Principal's Welcome to the 2025-2026 Year Letter
A. MacArthur Barr Middle School
News & Announcements
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MESSAGE FROM FOOD SERVICES
Families,
All students need healthy meals to learn! The Nanuet School District offers healthy meals (both breakfast and lunch) every school day. All students are eligible for ONE breakfast meal and ONE LUNCH meal per day. A second breakfast can be purchased @ $1.65 and a second lunch can be purchased @ $3.00. Assorted choice of milk is included in breakfast and lunch meals; water must be PURCHASED separately, see monthly menu for a la carte item prices.
Families are encouraged to complete the 2025-2026 Household Income Eligibility form. To apply, please complete this form found in the summer packet (these forms are mailed home prior to the first week of school). We have also linked the form below.
These forms have benefits beyond free meals. The forms might allow eligible families to have the following:
-Fee Waivers for SATS & ACTS
-Fee Waivers for College Application
These forms also allow the district to apply for grants and classroom resources.
Upon completion, please return the form to:
-The main office of your child’s school
-Or mail to:
Ms. MaryAnn Gregor, Food Service Director
Nanuet School District
101 Church Street
Nanuet, NY 10954
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2025-2026 Supply Lists & PTA School Tool Box Sale
The Barr PTA has partnered with School Tool Box to offer prepackaged school supply boxes for sale. This sale helps raise funds for Barr PTA and makes school supply shopping easy. See the attached flyer for more information.
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School to Home Communication System: Parent Square
The district uses a communication system called Parent Square to send alerts out to parents, guardians and the community. Follow this video to set notification and language settings in the app or website. The Parent Square app can be downloaded from your app store. Note: The Parent Square system is synced with our eschool system, so it is VERY IMPORTANT you notify the district if you have had any changes in address, phone numbers or primary/emergency contacts.
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Raising the Barr Newsletter - MOST CURRENT EDITION
Raising the Barr - June Summer Edition
Previous editions are archived on the bottom right of the web page.
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Home Access Information
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2025-2026 A MacArthur Barr Clubs Listing
Clubs for the 2025-2026 school year are in session! Please see the Clubs document below and check our Upcoming Events bulletin board just off the main lobby for more information. Students can join a club at any time during the year. A club is a great way to make new friends or explore an interest.
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Staff Contact Information on Website
The link to the Faculty and Staff directory, located on the bottom of the school web page, is currently not active. If you need to contact a staff member, please call the main office at 627-4047 and we will be happy to provide you with assistance.
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A. MacArthur Barr 2024-2025 Goals and Priorities Update Slides
On March 11, 2025, the Barr team presented an update to the BOE, specific to the goals and priorities of the 2024-2025 year. Our focus this year centered around communication and being literate across content areas, which are two specific areas found within the Portrait of a Graduate profile. Click the link below to view the presentation slides. You will also find a link on the last slide which takes you to a feedback form, which will be live until March 30, 2025. We hope you enjoy the glimpse into some of high quality teaching and learning taking place at Barr!
2024-2025 Barr Goals and Priorities Presentation at the 3/11/24 BOE meeting
A. MacArthur Barr Middle School
Upcoming Barr Events [CLICK CALENDAR BUTTON] ===>
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Registration Deadline for 9/13 SAT
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Late Deadline for 9/13 SAT
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BACK TO SCHOOL!
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District-wide Spirit Day
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H.S.
BOE Meeting
7:30PM
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H.S. Homecoming Game
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H.S. Homecoming Dance
6pm
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BOE Meeting
7:30pm
Nanuet Union Free School District -
SAT
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District-wide Spirit Day
Nanuet Union Free School District
Message from Principal Michelle O'Sullivan
Left to Right: Assistant Principal Khris Arvanites, Principal Michelle O'Sullivan, Assistant Principal Latoya Oates
Dear Barr Families,
We are so excited to welcome all of our students and families—both returning and new to the district—to A. MacArthur Barr Middle School. We hope your summer was restful and full of joy.
Over the summer, we completed important upgrades to our technology infrastructure and school building to ensure a safe, comfortable, and high-quality environment for teaching and learning. These updates reflect our commitment to supporting all students and staff as they grow and succeed.
🔄 Building on Last Year’s Success
Last year, our focus was on strengthening communication and building connections between home and school. This year, we’re taking these goals deeper by emphasizing the importance of giving and receiving feedback—among students, staff, and families. We believe feedback is a key ingredient in strong communication, reflection, personal growth, and collaborative problem-solving. We look forward to learning and improving together!
⭐ Introducing Our New PBIS Program
We are proud to launch our school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program this year. PBIS helps create a positive, inclusive school culture where all students can thrive by reinforcing good choices and shared expectations.
“PBIS isn’t about changing students; it’s about changing the environment so that positive behaviors are more likely to occur.”
As part of this initiative, we’re introducing our new school-wide slogan:
We are BARR!
B – Building Relationships
A – Accepting Everyone
R – Responsible
R – Resilient
Each quarter, we will hold school-wide assemblies focused on the core themes and behaviors, with emphasis on teaching students specific ways to demonstrate the behaviors. Below are the quarterly themes and focus areas. When you are in the building, stop by our PBIS bulletin boards, located in the main hallway, outside the main office. Throughout the year, we will be sharing additional information on our PBIS framework and how we are recognizing students for their success.
PBIS Quarterly Themes & Behavior Focus
| Quarter | Theme | Focus behaviors |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Building Relationships | I am kind. I help others. I include others. |
| Q2 | Accepting Everyone | I treat others with respect. I accept others’ differences. |
| Q3 | Responsibility | I take ownership. I try my best. |
| Q4 | Resilience | I never give up. |
⏰ The Importance of Consistent, On-Time Attendance
A strong start to the school day sets the tone for learning. Our school day runs from 7:39 AM to 2:32 PM. New York State has attendance regulations that require regular school attendance, so we ask for your partnership in helping your child establish strong routines by arriving on time and being present each day. Consistent attendance ensures students don’t miss valuable instruction and classroom experiences that build day by day. All students have access to school bussing. Please note that lateness due to a long drop off line is not considered excused. All absences must be reported to our attendance clerk at 627-4420. More information about absences is found in our online parent handbook.
💬 Talk With Your Child Each Day
We encourage all families to make time each evening to talk with your child about their school day. Ask questions, celebrate successes, and listen to any challenges they may be facing. I strongly urge you to keep in touch with your child's guidance counselor, by calling 627-4050, so they can collaborate with you on ways to support your child. It's also important to review any school communication that comes home—whether in backpacks, the Parent Square email/text notification system, or our newsletter—so you stay informed and can support your child throughout the year.
📰 “Raising the Barr” Newsletter
Please read our biweekly “Raising the Barr” newsletter, which offers insight into the incredible things happening at school. It’s your go-to source for updates, highlights, and important reminders and a great tool to use for having conversations with your child.
📅 Upcoming Events to Remember
Wednesday, September 3rd, 7:39 am - 2:32 pm - FIRST DAY OF CLASSES FOR ALL STUDENTS
Wednesday, September 10 | 6:00–7:00 PM - BARR PTA WELCOME PICNIC *Rain date is Friday, September 12th
For 5th Grade students & families new to the district
Bring your snacks and a blanket, meet new families, and enjoy a scavenger hunt and music from local business Bach to Rock!
Thursday, September 25 | 6:30–8:30 PM - MEET THE TEACHER NIGHT
Parents and guardians are invited to follow the "A Day" schedule to visit classrooms and connect with teachers.
More details will follow soon.
We are excited for another incredible year at Barr and look forward to working in partnership with you. Thank you for being a vital part of our school community!
Mrs. O'Sullivan
Resources
Raising The Barr Newsletter
At A. MacArthur Barr, we feel it is important for our families and community to feel connected to the rich learning taking place throughout the year. We love to spotlight a variety of learning experiences, athletics, accomplishments, students, faculty, staff and so much more! We encourage you to click the "Raising the Barr" newsletters below! If there is something you would like to see included in a future edition, please give the Main Office a call at 845 627-4040!
