JW Killam Principal's Corner
Ms. Leveque's Weekly Newsletter
From the Desk of Ms. Leveque
Week of March 26, 2023
We had a great week of learning at Killam! Below you will see a glimpse of the multiple opportunities that our students participated in, both at school and within our community. We want to celebrate their successes.
One unique event that happened at Killam this week was a "Seeing is Believing" morning where our third through fifth grade literacy learning was seen in action. On Thursday, we welcomed representatives from the Department of Education, surrounding districts, our Town Manager, members of the School Committee, Dr. Milaschewski, Dr. Hardy, Ms. Burchill, our Humanities Coordinator, and our ARC Core instructional literacy team. As we walked through many of our classrooms, we highlighted the outstanding teaching and literacy growth that we are seeing with our new literacy curriculum, ARC Core. Our students and teachers were rockstars! Anytime we can open our doors and get our students' voices out to the greater public, we are proud to do so!
Stay well,
Ms. Leveque
Killam Upcoming Dates
-Sunday, April 2nd: Palm Sunday
-Tuesday, April 4th: Killam PTO Meeting, 7-8pm in the library. All are welcome!
-Wednesday, April 5th: Killam Grade 3 ELA MCAS
-Thursday, April 6th: Killam Grade 3 ELA MCAS
-Thursday, April 6th- Thursday, April 13th: Passover
-Friday, April 7th: Good Friday
School Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 8:15-2:45 (8:10-11:30 for half-day kindergarten)
Friday, 8:15-12:45 (8:10-12:45 for half-day kindergarten)
Killam Happenings
Reading students visit State House to discuss METCO
Johnny the K visits the preK and K students
Art News!
Each year fourth graders learn about electricity and the work of the Reading Municipal Light Department. Students create posters to share important messages about clean energy and electrical safety for the annual RMLD Poster Contest. Congratulations to this year’s winners; Mimi Saric, Myla Rios, and Cameron Barry.
Additionally, the Massachusetts Art Education Association hosts an annual state-wide Youth Art Month flag contest. Second graders learned about the work of graphic designers and created flags around the theme Your Art, Your Voice. Killam’s second grader Even Gudmundsen won the k-2 division! Congratulations to Even!
Virtual Statewide Youth Art Month
The Massachusetts Art Education Association also hosts the annual Youth Art Month virtual exhibition. Teachers across the state are invited to submit a total of six pieces for the exhibit. Congratulations to the following artists whose work is exhibited this year; Arya Saric (K), Claire Holmen (gr. 1), Mary Leichtman (gr. 2), Matheus Santos and Mari Hobin (gr. 3 collaborative piece), Aiden Griffin (gr. 4) and Olivia Pulson (gr. 5). Please use the link below to peruse the galleries and be sure to leave a fan letter for those artists whose work speaks to you.
Library Corner
We are so proud of our Killam students for reading all those minutes for our Read-A-Thon! Keep up the good work! This week we have been busy reading the book Our Principal Promised to Kiss a Pig and learning all about Max Brallier to get ready for our second through fifth grade author visit on Friday. Here are some pictures from the fifth-grade presentation with Reading Public Librarian Ashley Waring about the Robert F. Sibert award given each year to the best informational book published for children.
Killam Grades 3-5 MCAS Dates
Reading/Wakefield Family Math Night
Come experience a math lesson!
Monday, April 3, 2023 6:30-8:00 PM
Galvin Middle School, 525 Main St, Wakefield, MA 01880
Outline of the night
- Introduction led by the Wakefield & Reading Curriculum Coordinators
- Learn more about the Illustrative Math curriculum
- 30-minute Illustrative Math lesson taught by Wakefield and Reading teachers
- Experience what math looks like and sounds like for our students each day
- We will host classes in some grades within the K-6 grade band
- 30-minute exploration
- Play some of our curriculum centers & explore resources
Students are welcome to attend with their guardians.
Please fill out this interest form if you might join us! https://bit.ly/RW_MathNight
ARTSFest 2023
District Strategic Planning - Family/Community Engagement
RPS has started the process of developing a multi-year District Strategic Plan to outline what’s ahead for our district. As part of this process, we are seeking teacher and parent participation on the steering committee for our “Family and Community Engagement” work within the District Strategic Plan. Please see this link for more information Please email Alissa Gallegos, principal of Barrows Elementary school @ alissa.gallegos@reading.k12.ma.us if you are interested in lending your voice to this work. We look forward to engaging our community as the process of developing our District Strategic Plan moves forward.
Reading METCO Events
Attention 5th Grade Families: Middle School Transition Information
On behalf of Parker and Coolidge Middle Schools, we would like to share with you the following welcome letters, which contain important upcoming middle school transition dates as well as links to other helpful information. Please read the letter that pertains to your child’s future school. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Principal Sarah Marchant (Coolidge) or Principal Rochelle Rubino (Parker).
Reach out with any questions to Principal Rochelle Rubino, Parker (Rochelle.rubino@reading.k12.ma.us) and Principal Sarah Marchant, Coolidge (Sarah.marchant@reading.k12.ma.us).
PTO Corner
SEPAC News
Latest Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Update (3/21/2023)
⭐ Spring with SEPAC Events are open to ALL!
Do you ever think about your family’s emotional health? Anxiety in our nation? Inclusivity? We have events for you, including a movie night AND a visit from Lynn Lyons of Flusterclux podcast fame! See flyer for all of our events and mark your calendars.
⭐ Do you have a child who is on an IEP, a 504 plan, and/or has a disability? If so, the Reading SEPAC exists for YOU.
Fill out this BRIEF, ANONYMOUS survey for the board; we want to make sure we reach ALL families, and it will help us plan for 2023-2024. It should take only a few minutes.
The Board seeks input from families or groups who feel disconnected from SEPAC despite having a child with an IEP, a 504 plan, and/or special needs. We especially want to hear from parents/guardians of students in the following categories: Out of District placements, Boston residents, multilingual learners, and anyone else who desires more connection and/or could benefit more from SEPAC.
⭐ Overcoming Hurdles to Disability Inclusion event on March 30th
See flyer; register here.
⭐ SEPAC Business Meeting: Fulfilling our Mission to ALL Families
The SEPAC Board will hold a virtual, open, public business meeting and discussion on Tuesday, April 4th from 1-2PM via this link. Use our survey or email to submit ideas ahead of time. See flyer for details!
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
2023-2024 Incoming Kindergarten Information
It's that time of year to start thinking about our incoming kindergarten students for the 2023-2024 school year. To be eligible for admission to the Reading Public Schools, a child must have reached the age of five on or before August 31st of the entering year to begin kindergarten or have reached the age of six on or before August 31st of the entering year to begin grade one. We had a great turnout for a virtual incoming kindergarten information session on Wednesday, January 4th. Information on the school registration packet and links to the presentation are shared below and can be found on the Reading Public Schools district website.
Ongoing Information:
-Sign up to receive email updates during the kindergarten registration process by visiting: https://forms.gle/LK4esx7RoP7YxQ498-To learn more and stay up to date, visit the registration website at Registration Forms - Reading Public Schools
Introduction to Kindergarten Presentation from January 4th:
-Here's the link to January 4th Introduction to Kindergarten Presentation in video form: Virtual Kindergarten Information Session-20230104_190233-Meeting Recording.mp4 - Google Drive
-Here's a link to the January 4th Introduction to Kindergarten presentation in English.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sK9kOUVIc0t58Mn9k4Jld725ULiwsiddo5Cav0A3l2k/edit?usp=sharing
-Aqui está o link para a apresentação de Introdução ao Jardim de Infância de 4 de janeiro em português.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Dyq75gPb2YB6MY3t2pUTSAJjbEseopwE-RHNSludJUE/edit?usp=sharing
-Aquí está el enlace a la presentación de Introducción a Kindergarten del 4 de enero en español.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GUKK3DNGRyIwMjQhzW1QY_AfA1YR65JbKBiyRgSK4lM/edit?usp=sharing
Killam Change in Dismissal Form
Reporting an Absence
You can continue to call the school absence line and leave a message 24-hours a day. The number is 781-944-7831, option 1. Now, you can also email an absence to jwkabsences@Reading.k12.ma.us. Either way, letting us know will help us make sure the Killam community is safely in the building or at home.
Speech and Language Ideas
Killam School Map
Parent PlusPortal Access
As a parent guardian of a child in the Reading Public Schools, you have access to the Parent PlusPortal. The Portal will be used throughout your child’s academic career as it is where you update your child’s emergency contact information, view report cards, and beyond elementary school, see your child’s grades in real time. It also acts as a communication portal between you and your child’s teacher where oftentimes, different academic links, notes, or activities are shared.
If you are a returning parent, your account is still active. If you are new parent guardian and have not received access, please reach out to our school administrative assistant, Jackie Maglio at jaculen.maglio@reading.k12.ma.us. At that point, you will receive a separate email with your PlusPortal login information. The subject line of the email is Important! Killam School PlusPortals login. This is a confidential portal that is linked to your email account. You have 48 hours to activate your Portal account using the temporary password supplied through the email. Once you login, you can update the password and personal information.
School Lunches free 2022-2023
About These Services
Ms. Sarah Leveque, Principal
Email: sarah.leveque@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: http://reading.k12.ma.us/killam/
Location: 333 Charles Street, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-944-7831
Facebook: facebook.com/JWKillamSchool
Twitter: @Killamnews