The Bee's Knees
May 2021
Message from Mr. G!
The 2020-2021 school year is quickly winding down. To say this year has been strange is a gross understatement, but it does feel strange that this year seemed to drag on and yet also fly by. Doesn’t the closure and hybrid attendance feel like ten years ago? And now this school year is nearly over. We persisted through the pandemic and making it to the last day feels like a victory this year. Thanks to our parents and guardians for your support and patience. Thanks to our staff for your perseverance and flexibility. While I am proud of how we have made the best of this year, there are still necessary but unfortunate restrictions we have to work through. All of our “end of the year” celebrations will be modified this year. But at least we are still having them!
Happily, we will have Field Day this year! Unfortunately, this year parents/guardians will not be permitted to join us for Field Day. In fact, Field Day will be Field DayS this year. In order to ensure the classes do not mingle we had to extend Field Day over several days, Monday May 24 through Thursday May 27. Field Day is an outdoor party for the students. We have games and snacks for the students to enjoy. Your child’s teacher will be sending information home about which day they will have Field Day. We will try our best to take and share lots of photos since parents and guardians will not be able to participate this year.
We are still not able to gather in large groups. We would typically have a Kindergarten Blast Off program at the Holt High School auditorium for parents to enjoy the sights and sounds of their children singing Barfield’s greatest hits. The program is our way of recognizing and celebrating the growth our students have made and to wish them well as they blast off to Kindergarten. We are not able to have that performance this year. But our creative staff has found a way to send our students off to elementary school in style. For our students that are going to kindergarten next year we will host a parade at Barfield on May 25 from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM. You may arrive to BEC early if you want to decorate your vehicle. Please stage in the four lanes on the North side of the building (nearest 364). We will start the parade at 6:30. You will drive around the rear of building. BEC staff will be on the South (parent pick up/drop off) sidewalk and the front sidewalk to cheer on our students. You can find a map of the parade route here.
Again, I want to thank everyone for their patience and support this year. We have a great school because we have supportive parents and an amazing staff! Thank you!
Nora works on standing & balance in physical therapy.
Adalind, Emelia & Maddie signing Lillie's cast.
Brother Bears, Ioane & Kainalu remind us why we can't wait to go maskless!
Important Dates
*5/20 - BOE meeting 7:00 pm
*5/25 - Kindergarten Blast Off Parade 6:30 pm
* 5/24-5/27 - Field Days
* 5/31 - Memorial Day No Classes
* 6/1 - Last Day for BEC Students
Ms. Holly's PM class has it made in the shade.
Elliot is a good Virtual Academy student and great big brother!
Ms. Carla presents Cali her hard earned speech diploma.
Support Staff of the Year!
Congratulations to Kristie Jones!
Kristie is one of the most dependable and flexible employees at Barfield! She is extremely knowledgeable about her job and she shares her wealth of knowledge with new classified staff as a mentor. She understands child development and maintains high expectations for students that are in line with developmental milestones. She also does an amazing job when interacting with students presenting challenging behaviors because she is patient and understanding and she always keeps student safety her first priority. She is very flexible, and this year more than any other in recent history has required an inordinate level of flexibility! Kristie has been called upon to cover both teacher and instructional assistant absences because there have been so many staff absences and a shortage of substitutes. She does a marvelous job in any role. In fact, Kristie graciously takes on many roles and responsibilities at Barfield. She helps with setting up for many of our extra curricular events. For years she has worked on the parking lot during dismissal, calling parents’ names over the radio, enduring all kinds of weather. Kristie helps out in any way she can and is always offering suggestions for the betterment of the school.
From the Nurses
I will be available in the clinic on 6/2 and 6/3 from 9:00am - 4:00pm for medication pick up. If you need to make other arrangements for pick up, please email me at carissarunner@wsdr4.org or call 636-561-5757 ext. 2.
Reminder
If your child will have a medication or action plan in the clinic for the 2021-22 school year, you will need to provide a new medication order and action plan for the new year. The previous years will not be valid.
Immunizations
If you have not yet sent in your child's kindergarten immunizations, you can fax them to 636-445-5322.
If your child will be attending ESY or Summer Journey and they will be starting Kindergarten this August, we will need the updated immunizations by June 3.
Staff Vaccinations and Confidentiality
Preparations are already underway for the 21-22 school year. We will create class rosters over the summer and notify parents which teacher our returning students will have in August. I have received a few requests from parents to place their child in a classroom with a vaccinated teacher. I thought I would take a minute to explain why this is a request that I am not able to honor.
An employee’s vaccination status is considered a medical record and medical records are confidential. The privacy of medical records/information is protected by HIPPA. As the supervisor of the Barfield staff I may not inquire about my staff’s vaccination status nor could I convey any information about their status to a third party. That would be a violation of their privacy and HIPPA.
The WSD has generously provided additional leave to staff in order to get the vaccination. It seems any conversation about the COVID vaccine can quickly turn into a political debate rather than a discussion about public health. I have no desire to wade into those treacherous waters. The only point I am attempting to make is that I am not able to assign a student to a teacher based on her vaccination status.
Thank you for your understanding.
Kevin Garcia
Principal