The Starburst

Greetings, Barrows Families!

As a fellow parent in Reading Public Schools, I attended an information night this past Wednesday organized by the high school guidance department for freshman parents. I must admit, I was initially tempted to skip it, considering this is our third child at the high school, and I was a bit tired. Despite my initial hesitation, I felt compelled to stay informed about any changes in support systems for our youngest child since our oldest started their in 2019. Although most of the information was the same, I was struck by our son's guidance counselor's observations regarding anxiety among current high school students, which paralleled what we've heard from elementary school students and families.

Over the last few years, we as educators across the country have noticed a significant increase in anxiety across kindergarten to 12th grade, with students expressing apprehension about school attendance, social interactions, and various aspects of their day. While it's natural for parents to want to shield their children from anxiety or eliminate sources of worry, we must recognize these challenges as opportunities for growth. I encourage all families to collaborate with us in guiding their children through their worries and anxieties. We have extensive experience and a sincere desire to problem-solve with you. This month we began our Social-emotional lessons through the Second Step Program to help students build skills for learning, emotional maagement and problem solving. Please reach out if you'd like to work together in helping your child navigate their concerns. This way, as challenges evolve, our students will have a wealth of coping strategies to approach uncomfortable, anxiety provoking situations in-and-out of school confidently. (And once again, I want to highlight the Lynn Lyons Podcast, Flusterclux https://www.flusterclux.com/school-avoidance-when-its-anxiety-related-how-can-you-help/).

Additionally, this is a reminder that we have a METCO event at Franklin Park Zoo this Sunday night. Please find the details below. You can also check out the latest METCO, PTO, and SEPAC section updates. Students can purchase Barrows T-shirts directly through their homeroom, and our Barrows Spiritwear Shop is now open, offering a wide selection of clothing items, from t-shirts to pajama pants to winter hats (the snow will be here before we know it)!

Wishing you all a fantastic three-day weekend! It is well deserved for our students and staff!

Warmly,

Mrs. Gallegos

Sunday, October 8th: Reading METCO Event- Boston Lights @ Franklin Park Zoo 7pm

Monday, October 9th: NO SCHOOL Columbus Day & Indigenous People's Day

Wednesday, October 11th :⭐💙⭐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)

Wednesday-Friday, October 18-20th: Pumpkin Book Report Due

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/

Work with your family at home, join in on this fun opportunity for students to showcase their reading comprehension and creative makerspace skills!

Click Here: Barrows Pumpkin Decorating Book Report

Good afternoon

On October 8th, 2023, we will have our first Reading METCO Found Family event of the school year. Last year we had a great time apple picking at Connors Farm and this year’s event will be at Franklin Park Zoo Boston Lights. Entrance to the Zoo will be free for the first 140 people who sign-up.

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You do not need to have a Found Family already to attend this event and all are welcome. Each school METCO Coordinator will make sure to invite the friends/classmates and families of Boston resident students specifically to this event.

If you cannot attend, please do not sign up for free tickets because you will take away the opportunity for someone else who can and wants to attend.

We will meet at the zoo entrance at 7:30pm for a group photo and then enter the park at 7:45pm.

Free Ticket Sign-up link - https://forms.gle/sVKeayxerUU4zjRn9

Purchase ticket link - Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience | Franklin Park Zoo (zoonewengland.org)

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."

Reminder to pay your PTO dues if you have not already done so. Dues payments help us out greatly at the start of the year and any amount is appreciated!

JOIN US

The next PTO meeting has been moved to Thursday October 19th at 8:30am. We will meet at Barrows as well as have Zoom link available.

THANKS

Thanks to all who participated at the Cal’s Brick Oven Pizza restaurant night this week! Cal’s will be donating 20% of the Barrows sales to our PTO.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

• Calareso’s Fall Fundraiser begins on Monday October 9th. Be on the lookout next week for the order form in your child’s take home folder. It is also attached to the Starburst.
• Monster Mash will take place on Friday October 20th from 3:30 – 5:30pm (rain date Oct 27th). Raffle pre-sale has begun. The order form was sent home with your child this week as well as attached to the Starburst. Be on the lookout next week for additional details to be emailed. More details will be sent out next week.

5th Grade Committee Update

Kaley Dee and Denise Ewald are Chairing the 5thGrade Activities Committee for our graduating shining stars! If you are interested in volunteering and have not already expressed interest via the volunteer request form please reach out to Kaley macdonaldkaley@yahoo.com and Denise deniseewald@hotmail.com and let them know. The 5th Grade Committee organizes the 5th grade yearbook, Fun Day and Celebration ceremony.

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

FOLLOW US

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

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/

Shop online to get your Barrows gear, including tees, sweatshirts, pajama pants, hats, and more!

Order deadline is Sunday, October 22nd, and items will be delivered to Barrows in November before the end of year holidays.

* When ordering, be sure to note in the comments box if something is a gift! *

All items are made to order and are final sale. Please check sizing chart measurements before ordering.
Questions? Contact Kate Grant: katefgrant@gmail.com

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

Tuesday, Oct 17th, 6PM

SEPAC Fall Business Meeting and Elections (virtual)

• Who can/should attend? Anyone affiliated with RPS is a SEPAC general council member and thus welcome and encouraged to participate.

• Who can/should vote? Any parent of a child with a disability and any child 14+ with a disability are considered voting members.

• Our kids benefit from active general council member engagement. Please make efforts to participate in real time, but we will record portions of the meeting to post on our website later.

• At this meeting: elect board members, hear plans for the school year, provide your feedback, learn ways to participate, receive updates from Student Services, and learn about a successful communication strategy from a general council member.

• Opportunity for parents-only conversation following conclusion of the meeting.

• Link to join: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/83527291225

• SEEKING a general council member to be a note-taker for this meeting. Email sepacreading@gmail.com if you can do this.

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.

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

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

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!