October 2026

Students in ELA focused on analyzing how characters influence one another’s growth and using textual evidence to develop a written response.

Ms. Scalisi facilitated an engaging and well-organized handball lesson that provided students with opportunities to develop both physical skills and teamwork.

In this hands-on laboratory experiment, students collaborated in pairs to engineer and test two distinct sizes of paper airplanes, investigating how scale impacts overall flight distance. Guided by the Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) scientific framework, students actively explored the core principles of aerodynamics. Through trial measurements and observation, they analyzed how a plane's flight trajectory and distance depend entirely on the balance between four fundamental aerodynamic forces: thrust, gravity, lift, and drag.

Orchestra students are bringing energy and enthusiasm to the classroom as they learn the lively “Can-Can”! Students are developing their bowing technique, rhythm, coordination, and ensemble skills while working together to bring this iconic piece to life.

Students are currently exploring potential and kinetic energy through a hands-on catapult engineering challenge. Working as engineers, students designed and built their own catapults, launched projectiles, and measured the distance traveled. Through this investigation, students observed how stored potential energy can be transformed into kinetic energy, using their measurements and observations to better understand the relationship between energy and motion.

As part of our healthy environment focus, the 5th grade learned about Monarch Butterflies and their amazing migration to Mexico for the winter. Students participated in a Symbolic Butterfly Migration by decorating a life-sized paper butterfly with messages they wrote in Spanish. The butterflies will be mailed to students in Mexico who will take care of them for the winter. In the spring, we will receive back paper butterflies from all over North America that spent the winter in the classrooms in Mexico!

Our school counselors, Mrs. Heim and Mr. Arena, have been making the rounds to welcome and connect with all of our new 5th grade students! Students are meeting with their school counselors and completing a short survey to help us learn more about their interests, strengths, and goals. We’re excited to get to know our newest students and support them as they begin this new chapter!

Our 5th grade students enjoyed a fun-filled Team Building Day focused on collaboration and communication. Through engaging challenges and activities, students worked together, encouraged their teammates, and discovered the importance of listening, problem-solving, and supporting one another.

Our 5th grade students participated in a Better Together Assembly featuring inspiring stories of young people from around the world who demonstrated courage, kindness, and perseverance. Students reflected on how they, too, can make a positive difference in their school and community.

Better Together is a joint initiative of the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education and the Haverstraw African American Connection, focused on building community and addressing racism, antisemitism, and all forms of hate through dialogue and understanding. Following each monthly assembly, students can continue the conversation through the Better Together after-school club.

Hello Families,

A Veteran of the United States is someone who has served on active duty in the Armed Forces, Public Health Service, and/or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Veteran must have earned any character of discharge other than dishonorable. Each Veterans Day, we honor the service and sacrifice of all Veterans - living and deceased. There are about 18 million Veterans living among us, in every state and territory and from every walk of life.

Students in our school may be the relative of a Veteran. We would like to invite those Veterans to join us for a luncheon on November 6, 2026. Our honored guests will be served lunch by students while engaging in discussions and answering student questions.

This opportunity will allow our students to learn more about the role our brave Veterans have played in shaping US history, past to present.

If you are a Veteran parent/guardian, or Veteran relative of a current A. MacArthur Barr Middle School student, and want to join us on November 6th, between 10:15 AM - 12:45 PM, please complete this form by October 30th. Assistant principal, Khris Arvanites, a United States Air Force Veteran, will contact you with additional details.

With Gratitude,

The A. MacArthur Barr Middle School Veterans Day Committee

Barr Middle School’s 5th and 6th graders enjoyed a spooktacular evening at the annual Halloween Howl! Planned and organized by the Barr PTA and brought to life by dedicated PTA members and parent volunteers, the event provided students with an evening of fun, games, music, treats, and plenty of Halloween spirit. We are so grateful to our PTA and parent volunteers for creating such a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect, celebrate, and build community together!

Our Barr staff received a wonderful surprise when 7 Brews Coffee generously donated coffee and drinks for all staff members! This thoughtful gesture was selflessly arranged by a parent in our school community, and it was such a special way to show appreciation for our incredible staff. A heartfelt thank you to Ms. Anser for making this happen and to 7 Brews Coffee for helping brighten our day! We are so grateful for the kindness and support of our Barr community. 💛🖤

Our Student Leadership students are spreading kindness and making a difference in our community through their Blessing Baskets initiative. Details can be found below: