Barrows Elementary School in Reading Celebrates 50 Years

Barrows Elementary school is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The Barrows School community recently kicked off the celebration with a “Barrows through the Decades” parade and tree dedication ceremony hosted by the Barrows 50th anniversary committee.

Principal Heather Leonard’s shared the history of Barrows School which first opened its doors in September 1964.

“Barrows school is named after Alice Barrows who was an educator in the Reading Public Schools for 43 years,” Leonard said. “She was principal of the Highland school when it opened in 1897. After she passed, there was a special feature about Miss Barrows in the Reading High School newspaper in 1923. I found some of the writings of her former students to speak volumes about her. Students noted that she was ‘a woman of great kindness’, ‘not only a teacher but a mother to all children’, ‘kind and thoughtful to everyone’, ‘Friend to all, beloved teacher, friend, and counselor.’”

During the ceremony, fifth graders Ryan McGibbon and Samantha Lydon read a tree dedication poem and Kindergarten students Rebecca Finberg and Nicholas Martignetti sprinkled dirt and water at the tree’s base to help it grow with Barrows for many more years.

The 50th anniversary committee is also planning a spring open house event for the Reading community. More information will be released in the coming months.