The Starburst

Happy Weekend, Barrows Families,

I am so thankful that we have the long-standing tradition of our costume parade in Kindergarten--especially now that my children feel too old to dress up. (My senior spent the night submitting college applications instead). Our kindergarteners were so proud to walk through the school, showing off their costumes, and we were grateful for another sunny day!

I want to highlight our very unique schedule for next week. Students only have school on MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY. Our staff has an In-Service Day on Tuesday, beginning with keynote speaker Lisa Drennan, focusing on Empowering Belonging: Nurturing Inclusive Classrooms for Academic Excellence. Reading Public Schools believes our students thrive when they feel a strong sense of belonging in their classroom and school environments. Our entire day will be focused on identifying and implementing best practices that support every one of our students and improve our sense of belonging at Barrows. On Friday, November 10th, there will be no school to observe Veterans Day.

In past years, we would be a week away from our fall conferences. However, the district moved elementary conferences to the second week in December. This allows us to have fewer interrupted instructional days in November. This month is fondly referred to as "No School November" by students. Moving the conference days to early December also gives teachers a deep and detailed understanding of each child as a learner. However, if a teacher has concerns about a student, they will contact you sooner. I am sharing our communication policy, written in collaboration with our Building-Instructional Team and School Council, to help guide how we best communicate. Please take a moment to read through this document: Barrows Communication Policy.

Highlights for this week's Starburst:

• This is the last call for families wanting to participate in our Veterans Day assembly. Please see the information below!
• Information on our first Community Service Project--supporting Neighbors in Need (see below)
• Save-the-Date: Our Annual Turkey Trot, November 22nd @ 10:20 & Feather Fundraiser (More information to come next week)
• Mrs. Korwan's November OT Bitmoji Classroom
• Important Calendar Updates with unique dismissal times in November & December (mark your calendars)
• Get involved with American Education Week &/or Barrows Winter Craft Fair.
• Photos, Goodbyes, Thank You's, and more!

I hope everyone has a beautiful weekend. Happy reading!

Warmly,

Mrs. Gallegos

This November, our Barrows community will be participating in a Food Drive to support a local food pantry. We are so excited to kick off our first community service project of the school year!

For over 40 years, Neighbors in Need in Lawrence has been providing food to over 1000 families in the neighborhoods of Methuen, Lawrence, North Andover, and Andover. This holiday season, we will be helping Neighbors in Need as they bring Thanksgiving to over 1800 families in the Greater Lawrence area. During November from 11/6 - 11/16, students can bring in food for this collection as we create holiday meal baskets for the food pantry.

From November 6th - November 16th we ask Barrows students, if they can, to bring in the following foods. We will be collecting food by grade level as follows:

Kindergarten - Cranberry Sauce and/or Gravy

Grade 1 - Stuffing Mix and/or Quick Bread Mixes (Pumpkin/Bread/Corn Muffins, etc)

Grade 2 - Brownie Mix, Pie shells, Canned Pumpkin filling, evaporated milk or Canned Vegetables (e.g. corn, green beans, peas, carrots - low sodium if possible)

Grade 3 - Canned Beans and/or Canned Fruit (pineapple, peaches, pears - low sugar if possible)

Grade 4 - Canned Soup and/or Macaroni and Cheese

Grade 5 - 1 or 2 lb bags of Rice and/or Mashed Potato Mix

On November 16th the Student Council will collect the classroom boxes and create individual meal baskets. We are hoping for at least 18 meal baskets. A couple of staff members will be delivering the meals to Neighbors in Need on 11/17 as they prepare to support so many families in need for Thanksgiving.
We are so thankful and appreciative of your support!

Any questions please reach out to Mrs. Ring @ annemarie.ring@reading.k12.ma.us

Tuesday, November 7th: No School: Teacher In-Service Day

Wednesday, November 8th: Veterans Day Assembly- Wear Red, White & Blue ❤️🤍💙

Friday, November 10th: No School: Veterans Day Observed

Mon-Fri, November 13-17th: American Education Week

Wednesday, November 15th: PTO meeting- Barrows Library (zoom link available) 7 pm

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, 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)

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/

Is a member of your family a Veteran? Help Barrows honor those that served our country. Two options - We are inviting Veterans to be part of our assembly on Wednesday November 8th at 8:30 OR you can send us a photo and information and it will be included in the assembly. Either way please email carina.becker@reading.k12.ma.us to register your Veteran in order to be recognized at the assembly. Please do this no later than Monday November 6th.

You will need to share the following information:

• Barrows student/students and their teacher

• Veteran’s Name

• Branch

• Rank

• Please include a photo of the Veteran

• Will they be in person for the assembly or just recognized?

***If you shared this information last year, please just email and remind me! I have it saved. ***

Reach out to carina.becker@reading.k12.ma.us with any questions.

Wednesday was our longterm PE teacher' last day. We want to thank Ms. Eggimann for filling Mrs. Atwood's shoes while she was on leave this fall. You kept our students moving, safe and happy!

Our Kindergarten Staff and Students would like to thank our enrichment "moms", Nicole Berry and Whitney McBride, for organizing a visit from Ms. Teresa at Kidsfun in Reading. The kids practiced playing cooperatively and listening to directions on a beautiful fall morning.

American Education Week of November 13th - 17th

Please help us celebrate our wonderful Barrows staff. The plan is to shower them with treats daily throughout the week and end the week on Friday with a catered lunch provided by the PTO. Please use the Signup Genius for more information and to sign up to donate the food/beverage items.

Do you want to help, but don't have the time to pick up a treat? Consider making a small monetary contribution towards the event. (Venmo - @Meghan-Carnahan-2 and comment AEW). If you have any questions about AE Week please contact Meghan Carnahan - meghan.carnahan@gmail.com

American Education Week is celebrated annually to honor those who work in our nation's public schools. Thank you for helping celebrate our wonderful Barrows staff!

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.

Fifth Grade End of the Year Celebrations Planning Committee: If you would like to be involved please email co-chairs, Denise Ewald & Kaley Dee to join. deniseewald@hotmail.com & macdonaldkaley@yahoo.com

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

Thank you to everyone who attended the 10/17 meeting. The video of recorded portions will be posted on our website soon. Thanks to Etain O’Dea for serving as Election Coordinator and to Dana Levin for taking notes. New SEPAC board members are Chris Kowaleski, Dilly Wilson and Jacyln Lee. Returning SEPAC board members are Zea Lennard, Eunice Kenyon and Lindsay Conti.

Upcoming events:

SEPACsgiving November 13-19 (sign up for sessions by November 3rd)

SEPACsgiving will be an opportunity for general members to connect with other general members in self-selected groups (eg ADHD, Dyslexia, SAIL, OOD, etc.). Members will "give" presence, time, resources, support, encouragement, and compassion to one another. The initial meeting, for which you can sign up using this link, will be 30 minutes long, virtual, and with an identified point person present to help facilitate conversation, take general notes of broad ideas and questions the group would like shared with the SEPAC board and/or Student Services, and help identify and plan for next steps. Members MAY share contact info and choose if and how they would like to continue/grow their network. Please sign up by November 3rd to allow organizers enough planning time.

SEPAC Tree

Watch emails for news for how to participate in the creation of a fantastic SEPAC tree for the REF Festival of Trees. SEPAC is proud to once again participate in this fantastic community event which supports our schools! Thank you Alyssa Scaparotti for volunteering your time, resources and vision for this year’s tree.

Are you on our mailing list? Check to see if you received an email from “SEPAC” at about 5pm on Tuesday 10/17. If you did not, you are not on our confidential mailing list, and you are missing out! Simply send an email to sepacreading@gmail.com and we will add you to our private list.

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

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!