Raising the "Barr" Newsletter - 6/8 - 6/26

A. MacArthur Barr Mission Statement

Preparing and inspiring students to apply learning in a changing, complex, and interdependent world.

Best Wishes

Dear Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

As we reach the end of another remarkable school year, we want to thank each of you for the dedication, resilience, and spirit you brought to our community every day. Together, we celebrated achievements, embraced challenges, and created lasting memories that reflect the strength of our school.

To our students, congratulations on all you have accomplished through your hard work and perseverance. To our families, thank you for your partnership and support. And to our faculty and staff, thank you for your unwavering commitment to helping every student learn and grow.

We hope the summer months provide time to rest, recharge, and enjoy moments with family and friends. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting year filled with new opportunities and continued success.

Wishing you a safe, happy, and relaxing summer.

Sincerely,

Michelle O'Sullivan, Latoya Oates & Khris Arvanites

Curriculum & Instruction

Teamwork News Broadcast

Students recently completed a collaborative news broadcast project as the culminating activity for a workshop focused on teamwork. Students worked together to develop topics, write scripts, assume broadcast roles, and present their stories. Thanks to Ms. Devita's incredible support, students were able to record the final product, creating a memorable experience that filled the classroom with excitement, creativity, and pride. We are thrilled to share their hard work and celebrate all they accomplished!

"Shaping Dreams" Authors Café

Our fifth-grade students celebrated the completion of their "Shaping Dreams" unit with an Aspiring Authors Café. Over the course of several days, students planned, drafted, revised, and edited original narratives about characters striving to achieve a dream, a theme inspired by our unit's novel, A Single Shard. To honor their hard work and creativity, students gathered to enjoy refreshments while reading and discussing one another's stories. The event provided an authentic audience for student writing and encouraged thoughtful conversations about storytelling, character development, and the writing process. Most importantly, it allowed students to experience the joy of sharing their creativity and celebrating themselves as authors.

Culture Kit Projects

Ms. Langer’s fifth-grade social studies students recently showcased their Culture Kit Projects, exploring their family traditions, values, and cultural heritage. Through meaningful artifacts and presentations, students celebrated their identities while learning about the diverse backgrounds that make our classroom community unique.

The Project is Underway!!

Our 5th Grade ENL students recently completed an exciting Project-Based Learning (PBL) experience by creating a school herb garden! After developing a plan and presenting their proposal to Assistant Principal Khris Arvanites, students researched different herbs and carefully designed the garden layout before planting. They also toured the school kitchen to learn how fresh herbs can be used in cooking, and the cafeteria staff is looking forward to incorporating the garden's harvest into meals this fall. This project was a wonderful example of collaboration, research, and real-world learning in action!

Students in Ms. Putnick's Social Studies class brought the Middle Ages to life during a creative performance showcasing the culmination of a Project-Based Learning unit on medieval roles. Given the freedom to choose how they would present their assigned roles, 13 students collaborated to write and perform an original play complete with props, costumes, and plenty of creativity. The production highlighted teamwork, historical understanding, and student voice as they took the stage to share their learning with the school community.

Sixth-grade students put their spelling skills to the test during the annual Spelling Bee. Participants demonstrated confidence, preparation, and perseverance as they competed in a friendly showcase of academic achievement.

Extra Curriculars & Adventures

8th Grade Moving-Up Trip to NYC!

Our 8th grade students celebrated their moving-up trip with an unforgettable day in New York City! From exploring the city's iconic sights and enjoying a scenic boat ride around Manhattan to visiting the Intrepid Museum, students made lasting memories while celebrating the end of their middle school journey.

RED Club and Better Together Club End of Year Celebration

The RED Club/Better Together Club celebrated the end of a wonderful year with a special trip to Sangria Café, where students enjoyed delicious Mexican cuisine and time together reflecting on the friendships and memories they made throughout the year. Before the celebration ended, each student shared one word that described what Better Together has meant to them this year. The accompanying word cloud captures those meaningful responses and highlights the sense of community, belonging, and connection that made this year so special.

International "Knight"

Our first-ever school wide International "Knight" was a wonderful celebration of the diversity that makes our school community so special! Families came together to proudly share their cultures through delicious traditional foods, vibrant dances, beautiful clothing, photographs, music, and displays representing countries from around the world. Students and staff had the opportunity to learn about different customs and traditions while celebrating the unique backgrounds that enrich our school. The evening was filled with laughter, learning, and community spirit, making it an unforgettable event. Thank you to all of the families, volunteers, and participants who made our inaugural International Knight such a tremendous success. A special shout out to Ms. Maura King and Ms. Heather Schucker for organizing this wonderful event.

We Are B.A.R.R Positive Behavior End of Year Carnival

Our first PBIS Carnival was a vibrant celebration of student success and positive behavior, recognizing students for embodying our school-wide initiative, We Are B.A.R.R: Building Relationships, Acceptance, Responsibility, and Resilience. Students enjoyed games, activities, and community-building experiences as a reward for their efforts in demonstrating these core values throughout the school year. The event highlighted the strong sense of school spirit and commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive school community.

5th Grade Improv Assembly Adventure

Our 5th graders absolutely loved the improv assembly! The interactive games, spontaneous comedy, and student participation kept everyone entertained and engaged. It was amazing to see students' creativity and confidence shine as they joined in the fun.

Awards & Recognition

The Class of 2030 is Moving Up

Our 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony celebrated the accomplishments and growth of our students as they prepared to transition to high school. Families, staff, and students gathered to reflect on shared memories, recognize achievements, and honor the hard work that brought them to this milestone. The ceremony marked both an ending and an exciting new beginning, as students move forward with confidence into the next chapter of their academic journey. Good luck in high school!

D.A.R.E. Graduation Ceremony

6th grade students celebrated their D.A.R.E. graduation with a ceremony where they received certificates and were recognized for learning to make positive, drug-free choices. Families, teachers, and D.A.R.E. officers joined in celebrating the students' achievements and commitment to responsible decision-making.

N.Y.S. and P.R.E. Essay Contest Award Winner

Congratulations to sixth grader Alina A., honored by the New York State and Pearl River Elks in the 2025–2026 Americanism Essay Contest. Joined by teacher Michelle Putnick during a Flag Day ceremony on Sunday, Araujo received a certificate to commemorate her essay on service to our country.

Community Events & Outreach

Summer Reading Tips

Read at least 20 minutes every day or read to your child for 20 minutes
Let your child choose books that match their interests.
Visit your local library and participate in summer reading events ( please see attached)
Read together as a family and talk about what you're reading.
Explore new genres and authors.
Listen to audiobooks during long car rides or while traveling.
Keep books accessible at home and on the go.

Here is a list of some FUN Summer Reading Rewards -- Participate in One, or Participate in All - most importantly, have fun!

Barnes and Noble: Earn a free book

https://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our-stores-communities/summer-reading-program/

New York State Senate- Earn an Accommodation

https://www.nysenate.gov/nyread

The White House Summer Reading Contest

https://www.whitehouse.gov/read/

Earn Summer Reading Badges from Scholastic

https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/parents/Printables/PDFs/scholastic-summer-reading-challenge.pdf

Earn a Free Pizza From Pizza Hut

https://www.bookitprogram.com/

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