Bulldog Update January 5, 2025

I type this newsletter with fingers buzzing with excitement for Semester 2!
🎻 ⛹🏻‍♀️🏋🏻‍♂️💬💥🏀🎯🏫⛄🎹📐

Below you will find new, important information to help you be successful in the upcoming week and key reminders that are foundational to the school year.

• Wednesday, January 8th will be an A Day.
• Click HERE for complete A/B calendar.
  

Academic:

• Students return to school on Wednesday, January 8th!!

Activities:

• No activities this week!

Your admin staff is ready for Semester 2...are you!? 😊

Barr 8th graders will be touring Grand Island Senior High on Tuesday, January 14th. The purpose of the visit is to ignite excitement around the next chapter in your student's academic career (and this is an introduction before students start looking a classes for next year!).

Please do not schedule any appointments on this day as your student will be out of the building.

(Your students will be getting more information in the upcoming weeks.)

We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you about your student(s)!

📆 February 10-12th

(More information will be shared in the upcoming weeks.)

Join the PTO in providing breakfast for your student's teacher by signing up HERE!

Help our staff start 2025 with full bellies on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025. 😁

Reminder:
Students will only be allowed into the building after the doors to the school open at 7:45 AM. As the weather gets colder, please send your student in a coat! And remember, after the bell, your student needs to be in their assigned area.

Parents/Guardians, please help communicate the importance of this to your student.

Drop Off: Students need to get out of the vehicle on passenger side- nearest to the sidewalk instead of the driver side- in the driveway through lane.

Parents/Guardians, please help your student be safe at drop-off!

Students are dismissed at 3:45 PM, and they should be exiting on the same side of the building they are dropped off on. Also, students need to be off campus by 4:00 PM or have a plan fro transportation (another bell reminder!).

When it comes to school supplies, keep it simple! Students really only need pencils, pens, and notebook with lined paper! Leave the extras at home (i.e- markers, cologne, eyelash curlers, pencil sharpeners, glue, rulers, etc...).

Families are now able to update Emergency Contact information for their GIPS students in ParentVUE both online and through the mobile app. Previously, this process was facilitated directly through School Secretaries. Now, Families will be able to make more real-time updates.

HOW TO UPDATE THE EMERGENCY CONTACT FOR YOUR STUDENT:

• Login to ParentVUE (desktop or mobile app)
• Select your student from the list of your children
• Select 'Student Info'
• Click 'Edit Information'
• Scroll down to the 'Emergency Contacts' listed
• Make any changes needed to any fields

PLEASE NOTE:

We need at least one emergency contact that is not a guardian for each child. This person needs to be someone that could help us locate the guardian in case of an emergency. This person does not have to live in Grand Island.

If you have questions, reach out to your school Secretary.

You may also find ParentVUE resources on our district website by clicking the button below.

Phones need to be off (at 7:45 A.M.) and stored in student's locker (at 8:10 A.M.). Phones are also not allowed at school activities or on the bus.

District policy will be followed regarding personal electronic communication devices (ECDs)*.

Please note the consequences for violation of district rules, state/federal law or school board policy:

• 1st Office Referral: The ECD will be confiscated, turned into the school office, and picked up by the student from the principal by the end of the day, unless the device is needed longer for examination by school or district IT personnel. Document MAJOR incident in Synergy
• 2nd Office Referral: The ECD will be confiscated, turned into the school office, and picked up by the student at the end of the day along with parent contact. Document MAJOR incident in Synergy
• 3rd Office Referral: The ECD will be confiscated, turned into the school office, and picked up by a parent at the end of the day along with parent contact. Document MAJOR incident in Synergy
• 4th Office Referral: Insubordination - 1 Day OSS
• 5th Office Referral: Insubordination – Individual student/parent plan
  

(See full policy HERE.)

*ECDs include: cell phones, smart watches, tablets etc...

Who is eligible to apply??

• Current 8th Grade Student
• First Generation College Prospect (Student whose parents have not earned a four-year degree)
• Income Eligible (based on federal income tax information)
• Nebraska resident and U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Must be ready for honors and advanced level courses in high school.
• Parental commitment
• Plan to attend one of the participating high schools 9th-12th grade (Grand Island Senior High, Omaha Bryan, Omaha North, Omaha South or Winnebago Public Schools)
• B-average in Middle School core classes of math, science, social studies, English and world language.
• Prepared to take at least Algebra 1-2 as a freshman.

HERE is the link with information for students interested in applying. Kali from UNL (NCPA) will be visiting with all 8th grade students on January 22nd to provide more information

Homework Club meets Monday-Thursday and is for all students! From 3:45-4:30 PM, students can come and get support on school work.

If your student is going to use this opportunity, be sure to make transportation plans.

For questions, please call the main office so we will come alongside you in supporting your student's learning!

Grandparents, 60 and older, can get free admission to activities at GIPS! To get your activity pass, bring in your valid driver license to the Kneale Administration Building (123 S Webb Rd, Grand Island, NE 68803).

As the sports seasons start up, the admin team from Sr, High wanted to remind the middle schools:

Backpacks and other small bags are NOT allowed at Sporting Events/Activities. You will NOT be allowed in the event with a bag or backpack. You must have your school issued ID to enter.

Any 7th and 8th grade female student interested in softball attended an informational meeting at school this past week. Below, you will find more information.

Softball Information

The link to Google Classroom is: sk2kh77

Students: if you attend with your Bulldog pass (and not with your parents) you are only allowed to visit the concession stand in between sets, quarters, or games. Also, while attending games the expectations from the school day should be followed- including no cell phone use and staying off your computer.

Here is the District Calendar for the 2024-2025 School Year.

This calendar has all the activities at Barr, from volleyball to wrestling to orchestra concerts, and is one you can subscribe to so you never miss an event!

Click HERE to access the calendar! (The rSchool Calendar is on the left hand side!)

Reminder: Please turn in all medications to the school nurse including over the counter medications such as pain relievers, cough drops, eye drops, etc... to ensure the safety of our students and to align to district policy

If you have further questions, please call the front office.

Here is reminder/update on bags at Barr:

• Backpacks need to be put in students' lockers at the beginning of the day
• No smaller bags are to be carried during the day except for medical purposes that have been approved by the nurse

Thank you for helping communicate this to your student(s) and keeping our school a safe place!

Students, your computer case should contain your computer, charger, and a pencil in the outside pocket. You are responsible for computer screens that break due to extra items in your case.

If you have a fine, please plan on paying that this week when you attend parent teacher conferences.

Doors open at 7:45 (do not arrive any earlier as there is not supervision before 7:45).

**Students will not be allowed in the vestibule before 7:45 AM**

Each grade will wait in respective areas (and they can eat school breakfast while they wait!). Please drop off in the following locations (and students will wait in the following areas):

Who:

7th and 8th grade Barr Students

When:

Starts [again!] Jan. 8!💪

Every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday*

7:30-8:00 AM

*Moved to Thursday to accommodate students also in show choir

Focus of Training:

Strength--Speed--Flexibility--Agility

Conditioning--Quickness--Leadership

Where:

New (north) gym

Enter door 8

Equipment needed:

T-shirt, shorts, gym shoes

Questions Contact:

Coach Rodriguez--drodriguez2@gips.org

Water bottles are allowed at school so that students can stay hydrated throughout the day. Please make sure to use clear water bottles and that only water is in the bottles.

Also, cups will no longer be provided during lunch, so students are encouraged to bring water bottles.

Summer:

July 2024

August:

August 4, 2024

August 11, 2024

August 18, 2024

August 25, 2024

September :

September 1, 2024

September 9, 2024

September 16, 2024

September, 23, 2024

September 30, 2024

October:

October 7, 2024

October 14, 2024

October 21, 2024

October 28, 2024

November:

November 4, 2024

November 11, 2024

November 18, 2024

November 25, 2024

December:

December 2, 2024

December 9, 2024

December 16, 2024

December 23, 2024