The Starburst
Barrows- Home of the Shining Stars!
Dear caregivers,
Flu and cold season is always a good time to review Reading Public School illness policy. These school health policies are in place to help keep the whole school community safe and healthy.
These policies are all available on the school website: https://www.reading.k12.ma.us/en-US/health-services-83f6862d
Health Services - Reading Public Schools
Instilling a joy of learning & inspiring the leaders of tomorrow...
Attendance at School: Please do not send your child to school if they have any of the following:
Fever of 100 degrees or higher. A child with a fever should not return until they have been fever-free without a fever reducer such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen for 24 hours.
Infectious illnesses such as strep throat for which they have been treated with antibiotics for less than 12 hours.
Any symptoms listed on the COVID health screening. Please check your child for symptoms daily. If you have any concerns, please contact your school nurse, and follow up with your child's physician.
Vomiting and/or diarrhea. May return to school 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Parents/guardians should notify the school nurse if your child contracts any contagious diseases (e.g. COVID-19, chicken pox, strep throat, Fifth’s disease, impetigo, ringworm or head lice). A positive strep throat result is important for the nurse to know because we do send exposure emails to families within the classroom. Though not common, untreated strep infections can cause serious, long-term complications.
In addition to the attendance at school policy, I would like to make note of the medication policy at Reading Public Schools as well. If you want the nurse to be able to administer Tylenol or Motrin at school, we will need a signed doctor’s order to do so. Pediatricians will generally sign off on the order for one school year and the order will remain within SNAP for that duration.
Medication Guidelines:
a. Doctor’s orders and parent authorization forms must be completed for ALL medications given in school (including over-the-counter medications).
b. Tylenol and ibuprofen can be given in middle and high school with parental consent.
c. All medication orders expire at the end of the school year.
d. Medications must be provided in their original labeled container.
e. A parent or responsible adult must transport medication to and from the Health Office and meet with the nurse regarding instructions. Do not send any medication in your child’s backpack.
Exception to medication guidelines: Short term antibiotics may be given without a doctor’s order. The antibiotic must be provided in the original labeled container. This serves as proof of a doctor’s order in this case only.
Thank you for working with us to follow our health policies. Please reach out to me directly if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s health or returning to school after an illness. I can be reached by phone at 781-942-9166 or by email at Jeanelle.adams@reading.k12.ma.us
Stay well,
Jeanelle Adams RN, BSN
Barrows Upcoming Dates 2023-24 School Year
Wednesday, January 24th: All School Assembly 🔵⭐Wear your Barrows Spirit Wear/Colors⭐🔵
Wednesday, January 31st: Kindergarten Registration Night, 6-7:30 pm @ RMHS
Saturday, February 3rd: Restaurant at the Mandarin (all day) Dine-In or eat out!
Wednesday, February 7th: Global Play Day!
Friday, February 9th: Musial Bingo for Barrows Adults
Tuesday, February 13th: PTO Meeting 8:30 am (in-person & on zoom)
Wednesday, Feburary 14th: All School Assembly ♥️Wear Valentine's Day Colors♥️
February 19-23: President's Day (2/19) & February Vacation
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
School Lunches
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/
UPCOMING EVENTS
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!
Follow SEPAC on Facebook or Instagram
See our 2023-2024 Calendar of Events
Upcoming Event:
An Important Reminder from Mrs. Atwood
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
Please follow Art and Physical Education on Instagram!
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.*
Check-Out Artsonia!
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
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.
