The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families!
Mrs. Ring and I loved greeting so many of our Barrows Shining Stars with their families at Open House last night! The school was packed, and we loved the energy and excitement over our students' accomplishments that was pulsing through the building. We know that May is a very busy month, and we are so thankful that so many were still able to come and celebrate your students' dedication to learning.
We also enjoyed the assembly, Tales from a Bicycle Seat. Multi-media storyteller, musician, and adventure cyclist George Maurer presented a cultural exploration of his epic journeys across the US, Iceland, Patagonia, Sri Lanka, Canada, and Vietnam. He also touched on bike safety! Students should always wear their helmets, ensure their brakes are working correctly, and obey the rules of the road. Don't forget that students are now expected to WALK their bicycles on the sidewalk in front of the school at arrival and dismissal.
We are entering our final MCAS testing days for our 5th graders on Monday and Tuesday next week for Science & Technology. This is my last reminder of 2025--thank you for helping your students arrive at school on time, well-rested and well-fed, and avoid scheduling appointments during this important testing period.
Unfortunately, I couldn't attend Dr. Jill Walsh's presentation on Practical Strategies to Help our Children Navigate Digital Health; however, her helpful website provides helpful resources. I am linking you directly to her resource page: https://digitalaged.com/resources/ Her website is geared for tween/teen parents, but I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for parents/guardians with early elementay aged children to start thinking about what makes sense for your child & family, before they ask for their own iPad, phone or other device.
Highlights:
- 5th Grade MCAS is on Monday & Tuesday this week
- Our May PTO Meeting is on Wednesday, May 21st, on ZOOM only! Link below
- Join the Anxious Generation Parents Book Club--which will meet Sunday night (details below)!
- Summer Enrichment Opportunities from RPS (See flyer below)
- June dates are added to the Upcoming Dates Section
- Save the Date: We will be sending out Field Day Volunteer Sign-ups next week (see times below):
- 8:00 am: Set up Crew
- 8:30-10:45 am: K-2 Station Volunteers
- 12:15-2:30 pm: 3-5 Station Volunteers
- 2:30 pm: Clean up Crew
And a very heartfelt thanks to Sara Fraine, Brooke Heaney, and so many parents for your donations for our Teacher Appreciation Days this week! It started with an amazing breakfast, a delicious lunch from Red Heat midweek, and an ice cream truck visit after school! We feel the love and appreciation for sure!
Keep Shining,
Alissa
Barrows Breakfast & Lunch Program Information
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.
Reading Public Schools Food Service/Lunch Menus: http://reading.k12.ma.us/departments/food-services/ 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
Bikes must be walked on the sidewalks near the school during arrival & dismissal!
Your are invited to join our Anxious Generation Book Club . The next meeting will be Sunday, May 18 at 6:30pm. Email Barrows Parent Zanny Perrino for more the details at zannygrace@gmail.com
Here are a few items they plan to cover:
What research does Haidt present about the dangers of social media, smartphones, and screen time in general for our kids' development and wellbeing?
What can we do in our families, schools and communities to combat these trends?
What shape should our book club take to best empower us to take actions in our community to help set our kids up for success and amazing childhoods?
If any of these ideas seem relevant to you, please consider joining us at our next group meeting. If any of this seems misdirected or scary to you...please consider reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt or taking a look at his work on the linked website: https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/
One easy immediate step we can all consider is joining the Wait Until 8th pledge (which Haidt clarifies should really be the END of 8th, or the beginning of 9th). https://www.waituntil8th.org/
JOIN US for our next PTO Meeting, Wednesday, May 21st @ 9:00 am (ZOOM ONLY)
Zoom link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/84058658038
THANK YOU!
Thanks to all your generous donations we were able to shower our amazing teachers all week. Extra big thanks to Brooke Heaney and Sara Fraine for all their behind the scenes to make this special week happen. We couldn’t do it without everyone’s support.
SAVE THE DATE – Link to PTO calendar
LUNCH VOLUNTEERS: We welcome our parents/guardians as lunch helpers by signing up. Volunteers are expected to help for all lunch periods (11:10 am-12:35 pm, not just their students' lunch. Volunteers will be asked to help wipe down tables between lunches, help students open food packaging, etc. Volunteers must have an up-to-date CORI check (please be sure this is done at least one week before volunteering).
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FA8AD2EA2FC1-parentguardian
YEARLONG FUNDRAISING EFFORTS
Minted Fundraiser
Do you need to order graduation announcements, birthday, or anniversary invitations? 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!
For your information, our School Year 2024-2025 PTO Agendas/Minutes are on this public Google Drive.
Many thanks,
The PTO Board
Lori Barcikowski, Co-President (LoriBarcikowski@yahoo.com)
Meghan Dribin, Co-President (MegDribin@gmail.com)
Jen Barsotti, Treasurer
Alicia Curtin, Secretary
Alison Ethier, Social Media Coordinator
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook:
@barrowselementarypto & https://www.facebook.com/BarrowsPTO/
*REGISTRATION WILL OPEN MAY 19th FOR THE 2025 FORR MIDDLE SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY PROGRAM*
- Season will begin on Wednesday, September 3rd and will run for approximately 9 weeks
- Practices will take place every Mon/Wed/Fri from 3:15-4:20 pm at the Birch Meadow fields
- Participation in 3-4 inter-town cross country meets (schedule TBD)
- Participation in invitational meets, State Championship Meet and USATF meets (dependent on race organizer guidelines)
- Optional summer training runs at Memorial Park every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:15-8:45 am
This program is open to Reading middle school boys and girls of all running abilities. The primary purpose of the Middle School Cross Country team is to engage young runners who are interested in developing their skills in this sport. Focus will be on proper training, form and technique, core and other strengthening drills. BUT most of all, we have fun! Prior experience is not required. However, student athletes should run enough over the summer to be able to sustain a minimum of 15-20 minutes of continuous running at the start of the season.
Please consider the following when determining whether or not to sign up your student athlete: Due to demand, this program has always had capacity constraints. Please ensure that your child will be able to balance this program with their other activities and be able to fully participate. We plan to accept as many student athletes as possible, but team registration is limited to ensure a quality experience for all runners.
The program is run under the direction of Head Coach Dan Princic, along with Coaches Meghan Doyle, JC Honer and Laura LaFrancesca. Coach Princic brings over 20 years of coaching experience from middle school to the collegiate level.
The registration includes a full team uniform (for those who need it) and entry fees to all regular season meets. Register online starting May 19th at 7:00 pm at:https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/482571
For questions regarding registration or program details, please email forrmsxc@gmail.com. Friends of Reading Recreation – 24 Smith Avenue – Reading, MA 01867
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
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