The Starburstd
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families!
Let the countdown to summer officially begin—15 days remain in the 2025–2026 school year, and we are going to have so much fun continuing to learn right up to the very end! Mixed in with meaningful classroom learning, we have an exciting calendar ahead: Field Day, Planting Day for Kindergarten and Grade 2, bike and pedestrian safety presentations, 5th Grade Red Sox Night, middle school move-up, Fun Day and the 5th Grade Moving On Ceremony, along with our Talent Show, Spirit Week, and 5th grade Clap-out—not to mention all of the special classroom celebrations and end-of-year traditions that make this season so memorable.
With a schedule like this, our students will need their very best rest and routines outside of school to help them enjoy these final weeks and finish the year strong. Please continue to make arriving on time a priority—we are seeing more students arriving promptly each morning, and it truly makes such a positive difference in their day.
In the last four days, we had a lot going on at Barrows! Be sure to check out the photos below featuring highlights from the week, along with end-of-year calendar reminders and PTO updates.
One of the most special moments of the week was welcoming our RMHS graduating seniors back home for one last clap-out through the halls of Barrows. Before heading out to the blacktop for photos and reconnecting with their elementary teachers and staff, our seniors made a memorable pit stop in the gym to play parachute one last time with our kindergarteners. Watching our oldest and youngest students share smiles, laughter, and memories together was such a meaningful reminder of the connections and traditions that make Barrows so special.
I think our RMHS senior parents and guardians would agree that the 13 years in RPS go by in the blink of an eye. Thank you for partnering with us to grow capable, confident, and healthy kids by setting limits, encouraging them to persevere through the hard stuff, and celebrating each success—big and small. Parenting is hard work, but the rewards are so worth it! As we head into summer, let’s continue working together to limit screens, set healthy boundaries, and provide plenty of opportunities to read, play, explore, and enjoy the outdoors.
Thanks for reading,
Alissa
Barrows Upcoming Dates
Tuesday, June 2nd: Field Day (rain date 6/4)
Wednesday, June 3rd Barrows Planting Day! Dress as a Gardener, flower or plant! & Plan to get dirty! (K & 2nd)
Friday, June 5th: RPS Unified Sports Day!
Monday, June 8th: Middle School Move-Up Day!
Thursday, June 11th: PTO Meeting: END-OF-YEAR PTO POTLUCK @ the Maley's home
Friday, June 12th: Talent Show & 🍦 Dandi's Ice Cream Day Barrows Fundraiser 3pm-close
June 15-22nd: Barrows Spirit Week!
Tuesday, June 16th: 5th Grade Moving-On Ceremony
Wednesday, June 17th: 5th Grade Fun Day (rain date 6/18)
Friday, June 18th: NO SCHOOL--Juneteenth
Monday, June 22nd: 5th Grade Clap-out (10:45 am) & LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
July 12th: Barrows Baseball Night at Lowell Spinners 5pm (see PTO section for more details)
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
We continue to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students!
The Food Service Department continues to offer breakfast to all elementary schools!
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. Our Department looks forward to a fantastic year filled with fresh new foods and the energy from a healthy start to the day! We are excited to serve this incredible community and ensure every student has access to nutritious meals throughout the upcoming school year.
PIN #s for Breakfast, Lunch, and purchasing snacks.
All Reading Public School students are assigned a PIN number that they must use to get breakfast, lunch, or snacks. Please help your child memorize their PIN number. Although we provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, we ask that families send in a healthy snack for their students each day. If they forget their snack, they may purchase one in the cafeteria.
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
Happy Birthday! In honor of your child’s birthday, we invite you to donate books to our school library in their name. Each book donated will have a bookplate with a dedication. Students will be the first patron to check the books out of the library.
To streamline the process and have a birthday book program year round we have developed an Amazon wishlist. Follow this link for the wish list to choose your donations. Amazon Barrows Book Wish List.
Or scan this QR code to get the list.
Please be sure to include your child’s name and grade on the order. Orders can be shipped directly to the school, or brought in person.
Families are welcome to select titles from the list that they would like to see in our library. Birthday donations can range from a single book to 100 books! If there is a specific title you would like to donate please reach out to Mrs. Becker with your request.
Birthday donations are welcome anytime. If you have any questions at all please contact Mrs. Becker.
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
