The Starburst
The Barrows Weekly Newsletters: November 23, 2022
A Message from Principal Gallegos
Happy Thanksgiving, Barrows Families!
I cleaned up the Starburst a little bit, so you have the most updated reminders and dates to be ready for all the winter fun after Thanksgiving. I have also included some snapshots of our Thanksgiving celebrations from this short week. The only additional information for this week is for the upcoming RISE preschool screening. If you have a 3-4 year old that doesn't attend RISE or know another Reading resident that does, please pass on this helpful information!
A special shout out to our kindergarten team for the adorable kindergarten performance on Tuesday, to our third-grade team for teaching their students about the life and people of the Colonial days (a student shared with me that he is much happier living in modern times), and to Mrs. Atwood, Mrs. Becker, Ms. Lentz, and Mrs. Walsh for organizing our Turkey Trot. What a perfect day for it! And lastly, special thanks for all the shoe donations and your generosity to the Reading Food Pantry, together we raised $1,200 (4x from what we donated last year)!
I hope everyone enjoys a warm meal with family and friends and can take some time to reflect on what we are thankful for. I am particularly thankful for my family, friends, good health, and a school community that has been so welcoming to me this fall!
Happy Thanksgiving, and we will see you next Monday!
Alissa Gallegos
Barrows Upcoming Dates
2022-2023 School Year
Thursday & Friday, November 24th & 25th: No School-Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, December 2nd: Juvenile Diabetes Research Association Fundraiser: donate & wear a hat!
Saturday, December 3rd: Barrows Holiday Craft Fair/Silent Auction & Festival of Trees
Sunday, December 4th: Festival of Trees
Thursday, December 8th: Fudruckers Fundraiser 3:00-6:00 pm
Wednesdsay, December 14th: PTO Meeting 7:00 pm
Thursday, December 15th: Staff Caroling to three top Silent Auction Winners! & Shop & Drop!
Friday, December 23rd: 11:00 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
RISE PRESCHOOL SCREENING
Reading Public Schools will be offering a preschool developmental screening on Friday, December 9, 2022, from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm at Killam Elementary School. This screening is intended for any 3- or 4-year-old child residing in Reading, who is not currently attending the R.I.S.E. Preschool Program.
These screenings are offered free of charge to families who may have concerns for their child in the areas of speech & language, cognition, adaptive, fine motor, or gross motor skills. The screening activities are designed to assess a child’s development in problem-solving and thinking skills through play, language, social interactions, and fine/gross motor skills. Preschool developmental screenings are provided to ensure that all children receive appropriate services and supports prior to entering kindergarten.
If you are interested, please sign up by December 5th for a 30-minute time
slot via this SignUp Genius:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DADAD2FA2F85-reading
If you have questions, please contact R.I.S.E. Preschool Director, Joanne King
at joanne.king@reading.k12.ma.us or call 781-942-9179.
Hat's "On" For National Diabetes Awareness Month
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and our Barrows Team would like to support this important cause.
Look out for opportunities to donate- Coming soon- Hat Day! Dec. 2nd
Also, there will be a table at the craft fair on Dec. 3rd for donations as well.
The money we raise will be raised to support JDRF (The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) . JDRF is the leading global organization harnessing the power of research, advocacy, and community engagement to advance life-changing breakthroughs for type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Please help us support this important cause.
Warmly,
Christine Rose
Understanding Disabilities
I had the opportunity to travel back in time this past Thursday, when I was invited to join the fourth grade listen to Molly Sliney, an Olympic Fencer, speak about believing in yourself and understanding the power of hidden disabilities. It took me back to third grade (38 years ago) in the Birch Meadow cafeteria. I sat proudly listening to my aunt, Judy LeBlanc, share her story about juvenile diabetes and vision loss with my entire grade. This presentation by my aunt was the precedent to her founding Understanding Disabilities and providing this opportunity to every RPS student for the last 30+ years. My aunt was a marvel. She and her guide dog taught me how to ride the train into Boston and navigate the city. She recognized me by my voice. She was kind, an encourager, and saw the best in everyone. After the presentation this week, I asked Ms. Sliney if she remembered my aunt as she has shared her story with Reading students for the past 28 years. Of course, she had, and Ms. Sliney told me about the bond they shared about learning to read differently than others. I truly believe this program helps our children learn about the disabilities, so many of us face--some visible and many hidden, imparting awareness, empathy, and understanding and for so many of them to know how special they are. I am so thankful that your children have the opportunity to participate in this excellent program, and to the community members that continue to bring UD into our classrooms. Please ask your child to share their learning after participating in their UD lessons. I am also sharing the link for the UD curriculum to learn more about our 4th-grade speaker. http://www.understandingdisabilities.org/our-curriculum/
Food Drive for the Reading the Food Pantry
Hello Barrows Community,
3rd grade Brownie Troop 70417 is holding a food drive for the Reading Food Pantry from November 28th-December 6th. We will be collecting non-perishable, unexpired items as donations; please see below list for items in need. Grocery store gift cards are also welcome. There will be boxes by the front door. Felel free to send items in with your child or drop them off by the entrance
Please reach out to Jennifer Tieri (jmeaney1228@gmail.com) or Nicole Conley (nfconley19@gmail.com) with questions.
Thank you for your support!
A message from Friends of Reading METCO
Friends of Reading METCO is hosting brunch then heading as a group to the Festival of Trees at Parker Middle School in Reading on Saturday December 3rd – and we’d love you to join us!
What is the Festival of Trees?
The Festival of Trees, organized by the Reading Education Foundation, is a fantastic annual community event and a major fundraiser for our students in Reading Public Schools. There will be a display of around 100 donated trees (which are then raffled off), food trucks, games and student performances. Entrance is $10 for a family or $5 for individuals – you can pay at the door or buy tickets here (recommended – it can get very busy at the festival!). Please see the attached flyer for more information.
Brunch:
We would love you to join us for a light brunch, Holiday craft and games from 10.30am – 11.30am in the Fellowship Hall at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 239 Woburn Street in Reading before heading to the Festival (which is a short walk away). Please register for brunch here by Monday 11/30/22 to help us plan catering 😊
It’s been great meeting so many people at our events this year – really hoping you can join us on December 3rd!
Any questions, please e-mail us - ilka@ilkawalkley.com or lavondaepps77@yahoo.com.
LaVonda Epps and Ilka Walkley
On behalf of Friends of Reading METCO
Important PTO UPDATES!
Barrows Winter Craft Fair
We are looking forward to this fun community event returning on Saturday, December 3rd from 10am to 2pm. Students will be able to make their own crafts to to gfit for the holiday season. Raffle baskets will be available as well as an exciting silent auction for staff caroling on Thursday, December 15th. Complimentary coffee will be available. Pizza and drinks will be for sale at lunch.
Please reach out to the Committee Chair, Lindsey McCarthy at lindseybaxmac@hotmail.com with any questions about the craft fair. We can still use volunteers, if interested in volunteering please sign up here - https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C094BA4AB23A7FE3-craft
Minted Holiday Fundraiser
We're excited to announce that we're partnering with Minted this holiday season to help us fundraise! Please support Barrows Elementary by ordering your holiday cards & gifts from Minted using our promo code FUNDRAISEBARROWS. You'll get 20% OFF your ORDER and 15% of every purchase made using our code will be donated back to us at the end of the year!
Festival of Trees
The Reading Education Foundation Festival of Trees is taking place on December 3rd and 4th at Parker Middle School. Our amazing PTO volunteers chaired by Kristin Foristall will be donating the Barrows tree which will have a Beary Merry Xmas theme this year. It will be on display in the Barrows entry before it makes the move to Parker for the 3rd and 4th. Make sure to check it out!
Restaurant Night
Mark your calendars the next restaurant night will be with Fuddruckers on Thursday, December 8th from 3-6 pm.
JOIN US
Our next PTO meeting will be on Wednesday December 14th 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.
Be a Cafeteria Volunteer
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. Lori Barcikowski: Parent/Guardian Help at Lunch (signupgenius.com)
ONGOING FUNDRAISING
Amazon Smile
Are you an Amazon shopper? Did you know that through the Amazon Smile program, a percentage of EVERY one of your purchases on Amazon goes directly to the Barrows PTO? Such an easy way to help the PTO.
If you don’t have an Amazon Smile account yet, follow these easy steps:Set up instructions for orders placed via browser
1. Visit smile.amazon.com
2. Sign into your Amazon account just like you normally would.
3. Under “Accounts & Lists” in the main menu bar, select “Your Account”.
4. Under “Shopping programs and rentals” select “Change your charity”.
5. Enter “Alice M. Barrows PTO ” into the charity search bar.
6. Select Alice M. Barrows PTO .
Set up instructions for orders placed via Amazon app
AmazonSmile: You shop. Amazon gives.
Check that you have the latest version of the Amazon app.Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device.
Login.
Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'.
Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to turn Amazon Smile on.
In order for your Amazon order to qualify, it must be made through Amazon Smile. Unfortunately, orders made through regular Amazon won’t qualify. Fortunately, setting up bookmarks and extensions in your browser is easy!
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!
Questions about any of these programs or need help troubleshooting the apps? Contact Alison Ethier at alison.ethier@gmail.com
PTO Board
Lori Barcikowski, Co-President
Meghan Dribin, Co-President
Amy Koehler, Treasurer
Alicia Curtin, Secretary
Alison Ethier, Social Media Coordinator
Latest News from SEPAC!
SEPAC works for the understanding of, respect for, and support of all
children with special needs in the community.
*The YMCA plans to offer adaptive swimming soon! Fill out this survey to help the organizers plan. MANY THANKS to the parents and community partners who made this possible.
*Look for SEPAC’s tree at the REF Festival of Trees! Our tree’s theme, Many Colors One PAC, will proudly highlight diagnoses that our children have. Please fill out this anonymous survey by Nov. 26 to let us know the diagnoses we should include. We want it to be as inclusive as possible to celebrate our wonderful young people and increase awareness and acceptance in our community.
*Find Parent Trainings on Basic Rights here.
*Click here our most recent SEPAC update.
*Email sepacreading@gmail.com to be included on our confidential mailing list.
CHECK your Child's Backpack for Covid Test Kits
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
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! Our new daily options are Bagel & Cream Cheese, Yogurt Parfait with Granola or SunButter & Jelly sandwich (details listed in the menu). Students will not have the option of cereal or pretzels anymore.
Reading Public Schools Food Service/Lunch Menus: http://reading.k12.ma.us/departments/food-services/
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.
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