Paw Prints

"Paw Prints" has been created to provide families and staff with information regarding upcoming events, happenings, and programs at Barlow Mountain Elementary School.

Please take time every other week to review the important information included in our newsletter.

Dear BMES Community,

As we enter December, we are excited to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week. We are incredibly proud to be an inclusive school where every student feels welcome, supported, and valued.

This is an exciting time of year at BMES! Between the learning in our classrooms and fun events like our upcoming Spirit Days, there is a wonderful energy throughout the building.

Please note a few important updates:

• Progress Reports: The new progress reports will be ready to access on December 15th.

• Dismissal Procedures: Please take a moment to read the very important reminders below regarding dismissal. With upcoming winter holiday parties and school events, strict adherence to these procedures is essential to keep our students safe and dismissal running smoothly.
  
  

Since this will be our last newsletter until the new year, we want to wish everyone a great holiday season and a restful winter break. We look forward to seeing you in 2026!

Warmly,

Becky & Caitlin

This week, December 8th through the 12th, BMES is proud to celebrate Inclusive Schools Week! This year’s theme, "Children First," is rooted in the powerful Maasai greeting Casserian Engeri, which translates to "And how are the children?" This reminds us that the well-being of our children reflects the health and future of our entire community. Throughout the week, we will be highlighting how we can ensure every student feels seen, heard, and valued.

We have many special activities planned, including morning meeting activities and topics of discussion, and a display of books in our library centered around inclusivity and diversity. To cap off our celebration, we invite all students and staff to wear orange on Friday, December 12th to show our support for our inclusive school community!

The elementary progress reports have been updated to align with the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics, Next Generation Science Standards, and Connecticut Social Studies Standards. The Essentials Curriculum is aligned with national standards. The reports connect with Ridgefield Public Schools’ mission to provide engaging, relevant, and personalized learning experiences.

A team of administrators and teachers worked together to create the new reporting system, which includes best practices from the field and feedback from parent focus groups. It aims to provide families with information on student progress toward specific grade-level standards in grades K-5, three times a year. To determine a student’s progress in each skill area, teachers use a variety of evidence, including classwork, hands-on activities, assessments, projects, and observations. Learn more on the Progress report webpage and listen to Elementary Director Linda Johnson and principals Jill Katkocin and Becky Laus on the Curriculum webpage, or by clicking below. The Progress report webpage is also available on each elementary school website. Reports will be available in PowerSchool Parent Portal on December 15th.

Progress reports provide families with information regarding student progress in achieving specific grade-level standards for grades K-5. Click on the image below to access a guide that includes a description of a student’s growth in academic achievement, social-emotional learning, and learning dispositions. The information in this guide is a sample. Your child’s progress report will include more detailed explanations and personalized comments from teachers. To determine a student’s progress in each skill area, teachers use a variety of evidence, including classwork, hands-on activities, assessments, projects, and observations.

To learn how to access your child's progress report in PowerSchool, scroll down to "How to Access the Elementary Progress Report" on the Elementary Progress Report Page for step-by-step directions and video instructions.

4th and 5th grade inventors join us on Monday afternoons this winter to:

Before registering, please review calendar and guidelines. Click here to register by Friday, December 12th.

Given the high volume of School Dismissal Exceptions (SDM) on event days - such as for the December parties - changes made after the 1:00pm SDM cutoff cannot be accommodated on the day of an event. There will be no exception outside of an emergency. After 3:30pm, the only option is to use the car line during the regular dismissal time.

Parents, please follow these steps in advance of a school event:

• If you plan to take your child with you from the event, please choose the Leaving Early, Not Coming Back Exception in SDM. *In SDM, please note your name and the event you will be attending.
• If you would like to take siblings early as well, please choose the Leaving Early, Not Coming Back Exception in SDM.

• You must sign your child(ren) out with security.\

• If you will be entering the building for an event, fill out the BMES Visitor Form at least 24 hours in advance.

To ensure the safety of everyone, any adult entering the building during school hours—whether for a meeting, classroom event, library helper shift, or other visit—must complete the visitor form (found below) before arriving. An appointment is also required for all visits. When you arrive, please remember to bring a valid photo ID.

• Monday, December 8th - A Day
  
• Tuesday, December 9th - B Day
  
• Wednesday, December 10th - C Day
• Thursday, December 11th - D Day
  Shortened Day for Students - Staff PD
• Friday, December 12th - E Day
  Spirit Day - Wear Orange to Show Support for Inclusive Schools
• Monday, December 15th - F Day
  Progress Reports Available to Parents
  
• Tuesday, December 16th - A Day
  
• Wednesday, December 17th - B Day
  Spirit Week Begins!
  Students Dress Like Teachers, Teachers Dress Like Students
• Thursday, December 18th - C Day
  Winter White Out Day
• Friday, December 19th - D Day
  Ugly Sweater Day
• Monday, December 22nd - E Day
  Wear Green for Grinch Day
• Tuesday, December 23rd - F Day
  Shortened Day - Winter Break Begins
  Pajama Day
• Monday, January 5th - A Day
  Winter Break Ends

A HUGE Thank You to Martha Hegley and all of our staff and parent volunteers

for making our first ever STEAM night a great success!

Barlow Gala on Tap

The Redding Roadhouse in Redding

Click here for your Gala tickets

BMES families are invited to a FREE afternoon of bowling.
Spins Bowling Carmel
Tues 12/30 from 3-5 PM

Click here to RSVP
Registration is required and is capped at 100 bowlers, so please sign up soon! Register the number of children who will be participating (adults who are spectating only do not need to be counted).

Please note this is not a drop off event and all children must be chaperoned at all times.

Email: rlaus@ridgefieldps.net
Website: https://bmes.ridgefield.org/
Location: 115 Barlow Mountain Road, Ridgefield, CT, USA
Phone: 203-894-5800