The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families!
We are officially done with our ELA MCAS for 2025! Third grade did a fantastic job on their first two days of participating in these tests. We will take a break from MCAS testing the week we return from vacation and then start again on May 5th. Please continue to make note of our schedule below and refrain from making appointments during the school days on these dates. We have never had so few make-ups, and we are so grateful to our families for working around this schedule for our test-takers! Thank you!!
I also want to thank SRO Vatcher for speaking with our 4th and 5th graders about Digital Safety—a more critical topic now than ever. As parents and educators, we must be thoughtful about technology and social media's role in our children's lives. Research continues to show that early and frequent exposure to social media can impact how children feel about themselves, relate to others, and learn. It can reduce opportunities for physical activity, limit real-time social interaction, and decrease the ability to sustain attention and manage boredom in healthy ways.
I encourage all parents to explore the growing body of research on the effects of social media and technology use in childhood. Now is the time to consider your family's values and set expectations before your child asks for a phone, smartwatch, tablet, or app access. Delaying access to social media can help your child develop stronger social-emotional skills, healthier habits, and overall happier dispositions.
For students that already have access to technology, please continue to check your student's interactions with peers online, ensure they are not using apps that are not designed for their age, and limit group chats--they tend to lead to unhealthy interactions that students are often nervous about talking with their grown-up about what they saw or wrote. Let's work together to protect their childhood and set them up for long-term success.
Enjoy snapshots from our Spirit Week below that lead us into the fun of April Vacation! Friendly reminder that we do not have school next week (April 21-25th). Students are to return to school on Monday, April 28th! Vacation week is great for SCREEN FREE and take advantage of the Let Grow Activities! https://letgrow.org/program/experience/
Highlights:
- April Vacation is next week (April 21-25)! Good luck to anyone running the Boston Marathon!
- A reminder that the optional Class Placement form is due on Monday, April 28th: survey form
- Please see the updates to the Reading Public Schools & Community Updates Section regarding Volunteering in the Reading Town Forest on 4/26 (an awesome "Let Grow" Opportunity).
- Barrows Fun Run Registration Information for Grades 3-5
- Please see the Screen Time Recommendations with Tips and Tricks Article for Parents LINKED below!
I wish everyone a healthy, safe, and restful April vacation!
Keep Shining,
Alissa
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/
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