The Starburst

Greetings, Barrows Families!

I feel like a broken record (my apologies to those who didn't grow up with the frustration of listening to one). But as I have written before, this is another LONG Starburst with LOTS of important bacl to school information for our returning and brand new families. Please read through and follow the links that apply to you!

WE ARE READERS! My absolute favorite thing to do as a principal is to visit classrooms and see engaged students and enthusiastic teachers. With the immense heat this week, we tried hard to help kids feel cool while still learning. I was so excited to hear multiple teachers say to me when I entered their classrooms, with the fans running, lights dimmed, and every student reading a book, "Wow, these kids love to read!" I must attribute much of this to your homes that encourage and value reading. Thank you for your partnership with us! Please remember that the Reading Public LIbrary is air conditioned(!!)and filled with many different types of books for students to read--from picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and magazines. If you don't have a student who loves reading, we are happy to work with them to find the right books!

EVERY FAMLY MUST update their students' portal information to ensure it is correct and current. This is what we use to contact you in case of a student illness or emergency. Please hit submit so that we know everything is current and up-to-date.(Directions Below).

We have had a lot of questions regarding the letter from Food Services regarding mySchoolBucks and Financial Assistance. I hope this clarifies any confusion:

Lunch at Barrows is still FREE for all students. However, we plan to offer snacks for purchase later this school year, and having a mySchoolBucks will allow students to have funds to do that. Middle and high schools allow students to purchase snacks and a second lunch.

I encourage any family that would typically apply for free & reduced lunch to still apply for financial support using this link. Submitting this confidential information allows me to ensure that other school events associated with a cost are not a burden for any family that cannot afford it or needs some support. We want all students to have the same opportunities as all students and never be hindered by financial challenges.

Please remember to call the front office if there is a change in your child's dismissal. Teachers do not always have the opportunity to check their email, and students sometimes forget to turn in a note.

Back to School Night (for adults only):

Grades K-2 5:30-6 pm

Principal's Welcome, PTO & SEPAC 6:00-6:15 pm

Grades 3-5 6:15-6:45 pm

This evening is an opportunity for parents & guardians to hear from your student's teacher about their teacher, the curriculum, and our expectations. The principal, PTO, and representatives from our SEPAC will welcome our families and speak about ways to become involved in our school community.We will also be holding our School Council election by ballot in the back of the cafeteria. Please see the secion regarding our School Council below.

Due to the weather, the Back to School Picnic is postponed to this Friday! I am looking forward to seeing everyone there!

Warmly,

Mrs. Gallegos

Directions for Filling Out Forms on Plus Portals (You will have better luck using a computer than your phone)

Please follow the steps below to update Pupil Information and Contact forms on Plus Portals.

1. Log into Plus Portals

It's an election Year. We have two open seats on our School Council. If you are interested in serving on our School Council for a two year term please complete this form by 4 pm on Wednesday. Our School Council meets four times during the school year from 3:00-4:00 pm (we try to meet in person, but have a zoom option).

School Council's assist the school leadership with:

1. Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards
2. Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school
3. Reviewing the annual school building budget
4. Formulating a school improvement plan (this will be our first order of business!)

If you have any questions or would like more information, please reach out to Mrs. Gallegos

2022-2023 School Year:

Wednesday, September 13th :⭐💙⭐All School Assembly & Spirit Day (Students are encouraged to wear Blue & Yellow (with or without stars) or Barrows Gear!

Thursday, September 14th: Elementary Back to School Night for adults only (5:30-6:45 pm)

Friday, September 15th: Back to School Picnic (5-6:30 pm)

Tuesday, September 19th: Lynn Lyons Presenting Helping Your Family's Emotional Health (5-7 pm @ Parker Middle School)

Wednesday, September 20th: Picture DAY & Barrows PTO Meeting (7 pm in person & virtual)

Wednesday, September 27th :⭐💙⭐All School Assembly & Spirit Day (Students are encouraged to wear Blue & Yellow (with or without stars) or Barrows Gear!

Wednesday, October 18th: Barrows PTO Meeting (8:30 am in-person & virtual)

Friday, October 20th: PTO Monster Mash (rain date: 10/27).

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/

The PTO packet was sent home this week with your children as well as emailed on Thursday. Please take a look and reach out with any questions. Completing the volunteer questionnaire and paying dues is the BEST way to help us out at the start of the school year.

We were disappointed to postpone the back to school picnic on Friday, but the field and playground were so wet after the storm we decided it was for the best. We are hoping to have it on Friday September 15th from 5-6:30pm if the weather cooperates.

JOIN US

The first PTO meeting of the year will be Wednesday, September 20th at 7pm in the Barrows library. Zoom link will also be provided in advance.

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 (You must see Mrs. Walsh in-person in the office to complete at least 1 week prior to volunteering (bring you license) 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

The below fundraising efforts are available throughout the entire year.

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: @barrowselementarypto

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 families! My name is Shaquanda Brown (Ms. Brown), and I am excited to be here as part of the Barrows community this year as the METCO Coordinator/School Adjustment Counselor. I completed my Master of Social Work degree from Salem State University in the spring of 2023. I was born and raised in Roxbury and attended METCO in Marblehead, MA, from 1st to 12th grade. I have worked with young people aged 6-21 for over ten years in the nonprofit space. I found my passion in working with and advocating for children and young adults through that work. I spend my free time mentoring and coaching first-generation, low-income Harvard students about leadership and social justice. Outside of that, I enjoy traveling, exercising, reading, listening to podcasts, and watching documentaries. I look forward to being in touch with you over the school year!

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).

Visit the SEPAC WEBPAGE

Sign up for our mailing list

Follow SEPAC on Facebook or Instagram

See our 2023-2024 Calendar of Events

Upcoming Events (see flyers for details):

Tuesday, Sept 19th, 5-7PM

Lynn Lyons - Internationally recognized expert on anxiety

Helping Your Family’s Emotional Health: Practical Skills and Solutions for Managing Anxiety, Enhancing Flexibility, and Creating Wellbeing

• In-person at PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL (note location change)

• Registration required

Thursday, Oct 5th, 9AM

Team Chair Meet and Greet at Central Office

• Come join us to meet your team chair and student service leadership in person. This is a great opportunity to foster a good relationship outside of the virtual world and the demands of IEP meetings.
  

• Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!

• Location: Central Office at RMHS. Entrance next to RISE pre-school

• Registration requested

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.

As a parent guardian of a child in the Reading Public Schools, you have access to the Parent PlusPortal. The Portal will be used throughout your child’s academic career as it is where you update your child’s emergency contact information, view report cards, and beyond elementary school, see your child’s grades in real time. It also acts as a communication portal between you and your child’s teacher where oftentimes, different academic links, notes, or activities are shared.

If you are a returning parent, your account is still active but you still need to update the forms at the start of each school year. If you are a new parent guardian and have not received access, please reach out to our school administrative secretary, Donna Walsh at donna.walsh@reading.k12.ma.us. At that point, you will receive a separate email with your PlusPortal login information. The subject line of the email is Important! Barrows School PlusPortals login. This is a confidential portal that is linked to your email account. You have 48 hours to activate your Portal account using the temporary password supplied through the email. Once you login, you can update the password and personal information.

Follow our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/SEPAC.Reading

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

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!