Barkley Elementary News
Weekly Updates from Dr. Nic 9-15-23
UPDATES!!
Hello Barkley Families!
Another great week here at Barkley!
All students participated in Barkley STARS challenge today! They did a fabulous job. Each homeroom was assigned an area of the building and students were challenged to act out the STARS behaviors for that area. It was so much fun!
Don't forget to come join us for our Back to School Social TONIGHT @ 6:00PM out on the playground. This is always a fabulous family event that includes free water ice and a chance to dunk your favorite teachers in the dunk tank. Can't wait to see you all there!
Next week we will be celebrating Start With Hello Week next week. Be sure to see below for our Spirit Week themes!
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
EXACT PATH TESTING
Tuesday and Wednesday our STARS will continue their Exact Path Testing. This is a benchmark test that we give in the beginning, middle, and end of the year to track students growth throughout the year.
This first test will be difficult. It is assessing what students should know at the end of the current grade they are in. This means the students will see material they will not know and may have not learned or seen before. All we want is for our STARS to try their very best!
Please encourage your child to ‘not stress, just try their best.” They will do great!
Thank for your ongoing support! As always, let me know if you have any questions!
FIRE DRILL
SECOND STEP!
Students started Unit 1 on Friday, 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.
Click the Grade Level Below!
This week, chat with your child(ren) about:
- Grade 2: How to Get Good at Something- In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that their best skills have developed as a result of practicing, trying hard, and asking for help. Try This at Home - Ask your child to share with you what they’re good at and how they became good at it. Share with them something you’re good at and what you did to practice and try hard, and who you asked for help.
- Grade 3: Changing Your Brain- In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that when they learn something new, the brain changes as different parts of the brain begin to send messages to each other. Try This at Home - Ask your child to explain what happens in their brain when they learn something for the first time.
- Grade 4: Setting a Good Goal - In this week’s lesson, your child’s class will work together to set a 2-week goal that’s specific, challenging, and doable. Try This at Home - Ask your child to describe their class goal and explain what makes it challenging and doable for their class. Tell your child about a goal you recently set and what makes it challenging and doable for you.
- Grade 5: The Right Goal for Me - In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to set a goal that's right for them. A goal that's right for someone is specific, challenging, doable, and motivating. Try This at Home - Ask your child what their goal is and how they know it’s right for them. Encourage them to describe why it’s motivating to them. Talk to your child about a goal you reached in the past and why you chose that goal.
START WITH HELLO WEEK!
Barkley Elementary School is one amazing school community and we are going to show our extraordinary compassion with a START WITH HELLO week, the week of September 18-22. Start With Hello originated in Sandy Hook with a promise that if I see someone that seems alone, I will notice, and I will do something, by starting with hello!
Loneliness is the overwhelming feeling of being left out and social isolation is not having frequent interactions with friends. Young people who feel this way may pull away from society, and struggle with learning and social development. Due to COVID-19, all students can empathize with the feelings of isolation due to physical and social distancing. Start With Hello is an important social and emotional learning program to reintroduce students to the power of connecting and helping one another. Start With Hello also pairs well with our message #PASDyoubelonghere
Our Start With Hello week will have a daily dress theme along with a challenge for each day.
Monday, September 18
Dress Theme: Smile! Wear a shirt with an inspiring message or something that makes you or someone else smile (Be kind shirt or any shirt that makes you feel happy, ex. favorite color, team, character…)
Challenge: Learn how to say “hello” in another language, maybe even the language of someone in your class! Also, decorate a piece of paper with a positive message, ex. a smile, a kind message, or draw a sunny picture!
Tuesday, September 19
Dress Theme: Crazy about saying Hello. Wear crazy socks, hats, and hair!
Challenge: Come up with a class slogan. What is something your class represents? What is a message of your class community?
Wednesday, September 20
Dress Theme: Green with Kindness! Wear green. Why green? - Because green is the global color of kindness and empathy.
Challenge: Have a conversation with someone new. Ask them a question. Maybe you will find something you have in common, or learn about something new!
Thursday, September 21
Dress Theme: Team Kindness! Wear your favorite sports team and know here at Barkley we are all on the same team. Let’s focus on teamwork today. Go Barkley STARS!
Challenge: Do something today to be a positive part of a team; could be your sports team, your classroom team or even team Barkley.
Friday, September 22
Dress Theme: Vacation Day! Dress for vacation. Wear what you would wear on vacation or what you might put on to relax at home.
Challenge: Do something today to help someone out; something to make someone’s day a little easier or brighter. Share with your class a time you Started with Hello or someone Started with Hello with you.
Our hope is that this week helps to build socially inclusive learning environments for all our Barkley students and spread kindness, empathy, compassion and positivity by remembering the message we are spreading…if we see someone alone, reach out to help and “START WITH HELLO!”
PACS Community Food Drive – September 18-26
Please join us in filling the pantry and market at PACS! We will hold a food drive in each building, starting September 18-26. Families may bring food into school and drop off in the designated boxes in each building. Additionally, the PACS vans will be on site at the Community BBQ on September 22 and will be accepting donations there. Please help us support this very important resource in our community!
ELD NIGHT!
HSA ANNOUNCEMENTS
BACK TO SCHOOL SOCIAL!
The fabulous event is coming up fast! Please help us make this a great event by helping to volunteer or donate!
Volunteer for Back to School Social - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B45A4AF2EABFA7-back
Donate Raffle Basket for Back to School Social - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B45A4AF2EABFA7-basket
ALL FOR BOOKS COIN CHALLENGE
The Home and School is hosting an “All for Books” coin/dollar collection to support the Barkley Book Fair. We will collect any spare change (larger donations are welcome!) during homeroom the week beginning Monday, September 25th through Friday, September 29th. No change but want to help? Venmo the Barkley HSA @Barkley-HSA putting "A.F.B." in the note so we know it goes towards the Book Fair. Our goal is to reach $1,000 so we can assist students in need to get a book at the fair and to buy books for the teachers’ classrooms. Each $10 donation sponsors 1 book.
CLUBS/ACTIVITIES
BARKLEY CHORUS
For more information and to sign up your student to be in chorus, simply click this link.
To translate the form to Spanish or Portuguese, click the word “English” in the upper right corner and select your preferred language.
If you prefer a hard copy of the permission slip, please message Mrs. Dengler on Remind or at denglerk@pasd.com and she is happy to send one home with your student.
BARKLEY MURAL ARTS CLUB
- All grades welcome!
- Thursdays after school 3:55-4:55
- September 28-November 30
Students received permission slips from their homeroom teachers this week. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. J Miller and Mr. Eppleman.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Back to School Social: September 15
- Start With Hello Week: September 18-September 22
- PASD ELD Night @ PAMS: September 20 @ 6:00PM
- PASD Community Cookout @ Washington Field: September 22 @ 5:00PM
- Book Fair All For Books Funds Collection: Tuesday, September 26th through Friday, September 29th.
- Barkley Book Fair: October 9-October 13
- Fire Truck Visits for Fire Prevention Week- October 10
- Barkley Book Fair Family Night: October 11
- Barkley Picture Day: October 11
- Hispanic Heritage Night: October 13
- PASD Early Dismissal: October 20 @ 11:45AM
REOCCURING INFORMATION!
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