Bardstown PTO

Today is the due day! If you haven't turned in your candy bar money please do so this afternoon! We are giving away some AWESOME prizes and you definitely don't want to miss your chance to snag one!

Thank you so much for helping our schools through candy bar sales! Please remember that all money is due TOMORROW, Friday September 8. If your money is turned in on time, you could win a Chromebook! TWO will be given away, so make sure you turn your money in tomorrow to be eligible!

(Cash, or check made payable to Bardstown PTO)

Our annual World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser kicks off today!!

We are asking for YOUR help!

100% of the profit goes to educational materials and activities.

Prizes to top sellers such as a Chromebook, Spirit Wear, Class Parties and more will be given away.

Don't want to sell? No problem! You can make a donation instead.

We THANK YOU in advance for your support!!!

Did you know that Bardstown Primary and Bardstown Elementary share a PTO? We sure do, and the first meeting of the 17/18 school year is in the BPS library at 6:30 this evening. Hope to see you there!

As you are all aware, Monday, August 21 is the day the US will experience a total eclipse of the sun and Bardstown City Schools is excited and making preparations! It is being referred to as the Great American Eclipse and the last time this occurred across the entire contiguous United States was in 1918.

This is an incredible educational opportunity for all of us, but especially our students. We wanted to share with you the district’s general plan for the day.

School will be in session and plans are being made at the schools to make this a safe, enjoyable, and educational day for our students. You will receive more information soon from your child’s school or teacher about their specific plans regarding the eclipse.

Date and time
Monday, August 21. For Bardstown, the eclipse will begin at 1:00pm and end at 3:53pm with the maximum amount of coverage of the sun by the moon to occur at 2:28pm. While we are not in the path of totality (complete coverage and total darkness), we will experience near total darkness for a brief time.

All outdoor activities not related to the eclipse such as recess or PE will be moved indoors from 12:30 pm until dismissal.

Dismissal times
In order to avoid dismissal right at the peak of the eclipse, all schools will dismiss 20 minutes later than usual. As you know, our busses make separate earlier runs for our younger students, then return to campus to pick up students at the middle and high schools. This means that busses will leave the Primary and Elementary schools at 2:50 pm and Middle and High School busses will leave their schools at 3:55 pm. Early Childhood morning session will operate on regular schedule, while afternoon busses will leave Early Childhood at 4:20 rather than their usual 4:00 pm.

Safety
Our primary concern is the safety of your child. The schools will be supplying all students, teachers, and staff in K – 12 who are in attendance that day with a pair of certified and approved viewing glasses. All students will be educated in the proper way to use the glasses.

Looking at the sun unprotected, regardless of how covered it is by the moon, can result in serious eye damage. Whether they will be at school, at home, or with another caregiver, we encourage you to talk to your child about the precautions that must be taken to ensure their safety.

Absences
Absences will be excused on Monday, August 21. Should you decide it best that your child not attend school that day or check out early, they will be counted as absent, but their absence will be excused.

Again, our goal is to use this incredible opportunity to educate our students and encourage their interest in our world and how our solar system works. We plan to also teach them the importance of safety and the precautions that need to be taken in order to enjoy and appreciate the experience.

Educational Resources
Regardless of whether your child is at school that day, we encourage you to use this opportunity to educate yourself and your children about the Great American Eclipse. There are numerous great resources you can access online, including:
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety

https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-live-stream

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/next-month-you-can-see-what-is-being-called-the-astronomical-event-of-the-decade/2017/07/17/799d7952-65a1-11e7-9928-22d00a47778f_story.html?utm_term=.a0749ab476a3

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/ever-wondered-why-you-shouldnt-look-at-the-sun/2017/08/07/9c68843c-7856-11e7-8839-ec48ec4cae25_story.html?utm_term=.1ff2fb5395a2

https://eclipsemega.movie/simulator

https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com

There are also a number of apps for your smartphone that you might want to consider downloading. You can find those by just doing an eclipse search on your smartphone.

The first PTO meeting of the 17/18 school year will be Tuesday August 15. We will meet at 6:30pm in the BPS library. Please share to help us get the word out. We look forward to seeing you there!

Short and sweet final PTO meeting of the year will be held next Tuesday at 5:30pm at BPS.

Parents, nominations are now open for 2 parent representative positions on the BES SBDM council for the coming school year. Current 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students should have brought home a nomination form today. Nominations close on Thursday, and our election is on Friday. Please contact the elementary office with any questions. Thanks!

We are incredibly grateful to TLC Nursery, who very generously donated a scoop of River Rock for an upcoming art project at Bardstown Primary School! Not only did they give the rock free of charge, but they delivered it for free as well! Huge, huge thank you to Patricia Hines and TLC Landscaping, Nursery & Garden Center. Please support them with your patronage this spring and summer, and be sure to tell them 'Thank You' for their generosity to our kiddos! And stay tuned - these 'before' pics are just a hint at the amazing 'after' we'll share soon!

Hope to see lots of shinning happy faces at the PTO meeting tonight. 6:30 at BES.

Thanks to all the parent volunteers for your help at Saturday's Spring Fling. We couldn't have done it without you!