November Family Newsletter
2024-2025 School Year
Dear Barley Sheaf School Community,
October was a busy month for all of our students, staff, and families at Barley Sheaf! We began our month with our district-wide "Week of Respect" spirit week. Our students participated in many special activities and had visits from guest readers. We focused on what respect looks like, sounds like, and feels like in school, at home, and in our community.
Also in October, our PTO hosted our annual Walkathon, where we raised $17,000 for our school community! Thank you to all of our families for your generosity. We had a beautiful day for our students to enjoy. Since we exceeded our school fundraising goal, Mrs. Switkes and Ms. Bostory will get crowned with a pie at a whole school assembly in November.
We would like to thank Ryan Fisher from goHunteron and our Health/Physical Education teacher Melissa DeDea for organizing our first Walking School Bus! Our students enjoyed a crisp fall morning on their walk to school. We also want to thank Anabela Tavares for helping to plan our second annual Family Heritage Night. We had a wonderful evening celebrating the many different cultures that represent our diverse school community.
We ended our month with our spooky Halloween Parade. Thank you to all of our families who joined us on campus as our staff and students showcased their creative costumes. We want to thank Ivette Shoemaker and Kathy Dribbon for hosting our Harvest Party for our students who do not observe Halloween. Students enjoyed participating in seasonal activities that embraced autumn's beauty and themes of gratitude, creativity, and friendship.
As we enter November and our holiday season, we want to share our tremendous gratitude for our Barley Sheaf school community. We are so thankful for all of you!
With great appreciation,
Amy Switkes, Principal
Kimberly Bostory, Vice Principal
Save the Date
11/1/24- Spirit Day!
11/5/24- School Closed, Staff Development Day
11/7/24 and 11/8/24- School Closed, NJEA Convention
11/13/24- PTO Dine Out Day
11/13/24- World Kindness Day
11/13/24- PTO Public Meeting, 7:00 Media Center
11/14/24- Picture Re-Take Day
11/21/24-11/26/24- Early Dismissal Days, Family Conferences
11/27/24- Early Dismissal Day, Thanksgiving Recess
11/28/24 and 11/29/24- Thanksgiving Recess
Congratulations, Barley Sheaf!
Barley Sheaf earned gold level recognition for our participation in pedestrian and bicycle safety initiatives with goHunterdon! We also earned the Sustainable Jersey Schools bronze certification! A very special thank you to members of our Green Committee, as well as all of our students, staff, and families for your participation in these programs!
Governor's Educator of the Year Program
Families, it is that special time of year when we recognize and celebrate our Barley Sheaf Teacher of the Year and Educational Services Professional of the Year. Please see this letter for more information and to nominate one of our outstanding Barley Sheaf staff members!
Our School Goals
On October 15, our staff participated in a school-wide data dive, analyzing student assessment data to identify students' needs and target instruction to further support student learning. As a faculty, we are continuing to collaborate across grade levels, leveraging our many tools and resources to meet the diverse needs of our students- academically, socially, and emotionally. We are specifically focused on cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment, ensuring the success of all of our learners. We are so appreciative of our hard working and dedicated staff members. We are also grateful for your continued partnership, helping our Barley Sheaf students learn, grow, and thrive together!
Family Conferences
We look forward to welcoming our families into school for family conferences! Fall conferences offer parents the opportunity to meet with teachers to gain insights about your child’s growth and development in school. Conferences are scheduled for November 21 through November 26 and will be offered both in-person and virtually. Please reach out to your child's teacher to schedule your conference. Below are a few suggestions to help you prepare for your upcoming conference.
- Before conferences: Talk with your child about their school experience. Ask your child if there is anything they would like you to discuss with their teacher. Prepare a list of questions for your child’s teacher.
- During conferences: Share what is working well for your child and any challenges your child may be experiencing. Ask for clarification of anything you don’t understand. Ask how you can support your child’s learning at home.
- After conferences: Talk to your child about the conference. Celebrate your child’s accomplishments. Share any plan you and the teacher developed to support your child.
Cold Weather Is Here!
As the weather quickly changes, please remember to label hats, gloves, and coats so that if they are lost we can return them. If your child is missing something, please encourage them to check our lost and found in the cafeteria
Fall and Winter Safety Tips
Check out this 2 minute video from our partners at goHunterdon. It includes safe walking practices as it gets darker in the morning and afternoon hours.
District Policy- Cell Phones and Smart Watches
Families, please review the district policy on cell phones and smart watches on page 20 of the Student Handbook/Code of Conduct. Please note, cell phones must be turned off and stored away from the learning environment at all times during the school day. Texting and camera features must be disabled on smart watches.
Attendance
Please review these helpful tips for what you can do at home to promote regular attendance for your child.
Safety and Security Reminders
The safety of our staff and students is our top priority. Please be sure to follow these procedures:
- Visitors must be signed in and wear a visitor badge in the building.
- Our school district uses the Raptor system for school visitors. Please have your license available when visiting school.
- Do not hold any doors for visitors.
- Only staff and students are permitted on school grounds during school hours.
- Monthly fire and security drills are conducted.
- We have a full time School Resource Officer, Officer John Carney.
- Use the crosswalks in the parking lot.
- Obey the 15 mph speed limit in our parking lot.
Changes to Your Child's Dismissal Routine
If you need to make a change to your child's dismissal routine, please send a note to the teacher, call the main office, or fill out this form.
Curriculum Corner
Families, please see this 6 minute video from Reading Rockets that provides parents with helpful strategies for strengthening students’ comprehension at home. Try breaking down the story into smaller chunks and going back into the book to recall information. The video also includes fun ways to ask your child questions about what they are reading!
Counselor Corner
Please enjoy "A Heart of Gratitude" from Mrs. Collins and Ms. Coates with special tips, resources, and book ideas for practicing gratitude with your children at home.
Related Arts Newsletter
Please enjoy the Related Arts Newsletter from our Related Arts team!
Barley Sheaf School Spirit
Helpful Links
Send a Birthday Message!
Make your child's birthday extra special by wishing him or her a Happy Birthday on the electronic sign in front of the building! Please send an email to Jodi Carmon at jodi.carmon@frsd.us at least one week before the date and include your child's name, birthdate, grade and teacher. A Happy Birthday message with your child's first name will appear on the sign on their special day. The $10 cash or check donation can be sent to Barley Sheaf either in your child's backpack or via US mail. Checks should be made out to Barley Sheaf PTO.