The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families!
Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to join us for Back-to-School Night on Wednesday. Last night, Mrs. Ring and I had an especially meaningful evening as we attended our final Back-to-School Night as Reading Public Schools parents—both of our youngest children are now seniors at RMHS!
Whether I was attending as an elementary, middle, or high school parent (or sometimes all three!), Back-to-School Night reminded me once again how thankful I am that our family chose to raise our children in Reading. The expertise of our teachers, their ability to engage and challenge students, and—most importantly—the care, time, and genuine enjoyment they bring to teaching are truly special and have a huge impact on the people they are today.
Annemarie and I may be a little biased, but we think we do it especially well here at Barrows! Our entire staff works together to prepare students to be successful wherever their learning takes them next. Thank you for partnering with us to give your children the very best education we can. We are fortunate to have such a talented team of classroom teachers, specialists, special educators, support staff, and administrators who make Barrows the school you saw Wednesday night and the school your children experience every day.
For those who were unable to attend, here are a few important reminders and highlights from the evening:
Daily Snack
Families are responsible for sending a healthy, easy-to-eat snack each day. I encourage families to avoid junk food, as the purpose of snack is to provide the energy and nutrients students need for healthy bodies and minds ready for learning.
Emergency snacks may be purchased in the morning if money is loaded onto your student’s account; the kitchen is closed for snack purchases in the afternoon. Teachers will reach out if a student is routinely forgetting a snack. If you need support providing snacks, please reach out to me or your child’s classroom teacher.
SEPAC
Please take a few minutes to watch the SEPAC video posted in the SEPAC section below. This is especially helpful for families whose students have IEPs or 504 Plans.
Arrival & Dismissal Reminders
A few important safety reminders:
- The sidewalk in front of the entire school is for walking only. Students riding bikes should walk their bikes along this stretch during arrival and dismissal.
- Students may not bike in the street.
- Families should not cut through the parking lot, with or without children.
Please help us reinforce these expectations with your students.
READ, READ, READ! We loved celebrating more than 65 students at our all-school assembly this week for participating in the Barrows Principal’s Summer Reading Challenge! Together, Barrows students read at least 4,287 books this summer!
As we head into the school year, continue to Ditch the Devices and give your children opportunities to be bored and take on responsibilities at home. These everyday experiences build confidence, stamina, and independence—and help set students up for success in school!
Principal’s Presentation
If you missed Back-to-School Night—or would simply like to revisit the information we shared—you can view the Principal’s Presentation here:
Thank you, as always, for your partnership and for trusting us with your children each day. We are off to a wonderful start, and we are excited for all the places this year will take us!
Warmly,
Alissa & Annemarie
Barrows Upcoming Dates
Sunday, September 20th: Barrows School Outing with Boston Legacy FC (PTO Event)
Tuesday, September 22nd: Barrows PTO Meeting (in-person & zoom) 7 pm
Wednesday, September 23rd: Restaurant Fundraiser @ Shake Shack in Woburn
Wednesday, September 29th: School Council Meeting, 3pm
Monday, October 12th: NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day
Tuesday, October 13th: NO SCHOOL- Staff In-Service Day
Wednesday, October 14th: School Council Meeting, 3pm
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
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.
The Food Service Department continues to offer breakfast and lunch 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.
Reading Public Schools Food Service/Lunch Menus: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1701802399965&page=menus
Do you need financial support including but not limted to our food services, then please complete the following forms on this page: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1701802399965&page=lunchapps
HAPPY NEW SCHOOL YEAR FROM THE BARROWS PTO!
We are so excited to embark on another fun and memorable year at Barrows. Our goal is to create even more engaging, meaningful opportunities that bring our school community together and make every family feel welcome - we hope you’ll join us!
First PTO Meeting: Tuesday 9/22 at 7PM in the Barrows Library and on Zoom
VOLUNTEER WITH US! 🤝
This week you’ll find volunteer forms in your child’s take home folder and there’s something for everyone! Get a head start and check out all the opportunities to get involved here - even just 1 hour of your time can make a big difference for the students at Barrows:
Barrows PTO Volunteer Opportunities 2026-2027
YOUR DUES MAKE OUR ENRICHMENT POSSIBLE! 💸🌟
Annual PTO Dues account for almost 50% of our Student Enrichment Budget - that’s field trips, school buses, assemblies (like Johnny the K, author visits, BMX bikers), and hands-on in-class lessons from local museums. To provide these opportunities to every student regardless of ability to pay, we suggest a minimum contribution of $75 per student for our 2026 - 2027 School Year.
We are sensitive that $75 may pose a financial burden, but even small donations add up! Every contribution, regardless of magnitude, is meaningful, and every child benefits. Submit Your PTO Dues Today!
Does your company or employer match non-profit donations? Double your donation!
The Alice M. Barrows Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization and your dues are considered a donation.
SEPT 20th! Cheer on Boston Legacy FC — and support Barrows! ⚽
Join fellow Barrows families for a Boston Legacy FC game on Saturday, 9/20 at 2:00 PM! Grab your tickets through the link below, and a portion of every ticket sold goes right back to support our school. See you there!
SEPTEMBER 23RD - RESTAURANT NIGHT - SHAKE SHACK WOBURN 🍔🥤💚
Dine out at Shake Shack Woburn anytime on Wednesday, Sept 23rd and use code DONATE at the ordering kiosk or on your Shack App and Barrows gets 25% back on everything! Treat yourself to a night off from making dinner - or just treat yourself to a milkshake before school gets out!
Funds raised from our September Restaurant Night will go towards staff appreciation in November: American Education Week!
STAY IN THE KNOW! 📅
⏰We know back-to-school is an exciting—and busy—time! To help you stay organized, subscribe to the Barrows PTO syncable calendar. It works with most digital calendar apps and keeps all the important PTO events and school dates right at your fingertips.
2026-2027 PTO Class Contact Form ✍️
Get connected & fill out the PTO Class Contact Form for each child enrolled at Barrows
Class contact lists are shared with Classroom Parents so they can reach out throughout the year for classroom event planning. Classroom Parents have permission to share the list with other parents in the class to help coordinate playdates, birthday parties, and carpools.
Submitting your info is completely optional — but very helpful! Since the school and teachers aren't able to distribute contact information, this is the best way to stay in the loop.
FOLLOW US! 📷
🌈Are you following Barrows PTO on Facebook and Instagram yet? It’s the best way to get quick reminders about spirit days, events and all the fun happenings. Plus, it helps you stay connected and keep track of the busy school calendar—because we all know how easy it is to miss a date! Don’t miss out—follow us today and stay in the loop!
SAVE THAT LINK! 🌳
🔗Looking for that link that was in that email? What’s the website for the school lunch menu? Want to buy tickets for the Boston Legacy FC Game on 9/20? It’s all on our linktree!
Bookmark it, save it to your home screen, grab it from our Instagram today!
With appreciation,
Your PTO Board
Bridget Maley & Whitney McBride, Co-Presidents
bridgetkaterimaley@gmail.com | whitkmcb@gmail.com
Rachel Daly, Treasurer
Kaitlin Camadeco, Secretary
Kelsey Lawrence, Social Media Coordinator
Meri Kimball, Enrichment Lead
Follow Us!
📘Facebook: Barrows Elementary PTO
📷 Instagram: @barrowselementarypto
🔗 Linktree
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
Community Updates from the Reading Public Library
Our Reading Public Library has some wonderful upcoming programs for our community! ❤️📖
Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts — September 24[Text Wrapping Break] Learn about issues facing the Latino community in Massachusetts and ways to be an ally and advocate. The presentation will be offered in Spanish and English, with Portuguese interpretation hopefully available. Registration is encouraged.[Text Wrapping Break] Register & learn more
Spanish Conversation Group — 4-week series[Text Wrapping Break] Practice Spanish, meet others, and build confidence! Open to all levels, with a special focus on helping intermediate speakers practice with fluent speakers. Led by Stacey, a Reference Librarian who is fluent in Spanish. Drop-in — no registration required.[Text Wrapping Break] Spanish Conversation Group details
