Dear Parents,

Our students and staff have certainly been busy this month. We are pleased with how hard your children are working and the progress they are making. The end of January signifies the halfway point of the school year.

Our after-school enrichment programs are up and running. Many thanks to Mrs. Jodi Reed for coordinating the many offerings for our students.

So far the winter weather has been fairly cooperative but please be sure to discuss your inclement weather plans with your child, including emergency plans about what will happen if school closes early. Please remember to keep your emergency contact information in Genesis current. Additionally, please remember that the YMCA after-school program is canceled on emergency early dismissal days. Children should also be aware of what to do if they arrive home and no one is there to meet them. Poor road conditions, caused by bad weather, have held parents up in the past. Students need to have a neighbor/relative to go to or call so that they are not left alone. Knowing that an emergency plan is in place can alleviate a stressful situation for your child.

Stay warm and healthy. Let's hope for an early Spring this year.

Sincerely,

Karen L. Gabruk

Principal

Dear Parents and Families,

Calling all kindergarten students! This is an exciting month for our Barley Sheaf community, as we will begin registering students to start kindergarten this September. To register, children must be five years old by October 1, 2023. All registration information can be found on the FRSD website, and the online registration portal will open on February 13. Completed forms and paperwork can be dropped off at Barley Sheaf School from February 21-24. When dropping off forms, please choose an appointment time in May for your child’s kindergarten screening. Kindergarten Orientation is already scheduled for August 24, so save the date!

If you have any questions regarding the registration process, please reach out to Megan Campbell, our Barley Sheaf secretary. We look forward to welcoming the newest members of our Barley Sheaf community!

Sincerely,

Mary Jane Custy

Vice Principal

As the Barley Sheaf Library exits January, students eagerly anticipate the ALA Book Award winners! This link provides information on many of the awards we have, or will, discuss. Winners are announced January 30, 2023. Grades K-1 have already had exposure to previous award winners, while grade 2 begins their unit in February. Grades 3 and 4 have been wrapping up work in our Destiny catalog, in which they have become quite the experts! Both those grade levels will turn to nonfiction next, which will include use of databases and books for research and pleasure reading. Meanwhile, kindergarteners will venture into folklore and first graders will begin their nonfiction unit.

In February, the Barley Sheaf Library is celebrating Black History Month! Our library is highlighting a robust collection of biographies, author and illustrator features, folklore, and fiction texts which celebrate the history, diversity, expression, culture, and contributions of Black Americans. For students and staff who prefer to first browse our collection online, our library catalog also includes a "highlights" section for Black History Month on its home page.

Greg Slomczewski

Barley Sheaf Media Specialist/Librarian

3 Family Paint Night

6-10 School Counselor Appreciation Week

7 Assembly: Harlem Wizards

7 Super Spirit Day: Sports Jersey Day!

8 Duck Donuts Orders Due

9 PTO Meet & Greet at Chimney Rock

13 Kindergarten Registration Portal Opens

13 Duck Donuts Delivered

13 Board of Education Meeting 7pm JPC

15 PTO Meeting 7pm BS Library

17 SCHOOL CLOSED - Staff Development Day

20 SCHOOL CLOSED - Presidents Day

21-24 Kindergarten Registration Drop Off

22 School Bus Driver Appreciation Day

27 Board of Education Meeting 7pm JPC