March is a great time of year in Oregon. The days are getting longer, we begin to come out of the cold winter months, and springtime begins to show its beauty (well, one would hope for a spring like this). From a school standpoint, this is the time of year when students sign up for classes for the next school year and Seniors begin being notified about college acceptance and see their future begin to unfold.

I want to recognize the amazing results of our winter athletes and performers. Each one of our programs qualified participants for state or national level competition and have represented Barlow with Bruin Pride. This includes boys and girls basketball, wrestling, swimming, racquetball, DECA (Marketing), speech and debate, band, choir, drama, OHSET, cheer, and dance. It is amazing to know that our student athletes and performers have dedicated so much time to their craft and have seen the results of hard work, commitment, and dedicated coaches and advisors. Barlow truly has a place for all students where they can also find great success, support, and positive experiences.

We have just completed the first six weeks of the second semester and students are settling into the routines of new classes, teachers, and class groups. I have spoken with several students who have made positive changes in their approach to school based on the grades they earned in the first semester. Please be sure to reinforce these great behaviors by recognizing your student’s effort to change. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen students get to this point, then experience a bump in the road and abandon the change even though it is a good one. By coaching your student through these situations, and with positive reinforcement, changes that they make are internalized, become habit, and long term success results. I know this process is difficult, but it makes all the difference in the world.

I hope both you and your student have a fantastic second semester and as always, Go Bruins!

• Spring Break: No School - March 27th - March 31st

We have been working through the forecasting process for the 2023-24 school year over the past several weeks. This is a great opportunity to work with your student and help them see the potential of their future as it relates to the classes and programs we have to offer at Barlow. This process is critical for both your student in terms of them selecting classes of both interest and benefit to their long term goals, and to us for planning sections and teaching assignments for next year.

Please be sure to look for forecasting sheets from your student as this is how they will outline the classes. Depending upon their grade level, they may have already met individually with their counselor to finalize their class choices. If so, check in with them to ensure that they are set to go for next year.

Parent Requests For IN-DISTRICT Transfers

Accepted March 1-31, 2023 * Deadline is March 31, 2023

The Gresham-Barlow School District will accept in-district transfer requests for the 2023-2024 school year during the month of March only.

If you live within the Gresham-Barlow district and want your child to attend a Gresham-Barlow school outside of your attendance area, you need to request an in-district transfer. If your student currently has an in-district transfer and is moving from elementary to middle or middle to high, please submit a new request.

A digital transfer request form will be available on the Transfers section of the district website, http://gresham.k12.or.us/Page/2249. The link to this form can also be emailed to you directly if you request it from any GBSD school or district office. Forms must be submitted by March 31, 2023.

You will be notified in writing after review of all requests. Please note: kindergarten and first grade requests may not be decided upon until late summer after more registrations have been received. For further information, contact the Gresham-Barlow School District Office at 503-261-4575.

Solicitud de los padres para Transferencias DENTRO DEL DISTRITO

Se aceptan del 1º al 31 de Marzo del 2023 * Hay plazo hasta el 31 de Marzo del 2023

El Distrito Escolar Gresham-Barlow aceptará solicitudes para transferencias dentro del distrito para el año escolar 2023-2024 durante el mes de Marzo solamente. Si ustedes viven adentro del distrito y quieren que su hijo(a) asista a una de las escuelas de Gresham-Barlow afuera del área de su vecindario, necesitan una solicitud de transferencia del distrito. Si su estudiante tiene una transferencia dentro del distrito corrientemente y pasará de primaria a secundaria o de secundaria a preparatoria, ustedes deben entregar una nueva solicitud.

La solicitud digital de transferencia estará disponible en la sección de transferencias del sitio web del distrito, http://gresham.k12.or.us/Page/2249. El vínculo a esta solicitud también se puede enviar directamente por correo electrónico si lo solicita en cualquier escuela del Distrito Escolar Gresham-Barlow u oficina del distrito. Las solicitudes se deben presentar antes del 31 de marzo.

Ustedes serán notificados por escrito después de haber revisado todas las solicitudes. Por favor noten: Solicitudes para kindergarten y primer grado no serán decididos sino hasta finales del verano después de las inscripciones para primaria. Para mas información por favor contacten a la oficina del Distrito Escolar Gresham-Barlow al 503-261-4575.

As you have seen there are references to the multiple modes of communication you all have access to in order to learn more about Sam Barlow High School, accessing student assignments, and tracking your student's progress. I wanted to take a brief moment to explain each system and how to best use these tools to both stay informed, and to work with your student.

ParentSquare

ParentSquare is the system that we use to send written and voice communication home to parents and families. You can download the App in the App Store and Android Market and receive communications and notifications directly to your phone. You can also access features through the use of a desktop machine.

ParentVue

As a parent this is where I "live" with respect to tracking my student's performance. This app allows you to monitor grades, missing assignments, update contact information, and manage all the logistics of your student's information. This provides a very quick snapshot that will help you have conversations with your student.

Canvas

If your student is absent from school and needs to find out what went on in class that day, if you want to review specific assignments in one of their classes, or you are going to be gone for an extended period of time on a pre-excused absence you will be able to view all assigned work. It is the expectation that our teaching staff post all of their assignments to Canvas for access to both students and parents.

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:

• College and Career Center March Newsletter

Sam Barlow High School presents Neil Simon's comedy play RUMORS! When they gather to celebrate a tenth wedding anniversary, four New York power couples experience a severe attack of Farce! Reserve tickets at sambarlowtheatre.com!

“Simon makes people laugh a lot!” – USA Today

“Light, frothy and fun.” – New York Post

“Has nothing on its mind except making the audience laugh.” – NY Times

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 meetings begin at 7:00pm and end at 8:30pm and this year we are running a hybrid model with some meetings being conducted virtually through the use of Google Meets and some in-person in the Media Center. The meeting dates for the 2022-23 school year are: 3/20, 4/24, and 5/22 (in-person).

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 for virtual meetings. We look forward to seeing you at the end of each month.

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

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 (Caseload by Last Name)

A-C Shae Morris morris62@gresham.k12.or.us

D-H Erin Boelow boelow@gresham.k12.or.us

I-M Paul Quirke quirke@gresham.k12.or.us

N-Sa Oscar Rethwill rethwill@gresham.k12.or.us

Sb-Z Molly Ninneman ninneman@gresham.k12.or.us

SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER

Katie Ray ray43@gresham.k12.or.us

HS SUCCESS COACH

Amanda McLeod mcleod2@gresham.k12.or.us

ELL LIAISON

Patty Rodarte rodarte4@gresham.k12.or.us

NURSE

Miriam Ward ward31@gresham.k12.or.us

ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Brinidey Gil-Salado gil9@gresham.k12.or.us

ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS

A-G Heidi Husbands husbands@gresham.k12.or.us

H-O Jason Bhear bhear@gresham.k12.or.us

P-Z Doyle Huelsman huelsman2@gresham.k12.or.us

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