The Starburst

Barrows Families.

I am writing this message from the Philadelphia airport after two days of college tours with my daughter...the timing of hearing from schools and making that final decision is tight! I am looking forward to being back in school tomorrow.

That said, I want to thank Mrs. Ring for all of her planning and organization for MCAS (along with the help of our technology team, Kathy Santilli & Mike Donahue, and our teaching staff). Our fifth graders had two great days of testing. There are many moving parts with ensuring students have appropriate accommodations, testing areas, proctors, schedule changes, helping students feel prepared to do their best, make-ups, and the list goes on & on! We are so proud of our student's perseverance and willingness to show what they know. I will repeat this when our scores come out: the MCAS does not define a child or the all-encompassing work we do at Barrows each day but this is a piece of our data to help guide us in providing the best instruction for our students to meet the state standards. Thank you for doing your best to ensure your children are eating & sleeping well and coming to school on time. We know that students feel the most confident when they start the day with the rest of their classmates. Our teachers have a great routine to help each student feel ready and encouraged for the test each morning.

Starburst Highlights for next week:

• 3rd and 4th Grade ELA MCAS begins on Monday. Please be sure your student comes to school well-rested and fed. Good sleep starts over the weekend!
• Reading Public School's Annual Artfest: Come enjoy Kindergarten-12th Grade artwork, including many Barrows student artists' work, as well as music, dance, and dramatic performances. Mrs. LaFranceca's 1st grade class will be dancing in the "Galopede" on Monday at 5:30. We'd love for you to attend. The flyer is below.
• Reducing anxeity for our children: I would love to give every Barrows Parent/Guardian a homework assignment. A parent recently shared this Podcast with me, and it was a realistic description of many of our students' experiences today and actionable steps we can take as parents/guardians from early elementary through middle school to help them enjoy their childhood to the fullest and reduce anxiety. Please give it a listen:

The Anxious Generation with Jonathan Haidt

Good Inside with Dr. Becky Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt joins

Dr. Becky to give parents hope that we can end phone-based childhood

and restore a more humane one. Listen on Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-inside-with-dr-becky/id1561689671? i=1000650449476

• Barrows is celebrating Spirit Week next week. Please see the flyer below so you students know how to participate if they choose!
• Updates in PTO, SEPAC, and District Information Sections below. (Please come to our next PTO meeting on Thursday, April 11th, @ 7 PM.)
• The new METCO sweatshirts are really popular this year. If you would like to order one, the link is in the METCO section below.

Warmly,

Mrs. Gallegos

Hello Barrows community,

We are headed into our final few days of our 2024 Readathon! The last day to donate and log minutes is Tuesday April 9th. Our wrap up assembly and raffle drawing (1 basket for every class!) is Thursday, April 11th.

Our school goal is 400,000 minutes! We are at 381,295 minutes right now so keep logging those minutes. Remember….the more minutes read, the more times your name (raffle tickets) is entered into a wheel. Grade 2 is in the lead, but it’s close, with the most minutes read by a class being Mrs. McClains class! Please help the PTO raise funds by sharing your child’s Readathon link on social media. It’s such a quick, easy and great way for friends and family near and far to be part of our Readathon.

Michelle Sousa, Readathon chair

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

Second Grade (purple): 82,570 minutes

First Grade (yellow): 71,490 minutes

Third Grade (green): 59,083 minutes

Kindergarten (blue): 56,640 minutes

Fifth Grade (pink): 47,930 minutes

Fourth Grade(orange): 45,318 minutes

Our students will have fun seeing all of the photos submited for our Read-A-Thon Pet or Stuffy Challenge in next week's morning announcments! I have included a random assortment below--but all of the pictures were AMAZING! I love seeing our students reading at home--it made my heart smile. Space Monkey is excited to make his way home with his new owner!

Monday-Wednesday, April 8th-10th: Reading Artsfest, 5-8:15 PM @ RMHS

Thursday, April 11th: All-School Read-a-thon Finale Celebration! PTO Meeting 7 PM (Barrows Library in-person or Zoom Link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/86054047467)

Monday, April 15th: Patriots Day, No School

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)

Monday, April 22nd: 5th Grade Instrument Night @ Coolidge 6-8 PM

Saturday, May 18th: METCO Event- Kite Festival @ Franklin Park Zoo

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

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.

Barrows Alum wow our students with their hardwork and talent!

READATHON

Thanks to all for participating in the read-a-thon! The final All-School Celebration will take place on Thursday, April 11th, so track those reading minutes and any donations until Wednesday, April 10th. We are really proud of our Shining Star Readers!

CALARESO’S SPRING FUNDRAISER

Final orders were due on Friday, April 5th. Certificates will be distributed to families the week of April 22nd (after April vacation week). If you have any questions about the fundraiser, reach out to Kerry Fahey (kchmura3@msn.com) or Jennifer Tieri (jmeaney1228@gmail.com).

SCHOOL APPAREL SALE

If you participated in the recent school apparel sale, the items should ship to the school around 4/15. Once received, they will be distributed to the teachers so they can go home with the kids. Thanks!

SAVE THE DATE: BARROWS BINGO FAMILY NIGHT!

Tuesday, April 30th, 6-7 pm (in the cafeteria)

JOIN US: The next PTO meeting will be on Wednesday, April 11th, at 7 pm (in person at Barrows and on Zoom). We would love to see some new faces along with the old! 😊

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

Transition Presentations:

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

Wednesday, April 24th, 6pm (In Person at the RMHS Library Media Center)

Registration for virtual event, April 11th, 12-1pm

Registration for in-person event, April 24th, 6pm

The New IEP Presentations:

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

Thursday, May 9th, 12PM (Virtual)

We reviewed the survey results at our last meeting. Thank you to everyone who was able to complete the survey. If you did not get a chance yet, it’s not too late to submit as we will use this as a reference point to plan for next year.

Past Events:

Recorded events that’s available on the Reading SEPAC Webiste:

Extended School Year (ESY) Presentation Recording

MCAS & Students with Disabilities Presentation

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 school

Should you wish to reach out to Reading SEPAC anonymously, please use this form

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."

METCO Sweatshirts: Interested in purchasing some METCO swag? Families and community members have been asking about METCO sweatshirts, and now is your chance to get one! Click here to order a METCO sweatshirt in black, mint or classic Reading red! Orders will close on April 16th and there is an estimated 2-week turnaround for orders placed. When completing the form, please list your school address as shipping address. All orders will be delivered to the school and you will be notified when they are ready for pickup.

Save the date: Saturday, May 18th, Franklin Park Zoo

We are back this year for the Kite Festival. This event is where our Boston resident students and families invite Reading resident student and families and staff to Boston for the Kite and Bike festival.

The Reading Children's Cabinet is hosting parent listening sessions to discuss best practices to support our middle schoolers so they are empowered to thrive socially and emotionally! Community Listening Sessions will be held on Tuesday, April 30th from 9:30am - 10:30am and 6pm - 7pm at Reading Public Library, 64 Middlesex Ave, Reading, MA 01867. Please complete this form to RSVP for one of the listening sessions.

RSVP form for Reading Parent Listening Sessions

For additional information, please contact Barbara Best at bbest@gse.harvard.edu.

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