The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families,
Happy Summer! The last six days have been filled with wonderful memories that served as the exclamation mark to a fantastic school year. While I’m excited to have all my children home for the next four weeks to relax and read at the beach (weather permitting), I’m also sad to see this school year come to a close. Together—staff, students, and families—we made it a truly special year filled with successes big and small, new friendships and old ones, important professional development, and so much growth from our students. There is so much to be proud of. THANK YOU to all of YOU!
I also want to thank our Co-PTO Presidents (for the past three years), Megan Dribin and Lori Barcikowski, for their dedication, incredible amounts of time, thought, and care that they have shared with our Barrows' community. They ensured that we had successful fundraisers to support student enrichment, community events, and student celebrations. While in this role, they took on additional leadership responsibilities, including running the Monster Mash, stocking the staff lounge multiple times throughout the year, attending kindergarten parent orientations and screenings, researching new fundraising opportunities, and participating in numerous other events over the years. Please join me in thanking them for their leadership!
I would also like to extend a few more PTO Thank You's. To our enrichment coordinators, thank you for your organization and collaboration with our teachers! We look forward to welcoming Bridget Maley and Whitney McBride as our new co-presidents! Thank you for stepping up!
Be sure to check out the photos from Spirit Week, our Enrichment Assembly last Monday, field trips, the Fifth Grade Fun Day & Celebration, and our annual Talent Show!
Of course, I wouldn’t be me without one final pitch to families because of the importance to our students health, happiness and academic success:
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Encourage reading for pleasure over the summer (this is a great time to read pick a great chapter book to read to your child(ren), audio books and for those that enjoy it, read to self)
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Get outside as much as possible (be sure to take a walk through the Maillet, Sommes and Morgan Conservation area in town, go on bike rides, encourage your children to play in the mud, you name it--remember the days when our parents said go outside and I will call you in when it is time for dinner?)
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Ditch the devices!!
Take healthy risks (trying new activities, going to a new camp, being the one to order food at the counter, baking...)
For more ideas to help support a happy and healthy child, check out:
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Let Grow: The Summer Experience – letgrow.org/summer-experience
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Reading Public Library Children’s Summer Programming – readingpl.org
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Highland Street Foundation’s Free August Adventures – highlandstreet.org
Important Reminders:
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Keep an eye out for Principal Pop-Up Challenges and other fun events this summer!
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Class Placement Letters will be emailed in August.
The 2025-26 School Supply List is posted and linked below!
On behalf of the entire Barrows staff, we wish you a happy, healthy, and safe summer filled with new adventures, lazy days, and great books. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust in helping raise your children.
Be well,
Alissa
Students should bring the following supplies on the first day of school. They will be stored and managed by the classroom teacher. These become classroom community supplies. No need to put a name on them. Please reach out to Mrs. Gallegos if you are not able to provide supplies.
*Please note the brand names we have selected for our supplies - thank you!
K Supplies
Crayola Crayons (24 pack)
Crayola Markers (washable, thick ones)
Double-Sided Tape
Scotch Tape (2 rolls)
Glue Sticks (5 sticks)
Paper Towel x 2
Tissues x 2
Clorox Wipes x 1
Hand Sanitzer x1
First Grade Supplies
Thin, Black, *Expo White Board Markers (4-Pack)
Crayola Crayons (24 pack)
Crayola Markers (washable, skinny/thin)
Twistables Colored Pencils (12 pack)
*Elmer’s Glue Sticks (4)
Tissues x3
Paper towels x1
Bottles of hand soap x1
1 "fun" 2 pocket folder
Second Grade Supplies
Ticonderoga #2 Sharpened Pencils (1-30 pack or 3- 12 packs)
Thin, Black, Expo White Board Markers (4-Pack)
Elmer’s Glue Sticks (4)
Headphones
Tissues (1 Box)
Post It Notes (2 Packs)
Barrows Third Grade Supplies (family list)
Ticonderoga #2 pencils (1-30 pack or 3-12 packs)-sharpened
Crayola Twistable Crayons (2 pack of 24)
Glue sticks (4)
Dry Erase Expo Markers, thin tip - Black – low odor (6)
Black, Paper Mate Flair Pens (2)
Kid scissors
Used (but washed) sock to use as a white board eraser
Tissues (1 box)
Wired or Wireless mouse (label it with your student's name)
Deck of Cards (labe it with your student's name)
Barrows Fourth Grade Supplies (family list)
Ticonderoga pencils (4 packs sharpened)
Tissues - we use LOTS during the year
Paper towels x2
Glue sticks (3 pack)
Colored pencils- Twistables (1 pack)
Crayola Broadline (thick) markers (1 pack)
Two Highlighters
Clorox wipes
Post it notes (any color and 3x3 size)
Single Scotch dispenser roll x1
Barrows Fifth Grade Supplies (family list)
12 pack Ticonderoga pencils
12 pack Crayola markers (thin or thick)
1 pack of black skinny Expo markers
Tissues x1
Paper towels x1
Baby wipes x1
Quart size or Gallon size Ziploc bags x1
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
Bikes must be walked on the sidewalks near the school during arrival & dismissal!
Rise Against Cancer Club has over 50+ students who have helped raise awareness to cancer.
The club was created in September 2024 by a sophomore student at Reading High who experienced a loss of a loved one to cancer.
ADOPT A STUDENT
Rise Against Cancer wants to focus on helping students throughout Reading schools who are impacted by cancer. We are here to “adopt” a student to provide an extra support system to them and their family. Rise Against Cancer Club has over 50+ students who have helped raise awareness to cancer. The club was created in September 2024 by a sophomore student at Reading High who experienced a loss of a loved one to cancer. Instagram: @riseagainstcancerclub
Comfort packages Deliver personalized care packages that could include inspirational books, journals, cozy socks, stress relief items (e.g., stress balls or aromatherapy), and snacks.
Academic Support Homework Help /tutoring support: Club members can assist with assignments and projects or tutor in specific subjects.
School Supplies: Provide personalized school supplies, tailored to their needs. Connection and Activities Peer Mentor Program: Match students with a mentor who can provide friendship, understanding, and emotional support.
Letters of Encouragement: Write and deliver uplifting letters, notes, or cards to remind them they are not alone. Fun Days: Organize light-hearted activities or outings, such as sports, game/movie days, and anything personalized to the student.
Creative Playdate: Creative art projects with students to entertain them. Spreading Awareness Awareness Days: Organize "wear-a-color" days or other themed activities to show solidarity and spread awareness.
Story Sharing Campaigns: With the consent of the student/family, share their journey (anonymously, if preferred) to inspire others and highlight the challenges faced by students impacted by cancer.
OUR GOAL Our ultimate goal is to do what we can to show students and their families that they are supported during hard times. Some families are not as involved as others and this is a great way for a child to get the support and love they may not have had access to.
Fill this out to submit an application for a child: https://tinyurl.com/RiseAgainstCancer
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
