Friday, August 28, 2015

Kindernasium... or Gymergarten?

Kindernasium... or Gymergarten?  Either way - the classrooms are looking great!  Can't wait to see you all next week!



Wednesday, August 26, 2015

1st grade long term substitute

Please welcome Ms. Sarah Forward as our long term sub for Mrs.Payack's class. Sarah joins us from a year long fellowship  in 1st grade at the Franklin School with her Masters in Elementary Education. She has experience as an inclusion para educator and reading teacher. Welcome Sarah!

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

More New Barrows Staff to share:

Andrew Herlihy, 5th grade teacher
"I'll be teaching 5th grade writing and math this year at the Barrows Elementary School and am beyond excited to get the year started.  Upon completing my elementary education degree at Stonehill College, I started working with elementary and middle school students doing intervention work through after school programs.  During my 9 years working with all types of students, I was able to complete my master's of arts in teaching as well as my principal/assistant principal certification.  Last year, I was a tutor here at the Barrows School and got to work with so many students who worked so hard to accomplish their goals.  I love that I now live and work in the same area where family, friends, great students and their families are.  I am looking forward to a fantastic school year and can't wait to get started."


Marissa Holt, 5th grade teacher
"I am so very excited to begin my new position as a fifth grade teacher here at the school! I graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology and shortly after realized my heart was set on working with children. I completed my Masters degree at Northeastern University and my teaching practicum in a 2nd grade classroom at the Vinson-Owen School in Winchester. Last year I taught 6th grade Physical Science and 8th Grade Robotics at Coolidge Middle School, it was a great experience but I missed teaching in an elementary school. Outside of the classroom you will find me gardening in my raised bed organic vegetable garden, playing with my very feisty five pound Yorkshire Terrier Elton, and planning my October wedding with my fiancĂ©. I’m looking forward to the upcoming year and hopefully many more at Barrows and am so happy to be a member of such a wonderful community!" 

Monday, August 24, 2015

Barrows Drop-Off Day!

A reminder - the Barrows “Drop-Off Day” for student supplies will take place on Wednesday, August 26th from 8 A.M. to Noon.

Please come to the front door/main office door to the front lobby to drop off the supplies. Also, please write your child’s first and last name and classroom teacher on the bag of supplies.

We hope many of you will participate, as this helps eliminate the challenge of bringing the big bag of materials while also trying to get students where they need to go, take pictures, and enjoy the 1st day happenings.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Classrooms and Schoolwide, we're getting clean, set-up, and ready for our learners!




Can't  wait to see our students!


Road Construction Update

Please note the information below for the start of our school year:

"The crew and work zone will be south of both Streets. Residents coming from the south to drop off school children may encounter a detour routing traffic Woburn Street to Summer Avenue to West Street to Arcadia Avenue. This is similar to last year. But both Arcadia and Edgemont will be open."


Thursday, August 20, 2015

Administrator professional learning!

The Reading district administrators have been working hard together over the last 2 weeks - getting ready to lead our district and schools to a highly successful 2015-2016.

Today we're enjoying a day at the NERD Microsoft center in Boston.
...bring on the students!

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Introducing some of our new Barrows staff!

I am excited to announce and welcome some our new Barrows staff for the 2015-2016 school year!  (Coming soon... more introductions of our new staff members!)

 
Julie Gilchrist, 3rd grade Teacher
I have lived in Reading for the past 17 years with my husband, two girls and more recently Chloe the dog. Olivia is 13 and going into 8th grade at Coolidge and Sophia is 10 and going into 5th grade at Birch Meadow. I began teaching in 2009 after earning my Masters from Lesley University. Prior to education, I spent 12 years working in human resources in downtown Boston. I taught for 5 years at the Greenwood School in Wakefield teaching first, second and third grades. Last year my family moved to San Jose, California for a year due to a relocation for my husband’s job. We had an amazing yearlong adventure and I enjoyed going on field trips and volunteering in Sophia’s classroom. Now I’m ready to be back in the classroom and excited to become part of the Barrows community!

 
Bethany Granoth, Kindergarten Teacher
“To tell you a little bit about myself, I live in Amesbury with my husband, Karl, and my kitty, Duchess. My husband and I met working on board Carnival Cruise Lines as a singer and a dancer back in 2006. We were fortunate enough to travel together for nearly eight years as part of our careers at sea and loved every second of it.

In January of 2013 I decided to go back to school to pursue a career in education. Aside from my passion of singing, I have always had a unique connection with children and find it very easy to relate to them. This past May, I graduated from Gordon College with my Masters of Education in Early Childhood. During this time I worked as a paraprofessional in both the Amesbury and Topsfield school districts.
Filling this Kindergarten position at Barrows is a dream come true. I look forward to meeting you all and working with your incredible children!


Mary Spinosa-Haladay, Special Education Learning Center Teacher
My name is Mary Spinosa-Haladay. I am a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Boston with a Masters degree in Education (Curriculum & Instruction) and a Masters in Special Education. Outside of work, my passions include exploring the cultures of other countries, working with shelter dogs, and spending time outdoors with my own furry friends, Buca and Bo.”

 
Lisa Cosseboom, Special Education Team Chairperson
Lisa has worked in education for 15 years in various roles. She has worked as a School Psychologist, Team Chairperson a­nd Out-of-District Coordinator. She lives with her 4-legged children – a Pit Bull mix named Keeno and Siamese cat, Gennie. ­­­ In her spare time, she LOVES volunteering at her local animal shelter, Lowell Humane Society, which she enjoys immensely = GOOD PEOPLE, Doing GOOD things! Lisa can also been seen in performing in local theater acting [ridiculously]. Lisa also values her time with her family & friends….enjoying golf, reading, and laughing!

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Coffee with the Principal & Continued Modular Progress!

Come join Barrows Principal Leonard tomorrow (Wednesday, 8/5) from 9:15-10:30am for a parent/principal coffee!  A chance to meet, chat, catch up, and answer any questions you may have.
Come on by the Barrows Office tomorrow morning - hope to see you there!

Check out the photo below of the Modular work today - not even the crazy weather stops this progress! Foundations poured, trenches dug, going strong.


Monday, August 3, 2015