Barnet Learning Community:

Welcome back to school! Thank you so much to everyone who attended the back to school community cookout last night! It was an amazing event, with good food, fun games, and great conversations. I believe that one of the most important things we can do as a community is to come together frequently as neighbors and highly invested collaborators, working to create bright futures, opportunities , and nurturing environments for our kids. I believe that the challenges we collectively face in the pursuit of raising, confident, happy, successful children can only be accomplished together.  We look forward to working collectively with students, caregivers, community, and our staff to make sure that our kids have the support and resources they need to navigate the challenges they face in their daily lives, and to give them the tools, inspiration, and resiliency to create brighter futures for themselves and others. 

As a reminder, we have a 100% no access to personal, internet connected device policy during the school day. When 5th-8th grade students enter the school building upon arrival, they must immediately turn in any cell phones, smart watches, or any internet connectable devices to Mr. McLeod or my designee. Students 4th grade and below are not permitted to bring personal devices to school. Devices will be returned at the end of the school day, or upon the students dismissal from school in the case of an appointment or modified schedule. All internet connectable devices must be turned in to administration upon arrival to school. Devices may not be secured in bags, lockers, or any other on campus location by students, regardless of whether they are turned off or disconnected. The only possible exemptions to this rule will be associated with 504 or IEP modifications. Please discuss these expectations with your children as policy enforcement will begin immediately tomorrow, August 27th, on the first day of school. 

We are making this shift because we care tremendously about the well being and growth of our kids. Technology addiction, social media use, and device distraction is one of the greatest challenges we face together. as parents and caregivers. Overuse of technology creates roadblocks to learning, reduced attention spans, distractibility, and apathy in our children. Addiction to technology, most specifically cell phone and social media addiction, is one of the root causes of rising rates of depression, anxiety, and mental illness in our society today. While I do not have all the solutions for this epidemic, at the very least we can start by making our institutions of learning places where students are free and encouraged to "disconnect" and reconnect with each other, and even more importantly, themselves and their limitless, unique human potential. 

We can't wait to see your kids tomorrow and hear about all their exciting adventures over the summer. Our theme, and mission for the upcoming school year is to create an environment where "We ALL Belong". All of our children deserve a place where they are safe, nurtured, embraced, and encouraged to thrive, by not only their teachers, but their peers and community as well. Together, we can build an amazing and unparalleled environment and learning experience for our kids!

Kind Regards,

Sam McLeod
Principal, Barnet School