The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families,
Have your students told you about "The 10 Days of Hidden Holiday Cheer?" For the first two weeks of December, our students are using their detective skills & guessing what the hidden holiday theme is for each day--based on what staff might be wearing or doing. The answer is announced the following morning! Even though we work hard each day, we are determined to have fun too! This week, staff wore Holly-Jolly Hats, jotted with decorated pens and pencils, dressed up like Snowmen, and played holiday songs throughout the day (and without planning, Let it Snow played on the outside speakers while our 5th graders caught snowflakes on their tongues). Today, our teams wore coordinating outfits for Festive Family Friday Picture Day! Students will join the fun for our Student Council-led Spirit Week (see flyer below).
A few weeks ago, the Reading DPW announced the 1st Annual Snowplow Naming Contest! They invited all five elementary schools and the two middle schools to submit names for the town's DPW snowplow trucks. Each school can submit up to three names, and Town Hall staff will select one winner per school. Each Barrows homeroom chose one name to submit for the all-school vote--our top three winning names (Frosty the Snowplow, Polar Patroller & Big Read (pronounced Red)) will be entered for Town Hall's vote. Stay tuned to learn what the honorary Barrows Snowplow will be named! This contest inspired me to read the Classic Book Katy and the Big Snow to most of our classes this week! We talked about how thankful we are to the men and women who salt and plow our roads, especially at night, to keep us safe.
We have two more weeks of school before vacation. These two weeks are critical for our students. We have a lot of important instruction planned, and they are also filled with many special traditions that build community and memories at Barrows. Please refrain from scheduling appointments, running late, or missing school. Only ten more school days before a long winter break!
Highlights:
- Don't forget to come to our Craft Fair tomorrow and visit the Festival of Trees either day this weekend! It is my favorite weekend of the year for Reading community events!
- Helpful tips for pre-vacation school weeks: Keep your routines, ensure adequate sleep, have healthy meals and snacks, READ DAILY, and get outside!
Thanks for reading!
Mrs. Gallegos
Barrows Upcoming Dates
Saturday, December 7th: Barrows Winter Craft Fair
Saturday & Sunday, December 7th & 8th: Reading Education Foundation's Festival of Trees @ Parker Middle School
Wednesday, December 11th: All School Assembly (💙⭐wear your Barrows Colors/Gear)
Wednesday, December 18th: 8:30 AM PTO Meeting. ZOOM only: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/84058658038
Thursday, December 19th: 5pm Carols on the Blacktop: A Harmonious Holiday with Barrows Staff
Monday-Friday, December 16-20: Barrows Spirit Week for Staff & STUDENTS!
Friday, December 20th: Holiday Sing Along & PJ Day, 12:45 pm dismissal
Monday-Wednesday, December 23-January 1: No School, Winter Break
Thursday, January 2nd: School Resumes
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
FESTIVAL OF TREES: Thank you to Kristin Forestall, her team and to our Barrows families for organizing and donating items/money for our Barrows Harry Potter themed tree and for all of the families that donated items/money for it to be displayed at the Festival of Trees this weekend.
WINTER CRAFT FAIR: Saturday, December 7th 10am-2pm, Barrows Cafeteria, This is not a drop off event, children need to be chaperoned.
Crafts are $3/craft or all 9 for $20. If you would like to pre-pay we are offering the sale of all 9 crafts for $20 through this link - https://givebutter.com/ka923o. Remember you will need to show your e-ticket to get your craft tickets upon entry. Otherwise you can purchase your craft tickets at the door. Cash is easiest at the door, but we will have a QR code to scan so we can also accept venmo, paypal, apple pay and credit credit.
The winter raffle baskets are AMAZING!! You will not want to miss out on a chance to win one of these great baskets put together by our fabulous Grades 3 - 5 room parents! Basket themes are - Reading Winter Sports, Cookie Catastrophe, Snow Day, Ice Cream Sundae, Holiday Fun, Game Night, A Very Merry Swiftmas, and Cozy and Chill! The pre-sale is closed, but don't worry!! You can buy your raffle tickets at the event with cash or venmo/paypal, apple pay or credit card.
Please reach out to Kim Smith (kimberlyjago@hotmail.com) or Bridget Maley (bridgetkaterimaley@gmail.com) with any questions regarding the craft fair and Meghan Dribin (megdribin@gmail.com) with any questions on the raffle.
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). Thanks!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FA8AD2EA2FC1-parentguardian
SAVE THE DATE – Link to PTO calendar
Winter Craft Fair: Saturday December 7th, 10am – 2pm in the Barrows Cafeteria
Festival of Trees: Saturday & Sunday, December 7th & 8th @ Parker
Teacher Caroling: Thursday December 19th, 5pm
For your information, our School Year 2024-2025 PTO Agendas/Minutes are on this public Google Drive. Reach out with any questions.
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/
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!
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
