Message From Mr. Goddard
Barron Park Elementary
For Families Interested in a Learning Model Change for the Remainder of the 20/21 School Year
In November, Superintendent Austin wrote in his weekly update that principals would gather information from families interested in requesting a learning model change to begin on January 7. Please know that changes in learning models will be based on space availability which is limited. All assignments on January 7 will be the final class placement for the 20-21 school year. If you are interested in a learning model change, please complete the Google Form below by 12/14/20 at 5 pm.
- Complete the Google Form, found below, to request a change in learning model by 12/14/20 at 5 pm.
- Parents will receive notification by 12/18/20, pending availability, of their child’s new placement.
- New class assignments will begin on January 7, 2021, and are considered the final placement for the 20/21 school year.
Reconnecting With our 4th and 5th Graders
November 9 was the second "first" day of school for many of our 4th and 5th graders. Even though our curriculum had been in full swing, we paused to reconnect with one another in person and to tend to our social emotional health. Two activities supported these goals. The first was creating a Resilience Garden. We used a metaphor from Acknowledge Alliance to define resilience: when dropped, resilience is like a basketball rather than an egg. Someone who is resilient can bounce back after a setback. The children thought about people who support them (leaves), activities they enjoy (roots), feelings they enjoy having (petals), and obstacles that keep them from being their best (weeds). The second activity was creating identity maps. Identity maps are graphics that help us to explore who we are. Children thought about their roles within their families, their gender, languages they speak, and important traits. Our identities affect how we view literature, what we choose to write about, how we respond to our successes, and how we respond to our failures. It was so interesting to get to know the students on this level as we began this new phase of learning together.
-Sylvia Sanders
4-5th Grade Educator
The buzz from the library
December 9, 2020
Seasons Greetings from the library! Even without students and staff visiting, I stay busy preparing for and holding Zoom meetings, recording read alouds, and (my favorite part of the job) getting library books in kids’ hands—safely, of course.
Parents of first and second graders (and older students too) can help their students make requests for specific titles. Visit the library catalog at https://bar.opals.pausd.org. On the home page, the OPALS icon links to a “How to Request Library Books” screencast with step by step instructions. We’ve had a slow start, but more and more students (and families) are using this feature.
PAUSD’s district-wide elementary ebook book collection debuted in October. While screen time is a concern, sometimes it’s faster and more convenient to read on a tablet or computer. Currently, most titles are appropriate for our older students (third grade and up), and I showed them how to get to the MackinVIA portal and check out ebooks and digital audiobooks. Watch the “How to Read eBooks” screencast for instructions.
Finally, I will be sending notices to a parent/caregiver email address at the beginning of Winter Break (and a reminder just before we return to school) to ask your help in locating and returning library books that have been out for a while. Some books have been out since before March! If those books are at your home, please send them back after the break so other students may enjoy them. If they are missing, please let me know. We are not charging for book lost anytime in 2020.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by email.
Get ready for the holiday season by listening to stories read by Principal Goddard, Barron Park teachers, and staff while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa!
Join storytime on Zoom here: https://tinyurl.com/bpStorytime
Meeting ID: 819 8978 2116
Passcode: 685310
Friday, Dec 11, 2020, 02:30 PM
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Report cards will now be sent via Parent Square
Accessing Elementary Progress Report
Parent Volunteer Needed
We are looking for one more parent volunteer of an English Language Learner to serve on the DELAC (District English Language Advisory Committee). The committee meets three times a year with parent volunteers from other sites and district leadership to discuss the district's English Language Learner program. As parents of EL's your input into what the program is doing well and what it could be doing better, is incredibly important.
The next two meetings are on:
- March 24th at 5pm
- April 28th at 5pm
If you are interested, please email me at mbettencourt@pausd.org
-Mikaela Betterncourt (EL Teacher)
Parent Workshop: “Preparing Our Children for Tomorrow’s Headlines”
Project Cornerstone, in collaboration with Common Sense Education, is offering a virtual, interactive parent workshop on Tuesday, December 15th.
Topic: “Preparing Our Children for Tomorrow’s Headlines”
In this interactive workshop, using the Developmental Assets framework, participants will learn:
· Tips for navigating potentially sensitive news topics
· Ways to improve family relationships and digital citizenship skills
Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/y6jn3f9d
Registration for 2021-2022 begins January 4
PAUSD Calendar
Barron Park Elementary
Email: mavalos@pausd.org
Website: barron.pausd.org
Location: 800 Barron Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, USA
Phone: (650) 858-0508