Barrington Public Schools

📚BARRINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS SELECTED FOR TEACH TO LEAD SUMMIT: Barrington Public Schools is one of 20 school districts across the country selected to attend the U.S. Department of Education's Teach to Lead Summit in Denver, Colorado, on October 27. At the Summit, a district team of Barrington educators will develop and refine a project aligned to the theme, "Raising the Bar: Elevating Educator Diversity to Enhance Educational Experiences." Teach to Lead is a partnership of the Department of Education, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), and Teach Plus. Designed and led by teachers, it is a reflection of the Department of Education's commitment to creating systemic and sustained change, investing in educators, and providing students with the learning experiences and academically rigorous education they deserve.

🏃‍♂️CROSS COUNTRY CAPTAINS SUPPORT COMMUNITY RACE: Sam Bishop and Brandon Piedade, co-captains of Barrington High School's cross country team, spent many hours this summer helping to organize the Barrington Woods Trail Race 5K, held on Saturday, August 26. Over the past few months, Sam and Brandon worked closely with BHS Athletics Director, Mr. George Finn, the Barrington Booster Club, RaceWire, and multiple race sponsors to bring the first ever (of, hopefully, many!) Barrington Woods Trail Race to fruition. Through their promotion and organization, nearly 100 Barrington community members registered for and participated in this high-quality racing event on the BHS cross country team's home course. Way to go, Sam and Brandon!

🏈BHS QUARTERBACK NAMED HOMETOWN SPORTS HERO: Barrington High School senior and Eagles Quarterback, Alex McClelland, has been named this week's Cardi's Furniture & Mattresses Hometown Sports Hero. The Hometown Sports Hero designation recognizes a student athlete's hard work and commitment to their sport, their team, and their community. Alex was also recognized for his football acumen last spring at the Cam Newton 7v7 Tournament, where he won MVP. This which earned him the opportunity to meet the tournament's sponsor, former NFL MVP, Cam Newton. Watch the WPRI spotlight from August 28 here: https://www.wpri.com/sports/hometown-hero-alex-mcclelland-barrington/?fbclid=IwAR3yC6LDuqM44GldqMON9zeCAVxCDuxufNV79jgHgeC-LdFw1bOhkJMpZUE The photo of Alex at Barrington High School was taken by Richard Dionne, Jr. for East Bay Media.

🌅BHS SENIOR SUNRISE: Barrington High School's Class of 2024 commenced the first full day of their senior year with unity and friendship! In this morning's earliest hours, the BHS Class of 2024 gathered on Victory Field for Senior Sunrise, a class activity celebrating the new year ahead. Unfortunately, the weather at sunrise was foggy and drizzly - but that didn't stop the school spirit or excitement for senior year.

🏫 FIRST DAY OF THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR: School is officially back in session! Today, August 28, marks the first day of the 2023-2024 school year for Barrington Public Schools students. Hallways and classrooms across the district have been buzzing with anticipation and excitement for what is sure to be a fantastic school year. We are thrilled to welcome new learners to our community and just as delighted to see familiar faces returning to our schools. BPS is proud to serve the children and families of our Barrington community. Every day, our district's schools are filled with enthusiastic and hard-working students, educators, and staff who continually put forth their best effort.

🎉BARRINGTON TEACHER OF THE YEAR 2023: Barrington Public Schools is proud to recognize Mrs. Connie Oswald, Grade 6 math teacher at Barrington Middle School, as the our 2023 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Oswald's dedication to the social, emotional, and academic development of her students and her commitment to inclusive instruction are inspiring. As an active member of both our BMS and BPS communities, Mrs. Oswald makes a difference in the lives of hundreds of middle schoolers, families, and faculty members every day. Congratulations, Mrs. Oswald, for being an outstanding and devoted educator! Thank you, Mrs. Roy and Mr. Moran, for capturing these pictures. #BPSsoars #BPS_RI #TOTY2023

🍎 BPS EDUCATORS START THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR: August 24 marked opening day of the 2023-2024 school year for Barrington Public Schools! Superintendent Messore and the Barrington School Committee kicked off the District's new school year this morning with a welcome address at Barrington Middle School. BPS educators also heard from speaker, Jayne Ellspermann, author of The Fundamental 5 Revisited: Exceptional Instruction in Every Setting. We are so excited for the first day of school on Monday, August 28. This is sure to be an incredible school year! #BPSsoars

🏀BHS STUDENT WINS ASFL CONTEST: On August 12, Barrington High School student and varsity basketball player, Matt Raffa, recently won the 2023 Rhode Island A Shot For Life Challenge and claimed the title of "Best Shooter in Rhode Island" at the ASFL event hosted at St. George's School in Middletown. The ASFL Challenge, a fundraiser to benefit brain cancer research, is a two hour basketball shooting contest meant to test the ability, endurance, and mental focus of high school participants. The player with the highest shooting percentage at the end of the event receives the title of best shooter in their state. A Shot For Life (ASFL) is a sports-based non-profit that funds health and cancer research initiatives though community events and activities. ASFL engages and unites communities, inspires hope and teaches community leadership. Learn more about A Shot for Life here: https://www.ashotforlife.org/

🦅EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT ENHANCES HMS PLAYGROUND: Hampden Meadows Elementary School students will return to school on Monday, August 28, with a new addition to the playground! Thanks to the vision of Barrington High School graduate, Aiden Pilipski '23, and the hard work of local Eagle Scouts, there is now a giant chess board for HMS students to play life-size chess and checkers games. Last week, Aiden organized and led a group of Scouts in constructing the board out of large stone pavers. What a wonderful sight to see former HMS Tigers working and laughing together in the hot August sun as they enhanced our Hampden Meadows community. Thank you, Aiden and Barrington Troop 2!

⭐️BMS RECEIVES NATIONAL BEST BUDDIES AWARD: Barrington Middle School Best Buddies was named National Middle School Chapter of the Year at this summer's Best Buddies International Leadership Conference held at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. During the conference's opening session on July 21, BMS Best Buddies was recognized for its commitment to fostering friendship, belonging, and inclusion in middle school. This award is the second chapter recognition BMS Best Buddies has received this year. Earlier this spring, BMS was named the 2023 Outstanding Middle School Chapter by Best Buddies Massachusetts & Rhode Island. Congratulations to BMS students who embody the mission of Best Buddies and to the administrators, staff advisors, and parents whose support of student organizations like Best Buddies enriches our students' middle school experience. Learn more about Best Buddies here: https://www.bestbuddies.org/mari/

📚NATIONAL SUMMER LEARNING WEEK: This week, July 10-14, is National Summer Learning Week! National Summer Learning Week celebrates the many ways children and youth can engage in new and continued learning over the summer break months. Our District recognizes the social, emotional, and educational benefits of summer learning. Our students and schools have been busy this July! Here are some resources to keep learning all summer long: Our Barrington Public Schools Summer Learning site has summer reading and learning activities for all students in the District, grouped by grade level, school, and subject: https://www.barringtonschools.org/o/page/summer-learning The Barrington Public Library's Summer Reading Challenge allows Barrington children and teens to earn virtual raffle tickets for reading books and completing book reviews now through August 18 to use toward prizes: https://barringtonlibrary.beanstack.org/reader365 The National Summer Learning Association's Discover Summer website has resources, activities, and access to local programs to keep children engaged all summer long: https://discoversummer.inplay.org/

⭐BMS BEST BUDDIES RECEIVES OUTSTANDING RECOGNITION: Barrington Middle School models a respectful, responsible, and inclusive learning community where all students can excel. Recently, BMS Best Buddies was recognized as the 2023 Outstanding Middle School Chapter by Best Buddies Massachusetts & Rhode Island. The award letter written from Best Buddies MARI states that BMS "epitomize[s] our mission of inclusion" with "incredible students that lead by example and show others what kindness and inclusion truly look like." Congratulations to BMS Best Buddies and to the administrators and staff whose support of student organizations like Best Buddies enriches our students' middle school experience. As a result of receiving this award, Barrington Middle School is being considered for national recognition. Recipients of national Best Buddies awards will be announced at next week's Best Buddies International conference in Indiana. Learn more about Best Buddies in Massachusetts and Rhode Island here: https://www.bestbuddies.org/mari/ This photo was taken by Julie Furtado for East Bay Media Group.

🎫NAYATT STUDENT WINS FEINSTEIN GOLDEN TICKET: Sienna, a student at Nayatt School, won the Feinstein Golden Ticket! As part of her win, Nayatt School and a non-profit organization of Sienna's choice both received grants from The Feinstein Foundation. Sienna selected Operation Stand Down Rhode Island (OSDRI), a non-profit dedicated to ending the cycle of veteran homelessness through outreach, advocacy, and wrap-around services, to receive a $500 Feinstein grant. She and her family volunteer with OSDRI and hope the donation will expand local awareness of this important cause. Congratulations, Sienna! Thank you to the Feinstein Foundation for such a generous gift.

🎊BMS BRIDGING CEREMONY: Flashback Friday to this year's Eighth Grade Bridging Ceremony! Two weeks ago today, Barrington Middle School celebrated the end of an era for Grade 8 students completing their middle school experience. Proud parents and families packed school grounds under sunny skies for the Bridging Ceremony. Even Taylor Swift made an appearance - through Dr. Anderson's insightful and inspiring send off speech. Congratulations to our BMS Class of 2023! We'll be cheering you on as you enter high school this fall.

☀️END OF SCHOOL YEAR SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE: Summer break is now in full swing, following the last day of school on Friday, June 23. Thanks to the hard work of our students, educators, staff, and administrators and the continued support of our parents, families, and Barrington community, Barrington Public Schools had an incredible 2022-2023 school year. This year, students, staff, and schools in our District have been recognized by organizations like Rhode Island Department of Education - RIDE, US Department of Education, National History Day, Rhode Island Interscholastic League, New England League of Middle Schools, National Blue Ribbon Schools Program, and more! Congratulations to our BPS community for a year well done. Have a safe and enjoyable summer! Read the full end-of-year message from Superintendent Messore here: https://www.barringtonschools.org/article/1162725

🎉HAMPDEN MEADOWS CELEBRATES FIFTH GRADERS: If you've been by Hampden Meadows Elementary School this week, you may have noticed some special front entry decorations. Each sign celebrates a fifth grader who is completing their elementary education today, June 23! Congratulations to Grade 5 for a year well done. The District is cheering you onto your next adventure: middle school!

🪁BPS YEAR END ACTIVITIES: As the school year winds down, students across the District are enjoying outdoor field day activities. Last week, Barrington Middle School's Lime Cluster had fun sack racing, playing Capture the Flag, and more! Barrington's four elementary schools also participated in exciting year end field day traditions, with each school hosting outdoor activities for students this week. This story was covered in the Barrington Times on June 15: https://www.eastbayri.com/barrington/stories/barrington-middle-school-students-focus-on-fun-at-field-day,113461 All photos were taken by Richard Dionne, Jr. for the Barrington Times.

🌳KINDERGARTEN ARTWORK ON DISPLAY: Nayatt School and Primrose Hill School kindergarten students and their families attended a special open house hosted by the Barrington Tree Commission on Tuesday, June 13. With their artwork on display in the Barrington Public Library's Collis Family Gallery, kindergarteners excitedly showed off their creations and participated in conservation-learning activities. Students even had the chance to vote on the types of trees they want to see added to the town's landscape! Learn more about conservation in Barrington here: https://www.barrington.ri.gov/174/Conservation-Commission

🎷BHS JAZZ ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE: Today, June 13, Primrose Hill Elementary School students and staff had the best seats in the building for a lively concert by the Barrington High School Jazz Ensemble. Highlights of this afternoon's performance included a cover of "Good Time" Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen and a phenomenal trombone solo. Thank you, Mrs. Hughes and the BHS Jazz Ensemble, for sharing your talents!

💼BMS CAREER DAY: Career Day returned to Barrington Middle School on Friday, June 9. Students in Grade 7 and Grade 8 experienced a full day of exploring how different career paths intersect with their interests and passions. Andrew "Mr. L" Lazouras, karate master and program director at Rocky Silva's American Karate, gave an inspiring keynote in the BMS auditorium to kick off Friday's event. Students spent time throughout the day learning from local professionals about various careers, including culinary and visual arts, and reflecting on what they learned. Career Day ended with a closing keynote from Matty Blake, Lite 105 morning co-host and host of The Curse of Oak Island: Drilling Down, and a musical performance by the band Wildflower. Career days are immersive learning experiences that help students connect their classroom learning to future paths and enable students to begin thinking about potential areas of interest. They also provide a supportive setting for students to practice their communication skills like public speaking and active listening. This year's Career Day would not have been possible without the hard work of BMS staff like Mrs. Poirier, Mrs. Nary, and Mrs. Nelson whose leadership and organization made this event such a success.