The Academic Enrichment programs are sponsored by the Barton Hills Elementary PTA, thanks to the efforts of many volunteers and the support of our teachers and staff. These programs are in addition to and meant to enhance the regular school curriculum. Below is a description of each of these programs.

BOOK BUDDIES
The Book Buddy program pairs parent and community volunteers with students to help them practice and improve their reading skills. Volunteers read with their Book Buddies for 20 minutes at least once a week during the school day. Teachers will provide an appropriate book for you and your buddy, and we’ll help you find a special place outside of the classroom (library, outside, triangle, etc.) to sit and enjoy a good book. Become a Book Buddy and help children discover a love for reading. You can make such a difference by sharing as little as 20 minutes per week with a reader. For more information or to volunteer, contact Beatriz Mejia or Sarah Nichols.

CULTURAL ARTS
The Cultural Arts program brings various presentations throughout the year to our school, including programs by musicians, writers, and actors. These presentations are intended to broaden our children’s arts education. Events are added to our calendar as scheduling is finalized. Volunteers are often needed before and after events. If you would like to help host a presentation or otherwise volunteer, please contact Tamara Carlisle.

FRENCH
Fee-based French language classes are offered after school and taught by Valérie Chaussonnet. For class times and availabilities, contact Valérie at 441-1284.

MATH PENTATHLON
Math Pentathlon is a national program in which students play games appropriate to their grade level to develop and practice important math concepts and skills. The program consists of five different games to help students learn and love math. Our volunteers bring this to the classroom in the fall, and hold voluntary practices after school in the spring for the state competition. Click here for more information, or contact Eleanour Quinn.

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND
Odyssey of the Mind (OM), is a program designed to bring out and enhance creativity. In OM, kids apply their creativity to solve challenges - from building a mechanical device to presenting an interpretation of a literary classic - working together and cooperatively with a team. All teams present their solutions at a tournament in the spring along with hundreds of other students from schools in the Austin area. For more information, visit the Odyssey of the Mind website.

If your child is interested in being on a team and/or you are interested in being a team coach, contact Eleanour Quinn. We will hold a meeting in September for all interested kids and their parents and will form teams at that time.

REFLECTIONS
Reflections is a national PTA program that provides opportunities for students to express themselves by creating works of art for fun and receiving positive recognition for their artistic efforts. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to create and submit works of art in conjunction with this year’s theme, which is yet to be announced. Artwork can be in any of four areas: literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage).

BHE students who would like to participate in the Reflections Program must submit their entries to the BHE PTA by October 31. All participants will receive recognition for participating and their submissions will be displayed in our BHE art gallery hall. Entries will be judged by an independent panel of local artists, who will choose the top 20 percent of the artworks in each category, which will then be submitted to the Austin Council of PTA to compete in the state and national recognition program. Click here for an entry form and more information about the Reflections Program, or contact Bryan Hebert.

SPANISH
Fee-based Spanish language classes are offered after school and taught by Deidre Kateri Aragon. For more information, please visit www.livethelanguage.org or contact Deidre, 762-4907.

YOUNG AUTHOR’S DAY
Young Author’s Day is an annual event in which accomplished authors in all areas of expertise (children’s book authors, journalists, comic book writers) are paired with each grade level. The authors visit the classrooms to read from their work, discuss the steps of the writing process, and lead the children in a writing exercise. If you or someone you know is an author interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Veronica Gonzalez  for more information.