Principal Rubino's Weekly Update

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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:

Monday, 8th grade students will take the second portion of the Civics MCAS. As a reminder, the Civics MCAS is a pilot assessment by the state this year.

Monday is also Move Up Day across the district. 8th grade students will board buses to the high school at 12:45 and will dismissed directly from RMHS at 2:30 p.m.

Reminders from last week -

Sixth grade families, please mark your calendars for the 7th grade trip to Nature's Classroom - Wednesday, Oct. 23 - Friday, Oct. 25. More information will be sent via email soon!

Seventh grade families, the annual 8th grade Boston team building scavenger hunt and lunch cruise has been booked for Thursday, Oct. 17.

But the school year is not over yet...

Please see below for all the upcoming activities and join us when you can! I will continue to update the list, so please check back here for the most recent information.

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

This Week:

• Monday, June 3
• Grade 8 Civics End of Course MCAS
• Move Up Day - starting about 1 p.m. (Grade 8 boards buses to high school at 12:45; please complete permission slip if you haven't already - CLICK HERE)
• The RMHS Future Freshmen Night II is Monday, June 3rd at 6 - 7pm in the RMHS field house. The future freshmen will have a chance to meet the coaches, directors, conductors, advisers for clubs, sports teams etc.
  
• Tuesday, June 4
• Healthy Family Night: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Join us at the Reading Public Library to connect with: · Library Community Resources · Childrens Cabinet “pop up” clothing shop. · Reading Public Schools Nurses, free thermometers, and health guidance · Embrace Mental Health Services · School Resource Officer and Comfort Dog
• Wednesday, June 5
• Grade 8 Class Picture at 1 p.m.
• Thursday, June 6
• Spring Concert Grade 8 at 7 p.m.

Last Week of School

• 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.

Join us at the Reading Public Library to connect with: · Library Community Resources · Childrens Cabinet “pop up” clothing shop. · Reading Public Schools Nurses, free thermometers, and health guidance · Embrace Mental Health Services · School Resource Officer and Comfort Dog

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 this week to review the classes and have students submit their top choices.

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 next meeting, 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!

📌 PTO ROLES: The Parker PTO is looking to fill a few coordinator roles for the next academic year and we’d love to have you join us. Grab a friend and volunteer together! Reach out for more information if you’d like to help plan:
Restaurant Night: Plan occasional restaurant nights with local eateries

8th Grade Dance/Celebration: Help organize decorations for the dance following the promotion ceremony in the spring

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!

- PARKER AT THE RED SOX - THIS TUESDAY, 6/4/24. Tickets sold in January.

- 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

To register your student for transportation for the 2024-2025 school year, please complete the 2024-2025 School Bus Registration Form by June 1, 2024. In July, a confirmation of ridership, instructions for payment (if your student does not qualify for district-paid transportation), and final routes will be emailed to all parents and/or caregivers who complete this School Bus Registration form.

Please note:

• Students enrolled in grades K-6 who reside more than 2 miles from their neighborhood school qualify for district-paid transportation.
• Students who attend Killam Elementary School, Coolidge Middle School, Parker Middle School, and Reading Memorial High School are offered the option to purchase transportation, based on space availability on existing routes.
• The fee for the bus for the 2024-2025 school year is $475 for one student, $850 for two students, and $1200 for three students. Payment is due on or before August 30, 2024.
• To learn more information about the school transportation program and established bus routes, please refer to the Reading Public School website by clicking here: Reading Public Schools Transportation Information.

Please feel free to contact Olivia Lejeune (olivia.lejeune@reading.k12.ma.us) if you have any questions or would like additional information about transportation for the 2024-2025 school year.

Best,

Olivia Lejeune, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent

Dr. Derek Pinto, Director of Finance & Operations

RMHS Cheerleading tryouts will be in the RMHS Field House

6/4 from 5-7 pm

6/5 from 6-8 pm

6/6 from 6-8 pm

All students must register and be approved online to tryout. Here is the link for registration.

https://rmhs.reading.k12.ma.us/en-US/athletics-aa0594c3/how-to-register-for-sports-6db9e73e

Please contact Coach Angiolillo with any questions at kellypugliese615@gmail.com

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RMHS Dance Team tryouts (including 8th graders that will be attending Reading Memorial High School next year) will be in the Parker Middle School gym on

Tuesday June 11 from 3:30-5:00 pm

All students must register and be approved online to tryout. Here is the link for registration.

https://rmhs.reading.k12.ma.us/en-US/athletics-aa0594c3/how-to-register-for-sports-6db9e73e

Please contact Coach Smith with any questions at kristina.smith@reading.k12.ma.us

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

"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."

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