The Starburst
November 22, 2023
A Message from Principal Gallegos
Greetings, Barrows Families!
I know I wrote that there wouldn't be a newsletter this week--but I did want to share some (many) photos from our Kindergarten Thanksgiving Show, Third Grade Colonial Day & The Turkey Trot from this week. We were disappointed that the weather didn't cooperate for our Turkey Trot today, but it was still a fun trot through the building. Thank you for piling into the cafeteria to cheer us on. Next year, we hope to be back outside so you can better view your student trotting along!
I also want to thank our Barrows Community for the good wishes, and congratulations shared with me during the exciting postseason for Reading Memorial High School's Field Hockey First Ever State Championship! (Mrs. Atwood and I counted at least 4 Shining Star alums on this team.) It is a reminder of what a special community we live in--whether celebrating hometown victories or generously donating more Thanksgiving meals that we aimed for with Neighbors in Need!
Thankful for each one of you!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Warmly,
Mrs. Gallegos
Upcoming Dates & Lunch Menu
Barrows Upcoming Dates 2023-24 School Year
Thursday & Friday, November 23-24: No School- Thanksgiving Break
Saturday, December 2nd: Winter Craft Fair, Barrows Staff Carolers On-line Auction, Holiday Brunch with Friends of Reading METCO & REF Festival of Trees
Thursday, December 7th: 12:45 pm Early Dismissal (Conferences)
Friday, December 8th: No School (Conference Day)
Friday, December 15th: Barrows Staff Carolers for 3 lucky winners!
Friday, December 22nd: 11 am dismissal, start of Winter Break
Tuesday, January 2nd: School Resumes
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
2023 Barrows Turkey Trot is in the Books!
Thank you for helping raise $450 for our local food pantry. We purched eighteen $25 gift cards to Market Basket to add to the eighteen full meals that we packed (one per classroom) and delivered last week so families can purchase a fresh turkey. We also send bagfuls of extra sides to Neighbors in Need!
These Little Kindergarten Turkeys are the Talk of the Town!
Third Grade Colonial Days
School Lunches
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: http://reading.k12.ma.us/departments/food-services/
Important PTO Updates
Festival of Trees
We would love your help decorating our tree for the Reading Education Foundation's Festival of Trees.The name of the tree is 'Tis the Sea-son and our theme plays on the name. Think sea, ocean, beach, coastal, waves, etc. Below you will find an Amazon wish list for decorations, trimmings, and presents for under the tree. The festival takes place December 2nd and 3rd so please check out the wish list today! You can also donate a monetary contribution through this Givebutter link and we can do the shopping for you. Reminder, if you donate through Givebutter you can zero out the tip (this is a default setting). Thank you!
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/apbsAk4?ref_=wl_share
A big thank you to Churchill's Garden Center of Exeter, NH for the beautiful ornament donations.
Be sure to purchase advance tickets - skip the line, and save time!
https://readingef.ejoinme.org/MyPages/FOTpreorderform2023/tabid/1394506/Default.aspx
2023 Festival of Trees Preorder Form
Copy of Advance admission and raffle ticket sales copied from 2021 for 2023
Any questions you can reach out to our Tree Lead - Kristin Foristall - kmanna@hotmail.com.BARROWS WINTER CRAFT FAIR
Make sure the Winter Craft Fair is on your family's calendar for Saturday December 2nd. The Craft Fair Committee has planned such a cute assortment of NINE crafts for your kids to enjoy. See below and attached for more details on the craft fair, exciting raffle, teacher caroling auction and volunteer help request.
VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED
We can use more help for the day of the craft fair! It takes a massive, collective effort to pull off a successful craft fair. Please use this Sign Up Genius to sign up for one of the volunteer opportunities. All the crafts will be prepped so do not be afraid to sign up. We can even use middle school and high school volunteers, great for kids that need service hours.
If you are interested in playing holiday tunes on the piano during the craft fair reach out to Kim Smith - kimberlyjago@hotmail.com
WINTER CRAFT FAIR DETAILS
The craft fair will take place at the Barrow's Cafeteria between 10 - 2pm. This is not a drop off event, children need to be chaperoned.
Crafts are $3/craft or all 9 for $20. If you would like to pre-pay we are offering the sale of all 9 crafts for $20 through this link. Remember you will need to show your e-ticket to get your craft tickets upon entry. Otherwise you can purchase your craft tickets at the door. Cash is easiest at the door, but we will have a QR code to scan so we can also accept venmo, paypal, apple pay and credit credit.
WINTER RAFFLE
Reminder that we are also offering pre-sale of raffle tickets. The pre-sale flyer went home with your kids and is also attached. Return it to school by Monday November 27th to participate in the pre-sale. We have some super fun raffle baskets planned to help you get through the winter - Cozy Night In, Cookie Decorating, Games, Sports, Outdoor Fun and MORE! If you want to participate in the raffle, but won't be able to attend in person, we are also offering to evenly disperse your tickets for you so you still have the chance to win BIG :)
TEACHER CAROLERS
We are thrilled that some of our favorite Barrows teachers and staff are offering up their singing voices to carol at three homes on Friday December 15th, timeslots will be 6:20pm, 6:40pm and 7pm. So everyone has a chance to bid on this fun event we are offering an online auction rather than in-person only at the craft fair. Use this link to pre-register and you will be able to start placing bids when the auction opens on Saturday the 2nd at 10am. Auction will close at 1:45pm. Grab some friends and place a winning bid for your whole neighborhood of Barrows kiddos to enjoy. Please note, you should only bid on one time slot as you can only win one time slot.
See you at the craft fair!
Barrows PTO
FOLLOW US
We are now on Facebook and Instagram! Like us on Facebook – Barrows Elementary PTO and Follow Us on Instagram @BarrowsElementaryPTO
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
FUNDRAISING
Minted Fundraiser
The Minted Fundraiser is open the ENTIRE year! You can use the promo code FUNDRAISEBARROWS any time you place an order through Minted and 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.
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
Meghan Dribin, Co-President
Amy Koehler, Treasurer
Alicia Curtin, Secretary
Alison Ethier, Social Media Coordinator
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook:
@barrowselementarypto & https://www.facebook.com/BarrowsPTO/
SEPAC
UPCOMING EVENTS
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!
Follow SEPAC on Facebook or Instagram
See our 2023-2024 Calendar of Events
SEPACsgiving was a great success. A huge thank you to Maria Morgan for organizing and hosting this wonderful series of events. Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving next week.
Upcoming events:
The Learning Center review process has been completed and Student Services will be presenting the findings at the school committee meeting on November 30th. This will be followed-up with a virtual presentation (The Learning Center Review Results) hosted by Reading SEPAC on Thursday 12/7 @ 7 pm to give parents an opportunity to learn more about the learning center, the review results, and to ask questions directly to Student Services. Zoom link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/85297238312
SEPAC REF Tree:
Reading SEPAC is proud to once again participate in the Reading Education Foundation (REF) Festival of Trees which supports our schools. Every year our members have graciously helped us to reach this goal and we hope this year will be no different as it would not be possible without your help!
A big thank you to Alyssa Scaparotti for volunteering to create a tree for the REF Festival on behalf of Reading SEPAC. This year's theme will be Ice Cream Wonderland.
This is a wonderful opportunity to not only support two Reading volunteer groups, Reading SEPAC and REF, but also to help Reading SEPAC spread awareness of our mission to continue to make Reading a better place for children with disabilities and to support families.
Here's some ways to help and to get involved:
- Donate items or help decorate the tree
- We would gratefully accept contributions of decorations/gifts for the SEPAC tree.
- Here's two lists, if you wish to contribute, please know that we would welcome anything that goes with the theme, no matter where it's from.
Items purchased off the Amazon wishlist have the option to be shipped directly to Allysa.
If you are able to help, we are beyond grateful. Please reach out if you'd like to help in any way not mentioned. Thank you!
METCO
Reading Public Schools is a METCO District
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."
Holiday Brunch with Friends of Reading METCO
Hello Barrows Families,
Please see the attached flyer for our final event of the year – a Holiday Brunch on 12/2/23. This is our second annual event, which we host alongside the Reading Education Foundation’s Festival of Trees. Last year was a great success – with a mix of Boston and Reading families joining us and then going to the Festival of Trees together!
Registrations are via the QR code on the flyer or this Eventbrite link.
We hope to see you there!
Thank you,
Ilka Walkley and LaVonda Epps
Co-Chairs Friends of Reading METCO
Reading Education Foundation: Festival of Trees
Festival of Trees
Saturday December 2nd 10am-8pm
Sunday, December 3rd 10am-4pm
Parker Middle School, 45 Temple Street
Experience a winter wonderland of decorated holiday trees donated by community members. Take a chance at winning a tree.
Admission $5 individual or $10 Family (Good for the whole weekend and covers entertainment)
Scan the QR code above for advance ticket sales!
Helpful Links from our Specialists & Service Providers
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 HurleyAn 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
About these Services
Barrows Safety Reminders
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.
Barrows Artwork
Helpful Links
Follow us on Instagram: @barrowselementarypto
Barrows Homepage: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us/barrows/
Reading Public Schools: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us