Barry Primary Newsletter
May 1, 2020
Message From the Principal:
Dear Barry Primary Families:
 
I wanted to thank all of you for stepping up to support your child in the learning process. During Governor Cuomo’s press conference today he indicated that distance learning will continue through the end of this school year. While our school buildings remain closed, instruction and learning will continue through distance learning. I can not stress enough how important it is for your child to continue to complete assignments at home. For students it may feel as though school is over and without the daily face to face instruction with their teacher it may be easier to let go of the schoolwork. That is why now, more than ever, we need your continued support in maintaining a consistent home routine for completion of school work. Instruction and learning must continue during this time. We know how difficult this has been for many families but working alongside your child's teacher has been the support we have needed most. Our teachers are ready and willing to support you and your child with this challenging task. Please do not hesitate to reach out and ask for help.
 
Distance learning has been stressful on you, your child and our staff. Please know that it is also okay to pause and take a day to do some family fun; such as playing some board games, putting together a puzzle, taking a walk or hike (with safe social distancing), or playing in the yard. Then return to learning in smaller chunks of time.
 
Please remember completed printed materials can be placed in any of the purple newspaper vending boxes located at schools and food distribution sites. Please make sure that all work has your name, grade, and teacher’s name on it. The work can be returned in the envelope in which it came. The returned work helps our teachers gage what needs to come next instructionally.

We also wanted to stress how proud we are of our essential working parents. We realize this adds an additional layer to providing learning time with your child. We are all trying to do our best during a very difficult time. We appreciate your part in the distance learning process.

If there is any way that we can support or assist you, please reach out to us. Please stay safe and be well.

Lisa S. Kaup
Photos and Videos Needed for Staff Appreciation Week!
Staff appreciation week is next week: May 4th to May 8th. We will be posted photos on our social media accounts daily, along with a culmination video that will go out on Friday. Please email your photos and videos to photos@cortlandschools.org .
Special Areas Assignments
Each of our specialists (art, music, library) post weekly assignments for students to complete, as well as some extra ideas for enrichment. Due dates for each of the assignments are meant to serve as guidelines. Feel free to complete the activities at your own pace. PE teachers have provided quite a few resources, and ask that a weekly activity log be maintained and submitted. (This could be something as simple as went for a walk, rode my bike, etc) The goal is for students to take time to be active everyday.
 
We encourage students to participate in the weekly assignments. Our goal is for students to find balance and take time to engage in art, music, library, and physical activity. These subjects can provide much needed escape, joy, and enrichment to the lives of students. If students have a particular interest in an area, there will be opportunities for deeper learning.  
 
If you come up with other ideas/outlets for the special areas, that's ok, too. Feel free to share what your child is doing with his/her teachers. They would be happy to know what you've been up to.
Kindergarten News
Kindergarten teams are working hard to provide instruction in a variety of ways. Teacher teams are providing Zoom video chats with students to work on skills and check in. These Zoom chats also give students the opportunity to socialize with one another. One student even dressed up a suit for his morning zoom meeting.
First Grade News
The first grade community has stepped up all around. We are so blessed to have parents and staff that have stepped up to do the impossible for our students. We appreciate every single family, community member, staff member, and student that has supported each other during this time. We have materials going home every week to families to support learning and we have online tools to support students and families. We are all learning everyday and cannot be more thankful that we get to take this journey with all of you. We cannot continue learning without you so please continue to reach out to your child's teacher with questions, concerns, or positive moments, we want to hear them all!
Second Grade News
Our Second Graders are learning about ROYGBIV (rainbow color order) in Art. They were challenged to create a work of art that emphasized this color order in a unique fashion. Rainbows made with chalk, rocks, cereal, paint, books, pens, video production, origami, skittles, tissue paper, and so much more were created! Our second graders have incredible imaginations and we are so proud of them all! Here is a video made by one of our artists to teach YOU all about what they learned!
Art News
Across the city K-2 students have been creating “Rainbows of Hope” to uplift our community, spread hope, and encourage essential workers! Doors, windows, porches, sidewalks, and stones have been adorned with artwork that sends a message of love. If your family has not created one yet, we encourage you to do so! Here are a few creative examples from our Barry Primary Artists!
Chit Chat Challenge
Typically I share a few questions to get conversations going with our children, focusing on making the questions provoke a response that is not a simple “yes” or “no”. With the circumstances we are living in right now, I wanted to talk a little about how to talk to our children in the midst of a pandemic. Here are some general guidelines found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (CDC.gov):
  • Remain calm and reassuring
  • Make yourself available to listen and to talk
  • Avoid language that might blame others and lead to stigma
  • Pay attention to what children see or hear on television, radio, or online

Feel free to contact our school staff if you feel you need support during this time! You can find our contact information on the learning portal through www.cortlandschools.org !
News from the Nurse
We wish good health to all our families during this unprecedented time. As we work to ensure our current health, we also look to the future and want to share information regarding health requirements for the 2020-21 school year. Below is a list of current state mandates for students which must be completed prior to attending school in the fall. Therefore, please begin planning for your child's next well visit and required immunizations once routine visits are once again scheduled. 
  • All incoming Kindergarten students need Dtap, Polio, Hep B., MMR and Varicella (please refer to your provider for up to date requirements)
  • Every 6th grade student requires the TDAP vaccine.
  • Every 7th and 12th grader will need to receive the Meningococcal vaccine.
  • When your child receives their vaccines, please make sure to have it signed by their provider.  
  • Every K, 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th,11th grader and new students to the district will need to have a current physical. Please send a copy to your nurse's office.  

If you have current health questions, please feel free to reach out to your school nurse via email. For COVID-19 specific information, please click on the link located on the district webpage.
Kindergarten Registration
Steps to register your child:
  • Child must be 5 on or before December 1, 2020. Children who turn 6 before December 1, 2020 must attend school.
  • Parents are urged to call (607)-758-4106, prior to April 20, 2020, to make a registration/screening appointment and to receive a pre-registration packet.
  • All students must have an appointment prior to the school registration/screening dates listed below!

All screenings will take place at Barry Primary School
  • Dates for screenings are June 29, 30 and July 1, 2020

The Kindergarten Meet and Greet is Postponed
  • When we have more information regarding reopening schools we will reschedule the meet and greet.
  • Notice will be provided.
Technology Help?
For those who received a device, please read through the directions that were provided with the device. You will need to connect to your own home WiFi. If you have any questions or problems using the device, you can email:  helpdesk@cortlandschools.org or call: 607-758-4188.

This same email may be used if you did not previously request a device, but would like one. Important to know: Chromebooks do not function without Wifi access.
Food Service Continues
Breakfast and lunch will be available for every student, Monday through Friday, at locations across the community from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. Locations include:
  • Barry Primary bus loop
  • Junior Senior High School bus loop
  • Randall Middle bus loop
  • Smith Intermediate bus loop
  • Virgil School bus loop
  • Parker School (parent drop-off area)
  • Penguin Trailer Park (11a - noon only)
  • Rickard Street Apartments (11a - noon only)
Contacting the School
Our school buildings are closed to the public. On site staff in each of our buildings has been reduced to a small rotating group of essential employees. Teachers and office staff are working remotely from home.  

Teachers have posted their contact information on the Distance Learning Portal which is accessible from the District website. A staff email directory is available from the Barry Primary website. As a general rule, staff email is the person's first initial and last  name  @cortlandschools.org.

If calling our main office, please leave a voice message. We will make every effort to respond within a 24 hour period.
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