Barrington Weekly Update
September 4, 2023
Barrington Updates 12/10/23
There is no video this week. I am out with my father due to major health issues. I will be back Thursday and cannot wait to see the students. I have missed them so much.
Bobcat Day
Our focus for the January BOBCAT day will be on our "broader community". In a partnership with the PTO and service organization, Seeds of Caring, we're going to be making compassion kits that will be distributed to people without homes. We will be holding a supply drive for the kits beginning the week after Thanksgiving. Items will be collected in each neighborhood beginning Monday 11/20 through Friday 12/15. Each grade will be in charge of the following supplies:
- 5th Inf: Tuna/Cracker kits
- 5th Cont: Slim Jims
- 4th Inf: Nail Clippers
- 4th Cont: razors
- 3rd Inf: mints/gum
- 3rd Cont: Individual moist towelettes (24 count pkgs)
- 2nd Cont: hand/foot warmers (10 count pkgs)
- 1/2 Inf: travel sized soap/shampoo/conditioner
- 1st Cont: large bandages (10 count pkgs)
- Kdg (all): toothbrushes/toothpaste
Manage Screentime at Home
Best Way to Manage Screentime at Home - TIPS for Families
The built in iPad ScreenTime settings on students iPads is a feature that is best used on personal devices as opposed to the school managed iPads. ScreenTime settings often cause access issues during the school day.
If families would like to monitor activity on the school iPads and control internet access during after school hours, please see these instructions on how to create a Lightspeed Parent Portal Account. Questions may be directed to FamilyTechHelp@uaschools.org if necessary.
IOWA Assessments and Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
I wanted to take a moment to share information about two assessments that our 2nd and 4th graders will be participating in this December. The IOWA Assessments and Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered over a couple day time period during December.
About the Iowa Assessments
The Iowa Assessments are achievement tests that assess students’ skills in specific content areas. The tests assess both foundational skills and higher-order thinking skills and provide national and local comparisons. The Iowa Assessments help teachers identify a student’s strengths and areas that may need additional emphasis. The Iowa Assessments also measure student growth and progress in the content areas assessed from year to year.
Second graders will take IOWA assessments in the content areas of reading and math. Fourth graders will take IOWA assessments in the content area of math, since the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce approved the use of Star Reading as a gifted identifier for reading in grade 4.
About the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT)
CogAT appraises the development of students’ reasoning abilities using verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal cognitive tasks. All three of the assessment areas have been designed to appraise inductive and deductive reasoning abilities and also specific reasoning abilities that are unique to the battery.
Results of these assessments are used to identify student strengths, areas of need, and gifted identification.
How your student can prepare for test taking and what you can do to help
A student who is well rested and well fed and has a positive attitude about testing is best prepared for testing. You can help your student do his or her best by considering these tips:
Make sure your student gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.
Remind your student that these tests are only one measure of what he or she has learned. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible.
Remind your student to listen to the directions and read each question carefully during testing. Encourage your student to ask the teacher for help if he or she does not understand the directions.
Score reporting and how we use test results
The school will receive test scores approximately 6 weeks after assessments are complete. Assessment results will be shared with families.
Thank you very much for encouraging and supporting your student during testing.
Coat Drive - THANK YOU!!
Thank you to the Barrington students, families and staff members who donated winter jackets and accessories before Thanksgiving Break to the Student Council/PTO Coat Drive. We received the loveliest email from Constance Jump, with Capital City Helping Hands to share with you all.
Words seem inadequate in trying to thank you for the incredible donation that Barrington made to the Capital City Helping Hands coat drive. I was expecting about three bags of coats so when it turned out to be 11 large moving boxes, I was simply overwhelmed by the generosity of the students and parents.
I have headed this project for nine years and was always hopeful that somehow I could make a connection to an organization that could provide a large number of jackets for elementary grade students. We always say that putting a warm jacket on a child is like giving them a hug so I thank you for all the effort you put into this by providing hugs to so many children.
This is the largest donation that we have ever received from one source so I am beyond grateful to you! Have a wonderful holiday.
Thank you for supporting our students in showing generosity and gratitude not just during the holidays, but during the entire school year.
PTO Updates
The Bobcat Social - Tickets On Sale!
The Adult Fundraiser Committee cordially invites you to the First Annual Bobcat Social! We are so excited for this opportunity to gather the parents within the Barrington Elementary Community. All funds raised support valued programming, such as enhanced learning experiences, field trip fees, and staff appreciation. The event will take place on Thursday, February 29, 2024, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at The Fives. Tickets are on sale now. Early Bird ticket pricing is $60 per person from now until 1/3/24. Ticket prices rise to $75 per person on 1/4/24. Please also consider our sponsorship opportunities. We are so grateful for our Barrington Families and look forward to kicking off an incredibly successful event! Should you have any questions, please email thebobcatsocial@gmail.com.
Yearbook
Please send back-to-school, recess, field trips, Barrington Rock, safety patrol, class party, and service-learning photos to barringtonyearbookua@gmail.com. We will accept photos from now thru February to be considered for the yearbook.
PTO Quick Links:
This email has been sent to you by BARRINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. If you received this email in error, please contact allcall@uaschools.org.