The Coolidge Family Newsletter
Weekly Update: September 20, 2021
Brought to you by Sarah Marchant, Principal
A Message from Principal Marchant
Whether you watch online or attend in person, it is helpful if you know your child's core Team, so ask them before you arrive! The detailed plan for the evening can be found here. An "At a Glance" summary is:
- 6:00 - 6:30: Administrative Welcome & Overview/ PTO Welcome (Coolidge Cafeteria): in order to reduce congestion, we would like to prioritize this welcome to the parents who have not yet had a chance to hear Mrs. Marchant's welcome in the past. (The building/classrooms are NOT open during this time)
- 6:35 - 6:55: Team Discovery Overview (Wellness, Art, Music, Technology, Library, Band, Chorus). Similar to Mrs. Marchant's presentation, we would like to invite parents new to this presentation to attend. (Classrooms are available to visit during this time and for the remainder of the evening)
- 7:00 - 7:30: 6th grade Voyager & Explorer presentations; Grade 7 Gemini; Grade 7 Pegasus; Grade 8 Infinity (math)
- 7:30 - 8:00: Grade 8 Gemini; Grade 8 Polaris; Grade 7 Infinity (math) (6th grade families have nothing scheduled after 7:30!)
- 8:00: the evening concludes.
Parents/ caregivers can attend the portions of the evening they feel are most relevant to them!
Holding an in-person event is a special opportunity, yet we want to make sure that the evening is safe as possible. To that end, everyone in attendance must wear a well-fitted mask. Please also don't linger or congregate indoors, and depart when you no longer are attending a presentation or visiting classrooms. We also recommend that if you have seen the Administrative or Team Discovery presentations in a prior year that you do not attend again so as to reduce congestion (that being said, we will not stop anyone from attending, of course!).
Upcoming Dates of Note
September 15 - October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month! Various activities are happening around the building to educate and celebrate!
September 20: Picture Day! Students should bring back their completed picture order forms!
September 23:
- Early Release (12:30 dismissal)
- Middle Level Evening Open House (parents/ caregivers): 6:00 - 8:00 PM
September 24: Coolidge/ Reading Spirit Day! Wear any Coolidge gear, Reading gear, or Reading colors (Red/Black/White)! This will begin our "Homeroom Belt of Pride" challenge; the homeroom with the most spirit will keep the belt until the next challenge!
September 30 from 2:00 - 4:00: Vaccine Clinic #2 @ Coolidge.
October 1 from 8:00 - 8:45 AM: Parent Coffee with Superintendent Milaschewski, Assistant Superintendents Hardy & Stys, Principal Marchant and Assistant Principal Karow (Coolidge Library)
October 11: No School (Columbus Day)
October 22: Early Release (12:30)
November 4: Picture Make-Up Day
To access the District Calendar, click here. Please make note of the middle level early release dates, which are marked in blue.
For a full list of ALL important Coolidge dates at Coolidge (printable for your fridge), click here.
Photos from the Week
Busy Library after school!
Games at Lunch
Team Pegasus is Connected
Building art as a democracy
Defining Civics and the Forms of Government
Building art as a Oligarchy
NEW NEWS
After School Activities: Update!
- Chime Choir will begin on September 28. Please see Ms. Webster in D201 for a sign-up form!
- Acapella auditions will be held on September 28 and the group will meet on Mondays after school. The sign-up sheet for auditions is located outside of Ms. Wistrom's office (D201).
- There is an informational meeting for the 2021-2022 Coolidge Musical (you're going to love what it is!) on Monday, September 27 from 2:45 - 4:00 in the Cafeteria. Anyone interested in being in the production, be it on stage or behind the scenes, should plan on attending! At the meeting, more information will be shared about the musical itself, auditions, time commitment, etc. Everyone who auditions will be given a part; it's a great way to get involved and the productions are amazing!!
- The Coolidge "UED" Club (Unity, Equity, and Diversity) is the club that celebrates and embraces all of our diversity at Coolidge. This year, we are combining our GSA with the UED clubs, as both have similar visions and missions! Interested students are welcome to attend the first meeting on Tuesday, September 21 at 2:35 in the Cafeteria.
- The Minecraft Club will meet on Mondays from 2:40 - 3:40 in person starting in a couple of weeks. The club is limited to the first 20 students who return their sign-up forms and submit payment. To learn more, please read this guide. Then print this form and return the second page (filled out), along with payment, to the Coolidge main office.
- Jazz Band auditions will be held on October 26 from 2:45 - 6:00. More info to come!
The library is now open after school from 2:30 - 3:15 for any students who want to have a place to work or read. It has started out as hugely popular, which is fantastic! Thanks to our PTO for funding this opportunity!
HCT (Homework Completion Time) is now under way for grades 7 & 8. When a student hasn't completed their homework at all or to the teacher's satisfaction, they may get assigned HCT in order to complete it (and therefore to not get behind). Students who receive HCT are expected to notify their caregivers. Postponement for a valid reason is allowed. And if a student is unable to stay after school, we will find another way to support their homework completion. This program won't start for 6th grade until after Columbus Day weekend.
I will continue to update this list as clubs begin! As a reminder, we are in search of a Math Team coach (Thursday afternoons for one hour) and a Science Team coach (more of a time commitment, but we would work with whomever it is on their schedule to make it work!).
Covid Cases at Coolidge
Mask Wearing at Coolidge & Regular Breaks
PAST NEWS THAT MAY STILL BE HELPFUL
6th Grade: Door Entry/ Exit Change
Yearly Caregiver Forms Due on Plus Portals
Primary contacts will receive the "2021-2022 Pupil Information Form". This form includes the Acceptable Use Policy, nurse preferences, etc. All students need their caregivers to fill out this form!
All contacts will be able to fill out the "Contacts Info Update Form". This is where all caregivers can verify that their contact information is correct.
To receive guidance on how to access these forms, click here.
Consent for Covid Testing @ School
The district is asking that all caregivers fill out the form linked here to either give consent or to decline. Thank you!
We have had some questions regarding what to do in various situations related to Covid. Our head, nurse, Mary Giuliana, shared with me this AMAZING flow chart that helps to explain how various forms of testing will be used, as well as what people should do if considered to be close contacts (or have Covid). The flow chart can be found here, or click on the link below!
The only thing I would like to add clarification to is that those who can participate in "test and stay" must A) have signed up for all testing, and B) been a close contact due to a school-based exposure. Outside exposures, such as family or non-school extracurriculars do not count.
Free & Reduced Lunch Application & *SHARE FORM
In a typical year, the cost of meals are free or reduced for those who qualify using the "Free & Reduced Lunch" application. The application actually has more benefits than just breakfast/ lunch. If families fill out the form (p. 11), as well as the "Share" form on page 10, then those who qualify can also qualify for assistance for things like after school activities and field trips.
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! Click here to access the form.
SEPAC Updates
Please join the SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) at our next business meeting on Tuesday, September 14th at 7:00 PM in the RMHS Library & Media Center. The meeting will include a presentation and discussion on the results of the spring survey about future SEPAC presentation topics, discussion whether the SEPAC literacy/reading subcommittee should continue or disband; appointment of an election coordinator volunteer, nominations of candidates for the 2021/2022 SEPAC board, and if time permits, parent discussion about 2021 summer camp/activity experiences. All are welcome and ENCOURAGED to attend!
Future meeting: Our annual Basic Rights Workshop. Please see this Flyer for more information on the Basic Rights Workshop: Understanding the IEP. This workshop will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 7:00 PM. Participants must register for this event via the link on the flyer.
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.
Family/ Caregiver Resources
Help Wanted!
Office Procedures for Students: Absent, Tardy, Early Dismissal, etc.
Absence/Tardy- If a student is absent or tardy, please call the absentee/tardy line before 8:00 a.m. at 781-942-9158, press 1, and follow the prompts.
Dismissal- If a student is to be dismissed early, please send your child along with a dismissal note to the Main Office upon arrival to school. If you need to unexpectedly dismiss your child, please call the Main Office at 781-942-9158.
Note Writing Tips- Please include your child’s first and last name, grade and reason for absence, late arrival, or dismissal.
Cell Phones- Students who have a cell phone may bring them to school. However, they must be turned off during the school day. If a student needs to call home, there is a phone in the main office for student use.
Nurse- Students who are not feeling well should tell their teacher and proceed to the nurse’s office. Our school nurse will assess the student and call home if necessary. Students should not be calling or texting their parents/guardian.
Order your Coolidge Gear Today!
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
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