Jaguar Tracks
October 14th
Dear JE community,
We had our first assembly in three years this week! I have enjoyed celebrating my “JE firsts”--this assembly felt special! It was wonderful to have our whole school in one place and our students were absolutely incredible! They practiced their PAWS behavior and had fun! At this assembly, our Student Council launched our first charity event, Socktober. We also introduced our 5th grade safeties and shared out a couple of Spectacular Spots. It was great to honor our students in this way and watch their classmates cheer them on! Our next assembly will focus on Sense of Belonging where we will launch our survey to learn more about how our students are feeling at school. More to come on this!
Upcoming conferences: Please note that conferences are approaching! You will be receiving information from your child's classroom teacher to sign up for a time. As a reminder, Wednesday, November 16th is a half day and there is no school on Friday, November 18th.
The district has come together to update our district handbook. Please find the link below as well as a form that signals you have read the survey. Upon reading the survey, please complete the sign off sheet.
Have a wonderful weekend! We look forward to a great week ahead!
Caitlin Shelburne
Health Update
I will begin Mandatory Health Screenings soon. The state requires that we complete the following screenings by grade level:
Kindergarten: Vision (Starting next week) and Hearing
First Grade: Vision, Hearing, Height and Weight (BMI)
Second Grade: Vision and Hearing
Third Grade: Vision and Hearing
Fourth Grade: Vision, Height and Weight (BMI)
Fifth Grade: Vision, Postural Screening (IN THE SPRING)
For more information please see https://www.mass.gov/lists/school-health-screening.
To opt your child out of one (or more) screenings, please complete the following google form.Mandatory Screening OPT OUT Form (one per child) or email me directly elmy.trevejo@reading.k12.ma.us BY OCTOBER 21st, 2022.
Kindergarten parents, please email me or complete the google form by October 11th, 2022 if you would like to opt your child out of having their vision screened.
Thanks,
Mrs. Trevejo, RN MPH
STEM Update
Massachusetts STEM Week 2021 takes place from October 18 – 22 (inclusive of the weekend before and after.) It is a statewide effort to boost the interest, awareness and ability for all learners to envision themselves in STEM education and employment opportunities, and compliment the formal instruction happening in the Commonwealth beyond STEM week. To get some ideas for ways to engage with STEM at home, check out the ideas and resources HERE.
Student Council Update- Socktober is here!!
What is Socktober? It is an event that was created by kids like us to help bring warmth to those who are homeless. Starting this week, we will begin collecting new socks to donate to the LifeBridge North Shore homeless shelter. They have homeless shelters in Salem, Beverly, and Gloucester. There will be a collection box outside of the office door. Please bring in your sock donations by 10/28. Let’s work together to help keep others warm as colder weather is coming!
Veteran's Day Assembly
Veteran’s Day Assembly Information:
Posters- We are collecting homemade posters from students to help decorate the gym for the Veteran’s Day Assembly. We encourage families to make artwork for the assembly using their creativity! Please bring it to your teacher anytime before 11/1.
Invitation for Veterans- Do you have a veteran or active duty military personnel in your family? Due to the space constraints of this event, our visitors are limited to the veterans and one family member. Please complete the attached form for your veteran family member or friend who will be honoring us with their attendance at our Annual Veterans Day Assembly. You may also complete the form for currently actively serving military family members or friends to be acknowledged during the assembly. We are requesting the veteran’s service information and the RSVP to the breakfast buffet to expedite the check-in time at the door. Please drop-off or send this attached form to school by Wednesday, October 26th so we can plan accordingly.
Breakfast Volunteers- The PTO is looking for 1-2 people to coordinate a welcome reception/breakfast for the veterans who are attending the assembly in person. Responsibilities include managing the sign up genius for donated food and setup/cleanup. We’re excited to bring this beloved event back but we need volunteers to make it happen. Volunteers are welcome to stay for the event which includes some great entertainment by Sgt. Dan Clark. Please contact JEVolunteers@gmail.com if you can help.
Pennies for Veterans- As a symbol of appreciation to our veterans, we will once again kick off our penny collection as part of our community project. These pennies will be sent to The Veterans Northeast Outreach Center, Inc. in Haverhill, MA. Collecting will begin now and will conclude on Memorial Day. Please check your house for spare change and bring it to the main office!!
At-Home Star Activity- As part of our school community tribute to honor our veterans, all students/families may participate in an at-home activity.
If you wish to participate, please complete the following with your child:
Ask your classroom teacher for a special star. A suggested donation is $1.00; however, this is not necessary. All proceeds support the veterans at the Northeast Outreach Center in Haverhill, MA.
Decorate the star with your child and fill out the form with the name, rank, and relationship of an honored veteran in your life. The veteran may be actively serving or may have served in the past (parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt, a friend, etc.).
You may also wish to add a photo of your veteran on the star.
Send your completed star to school by Wednesday, October 26th. School staff will hang your veteran’s star around the school for all to appreciate.
The library is looking for volunteers
Please note that the new volunteer library training has been changed to Wednesday, October 26 at 8:30-9:30 AM.
If you are interested in volunteering in the library, please plan to attend the new volunteer library training on Wednesday, October 26, at 8:30 – 9:30 AM or the returning volunteer meeting on Thursday, October 20, at 1:30 - 2:15.
If you have any questions, please contact the library media teacher, Karen Ghirardi, at karen.ghirardi@reading.k12.ma.us or at 781-942-9161 x 137
Mark Your Calendars!
October 21............................Halloween Howl
October 27................................Picture Make-Up Day
November 8 ................................... Teacher In-Service / No School
November 11 .......................Veteran's Day: No School
November 16........................Half Day (12:45 Dismissal)
November 18 ......Conference Day/ Teacher In-Service
SEPAC Update
NEXT SEPAC MEETING Tuesday, October 18 at 7PM HYBRID: in person at the RMHS Schettini Library Media Center with remote access using this link Hear about last year’s special education program reviews Board Elections. Consider serving on the board! We could really use someone who is good at taking notes and posting agendas and meeting minutes. We can have up to six people on the board.
PTO's Corner
PTO Update:
So many events and activities are coming up. Here are a few reminders!
📌Volunteers needed for Halloween Howl on 10/21: This event will be outside again this behind the school. Grades K-2 will attend from 3-4:30 pm, and grades 3-5 from 4:30-6 pm. Games, Dancing, Face Painting, Fortune Telling and more!
We need many volunteers to help make this event a success. Please see the link below if you are able to help:https://www.signupgenius.com/.../5080B44A5A82DA4F94...
Feel free to share with RMHS students who might want to volunteer for community service hours as well. Contact Jes Lynch at jessica.l.meehan@gmail.com with any questions!
📌Volunteers needed for Veteran’s Day Reception: Sign up here to help with the reception breakfast for veterans attending this event in person. JEVolunteers@gmail.com
📌 Enrichment Coordinators Needed for K/1/2: We still need coordinators for for Grades K, 1, and 2 to work with the grade level teachers to plan field trips and special visitors during the school year. These are the events that kids remember for years to come and it’s a really fun way to get involved. Please email JEVolunteers@gmail.com if you can help!
📌Calareso’s Gift Certificate Fundraiser: Don’t forget to return your Calareso’s forms and payment by Friday, October 21st! Purchase gift certificates through JE PTO and 25% of your purchase goes directly to our school. Payment accepted by check, PayPal or Venmo.
📌JE Spiritwear orders due 11/1: T-Shirts, Sweatshirts, and more! Orders must be placed by November 1 and will be ready for pick up before holiday break in December. Makes a great gift for your favorite jaguar! Visit the store at the link here.
⭐Due to successful fundraising last year, the PTO was able to fund $100 per classroom for room parents to plan celebrations throughout the year. Thank you!
We hope everyone has a wonderful week!
Meredith Yoder & Jessie Tran
PTO Co-Presidents
Reading Public Schools is a METCO District
"Since its founding during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, the METCO program has enrolled tens of thousands of Boston students of color in predominately white school districts, creating the opportunity for those districts to experience the advantages of learning and working in a racially and ethnically diverse setting."
Found Family Program
Please take a look at the attached document detailing our “Found Family” Program. With the collaboration of 8th grade students from Parker Middle School and all Elementary PTO’s we produced the name “Found Family,” and this document for our district Found Family program. What does Found Family mean? “A group of people who find themselves united in a family-bond based on shared experiences, mutual understanding, and interpersonal connection. Found Family is not biological but found when placed in a new place.”
If you are interested in participating, please sign up HERE.