JW Killam Principal's Corner
Ms. Leveque's Weekly Newsletter
From the Desk of Ms. Leveque
It is hard to believe that we are already beginning the second week of June. To think back on this entire school year brings me great joy. Our students have shown incredible growth, resiliency, and kindness. Take a moment to reflect on how much your child has evolved since August.
This newsletter is once again filled with information for the end of the year. The end of the year always brings some change. I wish to send a heartfelt thank you to our outgoing PTO Co-Presidents, Allison Sillers and Diane Macari. For the last two years, Allison and Diane have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to be champions of the Killam staff and help our students receive incredible enrichment activities, additional in-school learning materials, and spirit gear! Our school cannot run without the countless parent volunteers and Diane and Allison have been outstanding in this role. Thank you both!
Upcoming Events:
1. Current K-5 Killam Student Materials Pick-Up this Monday, June 8th-Wednesday, June 10th: See schedule below.
2. Curriculum and Learning Office Remote Learning Survey, due June 11th: If you haven't done so already, please fill out the survey (one survey per family). See below.
3. Fifth Grade Virtual Moving On Events, June 16th and 17th: Fifth Grade families received an email invitation. We are thrilled to be celebrating the class of 2020 with our Fifth Grade students!
4. Virtual Current K-4 Moving Up Videos, June 18th: Students will receive a warm hello from next year's teachers and hear about what they will be learning about in the upcoming year.
5. Class Teacher Assignments: Students will learn of their teacher in the summer. As Dr. Doherty stated, we recognize that our structure may look different next fall and we need to be nimble with this process.
Missing the Killam students,
Ms. Leveque
Resources for Talking with Children about Equity, Bias and Racism
Julia Hendrix and the Birch Meadow Elementary School have been at the forefront of leading the elementary charge to confront our biases, and work towards anti-racism. The Birch Meadow Staff has compiled the following resources for families on how to begin this process at home. The Killam staff thanks them for sharing this information and taking a stand. We stand together with members of the black and brown community.
Click here to access the resources.
Additionally, Sesame Street is hosting a “town hall” for kids and families this Saturday at 10am for kids and families and will discuss how to stand up to racism and embrace diversity. To learn more, go here: https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/us/cnn-sesame-street-standing-up-to-racism/index.html
Current K-5th Grade Student Pick-up Schedule
Each family will have 3 opportunities to pick-up their children(s) materials the week of June 8th. We will be utilizing the rolling car drop-off procedures for pick-up. To prepare, please create a piece of paper with your child’s last name, first name (for example: Leveque, Sarah). This should be displayed in your front passenger side window or dashboard. Masks should be worn when you pull up to the driveway. Cars will line up and pull forward. Staff will collect any materials you are returning* (ex: library books) while also handing you a bag with your students’ belongings. Any medications will be in the bag. You should remain in your car at all times. Please be on time as we will be organizing our materials based on pick-up times. Any items remaining at the end of the week will be discarded.
Many parents have asked if they can get an end of year gift to our staff. This is very sweet! You are welcome to drop it off during this pick-up time. Just label the gift and we'll make sure to get it to the teacher.
*If you borrowed a laptop from the Reading Public Schools, you will be returning that separately. The technology return will happen the week of June 22nd at the RMHS Field House (same location you picked up). Details will be forthcoming.
PTO Corner-- School Supply Kits and Final Reminders
School Supply Kits
Every year, the Killam PTO sets up an easy way to order school supply kits for families. Rather than getting a list of materials and going to Target or Amazon to buy them, you order online the supplies are delivered to your child's classroom for the first day of school. This is a super easy way to check one thing off your summer to-do list and avoid extra trips to the store. Go to https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/ to order now. The deadline to order is July 1.
A few changes for this year:
- The PTO has eliminated the small amount extra we raise from the kits as an effort to reduce costs for families. This year school kits will not be a PTO fundraiser. Please though consider donating to the PTO in the fall by paying dues if you are able.
- If you would like a school kit but would rather pay for it in late August (or if you cannot afford one due to financial hardship), please contact Principal Leveque with your name, your child’s name, and their grade. She will keep this information private but will communicate with the PTO how many additional kits we should order and pay for per grade, then in the first couple of days of school, you may pay for the kit for your child in the Killam office.
PTO Directory
Please register for the Killam School Directory (AtoZ Connect) today to get connected with your child’s future classmates, room parents, and to receive valuable PTO emails on school-wide events. When room parents send out class emails, their source of contact info is AtoZ Connect, so if your child is not registered up on there, you will be missing out on emails about in-class enrichments, celebrations, teacher gifts, Killam gear ordering, etc. You can download the AtoZ Connect App on a phone or go to AtoZConnect.com on a computer to join - it's super easy! Just click on "sign up" and search by the school zip code (01867), the select Killam from the list.
PTO Social Media
We also post info to Facebook at Killam School PTO, Reading MA, please join/like us! Please feel free to contact Jen Kane, our PTO secretary if you need help or have questions: jwksecretary@gmail.com.
Message from the Curriculum and Learning Office
Dear Reading Parents and Guardians,
We hope that this email finds you well. It’s hard to believe that June is right around the corner, this end of the year is certainly one that we will never forget. We are asking all families to help us by participating in the attached survey on remote learning found HERE. (https://forms.gle/sQkTABopBUZeWDYN8) Your feedback will support our planning for future needs and will identify common themes on areas of success and areas of that provided challenges. We are asking each family to fill out ONE survey. Our link will be open until June 11, 2020.
Fondly,
Chris Kelley, Assistant Superintendent and
Members of the Learning and Teaching Team
Summer Reading for Middle School
Check out these links for summer reading information!
The first is a website with all of the information about summer reading, how to access the titles electronic copies from the Reading Public Library and some other reading resources. https://sites.google.com/reading.k12.ma.us/coolidgesummerreading/home
The second is a short video tutorial explaining how to use the website and it's resources.
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R0DpMIzrZpwa4w7gbh2D5DtqXRo4x_6I/view?usp=sharing
MiddleSchoolSummerReadingVideo.webm
drive.google.com
Specialists' Corner
As specialists continue to think creatively about how to engage with our children, their schedules will be posted for easy access in multiple locations. Besides Google Classrooms, we'll be posting in the Principal Weekly Newsletter and here on the Killam website.
We are excited to announce that the specialists now have a Google Classroom page. The page is linked in your child's Grade Level Classroom page. The code to enter is: kpezgng
Week of June 7th:
Art with Mrs. Hussey
Join me for Tri-fold Puppet Making!
Bring your paper, markers/crayons, scissors, and glue to make paper puppets. It makes my heart happy to see your faces and watch you create!
When you finish your artwork, I hope you will post it on our Draw-along Sharing Padlet. You can even add a puppet show video.
https://padlet.com/amyhussey/qkjb1q6rdxi3jmwy
All 1-4 graders’ artwork from this school year will be safely stored at school until the fall. I will be able to return your work to you then. Fifth graders’ work was added to your pick-up bags.
Think Outside the Box Challenge
Print this week’s Challenge Page and complete the drawing. Post your creation to our Creativity Challenge Padlet https://padlet.com/amyhussey/3quf61htas5ntive to share and be entered in our weekly raffle. One lucky artist will get a trip to the art studio treasure chest whenever we can be together in person. If you are a fifth-grade winner, come back to visit next year and claim your prize! Winners will be drawn on Thursday at 5:00 PM and announced in Ms. Leveque’s newsletter on Fridays.
This week’s “Think Outside the Box” lucky winner is Kanna Ryder in Mrs. Pegoraro’s class!!!!! Congratulations Kanna and thank you to ALL our entrants. Your creativity is so much fun to witness!
Live Sessions:
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Live Art Sessions Tuesdays, from 10:00-10:40.
First and Second Grade Live Art Sessions- Thursdays from 10:00-10:40
Library Media with Mrs. Adamo
Mrs. Adamo and my dog Charlie would love to share some stories with you! Please click this link on Tuesday, June 9th at 10:30 to join us for story time. This week Charlie with be joined with his golden retriever cousin Bella! Two dogs equals double the story time fun! If you miss any of Charlie’s story time fun, click on my Padlet to watch Charlie’s read aloud videos (and check out his adorable costumes!) https://padlet.com/kimberlyadamo/Bookmarks
Join us for the Killam’s Got Talent virtual talent show! Calling all Killam students! Do you have a special talent you would like to share with your peers? If so, sign up for the Killam's Got Talent virtual talent show on Thursday, June 11th! To sign up, click on the sign up genius and type your child’s first and last name next to the show time that corresponds with your grade level. For planning purposes, enter a brief description of their performance in the comments field (example- singing, juggling, telling jokes). Please limit performance time to 3 minutes or less. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c44adab28a31-killams
Live Sessions:
Story time with Mrs. Adamo and Charlie, Tuesday, 10:30-11:00
Killam’s Got Talent Virtual Talent Show
2nd-3rd Grade
9:00-10:30
4th-5th Grade
11:00-12:30
Kindergarten-1st
1:00-2:30
PE with Mrs. Snow
Thank you for participating in the PE Meeting on Monday! I am sorry to have missed my Wednesday live session and looking forward to this upcoming week!
Please remember to check our Specialists Google Classroom for additional resources and links to live sessions.
Class Code: kpezgng
Equipment needed for Monday:
- 3 plastic bowls (if available) or 3 pieces of paper
- 3 sock balls (or light weighted balls – like a whiffle ball)
- Space to move safely around in
Equipment needed for Wednesday:
- One piece of paper
- Space to move safely around in
See you soon! Sending a virtual High Five!
-Mrs. Snow
Live Sessions:
K-2 PE Meeting – Monday, 10-10:30
3-5 PE Meeting – Wednesday, 10-10:30
Music with Ms. Gallant
Come see our VIRTUAL TALENT SHOW on Thursday June 11th!
If you would like to perform, sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c44adab28a31-killams
Talent Show Times:
K and 1: 1:00pm
2 and 3: 9:00am
4 and 5: 11:00am
If we have a low number of performances, we may condense to one show, we will keep you posted. All are welcome to be in the audience!!
Live Sessions:
Talent Show on Thursday!
Stay tuned for links!
All are welcome to be in the audience!
Fourth Annual Summer Groceries Program
The Reading Conference of Saint Vincent de Paul Society is pleased to invite you to share in the Fourth Annual Summer Groceries Program. As in previous years, this free program is being offered to families of students who participate in the National School Lunch Program in the Reading Public Schools during the academic year.
We have a limit of 40 participants this summer. These students will be selected on a first come first serve basis. If the program is already filled when you email us, please consider enrolling in the Reading Food Pantry at the Olde South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St., Reading.
Groceries will be distributed on the ten Wednesdays of the summer starting on June 17, 2020 through August 19, 2020. This summer your groceries will be delivered to your home in Reading by our partners at the Knights of Columbus Organization.
Register your child(ren) with us by providing us the following information:
- The last name of the child(ren)
- Number of students in your family
- The address where you would like us to drop off these bag(s)
- Which OUTSIDE door you would like us to drop off these bag(s)
- Send this information to us via email at st.agnes.reading.svdp@gmail.com
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE: Although we are very sensitive to friends with food allergies, we are not able to meet everyone’s personal needs. Just as you would shop in a store, we ask you to select the items for your family; and if there is something that you cannot use, please pass it on to someone else.
All the best wishes to you and your family for a safe and healthy summer,
Alicia Gallagher, Coordinator of Summer Lunch Program
Killam Remote Learning Communication Schedule
We want to be mindful of how overwhelming it can be to receive multiple emails a day. We hear you and are attempting to streamline the information for you. If information changes, we will update you.
REMOTE LEARNING PHASE III
Classroom teachers: Classroom teachers will communicate enrichment opportunities either on a daily basis or weekly basis, depending on the grade level team decision. In addition, you will receive check-ins and live opportunities to see if you need any clarification or support multiple times a week.
Special Education teachers: If your child receives special education services, an email with enrichment opportunities for your child will be sent on Tuesday. You should also have received an individual Continuation of Learning Plan from your child's liaison. In addition, you will receive check-ins and live opportunities to see if you need any clarification or support multiple times a week.
NEW Specialists (Library Media, Art, Music, and Gym): An email with enrichment opportunities for your child will be posted on Google Classrooms on Wednesday or daily, depending on the grade level team decision. Information regarding live enrichment opportunities will be posted Friday under the Specialists tab on the Killam website and in the Principal's Newsletter. Your child's Google Classroom will also have the weekly information.
We are excited to announce that the specialists now have a Google Classroom page. The page is linked in your child's Grade Level Classroom page. The code to enter is: kpezgng
Principal's Weekly Newsletter: An email will be sent out on Friday and previous newsletters will continue to be posted on the Killam website.
Closure Information: Access to links and information will be posted on the Killam and RPS District websites.
Adult Articles and Resources
Reading Public School Remote Learning
Reading Public School Covid-19 Information
Reading Public Schools Behavioral Health Page
Open Circle Guidance on How to Talk to Kids about Coronavirus
Open Circle Social-Emotional Health Resources
National Association of School Psychologists resources
CDC Talking to your Kids about Coronavirus
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Talking to Kids about Covid-19
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