The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Barrows Upcoming Dates
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
This week, our students participated in important safety lessons designed to help them become confident and responsible members of our community.
On Tuesday, our 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-grade students learned about bicycle safety. Topics included the importance of wearing a properly fitted helmet, understanding road signs, using correct hand signals for turning and stopping, and following local bike laws. Students also learned when they should ride their bikes and when they are required to walk them.
On Wednesday, our 1st- and 2nd-grade students focused on pedestrian safety. They learned the importance of using sidewalks for walking and how to safely cross a street by making their presence known, looking in all directions, waiting for vehicles to stop, and making eye contact with drivers before crossing. Students also discussed parking lot safety and learned how to recognize when a vehicle may be running or preparing to move by paying attention to lights and sounds.
We hope these valuable lessons help equip our students with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe as they become more independent and enjoy walking, biking, and exploring their neighborhoods.
Back Stage Crew & Behind the Scenes!
🍦 IT’S DANDI’S DAY! 3PM - CLOSE!🍦
It’s Friday and the weather is perfect for ice cream! Treat yourself while supporting the Barrows PTO at Dandi’s Ice Cream today, Friday, June 12, from 3:00 PM until close at 1331 Main Street in Reading.
Dandi’s is generously donating 10% of all profits to the Barrows PTO, so every cone, sundae, shake, and scoop helps support our school community! 💙💛
While you’re there, consider picking up a few gift cards—they make the sweetest surprise for teachers, coaches, neighbors, babysitters, and anyone who deserves a little extra appreciation throughout the year. 🍨✨
Spread the word, bring your family and friends, and join us for a delicious way to give back. We can’t wait to see you there!
🌸 ADOPT THE GARDEN | KEEP BARROWS BLOOMING! 🌸
Thank you so much to the many families who have already signed up to adopt the gardens—we are so grateful for your support! We still have a few unclaimed weeks available.
Your role is simple: water the beds about 3 times during your week (weather permitting) and do a little light weeding as needed. Frequency will depend on the weather—some weeks may need very little watering, while hot, dry stretches may need a bit more TLC. Families are also welcome to team up and share the responsibility.
If any vegetables are ready to harvest during your week, please enjoy them! Our students planted lettuce, beans, radishes, and potatoes 🌱
Just a small amount of time will go a long way in keeping our gardens healthy, colorful, and thriving all summer long—so our students can return in the fall and see the full impact of their hard work.
Ready to help? SIGN UP here! 🌿
⚾BARROWS SUMMER BASEBALL NIGHT AT THE LOWELL SPINNERS!
Join us for a fun family evening at LeLacheur Park as the Barrows community cheers on the Lowell Spinners! Sunday, July 12 at 5:00 PM
It's more than just baseball — the Kids' Zone along the left field line features a giant inflatable slide, bounce houses, speed pitch, a dunk tank, and carnival-style games. Fun starts the moment the gates open an hour before first pitch!
🎟️ Tickets are just $13 each, and $3 from every ticket comes back to Barrows! Grab yours now through our Linktree and we'll see you at the ballpark!
THANK YOU FOR HELPING BARROWS SHINE 🌟
As we wrapped up our final PTO meeting of the school year, we took a moment to celebrate all that our Barrows community accomplished together. Thank you to every family member, volunteer, teacher, and supporter who helped make this year such a success!
We also said a heartfelt thank you to two outstanding PTO Board members whose terms have come to an end: Alicia Curtin, Secretary, and Alison Ethier, Social Media Coordinator.
Alicia’s positivity, encouragement, and unwavering support helped bring people together and foster the welcoming spirit that makes Barrows so special, while Alison’s thoughtful leadership, steady presence, and sound judgment helped keep our PTO informed, connected, and moving forward.
As Alison and her family prepare to leave Barrows, we offer an extra special thank you for all she has contributed to our school community. Her impact will be felt long after her final post.
Please join us in thanking Alicia and Alison for their incredible service to Barrows. We are grateful for their commitment, friendship, and countless hours spent supporting our Shining Stars. 💙💛
With appreciation,
The PTO Board
Bridget Maley & Whitney McBride, Co-Presidents
bridgetkaterimaley@gmail.com | whitkmcb@gmail.com
Rachel Daly, Treasurer
Alicia Curtin, Secretary
Alison Ethier, Social Media Coordinator
Follow Us!
📘Facebook: Barrows Elementary PTO
📷 Instagram: @barrowselementarypto
🔗 Linktree
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
