The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families!
We had two fantastic assemblies this week! On Wednesday, the Boston Duck Tours visited Barrows, and students had a great time learning all about Boston’s history and landmarks. Today, we enjoyed a high-energy Hip-Hop assembly generously funded through the Mass Cultural Council. A special thank you to Cory Sinclair for writing one last (of many!) successful grants to bring this amazing enrichment experience to our students.
Our 3rd and 4th graders will complete the Math MCAS next week. Thank you for helping your students arrive at school well-rested and for avoiding scheduling appointments during this important testing period.
As promised, I’m sharing more information about how technology use impacts our brains—both for children and adults. I want to highlight the book Attention Span by Dr. Gloria Mark, which presents research that helps us understand these effects. At Barrows, we are committed to providing high-quality instruction from our talented and dedicated educators. Over time, we’ve observed increasing challenges with students maintaining focus during sustained learning, and part of the reason may be how our brains adapt to digital media use. Dr. Mark recommends limiting technology use as much as possible, and one of the best ways to support focus is by encouraging reading (as well as playing outdoors). The graphic below shows how attention spans have changed since 2004—it’s a sobering reminder. Let’s continue to work together to support our students in developing healthy, focused minds.
Highlights:
- Check out the Barrows Fun Run registration information for Grades 3–5 below. Students in all grades are welcome to cheer on the runners and enjoy the ice cream social. Please note: all students must be accompanied by an adult for this event.
- Parents and guardians, mark your calendars! On May 8th at 6 PM, the Reading Public Library will host speaker Phyllis Fagell, who will present Raising Middle Schoolers: The 10 Skills Kids Need to Thrive.
- Visit the PTO section to learn how you can support the Ice Cream Social and Teacher Appreciation Days by volunteering or donating items.
- Ice Cream Day is back—thanks to student advocacy! See the Breakfast/Lunch section below for more details.
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
- ICE CREAM SOCIAL, Thursday, May 8th
Join us for the Barrows' Ice Cream Social during the Fun Run on Thursday, May 8th. Thanks to a generous donation from Cal's Creamery, there will be no charge for this event.
We need volunteers to help with things like set-up, scooping, and clean-up. Sign up for a 1-hour shift at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E49A4A722A0F94-56610542-2025 Volunteers will primarily be out on the blacktop, so if you have a student running and want to see their big finish, you will be able to pop over and cheer them on. Email Margo Smith (margogsmith@gmail.com) with any questions. *Please note that during this event vanilla ice cream and slush will be scooped separately, and allergy friendly toppings will be available upon request.
TEACHER APPRECIATION DAYS!
The PTO is excited to celebrate our wonderful teachers and support staff throughout May with several appreciation events, including a staff breakfast, a candy/dessert bar, coffee gift cards, and a luncheon.
We invite you to participate in showing our sincere gratitude in the following ways:
- Contribute Items (May 12th & 15th): Please sign up to bring items for the staff breakfast and candy/dessert bar using this SignUpGenius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E44A4A82DABF94-56609680-barrows
- Monetary Donations: Financial contributions to help fund these events and purchase gift cards are also greatly appreciated and can be made securely through this link: https://givebutter.com/74UCtm
- Gift Card Donations: You can send in Dunkin Donuts gift cards to the front office anytime prior to May 16th.
Your contributions, in any form, will help us show our amazing teachers and support staff how much we value their hard work and dedication. Thank you for your support!
If you have questions, please reach out to Sara at saraelizabethfraine@gmail or Brooke at brooke.heaney@gmail.com.
SAVE THE DATE – Link to PTO calendar
LUNCH VOLUNTEERS: We welcome our parents/guardians as lunch helpers by signing up. Volunteers are expected to help for all lunch periods (11:10 am-12:35 pm, not just their students' lunch. Volunteers will be asked to help wipe down tables between lunches, help students open food packaging, etc. Volunteers must have an up-to-date CORI check (please be sure this is done at least one week before volunteering).
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FA8AD2EA2FC1-parentguardian
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!
For your information, our School Year 2024-2025 PTO Agendas/Minutes are on this public Google Drive.
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/
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