Jaguar Tracks for Families
June 1, 2021
From the Desk of Mrs. Ippolito
I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
We are all so very proud of our students who took the MCAS Assessment. They all showed perseverance and grit to do their best.
Finally, with the new COVID guidelines recently released by Governor Baker, I want to remind families that we are all still wearing masks in school, and maintaining 3 feet of social distancing. Students are allowed to take masks off during outdoor recess or snack but must wear masks at all other times. I would encourage parents to keep masks on during drop-off and pick-up until you are far enough away from others. I know this is a new experience we are all navigating together. Some people don't mind masks while others can't take them off soon enough. I hear you, but I still want to keep our students safe, the school open, and prevent another class from being quarantined this year. None of our students are vaccinated, and during arrival and dismissal, we cannot monitor the social distancing of all families. Let's work together to make it to June 21st with all of us healthy and ready to start summer!
All my best,
Mrs. Ippolito
Joshua Eaton PTO NEWS
Dance Fit Fundraiser SUCCESS!
Thank you to everyone who registered, raised, and participated in our first ever Dance Fit Fundraiser! It was a HOT day for the Dance-A-Thon, but that didn't stop the kids from kicking up their heels! Everyone had loads of fun doing the macarena, the cha-cha, or trying Irish step-dancing - AND we raised over $13,000 for the school!! Thank you for your incredible support!
All-School Enrichment Activities:
In upcoming weeks, the PTO has sponsored a special enrichment visit from Sarah Lynne Reul - an author, illustrator and animator. Sarah Lynne Reul wrote and illustrated The Breaking News , Allie All Along, and NERP! We are excited to have her back at JE to share her latest books and illustrations with the students!
Book Drive: Support Understanding Disabilities & Our School!
Understanding Disabilities (UD) is a program that teaches our students that even though we may be different in many ways, we are all the same inside. To help our kids see through the eyes of people with diverse abilities, UD has created a wishlist of books for our school, chosen by our library staff, that feature characters with disabilities. Between May 10 and June 13, stop into Whitelam Books on Main Street, or call the store (781.779.1833), to purchase one or more of these books for the JE School library. While you are in the shop, check out the full display of UD-approved books in the children's section of the store and consider picking one up for your child as well! Please share this information with loved ones and friends who might also like to support our school and Understanding Disabilities.
Joshua Eaton News
Important Dates
- June 17th - Grade 5 - Fun Game Day
- June 18th - Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony - 9:30
- June 21st - LAST day of school K - 5, Grade 5 Clap-out
21-22 School Year
- August 30, 31st-Teacher Inservice Days
- September 1st-First day of school for all Preschool, 1-12 students. K Screening
- September 2nd-K Screening
- September 3-No School
- September 6-Labor Day
- September 7, 8-Rosh Hashanah-School in Session for Preschool, 1-12
- September 9-First day of school for Kindergarten
Student Absences - IMPORTANT
There are two ways to do that prior to 7:45 am of the morning the student is absent:
1. Call 781-942-9161, Dial 1 - leave a message
2. Email jeeabsences@reading.k12.ma.us
Student Council Rock Garden Project
Mrs. Ippolito can up with a great idea for the School Council that will be carried on for years to come!
We are starting a fun spring project of creating a rock garden to celebrate Joshua Eaton’s staff and students. This rock garden will line the gardens in front of JE, near the ramp to the Oak Street door). We are looking for students to decorate rocks that show Jaguar Pride, peace, and community! Please bring these rocks into school by June 4th. There will be a box outside of the office to drop off completed rocks.
Rock Guidelines:
- Small rocks no larger than your hand
- Use paint and decorations that are water-resistant (acrylic paint, paint pens, etc.)
- Use JE colors or phrases to represent Jaguar Pride, peace, and community
Here are some samples from our Student Council members:
RPS Loaner Laptops
FREE MEALS FOR STUDENTS BOTH IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL!
Through the extension of the Seamless Summer Meal program started in response to COVID-19, we are able to offer all Reading Public School Children FREE meals until the end of June.
What this means for your family–
- Your school-age children will receive a healthy breakfast (at Coolidge, Parker and RMHS only,) and lunch every school day, at no cost, in a safe and welcoming environment. This applies to students who are attending classes in school.
- Our other option for FREE meals for children, ages 0-21, in your home is meal distribution. This may include remote learners, participating in a hybrid learning mode, or any other children in your home. These meals will provide breakfast and lunch for each day, including weekends, at the bridge of Reading Memorial High School on Wednesdays from 2:30 – 3:30 pm or Friday from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon.
Your family may participate in BOTH options. Students can eat at school and receive Meal Distribution for the remote days and weekend meals that your family is entitled to.
This program allows Reading School District to provide the most nourishing and appetizing meals possible for your children. When your children eat school meals, it helps the school system by providing federal funds to the district. The more meals we serve, the more funding we receive, allowing us to focus on providing wonderful, nutritious meals for your family. If your children have never participated in school meals, consider trying the program this year!
If you have any questions please contact Danielle Collins, School Nutrition Director, at Danielle.Collins@Reading.k12.ma.us or 781-670-2822
Book Drive: Support Understanding Disabilities & Our School!
Understanding Disabilities (UD) is a program that teaches our students that even though we may be different in many ways, we are all the same inside. To help our kids see through the eyes of people with diverse abilities, UD has created a wishlist of books for our school, chosen by our library staff, that feature characters with disabilities. Between May 10 and June 13, stop into Whitelam Books on Main Street, or call the store (781.779.1833), to purchase one or more of these books for the JE School library. While you are in the shop, check out the full display of UD-approved books in the children's section of the store, and consider picking one up for your child as well! Please share this information with loved ones and friends who might also like to support our school and Understanding Disabilities.
From the Desk of Mrs. Trevejo, School Nurse
Pool Testing update
All pools from 5/24-5/28 were negative.
This week our testing schedule will be:
Tuesday, June 1st, 1 pm to 2:30 pm Full-time kindergarten, 1st grade, and 2nd grade
Wednesday, June 2nd, 10 am to 11:30 Grades 3-5, ½ day kindergarten
Please remember that you will not be notified of results UNLESS your child’s pool tests positive and they will need to participate in the follow-up reflux testing. I will be in touch with you directly if that is the case.
Hot Weather Reminders
Remember to send your child in with a water bottle. As the weather continues to warm up, we need to make sure that our students stay adequately hydrated. It's important that kids drink often during hot weather. Those who play sports or are very physically active should drink extra fluids beforehand, and then take regular drink breaks (about every 20 minutes) during the activity. Ideally, sports practices and competitions should be held in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Thirst is not a good early sign of dehydration. By the time they feel thirsty, kids might already be dehydrated. That's why they should start drinking before they feel thirsty and have more fluids even after thirst is quenched. (Kidshealth)
Sun Safety Link from KidsHealth
Sunburn First Aid - Kidshealth
How to Choose a Sunscreen - KidsHealth
In good health,
Mrs. Trevejo, RN MPH
Office of Student Services
Dear Families,
Below, please find the Student Services Office Hours for the second half of May and for the month of June. If you are interested in meeting with Dr. Jennifer Stys, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Allison Wright, Director of Special Education, please utilize the Doodle Poll to reserve a time. The purpose of the office hours is to provide time to connect with families regarding any questions or concerns regarding your students and their experiences. Prior to your designated time, you will receive a ZOOM link for your meeting time.
OFFICE HOURS:
- Wednesday, 6/2/21 @ 9-10 am
- Thursday, 6/10/21 @ 11-12 pm
- Tuesday, 6/15/21 @12-1 pm
Please use the DOODLE Poll below to sign up for an Office Hours time:
https://doodle.com/poll/zzayw2kufrdv5xiq?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link
Doodle: Student Services Office Hours - May/June 2021
Jennifer Stys, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services, and Allison Wright, Director of Special Education, are available for office hours to discuss any questions or concerns that you have. Please sign up for one 15 minute time slot. (Only 1 person per time slot). Following sign-up, a ZOOM link will be sent prior to your selected time. Please include your FULL NAME and EMAIL address when signing up.
Please reach out to Allison Wright, Director of Student Services (Allison.Wright@reading.k12.ma.us) with any questions or concerns.
SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)
**** Please join the SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) at our next business meeting on Tuesday, June 8 at 7:00 PM. We will be hosting a meet and greet with incoming Superintendent, Thomas Milaschewski, and other new administrators. This meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom. Meeting ID: 830 0724 2726
**** Survey - We would like your feedback on future topics for SEPAC meetings and workshops. Please complete this quick survey no later than Friday, June 4th. SURVEY LINK
*****SEPAC and Reading Public Schools will host a workshop, Understanding the Process of Assessing for Reading Disabilities, on Tuesday, June 15th at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/87037078496. This is the second in a series of community reading training sessions.
As part of this training, participants will learn about:
· The Process of Assessing for Reading Disabilities
· The Referral Process
· Reading Assessments for Specific Constructs/Assessment Sensitivity
· Using Reading Assessment Data to Drive Instruction/Progress Monitoring (Aimlines)
· The Crafting Minds Special Education Graphic Organizer for Assessment Results
The presenters for the workshop will be:
· Shana Goldwyn, PhD – Team Chairperson: Killam Elementary/Joshua Eaton elementary
· Renee Limauro, MS, CCC-SLP – Team Chairperson: Reading Memorial High School
· Auriana Musselman, M.Ed. – LEAD Teacher, Parker Middle School
All are welcome and ENCOURAGED to attend!
Connect with SEPAC by clicking these links:
· Join SEPAC's mailing list by emailing SEPACREADING@gmail.com
· Follow SEPAC on Facebook (please adjust settings so that you are sure to see our posts)
The mission of the Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is to work for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community.
Reading Training for Families
From Reading SEPAC Subcommittee
Family Support Resources
Please be reminded of these amazing resources, if your family is in need:
- RPS Behavioral Health Resources linked here.
- Town of Reading: compiled resources linked here.
- RCASA and Mental Health Support linked here.
- St. Vincent de Paul linked here.
- Free & Reduced lunch access: sign up here.
- Reading Food Pantry linked here.
- Project Bread link here.
- Residential Financial Assistance (Rent/Mortgage) link here. (New resource! Check it out!)
Mrs. Ippolito, Principal
Mrs. Trevejo, School Nurse
Mrs. Greco, Administrative Assistant
Website: http://reading.k12.ma.us/joshuaeaton
Location: 365 Summer Avenue, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-942-9161
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshuaEatonSchool/
Twitter: @Mrs_Ippolito