Principal's Newsletter
Sam Barlow High School ~ December 2019/January 2020
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.
The Season for Giving
As we enter the holiday season I encourage all of you to reflect on what matters most. It always seems that the newest item or gadget being advertised becomes the most important focus for our kids, which ultimately means a new found focus for us as well. However, the best gift in life can’t be purchased or wrapped. The gift of time spent with loved ones is something that can only be given from the heart and is more valuable than anything you can purchase. I hope you are able to find the time to sit down with your student(s) and share a great story, listen to the stories they have to share, or to just be near while they are “doing their thing”. No matter what kids say, knowing that you are willing to spend focused time with them is just what they want and need. Time is the best gift anyone can give and the price is right. I wish you all the very best this holiday season and hope to see you at an event or gathering sometime soon.
Parents of Seniors
For those of you who have a current senior, I am sure both you and your student are on overload. Needing to take senior pictures, completing the FAFSA, submitting college applications, scholarship applications, and the question “what are you going to do next year” from just about everyone can push both parents and students into the stress mode. On top of all that, your student may be getting to the point where they just don’t want to make a decision. These feelings and situations are totally normal and happen to every family of a senior. Remember, this is a major time of transition where there is quite a bit of uncertainty. Students may be wondering what it will be like to live away from home, being on their own, or if they are making the “right” decision. Parents are wondering the same. With uncertainty comes anxiety. Perhaps the best way to work through some of these issues is to have honest conversations between you and your student so everyone knows where the other is coming from. It is also important to serve as a bit of a buffer for your student with relatives and family friends. After all, these decisions are for the student and family, not others. On a final note, enjoy the time with your senior. Regardless of the decisions that are made now about next year, we only really have a few months left with our kids, why make this time all about the future.
Construction Update
Bond construction at Barlow is in full swing and things are changing every day. Over the winter break the modular classrooms will be removed and we will have all staff inside of the building for the first time since the beginning of the 2018-19 school year. That is a major milestone for us, and so exciting for students and staff. Additionally, we will be opening up a major portion of our parking lot for students and the basketball season. That is very cool!
When we return from the break we will be opening our new College and Career Center, the new Athletics and Activities office, a main hallway, and the Cafeteria will have undergone the beginnings of its transformation. While I know it is sometimes a bit distracting, the building is looking so amazing and is becoming a better place for our students, staff, parents, and community. We anticipate all major construction being completed by the end of March with new spaces coming online throughout that time. We are so thankful for the work that has been done and the support of the Gresham residents.
Go to a Performance or Event
A great way to be connected to the school community is to attend a performance or athletic event. We just finished our Winter Performance Season in the Auditorium with amazing concerts by our Band and Choir programs. So you know, there are multiple opportunities to see the student body in a great environment representing their school and special program. I promise that you will be very impressed with our students whether you attend an athletic event, a performance from or dance or cheer teams, a band or choir event, or a theatrical performance by our drama students. I can’t tell you how impressed I am with our students, coaches, and fans regardless of what event I attend. It is a great thing to do!
Returning From Winter Break
While I know this is being sent at the start of Winter Break, and that I don’t want to spoil the idea of two weeks away, I just wanted to mention the thought of returning in 2020 with a continued focus on finishing strong. When students return we will have three weeks before our final exams for the first semester. This is a critical time for our students as they need to maintain a strong focus on finishing the semester. Whether that means completing a big project, studying for an exam, or completing some missing work, staying focused and finishing strong is key to both immediate and long term success. As we begin to wind down the break in January, please take some time to check ParentVue or you student’s StudentVue account to see what they may need to do over the last three weeks to end with success.
Student Art
Senior Emma Strobel volunteered to complete an amazing painting of two bears for the cover of this years yearbook. Emma has taken a variety of art classes at Barlow, and has placed in local art competitions. There are plans to hang the painting in the principal's conference room.
TEXTBOOK RETURN
Textbooks from 1st semester classes need to be returned by January 31st, so there will be enough for 2nd semester students.
These books include Psychology, Government, Economics, Family Living and any overdue novels.
STUDENT LIBRARY OVERDUE BOOKS
This year, our Library has begun to send e-mail messages about student overdue books to parents and students. Please help us to help your student by encouraging them to return their Library materials on time or to renew them. Students with overdue items can't check out any other items until they are returned or renewed. Overdue items also prevent other students from using these materials, so please remind your kids to take care of any overdue books as soon as possible. We are still taking returns and making renewals even when we are closed and students can always drop off books in the main office as well. Thank you for your support!
"Marketing Program / DECA Fundraiser"
Based on a childhood barter game called “Bigger and Better,” Kyle MacDonald a young man from Canada, made a series of trades on Craig’s List to go from one red paper clip to owning his very own home. Our upper level Marketing classes are going to take up this challenge at Sam Barlow High to enhance their marketing skills and abilities by providing real-world experiences, as well as raise funds for DECA travel (competitive marketing club). We don’t expect each student to end up with a house – but they are going to do the best that they can. Students are expected to conduct their trades face-to-face, not online.
You can expect to find students around campus, and community, the next few weeks asking for trades. When we have completed the “game,” the students will be setting up a silent auction on campus with the goal of selling whatever they got in their final trades. The money raised from the auction will be used to support student travel expenses for DECA competition at the State level, and International level (this year in TN).
The silent auction will be held Friday, January 10, 2020, in Room 115 during the Girls’ and Boys’ Basketball games.
If you would like to learn more about the “One Red Paperclip” follow the link to the 20/20 story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE8b02EdZvw
Or check out Kyle MacDonald’s blog and TedTalk at: http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/
PARENTVUE APP (Check your students' progress)
You can download the ParentVue App directly to your phone for free. It’s very simple to do and we have included the step-by-step instructions for you below.
Go to your App store or Android Market and search for ParentVue.
Click ‘install’ and then ‘open’ when installation is complete.
You will have a screen prompting you to swipe left to find your district. If location is activated on your phone, our district should pop to the top. If not, type in Gresham-Barlow School District in the search bar.
Once you choose Gresham-Barlow School District, you will be asked to log in.
Once you have logged in, you will have access to your student's information, such as;
Class Schedule
Current Grades in all classes
Progress Reports
Attendance
Teacher communications
Access to update your contact information
Many more…
You can also select which language you prefer to use by clicking on ‘change’ at the bottom of the screen.
This is a great resource to have at the tip of your fingers. If you need assistance logging in or resetting your password, please contact Teresa Juden at juden@gresham.k12.or.us
School Meal Nutrition App
Sodexo has an app that will give you the nutritional value for school meals. This is especially helpful for those with diabetes. The app will tell you what's on the menu each day in the school cafeteria, including calories, nutritional information and allergens. You can also find this information on each school web page under breakfast/ lunch menus.
You can download the app in the app store & Google play, Just search "SO HAPPY SODEXO"
The one thing that may affect the menu and carb count is "if" there is a last minute change to a food item on the menu as it will not show up on the app. To address this issue, the cafeteria will provide a list of all the food items with their carb counts, so that you have this information on-hand.
Get Involved!
Become an ASPIRE Mentor:
If you would like to volunteer to become an ASPIRE mentor, no experience is necessary! Visit the following website to learn more:
https://oregonstudentaid.gov/aspire-becoming-a-mentor.aspx
Contact Patty Neuenschwander at 503-258-4890 or neuenschwander@gresham.k12.or.us
ATHLETICS
TEACHER CLASSROOM PAGES
Planning for College
Get Career Ready
How to Pay for College
COLLEGE NEWS AND INFORMATION
CAREER RELATED OPPORTUNITIES
Get College Ready!
SAT & ACT
UPCOMING SAT TEST DATES:
March 14, May 2, June 6
UPCOMING ACT TEST DATES:
Feb. 8, April 4, June 813, July 18
These are TEST DATES – you need to register 3 or 4 weeks before the actual test.
SAT registration online at www.sat.org/register
ACT registration online at www.actstudent.org/start
CSS Profile: Families applying to more than one private college or university may be requested to furnish a copy of the CSS profile, which charges registration and processing fees. The application is available online at www.collegeboard.com
Senior Pictures and Baby Ads for Yearbook
Please read the attached flyer with instructions for submitting your senior yearbook photo.
Senior Student and Parent Information
- January 24th: Baby Ad Deadline
Senior "SANP2020" Meeting:
Parents of seniors, please join us for a meeting on December 2nd to help plan the Senior All Night Party. We will meet in the staff cafeteria at 6:30pm.
Jostens Graduation Orders:
You can visit the Jostens website for more information.
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.
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-E Michelle Kahan kahan@gresham.k12.or.us
F-J Erin Boelow boelow@gresham.k12.or.us
K-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
ELL LIAISON
Karen Galicia galicia4@gresham.k12.or.us
ATTENDANCE LIAISON
Ryan Alexander alexander9@gresham.k12.or.us
ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
A-G Celeste Pellicci pellicci@gresham.k12.or.us
H-O Melanie Marrone marrone2@gresham.k12.or.us
P-Z Kelly Hart hart29@gresham.k12.or.us
SBHS Calendars
If you would like to subscribe to Sam Barlow calendars on your phone or other devices, use the links below:
Activities - SBHS Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_73jhabthgqh7h2910qn0c6baq8%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Athletics -SBHS calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_kv7l5hldmkp5s4cgp4dmg8fnls%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics
Sam Barlow Main Public Calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/gresham.k12.or.us_4jj9ve163iticdogb11b6ggp1s%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics