The Starburst

Greetings, Barrows Families!

We had such a fun week at Barrows with our visit with children's author & illustrator Scott Magoon and Book Character Dress-up Day today! Next week is the last week to log minutes for the Read-a-thon and a chance to win our Astro-monkey by submitting photos reading to a pet or stuffy at home. We hope this month has deepened your students' love of reading as they have dedicated many minutes to growing and learning in books. Please read below about our author visit to see this week's photos and learn more about the Astro-monkey!

Officer Scouten, our Traffic and Safety officer from the Reading Police Department, came to observe our arrival and dismissal this week. Overall, he was impressed with our efficiency at both drop-off and dismissal. He would like me to point out that the section on Edgmont on the school side between our "Kiss & Go" line and the front door should remain free of parked or idling cars for drop-off and especially pick-up. If there is an emergency, we must always keep this part of the street clear. I know the weather has been super crummy recently, but all who want to park and walk students to the building must park behind our kiss-and-go line, on the opposite side of Edgemont, or on other surrounding roads, and the same goes for pick-up at the end of the day. We do not have a rolling pick-up at dismissal; the "Kiss & Go" is reserved for our buses at the end of the day. If you are waiting in your car, ignitions should be turned off. I will be asking cars that park beyond the kiss and go to move on and circle onto West Street and Come back around pick students up in the designated areas. The staff parking lot is only for staff parking and should never be used as a turn-around spot. Thank you for adhering to these safety guidelines and posted signs along Edgemont. Our entire set of Barrows Safety Reminders is also posted below--please read through as a refresher. This is for the safety of all!

Starburst Highlights:

• Our read-a-thon ends in ONE week! We have one more week to log our students' reading minutes. Students are encouraged to read to their pets or stuff and send a picture to Mrs. Becker by Thursday, April 4th, for their shot at winning Astro-Monkey.
• Updated COVID Protocols- RPS has adopted the updated MA. DPH has aligned guidance for respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, with the CDC. Here is the complete guidance.
• 5th Grade has ELA MCAS next week. Please be sure your student comes to school well-rested and fed. Good sleep starts over the weekend!
• Included is the order form for our next Author Visit for our K-2 students, Gwendolyn the Dancing Pig, by David Ira Rottenberg.

Warmly,

Mrs. Gallegos

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.

Local Reading Resident and author/illustrator Scott Magoon had a tough act to follow on the heels of our recent visit with Astronaut Bob Hines. However, students and staff alike were captivated by his personality and shared the value of perseverance and creativity. He read his books and donated some to our library, and we learned all about the hard work it takes to become a published author and illustrator, as well as the other team members involved in bringing these books to publication. He gave us a great tutorial on the digital app Procreate, which he uses for his illustrations. If your kids love to draw--this may be something they'd enjoy using! Thank you to our PTO enrichment coordinator for bringing Scott Magoon to Barrows. We hope he can visit us again soon! To learn more, check out: https://scottmagoon.com/magoontribune

Our school reading goal is 400,000 minutes!

We have one week left to meet our goal. We are at 277,512 minutes right now so please LOG those minutes and help us RAISE funds for the PTO. We can’t wait to see all the reading that our Barrow’s Stars do this year! The first class to get their entire class signed up online will win a dance party with Mrs. Becker. If you have not already done so, please use the link below and code 3232472 to set up your child’s page: www.read-a-thon.com/readers

Let's Go!!! (see colored pins in photo above)

Second Grade (purple): 61,209 minutes

First Grade (yellow): 52,176 minutes

Fifth Grade (pink): 47,930 minutes

Third Grade (green): 41,587 minutes

Kindergarten (blue): 41,740 minutes

Fourth Grade(orange): 32,870 minutes

The Barrows Space Monkey is looking for a new home!

To be entered in the raffle to win him, complete the following steps:

1. Find a pet or stuffy to read to and take a picture.

2. Upload your picture to this Google Drive Folder labeled with student first name and grade.

For example Janet5 or Janet5PatrickK

3. Complete this form to create your ticket to the raffle. (please complete a different form for each student)

Click HERE to upload your photo

Click HERE to enter the raffle

Last Day to Enter is April 4th

The winner will be announced on April 5th

Monday-April 1st-Friday, April 5th: MCAS Begin (see dates below & Read to your Pet (or Stuffy) Week.

Thursday, April 4th: Read with your Pet or Stuffy Photos Due today!

Thursday, April 11th: All-School Read-a-thon Finale Celebration!

Monday, April 15th: Patriots Day

April 15th-19th: April Vacation

Tuesday, April 30th: Family Bingo Night, 6pm

Thursday, May 9th: Fun Run & Ice Cream Social, 3:15 pm (rain date 5/23)

Thursday, May 16th: Open House (times TBA)

Thursday, May 23rd: Incoming Kindergarten Screening

Friday, May 24th: RMHS Barrows Senior Alum Clap-out (9am-ish)

Thursday, May 30th: Field Day (rain date 6/6)

Monday, June 3rd: Middle School Move-Up Day (1-2:30)

Tuesday, June 4th: Barrows Red Sox Night (wear Red Sox Gear to School⚾)

Friday, June 7th: Talent Show (Dress Rehearsal 5/31 after school)

Monday, June 10th: FIFTH Grade Fun Day! (rain date 6/12)

Tuesday, June 11th: Fifth Grade Celebration, 8:45 am- Barrows Cafeteria

Friday, June 14th: Tentative Last Day of School & Fifth Grade Clap-Out

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: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1701802399965&page=menus

Updates to Respiratory Virus Isolation:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MA-DPH) has reviewed the new guidance published by the CDC regarding respiratory virus isolation strategies and has aligned their recommendations to match those of the CDC. These updates are recommended for both the general public and school settings. According to their guidance, the 5-days of isolation have been discontinued. Students and staff should follow the recommendations for the general population and stay home when you have symptoms of any respiratory illness, like flu, COVID-19, and RSV. The MA-DPH explains when you should remain home, and recommends you employ preventive measures, which is outlined on their website. Staying home when sick helps prevent the spread of germs. The MA-DPH lists the following recommendations to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Get vaccinated for flu and COVID-19
• Stay home when you are sick
• Use hand and respiratory hygiene
• Wear a mask around others
• Get tested for flu and COVID-19 so you can get treated
• Avoid crowded areas and maintain physical distance
• Increase fresh air

Please reach out to Nurse Adams with any questions or concerns!

Barrows Students

& Staff

love our Book Characters!

Nate the Great is wondering

if you can you figure out which

characters belong to which

books?

🌟 Hello Barrows Community! 🌟

Exciting news! Our Spring Apparel sale has been extended to the end of this week! 🎉

Barrows Spiritwear store link:
https://tinyurl.com/BarrowsSpring24
Been too busy to check it out? No worries; we've got you covered! New deadline for orders is this Sunday, March 31st.

Head to the store today to explore a selection of items to help showcase your Barrows spirit! Discover new arrivals like hats and caps to keep the sun off your head all summer long, vibrant yellow tees perfect for spring, cinch bags for hauling sports gear, and comfy all-season favorites like hoodies and pajama pants. Have questions? Reach out to Jen Barsotti at jenb@hey.com.

CALARESO'S SPRING FUNDRAISER

Do not miss your chance to participate in the CALARESO’S SPRING FUNDRAISER. Place your order for Calareso's certificates and 25% of your certificate purchase will go to the Barrows PTO. This is a great time to stock up on certificates so you are ready for spring landscaping season. This is such an easy way to help support our PTO.

The fundraiser is running from 3/13 – 3/31. The order form will go home in your child’s take home folder and can also be found attached. You can send the completed form with payment back in with your child. Reach out to Kerry Fahey (kchmura3@msn.com) or Jennifer Tieri (jmeaney1228@gmail.com) with any questions about the fundraiser.

READATHON

The read-a-thon will run through April 5th. Keep encouraging your students to read and make sure to log their minutes! Thank you!

SAVE the DATE: Barrows Bingo Family Night, April 30th 6-7 pm (in the cafeteria)

VOLUNTEER

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

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

FUNDRAISING

Minted Fundraiser

Do you need to order birthday, or anniversary inviations? Order from Minted and use our promo code FUNDRAISEBARROWS to 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. Make sure to spread the word to family who can also use the code and support Barrows from afar.

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

• Do you have a child who is on an IEP, a 504 plan, or with special needs. If so, the Reading SEPAC exists for YOU.

  
  

  Please fill out this brief, anonymous survey to help your SEPAC Board to plan for the 2024-2025 school year. It should only take a few minutes.

  
  

  This school year we brought speakers to the Reading community on important topics such as executive functioning and anxiety based in large part on what parents highlighted in the annual survey, so it’s very important to make sure your voice is heard.

  
  

  We also want to hear from you on how we are doing in meeting our community’s needs and what more we can do to improve Reading SEPAC.

  
  

  Daytime SEPAC Business Meeting:

  Planning for the next school year and reviewing the survey results.

  Tuesday, April 2nd, 8:45AM (Virtual)

  • Please Click Here to Register for the SEPAC Business meeting.

  
  

  SEPAC Family Lunch Meetup

  Come have lunch, meet other families, and enjoy a time of conversation and connection.

  Limited seating, so sign-up soon!

  April 9th, 11-1PM

  • Please Click Here to Register for the SEPAC Lunch Meetup.

  
  

  School Transition Workshops:

  For parents and caregivers whose child has an IEP and will be transitioning to a different school in Reading or who is new to Reading.

  Thursday, April 11th, 12-1pm (Virtual)

  Wednesday, April 24th, 6pm (In Person - location TBD)

  • Please Click Here to Register for the Virtual School Transition Presentation.

  
  

  The New IEP Presentations:

  Wednesday, May 8th, 6PM (In Person - location TBD)

  Thursday, May 9th, 12PM (Virtual)

  
  

  Past Events:

  
  

  Extended School Year (ESY) Presentation Recording will be available soon on the Reading SEPAC Website. Please check back.

  
  

  MCAS & Students with Disabilities Presentation Recording will be available soon on the Reading SEPAC Website. Please check back.

  
  

  Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Presentation Recording available on the Reading SEPAC Website.

  • Review tiered system of supports and provide examples

  • Outline effective communication channels with your team and the school

  
  

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."

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

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

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!

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