The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families!
A picture is worth a thousand words, and after such a fun week at Barrows—with perfect weather for Field Day and Kindergarten and Grade 2's Planting Day—you are in for much more than a thousand words...more like 50 snapshots of learning, laughter, teamwork, and fun! Thank you to all of our volunteers this week, we couldn't do it without you! Be sure to check out the photos below.
With just 10 days of school remaining, we are making the most of every one. Next week's calendar is packed with exciting learning experiences and special events, including our Grade 5 Move-Up Day to Parker, Bike Safety lessons for Grades 3–5, Pedestrian Safety lessons for Grades 1 and 2, Kindergarten's Animal Program, Grade 1's field trip to the zoo, Grade 2's Poster Project, and a Barrows favorite—the 2026 Talent Show!
As we head into the final stretch of the school year, I also want to thank our families for their commitment to strong attendance and getting students to school on time each day. Every day matters. The routines, learning opportunities, friendships, and sense of belonging that students experience at school are difficult to replicate when they are absent. Your partnership has made a difference, and because of your efforts, our overall attendance rate has improved from last year. Thank you for helping your children finish the year strong and stay connected to their learning community.
Please be sure to read through the PTO section below. There is a SignUpGenius opportunity to adopt one of our garden beds for a week this summer. Volunteers help by watering and weeding throughout their assigned week. If there is little or no rain, you would be responsible for watering and weeding every other day during your week.
The PTO also has several fun events and opportunities coming up, so be sure to check out everything they have planned. Thank you for helping our gardens, and our school community grow!
We are looking forward to a fantastic final two weeks + 1 day together!
Thanks for reading,
Alissa
Barrows Upcoming Dates
Monday, June 8th: Middle School Move-Up Day!
Thursday, June 11th: PTO Meeting: END-OF-YEAR PTO POTLUCK @ the Maley's home
Friday, June 12th: Talent Show & 🍦 Dandi's Ice Cream Day Barrows Fundraiser 3pm-close
June 15-22nd: Barrows Spirit Week!
Tuesday, June 16th: 5th Grade Moving-On Ceremony
Wednesday, June 17th: 5th Grade Fun Day (rain date 6/18)
Friday, June 18th: NO SCHOOL--Juneteenth
Monday, June 22nd: 5th Grade Clap-out (10:45 am) & LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
July 12th: Barrows Baseball Night at Lowell Spinners 5pm (see PTO section for more details)
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
We continue to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students!
The Food Service Department continues to offer breakfast to all elementary schools!
All first meals, including breakfast and lunch, are free for all students!
If your child would like a second breakfast or lunch, these are available for purchase at $1.50 for breakfast and $2.75 for lunch. Additionally, our cafeterias offer a variety of snacks and a la carte items that can be purchased separately. Our Department looks forward to a fantastic year filled with fresh new foods and the energy from a healthy start to the day! We are excited to serve this incredible community and ensure every student has access to nutritious meals throughout the upcoming school year.
PIN #s for Breakfast, Lunch, and purchasing snacks.
All Reading Public School students are assigned a PIN number that they must use to get breakfast, lunch, or snacks. Please help your child memorize their PIN number. Although we provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, we ask that families send in a healthy snack for their students each day. If they forget their snack, they may purchase one in the cafeteria.
It is also important for families that may need financial support including but not limted to our food services to complete the following forms on this page: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1701802399965&page=lunchapps
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.
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
Happy Birthday! In honor of your child’s birthday, we invite you to donate books to our school library in their name. Each book donated will have a bookplate with a dedication. Students will be the first patron to check the books out of the library.
To streamline the process and have a birthday book program year round we have developed an Amazon wishlist. Follow this link for the wish list to choose your donations. Amazon Barrows Book Wish List.
Or scan this QR code to get the list.
Please be sure to include your child’s name and grade on the order. Orders can be shipped directly to the school, or brought in person.
Families are welcome to select titles from the list that they would like to see in our library. Birthday donations can range from a single book to 100 books! If there is a specific title you would like to donate please reach out to Mrs. Becker with your request.
Birthday donations are welcome anytime. If you have any questions at all please contact Mrs. Becker.
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
