Barrows Starburst Newsletter
8-25-2016
Welcome to the 2016-2017 School Year
* Our weekly school newsletter, The Barrows Starburst, will be fully electronic this year. We will send out the link in a weekly manner - but be sure to check it, as we will not be sending out paper copies of our newsletter anymore. Occasionally we may need to send home announcements, flyers, or other info on paper, so still be sure to check your child's backpacks for school-based communication!
* Our new website: www.reading.k12.ma.us/barrows This new website platform will be the 'hub' for all of our school-based information and communication. It is still a "work in progress" but we will continue to add to it and improve it throughout this school year to ensure you can find all the information you need!
*Our PlusPortals, all families should have received an email with a link to activate your PlusPortal log-in information. This is connected to our new website and replaces the old teacher Edline webpages. (please know this is new for all of us - so as we continue to grow and get trained in these tools, the information and accessibility will improve!) Try to log in and create your new password.
Barrows Sign - freshly painted!
Supply drop-off day
Supply helpers!
Staffing Update
We are working hard to ensure we are ready for the start of our school year. I wanted to share a few updates with you about staffing;
- · 5th grade teacher Marissa Varey is doing fine, but her doctors have recommended that she not return to work at this point in her pregnancy. We are finalizing the paperwork with HR, but I am excited about our long-term substitute candidate for this position, and think it will be a wonderful fit! I would like to invite our 5th grade families in to sneak-a-peek and meet their ‘guest teacher’ on Tuesday afternoon, August 30th from 1:30-1:45pm.
- · After a few rounds of interviews for our Speech Language Pathologist position, we have unfortunately not yet landed on the perfect fit. We know how important this role is and we want to make sure we have the right person in the job. I will be working with our student services office to ensure that our students all receive their services when we return to school, and we will continue to work hard to find the right person for this role.
- · We are also finalizing the recommended candidate for Mary McGrath’s long term substitute position – I will share out the name as soon as we are finalized! It is going to be a great year
We are excited to have you all back and begin another awesome school year!
Upcoming Dates
8/31 First day of school (Dismissal at 12:45pm, ½ day Kindergarten dismissed at 11:30am)
9/2 NO SCHOOL
9/5 NO SCHOOL - LABOR DAY
9/8 Curriculum Night
9/16 PTO’s Back to School Picnic
9/19-9/20 5th grade at Camp Bournedale
9/29 School Council, 3:15pm
Helpful Links
· Back-to-school supply lists: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us/barrows/students/supply-lists/
· Ms. Leonard’s Blog: http://barrowselementary.blogspot.com/
· Reading Public Schools: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us/