The RISE Report
Weekly Newsletter, January 1, 2023
Welcome back! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and enjoyed some time with family and friends. As we ring in 2023, we wish all our families a very healthy and happy New Year!
It's hard to believe, but we are gearing up for the second half of the year and preparing for next year! We are excited to begin the preschool registration process for the 2023/2024 school year. This newsletter contains important information for the parents/guardians of students who will be returning to preschool for the 2023/24 school year and those who will be moving onto kindergarten. Also, along with the registration packet for NEW families (which is linked below), updated information about our preschool classrooms and tuition for next school year will be posted on our website later this week, so stay tuned!
Returning Preschool Students (students who will be 4 by August 31, 2023)
If your child is a tuition-based student returning to preschool in the fall of 2023, please click here to complete a google form. This form will allow you to sign up for the same program your child is currently in, or request a change to another program. (Please note we have limited spaces for program transfers and reserve the right to use a lottery if multiple students are interested in the same spot). Priority for class placement is given to all returning students who submit this form by February 17, 2023.
If your child attends our preschool through an Individual Educational Plan (IEP), his or her program placement will be determined by their Special Education Team at their next IEP meeting.
Students Entering Kindergarten in Fall of 2023 (students who will be 5 by August 31, 2023)
You must register your child for kindergarten, even if they have been a preschool student in Reading. If your child will be entering kindergarten in the 2023/2024 school year, please visit our district website to access the school registration form. The form will be available beginning January 4, 2023. Kindly submit the form and the requested supporting documents to the Superintendent’s office at 82 Oakland Road, Reading, MA 01867. Reach out with any questions regarding kindergarten registration to RPSStudentRegistration@reading.k12.ma.us.
Any questions regarding the preschool registration process or our programming can be directed to me at joanne.king@reading.k12.ma.us
Sincerely,
Joanne King, Ed.D.
Interim RISE Preschool Director
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.
For the 2023-24 school year, we will be offering 5 full-day, 3 full-day, and 4 half-day programs at three locations including RMHS, Wood End Elementary and Killam Elementary Schools. Locations and times are subject to change.
If you have questions about our programs, you are welcome to contact Dr. King.
Kindergarten Information for Our 5 Year-Olds
Learn more about the Reading Public Schools kindergarten program and the registration process by checking out the district website. Families can sign up for email updates and receive a zoom link for a virtual kindergarten information session this Wednesday, January 4, 7:00-8:00 PM. Please sign up!
PTN News Corner
PTN Elected Board Members:
Congratulations to the following parents who have volunteered their time and energy to lead this group:
- Co-Presidents: Meghann Cerratani & Diana Gil
- Vice-President: Rachel Bramante
- Secretary: Corey Mathison
- Treasurer: Courtney Martinello
We will be sending updates via email and on Facebook as we continue planning for the year, so stay tuned! If you have not already joined, check out RISE PTN 2022-2023 on Facebook! This is a private Facebook group so you will need to ask to join. Corey Mathison is the administrator of the group and is eager to welcome more RISE families!
Dues Drive:
This is also the time of year when dues are collected from each family to support the work of the PTN. The suggested amount is $35 per family. We hope you can help as we have very limited funds to start this year off.
PTN Meeting Dates for 2022-2023:
PTN members agreed to hold meetings virtually via Zoom on Monday evenings, 7:30-8:30 PM. Meeting dates for the remainder of the year will be on:
- January 9 on ZOOM
- February 27
- April 3
- May 22
- The end-of-year celebration is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, June 7
If you have any questions, or interest in volunteering this year to support our PTN, please reach out to any of our PTN board members listed above. We welcome everyone to join!
Notes from Our Nurse
For the health and safety of all students, 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.
- Vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours
- Infectious illnesses such as strep throat or conjunctivitis 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. Additional COVID tests are available in the health office if needed.
New month, new year, new bitmoji room of fun activities for home! We have had a rather warm start to the New Year, but I imagine we will see some snow before winter is over. This month’s bitmoji room includes some outdoor activities for a snowy day as well as a couple of things to try indoors. Feel free to reach out if you need these activities tweaked to meet your family’s needs.
Have a great month!
Linda Boyages, OT #1537
Occupational Therapist
RISE Preschool
Latest News from SEPAC
SEPAC works for the understanding of, respect for, and support of
all children with special needs in the community.
Coming Soon: Special Needs Planning with Attorney Lisa Cukier of Burns & Levinson on Tuesday, January 17th at 7 pm.
For much more information about the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, click here for our latest newsletter. We encourage you to join SEPAC's mailing list, follow SEPAC on Facebook, and follow SEPAC on Instagram
Important Dates Coming Up:
January
1: Happy New Year!
2: No school for students & staff
3: School resumes...welcome back!
4: Registration opens for Kindergarten and Preschool, 2023-24
Virtual Kindergarten Information Session via Zoom, 7-8 PM
5: School Committee Meeting FY24 Budget Presentation, 7:00 PM
9: School Committee Meeting FY24 Budget Presentation continues, 7:00 PM; PTN General Meeting via Zoom, 7:30-8:30 PM
16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No school
23: Progress reports sent to families
31: Kindergarten registration night at RMHS, 6:00-7:00 PM
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