Barnard Academy

Destination Imagination!

We are so excited to bring Destination Imagination to Barnard Academy this year! What is Destination Imagination (DI)? It’s a non-profit group committed to developing innovative, project-based STEAM learning. Participants nationwide, and even globally, form teams ages Pre-K through college to work on solving a problem or “challenge.” Kids develop hands-on critical thinking, problem solving and interpersonal skills by working together to select and creatively complete the project. A sample challenge includes building a bridge made out of playing cards and duct tape that can survive a load test and tells a story about “bridging” two different elements. Teams may compete against one another nationally and even globally. This year’s sample challenges are attached. You can also check out the website here.

At Barnard Academy we will be offering a team for kids ages 4-7 after school through the winter. This team will not compete, but will work on the challenge each week starting in November and will present it to the community at the conclusion of the program in late March. We will be working with the After School program, so any 4-7 year olds in the after school program will be eligible to participate if they are interested; however, the program is open to all, so children do not have to be enrolled in After School care to participate. If there is enough parent and student interest, additional teams may be formed with older children and those may compete against other chapters in Vermont if desired.

Please take a moment to check out Destination Imagination and fill out the survey at the below link to indicate interest. Your feedback is much appreciated!

https://forms.gle/15VUtrvjDrMTLJM78

Best,

Amie Lennon

September Lunch Menu

Food Allergy Information:

BA staff follows the Food Allergy Action Plans set forth by individual medical caregivers and medical specialists. Due to severe life-threatening food allergies, Barnard Academy has adopted being peanut and egg free.

Any products containing peanuts or eggs (quiche, mayo, hard boiled eggs) are not permitted at Barnard Academy. We understand that this may be difficult to accomplish with children needing protein or specific items being their favorite food, but it is important for the safety of those children who suffer from these allergies to refrain from possible allergen exposure. There are alternatives to peanut butter such as Sunbutter, Wow Butter, and others. Viable sources of protein include yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, turkey, chicken and fish.

Per doctors’ orders, we also have specific areas/tables in specific classrooms and the Green Mountain room that are designated peanut, egg, and tree nut free, even though we don’t expect peanut and egg products to come in to the school. These tables get an extra stringent cleaning.

If you have any questions or concerns, please see THIS PAGE on our website and/or contact Jan McCann.

Testimonials

We love the family atmosphere that Barnard Academy has achieved, all the way from PreK through 6th grade.
The social studies education is our favorite thing at the school. The children learn through reading, pictures, ethnic foods prepared in class, ethnic clothing worn in class, dance…the list goes on. My children LOVE coming to school. Yeah!!
In Kindergarten the children were learning about bears. In the classroom, there was an actual live feed to the Smart Board of a mother bear and her baby cubs in hibernation. Incredible, the exposure our child is having at the school.
Our children are exposed to such wonderful educational trips such as the Boston Aquarium, Boston Museum of Science, and the Seacoast Science Center, just to name a few.
A lot of learning is hands-on. A bigger school probably can’t achieve that.
The teachers truly care. You feel this by how they show respect to our children.
The classes are small which allows our children to experience learning with a sense of one to one teaching.
“I love that it feels like a large family. You get to know everyone being at a small school.”

Dear Barnard Academy Families,

We want to officially welcome all of you to the 2019-2020 School Year!This is an exciting year for BA as we go into our third year of our Place-Based and STEAM Education initiatives. We know our students will enjoy our STEAM lab and Makerspaces, our Forest Fridays and other outdoor learning opportunities. We extend a warm welcome to our new preschool students and new families who have moved to the area from other regions and states. We look forward to building a vibrant community with you all.

The first day of school for students will be August 28th. Teachers will be available to talk with parents on August 26th at 5:30 pm. Hannah will be available to any Parent Committee members as well. Back to School Night will be Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 pm. During this session, teachers will hand out curriculum maps, go over their schedules, introduce the trimester calendar, talk about the Intervention/WIN plans for the year, etc.

Welcome to our new staff! Parents, when you see them, please introduce yourselves! Welcome to:
Shayna Kalnitsky-Instructional Coach
Patrick McDonough – PE
Emily Parsons — Spanish
Jan McCann– Nurse
Laurel Gould–Food Service Manager
Megan Balsh–Para educator

Below is more information for the school year:

Hot lunch
As most of you know, we have been able to finish our “receiving kitchen”— so our kids will eat hot, yummy food every day this year, starting on Sept. 3rd. Kids should bring peanut and egg free lunches until then. Our hot lunch program will be directed by Gretchen Czaja, who is the Director for all the Windsor Central Supervisory Union food programs. Look for a letter soon letting you know the details.

BA After School Program
Here is a message from Amy Wheeler, After School Director: Calling all parent volunteers! Do you have some creative project ideas you’d like to share with our kids in the after school program? After school is a fun, relaxed way for kids to spend a little extra time together – to have a snack, play outside and be creative. If you’d like to help out or contribute in any way, please contact Amy at [email protected]

The District has approved some new procedures and policies. All schools, including Barnard, will charge $16 per day per child, or $80 a week. Families will sign up and pay monthly in advance. Subsidies are available for qualifying families through the Department of Children and Families Bright Futures program. Information is available here online.
Please contact Amy Wheeler with any questions.

PreK 3&4’s
The district offers public preK for all three and four year olds. PreK students attend five mornings a week with optional extended day and after school programming. Additionally, Barnard offers full day, free (for in-district residents) PreK. We utilize the Vermont Early Learning Standards to provide students with an enriching, developmentally appropriate educational experience.

We are unable to offer bus transportation for PreK, so parents will need to arrange for drop off and pick up. PreK begins at 7:30, half day pick up is 11;30, full day is 2:30. PreK students may also attend the After School Program. Pre K registration is online at this link.

As always, if there are ways we can collaborate to best serve your child(ren), we want to hear from you. Please be in touch if you have questions, concerns, or ideas for us. We look forward to our continued partnership with families in making Barnard Academy a wonderful place to be!

Warmly,
Hannah

Destination Imagination!

September Lunch Menu

Food Allergy Information:

Testimonials

Principal’s Corner

School Calendar

Calendars