The Starburst

Greetings, Barrows Families,

We only have two weeks left of the 2023-2024 school year, and they will be so much fun! Science from Scientists is returning on Tuesday for two assemblies for all of our students, a first-grade field trip, and enrichment for grades 2 and 3. Our fifth graders will have a move-up day to Parker & Coolidge, and then, there will be Field Day, and the highly anticipated Talent Show to end the week!

This past week, we were wowed by Rob Surette's inspirational message and artwork (thank you, Barrows, PTO), and grades 2-5 had a special assembly about being responsible by saving and investing money.

Mrs. Gallegos's first ever POP-UP Principal's 10-day Reading Challenge. In honor of the last ten school days, I challenge each student to read at least one book daily or an extra TEN minutes for 10 days before the last day of school! Students who meet this challenge will be called to the office for a certificate and will be in a photograph to be published in the Starburst on the last day of school. Remember, reading to or with your student counts, too! Keep track on a scrap piece of paper, on a home calendar or create a fun reading log! I'd love to see how students track their reading.

Check out the Highlights:

• Field day has been moved to Thursday, June 6th, due to the rain on the original date. Please see the link below if you want to or cannot volunteer due to the date change. The weather looks iffy for next Thursday too. We are running out of dates to have field day--but we will do our best to make this Barrows favorite happen for our students. I will keep you posted early next week if we need to try for another date yet again! Ugh!
• Please check the calendar for the last two weeks. There are so many important and fun events to note.
• This is a repeat reminder because it is so important: Days are getting longer, and we are staying up later, but please ensure students are getting adequate rest and eating well. Strong routines at home will help them be at their best for the last two weeks of school. We are committed to doing the same here while including many fun end-of-year events to celebrate our efforts and show our Barrows Beliefs, especially perseverance throughout the school year!
• Check out the PTO section for details about our last PTO meeting on June 5th and SEPAC end-of-the-year updates/news!

I will be celebrating my daughter's high school graduation from RMHS tonight! I want to wish all of our graduates, especially our staff's children and our Shining Star Alumni, a wonderful weekend of well-deserved recognition and celebration!

Warmly,

Mrs. Gallegos

Sunday, June 2nd-June 14th: Mrs. Gallegos's 10-Day Reading Challenge!

Monday, June 3rd: Middle School Move-Up Day (12:45-2:30)

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

Wednesday, June 5th: PTO Meeting

Thursday, June 6th: Field Day (2nd rain date tba)

Friday, June 7th: Talent Show

JUNE 10-14th: Spirit Week (see flyer below)

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

JOIN US: The final PTO meeting of the school year will take place Wednesday June 5th at 6:30 pm at the Barcikowski home. 27 Woodward Avenue.

REMINDER: If you have any expenses to be reimbursed by the PTO the deadline for submission is Monday June 10th. Reimbursement should be submitted using our reimbursement form as well as receipts emailed to barrowsptotreasurer@gmail.com. Reach out to Amy Koehler with any questions.

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

SEPAC Year End Adult Social:

Come celebrate the end of the school year with us. Everyone is welcome!

Bunratty Tavern

Friday, June 14, 7PM

• Come join us for a drop-in informal get together

• Each person pays for their own tab

Please Click Here to Sign-Up for the End of Year SEPAC Adult Social so we have a sense of how many people. Drop-ins are welcome.

SEPAC Family Lunch Meetup:

Tuesday, June 11, 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. For this month’s gathering, SEPAC will organize a special afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, hot tea, and ice tea to celebrate the end of year. If you have a favorite cup & saucer you have been dying to use, this is a great opportunity to take it out of the cupboard. But even if you don’t, we will have plenty.

Feel free to bring a festive pastry of your choice 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 June SEPAC Lunch Meetup.

Summer with SEPAC:

Join the SEPAC email list by sending an email to SEPACReading@gmail.com to receive updates and come hang out with us this summer.

Everyone is welcome!

We are always looking for hosts and volunteers. It is a great way to meet other families and to help support the community.

If you would like to host or volunteer for an event, please send an email to SEPACReading@gmail.com

Past Events:

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

SEPAC Business Meeting

• Special Education Budget Review

• Student Services Updates on new positions created last year

• SEPAC Updates

• Family Leadership Program Series Overview

The New IEP Presentation

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

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."

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.

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