Barnard Elementary will begin the End of Year assessment window for 2-8 students with the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test. The NWEA MAP assessments are used to measure your student’s progress or growth in school. They are important to teachers because they keep track of progress and growth in basic skills. The NWEA tests are also critical because they are reflective of our school's overall progress and are a key indicator in the Chicago Public School system of how Barnard students are fairing in comparison to other schools in the district. Therefore, we are encouraging families to discuss these important tests with your students and ensure that children are getting appropriate rest, keeping up with their school work, and maintaining perfect and on-time attendance. We will publish the testing schedule this week on our website for your reference, but we also encourage your to look over the NWEA Parent Toolkit.

Prior to testing this week, students in 6-8 grades will participate in one-on-one data discussions with Mrs. Burns, Ms. Denne or Mr. MacMahon to set goals and reflect on areas of focus and improvement. These discussions may also be available for 3-5 students if time allows.

Barnard 8th grade students will be taking the EXPLORE test on May 14th and 15th. The EXPLORE program prepares eighth- and ninth-graders for their high school coursework and their post–high school choices. EXPLORE tests have content similar to the PLAN and the ACT. More parent information on this test can be accessed on the ACT/EXPLORE website.

We want to remind you to consider this test as an important indicator for student college readiness. High schools use EXPLORE results for placement and college and career planning. Data from this test is also used to measure your school's effectiveness in preparing students for high school and beyond. We ask that you help your student by preparing them with plenty of rest, focusing on school work, and ensuring that your child attends school every day and arrives on time.

The Chicago Public Schools have extended the application deadine for the Pre-K Ready to Learn program to May 24th! Join the Barnard tradition of exceptional Early Childhood education by applying for your child today! Click here to access more information!

Come to our Kindergarten Open House Friday, May 17th from 10:30 am to 11:30 am, open to all families in the Barnard attendance area. Our Ms. Carroll has established an exceptional Kindergarten program at Barnard and has been and outstanding educator here for nearly 20 years! Our Barnard kindergarteners all receive a strong Common Core based foundation in Reading and Math in a warm and nurturing environment. Click here to access the flyer on the Barnard website.

After a few scheduling glitches, the Fresh Moves Mobile Produce Market is set to be here on Thursday, May 9th at 2:45. We have been assured that the van will indeed arrive. We apologize for any confusion from the previously schedule we relayed to you for last week. We are told that our new time is confirmed and we hope to be enjoying fresh, healthy snacks with Barnard children and parents this Thursday!

Many of you have taken the "My Voice, My School" survey at home or at report card pick up day. If you haven't we urge you to do so, as it provides us with valuable feedback on how we are doing and where we need to improve. We are aiming for 100% of our parents to take this survey by mid May. It only takes about 10 minutes and is accessible online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ps-english. THANK YOU!

Thanks for everyone's great feedback on our current schedule. We are continuing to publish the daily schedule to keep parents and students up to date. Please use this link to access our daily schedule as well as download the rotation schedule document.

Since 2003, the Beverly Breast Cancer Walk has grown from 282 walkers with proceeds of $14,220 to over 10,000 walkers with proceeds over $500,000 in 2012. Many from the Barnard family not only participate in this walk, but staff members like Ms. Carroll (Kindergarten) and Ms. Moriarty (former Barnard clerk), have organized and managed the walk since its inception! Click here for more information.

Our Virtual Open Mic will be showcasing selected students works that reflect the foundations of the IB learner. New pieces will be added in the future, so please visit our growing showcase of phenomenal work from our outstanding students on our website.

Monday: ILT Meeting - 3:15 pm

Wednesday: Half Day (Students attend until 11:30)

Thursday: Fresh Moves Mobile Produce at Barnard - 2:45 pm