The Big Cat Courier
Your Source for Big Cat News, Right Meow
December 16, 2022
Good Afternoon Barnard Families,
We really lucked out with today's weather! While nobody likes a rainy day, if it had been a few degrees cooler, we would have had whopper of a winter storm that would have impacted the school day. After Monday's delayed opening, I'm more than happy about today's rain.
This past week the students and staff at HBS had the chance to cheer on the Wreaths Across America Convoy during Wednesday morning's drive by. We also continued our rock painting project to build our rock garden this spring. Take a look below for information about this weekend's free pancake breakfast at EHS, the return of the Heritage Fair at JFK, upcoming youth classes from the ERfC, and next week's Barnard Spirit Week.
Have another great weekend with the kids!
Winter Weather Gear
Winter Spirit Week is Coming to Henry Barnard School!
Monday, 12/19 – Barnard “Blue’’ Day - Wear your favorite Barnard blues
Tuesday 12/20 – Winter Wonderland Day - Wear your favorite winter whites
Wednesday 12/21 – Winter Hat Day - Wear a fun winter hat
Thursday 12/22 – Let It Snow Day - Wear your comfy snow day clothes
Friday 12/23 – Holiday Dress Up Day - Wear your favorite holiday outfit
9th Annual Pancake Breakfast - This Weekend!
The Heritage Fair is Back and They Want You!
Donate Money to the PTO at No Cost to You!
AmazonSmile
Did you know the Barnard/Crandall PTO earns free money for purchases you make on Amazon? If you select your school as your "charity" Amazon will donate a portion of your total directly to the PTO's account for qualified purchases.
You can scan the QR code above to take you directly to our AmazonSmile page & you’ll log in to select us. If this does not work, please see instructions below.
How to use AmazonSmile using the Amazon app on your mobile phone:
1. Open the Amazon Shopping app
2. Navigate to the main menu (≡)
3. Tap on Settings and then select “AmazonSmile”
4. Select your charity
Crandall: type “Parent Teacher Organization of the Prudence Crandall Elementary”
Barnard: type “Henry Barnard School Parent Teacherorganization Inc”
and then follow the on-screen instructions to turn ON AmazonSmile in the mobile app.
Once AmazonSmile has been activated in your app, future eligible app purchases will generate a donation for the charity you have selected. Questions or need help with signing up? Email us at:
Check out the ERfC Youth Programs Coming Up Soon
Important Dates to Keep an Eye On -
-Barnard's Winter Spirit Week is scheduled for 12/19 - 12/23 (stay tuned for more info)
-Holiday Recess begins when school ends on Friday, 12/23
-School reopens on Tuesday, 1/3
-No school in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, 1/16
-Early Release on Wednesday, 1/25
-No school on Friday, 2/17 for meetings, Monday 2/20 for Presidents' Day, and again on Tuesday, 2/21 for meetings
Important Items from Our Last Edition
Requesting a New Set of Backup Clothes
The iPad Insurance Portal Has Reopened
Dressing for the Cold
Even though we've been very lucky with warmer than usual temperatures so far, mornings have been seasonably chilly. In addition, as we move closer towards winter, which starts on Wednesday, December 21st, the temperature will be cold more consistently. Now that we are in the last month of the calendar year, we would like to ask that each of you help your child dress appropriately for the cold. Arrival, dismissal, and recess can be unpleasant for your child if they are under dressed. As a parent, I know that it can feel like a losing battle sometimes as my youngest tries to wear shorts and a hoodie to school every day but a warm kid is a happy kid and a happy kid is one who is ready to learn. If you or somebody you know is having trouble outfitting a child with a winter coat, hat, and mittens, please reach out to us. We will find a way help get the child ready for some outdoor winter fun!
Cold and Flu Season is Here
It is our goal to keep our students healthy and to keep them learning until we reach the finish line at the end of the day on the 23rd (and beyond).
The Elementary School Handbook
Attendance Policy Reminder
As stated in previous editions of the newsletter, student attendance is a major factor in scholastic success and achievement. It is understood that illness is a part of childhood and that families are at the mercy of doctor and dentist appointment availability, When these thing arise, please follow up with the main office at HBS with a note from your healthcare provider if your child had an office visit. That way we can code the absence in our system correctly. If your child was not seen by a healthcare provider, which is often the case with childhood illness, you should submit a note written by you to the main office regarding the absence. As stated in the policy, the first 9 absences may be excused with a parent note as long as the note is submitted.
Thank you for taking the time to read through the attendance policy in the handbook and for your understanding regarding the required attendance notification letters.
Before and After Care Through the ERfC
Helpful i-Ready Hints
A Reminder About Dropping Students Off at the Start of the School Day
Thank you in advance for following this very important safety procedure.
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. Please remember to bring a picture ID on the first day 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).
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.
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/
Our Community Partners -
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 run for less than an hour and are dedicated to school updates and planning for upcoming 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
Learning Through Play
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