August 21, 2025

Dear Barker School Community,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! We are thrilled to begin another exciting year of learning, growth, and community at Barker Central School. Families – please check your mail in the upcoming days as all schedules, teacher placements, and back-to-school information were recently mailed home.

As we kick off this new learning season, please take note of the important updates and enhancements that will shape this school year.

📅 Upcoming Events and Important Dates

• Welcome Back Open House
Wednesday, August 27 | 5:30–7:00 PM
Join us to meet teachers, explore classrooms, and see the newly renovated spaces!

*Parents/Guardians, please sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences with your child’s teacher when you come visit us on Welcome Day.

• 7th Grade Orientation
Wednesday, August 27 | 5:30–6:00 PM in the Auditorium
An overview of expectations, schedules, and tips for a successful transition to Junior High.

• Pre-K and Kindergarten Welcome Day
Wednesday, August 27 | 1:00–2:30 PM in the Elementary Cafeteria
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.

• First Day of School
Tuesday, September 2
- 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.

• Homecoming Week
Monday, September 22 - Saturday, September 27

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 game during the day on Saturday, and a dance on Saturday night for students in grades 9-12. More information to come!

• Save the Date: Parent Teacher Conferences
Wednesday, November 19 | 12:00 - 7:45 PM (PK-6), 2:30 -7:45 PM (7-12)

Wednesday, December 3 | 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. 

- 10th-period activities will be canceled for students in grades 7-12 on Parent-Teacher Conferences days, except for those staying for sports practice.

🔔 One Central PK–12 Main Office and Entrance

Barker now has one centralized Main Office for all students PK–12, located on Haight Road, with a secure Main Entrance. This modern, secure facility brings together our building administration, clerical staff, school counselors, and nurses under one roof to streamline support and improve access for families. A single phone number now connects you to all Main Office staff across grade levels – (716) 795-3600 – and a new fax number, (716) 795-3611.

Visitor Procedures:
• All visitors must enter through the Haight Road Main Office entrance after morning arrival. 

• There is a new Main Office Parking Lot off of Haight Road 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 cue. 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 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.

📚 New PK-12 Library Media Center, School Counseling Office, Health Office, and Facility Upgrades

We are thrilled to open our brand-new, state-of-the-art centralized library media center this fall! This innovative space features flexible seating, collaborative zones, modern technology, and an expanded book collection. Students of all ages will be able to enjoy learning in this new space!

The new centralized Health Office will be located by the new Main Entrance off of Haight Road. 

The new School Counseling Office will be located in the newly renovated area near the Main Office entrance. Please feel free to connect with your child’s counselor.  Please note that this year, the following school counselors will be serving the listed grade levels: 

• Mrs. Allison Finitz - Pre-K through 5th Grade 

• Mrs. Shae Owens - 6th Grade through 9th Grade

• Ms. Sari Arrow - 10th Grade through 12th Grade

In addition to the library media center, FACS/Health room, digital technology room, and offices, several classrooms throughout the building have been newly updated. Construction will continue through the fall to finalize additional instructional and support spaces across the district. We are excited for all of the fresh spaces our students will be able to use as we move forward in the capital work.

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

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 31st. We will also run four lockdown drills spread out throughout the school year; two will take place before December 31st. Please review our District Safety Plan on the district website for more information regarding school safety.

👕 Student Dress Code Expectations

Please see the new language of the Dress Code in the 2025-2026 Codes of Conduct below:

The intention of this dress code is not to shame, embarrass, or diminish anyone. Instead, it serves as a basic standard to support all students as they grow, explore their individuality, and develop a mindset appropriate for college and career readiness. Just as foundational skills are taught in subjects like Math and English—allowing for individual specialization later—this dress code is designed to provide similar guidance in the area of personal presentation.

• The body must be covered with opaque fabric from a straight line that begins at the top of the armpit and extends across the front and back of the torso. Coverage must also extend downward from this armpit line to at least three inches below the buttocks and crotch on all sides. Clothing must remain in place and provide full coverage without requiring constant adjustment. Exceptions may be made for event-specific attire, such as certain athletic uniforms. 

• All tops and dresses must have straps. 

• Outerwear must cover underwear.

• All hats, unless there is a religious exemption, must be placed in a locker or inside a backpack for the entirety of the school day 7:50 AM - 3:06 PM. 

• No pajamas. 

• Proper footwear must be worn at all times for appropriate classes or student activities. 

• There are to be no references to alcohol, drugs, violence, or other items that go against the BCS Community Mission Statement. 

• All religious or political clothing should be positive in nature and not negative or defamatory. 

Students who violate the student Dress Code shall be required to modify their appearance by covering or removing the offending item, and if necessary or practical, replace it with an acceptable item. Clothing may be provided by the main office, or parents/guardians may have to drop off appropriate clothing for their child. Hats will be turned into the main office for students to pick up at the end of the day.  

Any student who refuses to modify their appearance to be in compliance with the Dress Code shall be subject to discipline, up to and including in-school suspension for the day. Any student who repeatedly fails to comply with the Dress Code shall be subject to further discipline, up to and including out-of-school suspension. Parent communication will transpire for any repeated incidents or progressive discipline.  

The principal and other designated personnel shall have the authority to require students to change their attire should it be deemed inappropriate according to the above guidelines.

📵 Cell Phone & Internet-Enabled Device Policy

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)

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. 

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

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 Friday, September 19, 2025.

👤Welcome, New Team Members!

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

Deb Lingle - PK-12 Assistant Principal

Sari Arrow - Grades 10-12 School Counselor

Karin Gelz - School Psychologist

Scott Tanyi - Spanish

Madeleine Myers - Music

Colin Knight - Physical Education

Nate Sutch - Health / Physical Education

Jadyn Wagner - Chemistry / Science

Molly Handrich - Science 

Josh Glaubitz - JH/HS Special Education

Megan Schmitt - Teacher’s Aide

As we look ahead to a new school year, I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation for your continued support of our learning community. Your partnership is vital to the success of our students and the strength of our school. Together, we create a learning environment where every child is seen, supported, and inspired to thrive. Thank you for standing with us - we are excited to move forward together into a year filled with growth, connection, and opportunity. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time! It’s always a great day to Be a Bulldog!

Yours in Learning, 

Dr. Micaela Love