The RISE Report
Weekly Newsletter-December 4, 2023
Listen to this notice as a podcast.
It was a short week at RISE with students but a wonderful chance for teachers and service providers to chat with families about our student's preschool progress.
RISE Registration for 2024-25 is coming soon for students who attend RISE in a tuition slot, for siblings of students currently enrolled in our program and new RISE students. Current students will receive requests for session preferences in January. Siblings of current students also will receive registration packets from us at that time. New families or returning families without current students enrolled can access packets on our website! If your student's IEP indicates attending a RISE preschool classroom, re-registration is not necessary. Students heading to kindergarten will receive more information about the kindergarten registration process as well.
Please see below for lots of important updates, especially from RISE PTN and Reading SEPAC. RISE Spirit Gear orders are due 12/15! Linda Boyages, RISE Occupational Therapist, has created a month of fun winter activities to promote your students' growth and development. Enjoy these activities at home together!
Hope to see you tonight at our RISE PTN Meeting at 7:30pm at https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/82312772016
Have a wonderful week,
Kerry
Kerry A. Wilcox (she/her)
Director of RISE Preschool
Reading Public Schools
62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA 01867
(781)942-9179
Parking Reminders for RISE @ RMHS
* Park in lot across from playground only, not in the staff/delivery lot
* Parking in the staff/delivery lot is only for those with ADA/accessible parking needs
Most importantly: Please do not pass the bus when it is loading/unloading. The flashing lights will be on. This includes turning out of the parking lot. This is essential for safety and is also the law. Unloading takes less than two minutes, please have patience.
Mark your calendars
December
11: PTN meeting
22: Early Release (11:00)
25-29: Winter Recess, No School
PTN Updates
RISE Spirit Wear orders are due on December 15th!
Our 2023-24 Dues Drive is on! Please click here for information on how to participate in this important source of support for our PTN.
Our next PTN meeting is December 11! https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/82312772016
Board Members for 2023-24:
- President: Meghann Cerratani
- Vice-President: Rachel Bramante
- Secretary: Corey Mathison
- Treasurer: Courtney Martinello
- Enrichment Coordinator: Nancy Nguyen
Reading SEPAC
Latest News from SEPAC
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!
Follow SEPAC on Facebook or Instagram
See our 2023-2024 Calendar of Events
SEPACsgiving was a great success. A huge thank you to Maria Morgan for organizing and hosting this wonderful series of events. Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving next week.
Upcoming events:
The Learning Center review process has been completed and Student Services will be presenting the findings at the school committee meeting on November 30th. This will be followed-up with a virtual presentation (The Learning Center Review Results) hosted by Reading SEPAC on Thursday 12/7 @ 7 pm to give parents an opportunity to learn more about the learning center, the review results, and to ask questions directly to Student Services. Zoom link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/85297238312
SEPAC REF Tree:
Reading SEPAC is proud to once again participate in the Reading Education Foundation (REF) Festival of Trees which supports our schools. Every year our members have graciously helped us to reach this goal and we hope this year will be no different as it would not be possible without your help!
A big thank you to Alyssa Scaparotti for volunteering to create a tree for the REF Festival on behalf of Reading SEPAC. This year's theme will be Ice Cream Wonderland.
This is a wonderful opportunity to not only support two Reading volunteer groups, Reading SEPAC and REF, but also to help Reading SEPAC spread awareness of our mission to continue to make Reading a better place for children with disabilities and to support families.
Here's some ways to help and to get involved:
Donate items or help decorate the tree
We would gratefully accept contributions of decorations/gifts for the SEPAC tree.
Here's two lists, if you wish to contribute, please know that we would welcome anything that goes with the theme, no matter where it's from.
Items purchased off the Amazon wishlist have the option to be shipped directly to Allysa.
If you are able to help, we are beyond grateful. Please reach out if you'd like to help in any way not mentioned. Thank you!
Activities to try at home!
VISION SCREENINGS
VISION SCREENINGS STARTING SOON
The nurses will soon begin the Preschool vision screening. Please email the nurse office if you prefer to have your child opt out of school vision screening. Even though the pediatrician's do some screening, we have found that school screening can help with the early detection of many treatable conditions. We want to help your child learn best and try to make school screenings quick, calm, and a good experience for the students.
Picture Days at RISE
Reading Public School Medical Policies
1. Documentation of all immunizations and a physical exam must be provided prior to the first day of school as mandated by Massachusetts State Law. All medical requirements are included in new student paperwork. If your child has a summer birthday, please make sure their scheduled physical happens before the first day of school and send the documentation to school for your child’s record. Medical or religious immunization exemptions are permitted; documentation of such exemptions is required annually.
2. First Aid: Most injuries are minor; however, please make sure to complete all emergency contact information for your child. Include contact numbers for parents and any other person who might be responsible for picking up your child in the event of an emergency. Also include your child’s physician’s name and contact information. Remember to update this information throughout the school year for any corrections or changes.
3. Medication Guidelines:
- Doctor’s orders and parent authorization forms must be completed for ALL medications given in school (including over-the-counter medications).
- Tylenol and ibuprofen can be given in middle and high school with parental consent.
- All medication orders expire at the end of the school year.
- Medications must be provided in their original labeled container.
- A parent or responsible adult must transport medication to and from the Health Office and meet with the nurse regarding instructions. Do not send any medication in your child’s backpack.
- Exception to medication guidelines: Short term antibiotics may be given without a doctor’s order. The antibiotic must be provided in the original labeled container. This serves as proof of a doctor’s order in this case only.
4. Attendance at School: Please do not send your child to school if they have any of the following:
- Fever of 100 degrees or higher. A child with a fever should not return until they have been fever-free without a fever reducer such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen for 24 hours.
- Infectious illness such as strep throat for which they have been treated with antibiotics for less than 12 hours.
- Any symptoms listed on the COVID health screening. Please check your child for symptoms daily. If you have any concerns, please contact your school nurse, and follow up with your child's physician.
5. School Screenings: State mandated school screenings are as follows: Vision screenings are done in grades prek-5,7 &10, hearing screenings are done in grades K-3, 7 & 10. Height and weight screenings are performed annually on grades 1,4, 7 &10. Postural screenings are done for grade 5-9 annually. SBIRT screenings are done in grades 8 &10.
Parents will be notified of upcoming screenings and notified if a referral is indicated after the screenings. Parents may opt out of any screenings in writing to the school nurse.
6. Communication from the Health Office is through SNAP Health Portal, which connects directly with your child’s electronic health record, and provides direct messaging to your school nurse. School nurses may also reach out via phone call, email, and school newsletters. Please make sure your contact information is up to date.
7. Contagious Illnesses: Please notify the Health Office if your child has any contagious illness or conditions such as COVID, flu or strep throat. Always refer to your pediatrician for guidance.
8. Student Absence: If your child is absent, please call the absentee phone line and mention the reason for the absence. A note is required for all absences when your child returns.
9. Allergy Guidelines: Reading Public School Guidelines for Food Allergies are available on the district webpage under District Information. All classrooms are food-free except for individual snacks and lunches provided from home. All food brought into the classroom must follow the Food Allergy Guidelines. You will be notified of food allergy restrictions for your child’s classroom prior to the beginning of the school year. No food sharing is allowed.
10. Allergies and Chronic Conditions: Please contact the school nurse if your child has any health issues or life-threatening allergies so appropriate accommodations can be made.
Please send in a copy of your child’s yearly physical so that health records and immunizations can be updated. Summer is a good time to reinforce good hygiene habits such as handwashing, cough and sneeze etiquette and the importance of no food sharing at school. Another health issue to consider is lice prevention. Please get into the habit of watching for symptoms and routinely checking your child’s head.
Please contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns. We look forward to working with you and getting to know your child.
Sincerely,
Reading Public School Nurses
Reading Coalition...Community Support
The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support, formerly known as RCASA, was established in 2006 in Reading. The coalition started as a town, police, school and community initiative focused on improving collaboration and reducing substance abuse. The coalition was grant-funded from 2007-2019. Today, the coalition funded under the Reading Police Department, offers programs and services that focus on substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion.
Follow us on Instagram @rcps_rpd
Like us on Facebook @reading coalition
Follow us on Twitter @rcoalition4prev
About These Services
The Town of Reading contracts with William James College to offer a special service for our residents. The William James INTERFACE Referral Service maintains a mental health and wellness referral help line Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). This is a free, confidential referral service for individuals across the lifespan living in Reading. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers from our extensive database. Each referral meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller. Click here to learn more!
Overview of RISE Programs
Reading Public Schools offers a variety of outstanding integrated preschool programming for Reading residents. Our integrated programs serve tuition-based students and students who receive special education services. Our goal is to create an environment of mutual respect, where all students learn from their teachers and from each other.
Our integrated preschool programs are multi-age, and students may enter when they turn three years old. This enables our younger students to learn from their older classmates. Our four-year-old students love being role models and leaders to our three-year-old students.
Our integrated programs are designed to support the learning and growth of both tuition students and students with disabilities. Our approach is play-based. Students learn school, social and academic skills through center activities, free play, circle time, recess, and more.
If you have questions about our programs, you are welcome to contact Kerry Wilcox, RISE Director at kerry.wilcox@reading.k12.ma.us
Contact Information
Kerry A. Wilcox, MS, CAGS-RISE Director
Email: kerry.wilcox@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: https://rise.reading.k12.ma.us/
Location: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-942-9179
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049057732334
Twitter: @RISEReading