Barkley Elementary News
Weekly Updates from Dr. Nic 4-12-24
UPDATES!!
Hello Barkley Families!
We had a great week here at Barkley! We had lots of fun activities throughout the week! See pictures below!
The Barkley School Musical, The Big Bad Musical, is coming up this week! Be sure to get your tickets to see this wonderful performance! Our students have worked so hard! It will be a great show!
There is lots of information this week, so please take some time to read through!
Reminder: Please be sure to follow morning arrival procedures to ensure the safety of all students. If you are dropping a student off by car you must use Quick Street. Please do not park in the bus lane on Third Avenue. We appreciate your help.
This update contains a lot of important information so please carefully review.
Enjoy the weekend!
Well Wishes,
Danielle Nicolino, Ed.D.
Principal
Barkley Elementary School
PSSA TESTING
As spring begins so does preparation for the PSSA. All students in third, fourth, and fifth grade will be taking the English/Language Arts and Math portions of the assessment. Additionally, fourth graders will take the Science PSSA. The information obtained from the PSSA serves as a valuable tool for planning future school programs, student advanced placement, developing curriculum, in-service training, and informing the public about student achievement.
Parents may help students prepare for the PSSA by reinforcing the importance of the assessment, encouraging them to get plenty of sleep the night before and providing them with a good breakfast on the morning of test days. Also, parents can reassure their children that the assessment gives them an opportunity to demonstrate their learning and helps teachers to plan the best possible instruction for them.
The assessments will be administered in the morning on the following dates.
- Grade 3-5 English/Language Arts April 24th, 25th and 26th
- Grade 3-5 Mathematics April 30th and May 1st
- Grade 4 Science May 2nd and 3rd
Should you desire to opt your child out of testing for religious reasons, please visit the link below and follow the directions. Assessment Information - Phoenixville Area School District (pasd.com)
Before you decide to opt out of testing, please consider the following:
- PSSAs are a factor in the advanced placement of middle school students in high school level classes.
- When your child does not participate in testing, we struggle to get an accurate assessment of our programs.
- The students will only be taking one section of the test each day. Students that opt out will be expected to come to school and will be assigned alternate work.
- Participating in PSSAs prepares students for future high stakes tests such as the SAT and professional testing. Many future professions require high stakes testing such as healthcare, law, business, and education.
Finally, we are asking for your support with cell phones. The state has made very clear that students are not permitted to have electronic devices (including smart watches) in testing sessions. All electronic devices should be left at home on testing days or turned off and placed in a box in each testing classroom. If a student is caught with an electronic device in a testing session, a report must be filed with the state and the student’s scores could be invalidated. We ask that you please reinforce this with your child(ren).
Attached is information for parents. Please review the frequently asked question document, electronic device information and Code of Conduct for Test Takers with your child to prepare for the PSSA.
Please click on the below link for more information from the Department of Education:
MARCH MADNESS!
While much of you are watching the NCAA Tournament games, we are having our own March Madness here at Barkley!
It has been an exciting month for our 5th Grade students who participated in March Madness: Battle of the Books! During this competition, each student chose a book that they were to try to convince others to read. They went into head-to-head book battles with each other until there were only two left!
Today, Caterina and Evelyn made their case for their books. It was a tough competition but there could only be one winner!
The votes were counted and by just THREE VOTES the winner is: Caterina
FIRST IN MATH COMPETITION
Thank you so much for supporting your child through this challenge and for helping them to become better mathematicians!
Top Students!
Top Student in the School
Heitor Lopes
Second Grade
Hesler Garcia
Avery Hall
Gwendolyn Louis
Dylan Morgan
Third Grade
Allison Lopez Cruz
Zachary Daniel
McKinley Kraynak
Isabelle Hulmes
Fourth Grade
Maxwell Ginty
Bri'el Hodges
Elias Mickelwright
Fifth Grade
Yosibel Rodriguez Orozco
Charles Kocher
Danny Preston
Oliver Clearwater
Top Homerooms!
Ferguson
Holler
Huxta
Lovell
SOCCER CLUB
We have room for 10 more 4th or 5th Grade Boys or Girls interested in soccer club! Please contact Mrs. Dougherty if you are interested!
In an effort to plan for this summer’s PAMS Transition Day, we would like to know how many families are requesting district transportation. Please note, this does not guarantee transportation; it allows us to plan and determine if transportation can be provided to students. To indicate that you are requesting district transportation, please fill out the form below by April 19th.
VACATION AND ATTENDANCE INFORMATION
We are going to an online form! Planning a vacation? Please be sure that you fill out a vacation form. Below you will find the link to the form and a link to our attendance policies.
Attendance and Student Absence - Barkley Elementary School (pasd.com)
Reminder: Cell Phones and Smart Watches
Please remind your children cell phones and smart watches need to be away in backpacks during the school day. If students have them visible and/or are actively using them, the item will be sent to the office to be picked up by the student at the end of the day. Further violations will include parent pick up.
HSA ANNOUNCEMENTS
YEARBOOKs: order deadline has been extended to Friday April 19th!
YEARBOOKs: order deadline has been extended to Friday April 19th!
2nd, 3rd and 4th Graders - it's time to order YEARBOOKS! $29 per yearbook. Orders must be placed by Friday April 19th. We are working on an update for Spanish and Portuguese online orders and will let everyone know once it's online.
5th Graders - All 5th Graders get a yearbook for FREE!
Want to help make sure every 5th Grader gets a yearbook? Select Pay It Forward on the website and to donate yearbooks for the 5th Graders. Let's keep this tradition alive!
Click https://www.barksdalephoto.com/ and enter code 17613YB to order now!
SPRING BOOK FAIR
The Book Fair is coming! We need VOLUNTEERS April 26th – May 3rd to help with set up, classroom shopping and closing the fair. Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B45A4AF2EABFA7-48990564-book
COIN CHALLENGE
HELP MAKE SURE EVERY STUDENT GETS A BOOK! We are hosting a coin challenge in the classrooms April 15-19. Our goal is to raise $1,600 to help 160 students shop at the book fair and put new books into our classrooms. Any and all donations are welcome- No Change, No Problem! You can Donate to the Book Fair via Give Butter here https://givebutter.com/ChpzVP
or via Venmo @Barkley-HSA https://www.venmo.com/u/Barkley-HSA.
BOX TOPS
Box Tops - Keep scanning your receipts Barkley! To date you have earned Barkley OVER $430 from Box Tops for Education. That’s money we can put towards student snacks during PSSA testing. Scanning may not seem like a big deal, but sure add up!! We have the potential to earn up to $1,000 if you keep scanning! Visit BoxTops4Education.com to learn more or to download the app.
CLUBS/ACTIVITIES
Clubs
CLUBS THIS WEEK
- Drama Club - Full Rehearsal
- New Directions Homework Club
Tuesday
- Crescendo
- LEGO CLUB
- New Directions Homework Club
Wednesday
- Crescendo
- Drama Club - Full Rehearsal
- Pickleball Club
- New Directions Homework Club
Thursday
- Crescendo
- Garden Club
- New Directions Homework Club
Friday
- Crescendo
- Soccer Club
UPCOMING EVENTS
- BES Play! - April 18
BES Play! -April 19
PASD PD Day - No School for Students- April 23
PSSA ELA -April 24- April 26
PSSA Math - April 30 - May 1
PSSA Science (4th Grade Only) - May 2 - May 3
Teacher Appreciation Week - May 6 - May 10
District Art Show - May 7
School Nurse Appreciation Day! - May 8
5th Grade Visit to PAMS - May 10
Barkley Art Show - May 13
Barkley Spring Concert - May 13
- Exact Path Reading - May 14
Pretzel Day - May 15
PAMS 5th Grade Parent Orientation - May 15
Exact Path LA - May 15
Bowling Field Trip (3rd, 4th, 5th) - May 16
Exact Path Math - May 21
PASD - Half Day - May 24
School Closed -Memorial Day - May 27
Field Day - May 31
5th Grade Promotion/Celebration - June 5
Last Day of School - June 7
REOCCURING INFORMATION!
DRINKS, SNACKS, AND BIRTHDAY TREATS!
Drinks: We are seeing a lot of our students bringing in different types of drinks to class.
Please be aware that water is the only drink that is allowed in the classroom environment. If a student would like to have another type of drink for lunch, that is fine, but please be sure that your child only has water for their snack time.
Snack Time: Healthy food choices are so important. Barkley encourages that students bring healthy snacks for snack time! Food such as fruits, vegetables, pretzels, crackers are all good examples of healthy snacks for students. Please refrain from your child bringing candy for their snack time.
Birthday Treats: Due to the many students with allergies and food reactions food items to celebrate student birthdays are not permitted. We are requesting that all birthday recognitions be non-food based. No birthday food treats should be sent to school. We do want to acknowledge student birthdays, but encourage parents to do so in other ways. For example, small items such as pencils or stickers for classmates or the donation of a book to the school or classroom library in honor of a child’s birthday would be appropriate. Thank you for honoring and respecting this request.
CAFETERIA SNACKS
Snack Price List
String Cheese…………$.70
Yogurt…………………….$.90
Bug Bites………………..$.70
Chips ……………………..$1.00
Cookie: ………………….$0.65
Poptarts: ……………….$1.00
Ice Cream: ……………..$1.00
Small Water: ……………………..$0.65
Large Water: ……………………..$1.25
PICK UP PATROL
We still have parents not registered for PickUp Patrol. Please be sure that even if your child rides a bus or is an independent walker, that you still register for PUP. Please see directions below.
Barkley Elementary School will be using PickUp Patrol effective at the start of the year to help us better manage our dismissal process. PickUp Patrol saves time for our office staff, reduces classroom interruptions, and most importantly, adds a layer of safety for our students.
If you have still not received the email please contact Dr. Nic on Remind or at nicolinod@pasd.com.
Use the PUP web app for:
ATTENDANCE: Notify the school office when your child will be absent, arriving late or leaving early. If your child has an early dismissal, please try to indicate that in PUP before 10:30AM.
DISMISSAL CHANGES: Submit changes to your child’s regular dismissal plans.
For example:
- Your child normally rides the bus but is getting picked up today.
- Your child usually goes to aftercare but is leaving early for an appointment.
How it works:
Your child's regular dismissal plan is entered into the system. This is called their Default Plan. Then whenever you have a change to the Default Plan, you’ll submit it through the PUP app. When the change is submitted, the school will be notified, and your child’s teacher will relay the change to them.
Getting started:
1. REGISTER: On August 8, 2023, you will receive a registration email with a link to set up your account.
- The web app is free to parents, and you can use it from your smartphone or computer.
- For easy access, follow the instructions in your registration email for how to add it to your phone’s home screen (PUP is not accessed through the app stores).
2. ENTER DEFAULT PLANS: Once you register, log into your PickUp Patrol account no later than August 25, 2023 to confirm your child’s default dismissal plan. It’s important that you complete this step so that we can accurately dismiss your children.
Notes, emails, or phone calls will be accepted for changes for the first week, but starting September 5, 2023, all changes should be submitted through PickUp Patrol.
Thank you for using PUP to make safety a priority and to ensure our dismissal process is efficient for all our students. If you have any questions, please first check the PUP FAQ page. If you still need help, contact us here in the office.
DEPARTMENTALIZATION FOR ALL GRADES
REMIND
We will be using Remind again this year!
All communication will go through Remind only. Download the app today!
You have an important role in communicating with your child's teacher. Remember that during the school day, teachers are working with students and are directed to limit their communication so that they can teach. If your child's teacher does not respond immediately, trust that they will respond within 24 hours.
In addition, our teachers have families too! Evenings are spent much like yours and I have asked the teachers to take this time with their families and catch up on communication the next day.
YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN CHARGE
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
As we prepare for another year of in-person events and activities, we will need parent volunteers. All volunteers will need to be board approved. Please click here to register for board approval. We are planning trips and activities beginning in the fall and look forward to welcoming parent volunteers.
PHANTOM BACKPACKS
TECHNOLOGY
SCHOOL LUNCHES
Free and Reduced cost meals are available for eligible students. If you believe your family is eligible and have not yet applied for the 2023-2024 school year, please visit Free and Reduced Meals - Phoenixville Area School District (pasd.com) to learn more and access the School Café application.
Reminder: if your student was eligible last year, they will continue to be eligible only until October 10, 2023 unless you have received a notice of direct certification or an approved application for 2023-2024 (please check all email folders for determination letters).
If you need assistance completing the application, please contact Alyson Riffey at 484-927-5117/ riffeys@pasd.com or Myra Hernandez at 484-927-5027/ hernandezm@pasd.com. For questions on your application status, please contact Mary Jane Weiss at 484-927-5000 or Weissm@pasd.com.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR CHILD'S REPORT CARD
Understanding Your Child's Report Card - Phoenixville Area School District (pasd.com)
BIRTHDAY TREATS
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
Please be sure to read through our Arrival Procedures. It is extremely important for the safety of our students, staff, and parents, that we following these guidelines.
Please note: Parents are not permitted inside of the gates to the playground. Please allow your child to walk to their designated line or door on their own.
8:40 a.m. - 8:55 a.m.
Students enter the building through the back playground doors. Students who need breakfast report to the dining room. There will be a Grab and Go breakfast again this year. Once students get their breakfast they will report to their homerooms. Students who are not eating breakfast will report to their classroom and wait for directions from their teacher.
Late Arrival
After 8:55 a.m.
Students must be signed in by a parent
Arrival at 8:40 a.m.
Please drop your child(ren) off on Quick Street. Please note: this is a one-way street. You will need to enter through Second Avenue.
Please do not park or exit your vehicle as we need to keep the flow of traffic moving.
For the safety of our students, please do not drive around the car in front of you.
Bus riders who need to purchase breakfast will be released from the bus when the bus arrives to school.
Arrival Locations
All students will enter the building through the Third Avenue playground doors in the morning. 2nd and 3rd grade students arriving between 8:40-8:55 a.m. will enter through door 3A and report directly to their classroom. 4th and 5th grade students arriving between 8:40 – 8:55 a.m. will enter through door 3D and report directly to their classroom and line-up in the hallway.
Late Students
Students arriving after 8:55 a.m. are late. Parents will need to escort their child(ren) to the front entrance and sign their child(ren) in. The attendance clerk will meet you at the front doors.
Important
Students should not be dropped off at school prior to 8:40 a.m. unless they are participating in a before school activity such as band or chorus. There is no supervision available prior to 8:40 a.m., so please do not drop students off before this time. Students should not be dropped off at the main entrance of the building unless they are late or participating in a before school activity such as band or chorus.
DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Please remember that if you are picking up your child, you must bring your ID. Your child's safety is important to us, and we must be sure you are the individual that is supposed to be picking up your child. Please help us keep your child safe by bring your ID for us to check. Thank you!
- 3:39 p.m. - Dismissal Announcements
- 3:40 p.m. - Independent Walkers are dismissed (students must live within walking distance and have parental permission to walk home independently). Students will exit through the playground doors.
- 3:41 p.m. - 2nd grade parent pickup students will be dismissed. Students with last names beginning with A-M will exit through the front doors and students with last names beginning with N-Z will exit through the Quick Street doors.
- 3:42 p.m. - 3rd grade parent pickup students will be dismissed. Students with last names beginning with A-M will exit through the front doors and students with last names beginning with N-Z will exit through the Quick Street doors.
- 3:43 p.m. - 4th & 5th grade parent pick-up students will be dismissed. Students with last names beginning with A-M will exit through the front doors and students with last names beginning with N-Z will exit through the Quick Street doors.
- 3:44 p.m. - Bus dismissal will begin.
- 3:50 p.m. - Buses will exit school.
- 3:50 p.m. - Students participating in the YMCA after care program and clubs/extra-curricular activities will be dismissed.
* Please note that these are approximate dismissal times
Barkley Elementary School
Email: nicolinod@pasd.com
Website: https://bes.pasd.com/
Location: 320 2nd Avenue, Phoenixville, PA, USA
Phone: 484-927-5300