The Starburst
September 15, 2023
A Message from Principal Gallegos
Greetings, Barrows Families!
We had a great night for our Back-to-School Picnic. Mrs. Ring and I were both grateful that we could be there and want to thank Mrs. Dribin, Mrs. Barcikowski, and our entire PTO Board and Grade Level representatives for helping organize the event.
I am guessing we have many weary Shining Stars after a full five-day week, including our first all-school assembly of the year! I hope our students can get ample rest this week and settle into a nice bedtime routine. As I reminded parents at our Back to School Night, the two things I ask of our families is to ask, "How was your day?" each afternoon or evening and spend some time reading each night with your child. You won't regret it, and it is a great way to build a strong vocabulary and love of reading, especially for our reluctant readers!
Please read through the following reminders for the week:
LAST CALL to update your student's portal information to ensure it is correct and current. We use this to contact you in case of a student illness or emergency. Please hit submit so that we know everything is current and up-to-date. (Directions at the bottom of Newsletter).
Please prioritize having your student to school on time; it is an important life habit. Classroom community building begins right when they walk through the door, and teachers are ready to begin the day immediately following attendance & lunch orders at 8:25 a.m. Students who are habitually lat, delays starting this morning routine and are missing out on important instruction--which significantly adds up over the school year.
Say Cheese! Picture Day is Wednesday, September 16th.
Our first PTO Meeting this Wednesday, September 16th at 7 pm in the school library. I have included the zoom link below for those that would prefer to join virtually! This is a wonderful way to get connected to our school community. All parents/guardians are encouraged to attend.
We respectfully ask you to partner with us by reminding your student that all student smartwatches (GizmoWatch, etc.) & cellphones must be powered off and remain in backpacks or teachers' desks during the entire school day. Students always have access to call home with the permission of their classroom teacher in case of an emergency. We want to help our students learn that we have many caring adults here during the day to help them navigate challenges and solve problems together. When my husband and I say no or limit things with our children, I often give them the "Why" using research to back up our decision. My children have asked me to stop reading articles, hoping for fewer no's... but I haven't let up yet. Here is an article that speaks to on perspective on the dangers of an overreliance on devices for children—Lynn Lyons's Article on Devices for tracking. I also want to include the link to her podcast Flusterclux (it's a tongue twister) that I referenced Wednesday night: https://www.flusterclux.com/episodes/
Have a wonderful week, and as always, please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Mrs. Gallegos
School Council Parent Representatives!
Thank you for those of you who completed our google form to show interest in serving on our School Council. I am pleased to announce that Kaitlin Camadeco, mom of a kindergarten and 2nd grader and Patricia Santos, mom of a first grader, will be serving the next two years on our council. Special thanks to Kaylee Dee and Meghan Dribin for serving these last two years.
Calling all volunteers!!!
There will be a volunteer training on Monday September 25 at 8:30 in the Barrows Library. Please sign up here to attend the training.
Thank you Reading Education Foundation (REF)!
Barrows Upcoming Dates
2022-2023 School Year:
*Calendar Clarification
Please note the early release day scheduled for Sept. 20th is for preschool students only (to accommodate their Back-to-School Night). September 20th is a regular school day for all students in kindergarten to grade 5.
Tuesday, September 19th: Lynn Lyons Presenting Helping Your Family's Emotional Health (5-7 pm @ Parker Middle School)
Wednesday, September 20th: Picture DAY & Barrows PTO Meeting (7 pm in person & virtual: reoccuring zoom link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/88139870550)
Monday, September 25th: Library Volunteer Training (8:30 am)
Wednesday, September 27th :⭐💙⭐All School Assembly & Spirit Day (Students are encouraged to wear Blue & Yellow (with or without stars) or Barrows Gear!
Wednesday, October 11th :⭐💙⭐All School Assembly & Spirit Day (Students are encouraged to wear Blue & Yellow (with or without stars) or Barrows Gear!
Wednesday, October 18th: Barrows PTO Meeting (8:30 am in-person & virtual)
Friday, October 20th: PTO Monster Mash (rain date: 10/27).
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
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/
Meet our Barrows Team Chair, Kelly DiCato
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
Upcoming Events (see flyers for details):
THIS Tuesday, Sept 19th, 5-7PM
Lynn Lyons - Internationally recognized expert on anxiety
Helping Your Family’s Emotional Health: Practical Skills and Solutions for Managing Anxiety, Enhancing Flexibility, and Creating Wellbeing
In-person at PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL (note location change)
Thursday, Oct 5th, 9AM
Team Chair Meet and Greet at Central Office
Come join us to meet your team chair and student service leadership in person. This is a great opportunity to foster a good relationship outside of the virtual world and the demands of IEP meetings.
Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!
Location: Central Office at RMHS. Entrance next to RISE pre-school
Important PTO Updates
Reminder to review the PTO packet that was sent home with your children as well as emailed by Mrs Gallegos the week of September 4th. Completing the volunteer questionnaire and paying dues is the BEST way to help us out at the start of the school year and very much appreciated.
JOIN US
The first PTO meeting of the year will be Wednesday, September 20th at 7pm in the Barrows library. This will be the Zoom Link for every PTO Meeting this School Year: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/88139870550.
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
FOLLOW US
We are now on Facebook and Instagram! Like us on Facebook – Barrows Elementary PTO and Follow Us on Instagram @BarrowsElementaryPTO
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 (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/
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."
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.
Parent PlusPortal Access
As a parent guardian of a child in the Reading Public Schools, you have access to the Parent PlusPortal. The Portal will be used throughout your child’s academic career as it is where you update your child’s emergency contact information, view report cards, and beyond elementary school, see your child’s grades in real time. It also acts as a communication portal between you and your child’s teacher where oftentimes, different academic links, notes, or activities are shared.
If you are a returning parent, your account is still active but you still need to update the forms at the start of each school year. If you are a new parent guardian and have not received access, please reach out to our school administrative secretary, Donna Walsh at donna.walsh@reading.k12.ma.us. At that point, you will receive a separate email with your PlusPortal login information. The subject line of the email is Important! Barrows School PlusPortals login. This is a confidential portal that is linked to your email account. You have 48 hours to activate your Portal account using the temporary password supplied through the email. Once you login, you can update the password and personal information.
Directions for Filling Out Forms on Plus Portals (You will have better luck using a computer than your phone)
Please follow the steps below to update Pupil Information and Contact forms on Plus Portals.
Log into Plus Portals
Learn more here
Follow our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/SEPAC.Reading
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