The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families!
My computer is back to normal, so please enjoy photos from last week and this week!
We had our 2025 Readathon Finale on Wednesday, celebrating our record-setting number of 414,272 minutes read in March! We love reading at Barrows, and it shows in the numbers! I have so many thank yous to share about this event. Thank YOU to our parents/guardians and teachers for supporting this fantastic goal by reading with our students, encouraging independent reading, visiting the library, and making purchases at our Book Fair! Thank you to Mrs. Becker for her creativity from the introductory video, collaborating with Mrs. Sousa for our weekly mystery week challenges, to selecting new wonderful books for our students to enjoy in our library that the Altbush family donates in honor of their daughter and former Shining Star, Faith Altbush. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Altbush, for your generous donations to our library. Lastly, I want to extend a very special thanks to Michelle Sousa for organizing 9---yes, NINE (even through the Pandemic), Readathons for Barrows. This was her last year crafting fun and creative ways to motivate our students to read (which has always been her NUMBER 1 priority) while supporting one of our most successful fundraisers of the year. From the READATHON bulletin board, ensuring every student is entered into the READATHON, creating weekly challenges for all 18 classes, totalling minutes to be announced at the end of each week, , to curating book-filled raffle baskets...she has done it all! Because of Michelle's dedication, countless young readers have embarked on literary adventures, discovered new worlds, and strengthened their confidence in the power of words.
Monday marks the first day of our 2025 MCAS. All students in grades 3, 4, & 5 participate in 2 days of ELA testing, 2 days of Math testing, and 5th grade is also tested in Science & Technology. We encourage our students to do their best work, just as we encourage this mindset in all we do. However, the MCAS does not define who each student is as a learner. I will share with each class, as I have done in the past, that we want them to show what they know and can do, and the adults in this building use the results to help us think about how we can teach our students best.
Please ensure students sleep well (The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends school-aged children need 9-12 hours of sleep per night) and eat a healthy breakfast (free breakfast is always available before school). We also stress the importance of students arriving at school on time because one tardy student delays the start of the test. Thank you for helping students be set up for success each morning! Please do not schedule appointments and trips during the MCAS window while we prepare our students for standardized testing and continue with our regular instruction. (The schedule is posted below)
March Madness Winner! The winner of March Music Madness was the song “Bye Bye Bye”, submitted by Ms. Penna. The second place song was “U Can’t Touch This”, submitted by Mrs. Atwood. Thanks to everyone who participated, followed along, and/or rooted for their favorite songs. Just wait until next year!!
Highlights:
- 2 Weeks worth of photos from Book Character Day, Assistant Principal for the Day, RMLD Art Poster Contest Winners, Parker's Band & Chorus Students perform for Barrows 5th Graders!
- More helpful tips from Speaker Liz Faria on reducing anxiety in children (see below)
- Remember: Fifth and Fourth Grade have ELA MCAS next week! Please see tips from Nurse Adams below on MCAS testing tips. We want students to feel at their best and do their best!
- Check out the PTO section for updates (Barrows Apparel Sale ends Sunday, April 6th)
- Reading Public School's Artfest runs at the high school from Monday-Wednesday. Artwork and musical performances from all schools will be showcased at this event. If you have never been, it is worth a visit! (Schedule below)
- On Wednesday, April 9th Reading Public Schools is hosting an Executive Functioning: A Parent Information & Interactive Discussion Session at 9:30-10:30 am (Reading Public Library) & 7-8 PM Zoom)--see flyer below
Keep Shining,
Alissa
The Anxious Generation Parent/Guardian Book Club
Hello Barrows parents! We are organizing a book club and advocacy group to reflect on the concerns raised in the book “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt. The book highlights concerns many parents share related to impacts from the rise of screens and the decline of play in our kids. The book presents simple but compelling solutions that are best undertaken as a community. Come be a part of our little (but growing!) community on Sunday, April 13 at 6:00pm, as we brainstorm and explore ideas. Teachers and administrators are welcome, as are community members from other schools. Please contact Zanny Perrino at (518) 533-8213 for information (including location and event updates) or to RSVP. Thank you!
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
SAVE THE DATE – Link to PTO calendar
- Apparel Orders are due Sunday, April 6th
- April PTO Meeting: Thursday, April 17th at 9 am (ZOOM only)
Show Your Barrows Spirit – Our Spring Apparel Store is Open!
Celebrate the brighter days and show your Barrows pride with new spring spirit wear! 🌼
From cozy classics to fun patterns and brighter, lighter layers, there’s something for everyone—students, siblings, and grownups too!
→ Browse and order here: https://bit.ly/BarrowsSpring25
Order by Sunday, April 6th. All items will be delivered to school at the end of April and sent home with your student. Giving a gift? Leave a note at checkout so we can set your order aside for pickup. All pieces are made to order and final sale, so please check sizing before purchasing. Questions? Reach out to Jen Barsotti at jenb@hey.com.
THANK YOU!
Huge shout out to Michelle Sousa for her 9+ years of chairing our fabulous read-a-thon. Thank you for always going above and beyond. You will be missed at Barrows! Thanks to Jennifer Pierce for shadowing and learning the role. Many thanks to all our Barrows families for a successful fundraiser!
Barrows PTO – OPEN BOARD POSITIONS
We need you!! We are looking to fill some board positions for the upcoming school year. Grab a friend, share the role, and help support our fabulous Barrows students and staff! The PTO Board is in need of a President, Vice President (or two Co-Presidents). Being on the Board is a fun way to give back to the school and be part of the community. We are lucky to have a very active volunteer community so you will have lots of help throughout the year.
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