Barkley Elementary News
Weekly Updates from Dr. Nic 9-29-23
UPDATES!!
Hello Barkley Families!
Another great week here at Barkley!
Thank you so much for all of the coin donations this week! The students were so proud to show me their full buckets. We truly appreciate all of your kindness and generosity in order to ensure all Barkley students get a book at the book fair.
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 3!
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 3 will be delivered on Wednesday, October 4. See below for details!
Click the Grade Level Below!
This week, chat with your child(ren) about: Lesson 3
- Grade 2: Helpful and Unhelpful Thoughts: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that helpful thoughts can help us keep going when we’re learning and unhelpful thoughts might make us want to give up. Try This at Home: Ask your child whether the thoughts they have when they’re learning something new are helpful or unhelpful. Ask your child to share examples of helpful thoughts they know.
- Grade 3: More Than Practice: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that if they’re practicing a skill but not getting better, they can try a new way of practicing or find someone to learn from. Try This at Home : Ask your child to tell you something new they’ve been practicing at school. Ask if they can think of other ways to practice or someone they could learn from.
- Grade 4: Checking Our Progress: In this week’s lesson, your child’s class will work together to identify roadblocks that might be getting in the way as they work toward their 2-week goal. Then they’ll decide what they can change to remove or get around their roadblocks. Try This at Home : Ask your child if they’ve run into any roadblocks while working toward their class goal. If so, how will they work around them? Tell your child about a time you ran into a roadblock and what you did to overcome it.
- Grade 5: Changing My Plan: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how to evaluate their progress toward a goal and change their plan accordingly. Try This at Home: Talk to your child about the progress they’ve made toward their goal. Ask them if they’ve run into any roadblocks, and offer to help them think about how to keep moving forward.
LOCKDOWN DRILL
On October 5, we will conduct a lockdown drill. These semi-annual drills are performed to prepare students and staff for unexpected events where safety is at stake. The drill is performed in a calm and clear manner where staff and students proceed to lock and barricade a door in the event of an intruder. (This supplements the security changes already made regarding exterior and interior doors and procedures for entering a building.) Our Phoenixville Police Department will assist with this drill and are well known to our students.
Security drills are required under the school code and are conducted under the observation of district administration and local law enforcement.
HSA ANNOUNCEMENTS
NATIONAL CUSTODIAN DAY!
National Custodian Appreciation Day is Monday, October 2nd. Our Barkley Stars can help celebrate the people who make Barkley shine for us! Students can greet our fabulous custodians with a ‘Thank you’ when passing them in the hallways or write a note letting them know we appreciate what they do!
Thank you to Mr. Erich, Miss. Anne, Mr. Dave, and Mr. Joe!
CHERRYDALE FUNDRAISER
Cherrydale Fundraiser is going on now! Wednesday, 9/20, students brought home packets for our Cherrydale Fundraiser! This is a chance for you to get a head start on your holiday gift shopping and order gourmet treats that support Barkley students at the same time! Register your student today at www.ShopFund.com and then share their code to let friends and family shop. All orders must be placed by October 4th and will be delivered for parent/guardian pick up at Barkley before Thanksgiving. Check out the cookie dough, it’s incredible and makes holiday baking a breeze!
ALL FOR BOOKS COIN DRIVE
All For Books Coin Drive – Did you miss the Book Fair coin challenge? Venmo the Barkley HSA @Barkley-HSA putting "A.F.B." or “Book Fair” in the note by October 6th and we can still put your donation towards our goal of $1,000 to 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 purchase.
BOOK FAIR
The Book Fair is coming! Student shopping will be Monday, October 9th through Thursday, October 12th. Let's help our students develop a lifelong love of reading! We need volunteers to help with set up, working cash registers while classrooms shop, our family shopping night on Friday, October 13th and cleanup. If you are able, please consider volunteering, we can only run this event if we have volunteers.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0B45A4AF2EABFA7-44009537-fall
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 THIS WEEK
- Boys Running Club
- Garden Club
Tuesday
- Crescendo
Wednesday
- Crescendo
Thursday
- Crescendo
- Barkley Mural Arts Club: 3rd/5th grade club members come for brainstorming session.
- Girls Running Club
Friday
- Crescendo
PARENT SPEAKER SERIES
On Oct. 4 PASD is hosting its first parent speaker series titled “Mock Teen Bedroom and Parenting on Your Feet -- Tools for Talking with Teens.” In order to spread the word, please advertise the event in your next newsletter. You can use this link to the website Be a Part of the Conversation - Phoenixville Area School District (pasd.com)
Phuture Phantoms Basketball
Phuture Phantoms Basketball is a non-profit, fee-based, travel basketball program exclusively for Phoenixville Area School District residents with a mission is to provide a unified approach to teaching the fundamentals of the game while allowing young Phoenixville players to compete together at their individual grade and skill level.
For the upcoming 2023-2024 season, Phuture Phantoms will field teams in 6 categories:
- Individual Boys and Girls Teams at 4th, 5th, and 6th grade levels
- Each team will compete in the Inter-County Basketball Association (ICBA) -
https://www.icbabasketball.com/
Tryout Information
- Dates: Saturday October 14, 2023 and Saturday October 21, 2023
- Times: One Hour Individual Team slots between 1:30p and 4:30p each day
- Location: Phoenixville Recreation Center (501 Franklin Avenue)
Please arrive for each tryout at least 15 minutes prior to the start time to check in and get
ready to play. All Players should wear a reversible jersey/shirt.
Attendance at both tryout sessions is highly recommended
Registration Information (No Fee to register or participate in tryouts)
Please complete the form at 2023-2024 Phantoms Travel Hoops by October 7, 2023.
NOTE: Anyone interested in COACHING, please note on Form
Final Fee Per Player for those selected is TBD
Season Notes
- Practices will be held at the Rec Center, Manavon Elementary, Schuylkill Elementary, or Phoenixville Area Middle School 1-2 nights per week (depending on age group)
- Practices will be designated weeknights between 6:00p and 9:00p, starting on November 6 and continuing through early March 2024.
- Home games will be played primarily on Saturday/Sunday afternoons at the Rec Center
- Away games will most often occur on weekends and any games during the week will be occur between 6-9:30 p.m.
- The ICBA season runs from Mid-December through Mid-March (including playoffs and championship weekend).
Feel free to email frankvenezia23@gmail.com with any questions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- Barkley Book Fair: October 9-October 13
- Fire Truck Visits for Fire Prevention Week- October 10
- Barkley Picture Day: October 11
- Hispanic Heritage Night: October 13
- Barkley Book Fair Family Night: October 13
- PASD Early Dismissal: October 20 @ 11:45AM
- Fall Parties: November 3
- Election Day/No School: November 7
- Pretzel Day: November 8
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