Principal Rubino's Weekly Update
W.S. Parker Middle School Newsletter; Friday, Feb. 17, 2023
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Dear Parker Middle School Families,
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about our core value of community. This year, the Parker community has really come together and given back in so many ways. This week alone, students held a bake sale and raised $350 for earthquake relief efforts in Turkey and Syria, raised over $1,000 for the PTO and donated food to the Reading food pantry by participating in Playing for Parker, and spread kindness through the Parker Leaders Valentine’s card activity during homeroom. A special thanks to our students, student leaders, and teacher leaders (Ms. Peterson, Mr. Gibbs, and Ms. Esdra) for running these activities with our children.
We have students who are energized, active members of the school community, looking to give back and make change. Sometimes we see this happen in big ways and sometimes we see it happening in little ways. These last few days at Parker have showcased the number of students who desire to make a difference, not only in the classroom and with their academics, but also outside the walls of the school building.
Before we leave for February school vacation week, I wanted to put a few items on your radar.
We are in the process of planning school dances for each grade, so mark your calendars as follows:
Grade 6: Friday, March 31 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Grade 7: Friday, May 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Grade 8: Wednesday, June 14 (tentative date) following the Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony and ending at 8 p.m.
More info to come, including the theme for each dance, ways to get involved, and how to get tickets. For now, encourage your children to attend! Dances are for Parker students only!
When we return from February school vacation, it will almost be March. Spring is right around the corner and we are going to kick-off the season a little early with a spring reset to gear up for the social emotional learning activities that we will complete with Urban Improv Rehearsals for Life. Through our work with Rehearsals for Life and continuing through our advisory classes, students will engage in activities that help them develop proactive decision making and relationship skills, and develop self and social awareness skills. Students will participate in activities to help them foster their ability to be an upstander and foster an anti-bullying environment. I’m extremely excited about the opportunity for parents and caregivers to also engage in this work during our family and community event with Urban Improv Rehearsals for Life and encourage you to join us on March 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Parker auditorium.
Finally, before you head off for vacation, take a peek at some of the photos from this week below, including the music department’s Guys’ Night Out, a Beach Boys' medley featuring Parker, Coolidge & RMHS guys and their dads, uncles, and grandads.
Upcoming Important Dates:
Friday, March 3: Early Release at 12:30 p.m. - Teacher PD
Thursday, March 9 - Saturday, March 11: Parker Musical - The Little Mermaid Jr.
Tuesday, March 14: PTO Meeting at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, March 21: School Council Meeting at 7 p.m. via Zoom
* Note the new date! * Wednesday, March 22
Urban Improv Rehearsals for Life Family and Community Event @ 6:30 p.m. at Parker Middle School
Friday, March 31: Grade 6 School Dance
To access the 2022-2023 District Calendar, click here.
Spirit Week - Wacky Wednesday; Wacky Hat Day!
Playing for Parker and a good cause
Parker music performs Guys' Night Out
Parker Drama's Production of The Little Mermaid
Nearly 100 diversely talented Parker Middle School students have been preparing for Parker Drama's second chance to perform The Little Mermaid on stage. Originally scheduled for March 2020, then students found out during dress rehearsal that their show was cancelled due to the COVID shut down announcement. A new cohort of students has stepped in and worked tirelessly to resurrect the performance and bring Ariel and her journey under the sea to the live stage at Parker Middle School. Directed by the same leadership team; Director Stephen MacDonald, Musical Director Jennifer DiMuzio and Choreographer Nancy Katz this is an opportunity to honor what was lost while looking forward to new beginnings. Perfect for families and adults alike, this lively, bright, and fresh show features classic favorite songs like; Under the Sea, She's In Love, Les Poissions, and Kiss the Girl.
Join them *live* and *on stage* at Parker Middle School There are three family friendly performances: Thursday March 9th at 6:30pm, Friday March 10th at 7:00pm, and Saturday March 11th matinee performance at 2:00pm. Purchase tickets in advance to ensure your seat and avoid the lines!
Urban Improv Rehearsals for Life Family and Community Night
Wednesday, Mar 22, 2023, 06:30 PM
Parker Middle School, Temple Street, Reading, MA, USA
News from the PTO
🎉 PTO Shout-out! Wishing our wonderful Parker community a restful February break!
📌 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
📌 Do you know about the Parker Boutique? It is an amazing resource at Parker available to all band and chorus students! If your student recently outgrew their concert gear, send your musician to the Parker Boutique (see Mr. Norton or Mrs. DiMuzio) to borrow something that fits! Send in their old concert apparel and swap them out for something new to you.
Can you help us fill the Parker Boutique for upcoming concerts? We are in need of gently used concert attire: black pants, black skirts, white tops, and black shoes. These items are made available (free of charge) to students participating in school concerts. Please email kelly.malone@gmail.com to coordinate your donation. Thank you for your support!
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.
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
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