The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families!
It is hard to believe that in just two weeks, our first-trimester ends! Students are fully engaged in learning, growing, and showing us what they know and can do. We continue to encourage our families to help students build strong reading habits daily at home (for many, this may mean adults reading to their students. Reading to your student models fluency and builds fluency and comprehension skills--and creates lasting memories). This home-school partnership builds stronger, more confident readers in the classroom (and visa-versa)! Be on the lookout for the first Principal Pop-Up Reading challenge of the 2024-25 school year soon! Our upcoming conference days are posted in the calendar section below. Teachers will be reaching out closer to conference week with conference sign-ups. Please be respectful of the dates & times we have set aside to meet with our student's parents/guardians. Families should not request end-of-term conferences outside of this window.
I am so impressed with our student attendance and how many of you make being to school on time a priority! Dr. Hardy, our Learning and Teaching Assistant Superintendant, commented on how impressed she is with so many families arriving well before the bell on a recent early morning visit to Barrows. Thank you for making the effort to arrive a few minutes before our doors open so we can all get started together.
We are just a week away from the highly anticipated Barrows Monster Mash. Please see the PTO section below for more details. Two important things to note are that all students must be accompanied by an adult, and if this event is a hardship, please reach out to me by phone or email! We want all students and families who want to attend to be able to enjoy the afternoon fully!
This week's highlights:
- PTO Updates—check them out! So much is happening this month (the Monster Mash, which is partly made possible by our Fundraisers like Calareso's and Otis Spunkmeyer Fundraiser!
- New SEPAC updates for October
- Friends of RMHS Dance are hosting a Dance Party for Grades 1-5 TONIGHT (info below)
- Lots of pictures of learning throughout the building this week!
Thanks for reading,
Mrs. Gallegos
Barrows Upcoming Dates
Monday, October 14th: No School in honor of Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day
Friday, October 18th, 3:30-5:30 pm: Monster Mash (raindate 10/25)
Wednesday, October 23rd: *PTO Meeting, 7pm* (new time) in the Barrows Library
Tuesday, October 29th: Make-up Picture Day (for retakes & absences)
Tuesday, November 5th: No School- Teacher In-Service Day
Monday, November 11th: No School in honor of Veteran's Day
Thursday, November 14th: Early Release- Conference Day
Friday, November 15th: No School- Conference Day
Wednesday, Novermber 27th: 11 AM Dismissal**
Thursday & Friday, November 28 & 29th: Thanksgiving Recess- No School
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