Dear Families and Staff,
 
We are living in unprecedented times. In 2020, we came together as a world and a nation to address the challenges and uncertainties of COVID-19. These challenges continue to face us, but we have increasing hope with the roll-out of the vaccine. At the same time, we experienced national protests against the racism that continues to plague our Nation. Most recently, we observed an attack on our Capitol. We all have questions about these events and what they mean for the future and how to navigate the concerns that our students may bring into the classrooms with them tomorrow.
 
Throughout our history, Inauguration Day has been a celebration and a peaceful transfer of power from one Administration to the next. Watching the news, many are expressing concerns that this may not be the case. Watching the news, we may all be feeling cautious about how we approach the conversation of Inauguration Day, the storming of the Capitol, and the protests against racism in our country. While we, as adults, are watching the news, asking ourselves these questions, it is essential to remember that our students may have questions and concerns that we need to address.

See below for an update from the Superintendent sent to families and staff Thursday afternoon.

Important Update 1/7/2021

Athletics Schedule, Testing, and Important Information
Vacations and Distance Learning
Quarantine Changes
Return to In-person Learning

Return to In-person Learning
On Monday, January 11, 2021, we will return to a five day a week, in-person model for all students in PK-6 and those identified for a five-day program in 7-12. We will also return to an in-person hybrid for grades 7-12. Monday will be a gold day, followed by blue days on Tuesday and Wednesday and gold days on Thursday and Friday. Due to some quarantines in place, we will need to delay the opening of a few classrooms. Building principals will notify staff and families in these classrooms today and tomorrow. 

See below for an update from the Superintendent sent to families and staff Wednesday afternoon.
​
Dear Families and Staff,
We hope that you are enjoying a much needed winter break. This morning I met with the District administrative team to establish the date in which we would return to in-person learning. Our updated calendar is below.
● In summary, January 4-8 will be distance learning days for all students and staff. This will allow us an opportunity to ensure we are sufficiently staffed for our return to in-person learning. The majority of districts across the state will be distance learning during the week of January 4-8.  This week will also allow the number of student and staff quarantines to slow down prior to re-entry.
● On January 11, all schools will resume in-person learning models that were in place prior to November. All  5 day students as well as students in PK-6 will attend in person 5 days per week. All students in 7-12 will resume hybrid learning with 1/11 starting with Gold Day Students and 1/12 with Blue Day Students.
● Five-day-a-week students at BHS and BMS will expand to those with learning plans, those identified as struggling with distance learning through the high school or middle school team, English Language Learners, and seniors in the CTE program at Barrington High School.

All BHS classes will meet on Zoom Thursday, December 17th. The schedule will go B, Advisory, C, A.

See below for an update from the Superintendent sent to families and staff Wednesday afternoon.

Snow Day Plan
We are also closely monitoring a potential winter storm that is scheduled for Thursday. All teachers have developed distance learning work for students in the event of power outages that were sent home this week. Please monitor the Rhode Island Broadcasters for school closure information. Thursday morning, we will announce if the day is w/ (with) or w/o (without) Zoom due to power outages on the message. At this time we anticipate returning to in-person learning on Friday, as the forecast looks promising.

• The inclement weather protocol includes a link to sign up for text messages from the RI Broadcasters Association regarding school closures and delays.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Licxr_ZmeaKf_rnWjTi8XvbLNROiyUvgLK6egWQdyBc/edit?usp=sharing

See below for an update from the Superintendent sent to families and staff Monday afternoon. 

​Important School Calendar & Inclement Weather Message 12/14/2020
Good evening, 
This afternoon, December 14, 2020, Barrington Public Schools received an important update from Commissioner Infante-Green that we wanted to share with you.

Holiday Break and School Calendar Changes
Commissioner Infante Green wanted to remind us that our behavior over the next two weeks will critically impact a successful and safe return to our classrooms in 2021. As such the following steps will be put in place to allow for staff and student quarantining and to allow administrators to explore on-site COVID testing plans to allow time for quarantining and for school leaders to explore testing:

• The District will shift to distance learning the week of December 21, 2020. Instructional Staff will have the option of working from home or the building. 
•  On January 4, 2021, we return to Distance Learning (synchronous learning on Zoom).
• Using a staggered re-entry approach, Distance Learning will continue to allow for a period of quarantine after the December Break, with the latest date of return on January 19, 2021.
• The ability to return in person will continue to be evaluated. The earliest return date allowed by the Rhode Island Department of Education will be January 7, 2021. If we are able to stagger return based on staffing and quarantine, priority will go to students identified as 5 day-a-week learners, followed by elementary students. 
• Please note, that the change in return date is so that you may quarantine after the holiday break. Travel quarantine continues to be 14 days for anyone traveling back home to Rhode Island from a Red State or out of the country. Please do not use this as an extension of travel, which would require additional quarantine time. Students not present for synchronous learning will not be excused. States with Travel Restrictions upon entry to RI
• On January 25, 2021, the District will engage in professional development and students will engage in learning without Zoom. 

Owen Crain's interview with Mr. Taylor Polites about his career, opportunities with the local communities, and the WriteRI short story competition