Updated Information from Specials Classes

Click on the link to the updated newsletter from our special teachers and take a few minutes to see what children are doing in each of our special areas!!

Hour of Code 

Next week is Hour of Code! It runs from December 4th - December 10th this year. The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities. 

We live in a world surrounded by technology. We know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works.

We are so lucky to have a wonderful K-5 STEM program in Barrington 220 and we will continue to teach programming to all of our students throughout their time in elementary school. Mrs. deBruin will be introducing Hour of Code to our students next week in STEM. I hope you'll encourage your child to participate in Hour of Code this year at home, too!  Our STEM team has created a padlet with links and resources to be used at home. Happy Coding!

Purdue STEM Gift Guide

Every year Purdue University creates an Engineering Gift Guide. "In their newest guide, the INSPIRE Research Institute for Pre-College Engineering's  2023 Engineering Gift Guide is once again filled with toys, games and books to engage children and teens in engineering thinking and design. Items included in the guide go through an extensive review process led by a student team. Faculty in the  School of Engineering Education and the  INSPIRE student research team look for items that promote engineering practices ranging from coding and spatial reasoning to problem solving and critical thinking." Here is the  link to this year's guide. We hope this helps you with your holiday shopping and gives you ideas to bring more STEM into your home! 

Barrington 220 Winter Wonderfest Returns to BHS - December 8th & 9th

The Barrington High School Fine Arts Department proudly presents the 4th Annual Winter Wonderfest! Winter Wonderfest runs December 8-9, and it will be an open house with activities happening primarily inside the new front atrium addition at BHS. The event will include DJs, carnival games, holiday crafts, hot chocolate for purchase, and more! Click on the link to purchase tickets to attend Winter Wonderfest!! 

Take the Barrington 220 External Communications Survey 

In June of 2023, the Barrington 220 Board of Education approved the district’s new strategic plan, Framework 220, which will guide the district’s work over the next few years. The plan consists of six strategic priorities, and within each priority there are several measurable objectives. 

In order to move the work forward on these objectives and ensure that our strategic plan continues to be a collaborative process, Barrington 220 is using a survey platform called Qualtrics to gain your feedback. If you are a Barrington 220 parent/guardian, student, or community member, please take our 3-minute external communications survey.  Please click here to take our 3-minute external communications survey!

Reminders

• Grove Cold Weather Procedures 

• Barrington 220 Inclement Weather Protocols 

Upcoming Dates

Friday, December 8th - BHS Winterfest for all D220 Community Members 

Saturday, December 9th - BHS Winterfest for all D220 Community Members 

Tuesday, December 12th - Band and Orchestra Concert, 6:30 p.m. 

Thursday, December 14th - 1st and 4th Grade Musical, 6:30 p.m. 

Friday, December 22nd - Winter Parties, 2:45 p.m.

December 25th - January 8th - NO SCHOOL, Winter Break 

Tuesday, January 9th - School Resumes for Students

Grove Gift Ideas

Are you looking for teacher holiday gift ideas? Here is a list of our teacher and staff favorite things!

Holiday Shopping and Dining Event 

We are so thankful to everyone who came out to shop and dine with our Grove PTO this week! We had so many wonderful local small businesses participating who made this event special and helped us give back to our school. We appreciate everyone's support!!