The Starburst

Greetings, Barrows Families!

First and foremost, thank Mrs. Carnahan, her dedicated American Education Week Committee (who were at school each morning super early), and our families, who donated wonderful treats every day! Our staff feels so loved and appreciated! We are THANKFUL for you!

Report cards will be sent out electronically on Monday, December 4th. It takes us all day (without technical difficulties) to send out all report cards. Please remember that these are standards-based and reflect the student's process in learning grade-level standards. Teachers have sent information for you to sign up for your student's conference, which will be held on December 6-8th. We are offering in-person and virtual options. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about your student's growth. Please be mindful that this is a very busy time of year for our teachers. They take writing report cards and preparing for your conference very seriously. We want to create strong partnerships with you because that is the best way to help our students be successful. I am THANKFUL for the skilled teachers we have at Barrows!

Next week is a short one, but steeped in Barrows traditions! Kindergarten will be performing its annual Thanksgiving Show for families on Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday, third grade has its Colonial Day celebration, and you are invited to cheer on our students and staff as we circle our Barrows campus for the annual Turkey Trot. See more information from Mrs. Atwood below! I am THANKFUL for the student's engagement in preparing for these performances and the teachers who spend extra time planning these special events --that are the exclamation point to the learning that happens in the classroom each day!

I had the opportunity to hear Mrs. Ring share information during lunch from the bulletin board that she has displayed with our School Adjustment Counselor & Metco Coordinator, Ms. Brown, about Native American Inventions. Today, she uncovered the mystery invention--of snow goggles. Be sure to ask your students what other things Native Americans invented! I am THANKFUL for the learning opportunities that happen, even at lunch!

Each fall, in collaboration with our School Council, I write a School Improvement Plan, which is presented to our School Committee. I presented our SIP at our November PTO meeting. Our staff carries out all the work highlighted in this plan to provide research based academic and social emotional learning opportunities for each student in our building. I am linking it here: Alice M. Barrows Elementary School School Improvement Plan. I am THANKFUL for all of the stakeholders who challenge our thinking and support us to provide the best education at Barrows!

Highlights for this week include:

• Students have an 11:00 am early dismissal on Wednesday, November 22nd. Lunch will NOT be served.
• Lots of photos (scroll to the bottom)
• NEW PTO Updates (opportunites to help with the REF tree, the Winter Craft Fair and Teacher Caroling Silent Auction)
• NEW SEPAC, METCO & Reading Education Foundation Updates
• Information on our Turkey Trot

There are many fun events and opportunities for you and your students to get involved in our community this season!

The next Starburst will appear the week after Thanksgiving! I wish you a healthy, relaxing, and wonderful Thanksgiving Break with your family and friends. I am most undoubtedly THANKFUL for our school community, hardworking students, dedicated staff, supportive families, my family and a few days off!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Warmly,

Mrs. Gallegos

Wednesday, November 22nd: Turkey Trot @10:20 am, 11 am dismissal

Thursday & Friday, November 23-24: No School- Thanksgiving Break

Saturday, December 2nd: Winter Craft Fair, Barrows Staff Carolers On-line Auction, Holiday Brunch with Friends of Reading METCO & REF Festival of Trees

Thursday, December 7th: 12:45 pm Early Dismissal (Conferences)

Friday, December 8th: No School (Conference Day)

Friday, December 15th: Barrows Staff Carolers for 3 lucky winners!

Friday, December 22nd: 11 am dismissal, start of Winter Break

Tuesday, January 2nd: School Resumes

School Hours:

Monday-Thursday, 8:15 AM - 2:45 PM

Friday, 8:15 AM - 12:45 PM

*Students must be in class by 8:25 to be counted as on-time and present

Reading Public Schools Calendar

School lunches are once again free for students in the Commonwealth. We do ask families that need financial assistance to complete this form: https://www.reading.k12.ma.us/en-US/food-services-4f8d79b4/frl-bac51fe9

We look forward to providing nutritious meals for our students!

Reading Public Schools Food Service/Lunch Menus: http://reading.k12.ma.us/departments/food-services/

Dear Barrows Families,

We are excited to invite you to be spectators at our annual Barrows Turkey Trot!

Please join us on Wednesday, November 22nd from 10:20-10:45 as we Trot around the outside of the school and field. Please gather on grassy spaces so the sidewalks are clear for us to trot by! When we finish trotting the kids will return to their classrooms and get ready to go home. They will follow their typical dismissal plan for 11:00. Unfortunately, if the weather is bad we will have to cancel the Turkey Trot.

We are so encouraged by the number of feathers and donations we have already received for the local food pantries. Donations and feathers can be brought to school on Monday and Tuesday, each student may contribute up to 10 feathers.

Move your feet before you eat,

Mrs. Atwood

We delivered 18 full meals and many more donated items to Neighbors in Need this afternoon. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure that local families have a special meal to share with their family and friends this Thanksgiving. A special thanks to Mrs. Crocker, Mrs. Ring, Mrs. Penna and Mrs. Smith for helping all of our students participate in a wonderful cause!

A big thank you to the Ethier and Barcikowski kids & moms for helping Mrs. Ring and Mrs. Crocker bring all our donations to Neighbors in Need in Lawrence after school on Friday! Thank you for being shining star examples of Kindness!

American Education Week was a huge Success!

Thank you so much to everyone who donated for American Education Week! Everyone at Barrows was so appreciative of all of the snacks and treats. We wanted to pass along their thanks and also the many thanks from the PTO for making this American Education Week such a success. It couldn't have been done without you!

Festival of Trees

We would love your help decorating our tree for the Reading Education Foundation's Festival of Trees.The name of the tree is 'Tis the Sea-son and our theme plays on the name. Think sea, ocean, beach, coastal, waves, etc. Below you will find an Amazon wish list for decorations, trimmings, and presents for under the tree. The festival takes place December 2nd and 3rd so please check out the wish list today! You can also donate a monetary contribution through this Givebutter link and we can do the shopping for you. Reminder, if you donate through Givebutter you can zero out the tip (this is a default setting). Thank you!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/apbsAk4?ref_=wl_share

A big thank you to Churchill's Garden Center of Exeter, NH for the beautiful ornament donations.

Be sure to purchase advance tickets - skip the line, and save time!

https://readingef.ejoinme.org/MyPages/FOTpreorderform2023/tabid/1394506/Default.aspx

2023 Festival of Trees Preorder Form

Copy of Advance admission and raffle ticket sales copied from 2021 for 2023

readingef.ejoinme.org

Any questions you can reach out to our Tree Lead - Kristin Foristall - kmanna@hotmail.com.

Winter Craft Fair

Saturday, December 2nd, 10am-2pm in the Barrows Cafeteria

Join us for a fun family day of making crafts, raffles and pizza will be for sale. Before this fun event takes place there is lots of different opportunities to be involved either leading up to the event (cutting fabric, painting, etc.) and the day of the event. Anyone interested should reach out to Kim Smith with any questions - kimberlyjago@hotmail.com fabulous teachers.

FOLLOW US

We are now on Facebook and Instagram! Like us on Facebook – Barrows Elementary PTO and Follow Us on Instagram @BarrowsElementaryPTO

Be a Cafeteria Volunteer

Sign up to help in the cafeteria during lunch periods (11am - 12:35pm). The cafeteria is fully staffed, but can always use a couple extra hands to help with opening up packages, milk cartons, moving through lunch line efficiently. Please note that all volunteers must have a completed CORI (complete 1 week prior to volunteering) on file prior to volunteering and unfortunately non school aged children will not be allowed to join with the volunteer.

If you are interested in volunteering please use the Sign Up Genius to sign up for the day or days you would like to help out. Parent/Guardian Help at Lunch

FUNDRAISING

Minted Fundraiser

The Minted Fundraiser is open the ENTIRE year! You can use the promo code FUNDRAISEBARROWS any time you place an order through Minted and help support the Barrows Elementary PTO. You'll get 20% OFF your ORDER and 15% of every purchase made using our code will be donated back to Barrows.

Box Tops

Did you know you no longer need to clip Box Tops and send them into school? Box Tops now offers an app where you scan your receipts! Doing online grocery delivery these days? No problem! Box Tops also offers a way to email your online orders for credit. Find it in the app store or google play store today!

Helpsy Bin

Finally, have you been in purge mode lately? Getting rid of old, stained or ripped clothing? Drop it off in the Helpsy box in the Barrows staff parking lot (after school hours of course) and Barrows will receive a small donation for your items. Clothing, shoes and accessories are all accepted!

Many thanks,

PTO Board

Lori Barcikowski, Co-President

(LoriBarcikowski@yahoo.com)

Meghan Dribin, Co-President

(MegDribin@gmail.com)

Amy Koehler, Treasurer

Alicia Curtin, Secretary

Alison Ethier, Social Media Coordinator

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook:

@barrowselementarypto & https://www.facebook.com/BarrowsPTO/

SEPAC works for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community (including ALL children on IEPs or 504 plans and children who may require specialized support). Watch this brief introductory video to learn more!

Visit the SEPAC WEBPAGE

Sign up for our mailing list

Follow SEPAC on Facebook or Instagram

See our 2023-2024 Calendar of Events

SEPACsgiving was a great success. A huge thank you to Maria Morgan for organizing and hosting this wonderful series of events. Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving next week.

Upcoming events:

The Learning Center review process has been completed and Student Services will be presenting the findings at the school committee meeting on November 30th. This will be followed-up with a virtual presentation (The Learning Center Review Results) hosted by Reading SEPAC on Thursday 12/7 @ 7 pm to give parents an opportunity to learn more about the learning center, the review results, and to ask questions directly to Student Services. Zoom link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/85297238312

SEPAC REF Tree:

Reading SEPAC is proud to once again participate in the Reading Education Foundation (REF) Festival of Trees which supports our schools. Every year our members have graciously helped us to reach this goal and we hope this year will be no different as it would not be possible without your help!

A big thank you to Alyssa Scaparotti for volunteering to create a tree for the REF Festival on behalf of Reading SEPAC. This year's theme will be Ice Cream Wonderland.

This is a wonderful opportunity to not only support two Reading volunteer groups, Reading SEPAC and REF, but also to help Reading SEPAC spread awareness of our mission to continue to make Reading a better place for children with disabilities and to support families.

Here's some ways to help and to get involved:

• Donate items or help decorate the tree
• We would gratefully accept contributions of decorations/gifts for the SEPAC tree.
• Here's two lists, if you wish to contribute, please know that we would welcome anything that goes with the theme, no matter where it's from.

Sign Up Genius

Amazon Wishlist

Items purchased off the Amazon wishlist have the option to be shipped directly to Allysa.

If you are able to help, we are beyond grateful. Please reach out if you'd like to help in any way not mentioned. Thank you!

METCO unites suburban towns with Boston to engage in a reciprocal learning partnership in support of all students. Because of this, every child who attends school in Reading Public Schools is a METCO student and every parent or guardian who has a student in RPS is a part of the METCO community.

"Since its founding during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, the METCO program has enrolled tens of thousands of Boston students of color in predominately white school districts, creating the opportunity for those districts to experience the advantages of learning and working in a racially and ethnically diverse setting."

Hello Barrows Families,

Please see the attached flyer for our final event of the year – a Holiday Brunch on 12/2/23. This is our second annual event, which we host alongside the Reading Education Foundation’s Festival of Trees. Last year was a great success – with a mix of Boston and Reading families joining us and then going to the Festival of Trees together!

Registrations are via the QR code on the flyer or this Eventbrite link.

We hope to see you there!

Thank you,

Ilka Walkley and LaVonda Epps

Co-Chairs Friends of Reading METCO

Saturday December 2nd 10am-8pm

Sunday, December 3rd 10am-4pm

Parker Middle School, 45 Temple Street

Experience a winter wonderland of decorated holiday trees donated by community members. Take a chance at winning a tree.

Admission $5 individual or $10 Family (Good for the whole weekend and covers entertainment)

Scan the QR code above for advance ticket sales!

You must request to follow these private accounts. We post images, reels and stories that give you a quick glimpse into your child’s day during these Special class times. Mrs. Hurley for Art can be found here @mrs.hurley_art and Mrs. Atwood for Physical Education can be found here @barrowspe

*If your Instagram name does not easily identify you, please send us a separate email so we know it’s you! For safety, we are careful about who we accept.*

Dear Barrows Families,

Another way you can support your child’s art is to join Artsonia. Artsonia is the world's largest collection of student art, published by teachers and students from around the world. Through Artsonia families can view student art online and leave comments. If you would like to join Artsonia keep your eye on your inbox; email invitations will be going out shortly! Thank you! Beth Hurley

Dear Barrows Families,

This is a friendly reminder that kids should wear sneakers on the days that they have Physical Education. I love Crocs too, but they don’t count as sneakers…even when they’re worn in sport mode! Thanks so much for your support with this safety matter.

Sarah Atwood

Arrival

• Please drive slowly up Edgemont to keep everyone safe; remember, it is a ONE-WAY during the school day.
• Do not park in the indented section by the gym. This is the "kiss & go" area for a quick drop-off.
• Doors open at 8:15 and close at 8:25. Your child needs to be in their seat by 8:25 AM. If your child arrives to school after the doors have closed, they must come to the front door and be marked tardy.
• The Staff Parking Lot is for staff only and off limits to all pedestrians from arrival-dismissal for the safety of all. Please respect this important aspect of our campus.

Dismissal:

• At dismissal time, there is no live pick-up in the driveway except for students who take the bus. Kindergarteners exit the building at 2:40 PM. The rest of the students dismiss at 2:45 PM from the same doors they enter in the morning.

As a safety reminder, the staff parking lot is staff-only. We respectfully ask that caregivers park along the streets. With our students exiting from their external doors in the parking lot, having cars drive in and out is not safe. You need to walk around the school on the blacktop to the back. Thanks for helping us out.

Ready to Play the Best Way

Please do not have your children wear flip-flops. Sneakers are best, but flip-flops are dangerous when running at recess (and Crocs aren't great).

Dogs and Puppies on School Grounds

School Committee policy prohibits dogs on school grounds as much as we all love dogs and puppies and as much fun as it is walking them. If you'd like to walk your dog as part of your pick-up routine, the dog has to stay off school property. If you'd like your child to walk to you on the sidewalk or to the driveway entrances at dismissal so you can wait with your dog, please make that plan with them.

PTO Facebook Link https://www.facebook.com/BarrowsPTO/

Follow us on Instagram: @barrowselementarypto

Barrows Homepage: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us/barrows/

Reading Public Schools: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us

The Town of Reading contracts with William James College to offer a special service for our residents. The William James INTERFACE Referral Service maintains a mental health and wellness referral help line Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). This is a free, confidential referral service for individuals across the lifespan living in Reading. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers from our extensive database. Each referral meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller. Click here to learn more!