Principal's Newsletter
Sam Barlow High School ~ November 2021
Sam Barlow High School
Website: https://www.gresham.k12.or.us/sbhs
Location: 5105 SE 302nd Ave, Gresham, OR, United States
Phone: (503) 258-4850
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Barlow-High-School/106146596083423
Twitter: @BarlowPride
FROM PRINCIPAL BRUCE C. SCHMIDT, JR.
Is it really November? It is unbelievable how fast a school year can go. It seems like we were just welcoming students into the building, finalizing schedules, and enjoying fall sports in the warm sun of September. Yet here we are with the cold east wind kicking in at the dawn of winter. Time just flies.
October and November can be challenging months for students. The newness of the school year has worn off, school has become a “routine”, and sometimes that results in settling into patterns of procrastination and complacency. During this time, it is great to ask your student to show you what they are doing in class, to explain what they have learned, or to simply sit down in a relaxed environment without technology or distractions and have a conversation. While often times it seems they don’t want us around, that is not the case, our kids want us to ask those questions as it lets them know we really care. Our kids are only with us for a fraction of their lives, the time we spend investing in them now will have a lasting impact on their future. Remember, time flies.
ParentVue
I am sure you have all received your student’s six-week progress report in the mail. However, we are now in the middle of the tenth week of the school year. Do you know if your student has improved their grade? Fallen behind? If the answer is “No”, there is a tool that you can use to find out about your student’s performance. ParentVue is a system that enables you to get up to date information on your student’s grades, attendance, and information about class assignments. This is an invaluable resource that can help you partner with your student and their teacher to monitor progress and set goals. I consistently use this application for both of my students, as well as for working with other students at Barlow.
You can find the free app in iTunes or Google Play. Simply go to those sources and search for “ParentVue”. Please send Brandie Seibel an email at: seibel6@gresham.k12.or.us so she can send you an activation code for this information. Once your account is activated, you can access this information on either your computer or mobile device. If you have multiple students in the district you will be able to access all of their information from the same screen.
Parent Teacher Conferences
I wanted to personally invite all of you to our Parent Teacher Conferences that will be held virtually on the evening of Tuesday, November 23st and the morning of Wednesday, November 24th. Please see the section in this newsletter titled "Parent Teacher Conferences" for more details.
SCHOOL CALENDAR REMINDERS
- Thursday, November 11th NO SCHOOL - Veterans Day
- Tuesday, November 23rd - NO SCHOOL for students - Grading Day
- Tuesday, November 23rd - Evening Parent Conferences - 4:00 - 8:00 PM
- Wednesday, November 24th - NO SCHOOL for students
- Wednesday, November 24th - Morning Parent Conferences - 7:30 - 11:30 AM
- Thursday, November 25th - NO SCHOOL - Holiday
- Friday, November 26th - NO SCHOOL
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Each year we look forward to meeting with parents to discuss both the successes and challenges that students face in school during Parent/Teacher Conferences. Through these conversations, we learn so much about our students and families. We also learn what we need to do differently to help students be more successful as well as helping them to have continued success. This year, we are excited to announce that we will be hosting Parent/Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, November 23 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM and Wednesday, November 24 from 7:30 - 11:30 AM.
This year we have organized our conferences much differently than in the past. Conferences will be virtual this year and focused on providing longer blocks of time for students and families who need to meet with teachers for some extra supports. This will ultimately mean fewer slots for parents with students who are very successful, but we have also built in the opportunity for a virtual "Open House" where all parents will have the chance to meet their student's teachers online. Please see below for some details.
- Based on the time allocation for conferences, and the fact that conferences are in 10 minute blocks, a teacher can see a maximum of 45 families.
- Each teacher will be hosting a 10 minute conference block with the families they are going to meet with. Students who are earning between 1-3 NG's (NG=No Grade) or 2 or more D's will be contacted first for conference times. These invites will be sent to families beginning on November 10th.
- On November 17th an invitation will be sent by each teacher to all of their families to sign up for remaining slots.
- All teachers will host a 10 minute "Open House" presentation that will be available to all families. So if your main goal of conferences is to meet your student's teacher, this will be the perfect format. Staff will introduce themselves, share what they teach, their grading practices, and how the class is doing. We will be staggering these times so you will have the chance to meet all of your student's teachers if you choose. All families will receive an individual invite and link to the online meeting by November 12th.
- You can find your students current grade through ParentVue
We realize that some of you may want to attend a conference block but may not have the chance to do so. If that is the case, you can always reach out to your student's teacher through email or by making a phone call.
COVID AND COLD AND FLU SEASON
As we enter the cold and flu season there is often confusion when determining the differences between a cold or the flu and Covid. If you have questions or concerns trying to tell the difference, please reference the infographic in this section. If that does not answer your questions, you can always contact our school nurse, Miriam Ward, at 503.258.3716 and she will work through your symptoms to help determine if your student needs to be tested for Covid or if they are suffering from a cold or the flu.
If you student is going to be absent, please do the following:
- Please call our Attendance line and excuse your child's absence.
- Teachers may have different late work and grading policies when students have excused or unexcused absences. It benefits your child to have the absence excused.
- If a student is staying home because they were in close contact of a positive COVID case, please call our office to report it. We will excuse the absences.
- If your child is sick and does not feel well enough to be at school, please encourage them to stay home.
- If you have any questions about whether or not your student should stay home, please call the school and we will connect you with our nurse.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE ACHIEVEMENT TESTING SERVICES (FLATS)
The Foreign Language Achievement Testing Services (FLATS) test is scheduled for Wednesday, November 10th, from 8:45 am until 11:15 am. at SBHS. Students will be using their Chromebooks to complete the exam and testing will be conducted in our Media Center.
Bilingual students can earn up to 3.0 credits of World Language credit and there are over 50 languages available. This is a great opportunity for students to take advantage of their language skills and earn high school credit.
Testing is free. Please see your counselor for registration information.
KGW GREAT TOY DRIVE
Over the past ten years we have partnered with KGW to contribute donations to their "Great Toy Drive". Each year we have worked hard to spread the concept of giving, supporting our community, and focusing on others during the holiday season. Now, more than ever, families are going to need the support of their community during the holiday season.
Starting on Monday, November 29th, drop off toy barrels will be placed at our Main Entrance as we are acting as a community drop off site. You can drive through between the hours of 8:30am-4:30pm and drop off unwrapped toys, stuffed animals, or clothing items for small children to teens. Additionally, we will have drop off locations inside of the building and in the Athletics and Activities Office for students who bring items into the building. We will be collecting items until December 15.
Let's work hard as the Barlow Community to help those in need and to spread some amazing holiday spirit.
CLASS OF 2022
Seniors, the time has arrived to turn in your Senior Class Portrait. The deadline to turn in your portrait is December 10th. Please see Senior Portrait Info/Submission for more information.
The yearbook staff of Sam Barlow High School is now accepting orders to place Senior Baby Ads in the 2021-2022 Yearbook. So it’s time to choose your photo and start working on your message of congratulations, pride and love. Due Date is Friday, January 28th, 2022. Please see Senior Baby Ads for more information.
To access key dates and information regarding the Class of 2022, please visit the Senior Page on our website. You can also get more information about what Jostens offers on their website jostens.com.
VETERAN'S DAY BASKETBALL CLINIC
A long standing tradition of the boy's basketball program at Sam Barlow High School is our annual Veteran's Day Boys Basketball Clinic. The clinic will be held in our main gym for 3rd through 8th graders and is a fantastic opportunity to get your young athlete active and engaged as well as introducing them to the Home of the Bruins! Please see the Barlow Basketball Clinic flyer below for more information, as well as directions on how to register for the clinic.
SENIOR ALL NIGHT PARTY FUNDRAISER
The Senior Class Booster Club works annually to fundraise for an All Night Party to celebrate our graduating class. This is an independent organization that works very hard to recognize the senior class after our graduation ceremony.
Current Fundraiser:
- Start purchasing your Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Caramel Apples NOW! Visit our website under the CURRENT FUNDRAISERS tab or use the link below to order. Orders due by Sunday, November 14th. Pick up at Barlow, Friday, November 19th from 3-6:30PM outside the Barlow Stadium. If you wish to pay by cash/check, please print the order form below and mail the completed form to the school along with your payment no later than November 12th. If you wish to pay by credit card, please click here for more information. If you have any questions please email us at barlowboosterclub@gmail.com
Thank you so much to the following businesses that have donated toward the Barlow Booster Club for the Senior All-Night Party:
- Gresham Ford
- Our Coffee House
- Riegelmann's Appliance
- Wade Hogg
We also appreciate the families that have already donated, as well!! Your donation makes it possible for the seniors to have a safe and amazing night of fun, after graduation.
Fundraisers are happening throughout the year, so please make sure to visit our website at: https://barlowboosterclub.com
NO FOOD DELIVERY SERVICES TO SCHOOL
Over the course of the fall, students and parents have been using Uber Eats, DoorDash and other delivery services to have food delivered to the building during lunches. In addition, we have had parents dropping off items such as coffee, specialty drinks, and other items, such as gifts, for students to our main office.
We have never permitted the delivery of items, especially food orders and gifts, to be delivered to school. Understand we will accept a forgotten lunch or school items, but we will not be accepting the delivery of these types of things from outside vendors. Compounding this issue is our need to follow all Covid protocols and safety measures as well as school safety concerns. After all, we don't want random delivery people entering our building as it jeopardizes student safety in both cases.
Thanks for your understanding and support.
KNOW YOUR SCHOOL
In order to connect with our school community, Principal Bruce Schmidt will be hosting a monthly parent meeting on the fourth Monday of each month. During this meeting, Mr. Schmidt will present on a variety of topics to inform participants of what is taking place at Barlow. These meetings are never "one way" as Mr. Schmidt will gather input from parents and guardians to help make the Barlow experience quality for all.
The meeting dates for the 2021-22 school year are: 11/29, 1/24, 2/28, 3/28, 4/25, and 5/23. The meetings begin at 7:00pm and end at 8:30pm and will be conducted virtually through the use of Google Meets. Each month an invitation will be sent to you with an agenda via email outlining the topics for discussion along with the link to the Google Meet. We look forward to seeing you at the end of this month.
COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER NEWSLETTER
Sam Barlow High School is home to an amazing College and Career Center. Patty Neuenschwander, our College Coordinator, is consistently finding ways to connect students with scholarship opportunities, hosting presentations from colleges and universities, and helping students with the college application process. LindaLee Frazier, our Career Coordinator, works to provide students with exposure to career opportunities by linking local businesses to classrooms, hosting presentations from business leaders, and connecting students to apprenticeship programs, the military, and local job options. These two work tirelessly to provide opportunities for your student.
Please see their newsletter for incredible details and current opportunities:
MAIN OFFICE FAQ'S
What are the office hours?
7:00am - 3:30pm daily
Closed on holidays and some inservice days
What is the main office number?
503-258-4850
Can I leave a message for my student?
Yes. If necessary, we can take messages from a parent or guardian only. Messages will not be delivered to class except in an emergency, but will be held in the office. Students are paged during designated paging times, and it is the student’s responsibility to pick up the note.
Can I bring a present or send flowers/balloons to a student?
We are unable to accept gifts, flowers/balloons for students. We will refuse all attempted deliveries.
Can I deliver coffee/specialty drinks to my student?
No. We will not accept any Dutch, Black Rock, Country Coffee, etc.
Can I have delivered Uber East, DoorDash, or other food delivery services to my student?
No. We will not be accept the delivery of these types of things from outside vendors, but we will accept a forgotten lunch or school items.
Additional questions?
Please call us! 503-258-4850
WHO CAN HELP?
If you have concerns about your child’s schedule or other issues, the following are the staff to contact. Email is a quick way to get answers to the questions you might have.
COUNSELORS
A-D Shae Morris morris62@gresham.k12.or.us
E-K Erin Boelow boelow@gresham.k12.or.us
L-Ra Oscar Rethwill rethwill@gresham.k12.or.us
Re-Z Molly Ninneman ninneman@gresham.k12.or.us
LICENSED SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
Kimberly Louvin louvin@gresham.k12.or.us
HS SUCCESS COACH
Paul Quirke quirke@gresham.k12.or.us
ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST
Ryan Alexander alexander9@gresham.k12.or.us
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
A-G Celeste Pellicci pellicci@gresham.k12.or.us
H-O Jason Bhear bhear@gresham.k12.or.us
P-Z Kelly Hart hart29@gresham.k12.or.us