THE PARKER WEEKLY PREVIEW
Week of January 25, 2021
Brought to you by, Richele Shankland, Principal
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.
- Arabic : في المربع الأسود في أعلى النشرة الإخبارية، حدد ترجمة الرسالة الإخبارية لاختيار اللغة المطلوبة.
- Vietnamese: Trong hộp đen ở phía trên cùng của bản tin, chọn dịch ký nhận để chọn ngôn ngữ mong muốn.
Swahili: Katika sanduku nyeusi juu ya jarida, chagua Jarida la Tafsiri ili kuchagua lugha taka.
A Message from the Principal
I hope you had the opportunity, as I did, to watch the Beloved Community event last Monday on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Special thanks to the Human Relations Advisory Committee for making it happen! What a wonderful celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as well as a message of hope. I'd also like to acknowledge the thoughtful participation by Parker students Cole, Sam and Homeroom 108A!
I also watched the impressive 22 year old National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman read her impactful poem, "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration. I watched it numerous times and it struck me so profoundly every time. What an exceptional role model for our children and beautiful message of hope: "there is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it."
I think it is also important to acknowledge the swearing in of the United States' first female, first Black American, first South Asian American Vice President, Kamala Harris. This is such a special moment in history! As a female leader, I find this inspirational for not only myself but hopefully our students too!
Have a nice weekend!
Mrs. Shankland
The Week Ahead
January 25 -29: Week B
Students can refer to their Week B Schedule for this week.
See the lunch menu HERE. Breakfast & lunch are FREE everyday for the rest of the school year!
Important Upcoming Dates:
January 29 - Quarter 2 Closes
February 1 - Quarter 3 Begins
February 15-19 - Winter Break (no school)
2020-2021 Parker Dates of Interest
For the district calendar (which includes Cohort A and B weeks for the year), click here.
Reading Education Foundation - Relief Funds Awarded!
New Session of Study Buddies!
Parker Service: January Service Project
During the month of January, the Parker Service Group will be collecting donations for our furry and feathery friends in need at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. There are a number of ways to help, but we we will be collecting items on their wish list until the end of January. There will be a box located in the lobby of the school for your donations. Click HERE for the wish list. Information will be advertised on Parker News as well!
New...A Therapeutic Resource for Families!
CLICK HERE to find out more!
A Message from the Special Education Office
Dear Families,
We have enjoyed meeting with families during this time and encourage you to sign up if you have any questions or concerns for us. Please use the link below to select a time to meet with us. 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.
Office Hours for January
Monday 1/25 @ 10-11 am
Link to the Doodle Poll to sign up for Office Hours:
https://doodle.com/poll/pc8hemvgiwr8nn34?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link
Jen and Allison
Attention Grade 8: RMHS Arts Presentation
For those of you who missed the meeting regarding RMHS arts offerings...
Here are all of the handouts, including a recording of the Teams presentation, a PDF of the slides, a four-year overview of a typical student's schedule, and an excerpt of the fine and performing arts section of the high school's program of studies.
PTO Update
The Parker PTO is proud to share with our community the ways in which the PTO will be enriching our students’ learning. The 8th graders will be receiving IXL Math and ELA, both are online programs that support the curriculum and give students access to adaptive practice and the teachers to monitor their progress. The 6th graders will now receive IXL ELA (they already have IXL math). We are providing funding for a new TEQ Smartboard. In addition, we will pay for a subscription to Noteflight, an online program for music teachers to compose, record, assess, and share music with students on any device and access to lessons. Lastly, we will purchase 100 copies of the anti-racism book, This Book Is Anti-Racist by Tiffany Jewell, that will be used in advisory to support discussions on this topic. Thank you to everyone for your continued support of the PTO. None of this would be possible without you!
The next PTO meeting is February 3 at 7:00 pm. (Zoom Link)
See the agenda HERE.
Please join us!
SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)
Please join the SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) at our next business meeting on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 7:00 PM! New business for this meeting includes an update from our reading/literacy subcommittee and a brief presentation by Alice Gomez, School Psychologist, on community resources, followed by a parent discussion regarding the same. Please join us for this presentation and discussion 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, February 9th at 7 PM.
Meeting link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/85040562548
Please also join us for our next VIRTUAL Reading and Literacy Subcommittee Meeting
on Tuesday, February 2nd at 7PM.
Meeting link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/87835232197
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)
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.
Reading Public Schools Offer Free Meals In & Out of School!
FREE MEALS FOR STUDENTS BOTH IN AND OUT OF SCHOOL!
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 until the end of June.
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, in your home is meal distribution. This may include remote learners, 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, at the bridge of Reading Memorial High School on Wednesdays from 2:30 – 3:30 pm or Friday from 11:00 am – 12:00 noon.
Your family may participate in BOTH options. Students can eat at school and receive Meal Distribution for the remote days and weekend meals that your family is entitled to.
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
Free & Reduced Lunch Application -
The standard breakfast and lunch is free for all through the rest of this year! See the lunch menu HERE. It's also on the Parker website.
Virtual Clubs
GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance)
Email Ms. Gilbert if you are interested (sarah.gilbert@reading.k12.ma.us). Meetings take place via Zoom on Week A Mondays at 3:00pm.
We The Change!
We have a new name! Our name is a play on the start of the U.S. Constitution, while also driving home the idea that students have the voices and ideas of our future and can "be the change" we need. Interested students should reach out to the advisors: hannah.mulkern@reading.k12.ma.us or terri.bello@reading.k12.ma.us for more information.
Parker Service
Please reach out to kimberly.peterson@reading.k12.ma.us know if you're interested in joining! Meetings take place on Week A Tuesdays starting at 2:35pm.
BOLD
Do you want to learn about female empowerment? Join BOLD.
Please email- Riley.murphy@rdgstudent.com if you would like to sign up or hear more information about what BOLD entails.
District Information - COVID-19
14-10-7 day Quarantine (NEW as of 12/14)
Self-Quarantine Tips (NEW as of 12/14)
RPS District Resource Flow Chart
Reading Public Health Department is launching the "Mask Up Reading" awareness campaign as COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the state. The town has remained moderate risk, but health officials said they are seeing a "concerning increase" in coronavirus cases.
"Mask Up Reading" aims to help keep community awareness high, provide guidance on a continual basis and render aid as needed. Notifications will appear on the Readingma.gov website, social media pages, SeeClickFix City notices, email notices and on signs across town.
The town 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).
COVID Test-We want to thank all of our parents for their support and cooperation if you have a positive case in your family. As a health reminder if your child is having a COVID test as a requirement for quarantine, they must continue to quarantine even if the test is negative. If your child is exhibiting COVID symptoms or is returning from out of state travel, they cannot return in person to school until their test is negative. If your child is getting a COVID test for any reason, they may not attend school prior to receiving the results of a test. The reason for this is that children are often asymptomatic for the COVID-19 virus and may be carrying the virus which can spread to others.
Check here to get more information about our community
Anyone traveling to a higher risk area must complete a travel form and quarantine for 14 days unless they have a negative test within 72 hours of return/entry.
See COVID-19 Travel Order for details.
Click here to access the Reading School Nurses Virtual Health Office
Massachusetts Deptartment of Public Health website
CDC website
Family Resources
Please be reminded of these amazing resources, if your family is in need:
- COVID-19 Resource Flyer linked here. (new)
- RPS District Resource Flow Chart linked here. (new)
- Finding support to address substance misuse linked here. (new)
- Mental Health Support - Interface linked here. (updated)
- Mental Health Resource Sheet linked here. (new)
- RPS Behavioral Health Resources linked here.
- Town of Reading: compiled resources linked here.
- RCASA and Mental Health Support linked here.
- St. Vincent de Paul linked here.
- Reading Food Pantry linked here.
- Project Bread link here.
Walter S. Parker Middle School
Richele Shankland, Principal (x13301)
Brendan Norton, Asst. Principal (x13302)
Diane Finigan, Administrative Assistant (x13300)
Email: richele.shankland@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: www.reading.k12.ma.us/parker
Location: 45 Temple Street, Reading, MA 01867
Phone: (781)944-1236
Twitter: @WSParkerMS