JW Killam Principal's Corner
Ms. Leveque's Weekly Newsletter
From the Desk of Ms. Leveque
June Summer Update
I hope that everyone has enjoyed these first few weeks of summer and that you have been able to sneak outside in between these rainstorms. Killam is already in full preparation mode for the 2023-2024 school year. Mr. Ken and our custodial team has been busy working on cleaning our classrooms, Mrs. Maglio has made sure that our student information is up to date in our databases, and I have spent the last few weeks making sure that our teaching teams are set. They are strong and looking forward to a new year!
As we enter the summer months, there are always staffing updates. Mrs. Lisa Treacy will start the school year with us at Killam as a support to our students in many capacities, from working as an interventionist to helping launch new curriculum in our classrooms. This will be a new adventure for her as she will not be opening her own classroom. In November, she'll be beginning her retirement. Additionally, Mrs. ToniAnn Walker will be transitioning from the first-grade classroom to the special education teaching role. We also have some full-year leave of absences as some staff take the time to focus on their families. Mrs. Lindsay St. Germain, Mrs. Kameka Kraft, Mrs. Erica Boran, Dr. Alice Gomez-Salemi, and Mrs. Kris Chuha will be missed during the 2023-24 school year. As a community, Killam always makes sure we support one another and we are ready to do so again this year.
We will be welcoming Ms. Carolyn Mabardy to first grade. Ms. Mabardy was a former student teacher at Killam and is returning after teaching elsewhere for the past two years. Our fourth grade team is also expanding. Mrs. Carolyn Eliet will be moving from the role of our Title I interventionist to classroom teacher. She is joining our team with 15 years experience as a teacher. Mrs. Cristina Prior is also moving from her role as academic tutor, supporting literacy and mathematics over the years. She has supported multiple maternity leaves during her years at Killam. We are excited to have her move into the full-time teaching role. Ms. Giavanna Capone completed her student teaching at Killam, both for her general education and special education license. This past year, as a certified teacher, she was a full-time Fellow supporting our former fourth-grade students across all academic domains. She's looking forward to using her knowledge of fourth grade curriculum and development for a second year. Additionally, Ms. Ava Rice is joining us on the kindergarten team. She is a Killam graduate and excited to be the newest member of the Killam family. Finally, Brooke Salvati will be supporting our students through the role of school psychologist. Ms. Salvati is a graduate of William James College and has most recently been in Wilmington.
Class Lists and Teacher Assignments
Your child will receive their class placement and homeroom teacher assignment in early August. This allows the schools to adjust lists as necessary over the summer when new students move into a school or staffing changes happen. Below, you will find information about the Killam Grade Level Teaching Teams
RPS Calendar 2023-24:
The Reading Public Schools 2023-24 District calendar is now available. It will continue to be posted in the "Killam Upcoming Dates" section of this newsletter.
As a final note, I wish to thank each of you for making my seven years at Killam a time that brought me great joy and professional growth. When I think about all that the Killam community has accomplished, where our students have embraced new challenges and thrived, and where our staff have been leaders in the field, I can only stop and smile. I will miss saying good morning to you as the 8:15 bell rings, yet I know this school will continue to be the TRRFCC place that it is today. Change and growth are positive, and Killam is primed for something great!
Stay well,
Ms. Leveque
Killam Upcoming Dates
-Wednesday, August 30th: First Day of school students in grades 1-12
-PreK - Kindergarten orientation (not full day events; information forthcoming later in the summer)
-Thursday, August 31st: Full day for students in grades 1-12
-PreK - Kindergarten orientation (not full day events; information forthcoming later in the summer)
-Friday, September 1st: No School
-Monday, September 4th: No School; Labor Day
-Tuesday, September 5th: Full day of school for students PreK- 12
-Thursday, September 14th: FLIPPED SCHEDULE- Early dismissal (12:45).
-Back to School Night for Elementary Schools
-Friday, September 15th: FLIPPED SCHEDULE- Full day of school for grades K-5.
School Hours: Call before coming for summer hours (781-944-7831)
Monday-Thursday, 8:15-2:45
Friday, 8:15-12:45
Grade Level Classroom Teaching Teams for the 2023-2024 School Year
Kindergarten (all are full-day):
Ashley Wheaton
Katie Cole
Ava Rice
Melissa Cannata
First Grade:
Christen Pegoraro
Carolyn Mabardy
Catherine Rice
Second Grade:
Lauren Nawrocki
Victoria Binns
Karesa Encarnacao
Lauren Gramolini
Third Grade:
JoEllen McGinnity
Jessica Bruno
Ann Sweeney-White
Fourth Grade:
Tonia McGuire
Carolyn Eliet
Cristina Prior
Giavanna Capone
Fifth Grade:
Helen Palmieri
Kyle Stanley
EmilyJane Rizzo
-Floating Classroom Assistant Teacher: Sarah Bilodeau (Endicott Teaching Fellow, Certified Teacher)
School Supply Kits
Friends of Reading METCO
2023-2024 Bus Registration
To register your student for transportation for the 2023-2024 school year, please complete the 2023-2024 School Bus Registration Form by June 23, 2023. 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 guardians 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 2023-2024 school year is $450 per student. Payment is due on or before August 15, 2023.
- 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 at olivia.lejeune@reading.k12.ma.us if you have any questions or would like additional information about transportation for the 2023-2024 school year.
Reading Recreation Football Opportunity
PTO Corner
SEPAC News
*Join our mailing list to receive info about summer get-togethers, including patio socials for parents/caregivers and popsicles on the playground for families.*
About Reading SEPAC
SEPAC 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 supports).
Summer Adventure Programs
St. Vincent de Paul Society Summer Family Food Program
May 1, 2023
The Reading Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is pleased to invite you to share in our SEVENTH annual Summer Family Food Program. This FREE program is again offered to families of any students in the Reading school system who are at risk of hunger during these very difficult financial times. Each family who joins this program will receive free, high quality and nutritious food each week during the summer months.
HERE’S HOW TO JOIN!
REGISTER your family with us by providing the following information:
1. Your last name.
2. The number of adults in your family.
3. The number of children in your family.
4. The address in Reading to which your groceries should be delivered. Note which outside door the driver should leave your groceries and if you wish the driver to ring the doorbell.
SEND THE INFORMATION to our confidential email: st.agnes.reading.svdp@gmail.com
by Monday, May 15, 2023 or as soon as possible.
Food deliveries will be made to you on Wednesdays in the late afternoon for ten weeks, starting on June 21 through to August 23. You will receive a weekly email on the day of delivery that will advise you of the approximate time you can expect your groceries. Please email us at that time if you wish to cancel your grocery order for that week. Please use this email to communicate any problems, suggestions or concerns you may have during the summer. To be sure that all groceries are delivered in a timely manner, the driver is on a very strict schedule and so is not able to enter your home.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE: Although we are sensitive to friends with food allergies, we are not prepared to modify the contents of the bags to meet everyone’s personal preferences. Just as you would shop in a store, we ask you to inspect the items for your family. If there is something you cannot use, please pass it on to someone else or deposit it into the Reading Food Pantry collection bin at your local supermarket.
Best wishes to all our neighbors for a very safe, healthy and happy summer,
Alicia Gallagher
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Attention 5th Grade Families: Middle School Transition Information
On behalf of Parker and Coolidge Middle Schools, we would like to share with you the following welcome letters, which contain important upcoming middle school transition dates as well as links to other helpful information. Please read the letter that pertains to your child’s future school. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Principal Sarah Marchant (Coolidge) or Principal Rochelle Rubino (Parker).
Reach out with any questions to Principal Rochelle Rubino, Parker (Rochelle.rubino@reading.k12.ma.us) and Principal Sarah Marchant, Coolidge (Sarah.marchant@reading.k12.ma.us).
2023-2024 Incoming Kindergarten Information
It's that time of year to start thinking about our incoming kindergarten students for the 2023-2024 school year. To be eligible for admission to the Reading Public Schools, a child must have reached the age of five on or before August 31st of the entering year to begin kindergarten or have reached the age of six on or before August 31st of the entering year to begin grade one. We had a great turnout for a virtual incoming kindergarten information session on Wednesday, January 4th. Information on the school registration packet and links to the presentation are shared below and can be found on the Reading Public Schools district website.
Ongoing Information:
-Sign up to receive email updates during the kindergarten registration process by visiting: https://forms.gle/LK4esx7RoP7YxQ498-To learn more and stay up to date, visit the registration website at Registration Forms - Reading Public Schools
Introduction to Kindergarten Presentation from January 4th:
-Here's the link to January 4th Introduction to Kindergarten Presentation in video form: Virtual Kindergarten Information Session-20230104_190233-Meeting Recording.mp4 - Google Drive
-Here's a link to the January 4th Introduction to Kindergarten presentation in English.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sK9kOUVIc0t58Mn9k4Jld725ULiwsiddo5Cav0A3l2k/edit?usp=sharing
-Aqui está o link para a apresentação de Introdução ao Jardim de Infância de 4 de janeiro em português.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Dyq75gPb2YB6MY3t2pUTSAJjbEseopwE-RHNSludJUE/edit?usp=sharing
-Aquí está el enlace a la presentación de Introducción a Kindergarten del 4 de enero en español.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GUKK3DNGRyIwMjQhzW1QY_AfA1YR65JbKBiyRgSK4lM/edit?usp=sharing
Killam Change in Dismissal Form
Reporting an Absence
You can continue to call the school absence line and leave a message 24-hours a day. The number is 781-944-7831, option 1. Now, you can also email an absence to jwkabsences@Reading.k12.ma.us. Either way, letting us know will help us make sure the Killam community is safely in the building or at home.
Speech and Language Ideas
Killam School Map
Parent PlusPortal Access
As a parent guardian of a child in the Reading Public Schools, you have access to the Parent PlusPortal. The Portal will be used throughout your child’s academic career as it is where you update your child’s emergency contact information, view report cards, and beyond elementary school, see your child’s grades in real time. It also acts as a communication portal between you and your child’s teacher where oftentimes, different academic links, notes, or activities are shared.
If you are a returning parent, your account is still active. If you are new parent guardian and have not received access, please reach out to our school administrative assistant, Jackie Maglio at jaculen.maglio@reading.k12.ma.us. At that point, you will receive a separate email with your PlusPortal login information. The subject line of the email is Important! Killam School PlusPortals login. This is a confidential portal that is linked to your email account. You have 48 hours to activate your Portal account using the temporary password supplied through the email. Once you login, you can update the password and personal information.
About These Services
Ms. Sarah Leveque, Principal
Email: sarah.leveque@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: http://reading.k12.ma.us/killam/
Location: 333 Charles Street, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-944-7831
Facebook: facebook.com/JWKillamSchool
Twitter: @Killamnews