Dr. Love's Page

 

Dear Barker Central School Community, 

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! There is an unmistakable sense of excitement that comes with the start of a new school year, and I am delighted to welcome our students, families, and staff back to Barker Central School. Whether you are joining us for the very first time or returning for another year as part of our Bulldog family, we are looking forward to the opportunities, friendships, and accomplishments that await. In the coming days, please watch your mailbox for important back-to-school information, including student schedules, teacher placements, and other details to help your family prepare for a successful start. As we begin this year together, I would like to share several important updates and highlights for the year ahead.

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

• Welcome Back Open House (K-12)

Wednesday, September 2 | 5:30-7:00 PM
Join us to meet teachers, explore classrooms, and get excited for the new school year!
*Parents/Guardians, please sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences with your child’s teacher when you come visit us on Welcome Day.

• Pre-K Welcome Day

Wednesday, September 2 | 4:00-5:30 PM
Families and our youngest learners are invited to visit classrooms, meet staff, and get comfortable before the first day of school.
*Parents/Guardians, please sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences with your child’s teacher when you come visit us on Welcome Day. 

• 7^th Grade Orientation

Wednesday, September 2 | 5:30-6:00 PM in the Auditorium
An overview of expectations, schedules, and tips for a successful transition to Junior High.

• First Day of School

Tuesday, September 8

• Elementary families: Please ensure that arrival and dismissal information is updated in PickUp Patrol before the first day.
• Grades 7-12: Students may stay for 10th period at the end of the day for academic support, clubs, or detention. We are expecting that students have parent/guardian permission for any after-school plans or late transportation needs.

• Picture Day

Wednesday, September 16

• PK-12 and Staff Picture Day! Retakes will be Wednesday, October 28.

• Homecoming Week

Monday, September 28 - Saturday, October 3
There will be dress-up days, 10th period Activities for JH/HS, Field Hockey game on Thursday Night, Parade and Football game on Friday night, Soccer games during the day on Saturday, and a dance on Saturday night for students in grades 9-12. More information to come!

• Early Release / Full Evacuation Drill

Thursday, October 8 | 1:35-2:15 PM
We will be conducting a District Wide Early Dismissal/Full Evacuation Drill. Grades PK-6 will walk to the Faith United Methodist Church and Grades 7-12 will walk to the Barker Fire Hall. Dismissal will be at 2:15 PM from those locations. Please expect students to arrive approximately 15 minutes early on the buses that day. More information to follow. 

• Save the Date: Parent Teacher Conferences

Tuesday, November 10 | 12:00-7:45 PM (PK-6), 2:30-7:45 PM (7-12)
Thursday, November 12 | 12:00-7:30 PM (PK-6), 2:30-7:30 PM (7-12)
Please reach out to your child’s teacher to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences. 

• Students in grades PK-6 will have a ½ day of school on Parent-Teacher Conference days.
• 10^th period activities will be canceled for students in grades 7-12 on Parent-Teacher Conferences days, except for those staying for sports practice.
• Wednesday, November 11 there will be NO SCHOOL to observe the Veteran’s Day holiday.

 

Visitor Procedures, Student Parking, & Pick-Up / Drop-Off Reminders

Visitor Procedures:

• All visitors must enter through the Haight Road Main Office entrance after morning arrival. 
• The Main Office parking lot off of Haight Road is for visitor parking.
• You must be buzzed in and show ID at the main office.
• No other doors will be open during the school day.
• Bus Loop traffic is for buses only - No Parent Pick-up or Drop-off at Pratt Entrance.
• All items for students or teachers must be dropped off at the Main Office. 

Student parking will remain in the back lot behind the JH/HS gym entrance. 

Students who are late to school will need to enter and sign in at the Main Office entrance off of Haight Road. 

Drop-off and Pick-up will occur in the lot off the Quaker Road entrance by the 1911 building. Parents can pull into the right lane by the sidewalk and enter the queue. Once students are either out of or in the vehicle safely, then the driver can signal and move into the left lane to exit the parking lot. When exiting, drivers are to follow the arrows in the Quaker Bus loop to exit onto Quaker Road in front of the auditorium. Parents will be able to drop off or pick up and then move out of the queue cue smoothly, rather than waiting in line for the cars ahead to finish the process. This is the same process as last school year. Please refer to the included map.

 

Update from the Counseling Center

Please note that this year, the following school counselors will be serving the listed grade levels: 

• Mrs. Allison Finitz - Pre-K through 4^th Grade 
• Mrs. Shae Owens - 5^th Grade through 8^th Grade
• Ms. Sari Arrow - 9^th Grade through 12^th Grade

 

Updates to the Schedule for the 2026-2027 School Year

Please check out some of the updates to the schedule for this upcoming year!

Elementary WINN Time - All grade levels PK-6 will have 2 WINN Time blocks in their schedules. WINN (What I Need Now) is a block of time which can be used for morning meetings, service providers, extra minutes for academics, extra gym, intervention programs, small groups, project/problem-based learning, etc. For Grades K-3, on days without PE, WINN time can be used for PE-approved fitness activities in the classroom.

40 Minute Lunches - All grade levels PK-12 will have 40-minute lunch blocks. 

At the Elementary level, students will have 30 minutes of lunchtime and 10 minutes of recess time. Recess time will either take place on the playground or inside (weather dependent). 5^th & 6^th Grade lunch will be hosted in the JH/HS cafeteria as their own lunch block, and 5th and 6th grade students will have recess in the courtyard or inside (weather dependent).

At the JH/HS level, there will no longer be lunch study halls. Students are to remain in the lunches for the entire period unless they have a pre-signed pass from a teacher to sign out of the cafeteria or are signing out to go to the library or the courtyard. The library will only be open to students in grades 9-12 during 5^th and 6^th periods and will be considered a quiet location for students to go after they have finished eating. The lunches are scheduled based on grade levels.

Bell Schedule - All classes/lunches PK-12 are scheduled on the 9-period bell schedule. 

Grades 7-12 Homeroom - Due to the transition to 40-minute lunches (loss of the 20-minute lunch study hall) and feedback provided regarding the loss of instructional time during announcements, there will now be a 10-minute homeroom time scheduled from 7:52 to 8:02 AM, and it will immediately roll into 1^st period with no transition time. Students should check into class during this time, eat breakfast, and listen to the announcements. 

Elementary School Schedule

 

Grades 7–12 Bell Schedule

 

First bus home: 2:35 PM
Second bus home: 3:11 PM

 

Emergency Preparedness: NYSED Standard Terminology & Trauma-Informed Practice Reminders

The safety drills and procedures for students remain the same this year, as they have been in the past. As of July 1, 2025, all New York State schools must use standardized emergency response terms:

• Evacuate – Leave the building to a safe location
• Shelter / Shelter-in-Place – Remain indoors due to weather or hazard
• Hold / Hold-in-Place – Restrict hallway movement
• Secure Lockout – Lock exterior doors
• Lockdown – Hide silently due to an internal threat

Students and teachers will receive training and information about the new terminology and refreshers on drill procedures prior to running any drills. We will also continue our trauma-informed practice of notifying families and staff before scheduled drills, communicating after drills, and offering social-emotional support for any student in need. Throughout the year, per NYS Education Law §807, we will run a total of eight evacuation drills (fire drills), four of which will have “blocked exits”, and six of the total fire drills will take place prior to December 31^st. We will also run four lockdown drills spread out throughout the school year; two will take place before December 31^st. This year, we will be conducting a District-Wide Early Release / Full Evacuation Drill on Thursday, October 8^th. Please review our District Safety Plan on the District website for more information regarding school safety.

 

Code of Conduct Updates

Please see the new language of the Dress Code in the 2026-2027 Codes of Conduct below regarding pajama pants/leisure wear.

“No pajamas - To maintain a school environment that reflects readiness for learning and appropriate standards of public attire, students may not wear pajama pants/loungewear or any garment designed, marketed, or commonly recognized as sleepwear/loungewear while attending school or school-sponsored activities. Pajama pants/loungewear are garments intended for sleepwear or home lounging and are typically characterized by features such as lightweight cotton or flannel fabrics, drawstrings, elastic waistbands, sleepwear-style prints or patterns (plaid, characters, etc.), or other characteristics commonly associated with sleepwear. Pants may not have a frontal opening or a flap that is secured with a button(s). They are distinct from professional daywear and athleticwear based on their intended use and common retail category, not comfort level. Students should avoid wearing any garment that could reasonably be interpreted as pajama pants or sleepwear/loungewear. Final determination regarding the distinction between athletic wear and the prohibited loungewear/pajamas rests with school administration.”

Additionally, the Codes of Conduct include updated Progressive Discipline Frameworks. The progressive discipline frameworks provide consistent, tiered responses to student behaviors at Barker Central School. Disciplinary responses may be accelerated in cases involving serious violations. The goal is to promote student accountability, safety, and learning through appropriate consequences and restorative supports. This list is not exhaustive or inclusive of all possible violations, consequences, or supports. This document serves as a guide and “menu” for potential progressive discipline approaches. Student progressive discipline records are also considered in the process.

The Cell Phone Policy remains the same for this school year. To support focus and learning, student use of personal cell phones/devices is not permitted during the school day, including lunch and passing periods.

Devices must be stored in lockers. Headphones/earbuds may only be used with staff permission or per a 504/IEP.

Parents can reach students by:

• Calling the Main Office
• Emailing the student’s school-issued account (on their District-provided device)

Disciplinary steps:

1. Device held for student pickup in the Main Office
2. Device held for parent/guardian pickup in the Main Office
3. Device held for parent/guardian pickup in the Main Office and in-school suspension

If your child brought home a device at the end of last school year, please remember to charge the device and send it with your child on the first day of school, as they will need it for instruction and to communicate with you during the day. 

We are proud to offer a safe, welcoming, and high-quality educational experience at Barker Central. Please review our Codes of Conduct online and complete the Code of Conduct Review Survey for all of your students. Please complete a separate form for each student in Pratt Elementary or the JH/HS.

• Pratt Elementary Code of Conduct Review Survey - LINKED HERE
• JH/HS Code of Conduct Review Survey - LINKED HERE

Please complete the survey by Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

 

Welcome, New Team Members!

Please welcome the following new team members to our learning community!

Mike Olsen - Technology
Maggie Marody - JH/HS Special Education
Alexa Holler - JH/HS Special Education
Kara Choate - Elementary Special Education
Rachel Chunco - Physical Education
Annabelle Guercio - Elementary Special Education
Margaret DeMare - Elementary Special Education LTS
Madison Andrews - Spanish
Emily Lunde - Teacher’s Aide

Thank you for the trust, support, and encouragement you continue to show our students, staff, and schools. It is a privilege to serve a community that values education and comes together to support one another through every season. There is something truly special about being a Bulldog. It means showing kindness, working hard, celebrating one another’s successes, and always striving to make our school community even stronger. The goodness that is Barker is evident in our classrooms, on our stages and athletic fields, and in the everyday moments of care and connection that make our school feel like home. I am grateful to be part of this incredible community, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together this year.

Please feel free to reach out to me at any time! Every day is a great day to Be a Bulldog! 

Yours in Learning,

 

 

EMAIL MICAELA LOVE