Clara Barton Open School

P is for Plant Sale

Click here to view the entire Barton ABC's photo album.

Register Barton to Win $25,000 Computer Lab - JANUARY 30TH ONLY!!!

What:  Microsoft Vista Launch Sweepstakes

Where:  Richfield Best Buy Store (map)

When:  Tuesday, January 20th, during business hours (10 AM - 9 PM)

Microsoft is launching their new operating system called Windows Vista on January 30, 2007.  To support the launch, Microsoft is holding events across the country at select Best Buy stores.  In conjunction with the event, families coming to the Richfield Best Buy store can enter themselves to win an Xbox 360 and at the same enter their school for a chance to win a $25,000 grant.

If you're near the Richfield Best Buy on Tuesday, stop in and enter Barton in the sweepstakes!  Spread the word!

Online Feedback for Technology Planning

from Minneapolis Public Schools, Information Technology Services:

As we begin to develop our 2008-2011 District Technology Plan, we are seeking input from MPS Staff, Teachers, Parents, and Students.

We've created online surveys that we would like you to share with your school communities. The surveys take 5-10 minutes to complete. Please pass on these links:

Parents: http://its.mpls.k12.mn.us/techparent.html
Teachers and Staff: http://its.mpls.k12.mn.us/techsurveys.html
Students: http://its.mpls.k12.mn.us/techstudent.html

They will remain active until Feb 16th.

O is for Open Doors

What is an Open School?  What do you see, feel and hear at Barton?  Who makes our school special?

Students found answers to these questions for each letter of the alphabet during an Options project last spring.  To view the entire project click here.

Barton Receives Grant to Examine Homework Practices

Prompted by discussion at a primary team meeting, 3rd / 4th grade teacher Patty Campbell applied for and received an Exemplary Staff Development Grant from the district.  The grant will allow the entire teaching staff to examine current practices in assigning homework through the critical lens of excellence and equality for all students.  The staff development grant will pay for study groups to reflect on two recent publications examining the issues of homework:  The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing by Alfie Kohn and The Case Against Homework:  How Homework is Hurting Our Children and What We Can Do About It by Sara Bennett and Nancy Kalish.  Following the study group work, they will draft a homework policy for grades K-8 and then participate in reflective practices to check the impact of the revised policy on student achievement.  The major policy work will be completed at a March 1-2 Leadership Council Retreat including parent members of the Leadership Council.

This Exemplary Staff Development Grant was part of the Principal's Report at the January 18th Leadership Council meeting.  The entire minutes for the meeting can be linked to here or anytime in the left hand margin of this site.  Scroll down to COUNCIL MINUTES and click on the meeting date.

Silent Auction, Marketplace, and Measurement Olympics Success

Thanks to the entire community for the wonderful support given to our part-fund raiser, part-festive celebration and part-curriculum sharing event in December!  $13,880 was the total raised for Barton School at the Silent Auction and Marketplace.   An additional $1,660 (half of the marketplace total) was donated to the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley and the International Rescue Committee to help with Darfur relief work.  Here's a photo of the jam-packed Marketplace hallway.

N is for Nature

Barton's Community Rain Garden

Click here to view all of the Barton ABC's.

Short Notice: Photo Shoot Opportunity

by Steve Richter, Barton parent

You are invited to attend an open casting for a photo shoot for kids between the ages of 4 and 16.  The casting will be held at the Children's Theatre Company on Thursday, January 18th and Friday, January 19th from 4-6pm.

The shoot is for the Children's Theatre Company's annual subscription brochure, and will take place the week of February 5th during business hours.  Compensation for the shoot will be up to 4 tickets for a Children's Theatre play of your choice.

If you are interested, please call Jen Rico at Knock, 612-333-6511 or 612-716-9300.  Knock is a full service graphic design and branding firm.

M is for Mentors

To view the rest of the Barton ABC's, click here.