May 1, 2023- Eye of the Tiger Family Message

Dear Barrett Families:

Welcome to May! The month of May has quite a few celebrations and recognitions. From the many to celebrate, it is important to highlight Asian Pacific American Heritage and Jewish American Heritage. Both people groups have legacies rooted in perseverance and determination.

The month of May was chosen to recognize Asian Pacific American Heritage to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7th and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10th. The majority of the workers who laid railroad tracks were Chinese immigrants despite extremely difficult and dangerous conditions.

In 2006, the month of May was announced as Jewish American Heritage Month to learn and understand the culture and history of the Jewish people and the impact they have had in America. It is especially important to highlight the hardships they have endured and celebrate the surviving legacy of Jewish Americans.

This month, we will be honoring the contributions of Asian Pacific American and Jewish Americans to American Society and within our own APS community.

Please see the messages below:

APS Celebrations in May:    May is another busy month to recognize the cultural contributions many students, staff and families make in APS. We also recognize several employee groups for their hard work and dedication to APS. Throughout the month of May, APS will celebrate:

– Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

– Jewish American Heritage Month

– Mental Health Awareness Month

– Better Speech and Hearing Month

– Physical Education Week – May 1-7

– Teacher Appreciation Week – May 8-12

– School Lunch Hero Day – Fri, May 5

– National School Nurses Day – Wed, May 10

– School Communicators Day – Fri, May 12

– National Speech Pathologist Day – Thu, May 18

Barrett in Twitter: Check out this week in #KWBPride photos and videos!  https://twitter.com/search?q=%23KWBPride&src=typed_query&f=live

Dr. Duran’s Message: Please see the most recent message from the Superintendent here and the Friday 5 message linked here.

Student Sustainability Club: 5th grade members of our sustainability club who are also in the SCA have asked that information be shared out to staff and families about the “Clothing Donation” boxes that are in the main lobby area (by the school store).  They are collecting clothing (adult and children) for the next couple of weeks. They are then sending the donations to a company called Thread up.  Proceeds earned may go towards the traditional “5th grade gift” to Barrett or donated to a charity TBD by the SCA.

Volunteering Opportunities at Barrett: See this link for more information on completing the volunteering process with us. All volunteers will need to sign in at the front office and wear a visitor sticker throughout their visit with us. Please ensure you have completed the volunteer application prior to volunteering with us.

• Field Day-  We are tentatively beginning our plans for Field Day. We are currently planning on holding Field Day on Friday, June 9th and are in need of parent volunteers!  Please email Robert McLaughlin for any questions at robert.mclaughlin@apsva.us.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0449acae2da13-field#/