The Barnard Broadcaster
Weekly Updates
Dear Barnard Families,
Spring is definitely in the air and we are excited about all the fun events filling up our calendar. Next week is Autism Awareness Week, so be sure to check out the spirit days each week so your child can participate in the fun. Teachers have been incorporating activities all month to help their students grow their understanding of autism and neurodiversity. You can continue this learning with your child at home to by clicking on the padlet link that is full of amazing resources.
Third graders will begin taking the MSTEP this week on Tuesday, 4th and 5th graders will begin the following week. Previous detailed communication has been sent home, please see below for a schedule and for more details.
It has been brought to my attention that more and more students are coming to school with phones and smartwatches, which is causing a disruption to the school day when students are receiving calls or text messages on them. As a reminder, please see our school policy on these devices below. Thank you in advance for partnering with us so teachers can minimize disruptions and distractions to their learning environment.
CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Students may keep cell phones and other electronic devices in their backpack during school hours, but they must remain turned off and in their backpack. The students are not permitted to use the cell phone during the school day. Smartwatches may be worn in school, however, students are not permitted to make or receive phone calls using their smartwatch during the school day. If a student is found using their watch to make or receive phone calls during the school hours, the watch will be confiscated for the remainder of the day. Repeated violations may result in further disciplinary action. The school will not be responsible for lost or stolen devices.
Finally, please make sure you fill out the District Survey to indicate whether or not you are returning next school year. This information is important and helpful for district planning purposes next year. Once you are in PowerSchool to complete the survey, click on the Forms icon on the left hand side and chose, "Are you returning for the 2024-25 school year." Click here for the link if you still need to complete.
Thanks and have a wonderful week ahead!
Karen Bush
Principal, Barnard Elementary School, Troy School District
Ext. 4320
Motto: Each person, each day, learning and caring in every way.
๐ Important Dates ๐
More Important Dates Coming Up:
April Dates
Monday, April 15th-19th- Autism Acceptance Week- More information coming soon.
Wednesday, April 24th- Author Visit for K-2, Kat Mitropoulos, Ready... Set...Frog!
Thursday, April 25th- 1/2 Day- Dismissal at 12:59 pm; *Take your child to work day!
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!
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 30- Mrs. Simon and Mrs. Coffer Belle Isle Field Trip
June Dates
Wednesday, June 5th- Field Day K-5
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
Thursday, June 13th- 1/2 Day- Dismissal at 12:59 pm- LAST DAY! Clap Out at 12:40 pm
Autism Awareness Week - April 15-19th
๐๐ Celebrating Barnard Birthdays- We hope you had a great day! ๐๐
๐ ๐ Blue Jay Tickets to Fly ๐ ๐
๐ Daily Happenings Around Barnard ๐
Mrs. Chirlaโs Kindergarten took a break from the library to witness Mondayโs eclipse. What a great moment!
Students in Mrs. Esperโs 3rd grade class take part in a Tool Exploration - encountering new tools from our maker space and hypothesizing on their intended uses and functions.
Students in grades K-2 went on a musical scavenger hunt outside this week to find out what kinds of sounds are all around them. They videoed the sounds they found and made in pairs, and even put some of the sounds together to make a song out of their new found "instruments."
๐ MSTEP Testing for Grades 3-5 ๐
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
โ Math Test Out Options for 4th and 5th Grade โ
Dear Families,
Annually, we offer opportunities for students who wish to accelerate in mathematics to test-out. As a district, we believe studentsโ 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 studentโs 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 โ2024 Math 6 Test-Out Registrationโ Form to complete registration
When and where is Math 6 Test-out?: May 23rd in your childโs 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.
๐๐ปโโ๏ธ Troy Fitness Run ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ
๐ซ Class Placements for 24-25 School Year ๐
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.
Registration for C.A.R.E 24-25 School Year
๐ Lost and Found Items ๐งค
๐ฎ April Lunch Menu ๐
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