The Big Cat Courier
Your Source for Big Cat News, Right Meow
September 10, 2021
Dear Henry Barnard Families,
While I hadn't planned on a second Newsletter this week, I felt it important to reach out and thank everyone for sending us such great kids! The first week of school is always a challenging time of year for students, families, and even educators, but even with the extra layer of complicating COVID related factors, it's been a great first four days. Not to say that there weren't any hurdles but the kids and the staff handled each and every one with poise and resilience.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Speaking of Hurdles, How About Today's Dismissal?
The system is in the process of being repaired as I write this section and is expected to be back in top shape shortly.
Student Drop Off Update
Bus Stop Times
Thank you for your patience!
iPad Insurance and Microsoft Information
Our First PTO Meeting is Next Week
Important Information from the First Day Newsletter:
Up to Date Contact Information is VITAL
I have to say, from experience, that there's nothing sadder than having a sick student in the nursing office all day because we weren't able to reach their family. Never mind the fright caused when the student isn't on the bus home.
Please, please check that your information is up to date. You can check it out and update it in the PowerSchool Parent Portal and through School Messenger. Both can be found halfway down the District's homepage: http://www.enfieldschools.org/
Health and Safety Protocols
Many of the health and safety protocols that were put in place last year are still required as we open the 21-22 school year. Please see below:
-Masking -
Masking is still part of the school day this fall and will continue to be while the Governor and Health Department's guidelines require schools in CT to do so. While masking protocols are followed, outdoor mask breaks for students and staff will be planned hourly. We recognize the difficulty of masking and pledge to do everything we can to support students and staff during the school day. Please help us maintain your child's comfort, health, and safety by sending them to school with comfortable masks that are properly fitted. A backup or two is also a good idea.
-Social distancing-
We continue to strive for the 3 foot social distancing requirement in the current health and safety guidelines. Classrooms and learning spaces in the building are set up to support a minimum of 3 feet while students are inside.
-Hand Hygiene -
Sinks are located in all classrooms and restrooms and hand sanitizing stations are spaced liberally around the building. Hand sanitation is built into transitions to support the health and safety guidelines.
Student Arrival
If a child is being dropped off, we will be using the doors in the back parking lot in between the library and gymnasium. Please remain in your car as you loop around the back lot to drop your child off at the doors. If you are the family of a walker, please look for the orange traffic cones at the drop off doors to guide you safely into that space.
Please note that during arrival times, the front doors to the school are being reserved to receive only bus students. All other students, will use the doors in the back parking lot between the library and gymnasium. If you need to speak with somebody from the main office in person, please plan to do so before or after student drop off to alleviate congestion at the front doors.
Student Dismissal
Students being picked up at the end of the day will be dismissed directly from the back door of your child's classroom. Your child's teacher has shared the door number and room number so that you can find the right door. Please be aware that the room number and door numbers don't necessarily match. Please remember to bring a picture ID on the first day and as well as your child's dismissal card on subsequent days (they will be sent home with your child on their first in-person day of classes).
In order to accommodate the unusually larger number of families picking students up at the end of the day, as well as the extended amount of time we expect our bus dismissal will take during the first days of school, we have expanded the window for student pickups. Students can now be picked up starting at 3:00. This change is to help facilitate traffic flow on campus as well as out on Shaker Road. For families picking up students at multiple schools, please know that the 3:00 mark is in place as a way to help the dismissal process on campus and is not a required pick up time.
Students taking the bus will continue to be dismissed through the front doors. Because buses are dismissed one at a time, the front doors are being reserved for bus students only. If a family has business with the main office during dismissal, we appreciate your patience as we complete the dismissal process. We will assist you as soon as possible.
Daycare vans and small buses are located in the back lot and side lot, respectively. Building staff are assigned to those locations to ensure students safely board the correct vehicle.
Bus Stop Times - Arrive Early and Plan on Staying Late
Thank you for your flexibility in regard to bus stop times while the bus company works through the beginning of the year bumps.
In-person Business for the Office/Nurse
We ask that during arrival and dismissal, our families refrain from conducting any in-person business with the main office and our nursing staffing. We will be happy to help you once the students are safely in/out of the building.
If your child forgets something or you need to drop off paperwork, please call the main office from your phone and a staff member will meet you at the table at the front door to help you.
Lunch and Snack
Staff members are more than happy to help students open lunch and snack items. However, to help minimize contact between staff members and your child's food, please try your best to send them with items they can open themselves. In addition to the health and safety aspect of handling food/packaging, it will also alleviate their potential frustration from having to wait.
Lunch Menu Update from our Friends at Nutrition Services
Nutrition Services Reports:
Please note that the current menu is a temporary menu. At this time, we are very restricted as to what we can offer at the elementary schools because like last year, we are still delivering meals to the classroom.
This restricts the types of foods that can be served as they have to be individually wrapped. Once we can have the students come down and go thru the café line, we can go back to the menu that we used to offer. The administration is hoping this can happen soon. At that time, a new menu will be available with all the popular favorites like chicken nuggets, hamburger, taco salad day, fajita day, etc. Please know that all meals meet the nutritional requirements for protein, carbohydrates, fruit, vegetables, and milk as set forth by the National School Meal program.
iPads and Insurance
iPad insurance information will be forthcoming before iPads are issued to students.
Fall Picture Day
Open House
Consider Joining the PTO
Having said that, all the good work that the PTO puts into our schools translates directly to a richer educational experience for our students. They help fund fieldtrips and educational experiences that we would otherwise not have available to our students.
The PTO meets once each month. Meetings usually last for one hour and are dedicated to school updates and planning for upcoming PTO events. Please consider being a part of the PTO. Many hands make light work!
For more information, please follow the link: https://enfieldpto.com/henrybarnard
The Family Resource Center (FRC)
For more information, please follow this link: https://www.enfield-ct.gov/375/Family-Resource-Center
Enfield Resources for Children (ERfC)
Follow this link for more information: https://erfcinc.org/
The Big Cat Courier
Enfield Public Schools
Masking
Henry Barnard School
Email: jgraham@enfieldschools.org
Website: https://henry.sharpschool.com/
Location: 27 Shaker Road, Enfield, CT, USA
Phone: (860) 253-6540
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnfieldPublicSschools/
Twitter: @EnfieldPS