The Starburst

Greetings, Barrows Families,

Yay! It is May! The PTO had an excellent turnout for our Bingo for Books Tuesday night! Thank you to our Bingo coordinators and all our teachers who donated books for Bingo prizes. The weather held off for Wednesday's successful Walk, Bike & Roll to School. Our safety stars were ready with stickers and bookmarks for our students who came on foot. Today, our entire school enjoyed the Walker Between Worlds assembly.

Next week, we continue with more field trips, an all-school assembly to kick off Teacher Appreciation Week, the FUN RUN, and the Ice Cream Social!! Registration for the Run is closed, but ALL students and their families are welcome to our Ice Cream Social. This is an important reminder that all students must have an adult with them at this event.

This is our busiest month of the school year, between field trips, school assemblies, teacher appreciation week, MCAS, Field Day, and, of course, lots of learning. Please read all communications that come home from me and your student's teacher to stay on top of all of the fun!

Check out the Highlights:

• The Fun Run & Ice Cream Social is on May 9th (rain date May 23rd). We hope you can make it!
• Lost & Found: See the video below to see if your student's belongings are at Barrows. We will be donating all of the items on May 10th.
• The PTO is looking for volunteers and donations for Teacher Appreciation Week. Please see the PTO section for more information.
• Field day for all K-5 students will be May 30th (rain date June 6th). Please see the information below if you would like to volunteer.
• Mrs. Korwan's May OT Bitmoji Classroom is filled with great ideas for our students!

Warmly,

Mrs. Gallegos

To learn more about the program and the Arts for Learning, see this link: https://artsforlearningma.org/WalkerBetweenWorlds. Thank you to Cory Sinclair for writing the grant to bring this to our Barrows students.

The annual Barrows Fun Run is a one mile road race to promote the enjoyment of physical activity, encourage students to set and achieve personal goals and of course, to have fun! This is followed by our PTO Ice Cream Social--allergy friendly options will be provided!

What: Annual Barrows Fun Run - one mile road race

When: Thursday May 9, 2024 (Rain Date - May 23, 2024)

Where: Barrows Elementary School

Time: 3:15 - 4:15

***The Fun Run is NOT a drop off event. Parents/guardians must be present to supervise their children. If you are unable to attend the event please reach out to Mrs. Atwood so we can make other arrangements.***

• Bring your own water.

• Bring your inhaler if you typically use one during physical activity.

• Please DO NOT park vehicles on Stewart Road; this is where the race begins.

• The starting line is at the middle of Stewart Road and the race continues down making a right onto Shelby Road, left onto Arcadia Avenue and up and around the loop, left onto Arnold Avenue, a quick right onto Munroe Avenue, left onto Garrett Road, left onto Shelby Road, right onto Arcadia Avenue, right onto Edgemont Avenue, right into the school driveway and finally to the finish line on the black top behind the school.

• The first, second and third place runners for both boys and girls in each grade will earn a medal; every participant will earn a ribbon.

Wednesday, May 8th: All School Assembly⭐💙 (wear school colors or spirit wear)💙⭐

Shop & Dine at Aine's & Venetian Moon (details in PTO section)

Thursday, May 9th: Fun Run & Ice Cream Social, 3:15 pm (rain date 5/23)

PTO Meeting, 8:30 am in person & virtual: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/88139870550

Thursday, May 16th: Open House (5:30-6:30 pm Grades K-5), Dine Out for Understanding Disabilities (Fuddruckers 4-7pm) Flyer is in the Distrit Update Section below.

Saturday, May 18th: METCO Event- Kite Festival @ Franklin Park Zoo

Monday, May 20th: Incoming Kindergarten Parent/Guardian Orientation 6pm

Thursday, May 23rd: Incoming Kindergarten Screening

Friday, May 24th: RMHS Barrows Senior Alum Clap-out (9am-ish)

Thursday, May 30th: Field Day (rain date 6/6)

Monday, June 3rd: Middle School Move-Up Day (1-2:30)

Tuesday, June 4th: Barrows Red Sox Night (wear Red Sox Gear to School⚾)

Friday, June 7th: Talent Show (Dress Rehearsal 5/31 after school)

Monday, June 10th: FIFTH Grade Fun Day! (rain date 6/12)

Tuesday, June 11th: Fifth Grade Celebration, 8:45 am- Barrows Cafeteria

Friday, June 14th: Last Day of School & Fifth Grade Clap-Out

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

Reading Public Schools Calendar

School lunches are once again free for students in the Commonwealth. We do ask families that need financial assistance to complete this form: https://www.reading.k12.ma.us/en-US/food-services-4f8d79b4/frl-bac51fe9

We look forward to providing nutritious meals for our students!

Reading Public Schools Food Service/Lunch Menus: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1701802399965&page=menus

One mile road race for 3rd through 5th graders. Ice cream social is open to all Barrows students so stay after to cheer on the runners and have some ice cream or slush. Children must be chaperoned, not a drop off event. All ice cream and slush has been donated by Cal's Creamery!!

**We can still use a few more volunteers to help with ice cream social. Please sign up for a shift here - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080E49A4A722A0F94-49232459-2024#/

If you have any questions, reach out to Margo Smith at margogsmith@gmail.com

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEKS: May 13th & 20th

Thanks to all who have already contributed we are in very good shape to celebrate our teachers.

**We could still use a few more recess/lunch duty volunteers on Wednesday, May 22nd between 11:15 to 1pm to help supervise recess so staff can enjoy a longer lunch. Please consider donating some of your time. Your CORI must be up-to-date to volunteer for this. Sign up for 20-25 minute time slot here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0945AAAE2EA1F85-49348224-lunch

:

Thank you letters: Please have your child write a thank you letter to their teacher or other staff member! These words of appreciation mean so much to our hardworking professionals. You can print and have your student fill out the attached thank you letter, or, if you prefer, have your child write a note on plain paper. Please submit your letter(s) to the front office by May 9th.

SHOP AND DINE to support Barrows PTO: Wednesday May 8th

Take a mid week break from cooking and even better buy yourself a gift too - you deserve it!

Shop at Aine's (in store and on-online) 10am - 8pm

Dine at Venetian Moon (or take-out) 4:30pm - 9pm

See attached flyer for more details.

JOIN US: DATE CHANGE: The next PTO meeting will be on Thursday, May 9th, at 8:30 am (in person at Barrows and on Zoom: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/88139870550). We would love to see some new faces along with the old! 😊

"THE ANXIOUS GENERATION" BOOK CLUB

Some of our parents are organizing book clubs for parents to read and discuss “The Anxious Generation” together as a community. This originally started as a 5th grade initiative but we recognize it would be valuable for parents of younger grades as well. If you are interested in participating please reach out to zannygrace@gmail.com and she will connect you with a book club. More opportunites for book clubs and facilitated conversations about helping our students to become more confident, independent and away from screens will be coming out soon!

VOLUNTEER

Be a Cafeteria Volunteer

Sign up to help in the cafeteria during lunch periods (11am - 12:35pm). The cafeteria is fully staffed, but can always use a couple extra hands to help with opening up packages, milk cartons, moving through lunch line efficiently. Please note that all volunteers must have a completed CORI (complete 1 week prior to volunteering) on file prior to volunteering and unfortunately non school aged children will not be allowed to join with the volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering please use the Sign Up Genius to sign up for the day or days you would like to help out.

Parent/Guardian Help at Lunch

We are now on Facebook and Instagram! Like us on Facebook – Barrows Elementary PTO and Follow Us on Instagram @BarrowsElementaryPTO

FUNDRAISING

Minted Fundraiser

Do you need to order birthday, or anniversary inviations? 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)

Amy Koehler, Treasurer

Alicia Curtin, Secretary

Alison Ethier, Social Media Coordinator

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook:

@barrowselementarypto & https://www.facebook.com/BarrowsPTO/

SEPAC works for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community (including ALL children on IEPs or 504 plans and children who may require specialized support). Watch this brief introductory video to learn more!

Visit the SEPAC WEBPAGE

Sign up for our mailing list

Follow SEPAC on Facebook or Instagram

See our 2023-2024 Calendar of Events

The New IEP Presentations:

Reading Public Schools will implement the new IEP in the fall. Please join us for an opportunity to learn what changes to expect and to ask Student Services your questions. The presentation will be held both in person and virtually. More information about the new IEP can be found here.

If you have a child on an IEP, we recommend that you take a moment to familiarize yourself with what the new IEP form will look like.

Understanding the New IEP Form in Massachusetts: Article Published by Mass General Hospital for Children and Lurie Center

Wednesday, May 8th, 6PM (In Person - location TBD)

This will be a presentation for families to review DESE's NEW IEP Improvement Project to include the school’s timeline for rollout, what the new forms look like and what to expect for any adjustments to the team meeting process. (Please register for this presentation so we can be prepared with how many families will be attending as we need to be sure to accommodate a large crowd if needed). Please Click Here to Register for the May 8th In-Person Presentation.

Thursday, May 9th, 12PM (Virtual)

This will be a presentation for families to review DESE's NEW IEP Improvement Project to include the school’s timeline for rollout, what the new forms look like and what to expect for any adjustments to the team meeting process. (Registration required to receive the zoom link). Please Click Here to Register for the May 9th Virtual Presentation.

Tuesday, May 14th, 11-1PM (In-person at Northern Bank’s Community room or join virtually)

Come have lunch with other SEPAC families and some members of the Reading SEPAC Board. SEPAC will provide cheese pizza. Feel free to bring optional potluck sides or your own brown bag lunch, especially if you or your loved one has a special diet. Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverages if you will be joining us. A picnic blanket will be set up with toys for any kids who want to join and don’t need a chair. Feel free to bring other toys your child wouldn’t mind sharing with others.

This will be an informal monthly gathering on the 2nd Tue of the month just to hang out with other SEPAC families. Space is limited to 8 adult seats in person and unlimited virtually. Please Click Here to Register for the May SEPAC Lunch Meetup.

We reviewed the survey results at our last meeting. Thank you to everyone who was able to complete the survey. If you did not get a chance yet, it’s not too late to submit as we will use this as a reference point to plan for next year.

Past Events:

Recorded events that’s available on the Reading SEPAC Website:

Transition Presentation

• For parents and caregivers whose child has an IEP and will be transitioning (between schools, grades, levels, or are new to the school district)

Extended School Year (ESY) Presentation Recording

MCAS & Students with Disabilities Presentation

Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Presentation Recording Available on the Reading SEPAC Website

• Review tiered system of supports and provide examples

• Outline effective communication channels with your team and school

***Should you wish to reach out to Reading SEPAC anonymously, please use this form We reviewed the survey results at our last meeting. Thank you to everyone who was able to complete the survey. If you did not get a chance yet, it’s not too late to submit as we will use this as a reference point to plan for next year.

METCO unites suburban towns with Boston to engage in a reciprocal learning partnership in support of all students. Because of this, every child who attends school in Reading Public Schools is a METCO student and every parent or guardian who has a student in RPS is a part of the METCO community.

"Since its founding during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, the METCO program has enrolled tens of thousands of Boston students of color in predominately white school districts, creating the opportunity for those districts to experience the advantages of learning and working in a racially and ethnically diverse setting."

Greeting Families

Last year unfortunately rain cancelled the Boston Kite Festival. This year we are back. On Saturday May 18th from 12pm-3pm Reading METCO will be back at the Boston Kite Festival. This is a day where we host Reading in Boston at one of our many staple community events. Your child will invite their Reading resident friend, their parents, and teachers to come have fun with them at the Boston Kite Festival. We will have free kites for children, face painting, Ballon animals, pizza, Reading METCO T-shirts and more. We hope to see you all there and see attached flyer for more details.

Kurtis Martin

METCO Director

Reading Public Schools

62 Oakland Rd, Reading, Ma, 01867

(O) 781-944-8200 EXT. 19853

© 617-224-8032

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.

ReadingCares and the Reading Climate Advisory Committee are again hosting the annual Bike Recycling and Give-Away. The public is invited to donate their used bikes (in good condition) at RMLD, 230 Ash Street, on Friday, May 3rd, from 11 am to 12:30 pm and on Saturday, May 4th, from 9 am to 11 am. All donors will receive a voucher for early admission at noon on Saturday to choose a free bike. Free Bikes will be available to everyone starting by 12:30 pm on Saturday, May 4. For more information, click on this link: https://thereadingpost.com/2024/04/03/reading-cares-bicycle-recycling-give-away/

All children aged 16 and under are required by Massachusetts state law to wear a properly secured helmet while bicycling. If your child is in need of a helmet, please reach out to Mrs. Gallegos. We want to keep everyone safe!

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

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.*

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

The Town of Reading contracts with William James College to offer a special service for our residents. The William James INTERFACE Referral Service maintains a mental health and wellness referral help line Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). This is a free, confidential referral service for individuals across the lifespan living in Reading. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers from our extensive database. Each referral meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller. Click here to learn more!

PTO Facebook Link https://www.facebook.com/BarrowsPTO/

Follow us on Instagram: @barrowselementarypto

Barrows Homepage: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us/barrows/

Reading Public Schools: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us