The Starburst
The Barrows Weekly Newsletter: November 4, 2022
A Message from Principal Gallegos
Greetings, Barrows Families!
It was another bustling week at Barrows. I want to thank our Student Council advisors, Ms. Lentz, Mrs. Atwood, Mrs. Becker, and Mrs. Forestell, for getting our student council up and running. We are so impressed with each student who took the time to write a speech to be read to their homerooms, knowing that not everyone would be elected to represent their class. Students were thoughtful about voting for students that represented listening leaders who would be a voice for everyone in their classroom. Congratulations to our newest council representatives (shown above) and to those students who were not selected, yet still had the courage and grace throughout the election! We are proud of all of you!
I want to highlight our newest Starburst additions that are time sensitive:
- Please be sure to sign-up for Teacher Conferences. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet your child's teacher and learn more about your child's progress.
- Mrs. Raucci invites all students and their families to celebrate Beethoven at the Reading Symphony Orchestra Performance this Sunday!
- Next week is an important week as we honor our Veterans. Please read more about the assembly and how you may honor someone in your family below. All registrations are due this Monday, November 7th.
- OT Updates from Mrs. Korwan
- Our next PTO meeting (come in person or join us on Zoom) is this Wednesday at 7 PM.
- We are looking for parent and caregiver volunteers to help during our lunchtime. Sign-up once all year or be a regular! More information below.
- The PTO is still looking for families to sign-up for American Education Week!
I am thankful for another gorgeous fall weekend- a weekend of RMHS tournament games! Great week Shining Stars, and Go Rockets!
Warmly,
Alissa Gallegos
A VERY SWEET THANK YOU!
Barrows Upcoming Dates
2022-2023 School Year
Tuesday, November 8: No School- Teacher In-Service Day
Wednesday, November 9: PTO Meeting, all parents & caregivers welcome 7 PM
Friday, November 11: No School- Veterans Day
Monday-Friday, November 14-18: American Education Week
Wednesday, November 16: 12:45 Dismissal (School Conferences after school)
Friday, November 18: NO SCHOOL- School Conference Day
Wednesday, November 23rd: Turkey Trot 10:15-10:45 AM (all parents & caregivers welcome outside), 11 am Dismissal
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
Is a member of your family a Veteran?
Help Barrows honor those that served our country. Two options: we invite Veterans to be part of our assembly on Wednesday, November 9th at 8:30 OR you can send us a photo and information, which will be included in the assembly. Either way, please email carina.becker@reading.k12.ma.us to register your Veteran to be recognized at the assembly. Please submit all information by Monday, November 7th.
You will need to share the following information:
- Barrows student/students and their teacher
- Veteran’s Name
- Branch
- Rank
- Please include a photo of the Veteran
- Will they be in person for the assembly or just recognized?
Reach out to carina.becker@reading.k12.ma.us with any questions.
A Celebration of Beethoven, Please Come!
This Sunday, November 6th, our music specialist, Mrs. Raucci, will be performing in the Reading Symphony Orchestra concert at RMHS. She plays the cello. The music is “Summon the Heroes” by John Williams, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, and Beethoven’s 7th Symphony. The concert begins at 3:30 and is free of charge.
About a year and a half ago, Mrs. Raucci did a unit on Beethoven with all the grades, and many of the children remember it fondly. If your child would like to attend the concert, which is meant to be a celebration of Beethoven, please come! Mrs. Raucci would love to see lots of kids in the audience!
Again, the details are:
The Reading Symphony Orchestra
Sunday, November 6th at 3:30
RMHS Performing Arts Center
Admission free
Fine Motor and Occupational Therapy Skill Development
Hello Families,
This November I decided to do something a little different with my Bitmoji Classroom. Many families ask what gifts they can buy for their students that will help support fine motor and OT skill development. In the attached Bitmoji Classroom you can click on the gifts to see shopping and activity lists for many different skill areas. There are also a bunch of fun fine motor activities you can do with everyday household items. Enjoy!
Anne Korwan
Important PTO UPDATES!
ONGOING FUNDRAISING
American Education Week Please help us show the Barrows staff how thankful we are by showering them with daily treats during American Education Week. Be sure to mention what you will be bringing in your comments. *IF YOU CAN NOT DROP YOUR ITEMS TO BARROWS BTWN 7:30-8am, PLEASE DROP THEM TO KRISTEN GRANARA AT 36 COUNTY RD THE DAY/NIGHT PRIOR. There is a bin for collection on the front porch. Please text or call me at 781-526-7835 if you're about to drop something that needs to be refrigerated. Want to help but don't have the time to get a treat? Consider making a small monetary contribution towards this event. Venmo- @KristenTaylor-Granara Thank you! www.signupgenius.com
JOIN US
Our next PTO meeting will be on Wednesday November 9th at 7pm (Barrows Library and Zoom). Agenda will be sent in advance of the meeting. ALL parents and caregivers are welcome! Reach out to Lori and Meghan with any questions or topics for consideration. Zoom Meeting Link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/s/83964507143
Save the Date for the Barrows Holiday Craft Fair to take place on Saturday December 3rd. We are looking forward to hosting this again after a 2 year hiatus.
VOLUNTEER!
Thanks to everyone that has signed up to volunteer throughout the year! The committee chairs will reach out to you as the event that you have volunteered to assist with gets closer. Feel free to reach out to Lori and Meghan with any questions in the interim.
Thanks to all of our volunteers and Julie and Deanna, the Committee Chairs for making Monster Mash such a success. It was a wonderful, fun-filled afternoon on the playground!
Be a Cafeteria Volunteer
We are excited to announce a new opportunity for parents/guardians to volunteer at the school. Parents/guardians that are interested can now sign up to help out in the cafeteria during the lunch periods (11:15am - 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 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 Thank you!
PTO Board
Lori Barcikowski, Co-President
Meghan Dribin, Co-President
Amy Koehler, Treasurer
Alicia Curtin, Secretary
Alison Ethier, Social Media Coordinator
School Lunch Menu
Remember, school lunches are once again free for students in the Commonwealth. We look forward to providing nutritious meals for our students! Be sure to check out the weekly menus, as there are a lot of NEW options!
Reading Public Schools Food Service/Lunch Menus: http://reading.k12.ma.us/departments/food-services/
SEPAC UPDATE LINKS!
Click here for the latest SEPAC update! Information about program reviews, board elections, events, and more!
See this flier for information about our upcoming Basic Rights Workshop on Transition Planning.
Transition planning starts at age 14. Be informed sooner rather than later.
The training will be virtual and you MUST pre-register in order to get the link.
Barrows & RPS Handbook- Please sign!
Each year, we want to make sure that our families are aware of the school and district expectations. These are reviewed annually by principals and members of the leadership teams. Parents/guardians are asked to review this school guide which is a summary of our school’s common procedures, practices, and guidelines. These are found on the school website. We encourage parents to share this information with their child. In addition to the specific school guides, we have a Reading Public School District Handbook which outlines all the policies that our students and families are asked to abide by when participating in RPS events, including the school day. We ask all parents/guardians to review the handbook yearly and sign-off indicating that you are aware of the policies. The Reading Public School Handbook can be viewed here.
Please take some time to read through the policies and sign this Google form Acknowledgement of Students Rights & Responsibilities Handbook acknowledging that you are aware of and have reviewed the RPS Handbook, outlining the District policies. Thank you!
SAFETY FIRST, ALWAYS!
Arrival
- Please drive slowly up Edgemont to keep everyone safe; remember, it is one way.
- 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 the doors by 8:25 AM. If your child gets to school after the doors have closed, they must come to the front door and be marked tardy.
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.
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.
About these Services
Helpful Links
Barrows on Twitter: @BarrowsSchool https://twitter.com/BarrowsSchool
Barrows Homepage: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us/barrows/
Reading Public Schools: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us