Barkley Elementary News
Weekly Updates from Dr. Nic 10-20-23
UPDATES!!
Hello Barkley Families!
I hope you all had a wonderful week! We sure did here at Barkley!
Thank you so much to all that came out to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us! It was a great time. Thank you to our fabulous parent, Ms. Genny Amores, for all of her hard work in creating a fabulous experience through food. And a thank you to our fabulous teachers that helped to set up the night and those that came to help celebrate. We look forward to more nights like this at Barkley!
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
SECOND STEP! Lesson 5!
Students started Unit 1 on Friday September 15, Growth Mindset and Goal Setting. During this unit your child(ren) will be working on developing a growth mindset, using helpful thoughts to persevere through challenges, applying strategies and making an effective plan for how to get better at a skill, and planning, modifying, and achieving goals. Lesson 5 will be delivered on Friday, October 20. See below for details!
Click the Grade Level Below!
This week, chat with your child(ren) about: Lesson 5: Last Lesson in Unit 1
- Grade 2: Learn and Get Better: In this week’s lesson, your child will use what they’ve learned from the unit to give advice to someone who is struggling to learn something new. Try This at Home: Ask your child what advice they would give you if you were having a hard time learning something new.
- Grade 3: Make a Practice Plan: In this week’s lesson, your child will make their own practice plan. Try This at Home: Ask your child share their practice plan with you. If they brought it home, find a place to display it where they’ll see it every day. Check in to see how their plan is going, and support them if they need help adjusting their plans.
- Grade 4: Ready, Set, Goal!: In this week’s lesson, your child will practice the full goal-setting process as they work toward a 10-minute goal with a group. Try This at Home: Work with your child to make a list of 1-week goals you could set as a family. Choose one and make sure it’s specific, challenging, and doable. Follow the goal-setting process to make a plan, check in on how it’s going, and at the end of the week, reflect on how it went and what you could do next time.
- Grade 5: My 10-Minute Goal: In this week’s lesson, your child will apply the full goal-setting process they learned in this unit to work toward a 10-minute goal of their choice. Try This at Home: Ask your child about the goal-setting process they learned in this unit and why it’s important. Encourage them to set a new short-term goal that's right for them and to follow the process they learned. Check in along the way to see how it’s going.
THANK YOU TO JONATHAN STUTZMAN & HEATHER FOX ALONG WITH READS & COMPANY FOR A GREAT DAY!
FALL SPIRIT WEEK
Oct. 30: Monday - Favorite Hat Day! Wear your favorite hat
Oct. 31: Tuesday - Phantom Pride Day! Wear your Phantom's Gear
Nov. 1: Wednesday- Sports Day! Wear your favorite sports apparel
Nov. 2: Thursday - Fall Colors! Wear your favorite fall colors
Nov. 3: Friday - Comfy Cozy Day! Wear your comfiest coziest outfit!
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Please see below for information on Parent/Teacher Conferences. Please note that you will sign up for your HOMEROOM teacher for a conference.
As we approach the end of marking period 1, PASD has important dates to note related to report cards and parent-teacher conferences.
Monday, October 23: Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling open in Skyward (6 pm)
- Note the default scheduling option is for an in-person conference.
- If you have a child in elementary school, and you want a virtual or phone conference, please email your child’s teacher.
- If you have a child in Middle or High School, you can schedule an in-person, virtual, or phone conference in Skyward. Please follow the steps below, including number 7.
Directions for scheduling:
1) Log in to Skyward.
2) Click on the “Teacher Conferences” button on the left side of your screen.
3) Click the “All Conferences” tab towards the center of the page.
4) Click the “Select a Time” tab. You will be scheduled with your child's homeroom teacher.
5) Click on “Select” for the timeslot you wish to reserve. Then click Save.
6) A confirmation email will be sent to you.
7) Directions for HS and MS parents to switch to virtual or phone conference
Friday, November 3: End of Marking Period 1
Thursday, November 16: Parent Teacher Conference Scheduling closes in Skyward at 4 pm. By this time, teachers will send a Zoom or Teams link to parents who requested a virtual meeting, or they will call parents at the scheduled conference time. Teachers will use the email or phone number listed in Skyward.
Friday, November 17: Report Cards available in Skyward
Monday, November 20 - Tuesday, November 21: Parent-Teacher Conferences 8:00 am – 7:15 pm (no conferences scheduled from 12:00 noon – 12:45 pm and 4:30 pm – 5:40 pm)
No school for students.
Wednesday, November 22 - Friday, November 24: Schools closed
If you do not have access to Skyward or if you have any questions, please contact your child’s school. We look forward to seeing you in-person or virtually very soon!
Sincerely,
Jessica Kilmetz Ed.D
Assistant Superintendent
BARKLEY SALUTES OUR NATION'S VETERANS!
Barkley Salutes our Nation’s Veterans!
If someone in your family is a veteran, we would love to have them join us on November 13 to be among the honored guests at our Veterans Day assembly! Following the assembly, guests will visit the classrooms to talk to students about their experiences in the armed forces. To sign up your veteran guest, simply complete the form link below. If you prefer a hard copy, students can pick them up from their teacher or our music teacher, Mrs. Dengler.
SAFETY DRILL
HSA ANNOUNCEMENTS
BOX TOPS
Box Tops for Education! – Did you know you can support Barkley students every time you grocery shop? No clipping or counting required! Download the Box Tops app at BTFE.com, select Barkley as the school you want to support and then scan your receipts (or upload digital ones) after you shop. It’s that easy! For every receipt scanned in the month of October, Barkley will be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 bonus to the school.
CLUBS/ACTIVITIES
Clubs
CLUBS THIS WEEK
- Boys Running Club
- Garden Club
- Math Club - 3rd Grade/4th Grade
- Reading Club - 5th Grade
- New Directions Homework Club
Tuesday
- Crescendo
- Math Club - 5th Grade
- Reading Club - 2nd Grade
- New Directions Homework Club
Wednesday
- Crescendo
- Math Club - 3rd Grade/4th Grade
- Reading Club - 5th Grade
- New Directions Homework Club
Thursday
- Crescendo
- Barkley Mural Arts Club: 2nd/4th grade club members.
- Girls Running Club
- Math Club - 5th Grade
- Reading Club - 2nd Grade
- New Directions Homework Club
Friday
- Crescendo
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PASD Early Dismissal: October 20 @ 11:45AM
- Fall Parties: November 3
- End of the Marking Period: November 3
- Election Day/No School: November 7
- Pretzel Day: November 8
- 5th Grade to Paradise Farms: November 10
- Grades Finalized by End of Day: November 15
- 5th Grade Class Picture/Fall Retake: November 16
- Grades Posted in Skyward: November 17
Parent/Teacher Conferences: November 20 & November 21
No School: November 22, November 23 & November 24
REOCCURING INFORMATION!
DRINKS 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.
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.
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