(Our podcast app is changing platforms this week. Stay tuned for next week's episode!)

Dear RISE Community,

Our end of the year family picnic is June 5th from 4:30-6:30 at Memorial Park. Information about this fun celebration is below. We can't wait to see you there!

Lunch order links for full day preschoolers at RISE/RMHS are below. Please be sure to order by Friday for the following week. If you have questions, please reach out. Thank you for making this a successful pilot!

As May comes to a close, the weather can be unpredictable. Even on hot days, continue to send in layers for your student. Some of our locations have A/C which can run quite cold so summer outfits can be chilly indoors. Don't forget hats and shades for time on the playground!

Please see below for important updates from Reading SEPAC and other community happenings.

Have a wonderful week!

Kerry

Our pilot school lunch program is in full swing. This program is offered to full day students who attend at the high school location of RISE. To participate in this exciting but optional program, please fill out the order form for the coming week (May 28) by this Friday. You can access the order form here. A copy of the Preschool Lunch Pilot Menu is here. A new item of Strawberry Yogurt has been added for the week. Enjoy!

THANK YOU to the Reading Educational Foundation for approving the grant submitted by Maureen Deligiandis for a communication board for the playground at the RMHS RISE location. We just CAN'T WAIT to have this installed!

Join us for our end of the year celebration at Memorial Park on June 5 at 4:30. Bring your own blanket and/or chairs and a picnic dinner (or pre-purchase pizza-details to come). Wear your RISE Spirit Wear!!!! Enjoy a magic show and a slush while socializing with RISE families and saying farewell for the summer! Can't wait to see you there!

May

30: RISE Spirit Day!

27: No School-Memorial Day

June

5: SAVE THE DATE! End of year RISE family picnic. 4:30-6:30 at Memorial Park

14: Last Day of School RPS

Thank you for all of your support this year!

Board Members for 2023-24:

• President: Meghann Cerratani
• Vice-President: Rachel Bramante
• Secretary: Corey Mathison
• Treasurer: Courtney Martinello
• Enrichment Coordinator: Nancy Nguyen

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

Year-End Business Meeting:

The Reading SEPAC Board will hold an open, public business meeting and discussion on Tuesday, May 21st at 6pm via zoom. Please register to receive the zoom link.

If you attend only one SEPAC business meeting this year, this would be the one!

Tuesday, May 21, 6PM (Virtual)

• Special Education Budget overview presentation by Derek Pinto (Director of Finance and Operations)

• Changes between the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Special Education Budget

• Special Education Budget funding priorities for the next school year

• Opportunity for parents to ask questions

• Student Services updates on new school positions created last year

• Annual SEPAC survey results

• Pre-viewing and discussing SEPAC’s plans for 2024-25

• Family Leadership Program Series Overview

Please Click Here to Register for the SEPAC Business meeting. The zoom link will only be sent to registered individuals.

SEPAC Family Lunch Meetup:

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:

Our annual survey will be open for one more week, closing on Tuesday, May 21.

If you haven’t already done so, please share your feedback on what SEPAC events you enjoyed and what more we can do to improve Reading SEPAC. Please fill out this brief, anonymous survey to help your SEPAC Board to plan for the 2024-2025 school year. It should only take a few minutes.

Past Events:

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

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

* Park in lot across from playground only, not in the staff/delivery lot

* Parking in the staff/delivery lot is only for those with ADA/accessible parking needs

Most importantly: Please do not pass the bus when it is loading/unloading. The flashing lights will be on. This includes turning out of the parking lot. This is essential for safety and is also the law. Unloading takes less than two minutes, please have patience.

As we are in the midst of cold and flu season, please remember our illness guidelines. We are also seeing an increase in COVID cases. Please be aware that there are masks and COVID test kits available in the health office for all students, families and staff. Please see our COVID protocols here, and information about the flu here. Please feel free to reach out to mary.giuliana@reading.k12.ma.us with any questions. Our next vaccine clinic will be held at Coolidge middle school on Friday January 5th from 2-5 pm.

1. Documentation of all immunizations and a physical exam must be provided prior to the first day of school as mandated by Massachusetts State Law. All medical requirements are included in new student paperwork. If your child has a summer birthday, please make sure their scheduled physical happens before the first day of school and send the documentation to school for your child’s record. Medical or religious immunization exemptions are permitted; documentation of such exemptions is required annually.

2. First Aid: Most injuries are minor; however, please make sure to complete all emergency contact information for your child. Include contact numbers for parents and any other person who might be responsible for picking up your child in the event of an emergency. Also include your child’s physician’s name and contact information. Remember to update this information throughout the school year for any corrections or changes.

3. Medication Guidelines:

• Doctor’s orders and parent authorization forms must be completed for ALL medications given in school (including over-the-counter medications).
• Tylenol and ibuprofen can be given in middle and high school with parental consent.
• All medication orders expire at the end of the school year.
• Medications must be provided in their original labeled container.
• A parent or responsible adult must transport medication to and from the Health Office and meet with the nurse regarding instructions. Do not send any medication in your child’s backpack.
• Exception to medication guidelines: Short term antibiotics may be given without a doctor’s order. The antibiotic must be provided in the original labeled container. This serves as proof of a doctor’s order in this case only.

4. Attendance at School: Please do not send your child to school if they have any of the following:

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher. A child with a fever should not return until they have been fever-free without a fever reducer such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen for 24 hours.
• Infectious illness such as strep throat for which they have been treated with antibiotics for less than 12 hours.
• Any symptoms listed on the COVID health screening. Please check your child for symptoms daily. If you have any concerns, please contact your school nurse, and follow up with your child's physician.

5. School Screenings: State mandated school screenings are as follows: Vision screenings are done in grades prek-5,7 &10, hearing screenings are done in grades K-3, 7 & 10. Height and weight screenings are performed annually on grades 1,4, 7 &10. Postural screenings are done for grade 5-9 annually. SBIRT screenings are done in grades 8 &10.

Parents will be notified of upcoming screenings and notified if a referral is indicated after the screenings. Parents may opt out of any screenings in writing to the school nurse.

6. Communication from the Health Office is through SNAP Health Portal, which connects directly with your child’s electronic health record, and provides direct messaging to your school nurse. School nurses may also reach out via phone call, email, and school newsletters. Please make sure your contact information is up to date.

7. Contagious Illnesses: Please notify the Health Office if your child has any contagious illness or conditions such as COVID, flu or strep throat. Always refer to your pediatrician for guidance.

8. Student Absence: If your child is absent, please call the absentee phone line and mention the reason for the absence. A note is required for all absences when your child returns.

9. Allergy Guidelines: Reading Public School Guidelines for Food Allergies are available on the district webpage under District Information. All classrooms are food-free except for individual snacks and lunches provided from home. All food brought into the classroom must follow the Food Allergy Guidelines. You will be notified of food allergy restrictions for your child’s classroom prior to the beginning of the school year. No food sharing is allowed.

10. Allergies and Chronic Conditions: Please contact the school nurse if your child has any health issues or life-threatening allergies so appropriate accommodations can be made.

Please send in a copy of your child’s yearly physical so that health records and immunizations can be updated. Summer is a good time to reinforce good hygiene habits such as handwashing, cough and sneeze etiquette and the importance of no food sharing at school. Another health issue to consider is lice prevention. Please get into the habit of watching for symptoms and routinely checking your child’s head.

Please contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns. We look forward to working with you and getting to know your child.

Sincerely,

Reading Public School Nurses

The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support, formerly known as RCASA, was established in 2006 in Reading. The coalition started as a town, police, school and community initiative focused on improving collaboration and reducing substance abuse. The coalition was grant-funded from 2007-2019. Today, the coalition funded under the Reading Police Department, offers programs and services that focus on substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion.

Follow us on Instagram @rcps_rpd

Like us on Facebook @reading coalition

Follow us on Twitter @rcoalition4prev

About These Services

The Town of Reading contracts with William James College to offer a special service for our residents. The William James INTERFACE Referral Service maintains a mental health and wellness referral help line Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). This is a free, confidential referral service for individuals across the lifespan living in Reading. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers from our extensive database. Each referral meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller. Click here to learn more!

Reading Public Schools offers a variety of outstanding integrated preschool programming for Reading residents. Our integrated programs serve tuition-based students and students who receive special education services. Our goal is to create an environment of mutual respect, where all students learn from their teachers and from each other.

Our integrated preschool programs are multi-age, and students may enter when they turn three years old. This enables our younger students to learn from their older classmates. Our four-year-old students love being role models and leaders to our three-year-old students.

Our integrated programs are designed to support the learning and growth of both tuition students and students with disabilities. Our approach is play-based. Students learn school, social and academic skills through center activities, free play, circle time, recess, and more.

If you have questions about our programs, you are welcome to contact Kerry Wilcox, RISE Director at kerry.wilcox@reading.k12.ma.us

Kerry A. Wilcox, MS, CAGS

RISE Director

Email: kerry.wilcox@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: https://rise.reading.k12.ma.us/
Location: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-942-9179
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049057732334
Twitter: @RISEReading