2017-18 Parent-Teacher Nights
We're off to a GREAT start! Thank you for sending us such amazing students. We are looking forward to a fun year of learning together. Please make every effort to join us for our upcoming Parent-Teacher Nights. During these evenings teachers will share their preferred communication methods with you and work to form a partnership to ensure success for all our students.
8/23, 6:30–7:30 PM: All PreK – 2nd grade (except Mr. Metz which is on 8/22)
8/24, 5:45-6:15 PM: TAG Curriculum (Media Center for current TAG students)
6:30–7:30 PM: All 3rd– 5th grade
This night is for adults only and will begin promptly at 6:30 PM in your child's classroom. We will have a brief PTA meeting in the cafeteria at 7:35 on both Wednesday and Thursday night.
Welcome to Barnwell!
Do you know that we have students attending Barnwell that have families from all over the world? Our PTA has created the following "welcome" guides in multiple languages to make it a little easier to learn about our school and to get involved.
Click on the following links for each language of our PTA Important Information guide:
PTA News and 2017-18 Membership
Our PTA is gearing up for another fantastic year! Please visit Barnwell PTA 2017.18 to learn about the many exciting events and activities our PTA has planned for this year, and click here to join our efforts and get involved. We need all our parents to partner with us to make this year our best year ever!
This year to simplify even more, we have only a short list of things you need to know to start the school year: (Further explanation of all of these items is listed in above link)
1. Online Fundraiser -
In previous years, we have enjoyed great success at Barnwell with our "Check Writing Campaign". As we move to a more digital world at school, we are encouraging everyone to give through our online portal. This fundraiser is the only time all year that you will be asked to fundraise for PTA, and the enrichment programs that we provide. (More information specific to the programs is included in the attached pdf.)
*One simple click to give: https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/directory-cart.a5w
*Our levels this year are based on the cost per student that we serve at Barnwell. If you give $109, you give one child at BES a year's worth of academic enrichment. In an effort to service the whole community, we are asking families to consider giving at the $327 level. This will help meet our needs and help o set the cost of children whose families can't a ord to give.
2 . Online Directory -
The directory will once again be online this year and available to everyone! Information regarding how to access the directory and how to edit or add your family's information can be found in the attached pdf.
3. Tanner Photography -
We are still offering the wonderful Tanner Photography Family Portrait program through PTA. If you would like to purchase a sitting and schedule a session, please click:
https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/directory-cart.a5w
4. Yearbook Orders -
This year, yearbook purchases will be available ONLY ONLINE. In other words, you will not see a purchase option on your PTA membership form (please note: this is excluding those who have books included at the top two PTA support levels...please be sure to read your donation details!).
Starting September 1st, simply go to www.Balfour.com to purchase a 2018 yearbook for $35. To purchase:
1. Go to www.Balfour.com
2. Search for our school, Barnwell Elementary in Alpharetta, GA. 3. Select the Yearbook icon
4. Log in (returning customers) or Create New account.
5. Purchase your book!
5. Spirit Wear -
Spirit Wear will be an online only store this year. To make your purchase please go to:
https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/directory-cart.a5w
Barnwell 2017-18 Amended Calendar
Our SGC recently approved providing our staff with three Professional Learning Days for the 2017-2018 school year (amending our regular Fulton County calendar). During these days our staff will be working on our Strategic Plan initiatives, including learning how to incorporate more Project-Based Learning opportunities for our students. Please plan accordingly as students will not have school on the following days next year:
September 1, 2017 (Barnwell students only)
October 5, 2017 (all Johns Creek Cluster schools)
March 8, 2018 (all Johns Creek Cluster schools)
We appreciate the support of our community in helping our staff improve our instructional practices to better meet the needs of our students. Click here for a printable 2017-18 calendar.
Fulton's TOTY is Barnwell's Ms. Kerley!
Barnwell's own Allison Kerley is Fulton County's 2017 Teacher of the Year! We have 8,000 teachers in Fulton County working in 105 schools – for our own Ms. Kerley to win this recognition is incredible! This is an amazing accomplishment for her and our Barnwell family – her success is our success and I'm proud she's part of our school family!
William Yeat's famously said, "Education is not the filling of a bucket, but the lighting of a fire". That's what Ms. Kerley does each day for her students – she ignites their curiosity and passion, helping them find their purpose and own their learning. Dr. Rose, our Superintendent, asked one of her students during the surprise announcement what one thing she likes best about Ms. Kerley, and the student responded "There's not one thing, it's everything, that makes her great!".
Thank you Allison for leading the way for us and all of Fulton County – we're proud of you! Check out this 30 second video of Allison being surprised by Dr. Rose to announce our Fulton County Teacher of the Year: http://bit.ly/kerleytoty.
What is Personalized Learning?
The concept of personalized learning means utilizing various strategies and having flexible pacing of instruction to help each child learn. Students have ownership of their learning and are able to demonstrate mastery in multiple ways. Our focus this year is on creating independence in our students, utilizing technology and choice activities to allow teachers to meet with students in small groups, providing direct, personalized instruction for each child. We are focusing on the concepts of Varied Strategies, Co-Planning Learning, and Just-in-Time Instruction (click here for our Instructional Model).
Have questions? Please ask! Start with your child's teacher or reach out directly to our Personalized Learning Coach, Daniel Hodge at hodgedv@fultonschools.org. We are excited about this new direction and appreciate your input and support as we move from a traditional approach (where the teacher is the center of learning) to a student-centered approach (where the student is the center of learning). Visit here to see what our personalized learning path looks like or here to see a video our 2nd and 3rd graders did based on the Mannequin Challenge.
Volunteer Requirements
Do you want to be a mystery reader? Would you like to help out in your child's classroom? We welcome all parents to come volunteer and be a part of your child's school experience at Barnwell. Per Fulton County policy, ALL parents that want to volunteer MUST complete the mandatory training each year or they will not be allowed to volunteer in classrooms!
Lately, we have had to turn many parents away as they haven't completed this training this year - which is heartbreaking for everyone! Please don't let this happen to you - visit the FCS site directly to complete the required informational training at least 72 hours prior to volunteering:
http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/sup/comm/Pages/partnersvolunteers.aspx
Digital Citizenship Certification
Barnwell is a Common Sense Certified School! This certification recognizes our efforts in teaching digital literacy and citizenship to our students from Common Sense Education, part of a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.
We are one of the more than 100,000 schools across the country that use Common Sense Education's groundbreaking education resources. As a result, our students are better equipped to navigate the digital world and use devices for learning.
Lunch Visits/Birthday Celebrations
Any parent wanting to celebrate their child's birthday with the class is welcome to come to the cafeteria to purchase a frozen treat or cookies from our cafeteria and hand out to the class during lunch.
Per Fulton County policy, no outside food of any kind is permitted for distribution to students in classrooms or the cafeteria (while you are welcome to provide your own child with any treat to celebrate a special occasion, no store-bought or homemade cupcakes, cookie cakes, etc. are allowed for class distribution). Parents wanting to celebrate with their child must order in advance (see flyer included in Open House papers for details or click on the Flyer/Order Form) and hand out during lunch.
Please note that teachers/school staff will not be handing out birthday treats in the cafeteria or classroom.