The Coolidge Family Newsletter
The Week of May 25, 2020
Brought to you by Sarah Marchant, Principal
Calendar
Monday, May 25: No School/ Memorial Day
May 29: 7th grade math placement letters will be mailed (if all goes according to plan!)
June 1: 6th grade supply pickup (locker contents, etc.); book drop-off; medication pick-up. See schedule/ details below.
June 2: 7th grade supply pickup (locker contents, etc.); book drop-off; medication pick-up. See schedule/ details below.
June 3: 8th grade supply pickup (locker contents, etc.); book drop-off; medication pick-up. See schedule/ details below.
June 12: Grade 6 to 7 Move-Up (learn teams; meet new teacher virtually)
June 18 from 1 - 2:30: Award pick-up for those grade 6 & 7 students who win end of year awards.
June 19: Last day of school
8th Grade Schedule of Events
June 3: 8th grade supply pickup (locker contents, etc.); book drop-off; medication pick-up. See schedule/ details below.
June 17: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony & 8th grade slide show (time TBD)
June 18 from 10 - 12: 8th grade "Drive Through" to pick up promotion certificates & yearbooks & to wave goodbye! (more info to come)
Weekly Principal's Message
These flags and the list of the 100,000... these are reminders of only a fraction of the lives touched by wars and lives touched by Covid, which is another type of war we are fighting. For every flag, for every name, and even for every portrait, there is a web of others touched, impacted, hurt, mourning, wondering. We can't capture its impact in either visuals or words. But I know we all feel it.
In the face of loss, in the face of remembering, in the face of the unknown, I will continue to find peace and tranquility in nature, in the beauty of the flowers, in the warmth of the sun. I will find joy as we celebrate our 8th graders as we send them to the high school; joy in greeting our incoming 5th grade; and as a parent, joy in celebrating the high school seniors (such as the amazing parade of this past weekend). I will find joy in our town community and in our Coolidge community, both of whom have come together in ways that bring me to tears. And beyond joy, I find power and energy in hope, as hope is what keeps us moving forward. Hope for reconnection. Hope for a vaccine. Hope for a return to "normal", even if it's a new normal. Hope that as hard as this feels now, that we will be able to rise from these dark places and be OK, because we have each other.
I would like to share with you a small video clip from Maya Angelou. It speaks of the "Rainbow in the Cloud". It is a wonderful reminder of the power we all have on each other, to take with us those who have touched us, and to pass forward our own goodness to others.
Week of May 25: Plan for Assignments; Teachers Packing Rooms!
In addition, the teachers at Coolidge will be packing their rooms for summer over the course of this week. They have signed up for slots that ensure proper social distancing and safety. While we hope there to be little impact on the learning for students this week, we wanted you to know if/why there may be slight changes.
Week of June 1: Supply Pick-Up Plan/ Book Drop Off
- The pickup schedule, and map, is located here. Please note, Ms. Munson was listed twice on the original document, and Ms. Moloney was not listed. That has been fixed.
- Stop 1 at the gym outer doors: Locker contents, gym locker contents, 8th grade artwork, 8th grade earphones, personal books left in classrooms (as much as we can identify whose are whose).
- Stop 2 at the front of the school: Epipens, daily medications, etc.
Items to return:
- (At stop 2): 6th grade math books; 7/8 math books; library books; classroom teacher books (i.e. you borrowed a reading book from a teacher)
- Instruments will not be returned unless Ms. Webster has contacted you directly. Those instruments being returned to Music & Arts are to be done so directly by parents.
8th Grade End-of-Year Update
End of Year Grading
Pass: The student has provided evidence of engagement in remote learning opportunities within the content area (and is ready to move on to the next grade/subject).
Engagement Evidence may include the following:
Completion of lessons and assignments
Engagement in Teacher’s synchronous meetings (i.e. Video-Conference Office Hours, Live Lessons) (if these are optional, lack of participation cannot hurt a student’s grade, but attendance can help!)
Responding to teacher-initiated emails/phone calls/personalized comments on Google Classroom
Improved participation and/or work completion following contact/intervention from teacher, support staff, and/or administration
Initiating emails or private comments to teacher with questions/requests for additional support, if needed
Pass-Incomplete: The student has provided insufficient evidence of participation and engagement and/or the teacher is concerned for the student’s readiness in their subject area for the year ahead.
Insufficient Engagement Evidence may include the following:
Very few or no assignments have been completed.
Minimal or no participation in any of the teacher’s synchronous meeting opportunities (if attendance is required)
Unresponsive to teacher-initiated emails, phone calls, or personalized comments on Google Classroom
Limited to no improvement in engagement following contact/intervention from teacher, support staff, and/or administration.
We know that there may be situations getting in the way of student engagement, and we have been working to reach out to those students and families in an effort to help in any way we can. As an additional form of communication, over the course of this week, we will be notifying those families of students who are currently on track to receive a PI, as we want to give a final opportunity for those students to engage during these last weeks of learning. For those who do receive a PI, we will work with families over the summer to fill gaps and to create a plan for a more successful fall, including potential interventions and supports.
If students and families are able, I strongly encourage you to keep completing assignments to your best ability so that they receive full credit, and to make up any that are recent and still available.
Summer Reading!
- Middle School Summer Reading list, as well as many supportive resources, can be found here.
- Ms. Steinhauser made a video to help families explore the summer reading resources. It can be found here.
- The high school summer reading list is filled with great titles. It is not mandatory this year, but we hope our 8th graders take the opportunity! It can be found here.
Reading Kids Connect
Is your child feeling bored or lonely? Reading Kids Connect mentors are here for you. Reading Kids Connect pairs passionate, dedicated RMHS students and alumni with younger students (ages 7-15) for virtual video sessions. We can provide creative, personalized activities and extracurricular learning, homework help, wisdom, and compassion. Parents who need it can take a break. For mentors, this is a great volunteer opportunity and a chance to make a difference for a Reading family. To find a mentor or to volunteer, visit Reading Kids Connect on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Reading-Kids-Connect-101332944920250/
Vaping Webinar Recording
Weekly Student Art
May 4 - May 10 art click here.
April 27 - May 4 art click here.
April 27 - May 1 click here.
April 21 - 26 art click here.
April 13 - 17 art click here.
April 6 - 10 art click here.
RESOURCE SECTION
New Family Resource: Residential Assistance
Resources for Families
- Town of Reading: compiled resources linked here.
- Mental Health Resource list linked here.
- RCASA resources linked here.
- St. Vincent de Paul linked here.
- Free & Reduced lunch access: sign up here. (but ANYONE can get free lunch; please just contact: danielle.collins@reading.k12.ma.us so she knows to expect you!)
- Reading Food Pantry linked here.
- Project Bread link here.
Student Guidelines for Remote Learning
The link to these newly-developed guidelines can be found here.
Updated RPS FAQ's for Covid-19 School Closure (from Superintendent Doherty)
Our Fun Coolidge Videos!
Reading Public Schools Remote Learning Plan: May 4 - June 19
Now, more than ever, show your school pride and purchase some Coolidge spirit wear!
Contact Us
Brienne Karow, Assistant Principal (x1302)
Marianna Zanni, Administrative Assistant (x1303)
Karen Mungenast, School Secretary (x1304)
Cindy Ventura, School Nurse (x1305)
Email: sarah.marchant@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: reading.k12.ma.us/coolidge
Location: 89 Birch Meadow Drive, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-942-9158
Twitter: @coolidgemiddle