Barry Bulletin

October 19-28: Book Fair

October 21: 4pm @ Barry Collaborative Community Conversations with Dr. Drew White

October 26-28: Red Ribbon Week

October 28: Parent teacher Conferences 4pm-8pm

October 29: No School Parent Conferences all Day 8:30-4:00pm

October 30: NO SCHOOL End of Quarter

November 2: NO SCHOOL Staff Professional Learning

November 3: PTA meeting 5 PM

November 4: Spirit Night 4 to 8 PM @ Whataburger on Barry Road

November 11: Veterans Day Donut Reception 8:45am

Choir rehearsals take place at 8:00 AM on the following dates:

• October: 23rd

• November: 6th, 13th, 20th

• December: 4th, 11th (Celebration – Optional)

Performances:

• December 10th: Choir Concert at 6:30 PM

• Additional performances TBD

If your student cannot make a rehearsal, please email Ms. Ball at ball.ashley@pcr3schools.org.

Barry Elementary is looking for a dedicated and caring Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Paraprofessional for an immediate hire! In this role, you’ll work closely with classroom teachers to support our youngest learners, helping them grow, learn, and thrive in a positive, nurturing environment.

If you love working with kids and want to make a meaningful impact in our school community, we’d love to have you on board!

Interested in joining our team? Please contact Dr. Wheeler 816-436-9623!

Hiland Dairy is bringing fun new 2% reduced-fat milk options to school meals this year—with 37% less fat than whole milk and no artificial colors:

• Pumpkin Spice (Available in October) – Naturally flavored, 160 calories, 10g added sugar.

• Vanilla Shake (Available in January) – Naturally flavored, 10g added sugar.

• Cotton Candy (Available in April) – Fun flavor boost, 10g added sugar.

Device insurance for student devices has moved to a new system for the 2026-27 school year. Families who wish to participate must enroll by October 29 through your PowerSchool Parent Portal account.

• Enrollment Cost: $30 per student device
• Free/Reduced Meal Students: $0 enrollment cost
• How to Enroll: Log into your PowerSchool Parent Portal account and complete the Insurance Form under "Forms." Via the PowerSchool app, go to "More," then "Forms." The $30 enrollment fee will be collected within the form.

Discover exciting new stories, inspiring books, and unforgettable adventures at our upcoming Book Fair!

Event Dates & Hours

• October 19–27: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM

• October 28: 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM

How to Participate

• Set Up an eWallet: Give your student a secure, cashless way to shop at the fair.

• Share the Fair: No kid should leave the Fair empty-handed! Consider contributing to Share the Fair, our school's giving program that helps buy new books for students in need.

Visit the Barry Elementary Scholastic Book Fair Webpage to set up an eWallet, view available titles, or donate.

To show our support, students and staff are invited to participate in our Dress-Down Days:

• Monday, October 26: PJ / Comfy Day — Wear your favorite comfortable pajamas or loungewear.

• Tuesday, October 27: Anything But a Backpack Day — Bring your school supplies in any safe, creative container other than a standard backpack.

• Wednesday, October 28: Sports Day — Wear any piece of sports gear or athletic apparel.

The 12th annual Yuletide Market is scheduled for 9am to 2pm on Saturday, November 7 at Platte City Middle School to benefit the PCHS Music Parents Association. The Yuletide Market features local crafters, artisans, and direct sales consultants.

Barry Elementary (Nov. 11): We invite all veterans and active-duty family members to join us for our Veterans Donuts Reception on November 11, 2025, at 8:45 a.m. Either bring or we will call down your student and enjoy a donut with them while our school choir performs in your honor!

This school year, we are updating our elementary standards-based scoring guide from a 1-4 scale to five categories: Not Yet (NY), Developing (D), Approaching (A), Proficient (P) and Exceeding (E). These categories provide a clearer picture of where students are in their learning and what they need to continue growing.

A student’s proficiency level is based on evidence gathered through multiple assessments and learning experiences over time, not simply an accumulation of points or assignment grades. Teachers consider the most consistent and recent evidence to determine a student’s current understanding and ability to demonstrate grade-level standards.

Our goal is to provide families with meaningful information about student progress, celebrate growth, and help every learner continue moving forward.

Visit our Grading Practices - Elementary page for parent guides for each grade-level report card as well as answers to other frequently asked grading questions.

Tuesday, November 3 – – PTA meeting – – 5 PM

Wednesday, November 4 – what a burger spirit night – 4 to 8 PM at Whataburger on Barry Road

Did you know Barry Elementary had the BEST ATTENDANCE PERCENTAGE in all of Platte County?! That’s something to be proud of, Pirates! Now let’s keep that streak going this school year!

Cold and flu season is creeping in, and Barry PTA is ready to help our classrooms stay stocked and ready to fight those germs!

KLEENEX? BRING IT ON!
CLOROX WIPES? LOAD ’EM UP!
HAND SANITIZER? PUMP UP THE PROTECTION!

GRADE-LEVEL CHALLENGE: The grade that collects the most supplies per student wins a POPSICLE PARTY!

CLASSROOM CHALLENGE: The classroom with the highest percentage of supplies collected based on its class size wins Germ Buster Champion bragging rights and a special treat!

The supply drive will occur Monday, October 19th through Thursday, October 29th!

Simply have your student bring in supplies and place them in the designated drop boxes labeled with their teacher’s name and grade. To keep things fair and friendly, there’s no need to write your student’s name on the supplies! You can also drop off supplies during parent-teacher conferences!

Let’s stock those classrooms, kick germs to the curb, and keep our Pirates healthy and showing up ready to LEARN! Every box and every bottle helps!

Volunteer Opportunities

Want to make a bigger impact at Barry? We'd love your help!

We're still looking for volunteers to serve on several event committees and help us create memorable experiences for our students and staff. Whether you can give a little time or take on a larger role, there's a place for you on our team. Interested in learning more or signing up? Click the volunteer link below and join us in making this an amazing year at Barry!

2026-2027 Barry PTA Committee and Chairs Sign Up

Little routines can make a big difference in keeping our families healthy!

Wash at the transitions. Make handwashing part of the rhythm of the day, when you get home, before eating, after using the bathroom, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Scrub with soap and water for about 20 seconds.

Make handwashing a reset. Those 20 seconds are also a great time for kids to slow down, take a breath, and think: How am I feeling? What do I need next?

Change out of the day. After school, sports, or other busy activities, changing into clean clothes can be a simple way to feel fresh and keep the day’s dirt outside of beds and cozy spaces.

Give winter gear a wash. Wash coats, hats, scarves, and gloves regularly, especially when visibly dirty or after illness.

Cover coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow, throw tissues away, and wash your hands afterward.

Keep water flowing. Staying well hydrated supports the body and helps keep the mouth and throat comfortable.

Protect sleep. Consistent bedtimes and plenty of sleep give growing bodies the rest they need.

Feed the immune system. Offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, protein foods, whole grains, and calcium-rich foods throughout the week.

Remember the toothbrush. Replace toothbrushes about every 3 months, or sooner when the bristles become frayed or after sickness.

Let fresh air in when you can. Improving ventilation and spending time outdoors can help reduce the buildup of respiratory germs indoors.

Stay home when truly sick. Rest and recovery protect your child and help protect classmates and staff, too.

Thank you!

Make sure your student is prepared for the school year! When kids are covered through MO HealthNet, they receive coverage for vital services, including:

• Doctor visits and emergency care

• Dental care

• Mental health services

• And more!

Enrollment & Assistance:

• Enroll Online Now: Visit the official website at mydss.mo.gov—their health is worth it!

• For Application Help: Call 1-800-466-3213.

The Platte County Health Department, in partnership with Harvesters - Community Food Network, is providing a Mobile Food Distribution event to offer fresh food for those in need. This drive-thru event is held on the Second Thursday of each month, running from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.. Everyone is welcome, and no proofs are required, though supplies last. The distribution takes place at the Platte County Health Department, located at 7925 NW 110th St., Kansas City, MO. For the latest updates, be sure to follow the Platte County Health Department on Facebook and Instagram.

The Platte County R-3 Treasure Chest is a stocked resource center providing essential items, including food, milk, and toiletries, for PCR-3 students and families in need.

How to Access the Treasure Chest:

• Enrollment: Qualifying families will receive a weekly sign-up form via email, or they can call 816-858-7001 for assistance.

• Pick-up: Approved families will receive an email confirmation and can pick up resources on Wednesdays from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

• Location: The new Treasure Chest site is located on the south side of the Paxton building.

Please log in to your Parent Portal (via a browser, not the app) to review balances and add funds by selecting Balance in the left menu and clicking the green Make a Payment button.

Thank you for being a part of our school community! When visiting for lunch, please observe the following expectations:

• Only invite your specific children to eat with you.

• Help your children follow the lunchroom expectations that the rest of the cafeteria is asked to follow, such as remaining at the table until their class is dismissed.

• When you have finished your lunchtime, please return directly to the front office.

  • Do not make rounds through the cafeteria to greet other students. A wave goodbye is encouraged!

You can make online payments for meals and student fees using the Parent Portal via a web browser (this feature is not available on the mobile app).

Follow these steps to make a payment:

1. From the Parent Portal start page, click "Balance" from the left-hand navigation menu.

2. Your student's Meals balances and any applied fees will be displayed.

3. Click the green "Make a Payment" button. This will take you to our online payment system.

4. You can then make a one-time payment to add funds to your student's meals account and/or pay any applied fees.

Parents can use Parent Portal (www.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/parents/parent_portal) to keep up to date on grades and assignments (for students in grades 6-12), attendance, and make meal and fee payments (Go to "Balances" once logged into Parent Portal).

• Click here for Guide to Parent Portal.
  

New parents who have not received their PowerSchool Access ID and Password should contact our school for assistance.

For comprehensive information regarding school cancellations or modifications due to inclement weather, including how the District notifies parents, details about recess, Y Club, and Virtual Learning Days, please visit the Platte County Schools website.

Visitors entering the building are always required to bring an ID. Your identification will be scanned into the safety system used by Platte County to ensure the security and well-being of our students.

We ask that students be checked out NO LATER than 3:15 PM.

This early deadline is important because:

• Dismissal is our busiest time in the building.

• It ensures our dismissal team has enough time to be informed of changes.

Please Note: Any check-out before the 3:50 PM final bell will be recorded as an early dismissal on your student's attendance record.

Students are not allowed to order or have deliveries (including food) sent to them at school.

Outside food is only permitted if the visitor is staying to eat lunch with the student.

For the safety of all students, parents and guardians must accompany their child to the front office when the student is arriving late.

• Dropping students off at the front door is a safety concern.

• If a student arrives without a parent/guardian, we will be reaching out and requesting you return to complete the check-in process.

Parents can use the PowerSchool Parent Portal to keep up to date on grades and assignments (for students in grades 6–12), attendance, and to make meal and fee payments. To access the portal, click here: Platte County PowerSchool Parent Portal. Once logged in, go to the "Balances" section to process payments. For full directions and a guide to using the portal, please click here: PowerSchool Parent Portal Guide (Updated 2025).

New parents who have not yet received their PowerSchool Access ID and Password should contact the school for assistance.

PCR-3 uses School Messenger, an automated phone calling and text notification system, to quickly inform parents of important changes, such as:

• Sudden schedule changes due to emergencies

• School cancellations

• Important school announcements

How to Receive Text Reminders:

If you are not currently receiving the District’s text notifications and would like to opt in, follow this simple step:

• Text the word "YES" to the number 67587.

Safety is our District's top priority. PCR-3 has a system of safety and security measures in place, including trained security staff, secure entryways, ongoing monitoring, and partnership with local law enforcement.

We remind parents, staff, and students that school safety is the responsibility of the entire school community. Please follow the principle of "see something, say something." If anyone (student, parent, staff member, community member) sees or hears anything of concern, please contact the District office at (816) 858-5420 so that those concerns can be investigated. You and your child can also easily report tips on bullying, harassment, or any safety issue you're concerned about through our online Safe Schools Alert system. Every tip is immediately logged in the system and our administration is notified so that they can investigate and take appropriate action. Each building's website has the Safe Schools icon located within the “quick links” bar on the homepage.

Safety is our District's top priority. PCR-3 maintains a system of security measures, including:

• Trained Security Staff: Now present at every building following the passage of the Prop C Waiver/Levy Transfer.

• Secure Entryways

• Ongoing Monitoring

• Partnership with Local Law Enforcement

School safety is the responsibility of the entire community (parents, staff, and students). If you see or hear anything of concern, please contact us so that the concern can be investigated:

• District Office Phone: Call (816) 858-5420.

You and your child can also easily report tips on bullying, harassment, or any safety issue through our online system.

• Online Reporting: Use the confidential [Safe Schools Alert System] to report tips. Every tip is immediately logged and administration is notified to investigate and take appropriate action. Tips may also be submitted anonymously.

• Access: You can find the Safe Schools icon within the “quick links” bar on the homepage of each building's website.

Regular school day office hours run from 8:15am - 4:15pm.

• Students can enter the building- 8:30 a.m.
• Official start of school- 8:45 a.m.
• Dismissal- Car Riders and Y-Club-3:35 p.m.
• Dismissal-Bus Riders- 3:50 p.m.

Principal: Kacie Ambrose

Email: ambrose.kacie@pcr3schools.org

Assistant Principal: Dr. Mindy Wheeler

Email: wheeler.mindy@pcr3schools.org

Website: https://barry.plattecountyschooldistrict.com/

Location: 2001 Northwest 87th Terrace, Kansas City, MO, USA