The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families!
(Sorry, it's a long one...)
It was another great week at Barrows, especially for our third graders, who had a one-mile walking field trip to the historic Parker Tavern in Reading. Our Science from Scientists program for our fourth and fifth graders returned. So fun! ( I share more information about both events below.)
One of my favorite things on my schedule each fall is eating lunch with a different group of 5th graders each Friday! I'll post a picture each week with the latest crew! I love learning about what they love about Barrows, what we can do to make things even better, and all about their weekend plans!
Switching gears from fun conversations with 5th graders on Fridays to my serious conversations with my own children... They often lament when we talk about the importance of making good choices and doing their best because I always share research to back up the "why" behind my encouragements, suggestions, or expectations. As the topics seemed to feel more serious as they entered their teenage years, they politely asked me to stop reading the research articles to save them from what I consider my loving reminders to keep them safe and healthy. This brings me to share more research with you because I care about all of our Shining Stars.
The Barrows staff has been having meaningful conversations about how we can help our students build and increase academic stamina in the classroom. We are noticing that students are struggling more this fall to be active listeners, follow directions and to persevere through academic tasks. Beyond our regular instruction and conversation about perseverance and being engaged and active learners, paired with our explicit Second Step Program (social-emotional lessons), we are researching more ways to help students build these crucial skills to be successful learners throughout the school day. We also know that our families can help at home, too. To help your student be at their best in the classroom and the workplace in years to come, here are some tried and true strategies (backed by research-ha!):
- Limit screen time: https://healthmatters.nyp.org/what-does-too-much-screen-time-do-to-childrensbrains/#:~:text=Excessive%20screen%20time%20may%20inhibit,be%20detrimental%20to%20overall%20development.
- Take the occasional screen detox: https://kidslox.com/how-to/detox-your-child-from-electronics/
- Give children less preferred tasks daily (helping with chores, caring for pets, etc.) https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Chores_and_Children-125.aspx.
- Interrupt your child in a highly engaged activity to help them become flexible in transitioning to less preferred tasks.
- Build time into the week for unstructured play (especially outdoors) https://blog.bsnsports.com/articles/from-screen-time-to-green-time-why-kids-need-more-time-outside.
- Establish Healthy sleep routines (and diet)--I know I share this one a lot!
- Encourage and help students to become responsible for getting ready for school independently (e.g., putting the take-home folder and library books in their backpacks, helping pack snacks and/or lunches, laying out clothes the night before, etc.).
I am so thankful for a school community where our families and staff are committed to partnering together to provide the best academic and social-emotional experience for each student. I share the above list with sensitivity, knowing that each family wants what is best for their child and may have different hopes, expectations, limitations, and challenges. Still, as a parent, I know these suggestions can be essential reminders amidst the busyness of family life. As we build new routines at the start of the year, reflecting on how we can best support our children can be helpful. As an educator for many years, I also know the impact technology and busy schedules have on our children. I hope this suggestion list is an encouragement for all that we are doing well and what changes we can make to help our students shine.
This week's highlight:
- PTO Updates....check them out! So much is happening this month!
- New SEPAC updates for October
- Friends of RMHS Dance are hosting a Dance Party for Grades 1-5 on 10/11 (info below)
Thanks for reading,
Mrs. Gallegos
Barrows Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, October 9th: 💙💛All School Assembly Part 2: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! Wear our school colors (blue & yellow) and/or Barrows Gear
Monday, October 14th: No School in honor of Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day
Friday, October 18th, 3-6pm: Monster Mash (raindate 10/25)
Wednesday, October 23rd: PTO Meeting, 8:30 am 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
FALL FUNDRAISER EVENT: We are kicking off a new fundraiser this year, Otis -Spunkmeyer and it will be starting this week! The fundraiser will be running now until 10/16. Orders can be placed online or by returning the order form (online is encouraged!). Some items have the option to ship home and/to friends/family otherwise items will be shipped to Barrows and be available for pick up on Friday, November 15th, 9:30-12:30pm(conference day, no school).
We have some fun prizes for the kids so stay tuned for those – it will be calculated on how many orders are placed. Orders of 10 or more, will be entered into a drawing to win a scooter! This will be awarded after the fundraiser ends.
If you have any questions, please contact me at LoriBarcikowski@yahoo.com. I'm excited about this one, the food looks super yummy. Think Thanksgiving pies, Holiday desserts and yummy muffins (my kids love them - I put them in the freezer (stay fresher longer), and ta-da thawed before snack time. I’m excited to try the pizzas!
It's as simple as 1, 2, 3!
- Register TONIGHT at www.ShopFund.com
- Share custom support links with family & friends via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Email, Text and more.
- Student Goal: Minimum of 5 Online Supporters.
REGISTER-SHARE-WIN: Sharing gets you coins for chances to win over $100,000 in instant prizes.
Fundraiser Links:
- How To Videos - (https://vimeo.com/showcase/8752027)
- Kick-Off Videos - (https://vimeo.com/showcase/11299106)
- Parent Letter - (https://grpsvcs.link/LkB8ID)
- Prize Program - (https://grpsvcs.link/FyIeuP)
It is that time of year again - cozy sweaters, apple picking, pumpkin lattes and THE MONSTER MASH! This Fall favorite event will take place on Friday October 18th from 3:30 - 5:30pm on the blacktop and field at Barrows. Similar to last year we will have trunk or treating, games, crafts, pumpkin decorating, a DJ and MORE! Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes, but this is optional.
Cost of admission is $10/family. Avoid the line by pre-buying your entry ticket using this link -
https://givebutter.com/3nxg7a. You will also be able to purchase admission with cash or link at the event.
We are also excited for the Monster Mash RAFFLE!!!Pre-sale is ongoing (flyer sent home on Monday). We will have some AMAZING raffle baskets again this year so you will definitely want to have lots of raffle tickets. You can buy raffle tickets during the pre-sale now until Tuesday October 15th. Pre-sale raffle tickets will be sent home to you on Thursday October 17th.
Raffle tickets are $20 for a sheet of 25. Avoid the line and buy during the pre-sale using this link -
**Do you want to participate in the raffle, but you can't attend Monster Mash? Don't worry, we have you covered!! At check-out you can select to have your raffle tickets distributed on your behalf. Good luck!
See you at the Mash!
VOLUNTEER NEEDS: We have some volunteer gaps we would like to fill as soon as possible. Please reach out to Lori and I if you can help with any of the below. We cannot do everything we do each year without your help.
Craft Fair: We will need more volunteers to help plan the crafts and prep them leading up to the craft fair. This work will take place in November leading up to the craft fair the first Saturday of December. You do not need to be crafty to help with this!
Read-a-thon: Michele Sousa will be graduating from Barrows at the end of this year. We need someone to apprentice with her to learn the read-a-thon lead role. This is our biggest fundraiser and since it went on-line it is quite easy. The kids LOVE the read-a-thon so we really want to keep this going. Read-a-thon takes place the month of March.
Restaurant Nights: We need 1-2 people to organize restaurant night fundraisers. This can be done monthly or every other month. We have a list of restaurants that are good to work with so this role simply organizes the night and helps draft the communication for the school. Easy peasy.
CALARESO’S FUNDRAISER: The order form went home last week. Fundraiser runs from Oct 2 – 18th. Order your certificates and Barrows gets 25% of the sale. So many great things to buy at Calareso’s this time of year – Fall landscaping, holiday decorations and groceries too!
OTIS SPUNKMEYER FUNDRAISER: Oct 2 – Oct 16
The flyer was sent home this week. We are really excited about this new fundraiser. We will be having a super fun raffle drawing at the end of the fundraiser for an electric scooter! More details to follow. Orders placed will be available for pick up at Barrows on Friday, November 15th between 9:30am – 12:30pm.
SAVE THE DATE – Link to PTO calendar
- MONSTER MASH: Friday Oct 18 (rain date 10/25)
- Next PTO Meeting: Wednesday Oct 23rd
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!
Many thanks,
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
