The Barrington School Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports and collaborates with our public schools. We aim to support educational initiatives and innovative projects in the Barrington schools. Our mission of enhancing learning opportunities beyond those typically provided by public funds and assuring the children of Barrington, NH reap the benefits of their public school experiences is made possible through donations and an endowment.
The Barrington School Foundation:
Promotes early literacy by sponsoring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, where Barrington children (birth to age 5) receive an age appropriate book in the mail each month (register here) & throwing the Jumpstart to Literacy annual PJ party
Recognizes excellence in education with an annual award
Supports innovation and educational projects
Collaborates with other organizations to support Barrington's children
Watch this brief overview of BSF and what we do!
We recently created and handed off 18 bags of summer essentials to End 68 Hours of Hunger Barrington NH. BSF wishes the participants of Barrington's End68 program a fun, safe, and creative summer!
On May 6th, we were delighted to present Excellence In Education awards to three deserving and outstanding educators. Amanda Ludwig (BES music teacher), Jenn Readel (BMS special educator), and Courtney Irivine (ECLC special educator/behavior coach) received recognition for their dedication, creativity, and willingness to to go above and beyond for their students and school communities. Each educator received a plaque, $500, and a special pizza-sized cookie. Thank you Amanda, Jenn, and Courtney!
BSF had a blast making the BMS staff smile on May 7th. "Ted Lasso" delivered tea and biscuits to staff members for a little treat during BMS's Educator Appreciation Week.
For the 25th anniversary of the Barrington School Foundation’s founding, we brought back the beloved Jumpstart to Literacy Pajama Party!
We gathered on January 29th from 6-7pm at the Early Childhood Learning Center for an evening of children’s literature and fun (56 kiddos and their grown ups came...over 100 Barrington residents excited about reading together!). Jess Linden, the 2024-2025 Excellence in Education recipient, read the Going to Bed Book by Sandra Boyton. The middle school Kindness Ambassadors guided the children through a number of activities relating to the story, such as giving their stuffed animals a bubble bath, designing pajamas for them, brushing their teeth, and rocking them to sleep. Every child went home with a book or two! The 7th and 8th grade band members played a lovely lullaby for the everyone.
Thank you to everyone who came and made this such a wonderful night! The BMS Kindness Ambassadors and band members were such a treat. We were delighted that so many families came to support reading with their little ones.
On Saturday, December 7, 2024 we teamed up with the Barrington library, Parks & Rec, BES PTO, and the Early Childhood Learning Center to put on a Polar Express-themed event for Barrington families. We elf-ed up and handed out books/word games to families and tried to spread some holiday cheer. It was so much fun to see everyone! Happy Holidays!
On Sunday, Oct 20, 2024, the Jumpstart to Literacy's StoryWalk took place at the ECLC Owl's nest. Many Barrington families attended the event; 44 kiddos and their 37 adults came to enjoy Stick & Stone, Best Friends Forever (by Tom Lichtenheld and Beth Ferry ) and the beautiful nature walk. Kiddos also could do a nature scavenger hunt along the way. Every family went home with a copy of the book. It really was a fantastic day. THANK YOU to everyone who came and helped make it happen, especially the ECLC for co-sponsoring the event, the volunteers, and the Barrington families who came!
The story walk stayed at the ECLC for all the kindergarten and PreK classes to enjoy. It was also used at the Barrington Elementary School the following week for the elementary students.
Did you see the colorful paint on the blacktop at Barrington Middle School? In the spring of 2024, BSF held a pavement design contest. Many middle schools submitted ideas to jazz up the paved space where they have recess each day. On several hot days in August, we attempted to create Caroline Morris's wonderful basketball design. We also painted paw grid (which has been used like a "floor is lava" space). Each design allows for students to create their own active games.
We must give a huge shout out to Calefs Country Store. We are so thankful for their generous support. We were honored to collaborate with them for the pickle kit fundraiser in August. Once again, it was a wonderful (and delicious) way to support us. Thank you Calef's....Pickle Power!
End68 Summer Essentials Bags 2024
We love collaborating with End 68 Hours of Hunger Barrington NH! In late June, we create Summer Essentials Bags for the End68 participants in Barrington. We included reading materials, games, sunblock, and craft supplies. We hope the kiddos enjoy them.
In early 2024, we received a $5,000 grant from Wireless Zone Gives! We are so thankful to Wireless Zone, Verizon Authorized Retailer in Lee for making this happen. Thanks to their incredible support, we are continuing to support our work in Barrington, NH. Thank you SO much!
On Sunday, June 2, 2024, we held a family meet up/playdate for Barrington families with young children at the ECLC. It was a fun opportunity for parents and kiddos to meet each other and make new friends. We had books to give away too (of course).
The Barrington School Foundation donated funds to sponsor a First Lego League Starter Kit at Barrington Elementary School. We are so excited to help get this program off the ground.
On May 21st, 2024 night we were honored to present the 2024 Excellence In Education Award to Jess Linden.
Jess is Barrington's amazing Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She works with Barrington students at all of the schools, from the early childhood learning center through high school. Her colleagues describe her as hard working, detail-oriented, and easy to collaborate with. She is also empathetic and caring in each and every one of her interactions with students. Jess handles challenging situations with ease, and with care. Students’ safety and integrity are always her priority; she makes sure students feel loved and important. Her expertise is evident in her meticulous approach to developing and implementing behavior plans tailored to meet the unique needs of each student. What truly sets Jess apart is her unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students, regardless of their challenges or abilities.
We were delighted to present Jess with this year’s Excellence In Education Award and a $500 check from the Barrington School Foundation. Thank you Ms. Linden for your passion, expertise, and genuine commitment to the betterment of our educational community!
In May 2024, BSF was the recipient of Dogman-themed Little Free Library and a bunch of books to stock it! We coordinated with BES to have it's first location be next to the BES library.
Mrs. Newick introduced it to the students and taught them about how little free libraries work. A big, huge thank you to Little Free Library, Scholastic, and Dav Pilkey for this generous donation of the library and lots of books to keep it full.
We also were able to give each BES 4th grader a copy of The Scarlet Shredder by Dav Pilkey.
Happy reading, kids!
Once again we collaborated with the Greater Barrington Chamber of Commerce to host the Kid Zone at the Peeper 5K on May 4th, 2024. We had tossing games, pool noodle obstacle runs, fishing games, hula hoops, jump ropes, side walk chalk, and (you know it)....BOOKS to give away. It's always a fun community event and we were happy to see families out and about on a spring Saturday morning.
On May 9th, we had a blast at BMS. It was a non-traditional, teacher appreciation theme...Schitt's Creek! We brought the educators warm cinnamon rolls and "Herb Ertlinger" sparkling cider. There was ice coffee and fake eyebrows too. It was so much fun to see everyone's enjoyment (or confusion).
2023 StoryWalk!
Sunday, Oct 15, 2023 was the Jumpstart to Literacy's StoryWalk and it was a blast! Over 100 people (51 kiddos and their grown ups) came to enjoy Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type (by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin) and the beautiful walk through the ECLC's OWL's nest. Kiddos tried out some typewriters too! Recipients of the Excellence In Education Award came to hand out copies of the book to each family as well. It was such a wonderful day. THANK YOU to everyone who came and helped make it happen.
Our PROJECTS enhance children's' experiences in the Barrington Schools.
Sign up to be part of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library! Barrington children (birth to age 5) are eligible. Sign up now!
Charlotte Hambucken, super graphic designer, created our logo. Thank you Charlotte for donating your talents to the Barrington School Foundation.