The Coolidge Family Newsletter
The Week of October 26, 2020
Brought to you by Sarah Marchant, Principal
Dates of Note
Week of October 26: Week B Cohort In Person/ A Cohort Remote
Week of November 2: Week A Cohort In Person/ B Cohort Remote
November 2: Drama Production Informational Meeting. Please sign up to attend virtually using the form provided here.
November 3: Election Day/ Remote Learning Day
- Advisory will begin at 8:00 for all students.
- In-person students (Cohort A): follow in person schedule, including specials.
- Remote students (Cohort B): follow remote schedule (no specialist classes, but for sectionals).
November 5: Picture Day for Cohort A (Optional); photos will be taken outdoors for those who choose to participate.
November 11: Veteran's Day/ No School
November 12: Picture Day for Cohort B (Optional); photos will be taken outdoors for those who choose to participate.
November 13: End of Term
November 20: No School/ Teacher In Service
For the district calendar (which includes Cohort A and B weeks for the year), click here.
A Message from Principal Marchant
As far as our learning curve, it was mostly regarding technology. As teachers move room to room, they need to hook up their computers to the Smart board, microphone, AI camera, and to the unique Zoom link for that class. They need to admit any remote students and the satellite classroom. In the satellite classroom, the adult or a student there logs into that computer and joins the Zoom link as well. It's a multi-step process that has involved a learning curve, technology problem solving, and the supportive help of our amazing technology team (Paul Bondarev and Matthew Darling). The tech can still be a bit moody, but our capacity as a staff has grown tremendously to problem solve and to get things flowing smoothly. Kudos to the students who are there to support, who are learning how their own classrooms work and what they need for setup, and whose patience has been so helpful.
The second challenge we have discovered is social distancing when there is any opportunity to socialize for student. We feel it is so important to provide mask breaks, and we do so outdoors whenever possible. We are trying not to be so strict as having students stand in a pre-assigned spot, but it's tempting, as with any flexibility, there are some who are challenged with maintaining 6'. This results in a negative feedback dynamic that we would love to avoid between the supervising adults and those offending students. We ask for parent help to remind students of the importance of maintaining this distance; we will be doing with all in-person students as well. Those who are repeat offenders may lose the privilege of a mask break with peers if they cannot abide by the safety guidelines. Outside of the school day, we also see many students not socially distancing and not wearing masks. As much as we are working so hard to keep these guidelines in place in the school setting, we hope that students realize and implement these same important guidelines outside of the school setting, and hope parents can give reminders there as well.
Thank you!
Open House Principal's Presentation Link
Afterschool Activities
- Chime Choir (in person on Tuesdays)
- Equity and Inclusion Club (Monday afternoons, probably remote)
- Math Team (Thursday afternoons, remote)
- Drama/ Sleeping Beauty Play (Sign up with interest; information session on November 2).
School Council Membership Voting
As per School Council regulations, parent representatives are elected through a process supported by the PTO. Please click on the following Google Form ballot to vote: School Council Ballot.
A Message from the Coolidge PTO
To make your direct donation you may:
- Write a check to the Coolidge PTO and send it to Coolidge Middle School Attn. PTO
- Use this PayPal link.
Other ways to support the Coolidge PTO:
- Use Amazon Smile! Link your Amazon account to the Coolidge Middle School PTO Inc.
- Link your Stop & Shop account to the Coolidge Middle School PTO.
- Use the digital Box Tops app and scan your receipts. Box tops will automatically get credited to the PTO!
- Purchase Coolidge Gear! See the link below!
Attendance
- In-person students are expected to be in school by 7:50 AM each morning. All students who arrive after 7:50 should enter through the front doors (even if assigned the side).
- Remote students are expected to be on their Advisory Zoom by 8:00 each morning.
- Students who are late are considered tardy.
- If a student doesn't attend Advisory virtually, they are marked Absent. If they then attend classes later, this confuses our system. So it is very important that students attend Advisory! If a student needs to be late for a purposeful reason, please contact the main office and report the tardiness to the attendance line.
- To report a student absence, please call the Coolidge office and choose 1 for the attendance line.
Important Summary of In-Person Guidelines for Students & Families
Important Guidelines: Assessing Student Health & When a Student is Sick...
Another helpful resource (also below) is the "Return to School" guide provided by Boston Children's Hospital.
We understand that it's ideally in the best interest of students to be in school. Yet this is not the year to pump your child with ibuprofen and send them in to take that quiz. This is not the year to let stress over attendance or child care force parents to make decisions that don't benefit the whole rather than the individual. Safety is our highest priority, and it can only be as strong as our community agreement to hold to that value over all else.
Please rest assured that your child's teachers, while they love teaching students in person, also hope that students stay home if ill. And when/if this happens, they will be a support for your students. They will help them and give them time. They will provide them with what they need to keep up.
In sum, please err on the side of caution and keep ill students home. Thank you!
Full Remote Students
Free & Reduced Lunch Application: Many Benefits!
In a usual year, the meals are free for those who qualify by way of qualifying using the "Free & Reduced Lunch" application. Yet what may not be clear is that the application has more benefits than just breakfast/ lunch. If families fill out the form, as well as the "Share" form on the back page, then those who qualify can also qualify for assistance for things like after school activities and field trips. So if you are someone who thinks you may qualify, please consider filling it out so that we can help you in various areas over the course of the year! We can't actually help without this form! The form can be found here.
Parent Homework: Complete Two Forms on the Portal!
Two forms have been uploaded to the Portal for parents to fill out and update information:
- The 2020-2021 Pupil Information form goes to only primary contacts and includes things like Acceptable Use Policy, nurse permission, emergency contacts, etc.
- The other form is called the Contact Information Update Form and goes to every household contact. This form allows that person to update their contact information including things like cell phone and email address. If any primary contact needs to update their email, please do so through the main office (either karen.mungenast@reading.k12.ma.us or 781-942-9158 x12304); not doing so will cause a disruption to your PlusPortals account . Please try to fill this form out in one session, as an incomplete form tends to cause login errors between the forms server and the Portal.
These forms can be found in the PlusPortals under "Forms" as pictured below (you must be logged in!):
Where to go if I have Questions? Tech Trouble?
For broader questions, the following Team Leaders and Admin are a great resource for many questions:
- Paul Simpson (Voyager): paul.simpson@reading.k12.ma.us
- Julie Lascher (Explorer): julie.lascher@reading.k12.ma.us
- AmyBeth Gelinau (Gemini): amy.gelineau@reading.k12.ma.us
- Dan Cody (Pegasus): daniel.cody@reading.k12.ma.us
- Paul Guidetti or Becky Mandell (Polaris): paul.guidetti@reading.k12.ma.us; rebecca.mandell@reading.k12.ma.us
- 7/8 Math: Lisa Emma: lisa.emma@reading.k12.ma.us
- Special Education Team Chair: Melissa Forbes: melissa.forbes@reading.k12.ma.us
- Admins: Sarah Marchant (Principal) and Brie Karow (Assistant Principal)
Inevitably, both teachers and students may run into some tech challenges, and often these are out of our control. Be kind to yourselves in these moments. The teachers will be understanding!
- If you think a tech issue may be a class-specific issue (link, for example), please email the teacher directly.
- If there is a technology issue with a district-owned device, please email: help.desk@reading.k12.ma.us. Your request will be assigned to a district tech specialist.
- If there are any password issues, please remind your child that they have created a list of passwords, which should exist both online and in their agendas. They should refer to these to double check that they are using the correct one. If the password still does not work, please email Matthew Darling (matthew.darling@reading.k12.ma.us).
Remote Library Book Pick Up & Drop Off Schedule: A Message from Miss Masone, Library Media Specialist
Hello everyone! We have developed a Library schedule to get books to students during remote learning.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30-3:30 students can pick up books they put on hold and bring back book returns. I'll be out front of the school for an easy pickup!
Books will be placed in baggies with each student’s name.
Students can still check out up to 3 books for 3 weeks.
Students will need to create a library account and put their books on hold. Information on how to do so can be found in the two links below:
Library Account and Holds Video Tutorial
Library Account and Holds Paper Tutorial
Students who do not have their barcode, want book recommendations, or have any questions and concerns please contact me, Miss Masone at ashley.masone@reading.k12.ma.us
Staples Rewards
Another option is to send in your Staples receipt to a teacher directly, and they can bring it to Staples for a reward!
RESOURCE SECTION
Did you know that all students can receive free breakfast and lunch?
Health & Safety Guidelines
Additional 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; the form helps with other things as well!)
- Reading Food Pantry linked here.
- Project Bread link here.
SEPAC Updates/ Information
SEPAC Events:
SEPAC Meeting (including Board elections)
THIS Tuesday, October 27 - 7:00 PM
The meeting agenda is available here
Virtual meeting: Oct 27 Meeting Link
Understanding the IEP Workshop
October 29 - 6:00 PM
You must pre-register by clicking here
Transition Planning Workshop
November 2 - 6:00 PM
You must pre-register by clicking here.
Virtual support Chat for Reading SEPAC Members
November 5 - 7:30 PM
Email SEPACREADING@gmail.com for the meeting link
Presentation on Facilitated Team Meetings and Mediation Services
Nov 17 - 7:00 PM
Meeting link forthcoming
DESE Guidance about COVID-19 Compensatory Services
How to Translate This Newsletter
- Portuguese: Na caixa preta na parte superior do boletim, selecione Traduzir Boletim informativo para escolher o idioma desejado.
- Spanish: En el cuadro de Negro en la parte superior del boletín de noticias, seleccione Traducir Boletín de escoger el idioma deseado.
Vietnamese: Trong hộp đen ở đầu bản tin, chọn Dịch bản tin để chọn ngôn ngữ mong muốn
Polish: W czarnym polu u góry biuletynu wybierz Przetłumacz biuletyn, aby wybrać żądany język
Now, more than ever, show your school pride and purchase some Coolidge spirit wear!
Contact Us
Brienne Karow, Assistant Principal (x12302)
Marianna Zanni, Administrative Assistant (x12303)
Karen Mungenast, School Secretary (x12304)
Cindy Ventura, School Nurse (x12305)
Matthew Darling, Technology Integration Specialist (matthew.darling@reading.k12.ma.us)
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