The Starburst
December 1, 2023
Barrows Upcoming Dates 2023-24 School Year
Saturday, December 2nd: Winter Craft Fair 10am-2pm, 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
School Lunches
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/
Staying Healthy During the Holidays:
The holidays can be a magical time, so it is important to make sure you are taking precautions to help keep you and your family safe and healthy.
- Wash hands often to help prevent the spread of germs - Wash your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure you get between the fingers and under any rings/jewelry! Always wash your hands before eating or touching your face.
- Bundle up to stay dry and warm - wear appropriate outdoor clothing: light, warm layers, gloves, hats, scarves, and waterproof boots. Make sure children are dressing appropriately for outdoor recess. If the weather permits, they will be heading outside for fresh air!
- Eat healthy and stay active - eat fruits and vegetables packed with plenty of nutrients. Limit foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. Also, try to be active for at least 2½ hours a week and help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.
- Manage stress - give yourself a break if you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or out of control. Some of the best ways to manage stress are to find support, connect socially, and get plenty of sleep. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that children aged 6–12 years should regularly sleep 9–12 hours a night.
- Practice fire safety – most residential fires occur during the winter months. Be sure to check the home's fire detectors and ensure they are working appropriately. Replace batteries as needed! Determine your family's fire plan and where you would meet if there were an emergency at home.
- Consider running a humidifier – humidifiers help keep the air moist and benefit our health. They can prevent nosebleeds caused by dry air and improve coughs by moisturizing your lungs, throat, and nasal passages, and even recent studies suggest viruses and cold particles cannot travel in humid air or dry air! I attached that article here for review.
Absent from School:
If your child will be absent from school, please be sure to call the main office at (781) 942-9166. Include a reason for the absence. As always, we are working to keep students and staff healthy. Please keep your child at home for the following symptoms:
· Fever over 100°
· Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
· Persistent cough unrelated to allergies or asthma
You can call the nurse's office directly if you have any concerns about sending your child to school.
Holiday Brunch with Friends of Reading METCO
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
Please follow Art and Physical Education on Instagram!
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.*
Check-Out Artsonia!
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
An Important Reminder from Mrs. Atwood
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.
