Principal Rubino's Weekly Update
W.S. Parker Middle School Newsletter; Friday, Feb. 3, 2023
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Dear Parker Middle School Families,
This month we celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month was created to honor all the great contributions and the influence of African Americans in this country and around the world. Originally started in 1926 as a week-long recognition of African Americans' contributions to society, the date fell during the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Every day this month, Parker News Live highlights a prominent figure in Black culture. This month we begin with celebrating Black scientists, inventors, artists, musicians, activists, and athletes from the past but also highlighting those who are currently paving the way for us all to break down barriers and achieve greatness!
This past Wednesday, seventh and eighth grade students visited with motivational speaker, Anthony Valentine. Mr. Valentine inspired students to think about their legacy and their impact on their community. He challenged students to consider who they are beneath their skin and impressed upon them what it means to act with kindness and have a mindset where we learn from our mistakes and take ownership for ourselves and our world.
After his speech, Mr. Valentine visited with students for small group conversations and spent time mingling with students during lunches. We are so grateful for his visit and work with students. Our hope is to continue to build upon his message through our Advisory classes. Please see below for more pictures from his visit.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday, Feb. 6
RMHS visits with 8th grade students at Parker Middle School
Wednesday, Feb. 8
- Principal's Student Council after school in cafeteria
Friday, Feb. 10
Early Release at 12:30 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 13
School Council at 7 p.m. via Zoom (please note the time change)
Friday, Feb. 17
- Playing for Parker - Various times throughout the day; students only
Wednesday, March 29
- Urban Improv Rehearsals for Life Family and Community Event @ 7 p.m. at Parker Middle School
To access the 2022-2023 District Calendar, click here.
Anthony Valentine motivates students to build kindness, community
Purchase your tickets for Parker's Musical
Come and view the production in person or live stream the show from home on March 9th at 6:30pm, March 10th at 7:00pm or March 10th at 2pm. With 100 students involved in this year’s production, tickets will sell out, so get them while they last. Support these students and get your tickets at https://www.showtix4u.com/events/19736.
Want a sneak peak of the show? Follow Parker Drama on Facebook for exciting content and a peak into our world! https://www.facebook.com/ParkerDramaClub
Urban Improv Rehearsals for Life Family and Community Night
Wednesday, Mar 29, 2023, 07:00 PM
Parker Middle School, Temple Street, Reading, MA, USA
News from the PTO
📌 The next Parker PTO meeting has been moved to Tuesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at Parker Middle School and via Zoom: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/89440949482. All are welcome! Take a sneak peek at our upcoming agenda: https://tinyurl.com/PTOMar2023
🎉 PTO Shout-out! Thanks to Kate McLeod for organizing some of our recent Parker restaurant nights! We appreciate our Parker community supporting these local businesses and the Parker PTO.
📌 Ask your 7th & 8th graders about motivational speaker Anthony Valentine who visited Parker and spoke with them on Wednesday, February 1!
Thanks to your dues, we are able to book some exciting enrichment programs for Parker students (see below for more of what’s coming up!) There’s still time to pay dues if you’d like to support these efforts. Suggested donation is $100 per family but any amount is appreciated.
Dues can be paid by check (made out to Parker PTO) and sent into the office, or via PayPal: @ParkerPTO or paypal.me/parkerpto
📌 Have you been curious about PTO? Now’s your chance to find out more info! We are currently recruiting for board members for the 2023-2024 school year. Grab some friends work with you - it’s more fun with a group! Please reach out to learn more: parkerptopres@gmail.com
Upcoming events!
- SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, April 25, 2023: All-school enrichment: Rob Surette - http://www.amazingheroart.com/
- SAVE THE DATE! Friday, May 12, 2023: 6th grade enrichment: Alastair Moock - https://moockmusic.com/education/
- SAVE THE DATE! Wednesday, May 31, 2023: Parker at the Red Sox! Stay tuned for ticket sales.
Scenes from the GSA Social
Auditions for High School Jazz Band/Stage Band
High School Jazz Band/Stage band auditions (for current 8th graders) are on February 13th and 14th. Please use the following link to see instructions and print the music. Audition music is the same for both the Stage Band And Jazz Band. Stage band meets after school one day a week. Jazz band meets during the school day and rehearses outside of the school as well. If you are interested in jazz, be sure to audition! Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity.
Playing for Parker
This year, students will be participating in our annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament, at Parker, with all money proceeds supporting the Parker PTO. Students are also allowed to bring in canned goods to be donated to the Reading Food Pantry in lieu of a monetary donation. If choosing to donate money, each student can donate a minimum of $5 in order to participate in the tournament, with 100% of the money raised going directly to the Parker PTO. In case of financial hardship, please contact Mrs. Rubino or Mr. Peledge and arrangements can be made so as not to preclude your student from taking part in the tournament.
Please make all checks payable directly to “Parker PTO.”
The tournament will take place on Friday, February 17th, during the regular school day to better allow all students who are interested in participating to be part of this fun day!
Please return a team sheet with participant’s names, parent signature, and donations to Mr. Gibbs or Mrs. Esdra, by Thursday February 9th, 2023.
Save the Date. Bullying: What Parents Need to Know. Virtual Training
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 7pm, via zoom: Click here to register (you MUST pre-register to get the zoom link) Parents and professionals are welcome to join this extremely important discussion which will cover the following topics: What is bullying? What are the school’s legal obligations to prevent and address bullying? What are some strategies and tools for dealing with bullying? How to address bullying on the IEP? Additional Opportunities:
Reminder that SEPAC events are open to all! For much more information about SEPAC and the opportunities mentioned above, click here for our latest newsletter.
We encourage you to join SEPAC's mailing list, follow SEPAC on Facebook, and follow SEPAC on Instagram
More Free Math Tutoring Available
Nurse Kate's Corner
Wintertime and Head Lice
Winter is a time that we sometimes see cases of head lice at school. Here is some information that may be helpful:
- Lice spread through head-to-head contact. They need a host to survive and do not live on surfaces for long.
- Remind your students to hang their coats, hats, and scarves in their cubbies and not to share these items. They should also be reminded not to share hairbrushes, barrettes, and headbands.
- Posing for selfies with friends is another way lice may travel head-to-head.
- For students with long hair, it is recommended that hair be worn up or in a ponytail or braid.
- Get into the habit of checking your student’s head for nits or lice, especially if you notice that they are exhibiting behaviors such as scratching or complaining of itchiness.
If you do find any evidence of lice, please know that they do not spread disease and there are effective ways to get rid of the lice. If I suspect your child has lice while they are at school, I will call you to discuss treatment options. Use this link for more information about lice from the CDC website.
RPS Link for covid protocols:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1elPaQ0NdUgL70-t7qYQBErWeUGKdTCYi7Bb79_IMLOE/edit?usp=sharing
Testing Positive for COVID-19 Children and staff who test positive must isolate for at least 5 days. The day of the positive test or the start of symptoms is day 0. Students and staff may return to school: After 5 days (on day 6) if they have been asymptomatic or symptoms have resolved and they...
docs.google.com
To report absences...
Order your yearbook
The online site is now ready to take orders for yearbooks. See the information below.
Parker Middle School’s full color, 48-page yearbook features portraits of your friends, teachers and administrators, school events, groups and clubs. This keepsake will leave you with a lasting memory of your 2022-2023 year. All grades are represented.
Please note, you may be prompted to create an account before you purchase. Yearbooks are $24 plus a small service fee. Due to anticipated supply chain delays, the last day to order your book is May 5, 2023. The link to order is below.
School ID: 710308
Reach out to Robyn Ferrazzani with any questions.
🍃🏵 🍃🏵 🍃🏵 🍃🏵
Mark your calendars!
Please mark your calendars for MCAS testing dates:
Grade 8 ELA: Tuesday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 5
Grade 7 ELA: Monday, April 10 and Tuesday, April 11
Grade 6 ELA: Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13
Grade 8 Math: Tuesday, May 2 and Wednesday, May 3
Grade 7 Math: Thursday, May 4 and Friday, May 5
Grade 6 Math: Tuesday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 10
Grade 8 STE: Tuesday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 17
Reading METCO Found Family Program
Resources and Documents for Families
About us
Principal
Mr. Jason Peledge
Assistant Principal
Email: rochelle.rubino@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.reading.k12.ma.us/parker/
Location: 45 Temple Street, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-944-1236
Twitter: @WSParkerMS