Principal Rubino's Weekly Update
W.S. Parker Middle School Newsletter; Fri., Oct. 14, 2022
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Dear Parker Middle School Families,
The Principal’s Student Council met this week and planned the first spirit week of the year. Spirit week will kick off on Monday, Oct. 31 and run through Friday, Nov. 4. Students are encouraged but not required to participate.
Monday, Oct. 31: Costume Day or PJ Day: Don your favorite costume or snuggle up in your favorite pajamas. If you wear a costume, you cannot wear a mask that covers your face or bring in toy weapons or paraphernalia.
Tuesday, Nov. 1: Rep your flag day: Bring a flag or wear colors of the flag or clothing that represents your culture and/or ethnicity. As a member of the Parker Community, we appreciate that we are a community of learners with different backgrounds and traditions that create a rich tapestry of belonging.
Wednesday, Nov. 2: On Wednesdays We Wear Pink (in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October) vs. Groutfit Day - wear your best gray outfit
Thursday, Nov. 3: Sports Day - Showcase your favorite sport or sports team
Friday, Nov. 4: Formal Friday vs. Cozy Friday: Get all decked out or find your comfiest pair of sweats - The choice is yours!
On Monday (Oct. 17) after school, our food services director will hold a taste testing with Deeply Rooted in order to add more vegetarian options to the lunch menu at Parker Middle School. If you think your child would like to attend the taste testing, please sign up here so we are prepared.
Below my message to families I am including a PDF of the district-wide handbook along with a link to the W.S. Parker Middle School Handbook. These handbooks will also be added to our website. Next week, I will be sending home a paper copy of the handbook to families along with a form for families to sign and return indicating that they have reviewed the handbook with their child(ren). It is the presumption of the administration and the school system that a parent and student will read and understand the handbook. Even if a parent or student does not return the sign/off acknowledgement form below, such presumption is made.
During the PTO meeting this past week, I reviewed the school’s MCAS scores from last year. Please see the overview here. I encourage families to attend our monthly PTO meetings. We hold them in-person and via Zoom and it’s a great way to foster a family to school relationship and see the wonderful support system we have in our parent organization. I also encourage you to participate in the upcoming fundraisers that the PTO is organizing. Please see below for more information from the PTO.
Teachers have started to talk with students about ALICE drills. The drill is similar to a fire drill and we practice it to make sure we are prepared for the unlikely event of an emergency. It is likely we will conduct an ALICE drill during October. Please reach out if you have any questions.
STEM Week: Massachusetts STEM Week is the week of Oct. 17th -21st. STEM Week is a statewide effort to increase the awareness and access for all learners to “see themselves in STEM” including educationally, in future employment, and in their daily lives. Visit RPS STEM Coordinator Leonard’s blog (https://readingstem.blogspot.com/) for posts each day throughout the week for ways you can be involved at home. Additionally, there are some engaging family resources compiled for you to explore.
Reminder: School Council meets this Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in person and via Zoom: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/84018918812
Have a wonderful weekend! Go Panthers!
Sincerely,
Rochelle
Making connections: From literature to their own lives
Take flight!
Working hard
Let it go
News from the PTO
📌 The next Parker PTO meeting is Monday, November 7 at 7 p.m. at Parker Middle School and via Zoom: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/89440949482. All are welcome!
🍿 We had a great turnout at our Parker Family Fun Night. Thanks to all who came to picnic, hang out, and enjoy some snacks and treats!
Would you like to help the PTO organize the upcoming pie sale? This is a fundraiser that runs at the end of October and beginning of November. Pies are distributed at Parker on the evening of Tuesday, 11/22. Last year the Parker families and staff donated 60 pies to our community in addition to all of the pies that were purchased! Interested in helping? Email: parkerptopres@gmail.com
❓Questions? Ideas? Please reach out! parkerptopres@gmail.com
Upcoming events!
- Calareso's Fundraiser RUNNING NOW! 10/3 - 10/21: If you shop at Calareso’s, please consider purchasing gift cards through Parker! Available in $10 increments, 25% of your purchase will go back to Parker. Gift cards never expire! They can be used to buy all items in the farm stand and garden center. See flyer in newsletter for more information, and to order your certificates. 🍎🌸
- Charleston Wrap fundraiser launches 10/17: Get your holiday shopping done early while supporting Parker Middle School! We are once again having our Charleston Wrap fundraiser for all your shopping needs. A vast selection of items to choose from including gift wrap for many holidays and occasions, candles, kitchen essentials and more. The best part?? 40% will be donated back to the Parker PTO! Check your student's backpack on Monday for a catalogue and more information. 🎁
- Chipotle Restaurant Night: Sat. 10/22, 4-8pm, Woburn location: Dine-in or takeout at Chipotle and raise money for Parker! Show flyer (in newsletter) at the restaurant or use code DMPB73B for online ordering. 🌮
- Coming soon: Parker Apparel Sale!
Community Arts Fest This Weekend
NEXT SEPAC MEETING
Tuesday, October 18 at 7PM
HYBRID: in person at the RMHS Schettini Library Media Center with remote access using this link
Hear about last year’s special education program reviews
Board Elections. Consider serving on the board! We could really use someone who is good at taking notes and posting agendas and meeting minutes. We can have up to six people on the board.
TRANSITION PLANNING WORKSHOP
Preparing students with disabilities for life after high school officially starts at age 14 and requires planning, skill development, and network support. This VIRTUAL presentation will be particularly important for our families with secondary level students on IEPs, but it is never too early for parents/caregivers of younger children to have a sense of what’s to come. Don’t miss out on this important topic. Click here to pre-register!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
📌 SEPAC office hours. Wed., Oct. 12, 4 to 4:45-5:15PM (longer if needed). Click here to join.
📌 Wilmington SEPAC’s Basics Right Workshop - Evaluation and Eligibility. Thurs. Oct. 13th, 6 to 8PM via Zoom. Click here to register
📌 Inclusive family kickball game. Sun., Oct. 16th, 11AM to 1PM at Washington Park
📌 Board nominations requested. by Sun., Oct. 16th. Email: SEPACelection2022@gmail.com
📌 Board elections and SEPAC Business Meeting with presentation of Program Review Results. Tues., Oct 18th, at 7PM, hybrid (RMHS library and on Zoom–link forthcoming)
📌 Andover SEPAC’s Basics Right Workshop - Understanding the IEP. Tues. Nov. 8th, 7 to 9PM via Zoom. Click here to register.
📌 Reading SEPAC’s Basics Right Workshop - Transition Planning. Tues., Nov 15th, 7 to 9PM via Zoom. Click here to register!
We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE all parents of children who receive, or may receive, special educational services to attend one or more of the Basic Rights Workshops, especially if you never have.
Check your email for more details from us about these topics and more. Not on our mailing list? Click here to join SEPAC's mailing list and while you’re at it, follow SEPAC on Facebook and on Instagram.
🍃🏵 🍃🏵 🍃🏵 🍃🏵
Reading METCO Found Family Program
Resources and Documents for Families
About us
Principal
Mr. Jason Peledge
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