Barkley Elementary News
Weekly Updates from Dr. Nic 1-19-24
UPDATES!!
Hello Barkley Families!
It has been a snowy, virtual week. Thank you so much for your support and help through this tricky time. I know virtual instruction is not easy and we appreciate you hanging in there with us!
Conference sign ups opens today! See below for information!
The Great Kindness Challenge is next week! See below!
There is lots of information this week, so please take some time to read through!
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
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Dear Parents & Guardians,
As we approach the end of marking period 2, PASD has important dates to note related to report cards and Parent-Teacher Conferences.
Friday, January 19: End of Marking Period 2.
Parent-Teacher Conference scheduling opens in Skyward at 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, if applicable.
Directions for scheduling:
1. Log in to Skyward.
2. Click on the “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.
Note: If your child is in a departmentalized grade at the elementary level, your conference will be with the homeroom teacher, who will bring feedback from all teachers on your child’s team. If you’d like a conference with any other teacher, contact him/her directly.
Note: If your Middle School child was enrolled in a mixed media class for the 2nd marking period or 1st semester (marking periods 1 and 2), we recommend scheduling conferences with that teacher. Their current mixed media teacher will be just getting to know them.
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, February 2: Report Cards available in Skyward
Friday, February 9: Parent-Teacher Conference scheduling closes in Skyward at 9 am. By this date, teachers will send a Zoom or Teams link to parents who requested a virtual meeting, or they will call parents at the scheduled time. Teachers will use the email or phone number listed in Skyward.
Thursday, February 15: Parent-Teacher Conferences 8:00 am-7:15 pm (no conferences are scheduled from 12:00-12:45 pm and 4:30 pm-5:40 pm). No school for students.
Friday, February 16: Parent-Teacher Conferences 8:00 am-10:45 am. No school for students.
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
SECOND STEP! Lesson 12!
This week in Second Step: Lesson 12 will be delivered on Tuesday, January 23. Unfortunately, last week the website was down. We started a new unit on Empathy and Kindness. See below for information on this unit. The next lesson will be delivered on January 31.
Empathy & Kindness: Students learn how to use empathy to show others kindness, use kindness to make and maintain friendships, identify and demonstrate how perspective-taking skills influence empathy, their relationships, and their own thoughts and actions, and apply their perspective-taking and empathy skills to define and help solve a community problem.
You’ll receive weekly communications from me to help you reinforce Second Step language, skills, and goals at home. If you have any questions about Second Step Elementary, please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information. Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe and supportive school community!
During this unit your child(ren) will be working on: Click the Grade Level Below!
This week, chat with your child(ren) about:
- Grade 2: Empathy in Action: In this week’s lesson, your child will describe a time they had empathy for someone and how it affected their thoughts and actions. Try This at Home: Ask your child to tell you about a time they had empathy for someone.
- Grade 3: Building a Friendship: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn how acting on empathy can make friendships stronger. Try This at Home: Ask your child to name one of their friends and explain what makes them a good friend.
- Grade 4: Ask, Listen, Learn: In this week’s lesson, your child will learn that asking questions, listening, and observing can help you learn more about someone’s point of view when you don’t understand it. Try This at Home: Tell your child about a time when learning more about a different point of view helped you have empathy. Encourage your child to think of future situations where it might be helpful to learn more about a different point of view in order to get along and show they care.
- Grade 5: What’s the Problem? In this lesson, your child will use empathy to identify problems in their school community and think about how these problems might affect other people. This is an important first step toward making positive change in the community. Try This at Home: Ask your child what problems they see in your neighborhood that affect other people. Point out how empathy helped them notice those problems.
THE GREAT KINDNESS CHALLNGE!
The Great Kindness Challenge 2023
Monday, January 22rd – Friday, January 26th
Barkley is going to take The Great Kindness Challenge of 2024 and we need your help.
The Great Kindness Challenge is a proactive and positive bullying prevention initiative that improves school climate and increases student engagement by focusing on caring, respect, gratitude and inclusiveness. The goal of the project is to instill kindness in children until it becomes a habit and they develop a sense of purpose and gratitude. By performing simple acts of kindness, children become instruments of peace for a healthier, happier community. The Great Kindness Challenge is one week devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible at home and at school. Using the provided checklist of 50 kind acts, students accept the challenge and show the world that KINDNESS MATTERS!
While we are performing acts of kindness this week, we are also going to have some fun with a KINDNESS SPIRIT WEEK to help spread even more kindness and happiness!
- Monday 1-22-2023 TEAM Barkley spreads Kindness – wear your favorite sports team
- Tuesday 1-23-2023 Hats off to Kindness – wear your favorite hat
- Wednesday 1-24-2023 Crazy for Kindness - crazy hair day
- Thursday 1-25-2023 Twice as Kind – twin day
- Friday 1-26-2023 Shine Bright with Kindness – wear bright colors
ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO COMPLETE KINDNESS ACTS AT HOME!
MLK EXPRESSIONS CONTEST
SPELLING BEE
Dear P.A.S.D. Families,
This is a letter of invitation for your child to participate in the 9th Rotary Club of Phoenixville Spelling Bee, scheduled for Saturday, February 10th, 2024. We are looking forward to a competitive and fun-filled event for all student participants.
Rotary International is a not-for-profit corporation, whose main objective is service - in the community, in the workplace, and throughout the world. The Rotary Club of Phoenixville focuses on developing service projects to support the local community and educational initiatives for the local youth. All proceeds raised from this event are donated back to the Phoenixville area community. In the first eight years of the spelling bee, over $77,000 has been raised.
Should your child(ren) decide to participate, you will receive a Study Words List upon registration as well as a “Day of Event” guide.
The following information outlines important information about the day’s activities:
1. Location: Barkley Elementary School Auditorium (320 Second Avenue, Phoenixville)
2. Schedule:
Division I 1st Graders 9:00 to 10:30 AM
Division II 2nd Graders 10:30 AM to Noon
Division III 3rd Graders Noon to 1:30 PM
Division IV 4th & 5th Graders 1:30 to 3:00 PM
3. Awards Presentation: will be awarded their prizes immediately after the completion of each division. First-place finishers will receive a $50 gift card to Reads and Company Bookshop and a trophy; 2nd and 3rd place finishers will receive a trophy. All spellers will receive a Certificate of Participation.
We hope your child will decide to be a participant in this spelling bee. Please follow the instructions found at the bottom of this page and register to ensure your spot. We have a maximum number of students for each division, and want to be sure P.A.S.D. students have every opportunity to be a part of this special event.
Very truly yours,
Julian McCracken Chair,
Spelling Bee Committee
Rotary Club of Phoenixville
ESS ART CONTEST
We are excited to announce that the ESS Art Contest 2024 starts tomorrow, Friday, December 8th! The contest is open to public and charter school students in grades K-12 throughout the continental United States.
Quick Facts About the Contest
- The contest information is located at ArtContest.ESS.com.
- To enter, students must submit a traditional or digital drawing or painting with an image representing “Imagine going to school underwater, what would your day be like?”
- The contest ends on February 25th, 8:00 pm Eastern Time.
- The top five finalists in each Grade Group will be featured on ESS’ Facebook and Instagram for public voting during the week of March 18th.
- Public voting ends on March 24th, 8:00 pm Eastern Time.
- Winners will be announced on March 27th.
- Winning students will receive a $500 American Express gift card, plus $500 for their school.
- ESS corporate employees’ children cannot win.
- Teams in the field can start announcing the contest to our clients and potential clients on Friday, December 8th. Materials for the Art Contest are in Canto under Art Contest 2024 (located at the bottom of your thumbnail portal). If you want printed copies of the flyer, please submit a Printed Material Request Form. The request form link can be found in your Canto portal.
- Social media posts for the local pages will be posted for you on Friday.
- Any questions, email ArtContest@ESS.com.
SUMMER ADVENTURES
IT'S GETTING CHILLY OUTSIDE
If your child needs a jacket, just let us know and we can help!
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.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The HSA is looking for committee members/volunteers! Our Committee Chairs need volunteers to join the planning teams for Yearbook and The All Star Showcase Talent Show - which will be held on March 8th! We will only be able to make these things happen with your volunteer support. Email barkleyhomeandschool@gmail.com for more information.
More opportunities are coming soon including Book Fair and the 5th Grade Promotion Party Planners!
CLUBS/ACTIVITIES
Clubs
CLUBS THIS WEEK
- Crescendo
- Drama Club - Scenes 4-6
- New Directions Homework Club
Tuesday
- Crescendo
- New Directions Homework Club
Wednesday
- Crescendo
- Drama Club - Scenes 4-6
- New Directions Homework Club
Thursday
- Crescendo
- New Directions Homework Club
Friday
- Crescendo
UPCOMING EVENTS
- End of Marking Period 2 - January 19
Beginning of Marking Period 3 - January 22
Elementary Beginner Band Concert - January 23
Elementary Beginner Orchestra Concert - January 24
Grades Posted in Skyward - February 2
School Counselor Week - February 5 - February 9
Friendship Parties - February 14
Parent/Teacher Conferences - February 15 & February 16
Presidents' Day - Schools Closed - February 19
Read Across America Week - March 4 - March 8
Pretzel Day - March 13
REOCCURING INFORMATION!
DRINKS, SNACKS, 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.
Snack Time: Healthy food choices are so important. Barkley encourages that students bring healthy snacks for snack time! Food such as fruits, vegetables, pretzels, crackers are all good examples of healthy snacks for students. Please refrain from your child bringing candy 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.
CAFETERIA SNACKS
Snack Price List
String Cheese…………$.70
Yogurt…………………….$.90
Bug Bites………………..$.70
Chips ……………………..$1.00
Cookie: ………………….$0.65
Poptarts: ……………….$1.00
Ice Cream: ……………..$1.00
Small Water: ……………………..$0.65
Large Water: ……………………..$1.25
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