The Starburst
Home of the Shining Stars
Greetings, Barrows Families,
What a week! Students and staff enjoyed participating in our festive Student Council-led Spirit Week. Please enjoy the loads of photos that capture the fun we had this week, especially from our Sing Along and a surprise visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. And from what I saw, we still packed in a lot of learning! Thank you to the Barcikowski, Dribin, Curtin, and Ethier families for heating and serving 7 gallons of hot chocolate and candy canes to our students and families at our Barrows Caroling Extravaganza! I also want to extend thanks to our teachers and staff who came out to Carol last night--to show our appreciation for our amazing families and all of the support you give to our school. It was a perfect night to kick off our winter break!
I am including the Winter Vacation Principal Pop-Up Challenge--paper copies were sent home with your students today and should be returned by Friday, January 3rd. Although this challenge doesn't entirely focus on reading, I encourage families to read together throughout the vacation! This challenge provides opportunities to connect, have fun, and take a break from technology! I hope our students can rest, reset, be creative and active, and enjoy time with family and friends.
I want to wish our families that celebrate a very happy Hannakuh, Merry Christmas, and a great start to the new year!
Please note that we return to school on THURSDAY, January 2nd!
Highlights:
- Winter Break Principal's Pop-Up Challenge: These fun activities will keep your students moving and creative over the break next week!
- Check out RPS's Winter Afterschool Enrichment Opportunities and the Five Star Summer Enrollment below.
- Mrs. Raucci's notes about the music class this December
- Photos from Spirit Week
See you in 2025,
Alissa
Barrows Upcoming Dates
Monday-Wednesday, December 23-January 1: No School, Winter Break
Thursday, January 2nd: School Resumes
Friday, January 3rd: Winter Vacation Pop-Up Challenge due to Mrs. Gallegos
Wednesday, January 15th: 💙💛School Assembly, wear school colors💙💛
Monday, January 20th: No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Wednesday, January 29th:💙💛School Assembly, wear school colors💙💛
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
December has been a great month in the Music Room. The third, fourth, and fifth graders have been working hard with their recorders. They are reading music and playing songs, as well as composing their own musical patterns to play. There has been less squeaking from the recorders, and more gentle, musical sounds being played across the board.
The kindergarten, first, and second graders are reading and playing rhythms. They can read quarter notes (ta), eighth note pairs (ti-ti), and quarter rests (shh). Using our brand new green rhythm sticks, they can play along with several rhythm-reading videos, geared toward different levels of difficulty. The second graders are about to add sixteenth notes (ti-ka-ti-ka) to their repertoire.
The first graders are also learning a song about kindness to sing at a future assembly, and the second graders have continued their exploration of instruments of the orchestra.
I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday break.
Elena Raucci
Music Specialist
(photo of Kindergarten students reading & playing music notes)
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
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
