December Family Newsletter
2024-2025 School Year
Dear Barley Sheaf School Community,
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on the wonderful moments we've shared with your children so far this school year and eagerly anticipate the joy and growth the new year will bring. December is a time for celebration, kindness, and community!
In November, we had a very special school assembly to celebrate raising over $17,000 from our Beary Cool Walk. Together as a school community, we shared our positive affirmations and sang our school spirit song. For the grand finale, Mrs. Switkes and Ms. Bostory were crowned with a pie!
Also in November, we focused on spreading kindness and gratitude. Our second grade classes completed their action project by collecting donations for local animal shelters. We also celebrated World Kindness Day by decorating coffee collars that were distributed to Starbucks customers. Our school community came together with our partners at United Way for the annual Helping Hands program, helping to support our families in Flemington Raritan. Finally, our PTO shared even more kindness by donating two new benches for our playground. Thank you for your generous gift that will help our students make new friends and build positive relationships!
From all of us here at Barley Sheaf, we wish you a warm and wonderful holiday season filled with love, laughter, and cherished moments with your family. We look forward to a bright and exciting 2025 together!
With great appreciation,
Amy Switkes, Principal
Kimberly Bostory, Vice Principal
Together We Play, Together We Grow
Take a Seat, Make a Friend
Mrs. Switkes and Ms. Bostory Get Crowned with a Pie!
Save the Date
12/6/24- Spirit Day!
12/12/24- Report Cards Released in Genesis
12/20/24- Early Dismissal 1:20 p.m. Happy Holidays!
12/21/24 through 1/1/25- Winter Recess
1/2/25- Classes Resume
Barley Sheaf's Teacher and Educational Services Professional of the Year!
We are proud to announce Mrs. Melissa DeDea as our 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year! Her passion, energy, and commitment to Barley Sheaf shine through in everything she does. From organizing Field Day and Walk to School events to building strong relationships with students, families, and staff, Mrs. DeDea exemplifies excellence in education. She supports students’ well-being with mindful practices and leads with creativity and heart. Thank you, Mrs. DeDea, for making Barley Sheaf a place where everyone feels connected and inspired.
We are excited to honor Mrs. Andrea Coleman as our 2024-2025 Educational Services Professional of the Year! Her dedication to students and staff is clear in everything she does. From managing arrival and dismissal to supporting students and colleagues with kindness and care, Mrs. Coleman’s calm and reliable presence keeps our school running smoothly. Thank you, Mrs. Coleman, for making Barley Sheaf such a special place to learn and grow!
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. DeDea and Mrs. Coleman for their outstanding contributions and well-deserved recognition!
Congratulations, Barley Sheaf!
Barley Sheaf won the Golden Sneaker Award from goHunterdon for having the largest number of participants in October's Walking School Bus! Please enjoy this one minute video, Barley Sheaf Elementary School Golden Sneaker Trophy 24-25.
After School Enrichment Clubs- Call for Instructors
Are you interested in hosting an After School Club at Barley Sheaf? Here is information about our Winter and Spring ASE Clubs. Proposals are due on December 11!
Dr. McGann's Upcoming Town Hall on the 2025-2026 Budget
As Dr. McGann shared in her November Newsletter, she is hosting a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, December 12 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM at J.P. Case Middle School in the Media Center. Dr. McGann will discuss budget deficits for the 2025-2026 school year
Barley Sheaf's School Goals
Mrs. Switkes and Ms. Bostory presented Barley Sheaf's School Improvement Goals for the 2024-2025 school year at the November 14 Board of Education Meeting. At Barley Sheaf, we are committed to providing our students with rigorous learning opportunities to enhance student achievement in mathematics and language arts. In addition to focusing on students' academic growth, we will continue our collaboration with Rutgers University in our second year of the Enhancing School Mental Health Services Project. Through this partnership, we will continue to implement Multi Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) to meet the social and emotional needs of students. Our work will focus on prevention strategies to promote a positive school climate, social and emotional learning, mental health, and well-being.
Curriculum Corner
Reading every day can help your child learn about the world, develop imagination, become more empathetic, and enrich vocabulary. Check out The Power of Reading Daily for how you can support your child's literacy development at home!
Counselor Corner
Related Arts Newsletter
Please enjoy this newsletter from our Related Arts Team to see what students have been working on in their special area classes!
Safety and Security Reminders
Families, please note that you must display your car tag in the parent pick up line. Even if our staff on duty are familiar with you and your vehicle, we need all cars to have tags displayed for student safety. You can use this link for Requesting a Family Car Tag. You may request additional car tags if needed!
As a courtesy to our Barley Sheaf neighbors, and to ensure the safety and smooth flow of traffic during dismissal, we kindly request that you do not make K-turns on Ewing Drive while in the car pick-up line. By avoiding K-turns, we do not block the driveways of local residents. It also reduces any potential hazards for our families. We ask that you drive down Rittenhouse Circle and turn right onto Ewing Drive to enter the car pick-up line. Please see this map.
Barley Sheaf School Spirit
Helpful Links
Update on Electronic Sign
Unfortunately, our electronic sign is in need of repair. We apologize for the inconvenience and will notify families when we are able to schedule birthday messages!