The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families!
We are heading into what we affectionately call "No School November." While this month includes several days off, we are committed to making the most of every learning opportunity with your students. I know it is tempting to extend long weekends into longer weekends, but it's important for every shining star to be present for all 16 days of learning this month!
We will be weaving many of our favorite community events throughout these days with classroom instruction--so every day matters! Please also take note of early dismissals (at 11:00 AM or 12:45 PM) and school holidays listed on the calendar below.
At last week's PTO meeting, I presented our MCAS data and am thrilled to share some exciting news! Thanks to the hard work of our staff, students, and partnerships with families, Barrows now ranks in the 92nd percentile of elementary schools statewide—our highest ranking on record for any elementary school in Reading. Additionally, we set a school record for the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations in math!
However, we've noticed increased tardiness and absences, which can impact friendships and academic progress. This year's key goal is to significantly reduce both tardies and unexcused absences. We are here to support students and families in ensuring consistent attendance and on-time arrivals. Please use the district's scheduled vacation times for travel, and if you have questions about attendance related to illness, reach out to our school nurse. We truly miss your child when they aren't here!
This week's highlights:
- Parent-Teacher Conferences: If you haven't already, be sure to sign up for your child's conference. Sign-up links were sent via email last week. These meetings are a valuable part of our partnership to support your student's success.
- November 5: No school for students—staff will have an in-service day.
- November 6 - Veterans Day Assembly: If you have a family member you'd like to honor during our assembly, please see the details below.
- Reading Challenge: Our first Reading Challenge is underway! This initiative motivates reluctant readers, rewards avid book lovers, and promotes building strong at home reading habits, vocabulary, creativity, and comprehension. Fun mystery prizes await all participants! Please encourage your child to join in—more details are included below.
- Too much candy from trick-or-treating? You can send it in to Barrows this week. We are working with an organization to send it to our troops! Thanks!
Thanks for Reading,
Mrs. Gallegos
Is a member of your family a Veteran? Help Barrows honor those that served our country.
Two options:
1. We are inviting Veterans to be part of our assembly on Wednesday November 6th at 8:30 am OR
2. You can send us a photo and information and it will be included in the assembly.
Either way please email carina.becker@reading.k12.ma.us to register your Veteran in order to be recognized at the assembly. Please do this no later than Monday November 4th.
You will need to share the following information:
Barrows student/students and their teacher
Veteran’s Name
Branch
Rank
Please include a photo of the Veteran
Will they be in person for the assembly or just recognized?
***If you shared this information last year, please just email and remind me! I have it saved. ***
Reach out to carina.becker@reading.k12.ma.us with any questions.
Barrows Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, November 5th: No School- Teacher In-Service Day
Wednesday, November 6th: Veterans Day Assembly, Wear Red, White & Blue
Monday, November 11th: No School in honor of Veteran's Day
Thursday, November 14th: Early Release @ 12:45 pm, Conference Day
Friday, November 15th: No School- Conference Day & Otis Spunkmeyer Pick-Up Day
Monday-Friday, November 18-22: American Education Week
Wednesday, Novermber 27th: Turkey Trot 10:20 am & 11 AM Dismissal**
Thursday & Friday, November 28 & 29th: Thanksgiving Recess- No School
Saturday, December 7th: Barrows Winter Craft Fair
Saturday & Sunday, December 7th & 8th: REF Festival of Trees
Friday, December 20th: Holiday Sing Along & PJ Day
Monday-Wednesday, December 23-January 1: No School, Winter Break
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
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
WINTER CRAFT FAIR VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED:
We are having our kickoff planning event for the Craft Fair on Thursday, November 7th at 7pm in the conference room downstairs in the Reading Public Library. We would love if you could join us! You do not need to be crafty at all. Sometimes, we just need help with cutting, gluing, stuffing, craft thoughts or even day of event help. It takes a massive, collective effort to pull off a successful craft fair. We welcome middle school and high school volunteers, great for kids that need service hours.
If you are interested in playing holiday tunes let us know! Please RSVP to Kim Smith (kimberlyjago@hotmail.com) and or Bridget Maley (bridgetkaterimaley@gmail.com) so they know to expect you. Can't make the meeting? No worries, you can still help us out. Just let Kim and Bridget know.
OTIS SPUNKMEYER FUNDRAISER:
Items that were shipped to Barrows will be available for pick up on Friday, November 15th, 9:30-12pm (conference day, no school). Congrats to Aidan in 5th grade for winning the electric scooter!
SAVE THE DATE – Link to PTO calendar
- American Education Week (18-22 November)
- Next PTO Meeting: Wednesday November 20th at 7pm
- Winter Craft Fair: Saturday December 7th
FYI – You can find our School Year 2024-2025 PTO Agendas/Minutes on this public google drive. Reach out with any questions.
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/
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!
WALK it LIke you ROCKET RMHS 5K
Sign up for the Walk it like you ROCKET RMHS 5K! on 11/24 Two options to race: a 5K and a fun run!
*all proceeds raised will go directly to the RMHS senior class and all the fun senior activities, i.e. prom, senior week, and graduation.
We will have two different races scheduled: a true 5k and an age 10 and under ½ mile fun run! We encourage the whole family to participate!
Here are a few details about the fundraiser:
- Event Date: Sunday November, 24th
- Start Time: 8:30 AM 10&U and 9:00 5K
- Location: Birch Meadow Elementary School (27 Arthur B Lord Dr.)
- Registration Fee: $15 Fun Run & $30 5k
Link to Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Reading/WalkItLikeYouRocket
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