The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Happy New Year, Barrows Families,
This was the shortest school week of the year, but our students jumped right back into serious learning while finding time to reconnect with friends, reflect on 2024, and set goals for the upcoming year! Typically, after a 1.5-day week, I would skip a newsletter, but I wanted to be sure you have important upcoming dates for the month--so please be sure to check out all of the dates coming up for our students and families.
I am excited to share that the Reading DPW announced the 1st Annual Snowplow Naming Contest winners! In December, the DPW invited our elementary and middle schools to submit three names for the town's DPW snowplow trucks. Each class submitted one name for a school-wide vote, and then we sent the top three names for a Town Hall vote. Lucy S, in Ms. Baer's class, came up with the winning name, Frosty, the Snowplow! Congratulations to Lucy and her classmates!
I hope the Winter Pop-Up Challenge brought you and your students much family fun. I was happy to receive over 120 completed forms, and on Monday, we will send home prizes to students. Keep an eye out for our next Reading Challenge in a few weeks! In the meantime---keep reading because reading is good for kids!
Highlights:
- Calling all Barrows students who enjoy creating art or writing: As part of the Reading Arts & Culture Action Plan, the Town collects artistic responses to the question: What do you want Reading to be known for? See the flyer below for more information.
- Mark your calendars for upcoming PTO & SEPAC events this month (see below).
Be well,
Alissa
Barrows Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, January 15th: 💙💛School Assembly, wear school colors💙💛
Monday, January 20th: No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Wednesday, January 22nd: PTO Meeting @ 7PM (Zoom only)
Wednesday, January 29th:💙💛School Assembly, wear school colors💙💛and Math Night 6:30pm @ Barrows
Friday, February 7th: Parents Night Out (More Details to Follow)
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
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