Principal Rubino's Weekly Update

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· Swahili: Katika sanduku nyeusi juu ya jarida, chagua Jarida la Tafsiri ili kuchagua lugha taka.

The final week of school has arrived and I honestly can't believe how fast this year flew by. The end of a school year always gives me feelings of nostaglia as I reflect on the year that we are leaving behind. I am proud of the hard work and growth we have seen from all of our Parker students this year. I adore the middle school years because, despite all of the changes students will experience during these years, it is so fun and rewarding to see their maturity and their growth. As the 8th grade students say goodbye to Parker Middle School and we head off for the summer before embarking on the next chapter, I'm often reminded of a quote from A.A. Milne, author of Winnie-the-Pooh, who writes, "How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." How truly lucky we all are! Enjoy the final week, students, parents, and caregivers.

As we wrap up the year, please return any chargers that were borrowed. Students will be leaving their computers in the computer carts every day starting this week. Students cannot take their computer home this week or over the summer.

Reminder from last week: Eighth-Grade Families, we are going to hold the 8th Grade Moving On Ceremony outside on the turf field next to the school. Our auditorium does not have working air conditioning at this time; therefore, the outside venue will provide for a cooler experience. As a result of the outside venue, families are not limited to a set number of guests as there is ample space on the bleachers. If it does rain, the event will be moved into the auditorium. Timing of the event remains the same - 6 p.m. - followed by the dance directly afterwards! Please help us decorate the cafeteria for the dance, by signing up in the following Sign Up Genius:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090E4EAAAD29A0FB6-49860479-parker

Please drop off at Parker all day on Wednesday, 6/12 or Thursday morning 6/13 labeled "8th grade dance".

Please read on for important dates for the week ahead and beyond.

This Week:

• Monday, June 10
• Field Day - Sign up to donate lawn games.
• Talent Show
• School Council at 5:30 p.m. - in person and via Zoom
• Agenda
• https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/85211218653
  
• PTO at 7 p.m. - in person and via Zoom
• https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/89440949482
• Tuesday, June 11
• Field Day (rain date)
• Wednesday, June 12
• Science Expo Day - 8:15 to 12:30 p.m.
• All School Enrichment - Hagarmania Extreme Science at 1 p.m.
• Thursday, June 13
• Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony followed by the dance
• Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. and dance ends at 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 14
• Last Day of School - dismissal at 10:45 a.m.

To access the 2023-2024 District Calendar, click here.

To access the Cultural Holidays Calendar, click here.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health regulations prohibit medication to be transported to and from school by students (except epipens and inhalers).

A parent, guardian, or parent/guardian- designated adult shall be responsible for transporting the medications.

Kindly pick up your child’s medication by the last day of school. If medication is not picked up by June 14th, it will be disposed.

Attached, please find the Medication Administration Order form for next school year. Plans and orders dated after June 14, 2024 are accepted for the 2024-2025 school year.

Please sign in to using the District's SNAP Health Portal for next year for health related communications. https://www.studentehr.com/

For Epipens and Inhalers please ask also your pediatrician for an updated allergy action plan and asthma action plan.

Directions to access iReady diagnostics for grades 6 and 7 were sent home via the Portal earlier this week. If you cannot find the email, check the Portal or send me and email.

What is the i-Ready Diagnostic?

The Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that identifies students’ strengths and opportunities for growth.

That information helps determine how to best support their learning. Watch this video to learn more.

How can I access my student’s results?

1. Log in to your student’s i-Ready Dashboard using CLEVER and then click on the i-Ready icon.

2. Click on theFor Families dropdown and select theFor Families report.

3. Enter your District’s Report Code ZDXTK9.

I will be emailing expectations for summer math this week and all information will also be linked on the Parker website. For summer reading expectations, please check out the information put together by the Parker and Coolidge librarians - click here.

If you were unabe to attend the informational Zoom on changes to our elective course offerings and our new project block, please take a look at the slideshow here and view a video of the recording here. This was also shared via the Portal last week. Principal Rubino and Assistant Principal Story will be meeting with grade 6 and grade 7 students last week to review the classes and have students submit their top choices.

1ST DAY SCHOOL SUPPLIES: The current school year may be wrapping up, but here’s an easy way to get a jump on the next school year: purchase your school supplies now! Order through 1st Day School Supplies and everything your student needs will be shipped to your home in August! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Parker PTO. Click here to see the supply lists and order now, or donate a supply kit! Sale is open now through June 30.

On Saturday June 15th, Reading is hosting their fourth annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival at the Reading Town Common from 1:00pm-7:00pm. Come join for music, a pop-up market, arts, games, and more.

📌 PTO MEETING: Join us for our last PTO meeting of the year, Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at Parker Middle School and via Zoom. Take a sneak peek at our upcoming agenda. All are welcome!

📌 THANK YOU: Sending HUGE thank yous to all of our PTO board and coordinators for various activities and events over the year: Kate Grant (president), Ally Bosley (treasurer), Aimee Hoffman (VP), Jen Ray (secretary), Kerin Bakst, Lori Barcikowski, Denise Ewald, Sabrina Ganguli, Kristen Granara, Megan Holton, Marcie Maffeo, Kate McLeod, Julie Sheeran and Alicia Weaver.

And a big thank you to all our our Parker families for volunteering at various events and for your generous donations to help support Parker students and staff throughout the year. We could not do it without you!

📌 NEXT YEAR’S PTO BOARD & COORDINATORS: We are thrilled to be working with these fantastic Parker parents/guardians serving in PTO board positions and coordinator roles next year: Ally Bosley (treasurer), Kate Grant ( president), Aimee Hoffman (VP), Jen Ray (secretary), Denise Ewald (school supplies), Sabrina Ganguli & Brooke Sakraida (social media), Katie Hammond (Red Sox), Jen Hillery (enrichment), Kate McLeod (pie sales), Jen Ray, Stef Sweeney & Sara Fraine (hospitality), Julie Sheeran & Alicia Weaver (Festival of Trees). We are still looking for a coordinator for the 8th grade dance decorations - please reach out if you can help! parkerptopres@gmail.com

📌 PARKER FIELD DAY: Parker Field Day is Monday, 6/10 (rain date: T 6/11) and we are in need of donations for the activities. Sign up here. Please label any lawn games to be returned. Thanks for your help!

PTO is treating Parker to Richie’s Italian Ice during field day! Allergen-safe (GF, DF, dye-free available).

📌 8th GRADE DANCE/CELEBRATION DECORATIONS: Attention 8th grade families! The 8th graders will have a dance following their promotion ceremony on TH 6/13. Help us make the cafeteria festive by signing up to donate decorations!

Donations can be dropped off at the Parker Main Office all day on W 6/12 or on TH morning 6/13 - please label "8th grade dance"

If there are any questions, contact Marcie Maffeo at maffeogroup@gmail.com.

Thank you for helping us send the kids off with a memorable evening!

📌 1ST DAY SCHOOL SUPPLIES: The current school year may be wrapping up, but here’s an easy way to get a jump on the next school year: purchase your school supplies now! Order through 1st Day School Supplies and everything your student needs will be shipped to your home in August! A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Parker PTO. Click here to see the supply lists and order now, or donate a supply kit! Sale is open now through June 30.

SAVE THE DATE!

- FIELD DAY: PTO is treating Parker to Richie’s Italian Ice during field day! Sign up to donate lawn games.

- HAGERMANIA (ALL-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT): Parker students will be treated to an Extreme Science program on Wednesday, June 12. They’re going to end the school year with a BANG! Check it out: https://hagermania.com/extreme-science-school-assembly/

- 1ST DAY SCHOOL SUPPLIES: School supply kits for the next academic year are on sale now through June 30.


📌 WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

Email: parkerptopres@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkerPTO
Instagram: @ParkerMSPTO
Parker PTO webpage: tinyurl.com/ParkerPTOpage - access all of our info, agendas and meeting minutes

School Attendance: As you know, school attendance is extremely important and matters every day. In our attempt to communicate proactively with families regarding attendance, we have been sending out letters to families if your child has more than five absences (regardless of whether they are considered excused or unexcused). Absences are considered excused if your child is sick or has a medical appointment. We do ask families to provide documentation from your health care provider if there is an extended absence due to a medical reason. As we work through what works best to maintain this ongoing communication with families, we have decided to pilot a monthly attendance letter to all families. This letter will be sent through the portal at the beginning of the month and will outline all of your child’s absences. Assistant Principal Story will reach out to families directly to set up attendance meetings if your child has exceeded 10 absences.

Please mark your calendar for the following dates for MCAS testing:

• ELA 6 - 8: Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10

• Math 6-8: Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16

• STE 8: Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22

• Civics 8 performance task: Tuesday, May 28

• Civics 8 end of course test: Monday, June 3

It's important that students are present in school on the days of MCAS testing.

The Special Education Parent Advisory Council 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!

Visit the SEPAC WEBPAGE

Sign up for our mailing list

Follow SEPAC on Facebook or Instagram

SEPAC Year End Adult Social:

Come celebrate the end of the school year with us. Everyone is welcome!

Bunratty Tavern

Friday, June 14, 7PM

• Come join us for a drop-in informal get together

• Each person pays for their own tab

Please Click Here to Sign-Up for the End of Year SEPAC Adult Social so we have a sense of how many people. Drop-ins are welcome.

Tuesday, June 11, 11-1PM (In-person at Northern Bank’s Community room or join virtually)

Come have lunch with other SEPAC families and some members of the Reading SEPAC Board. For this month’s gathering, SEPAC will organize a special afternoon tea with sandwiches, scones, hot tea, and ice tea to celebrate the end of year. If you have a favorite cup & saucer you have been dying to use, this is a great opportunity to take it out of the cupboard. But even if you don’t, we will have plenty.

Feel free to bring a festive pastry of your choice or your own brown bag lunch, especially if you or your loved one has a special diet. Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverages if you will be joining us.

A picnic blanket will be set up with toys for any kids who want to join and don’t need a chair. Feel free to bring other toys your child wouldn’t mind sharing with others.

This will be an informal monthly gathering on the 2nd Tue of the month just to hang out with other SEPAC families.

Space is limited to 8 adult seats in person and unlimited virtually.

Please Click Here to Register for the June SEPAC Lunch Meetup.

SEPAC Annual Survey - Last week to respond:

Join the SEPAC email list by sending an email to SEPACReading@gmail.com to receive updates and come hang out with us this summer.

Everyone is welcome!

We are always looking for hosts and volunteers. It is a great way to meet other families and to help support the community.

If you would like to host or volunteer for an event, please send an email to SEPACReading@gmail.com

Past Events:

Recorded events that’s available on the Reading SEPAC Website:

SEPAC Business Meeting

• Special Education Budget Review

• Student Services Updates on new positions created last year

• SEPAC Updates

• Family Leadership Program Series Overview

The New IEP Presentation

Transition Presentation

• For parents and caregivers whose child has an IEP and will be transitioning (between schools, grades, levels, or are new to the school district)

Extended School Year (ESY) Presentation Recording

MCAS & Students with Disabilities Presentation

Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Presentation Recording Available on the Reading SEPAC Website

• Review tiered system of supports and provide examples

• Outline effective communication channels with your team and school

***Should you wish to reach out to Reading SEPAC anonymously, please use this form

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."

Please take the time to read through the handbook to review our policies regarding school attendance.

The best way to report any attendance issues (absence, tardy, or dismissal) for your child is by sending an email to the Parker absentee line – wspabsences@reading.k12.ma.us

Please make sure to give us:

• Student Name

• a reason for the absence or tardy

• expected date of return

• for dismissal, the name of the person who will be dismissing your child

Ms. Rochelle M. Rubino, M. Ed., CAGS

Principal

Dr. Jill Story

Assistant Principal

Email: rochelle.rubino@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.reading.k12.ma.us/parker/
Location: 45 Temple Street, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-944-1236
Twitter: @WSParkerMS