District Newsletter April, 2026

~Mission~

We empower our community of learners in a safe and supportive environment to nurture compassion, cultivate curiosity, and inspire innovation.

~Vision~

The Barrington School District strives to be a community learning and growing together; giving students roots and wings.

Growing Together: Monthly District Updates

April 24, 2026

Superintendent’s Spotlight

Hello Barrington Families,

It’s hard to believe we are entering the final stretch of the 2025–2026 school year. The weeks have moved quickly, and while our educators and administrators are focused on finishing strong, they are also already planning for continued growth in the year ahead. With approximately six and a half weeks remaining, there is still important work to be done.

May and June are always busy months, filled with end-of-year assessments, transitions, and celebrations. Consistency during this time is critical to a successful close to the school year. We appreciate your partnership in maintaining steady routines at home—regular sleep, a healthy breakfast, and daily encouragement all make a meaningful difference. Taking a few moments each evening to talk with your child about the importance of finishing the year strong, including state assessments, reinforces the value of their effort and perseverance.

State assessment results provide one publicly reported measure of our work. While our academic outcomes have remained relatively flat in recent years, we are committed to improving. Our focus on strengthening reading, writing, and mathematics remains unwavering. We will continue to reflect on our practices, make necessary adjustments, and hold ourselves accountable to ensuring every student is supported in reaching their full potential.

Thank you to all who completed the recent building surveys. Your feedback is invaluable. As we begin reviewing the data following April break, early trends suggest opportunities to strengthen communication in certain areas, as well as to increase academic rigor and depth. We will share key themes and corresponding action steps once the review process is complete. We are equally appreciative of the many positive comments recognizing the dedication and impact of our staff.

At the April 7, 2026 School Board meeting, the date for the Grade 8 Celebration was confirmed. This event will take place on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, on the Barrington Middle School soccer field, weather permitting. Additional details will be shared directly by the middle school.

Due to two snow days this winter, the last day of school is now Wednesday, June 17, 2026, and will be an early release day. Families have asked why snow days are made up despite meeting required instructional hours. The School Board and I remain committed to preserving the full 178-day school calendar whenever possible. Consistent instructional time supports both academic progress and the social development that is integral to the student experience. While there are circumstances where days may be waived—typically in years with significant weather disruptions extending the school year—our general approach is to maintain the continuity and integrity of the academic program.

Reminders and Repeated Information

The Barrington Community is invited to participate in the 31st Annual Peeper 5K Walk/Run on May 2 at 9:00 a.m. This event supports scholarships for Barrington students and is a wonderful opportunity for community engagement.

2026 — The 31st Annual Peeper 5K Walk/Run — Race Roster — Registration, Marketing, Fundraising s

The approved 2026–2027 school calendar is available on the district website. Please note adjustments at the start of the year due to the timing of Labor Day, as well as the reduction of two early release days.
Grade 4 families are reminded to submit residency documentation as soon as possible if you have not already done so.
The New Hampshire Department of Education has released a Diabetes Toolkit to support students and families. This resource is available on the district website under the Wellness tab and through the NHED website.
School Board meetings remain open to the public and are accessible live or via recording through WebEx. We encourage all community members to stay informed and engaged.

While the start of spring has been cool and rainy, longer days and warmer weather are ahead. We hope the April break provides your family with an opportunity for rest, connection, and time together.

Finally, when we return from break, we will celebrate Educator Appreciation Week. I encourage you to take a moment to recognize the dedication, care, and professionalism of our staff. Their daily commitment to your children and this community is both evident and deeply valued.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Deannah Rae

Superintendent

drae@sau74.org

Curriculum and Instruction

ELA Curriculum Update

Select teachers in grades K-4 began piloting a new ELA program in April. Being a Reader is part of Collaborative Classroom’s ELA program that includes Being a Reader and Being a Writer. The initial feedback from teachers is very positive and students are enjoying the stories and vocabulary routines.

NH Statewide Assessment (SAS)

Once we return from break, students in grades 3–8 will take the New Hampshire Statewide Assessment (SAS). This assessment plays an important role in helping us understand how students are progressing and where we can continue to grow as a district.

This year’s schedule spreads out the assessments so that students take no more than one test per week and shortens testing sessions across multiple days to better align with developmentally appropriate testing conditions. We have also established a timeline for test practice to ensure that students are familiar with the testing platform and expectations.

The SAS provides detailed information about student learning in specific skill areas, allowing teachers to adjust instruction and better meet student needs. We encourage all students to participate in the assessment. When more students take part, we gain a clearer and more accurate picture of learning across our schools. This information, along with classroom assessments, helps teachers refine instruction and support every student’s growth.

Professional Development Update

In March, we hosted a professional development day including sessions on Portrait of a Learner, Vertical Math, Special Education, Writing Process at BMS, UA Collaboration, SEL work, and Site Visits. Staff responded to the survey for feedback, the administrative team reviewed and synthesized the information, and reported back to staff on strengths and weaknesses of each session and the day overall. We are using this information to plan the next May professional development day.

Curriculum Coordinator

Emily Sherman

Curriculum Coordinator

esherman@sau74.org

Student Services

Spring is starting to make an appearance—it’s a nice change of pace this time of year.

I wanted to share a quick update about our Extended School Year (ESY) program. We’re still working through the final details and expect to have everything finalized over the upcoming vacation. Once we return from break, we’ll be sure to send along more complete information so you know exactly what to expect.

For now, here are the key dates and times to keep in mind:

July 13 – August 6
Kindergarten: 8:30–11:00 AM
Grades 1–7: 8:30–11:30 AM

Thanks so much for your patience while we wrap things up. We’re looking forward to offering a great ESY program this summer!

I hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable break, and we’ll be in touch soon with more details.

Katie Kukesh

Director of Student Services

kkukesh@sau74.org

Technology

Technology Report from the April 21,2026 School Board Meeting

Online New Student Registration

Hello Barrington Families.

The New Student Online Registration for the 2026/2027 school year went live on March 1st for Preschool and Kindergarten. Please contact the ECLC to receive the link. For Elementary and Middle school, the link is posted on the website.

***IMPORTANT***

If your student is already enrolled in the Barrington School District, you will be sent a link via email to verify/review your registration information the second week in August.

For NEW 2025/2026 (current school year) registration, please contact the school below.

Preschool and Kindergarten - 603-664-5586.

For Elementary school - 603-664-2641

For Middle school - 603-664-2127

Tech Update: Giving Our MacBooks a Second Life

We are excited to share a new sustainability initiative that maximizes our district’s technology investment! Instead of recycling our fleet of 9-year-old MacBooks, the IT department is transforming them into high-performing Chromebooks.

How It Works

Using Google’s new Chrome OS Flex software, we are repurposing hardware that is in excellent physical condition but no longer supported by Apple updates. While these devices can no longer run the latest macOS, their internal components are more than powerful enough to deliver a fast, secure, and modern Chrome OS experience.

Benefits to Our Classrooms and Budget

This project allows the district to be both environmentally conscious and fiscally responsible:

Extended Lifespan: We expect to gain an additional 3 to 4 years of service from this equipment.
Enhanced Instruction: These refurbished units will serve as dedicated classroom projector computers, freeing up teachers' primary laptops for instructional planning and multitasking.
Unbeatable Value: By extending the total life of these MacBooks to 13 years, the district achieves an incredible total cost of ownership of approximately $60 per year per device.

We are proud to find creative solutions that keep powerful tools in the hands of our educators while stretching every taxpayer dollar!

Have a great spring break!!

Jeff DeLangie Sr.

Director of Technology

jdelangie@sau74.org

Facilities

Facilities Update:

Dear Community,

Spring is officially here, and our facilities and grounds teams are firing on all cylinders! From essential infrastructure upgrades to preparing our fields for game day, here is a quick look at what’s happening across the district this week.

Septic Design Plans:

The septic design for BES has been submitted to the state for approval.

🎵 BES Band Concert Setup (This Thursday!)

The stage is being set for our talented musicians! Our team will be setting up the auditorium and stage areas for the Brighton Elementary School Band Concert happening this Thursday, March 28.

Expect some extra hustle and bustle around the performance spaces as we arrange seating, optimize acoustics, and test lighting to ensure our students shine. Don't forget to grab your seats early!

🥍 New Equipment Shed for Girls Field Hockey & Lacrosse

Fantastic news for our athletes! Installed on the upper field is a brand-new, equipment shed. This new space will provide secure, weather-proof storage for our Girls Field Hockey and Lacrosse teams, making gear management seamless for both players and coaching staff.

☀️ ECLC Heat Mat Repairs Slated for Next Week

We are going to be repairing one of the heat mats on the roof at the ECLC. We will also be inspecting and checking exhaust fans and other rubber areas. We are just waiting on the remaining material and will get this taken care of directly.

🌱 On the Horizon: Fields, Mowing, and Paint

With the weather warming up, our maintenance crew is shifting into to getting our outdoor spaces looking great. Over the next few days, you'll see our teams out in full force handling:

Mowing & Trimming: Keeping the grass at optimal athletic lengths across all campuses.
Field Painting: Precision lining and painting for the lacrosse fields to prep for upcoming home games.