Principal Rubino's Weekly Update

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

As we enjoy the long weekend and time with our families, let's take a moment to remember the brave men and women who have sacrificed everything for our country. Memorial Day is not just about barbecues and beach trips; it's a solemn occasion to honor those who have given their lives in service to our nation. Take a moment today to reflect on their courage and commitment, and let's ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten. From all of us at Parker Middle School, we wish you a meaningful Memorial Day.

This week on Tuesday, 8th grade students take the first part of the Civics MCAS. As a reminder, the Civics MCAS is a pilot assessment by the state this year.

Thanks to all of our families who attended Parker's Open House and Multicultural Night. From the student portfolios to the vibrant cultural displays and food, every aspect of the evening showcased our community's diversity and spirit.

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:

• Tuesday, May 28
• Grade 8 Civics Performance Task MCAS
• Wednesday, May 29
• Franklin Park Zoo Field Trip Grade 6 (Unity)
• Thursday, May 30
• Spring Concert Grade 6 at 6 p.m.
• Spring Concert Grade 7 at 7:45 p.m.
• 8th Grade Field Trip to Kimball Farm
• Friday, May 31
• Walking Field Trip - Team Endeavor
• Franklin Park Zoo Field Trip Grade 6 (Synergy)
• 2nd Act Performance - Grade 8 @ 1 p.m. (information sent via the Portal on May 17)

Looking Ahead

• 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.
  
• 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.

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.

📌 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 Activities: Help plan our celebration in the spring

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

📌 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!

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

- PARKER AT THE RED SOX: 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/


📌 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

Thanks to Ms. Taranto for leading the efforts of Parker Middle School's first Multicultural Night. Thanks to her leadership and the efforts of Parker's World Language Teachers, Ms. Cristi, Ms. Gray, and Ms. Solitro, over 26 countries were represented that evening. It felt like a true family and community event as everyone came together to share their stories, food, and artifacts about their culture and identity. Thank you! I can't wait for the next one! Check out some photos from the evening below.

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

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.

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

Recently, the MA DPH updated the COVID guidelines. Here are updated guidelines that pertain to staff and student absence who have any respiratory illness, including COVID.

You may begin to resume normal activities with precautions if:

1. You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines; AND
2. Your other symptoms are improving.

You may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better.

For at least the first 5 days after you resume normal activities, take these extra precautions:

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.

For the complete guidelines, go to this site.

"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