Raising the Barr Newsletter - MOST CURRENT EDITION
A. MacArthur Barr Middle School
News & Announcements
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Barr State Assessment Information
March 24, 2025
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The New York State Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and Science assessments will be administered to students over the next several months. These assessments are designed to measure how well students are mastering the learning standards that guide classroom instruction and are a valuable tool to help ensure students have the support needed to be successful. New York State has worked to improve the assessments over the past several years. The improvements include no time limit, more questions written by classroom teachers, and improved reports for parents. You can read about all of these improvements on the New York State Department of Education website.
Since we will be participating in computer based testing, grade levels will test on different days. You will find testing date information below, by grade level.
*We will run a regular 7:39 am - 2:32 pm schedule on all testing days.
*We will run a regular 7:39 am - 2:32 pm schedule on all testing days
5th grade
ELA - Tuesday, April 8th and Wednesday, April 9th
Math - Tuesday, May 6th and Wednesday, May 7th
Science - Wednesday, May 14th
6th grade
ELA - Tuesday, April 8th and Wednesday, April 9th
Math - Tuesday, May 6th and Wednesday, May 7th
7th grade
ELA - Thursday, April 10th and Friday, April 11th
Math - Thursday, May 8th and Friday, May 9th
8th grade
ELA -Thursday, April 10th and Friday, April 11th
Math - Thursday, May 8th and Friday, May 9th
Science - Wednesday, May 14th
New York State is required by federal law to administer Mathematics and ELA (English Language Arts) assessments to every public school student in grades 3-8. The data generated from these assessments assists in identifying areas of growth and success for each individual student. A student who refuses to participate in the state assessments will be missing a data point used when planning to schedule academic support and honors courses.
School districts, including Nanuet UFSD, have been negatively affected when students did not participate in the NYS Grades 3-8 ELA, Mathematics and Science Assessments. If 95% of students do not take the New York State assessments for Nanuet UFSD, the district risks being sanctioned or labeled a school in need of improvement. These tests are not tied to student grades on the report card. We ask that families please have their children participate in these assessments and encourage them to do their best. If a student refuses to participate in the assessments, it is coded as a refusal and reported in this manner to New York State.
Please feel free to speak with your child’s teacher about any questions or concerns you may have.
If you are refusing to have your child(ren) take the state assessment(s), please let the school know, in writing, no later than March 31, 2025. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE DAY BEFORE OR DAY OF TO NOTIFY THE SCHOOL BECAUSE THIS HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON SCHEDULING.
Michelle O'Sullivan
Principal, A. MacArthur Barr Middle School
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New Communication System Parent Square
The district has moved to a new communication system, called Parent Square, to send alerts out to parents, guardians and the community. Follow this video to set notification and language settings in the app or website. The Parent Square app can be downloaded from your app store. Note: The Parent Square system is synched with our eschool system, so it is VERY IMPORTANT you notify the district if you have had any changes in address, phone numbers or primary/emergency contacts.
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Home Access Information
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News from Food Services - BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MEALS
Families,
All students need healthy meals to learn! The Nanuet School District offers healthy meals (both breakfast and lunch) every school day. All students are eligible for ONE breakfast meal and ONE LUNCH meal per day. A second breakfast can be purchased @ $1.65 and a second lunch can be purchased @ $3.00. Assorted choice of milk is included in breakfast and lunch meals; water must be PURCHASED separately, see monthly menu for a la carte item prices.
Families are encouraged to complete the 2024-2025 Household Income Eligibility form. To apply, please complete this form found in the summer packet (these forms are mailed home prior to the first week of school) or online in the Food Service Department section of the district’s website.
These forms have benefits beyond free meals. The forms might allow eligible families to have the following:
-Fee Waivers for SATS & ACTS
-Fee Waivers for College Application
These forms also allow the district to apply for grants and classroom resources.
Upon completion, please return the form to:
-The main office of your child’s school
-Or mail to:
Ms. MaryAnn Gregor, Food Service Director
Nanuet School District
101 Church Street
Nanuet, NY 10954
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Staff Contact Information on Website
The link to the Faculty and Staff directory, located on the bottom of the school web page, is currently not active. If you need to contact a staff member, please call the main office at 627-4047 and we will be happy to provide you with assistance.
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A. MacArthur Barr 2024-2025 Goals and Priorities Update Slides
On March 11, 2025, the Barr team presented an update to the BOE, specific to the goals and priorities of the 2024-2025 year. Our focus this year centered around communication and being literate across content areas, which are two specific areas found within the Portrait of a Graduate profile. Click the link below to view the presentation slides. You will also find a link on the last slide which takes you to a feedback form, which will be live until March 30, 2025. We hope you enjoy the glimpse into some of high quality teaching and learning taking place at Barr!
2024-2025 Barr Goals and Priorities Presentation at the 3/11/24 BOE meeting
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2024-2025 A MacArthur Barr Clubs Listing
Clubs for the 2024-2025 school year are in session! Please see the Clubs document below and check our Upcoming Events bulletin board just off the main lobby for more information. Students can join a club at any time during the year. A club is a great way to make new friends or explore an interest.
A. MacArthur Barr Middle School
Upcoming Barr Events [CLICK CALENDAR BUTTON] ===>
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Board of Education Meeting HS 7:30
Nanuet Union Free School District -
Grades 5-6 NYS Math Tests
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Barr PTA Meeting 7:30pm
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Barr - Incoming Grade 5 Parent Orientation 6:30-7:30pm
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Grades 7-8 NYS Math Tests
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Grades 7-8 NYS Math Tests
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Incoming Grade 5 - Parent Orientation
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Grades 5 & 8 NYS Science Tests
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Barr - Grades 7 & 8 Spring Concert NHS @7:30pm
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Barr Grade 6 Spring Concert NHS 7pm
A. MacArthur Barr Middle School
Message from Principal O'Sullivan
Dear Barr Families,
May is National Mental Health awareness month. Students and staff will be wearing green every Monday as we help spread awareness about the importance of taking care of our mental health. Green is used as a symbol for mental health awareness because the color represents calmness, renewal and hope. Each Monday, our building-wide morning message will be read by a student who will share statistics about mental health in Middle School, information about what can impact our mental health and a strategy for supporting mental health. We are excited to have our own students taking the lead with sharing awareness, learning about strategies to support mental health and normalize talking about mental health.
There is a lot happening in May! Below are some important dates to keep in mind, but please be sure to check the district calendar as well as your grade level messages from teachers for all events, including trips.
May 5 - May 9th - NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK - We are very grateful to have our students surrounded by such dedicated professionals. THANK YOU!
May 6th - BOE meeting
May 7th - Incoming Grade 5 Parent Orientation at Barr 6:30 PM, followed by the Barr PTA meeting at 7:30 PM.
May 6th and 7th - Grades 5 and 6 NYS Mathematics Assessment
May 8th and 9th - Grades 7 and 8 NYS Mathematics Assessment
May 14th - Grades 5 and 8 NYS Science Assessment
Spring Concert Schedule:
May 15th - Grades 7 and 8 HS Auditorium 7:30 PM
May 19th - Grade 6 HS Auditorium 7:00 PM
May 29th - Grade 5 HS Auditorium 7:00 PM
Information about Field Day teams and team colors will be posted in school on Friday, May 9th. The field day schedule is below:
May 19th - Grade 7 AM and Grade 5 PM
May 20th - Grade 6 AM
Each month we have a new focus quote we share with students. Since May is focusing on mental health awareness and being kind to our mind, we chose the following quote:
Do all the good you can,
To all the people you can,
In all the ways you can,
As long as ever you can.
-D.L. Moody
Warmest regards,
Mrs. O'Sullivan
Raising The Barr Newsletter
At A. MacArthur Barr, we feel it is important for our families and community to feel connected to the rich learning taking place throughout the year. We love to spotlight a variety of learning experiences, athletics, accomplishments, students, faculty, staff and so much more! We encourage you to click the "Raising the Barr" newsletters below! If there is something you would like to see included in a future edition, please give the Main Office a call at 845 627-4040!
