JW Killam Principal's Corner
Ms. Leveque's Weekly Newsletter
From the Desk of Ms. Leveque
It was a wonderful first week back in the building! Monday truly felt like the first day of school all over again and I could see many parents practically skipping up the driveway after dropping their children off. We even had a little help from a special koala as we greeted the students Monday morning. To launch our day, our staff created a "Welcome Back Assembly" video which we encourage you to watch. It has been a lot of fun seeing our students together!
Our morning drop-off went well this week. We still have a few families trying to enter or pull through the driveway during dismissal. Keep in mind that our driveway is closed to all traffic, except buses and individual's parking in the handicap accessory spots, from 2:30-3:00pm each day. Additionally, dogs are not allowed on the premise for arrival or dismissal.
Of course we also want to keep students, staff, and families healthy so please continue to follow all CDC guidelines. All students (and staff) are required to wear masks in school, use hand sanitizer, socially distance, and stay home if they have any symptoms. Please remember to pack a snack, refillable water bottle, and extra mask for your child. We still have 9 weeks of learning experiences to go and we want to be in school for this time. Please help us do that!
RPS STUDENT ISSUED LAPTOPS
As we are still using our technology in our classrooms, if your child was issued a RPS laptop, they should be bringing it to school each day.
CURRENT K-4 CLASS PLACEMENT PARENT INPUT SURVEY
Dear Current K-4 Parents/Guardians;
Spring is the time of year when we begin planning for next year. Soon we will be meeting as a staff to begin the process of assigning students to classes. Student placement is a complex, collaborative process that the staff and administration take very seriously. We spend a great deal of time carefully thinking about the whole child while we create our classes for the next school year.
Any parental input should be provided in a written format through this survey form but know that written input is optional. Placements are made by the professional educators involved with your child and are also informed by your input as a parent. Our highest priority is to create safe, inclusive, heterogeneous classrooms. It is important that you offer information that is not specific to any particular teacher. Requests for specific teachers will not be considered in the placement process.
In order to facilitate our placement process, we ask that you return your written comments on the form by Thursday, April 15th. After this date, we cannot accept additional responses. Fill out one form per child.
VACCINES:
We are excited that vaccine appointments are opening up for our teaching staff! Please note that our staff are encouraged to take any available appointment so you may see more asynchronous work over the next few weeks as staff are heading to their appointments.
COVID POOL TESTING:
If you are interested in having your child join COVID pooled testing you can still give consent by following this link. COVID Consent Form.
Stay well,
Ms. Leveque
Killam Upcoming Dates
Monday, April 12th: Killam School Council Meeting, 3-4pm
Thursday, April 15th: Current K-4 Class Placement Parent Input survey due. This is an optional survey.
Saturday, April 17th - Sunday, April 25th: April Vacation; No School
Monday, April 19th: Patriot's Day; School Offices closed
Monday, April 26th: Full day of school for students
School Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 8:15-2:45 (8:10-11:30 for half-day kindergarten)
Friday, 8:15-11:30 (8:10-11:30 for half-day kindergarten)
Staggered Dismissal:
-Grades One and Two: 2:35pm Monday-Thursday; 11:20am Friday
-Grades Three and Four: 2:40pm Monday-Thursday; 11:25am Friday
-Kindergarten and Grade Five: 2:45pm; 11:30am Friday
-All students taking the bus or attending Extended Day will be monitored by Killam staff until picked up.
Thank you to the PTO for our new recess gear!
Message from the Health Office
Dear Families,
It is wonderful to have our students back at Killam; there is a lot of great energy in the building and I’m enjoying seeing all the familiar faces.
Since the kids are spending more time at school and outside, I’m noticing that there are some extra nutritional needs.
Here is some important lunch information and suggestions:
- Killam is offering every student one full lunch every day free of charge.
- Lunch snacks are not available for purchase at this time.
- Unfortunately, we are also unable to provide a second lunch to students.
- Please consider packing some additional nutritious food items that you know your student enjoys so that they can remain ‘fueled for school’.
- Please remember to pack a filled water bottle every day.
I am working with the students to stay focused on health and safety, especially in the lunchroom. We are reminding everyone to face forward and stay seated while eating so that they are protected by the plexiglass barriers at the lunch tables as much as possible. We are also reminding students to wear their masks except when they are eating.
I am hopeful that working together, we can keep everyone healthy!
As always, please contact me with any questions.
Thank you,
Sharon Grottkau, BSN, RN
April is National Occupational Therapy Month!
Travel During April Vacation
April Vacation is right around the corner.
We are getting many inquiries about remote learning around April vacation since many families are traveling. We know families are seeing adults vaccinated and wanting to travel. Unfortunately, our children do not yet have the option for vaccination. The RPS guidelines remain the same as previous vacations; we do not offer remote learning due to quarantine before or after travel. Your child will be marked absent until their return to school. We encourage students to continue with their reading and access to online learning platforms such as Raz-Kids, Lexia, and Xtra Math.
Updated Travel Restrictions
Please note the following MA travel advisory changes and updates.
As of Monday, March 22, all visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, are advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival. Travelers in the following categories are exempt from this quarantine advisory:
- Travelers who have received a negative COVID-19 result on a test administered not more than 72 hours prior to their arrival in Massachusetts. Travelers may also test out of the quarantine advisory after arrival in Massachusetts, as long as they quarantine until receiving a negative test result.
- Anyone who is entering Massachusetts for fewer than 24 hours
- Anyone who is returning to Massachusetts after being out of the State for fewer than 24 hours
- Workers who enter Massachusetts to perform critical infrastructure functions (as specified by the Federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) during required commuting to or from work and while at work.
- Travelers who are fully vaccinated (i.e. who have received two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines OR who have received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, 14 days or more ago) and who do not have symptoms.
All travelers are encouraged to consult and follow the CDC’s guidelines and requirements for travel.
Reading Rotary Supports Literacy
Reading METCO Director Community Input
Dear Reading Community Member,
The Reading Public Schools are seeking a METCO Director for the 21-22 school year. As part of that process we are seeking your input about the characteristics and skills this person should have. Please complete the survey at this link by Friday, April 16th.
The Screening Committee for selecting the next Reading Public Schools METCO Director is seeking members. This committee will review applicants for the METCO Director position, interview applicants and send finalist choices to the Superintendent. These candidates will be interviewed by the Superintendent and he will make the final choice. We are collecting community input through a survey of families, staff and RMHS students. This committee will review those survey results and use them to inform our questions as part of this process.
The composition of the committee is as follows:
LisaMarie Ippolito, Joshua Eaton Principal, Co-Facilitator
Julia Hendrix, Birch Meadow Principal, Co-Facilitator
Teacher
Teacher
Teacher
METCO Parent/Guardian
METCO Parent/Guardian
Parent/Guardian
Secondary Level Student
The following dates are the timeline for the screening committee. Please make sure you’re available for these dates prior to indicating interest.
April 26th
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Screening Committee Organizational Meeting
Question Review and Selection
May 6th
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Meet to review applicants
Friday, May 14th
7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Interviews
Send pre-finalist to Superintendent
Please click on the following link to sign up for the METCO Director Screening Committee The deadline for this is April 16th. htps://forms.gle/Zk4H7HoqZ3ehTrHF9
Even if you are unable to participate in the screening committee we ask that you complete the needs assessment survey.
Julia Hendrix Julia.hendrix@reading.k12.ma.us
LisaMarie Ippolito lisamarie.ippolito@reading.k12.ma.us
Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
We need the community's help to keep ALL our student safe on campus.
ALWAYS
1. All students enter and exit from their external classroom doors (or designated spot). This is the same door your child has been using this year (unless your teacher communicates a new plan).
2. All cars need to be parked along Charles Street, Haverhill Street, or the surrounding neighborhoods. The driveway parking spots are for staff and visitors staying for an extended period of time in the building.
3. There is no idling on school property.
4. The sidewalk along the school entrance is a live fire lane. Cars cannot park or idle there.
5. Our school will remain closed to visitors. In a continued effort to slow the spread by keeping our students with their peers and teachers, we ask all visitors/guardians to ring the front doorbell. A member of the office staff will ask you to remain outside the entrance as we help you with your request.
6. If your child will be absent, call our absentee line 24 hours-a-day at 781-944-7831, option 2. Please state your child’s name, classroom teacher, and reason for absence. We will continue with our COVID tracing protocols so please inform us if the illness is COVID related.
ARRIVAL
7. Rolling car drop-off begins at 8:10 am.
8. For rolling car drop-off, cars pull all the way up the driveway, parents remain in cars, and students exit from the passenger side of the vehicle.
9. Stay in the rolling car line; do not pass vehicles or buses once your child exits the vehicle.
10. There is a right hand only turn at the end of the driveway onto Charles Street during arrival.
DISMISSAL
11. The driveway is closed 15 minutes before and after dismissal (2:30-3:00pm; 11:15-11:45 on Fridays), meaning no cars should be parking in or driving through the driveway at dismissal. We will have 400 students returning to school and we need to keep our driveway clear of moving vehicles. The exception to this are buses and vehicles with handicap plaques/accessibility.
Adopt a RMHS Senior!
Good Morning Reading neighbors,
Many of you have been asking what you can do to make our RMHS seniors feel special this year. It's been an extremely stressful year for them with the school year shortened, events cancelled and challenges to make future plans. We would love your help to shower them with kindness!
The Adopt a Senior program is a way community members can sponsor a graduating student and show them support. You will be given their name and address. You may drop a note, snack, gift, etc. to the senior to show them how much you care.
Please complete the Google Form with your information and we will match you with a senior.
If you have any questions, please email Classof2021RMHS@gmail.com
Thanks so much,
RMHS Class of 2021 Senior Events Committee
Grades 3-5 MCAS Testing 2021
The Department of Education has notified schools that the elementary MCAS dates have moved to May 10-June 11. Below is the Killam MCAS schedule.
Student Services Office Hours
Dear Families,
The schools have been busy over the past few weeks prepping for the upcoming change to full - in person learning! We are looking forward to seeing more students in the building! We understand that this shift in the learning model can bring up additional questions about supporting your students and we would be happy to meet with individuals during office hours to discuss any questions or concerns.
Below, please find our office hours for the month of April. Please use the DOODLE Poll link to select a time to meet with us. We continue to enjoy these opportunities to meet with families on an individual basis.
Prior to your scheduled time, a ZOOM link will be sent to you via email. Please be sure to include your email address when you sign up!
If you have any questions regarding Office Hours, please contact Allison Wright, Director of Special Education @ Allison.Wright@reading.k12.ma.us.
Office Hours for April 2021
- Thursday 4/15 @ 9:30-10:30 am
- Tuesday 4/27 @ 2:00-3:00 pm
Link to the Doodle Poll to sign up for Office Hours:
https://doodle.com/poll/qywrhxnahz424rm3?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link
Thank you,
Jennifer Stys and Allison Wright
PTO Corner
Dine-out update!
Please join us on Thursday, April 15th for a dine-out at Anthony’s Roast Beef and pizza in Reading. Mention Killam PTO and 10% of the dine-out will go back to the Killam PTO good for pick-up or delivery!
5th Grade Fundraiser at Aine’s Boutique
Join us April 29th for a special fundraiser with Aine’s boutique in Reading to support the 5th grade class. Be on the lookout for more information!
Calareso’s Fundraiser
Recess equipment was dropped off to all classrooms this morning! We wish we could have recorded the cheers from the students and teachers when we delivered them!
Thank you to everyone who supported our Calareso’s fundraiser that funded this project!
Book drive for all grade level classrooms
We are running a book drive with Whitelam Books to bring new books for each grade level into the classrooms. Starting April 6th and running through the end of April, stop in at Whitelam in downtown Reading or give them a call at 781-779-1833 to buy books from our teachers' wishlists. Lists are by grade level not by specific teacher, and include books requested by each of the teachers. When you buy something for the school, if you'd like to fill out a nameplate to put in the book, Whitelam Books will have them available at the register for you to sign and stick into the inside cover (or if you order over the phone they can fill one out for you)! While you buy a book for Killam, pick up a book for your child - our list has some awesome books on it you might not have yet!
Coolidge Middle School Presents...
The Coolidge Production of "Sleeping Beauty, Briar Rose:, will be virtually broadcast on April 16 at 7:30 & April 17 at 3:00. The students, directed by Stephen MacDonald, have been working hard and long on the play, and are excited to share this amazing, virtual event with our Reading community! You can watch from any device, at any location, home or on vacation! Please consider joining us and showing your support of the arts in Reading.
Tickets for this virtual event ($10 per viewer), and more information about the play, can be found here: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/43732
The group also has a Facebook page, which you are welcome to follow.
We hope to "see you" there! 🙂
SEPAC Information
Please join the SEPAC at our next business meeting on
Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 7:00 PM!
New business to be discussed includes a presentation by Team Chair, Kelly DiCato, on the DESE Resource Guide to the MA Curriculum Frameworks for Students with Disabilities, followed by caregiver comments/questions; also a parent prepared presentation on local/regional community resources providing family education/advocacy, recreational opportunities, and summer camps, followed by a parent discussion regarding the same; and other items.
Please join us for these presentations and discussions and feel free to share any
additional resources that you think other parents may find helpful.
All are welcome!
This meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom.
Join us for our next
VIRTUAL SEPAC MEETING
on Tuesday, April 13th at 7 PM.
Meeting link: Join Zoom Meeting
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)
- Visit SEPAC’s website
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.
Remote Access for In-Person Students Who Are Absent From School
Below are the remote criteria that will be used when students who are in person during a particular week are absent from school. This was shared by Dr. Doherty in a newsletter.
Students will have live remote access under the following conditions:
- He/she is quarantined due to testing positive for COVID-19.
- He/she is quarantined due to being in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
- He/she is being quarantined for being out of state and is waiting for a negative COVID test per DPH guidelines.
- He/she is showing symptoms of COVID-19 and is awaiting test results.
- He/she has another medical condition that prevents them from coming to school.
Students will not have live remote access under the following situations:
- He/she is absent for any reason other than described above.
- He/she is quarantining for 10-14 days because of out of state travel as defined by the MDPH Travel Order and is not getting a COVID-test.
- He/she is going on a family vacation or other non-school activity during school days.
Please note that there may be extenuating circumstances in a school that would require a different action than above. These decisions are at the discretion of the building principal.
Lunch Reminders
Mask Up Reading!
The Town of Reading asks residents to:
· Wear a mask or face covering whenever you are not at home or in your personal vehicle.
· Maintain social distancing, at least 6' from others.
· Observe the State's Stay-at-Home Advisory from 10PM – 5AM.
· Review the latest CDC Guidance.
· Get a flu shot.
· Talk about Covid precautions with household members, neighbors, friends, and colleagues.
· Stay home when you are experiencing symptoms.
· Don't hesitate to get a COVID-19 test (click here for testing sites).
If you have any questions, please contact our local Board of Health.
Reading Public School Laptops
A friendly reminder that if you were loaned a laptop from RPS, it is expected that your child is bringing that device to school whenever they are in person. Thank you!
A Note from Food Services
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 for the entire 2020-2021 school year.
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, is meal distribution. This includes remote learners, learnings 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. Our meal distribution is provided under the bridge at Reading Memorial High School every Wednesday from 2:30 – 3:30 pm or Friday from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon.
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
Resources to Setup Your Child for Remote Learning
RETURN TO IN PERSON SCHOOLING UPDATE:
Here are some resources to help you and your child prepare:
-A return to school social story for kids
-Frequently Asked Questions - a set of questions and answers from the district nurses.
-Kindergarten Families Newsletter
-Fully Remote Families Newsletter
All information is listed under the Distance Learning Resources tab on the Killam Homepage.
Google Classroom
-How to Sign-in to Google Classroom
-How to Post Assignments in Google Classrooms
-How to View and Respond to Comments in Google Classroom
-Supporting your Child in Google Classroom
-Google – Teach from Anywhere: Google has established a website to help families and teachers (individual links) use Google and troubleshoot common problems, but all provide helpful hints. This is something teachers may want to share with families at some point. Click HERE to check it out!
Zoom
-How to Login to Zoom
Microsoft Teams
-How to Login to Microsoft Teams
SeeSaw
-How to Access SeeSaw through Google Classroom
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Support Resources:
In an effort to streamline locations that you can access for support, we've included all the information in one centralized location. On the Behavioral Health page of the Reading Public School's District website, you will now find all Covid-19 related resources, broken down by categories (upper right hand corner of the page). We are fortunate to have access to an incredible array of resources and we hope this helps you navigate this unprecedented time. Each page is set up in the same format, and hyperlinks are included to help get you quickly to the information you need.
We have a secondary RPS Social-Emotional Learning Resource Center with additional materials.
School Presentations:
Building (Hybrid) Safety Procedures, October 2020 (Passcode: 2*7M=v9S)
About These Services
Ms. Sarah Leveque, Principal
Email: sarah.leveque@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: http://reading.k12.ma.us/killam/
Location: 333 Charles Street, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-944-7831
Facebook: facebook.com/JWKillamSchool
Twitter: @Killamnews