The Big Cat Courier
Your Source for Big Cat News, Right Meow
September 17, 2021
Dear Henry Barnard Families,
With today marking the close of the first full five-day week of school with all students in the building since March of 2020, this afternoon feels pretty good! It's hard to imagine the timeline on that last statement and just how far we've come in the last year and a half.
Please take a few minutes to read through this week's newsletter. There are several posts that you'll find very important.
Thank you and have an incredible weekend!
iPads Have Been Issued
That being said, it is imperative to return the insurance paperwork to school as soon as possible in order to avoid liability for the device. Originally, the insurance form deadline was set for the middle of October. Unfortunately, the possibility of a closure at any point is back in the cards and we've had to speed timelines up. Now, some families may opt out of buying the iPad insurance by returning the waiver but with that comes the assumption of liability for damage, loss, etc.. In short, please return the paperwork at your earliest convenience.
As far as the iPads, please plan on sending the fully charged device to school each day and expect it back each night. If there is an unexpected closure, we want to make sure you have the device at home with your child.
Optional COVID School-based Testing
Participation in this program is OPTIONAL. Please read the information letter from Mrs. Spera, our Nursing Supervisor for detailed information regarding the program.
Safety Drills
Safety first!
Open House is Here!
-Please adhere to your scheduled time:
If your scheduled time does not work, please reach out to your child's teacher before the end of the day Monday to see what adjustments can be made. Families with multiple students at HBS should contact their children's teachers to make sure their scheduled times don't conflict. There will be a few minutes of passing time in-between sessions for families to get through the hallways and say hello to non-classroom staff.
-All participants must be appropriately masked:
All attendees, adults and children, must mask appropriately mask in the school building.
-Only one adult per Barnard student is invited to attend:
We hope that we'll be able to offer more in-person opportunities in order to welcome additional family members into the building but to ensure we are able to follow appropriate distancing, Wednesday's event will be limited to one adult and one student.
-Who will be here?
Families will have the opportunity to meet with their child's classroom teacher for a short presentation in the classroom. Our specials teachers, specialists, interventionists, etc...will be posted at tables in our hallways in order to allow for families to meet them.
PTO Update
Some Personal Thoughts on Social Media
While much of school and home life has gone back to "normal" and we are in school 5 days each week, the sentiment is still the same. Please take a look at what I shared last fall and the spring before:
In a newsletter last spring, I asked that families with any questions or concerns contact the school directly so that we could work together to address them. Last spring was a very anxious time for everyone and there were so many changes that schools everywhere found that families were expressing concerns on Social Media rather than to the schools themselves.
Social Media is a very effective tool to stay in touch with friends and family and over the last several months it's been a godsend for that purpose. Unfortunately , what Social Media is terrible at is solving problems. If something school related ever comes up that you are unhappy with, don't understand, or otherwise need help with, please contact the school directly so we can help. Whether you reach out to your child's teacher, a specialist, an interventionist, our nursing staff, the front office, or any of the other people who work in the building, we are all here to help.
A large majority of staff in the building are parents ourselves and we understand the frustrations associated with hybrid/remote learning. Trying to balance work and home learning days is monumental, as are all of the safety-based changes to the daily running of the building. Your frustration is real and present AND we'd like to try to help any way we can.
Please know that as a school, we cannot respond to concerns expressed on Social Media platforms. While every school would love to, we cannot due to student confidentiality. As is typically the case in any Social Media post, there is more to the situation that we, unfortunately, cannot address in a public forum.
We ask that if you find an individual expressing some kind of question or concern regarding our school on Social Media, please refer them back to the school so that we can assist them in bringing the issue to a positive resolution. We are always here for our students and their families.
Important Items from Previous Newsletters -
Student Drop Off Update
Bus Stop Times
Thank you for your patience!
iPad Insurance and Microsoft Information
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.
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.
iPads and Insurance
iPad insurance information will be forthcoming before iPads are issued to students.
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