the 3 R's. All week long students are recognized for their good deeds and hard work in alignment with our 3 R's of responsibility, respect and positive relationships.

On your birthday at Barnard (or 1/2 birthday for our summer birthdays) we will celebrate your big day by presenting you with a birthday book from our Book Vending Machine, generously supported by our PTO!

A highlight of our week was welcoming Mr. Peace to our school for two very special assemblies, K-2 and 3-5. Mr. Peace has an important message to share with students with his goal of "Healing America's Heart On School at a Time."

Mr. Peace shared with students the power of looking at everyone's heart first and not making any judgements based on outward appearances. He had an important reminder about the power of our words, that it only takes 2 seconds to leave a lasting imprint on someone's heart with your words in either a helpful or hurtful way.

He definitely left an imprint on our hearts as he shared that we are all "Miracles" and each one of us have an M in markings on our palms to prove this. We are all worthy of love and when we act in kind ways to share that with everyone we know, we will make this world a better place.

This message fit right in with our philosophy here at Barnard with our pledge of Respect, Responsibility and Positive Relationships. He challenge to the kids, "Remember that you can't just say the words, but you have to act them out daily."

Thank you to the Samsmile Organization for funding this special assembly for us to make this possible!

BlueJay's Bright Beginnings

Blue Jays Bright Beginnings will start again this Monday, April 7th at 8:30 a.m. out on the Barnard track. Please plan to arrive between 8:30-8:45 to ensure students have enough time to walk/run. All students and parents are invited to come and kick off their day with a walk or jog. There is no need to sign up.

Sincerely,

The Barnard PE staff

Mark Cavataio, James Myrick and Emily Allen

Forward any questions to Mcavataio@troy.k12.mi.us

Wednesday, March 19th- Nomination Form Due

Week of March, 31st- If nominated, you will be contacted to see if you want to accept the nomination

Monday, April 14th- Introduce yourself at the PTO Meeting and share why you want to run for the board

We need your participation and value your input and voice, please consider taking time to first complete the District Writing Survey below and second, joining the Information Night on April 16th to hear about the writing review process and outcomes of the Literacy Leadership Team Feedback. This is an important part of our collaboration together as we are in partnership for all students.

If the link is easier than a QR code, please click on the link below to complete the survey! We really would like to hear your feeback as we make important writing curriculum decisions for our students!

As we approach the end of the school year, I wanted to take a moment to address the process surrounding class placements for the 2025-2026 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 Mrs. Bush and/or your child's teacher no later than May 2nd, 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 process! 🙂

See you then!

To begin the enrollment process, click here... https://www.troy.k12.mi.us/enrollment-k12/pk-12

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.

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 on Wednesday, May 21st 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.

Frequently Asked Questions:

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 “2025 Math 6 Test-Out Registration” Form to complete registration
• No further action is required after submitting the Form.
• Registration is open April 4 through May 9.

When and where is Math 6 test-out? Wednesday, May 21st at Barnard 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? Sixth grade math standards. Please see our website for a detailed list of concepts https://www.troy.k12.mi.us/departments/academics/k-12-curriculum/math-6-12/acceleration-test-out

Critical areas of study in Math 6 include:

• 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? Students will take the assessment on their iPads. The test is a mixture of multiple-choice and free response questions.

When will I receive my student’s results? You will receive test results and feedback via email by the first week of June.

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 22nd.
• 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.

Calling all Barnard Families- Sign Up to Participate in this fun community event!

Hello Families, Please see flier and QR code attached for The FREE 2025 Egg Hunt. We are egg-cited to see you there! Please RSVP, and plan to have a great time. This year's location has changed and we are also inviting Wattles Families.

What will the event include?

• Must register ahead of time to participate
• 8,000 eggs hidden all over the field
• 12 golden eggs (golden egg gets you a large candy basket) and 4 large eggs full of candy
• 4 baskets raffled off at the end of the event, must be present to win

Celebrate Bike and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, May 7! We are hoping that Barnard students and families will join children and adults around the nation to celebrate the joy of bicycling. Celebrated worldwide since 1997, the goal of the event is to encourage children and teens to be more active on their school commute. We will be planning a special welcome when students arrive to school by way of walking, biking or rolling on May 7th. If you are interested in helping out to plan this fun event to ensure safe routes to school, please add your name to the microsoft forms below.

Good afternoon Barnard families,

Volunteer opportunities for the 2025 Barnard Field Day are now open. Field day will take place for all students on Thursday, May 29th. The Kindergarten-2nd grade students will participate from 10:00 am to 11:15. The 3rd-5th graders will come outside in the afternoon and have their FD from 2:00-3:15.

Field Day is a very fun event for the students, but without parent volunteers, the event is not possible. If you are willing to help and donate your time, please click on the following link to signup:

volunteersignup.org/FC7J9

Thank you for considering!

Emily Allen, Mark Cavataio, and James Myrick

Barnard PE Staff

If you have any questions please contact us at:
mcavataio@troy.k12.mi.us

Please call the school office absence call-in line at 248-823-4301 if your child will be absent from school. The absence line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please leave the following information on the absence line: Your name, student’s name, illness or reason of absence, length of absence, and teacher’s name. If your child will be late to school, please notify the attendance line as well.

The school secretary will call the home of those children who are absent from school but who have not been reported absent by a parent. If the secretary cannot reach a parent at home, emergency contacts will be notified.

AM Tardy Times: 9:09-10:39- Please note your child will be marked absent in the AM if they arrive between 10:40-12:44 PM. PM Tardy Times: 12:55-2:25 PM- Please note your child will be marked absent in the PM if they arrive between 2:26-4:07 PM.

Specials will start on Wednesday, August 28th. Please check communications your child's teacher has sent out with important information about your special rotations. Wednesday, August 28th is a C day; Thursday, August 29th is a D day. Following Labor Day weekend, Tuesday, September 3rd is a B day.

The Troy School District has transitioned from SchoolPay to MySchoolBucks this school year for Food Services payments only. Your child can now easily pay for a la carte items online with MySchoolBucks!

If you have an existing MySchoolBucks account, you can simply log back in or create your free MySchoolBucksMySchoolBucks account to get started. And not to worry, any existing funds in your SchoolPay account will be automatically transferred into your MySchoolBucks account.

With MySchoolBucks you’ll be able to view cafeteria purchases, check your student’s balance, receive low balance alerts and pay for school snacks from anywhere! *Remember, LUNCH IS FREE, A LA CARTE items are not (water and juice).

Get Started Today:
1. Go to myschoolbucks.com or download the mobile app.
2. Create your free account or sign in with your existing MySchoolBucks account.
Note: To reset your password, click the “forgot my username or password” link from the login page
3. Add your students using their school name / student ID.
4. Add funds using your credit/debit card or electronic check.
Note: For each transaction, you will be charged a program fee of $1.00
5. Set up automatic payments and never forget to send in lunch money again.

We appreciate you using this online option as a way to help reduce the amount of physical cash and check handling that would typically happen in the serving line.

If you need assistance with your account, you can find helpful how-to videos and answers to commonly asked questions by visiting myschoolbucks.com. Or, you can contact MySchoolBucks directly by logging into your account to start a chat conversation or give them a call at (855) 832-5226.

Phone: 248.823.4320

Email: kbush@troy.k12.mi.us
Website: barnard.troy.k12.mi.us