In this week’s purple folders at Barrow, students will receive a sheet for a reading challenge over spring break.  We are challenging students, teachers, and even parents to read 300 minutes during spring break.  Time starts on Friday March 6 and runs through Sunday March 15.  Students, teachers, and parents who bring back completed sheets on March 16th, 17th, or 18th will receive a star on our walk of fame in the media center.  The walk of fame is part of this year’s book fair theme, Lights!  Camera!  Read!  Students who complete the challenge will be entered into a drawing to receive a $10 book fair gift certificate.  We hope everyone will take the challenge.  Let’s see how much we can read over spring break!  Don’t forget to stop by and check out some books before the break.

The fifth grade teachers led an immigration simulation today in the media center. Students each became an immigrant and journeyed to Ellis Island where they went through a series of stations before being allowed into the country.  Participants were very involved with their characters and roles. Watch a short video clip by clicking here.

Well…another Barrow tradition carried on today as students, teachers, and families celebrated Polar Express Day. The whole school was nice and toasty in their PJs. Classes came two at a time to the media center. They were led by a conductor carrying a lantern. Each class heard a speech about using the ticket of imagination to get on board the Polar Express. Classes entered silently into a darkened media center as Polar Express music played over the speakers. Hot chocolate was served and students were ready for a story. We listened to a recording of the Polar Express as a teacher turned the pages of the book illuminated by a spotlight. After the story, every student received a bell along with the message to “Always Believe”. Each student received a candy cane on his/her way out. It was great to experience this tradition and celebration of reading. It was especially fun to see the PreK students’ first Polar Express day and the Fifth Grade students’ last day. It was a day filled with emotion, fun, and enjoyment of reading.

On Tuesday December 2, Pam Alexander visited our school.  We had a great time hearing her talk about Georgia.  She has traveled all over the state and put her traveling knowledge into her books and illustrations.  Her books include The Onion Ambassador, Sails Pails and Alligator Tales, Yumion’s Mountain Holidays, Yumion Goes to the City, and Jeremiah Makes History Hop.  Many students bought her books and got her autograph.  Check out the pics of her visit.  If you didn’t get a chance to purchase her books, stop by the media center and check on out.

Today was one of our annual guest reader days at Barrow.  We had a wide variety of community members who attended.  Each community member selected a book and read to a classroom.  Every classroom had at least one reader, but many had two.  Thank you to these people who read:

Ocotber 30th was the storybook parade at Barrow.  We dressed as our favorite storybook characters and paraded to 5 points with our books.  It was so much fun to see 400 students moving down the sidewalk and chanting, “Read More Books!  Read More Books!”  Take a look at everyone in action.

I love the Fall.  It is my favorite season by far.  My wife and I began decorating our house for Fall and Halloween in late September just so it would be ready for the entire month of October.  I love walking outside and breathing in the crisp, cool air.  I love to hear the rustle of leaves as the wind pulls at them in their descent to the ground.

When October rolls around, I carefully plan out my weekends. This is festival time and pumpkin time, and I don’t want to miss one minute.  I want to share a few Fall events that you might find of interest.  Out of my huge list of things to do in October, these are the events that are book and story related.

Art Stations’ Tour of Southern Ghosts at Stone Mountain:  I never miss this.  It takes place at the Antebellum Plantation at Stone Mountain, and storytellers dress in period clothing and tell ghost stories outside by candlelight.

Brer Rabbit and Friends at the Center for Puppetry Arts