The Coolidge Family Newsletter
The Week of June 15, 2020
Brought to you by Sarah Marchant, Principal
Calendar (All 8th grade events are in the next section)
June 15: 11:00 - 7:00: All-school "Scavenger Hunt" (fun end of year activity!). See info below!
June 16: 6th Grade LIVE Awards Ceremony; A link will be sent prior! Please plan on attending your team's LIVE event!
- Team Explorer: 10:00 AM
- Team Voyager: 10:30 AM
June 17: 7th Grade LIVE Awards Ceremony: 11:00 AM. A link will be sent prior! Please plan on attending this LIVE event!
June 18 from 1 - 2:30: Award pick-up for those grade 6 & 7 students who won end of year awards.
June 19: Last day of school; 11:00 end of day for students; 2:35 end of day for teachers.
8th Grade Schedule of Events
June 17: Virtual 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony followed by the 8th grade slide show: 6:00 PM start!
- The invitation to the promotion ceremony can be found here.
- If families are able, I recommend trying to make it as special as you can at home. Some ideas: gather the student's favorite snacks and treats or dinner; have a "viewing party" on Teams or Zoom and watch it with friends; get dressed up and take pictures prior, as you would normally.
June 18 from 10 - 12: 8th grade "Drive Through" to pick up end of year items and to be celebrated following your official promotion! Feel free to decorate your car! Contents of the pickup will include: promotion certificate, yearbooks, any awards received during the promotion ceremony, a promotion gift from the PTO
Drive-through times (based on last name):- 10:00 - 10:30: A - E
- 10:30 - 11:00: F - L
- 11:00 - 11:30: M - P
- 11:30 - 12:00: Q - Z
Directions/ Guidelines:
- Follow a similar route to what we had set up for locker pickup, BUT there is no stop by the gym, just a stop at the front of the school to get your bags.
- Decorate your cars if you'd like!
- Let us know who is in the car somehow (sign in window, car decoration) so that we can readily know who we are cheering for, and whose "stuff" we are grabbing!
- Drive slow so we can say hello!
- Students ideally are in the front seat. If they can open their window, we'd love to see their faces! No need to wear a mask until we are hanging you your items.
Message #1 from Principal Marchant: Racial Justice and Action
I wanted to let you know that the Coolidge staff have been having some rich conversations about the recent events in our nation, about systemic racism, about racial justice, and about what we can do moving forward to lean into more of these conversations with each other and our students in a safe and productive way... and what we can do to act! We feel that these conversations and topics are so important for us all to try to engage in, for the betterment of ourselves as individuals, our community, and the nation as a whole. We will be continuing our conversations through the summer with the goal of being better prepared and organized for setting up a safe space for these conversations with students in the fall.
In addition, Ms. Karow and I, as well as some Coolidge staff, will be at the Rally for Racial Justice later today! Please say hello if you are also there!
I also want to extend thanks and appreciation for our Reading Police Department and the clear messages and actions of Chief Clark. We are also so appreciative of our School Resource Officers Matt Vatcher and Brian Lewis, who are role models for our students. Their actions speak to the care and safety with which officers hold for the well-being of all of our youth. Thank you!
Sarah Marchant
Message #2 from Principal Marchant: Joy in Imperfection
ALL-SCHOOL SCAVENGER HUNT MONDAY!
Where is the best place to hold a scavenger hunt? Why not right in your own neighborhood! We've put together a list of fun and challenging items for you to locate, photograph, and then post. Family members are encouraged to join. So get outside and start hunting! Who knows, you might even win a gift card!
The Goal
Take a picture of everything on the list by walking, biking, etc. around your neighborhood.
Be safe and practice social distancing during your adventure!
The List
The list of 20 "items" will be posted on June 15th at 11 am on the Team Discovery Google Classroom.
Take one picture of each item on the list
No borrowing from other participant’s posts or sharing photos. If the same exact photo is used by two people, you may be disqualified. But you can each take your own if you are traveling together.
No drawing of items
If you can’t find an item please do not draw it and take a picture or take pictures from online. Sidewalk drawings and painted windows of neighbors properties are the exception.
Entries are due by 7pm
Please submit your 20 items to the Coolidge Instagram page @cmsperocks
If you didn't get all 20, please still submit what you were able to find! We'd love to hear from all of you!
One entry per person
Please post once with all of your pictures
Winners
There will be three winners per grade level: the first two people to submit 20 correct photos by grade level, and then one random drawing for a third person who participated (who may not have submitted the fastest or have gotten all 20 items). The winners will receive gift cards provided by the PTO. We will post the winners asap.
The Art Show is Here!
School Supply Lists for 2020-2021 are now Available!
Four Student Poems Published
Girls Gym Locker Contents: Missing Items!
A Message from our Reading Public Library Teen Librarians!
The Reading Public Library is excited to announce its 2020 Summer Reading Program called Reading Together held June 19-August 22. The program is very different from years past as it takes into account COVID 19 precautions (social distancing, etc.) and focuses on supporting the community. It's open to all ages! We're excited and wanted to directly share a promotional video in lieu of our traditional school visits. More detailed information can be found on the library's summer reading page: www.readingpl.org/summer-reading
Also, we've got a lineup of virtual summer programs. One highlight, if you know any students interested in writing, they won't want to miss the following: So You Want to Write a Novel 2-part workshop July 27 & 30.
If you have any questions, please reach out. Best wishes in these last couple weeks of school. Thinking of you all!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JpanSlgz65jJ9O6ZETskrWJdpK3NVhLd/view?usp=sharing
Thank you,
Renee & Susan
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Teen Services Librarians: Susan L. Beauregard, MLS & Renee Smith, MSLIS
Reading Public Library
Mrs. Steinhauser to Retire
Mrs. Steinhauser has been at Coolidge for 16 years. Her job fills our traditional library role, but it goes way beyond as well. She teaches two 8th grade electives, a 6th grade "Library Media" class, as well as an 8th grade enrichment class. She runs an after school Minecraft club, which is extremely popular. She writes and sings songs for our morning announcements, runs the book fair, brings in authors and illustrators to present to and work with students. She collaborates with colleagues on projects, including (but certainly not limited to) the 8th grade health fair project this year. She has served as a team leader for two years. And she is always looking to engage, inspire, and connect with kids as well as adults. She will be missed and has big shoes to fill! Please join me in wishing her well in her retirement, which I hope is filled with all that she loves outside of Coolidge!
RESOURCE SECTION
Summer Reading!
- Middle School Summer Reading list, as well as many supportive resources, can be found here.
- Ms. Steinhauser made a video to help families explore the summer reading resources. It can be found here.
- The high school summer reading list is filled with great titles. It is not mandatory this year, but we hope our 8th graders take the opportunity! It can be found here.
New Family Resource: Residential Assistance
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; please just contact: danielle.collins@reading.k12.ma.us so she knows to expect you!)
- Reading Food Pantry linked here.
- Project Bread link here.
Vaping Webinar Recording
Reading Kids Connect
Is your child feeling bored or lonely? Reading Kids Connect mentors are here for you. Reading Kids Connect pairs passionate, dedicated RMHS students and alumni with younger students (ages 7-15) for virtual video sessions. We can provide creative, personalized activities and extracurricular learning, homework help, wisdom, and compassion. Parents who need it can take a break. For mentors, this is a great volunteer opportunity and a chance to make a difference for a Reading family. To find a mentor or to volunteer, visit Reading Kids Connect on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Reading-Kids-Connect-101332944920250/
Our Fun Coolidge Videos!
Reading Public Schools Remote Learning Plan: May 4 - June 19
Now, more than ever, show your school pride and purchase some Coolidge spirit wear!
Contact Us
Brienne Karow, Assistant Principal (x121302)
Marianna Zanni, Administrative Assistant (x121303)
Karen Mungenast, School Secretary (x121304)
Cindy Ventura, School Nurse (x121305)
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