| | | In this column...
From the Head of School * Field Day: K-4th Grade |  |
| From the Head of School | |
For this week’s BITS, I’d like to provide you with a summative overview of the work of three working groups and task forces this year. Please take time to read through the attachments, as they provide a much fuller picture of the hard work completed by our fellow teachers, trustees and parents. Many thanks to Tara Barnhart, Cindy Barr, Chris Donza, Melanie Gekas, Theresa Haas, Doug Hart, Susanne Johnson, Dona Kaufman, David Martin, Joey Myers, David Reeves, Jill Reeves, Vickie Roos, Maria Siravo, Alyssa Smith, Dana Smith, Julie Smith, Mark Waksberg, and Dawn Walton.
1. Science Parent Presentation Series (SPPS)We are currently seeking parents interested in sharing their expertise in science, technology, engineering or math with Barnesville’s students. Our goal is to launch a speakers series for the 2012-2013 school year, with the intent of making this a standing part of our enriched academic program in conjunction with the school’s Strategic Vision. If you are willing to give 45 minutes of your time next year to share your enthusiasm for the sciences, we would accomplish something very great indeed for our students. Please complete the attached flier and find out more at Arts & Academics Night this Thursday.
2. Middle School Athletics Task Force
Early this school year, in response to the challenge of having too many middle school students interested in joining basketball, we convened a Task Force to look at our Middle School athletic program. Its first task was to create a philosophy statement, which will be included in our Family Handbook. It reads as such:
In support of the School’s mission statement, The Barnesville School provides the middle school student/athlete with a joyful, competitive, and well-rounded athletic program designed to enhance his/her athletic skills, and develop sportsmanship and leadership qualities. The Barnesville School has a proud tradition in Athletics, with many students continuing their athletic interest into high school and college. There is a place for all enrolled middle school students to learn and compete in team sports and/or intramurals. The student/athlete will experience and deal with competition and teamwork in a positive environment, as well as develop and learn self-discipline and confidence. Many character traits found with those that participate in sports are those that will assist the student/athlete in a successful life after school.
The Task Force’s final report shares our plan to develop an intermural program for times when team rosters may need to be limited. In addition, we are seeking to provide more transportation to and from games using school buses, and we are exploring possible admittance into the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference (PVAC) in 2013-2014, which would provide a fuller tournament experience for both boys and girls.
3. Writing Task ForceOur Writing Task Force members engaged in a systematic examination of how writing is taught at Barnesville in order to ensure that it is in alignment with best practices. Such an examination also provided the opportunity to consider areas of growth and development. As part of this analysis, the group highlighted the need for our students to publicly share and celebrate their writing. Therefore, we will reinstitute The Quill, Barnesville’s annually published student writing journal, which will be connected to a student writing blog. In addition, we will provide samples and exemplars of student writing throughout the grades as a resource for both parents and educators. Further recommendations can be found in the Task Force’s final report.
Finally – if you weren’t able to join us for our Strategic Vision event at BlackRock on May 11, please take a moment to read the speech delivered by Meredith Langstaff ’99. It is a truly moving exegesis of the strengths of a broad-based liberal arts program.
John | |
| Field Day: K-4th Grade | | Field Day 2012 (K-4th Grade) is Wednesday, May 30 from 12:15 - 2:45 pm. Please help your child or children select their team color shirt to wear on Field Day.
What the kids need for Field Day:*Lunch if not a hot lunch buyer 11:30 - lunch for the 3rd and 4th graders outside at the picnic tables 11:40 – lunch for K-2nd graders inside the Hyatt *Water bottle clearly labeled with their name*Comfortable clothing (team color t-shirt and sunscreen (volunteers will assist with this if needed))
Field Day Schedule11:30 am -12:15 pm: Lunch12:00 - 12:15 pm: Clean up/Bathroom12:15 - 2:30 pm: Field Day2:30 - 2:45 pm: Chill Time
Please contact Mr. Martin with any questions, concerns, or comments. | |
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| | | | In this column...
Important Dates * Dress for Last Three Fridays * Gala Fire Sale * Photo Gallery * Notes From Mrs. Nave... | |
| Important Dates | |
May
24: Arts & Academics Night, 7 pm
25: Noon Dismissal
28: Memorial Day, School & Offices Closed
29-31: 8th Grade NYC Trip
June
1: 8th Grade Out
4: Move-up Day
5: Beach Day; Variety Shows
6: Graduation Dinner
7: Last Day for EC & PK; MS Olympics
8: Graduation; Noon Dismissal; No Kids' Club; Last Day of School | |
| Dress for Last Three Fridays | | There are three more Fridays left in the school year. Please adhere to the following "dress codes":
- Friday, May 25 (Noon Dismissal): Students may wear Pajama's for the last day of Spirit Week or they may wear the regular Friday Spirit Wear.
- Friday, June 1: Regular Spirit Wear
- Friday, June 8 (Graduation): Students may wear regular Spirit Wear or may dress in nice clothing (dresses, nice slacks, blouses, button down or Polo shirts, etc.)
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| Gala Fire Sale | | Great deals on great items are available in the Spring Gala & Auction Fire Sale! Check out the attached flier and then contact Kristen Carter (301.972.0341 ext. 237) to claim your bargin! All items are first come, first serve! | |
| Notes From Mrs. Nave... | | Medications at the end of the school year
All medications in my office must be picked up the last day of school by a parent. If not picked up, I will have to dispose of them in a proper manner. I know that some of this medication can be expensive so please remember to stop by my office and pick up any medication I have for your child. I cannot hold medications over for camp. The school’s delegating nurse, Patti Saylor, will be here the week after school is out for the summer to go over all my paperwork. All medication must be out of my office at that time. Thanks for your help.
Visitor Pass cards
I am missing a lot of the visitor pass cards that open our main doors. If you have one hiding in your car or purse, please return it to my office. No questions asked! Letter A through H are missing.
Tooth Box Report – Just for Fun! (4 boxes since the last Bits)
May continues to be the best month to lose your teeth. So far 10 tooth boxes have left my office. It was a good thing that I ordered more tooth boxes. On May 9, Savannah Zumbado (5th) lost her tooth. Two first graders lost teeth last week – Julie Terrell let me pull her loose tooth on May 15 and William Bush needed a tooth box on June 17. Rounding out this report is Cecelia Vederman (K) taking a tooth box on May 22.
Land’s End - School Code is 900039249 | |
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