Each spring, students in grades 3 through 5 participate in the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) to assess their knowledge in key subject areas. Students in grades 3-5 will take English Language Arts (ELA) and Math assessments, while 5th grade students will also complete a Science assessment covering concepts from grades 3-5.

Due to the number of inclement weather days across the state, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has extended the testing window. Please see the updated dates below. On Monday, March 31st, we will send home a correction letter with the adjusted schedule for your child's grade level.

To help your child perform their best, we kindly request that you try to schedule any doctor’s appointments or family trips outside of these testing dates. If unavoidable, please inform your child's teacher as soon as possible.

Thank you for your support in ensuring a smooth testing experience for our students!

Great Beginnings Preschool Enrollment opened April 1, 2025. We’re expanding to offer full & half-day preschool, now 5 days a week at:

• District Education Center
• Barry Elementary
• Pathfinder Elementary

Complete the interest form linked below to begin the enrollment process.

• Tuition for Great Beginnings Preschool is $7,650/school year for full day; $4,250/school year for 1/2 days.
• Families qualifying for free/reduced priced lunch will be tuition-free.
• Tuition reduction may be available if grant monies are received.

April is the Month of the Military Child . Help us turn Platte County School District PURPLE on April 11! This is a visual way to show our support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices️. Why purple? It symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green , Marine red , and Coast Guard, Navy, and Air Force blue . Let's show our support!

I am so excited to announce that Barry is having a BOGO (buy one, get one) book fair this spring! Starting on Friday, April 18th, classes will begin making purchases during their library time and will close on Thursday, April 24th. The bookfair will also be open ONE EVENING- Thursday, April 17th from 4:30-6:30. Please stop by the collaboration space and check out all of the amazing new books that could be yours!

Don't forget to set up your student's eWallet account for cashless, stress-less shopping! It takes less than 2 minutes to set up for your student and friends and family can even contribute to the funds! Set one up here: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/barryelementaryschool.

The bookfair is cash, card, and apple pay friendly. However, the least amount of cash/change that is floating around getting lost or dropped as possible, the better!

-Ms. Begg

Children who have turned five years of age before August 1, 2025, are eligible for kindergarten for the 2025-26 school year. Families are encouraged to view the Attendance area boundary map linked here, or call the District office at 816-858-5420 for confirmation of attendance area.

Kindergarten Kickoffs will be hosted in each elementary on Tuesday, April 15. Incoming Kindergarten families will complete new student enrollment via our online registration process. Stay tuned for our 2025-26 new student registration forms.

K-8 Summer School Enrollment Now Open via Parent Portal

Parents of existing students currently in grades PreK-7 interested in K-8 Summer School: You can now enroll for 2025 Summer School via the Forms on PowerSchool Parent Portal (via a browser or the app). Please complete by May 9, 2025.

Summer School will be held May 30-June 27 at the following locations. Click here for more information about summer school.

• Barry Elementary: For all K-5th grade southern attendance area students (Pathfinder and Barry Elementaries)
• Compass Elementary: For all K-5th grade northern attendance area students (Compass and Siegrist Elementaries)
• PCMS: For all 6th-8th students, and 9th-12 grade students

*Incoming Kindergarten students can complete summer school enrollment after completing their regular school year enrollment (Kindergarten Kickoffs will be held April 15). New Student Enrollment for 2025-26 school year will be available soon.

**Information about enrolling in the High School summer school program will be available in April.

This question will be placed on the April 8, 2025 ballot. Pending voter approval, this bond issue would fund the following projects identified in the District’s Long-Range Facility Plan:

• Completing Phase 2 of rebuilding Platte County High School, creating a consolidated high school building with all classrooms and programs under one roof
• Constructing site amenities at Platte Purchase Middle School activities complex
• Constructing playground facilities at Pathfinder Elementary
• Expanding parking and improving traffic flow and safety at Compass Elementary

For more information, click here, view the video linked below, or attend the next Informational Meeting:

• March 11, 6pm, Platte County High School Cafeteria

Get ready for the "Greatest Show" of Character! The Pirates ROCK End-of-Year Celebration and Sharpen the Saw Challenge Course will be at Barry-Platte Park on Friday, May 2. Course is open from 5-7pm, with the character recognition ceremony at 6pm. Pre-register here and see flier for details.

Want a $10 Pirates ROCK race day t-shirt? Complete registration/order by April 16!

You're invited to our Community Advisory Meeting on April 21 from 6:00-8:00 PM, starting in the PCHS Cafeteria! All families are welcome to explore a showcase of Real-World Learning experiences across our district, at all grade levels. (You do not have to be a Community Advisory member to attend.)

Students will be stationed throughout the Cafeteria and classroom wing of the PCHS Phase 1 rebuild, sharing their projects and experiences. Families and Community Advisory members can visit with students, learn about their work, and provide feedback. Some stations will offer items for purchase, so be sure to bring your wallet!

We look forward to seeing you there!

The Board approved the following make up day plan to address our 10 inclement weather days to date this school year:

• January 7, 8, 9, and 10, and February 5, 2025 - Inclement Weather Virtual Learning Days (do not need to be made up)
• February 12, 2025 - To be made up on Monday, April 14, 2025 (previously a no school day)
• February 13, 2025 - To be made up on Tuesday, May 27, 2025
• February 18, 2025 - To be made up on Wednesday, May 28, 2025
• February 19, 2025 - To be made up on Thursday, May 29, 2025, a 3-hour early dismissal
• February 20, 2025 - The Board has waived this day.

Please note, with this plan, May 23 will now be a full school day. With this make up plan, Summer School Dates are now June 2-30, 2025.

"This was seriously the most fun!!! We had a K student say to his teacher, “oh man! My mom forgot to pack my goggles!” and a 1st grader say after we said, “April Fools!”, “well that was a little embarrassing!” Mrs. Ambrose

There is an opening for a lunch clerk at Barry Elementary! This is a two hour position. If you are interested please contact Chelsea Brotherton at brotherc@platteco.k12.mo.us .

Pirates R.O.C.K. (Raising Outstanding Character Kids) is a program designed to surround our families with examples of strong character traits through school experiences, at home, and reinforced in their community. Each month our community focuses on a specific character trait and students are recognized for exhibiting these traits: Self Confidence, Pride, Responsibility, Citizenship, Compassion, Individuality, Self Control, Integrity, Perseverance, Respect, Honesty, and Cooperation.

April's #PiratesROCK trait is PERSEVERANCE: giving your best effort regardless of obstacles & rejection.

Leader in Me Connections to PERSEVERANCE:

• Habit 1: Be Proactive - You are in charge of you.
• Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind - Know what you want before you do it.
• Habit 4: Think win-win - Find ways where everyone can win.
• Habit 6: Synergize - Work together to do better.

Character Strong Connections to PERSEVERANCE:

• Self-Management, Commitment

Celebrating student leadership and recognizing the hard work and impact student leaders have at Barry Elementary is a priority to us. Every month, Barry staff and students take the time to highlight these Quality Students and their contributions to their classroom and our school. Students are selected by their classroom and specials teachers as showing exemplary leadership skills and living the 7 Habits. Each month we have a Lead Week that focuses on a Pirates R.O.C.K. Character Trait and one of the 7 Habits. At the end of this week, the student chosen gets to participate in a celebration surrounding their leadership! They wear their school leadership shirt, receive a badge and certificate, participate in a craft, enjoy a donut breakfast, and are celebrated at an all school assembly. We are so proud of these students and how they represent Barry Elementary!

Jason’s Deli Restaurant Fundraiser – Tuesday, April 8th

Skate Night – Thursday, April 17th – wear your sports gear!

If you are needing to make a permanent change please use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdctgWlI4RRV9QhrVKc2otnqLyVTOsfsbblv-LpDNBayDCNSg/viewform

Bus Compass is an innovative system that allows parents/guardian to know when their student’s bus is approaching their stop and provides confirmation when their student gets on or off the bus. It also helps our Transportation Department monitor ridership effectively.

During the 2024-25 school year, the PCR-3 Transportation Department will be rolling out the service in phases.

For elementary students, a blue fob will be placed on their backpacks. Please note that the fob does not track students. Instead, it works with the driver’s close-proximity IR reader to log when a student boards or exits the bus.

To make the most of this service, guardians can download the Bus Compass app from their preferred app store. Through the app, registered parents or guardians can monitor the bus’s progress, including notifications when the bus is two stops or one stop away, as well as updates for drop-offs and pick-ups at school.

Click on the links below for additional information.

• Parent Frequently Asked Questions
• Bus Compass App Information

This is a link to our BNN channel, where students get the daily news and happenings of Barry Elementary! https://www.youtube.com/@BNNBarryNewsNetwork

Please visit our Barry School Store website! If you have any questions, want to volunteer or make a donation, please contact Blaire Zessin or Teddi Weber.

https://sites.google.com/platteco.k12.mo.us/barryelementaryschoolstore

Download the App and scan to help support Barry Elementary!!

https://www.boxtops4education.com/s/

Safety is our District's top priority. PCR-3 has a system of safety and security measures in place, including trained security staff (now at every building following the passage of the Prop C Waiver/Levy Transfer), secure entryways, ongoing monitoring, and partnership with local law enforcement.

We remind parents, staff, and students that school safety is the responsibility of the entire school community. Please follow the principle of "see something, say something." If anyone (student, parent, staff member, community member) sees or hears anything of concern, please contact the District office at (816) 858-5420 so that those concerns can be investigated. You and your child can also easily report tips on bullying, harassment, or any safety issue you're concerned about through our online Safe Schools Alert system. Every tip is immediately logged in the system and our administration is notified so that they can investigate and take appropriate action. Tips may also be submitted anonymously. Each building's website has the Safe Schools icon located within the “quick links” bar on the homepage.

The PCR-3 Treasure Chest is a stocked resource center providing food, milk, and toiletries for PCR-3 students and families in need. Qualifying families will receive a weekly form via email to sign up or can call 816-858-7001 for assistance.

Families will receive an email with approval to come to the Treasure Chest on Wednesdays from 4-6pm at the new Treasure Chest site (south side of Paxton building).

Make sure your student is prepared for the school year. When kids are covered through MO HealthNet, they’re covered for doctor visits, emergency care, dental care, mental health services, and more! Enroll now at mydss.mo.gov – their health is worth it. For help with application-call 1-800-466-3213.

3:00 PM is the cut off for nurse visits UNLESS THERE IS AN EMERGENCY! This is to ensure all children are with their class and ready to go at dismissal.

• Please only invite your specific children to eat with you.
• Help your children follow the lunchroom expectations the rest of the cafeteria is asked to follow like remaining at the table until their class is dismissed.
• When you have finished your lunchtime, please return to the front office rather than making rounds through the cafeteria to say hello to other students. The other students would love a wave though!

Thank you for wanting to be a part of our school community and we'll see you at lunch!

K-12 Payment Center is now Linq Connect, where parents can deposit money for meal transactions. Parents can access Linq Connect through this link or when signing in to PowerSchool Parent Portal. In addition to allowing for better and faster service to students during meal times at school, the online portion of this system allows guardians to set up scheduled meal deposits or deposits to accounts when falling below a certain amount. A transaction fee will be applied based on the amount of funds added. The Fees are 3.95% of the transaction total with a $2.85 minimum to be paid by the parent/cardholder.

To set up your student's account, you'll need their student ID number, which can be found on your Parent Portal. Parents can still deposit money for meal transactions by sending payment via check or cash to their child's school.

Free and reduced applications from last year expire in October. You need to reapply.

School Messenger is our automated phone calling and text notification system. We use this system to notify parents quickly for sudden changes in schedules due to emergencies, school cancellations, or just important school announcements.

If you aren't receiving the District's text reminders and notifications and would like to opt in to receive these, simply text "YES" to 67587. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Visitors to the building: you will always need to bring your ID with you when you come into the building. We will scan your ID into our safety system Platte County uses to ensure the safety and security of our students.

We ask that students be checked out NO LATER than 3:15. This is helpful as dismissal is our busiest time in the building. This will also ensure our dismissal team has time to be informed of changes. Please note that any check-outs before 3:50 reflect as an early dismissal on your students attendance.

Students are not allowed to order or have deliveries sent to them at school.

For the safety of all students, parents and guardians must accompany their child to the front office when arriving late. Dropping students off at the front door is a safety concern. If a student arrives without a parent/guardian, we will be reaching out and requesting you return to complete the check-in process.

Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe!

Mrs. Ambrose

All Platte County R-3 athletic event tickets are now digital only. We no longer accept cash as the gate. Fans will purchase tickets online through GoFan or by presenting a card or mobile payment option at the ticket gate. Prices remain the same; a regular season game is $5 for adults and $3 for students. Below is our link to our digital tickets; please share this with any of your friends and family members that plan on attending our events and tell them to purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines.

Digital Ticket Link:

PCHS Digital Tickets

Please note:

• PCR-3 staff members are admitted free to home and away regular season events by showing their staff ID at the gate. Please have your ID ready to show the gate workers.
• PCHS students and fans aged 55 and older are admitted free with a valid ID to regular season events.
• Everyone (including PCR-3 staff, PCHS students, and senior citizens) must purchase a ticket to any tournament or post season event.

Middle School/Elementary Attendance at PCR-3 Events

All middle school and elementary students (ages 6 and up) must purchase a digital ticket and must be accompanied by a supervising adult to attend PCR-3 athletic events. Middle school and elementary students are not allowed to be dropped off. If they do not have a supervising adult, they will not be allowed to attend.

Live Streaming

Most of our PCHS athletic events will be streamed on PCR3 Activities Youtube. Please share this link with friends and family members who are unable to attend in person.

The Cool Swim Team is building a new competitive swim team at the Platte County Community Center North for swimmers aged 8 through high school. See flier below for details.

Join us for DRUM! on Friday, April 11, 7pm at PCHS Wilson Auditorium! Percussion students from PCHS, PPMS, and PCMS will present a percussion showcase you don't want to miss! This year's "HEROES AND VILLANS" theme is sure to thrill the audience and leave you ready for a sequel! Tickets are $7, and all of the proceeds go back to the percussion program. **Tickets will be available the night of the show, and general admission will begin at 6:30pm.

• March 24-28: No School, Spring Break
• April 14: School IN SESSION - Make Up Day
• May 2: Pirates ROCK End-of-Year Celebration, 5-7pm, Barry-Platte Park

Regular school day office hours run from 8:15am - 4:15pm.

• Students can enter the building- 8:30 a.m.
• Official start of school- 8:50 a.m.
• Dismissal- Car Riders and Y-Club-3:35 p.m.
• Dismissal-Bus Riders- 3:50 p.m.

Principal: Kacie Ambrose

Email: ambrose.kacie@pcr3schools.org

Assistant Principal: Dr. Mindy Wheeler

Email: wheeler.mindy@pcr3schools.org

Website: https://barry.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/

Location: 2001 Northwest 87th Terrace, Kansas City, MO, USA

Phone: 816-436-9623