The RISE Report
Weekly Newsletter, October 31, 2022
Well, we certainly had some spooky Halloween fun today! Students enjoyed a costume parade, special snacks, and some festive Halloween activities in each classroom. Special thanks to the PTN for providing all the pumpkins! Our preschoolers enjoyed decorating them and were very excited to take them home to share with their families. There will be lots of photos of all the fun to share later this week!
As we begin November, I just want to remind families of the many short weeks we have this month. Beginning next week, there is no school for students PreK-12 on Tuesday, November 8, due to a district-wide teacher in-service. There is also no school on Friday, November 11 as we celebrate Veterans' Day. The following week begins our parent/teacher conferences with an early release on Wednesday, November 16, 12:45 dismissal for all students, PreK-5. Friday, November 18 is another in-service day as teachers will be holding conferences all day, so there is no school for students. Finally, November 23 begins the Thanksgiving recess with an 11:00 dismissal for all students, PreK-12. Please be mindful of the release times and the number of students being dismissed at each school. Use extra caution when driving on school grounds and please use the crosswalks.
I encourage you to reach out to me with any questions or concerns at (781) 942-9179 or via email at joanne.king@reading.k12.ma.us.
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Dr. King and Mrs. Shone dressed as the dynamic duo, Batman & Robin,
for the Halloween festivities!
November Conferences
Student Drop-Off & Pick-Up at RMHS
PTN News Corner
Our SAFE Coordinator at the Reading Fire Department, Lt. Ryan Buckley, will soon be visiting classrooms to share important information with our students about fire safety and prevention to keep them safe. He will be meeting with classrooms at Killam on November 7th and classrooms at RMHS on November 14th. Students at Wood End had a similar presentation last week from Firefighter Ryan Martinello!
This is also the time of year when dues are collected from each family to support the work of the PTN. Informational flyers were sent home in backpacks last week. We are hoping this gives families enough time to respond and send in the suggested amount ($35 per family) before we begin our holiday activities in November and December.
If you have any questions, or interest in volunteering this year to support our PTN, please reach out to Courtney. We welcome everyone to join!
Health Updates from Our School Nurses
We appreciate our families working with us to keep our students healthy and safe at school.
- Cold and flu season is upon us. Please monitor your child for symptoms and keep them home for these situations. Parents/guardians need to call the absentee line if your child will be out sick. Provide your student’s name, teacher name, reason for absence; You must also notify Extended Day if your child attends that program.
- COVID home tests are available for any families who need them. See here for updated COVID protocols.
- Preschool vision screening is now mandated by MA Department of Public Health. Screenings are taking place at all RISE sites. You will be notified if the screening indicates a referral for a further follow up. Please contact your school nurse if you would like to opt your child out of this screening.
- Reading School Nurses:
- RISE @ RMHS Nicole.pelley@reading.k12.ma.us or mary.giuliana@reading.k12.ma.us
- RISE@Killam Sharon.grottkau@reading.k12.ma.us
- RISE@ Wood End Kristen.agami@reading.k12.ma.us
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:
📌 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.
Important Dates to Remember:
November
8: Teacher In-Service; No school for students
11: Veterans' Day; No school for students
16: Early Release for Conferences; 12:45 dismissal for all students; No PM classes
18: Teacher In-Service/Conferences; No school for students
23: Early Release; 11:00 AM dismissal for all students; No PM classes
24-25: Thanksgiving Recess
About R.I.S.E.
Email: joanne.king@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: https://rise.reading.k12.ma.us/
Location: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-942-9179