The Starburst

Congratulations for persevering through our first FIVE days in a row! I woke up this morning and thought for sure it was Saturday, but my phone and early alarm confirmed it was, in fact, Friday–and a full one at that! Despite this week's packed schedule with Curriculum Night, Picture Day, and literacy training for our Grade 3-5 teachers- we managed to get everything done and leave with smiles.

I loved seeing our parents and caregivers stream through the doors Wednesday night to meet our teachers and learn about the curriculum and events we have to help students learn and feel welcome in our Barrows community. I am sharing the link to my Principal's Welcome from the evening: Principal's Welcome, SEPAC & PTO information. At the start of the welcome, I introduced our staff, reading from last week's staff list and forgot to read from my updated list, leaving off our new METCO Coordinator & School Adjustment Counselor, Joanne Martin. Ms. Martin jumped in on Monday, getting to know our students and connecting with parents. She has a calm and kind way with our children, and we are so fortunate to have her join our school.

There are two things that I shared that evening that I want to highlight here:

First, we are desperately seeking substitute teachers in the district–but we want you here at Barrows! Please consider applying to substitute at Barrows if you have free days in your week. We do not have parents substitute in their child's class, and our teachers are masters at leaving detailed and easy-to-understand plans. A strong pool of substitutes allows the staff we have to serve in the roles they were hired for. Tutors are working with many students targeting skills they need to succeed. Paraeducators support students and teachers to maximize learning time. I have two tutors positions open-these are flexible part-time positions and can potentially be split among a few people.

Secondly, I want to share parenting advice I received many years ago that continues to serve our family well. A mom of older children said, "Don't get on the roller coaster with your child!" When they are upset, it is hard not to go to that same emotional place with them. When they get upset, we naturally get upset, and sometimes we react too quickly and honestly, making things bigger than they may be. Listen to them, empathize with them, but stay grounded as an adult. Ask the hard questions at the right time, offer advice, and problem-solve together. Our role as parents is to be there for them for this wild ride and provide the perspective from a slight distance. If there is a school issue (that isn't an emergency), allow yourself to step back and give them time to figure things out. Remember, most roller coaster rides are over quickly- so after all that shrieking at the top, they come down happy and are often ready for the next ride–leaving us in the wake of their emotions. As a parent, when I feel emotional, I have to remind myself to get off the roller coaster to be the adult my kids need me to be.

I am finishing this letter as families head home from a perfect Back-to-School picnic. We couldn't have ordered better weather and wonderful families. Thank you to our PTO for organizing this event, especially to Andy Dribin, for picking up Richie's Slush in Everett today, and to Mrs. Becker (and her son Mason) for setting up the music and helping oversee the event.

Before I sign off, I want to highlight the important parts of our jam-packed Starburst! Please take the time to read to the end so you do not miss any necessary information.

• Please log into the Portal on the Barrows Website to update your student emergency information, photo release, and more. These forms have just been released and should be completed by September 21st.
• Please remember that you need to send in a note from your child's provider if they are late or absent due to a medical appointment.
• Lots of information about our Specials (art & PE links, Library volunteer sign-ups, and more)
• Last call for Barrows Class T-shirts: Forms must be turned in by Monday. If you need financial assistance, please reach out to me.
• Our METCO Found Family Sign-up–is a great way to connect and bring our community together!

Warmly,

Alissa Gallegos

Attention 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade! T-shirt forms went home this past week and must be turned in by Monday, September 19th. Each grade wears a different color t-shirt. These are great for field trips and spirit days at school. Kindergarten t-shirt orders are completed and 5th grade t-shirt information will be coming your way soon. These t-shirts are $10. If you need financial assistance please email me at alissa.gallegos@reading.k12.ma.us. We want every child that wants a t-shirt to have one.

Keep your eye out for the Barrows Apparel On-line store. It opens next month and again in the spring. The on-line store offers a variety of apparel items for purchase.

...the fourth and fifth graders are learning a new game in music class. The words of the chant are in Japanese. The hand-clapping simulates making mochi, which is a pounded rice treat.

For their first piece of artwork, kindergarten listened to directions given my Mrs. Hurley and drew what they heard. The result is an abstract drawing using lines, shapes, and colors. While the directions were the same, each drawing is as unique as the artist.

Calling all parents who are looking to volunteer in the library! The time has come to sign up for volunteering in the Barrows library. If you would like to help out please sign up for a training session using this Sign Up Genius with your information and make sure that your CORI is up to date. This year I am asking volunteers to commit to a weekly schedule to help keep our library supported the most efficient way possible. I will be holding a training session for all volunteers on Thursday September 29th 8:30- 9:00 am for anyone that would like to volunteer. I will give an overview of the library, the expectations for volunteers and then a lesson on using the different systems in the library. If you volunteered previously and don’t need the refresher you can be dismissed early! If you have any questions please reach out to Mrs. Becker @ carina.becker@reading.k12.ma.us . Thank you for supporting our library!

Attention all past library volunteers!!!! If you have volunteered in the past and know the ropes already feel free to come on in. Sign up genius will be sent out next week. Please make sure you have a current CORI. Book checkout is in full swing and I would love any help that is willing! Any questions please email me at carina.becker@reading.k12.ma.us.

Dear Parents:

Each year, the Reading Municipal Light Department (RMLD) holds an Electric Education Art Contest for fourth graders in Reading, North Reading, Lynnfield, and Wilmington to supplement existing electricity-related curriculum. RMLD provides the elementary schools with art supplies as well as a 12-minute video covering how electricity is delivered to homes, electrical safety, and electricity and the environment. After viewing the video, your child will artistically express what they have learned on a colorful 18” x 12” poster.

RMLD staff will choose a first, second, and third place winner from each of the participating schools for a total of up to 36 winners. The first-place winner will receive a $75 gift card, the second-place winner will receive a $50 gift card, and the third-place winner will receive a $25 gift card. Each of the participating schools will receive a $200 gift certificate for art supplies.

The winning students and their parents, along with teachers and principals, will be invited to an awards ceremony to be held in February or March (date and time to be determined). Parents of the winning students will receive an email or phone call notifying them of the award as well as information regarding the event.

The winning art will be displayed at RMLD’s office located at 230 Ash Street in Reading through May; it will then be returned to the school for display.

We hope that your child will learn new, exciting, and practical lessons about electricity that can be applied for years to come.

Sincerely,

Julie Blackley

Communications Manager

Reading Municipal Light Department

2022-2023 School Year

Wednesday, October 5: PTO Meeting, all caregivers welcome 7 PM

Friday, October 21: PTO Monster Mash (rain date: 10/28).

Tuesday, October 25: School Council: 3:00-4:00

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

We are gearing up for another amazing year at Barrows. You can join the first PTO meeting of the year on October 5th at 7pm to learn more including how to get involved.

Except for the OCTOBER meeting, PTO meetings will occur the

2nd Wednesday of the month at 7pm both in-person and via Zoom.

Here are our meeting dates for the school year:

*October 5th

November 9th

December 14th

January 11th

February 8th

March 8th

April 12th

May 10th

June 14th

*First Wednesday of the Month

PTO Board

Lori Barcikowski, Co-President

Meghan Dribin, Co-President

Amy Koehler, Treasurer

Alicia Curtin, Secretary

Alison Ethier, Social Media Coordinator

Arrival

• Please drive slowly up Edgemont to keep everyone safe; remember, it is one way.
• 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 the doors by 8:25 AM. If your child gets to school after the doors have closed, they must come to the front door and be marked tardy.

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.

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.

School lunches are once again free for students in the Commonwealth. 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/

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!

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

PTO Facebook Link https://www.facebook.com/BarrowsPTO/

Barrows on Twitter: @BarrowsSchool https://twitter.com/BarrowsSchool

Barrows Homepage: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us/barrows/

Reading Public Schools: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us