Jaguar Tracks
April 5th
Dear Jaguar Families!
We had a wonderful week at Joshua Eaton! Our students in grades three through five absolutely rocked their MCAS. We were so proud to see all of their effort, notes and positive vibes during this testing time. In our country, standardized testing has certainly become a hot topic over the years. At JE, we like to think of it as just another day and an opportunity for students to show what they know so that we can improve on our practice. Our staff does a wonderful job of echoing this message as they set up classrooms and conversations about testing with their students. My favorite activity that a few staff members used with students was "Are you smarter than an MCAS test creator?!" A huge congratulations to our fourth and fifth graders and let's go Grade 3, who will be testing next week!
As we head into the end of the year, please note a few important dates:
-April 26th: JE Spring Raffle and Ice Cream Social 3pm-9:30pm
-May 8th & 9th: MCAS Testing (Grade 4 & 5)
-May 15th & 16th: MCAS Testing (Grade 3)
-May 21st & 22nd: MCAS Testing (Grade 5)
-May 23rd: Boosterthon!
-June 6th: Field Day
-June 13th at 9:30 am: Grade 5 Promotion Ceremony
Caitlin
Summer Ave Drop Off: if you drop your child off on summer Ave. in the morning - this is a reminder that street is used for a rolling drop off. Please do not park your car and walk your child to the back of the school as it disrupts the flow of traffic.
The Rock Drop Pick Up: There have been a few traffic jams and cars eager to pick up students quickly. This is just a reminder to please follow traffic signs and please move slowly as there are many students walking home in that direction.
Follow us on Instagram at "JE_Jaguars": We have so many wonderful pictures and videos of learning in action and those small moments that make our days! This gives a nice window into the day in the life of a Jaguar!
MCAS Update
Get Your Spirit On!!
The Spring Spirit Wear Sale is Happening NOW!
The JE Spiritwear Store is now open, just in time for the spring!
Link to the online store is available here.
All orders must be placed by Thursday, April 11th.
Orders will be available for pickup at JE approximately 3 weeks after the store close date.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Melissa Fitzmaurice, mfitzmaurice0901@gmail.com.
Ice Cream Social & Kid's Raffle
Save the date! Ice Cream Social/Kids Raffle April 26, 6 – 7:30pm
The ever-popular Kids Raffle and Ice Cream Social is coming! This exciting fundraiser directly supports our Enrichment Program. You can help make this event a success by donating a gift or gift basket for the raffle.
If you would like to donate, please add your donation to this signup genius:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! If you would like to sign up for scooping ice cream or selling tickets the night of, please sign up here!
Volunteer Signup (Scoopers and Tickets)
Get tickets in advance and avoid waiting in line for this popular event! Order by filling in the form from your child’s backpack (or see below) and returning it to school by Wednesday, April 10.
JE Spirit Week Is Coming!
Student Council Spirit Week Is Coming Up! April 22nd-April 26th, right after vacation!
Please see the flyer here!
Burbank YMCA Registration
The Burbank YMCA onsite and after school program registration begins on 4/22/24 for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Please see the attachments below for more information.
Mark your calendars!
April
15th - 19th Vacation Week
26th - Ice Cream Social / Kid's Raffle
29th - JE Golf Scramble & Adult Social
From the Desk of our PTO Co-Presidents
We may have just gotten a nor’easter, but we remain hopeful that spring IS coming. Please read on for details about the many upcoming PTO events!
📌Calaresos Gift Certifcate Fundraising Update!
Thank you to everyone who purchased gift certificates! Final funds raised will be posted on social media and in next week’s Tracks.
All gift certificates will be delivered next week prior to April break.
Under $50 purchases will go home in student folders. Purchases over $50 will be delivered to your residence. Look out for your certificates next week!
Any questions - please email Melissa Berg at JEfundraiser@gmail.com
📌 Spring Spirit Wear Sale ENDS April 11th!
The JE Spiritwear Store is now open, just in time for the spring!
Link to the online store is available here.
All orders must be placed by Thursday, April 11th.
Orders will be available for pickup at JE approximately 3 weeks after the on-line store closes.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Melissa Fitzmaurice, mfitzmaurice0901@gmail.com.
📌 Sign Up for the Escape Room Adult Social Event! THURSDAY, May 9th!
Signups are NOW OPEN for our upcoming Adult Social!
Thursday, May 9 @ 7pm-8pm in Woburn (arrive 15 minutes early)
$33/person
@ Breakout Games Woburn
Sign up with a group of 4-8 people, or let us match you with some new friends!
**Sign up form due by APRIL 24!!!**
Link to Sign-up Form can be found here!
Any questions? Please email Amanda Rotondo at jeptosocial@gmail.com.
📌Volunteer Opportunity! JE Staff Appreciation Week - April 22-26
Plans are underway for Staff Appreciation Week April 22 - 26 and we need your help!
We are seeking donations of food items, treats, beverages, tableware and more to make the week of events a success. To sign up and donate, please use this link!
We are also seeking volunteers to help with classroom coverage for the all staff/teacher breakfast on Wednesday, April 24 as well as support throughout the week. To sign up to volunteer your time, please use this link.
With any questions, contact Erin Pappo (erinpappo@gmail.com) or Lisa Loiselle (lpellz817@gmail.com).
📌Open Executive Board Positions & Volunteer Coordinator Spotlight!
The following PTO Executive Board positions are open for the 2024-2025 school year:
Vice President(s)
Fundraising Chair(s)
Volunteer Coordinator(s)
Community Outreach Chair(s)
Social Chair(s)
Each week, we will be highlighting one of our open positions. This week, we would like to shout out the efforts of our amazing Volunteer Coordinators, Monica Acker and Jenn Turner!
From Monica:
I have shared the role of volunteer coordinator with Jenn Turner for two years. We work to ensure that all of the wonderful PTO events done throughout the year have volunteers to run them and set up room parents for each classroom. The largest time commitment is at the beginning of the year recruiting people to fill roles, but we have attempted to streamline the process during our time on the board.
Overall, the time commitment is about 1-4 hours a month, almost exclusively spent on email communications, board meetings, and spreadsheet upkeep.This is a great position that can be done on your own schedule. It's fun to hype up the events and get others excited to run them for the kids.
From Jenn:
As a volunteer coordinator on the PTO, you are responsible for recruiting and organizing the room parent role for the classrooms at Joshua Eaton. The time commitment is concentrated at the beginning of the year; once the room parents are established and have what they need, there's very little that needs to be done.
The person in this role will create a Sign-Up Genius where caregivers can sign up for the room parent role, communicate with the room parents on what the role entails, guidelines that need to be followed and any other information/training that might be necessary. Typically this process is complete by mid-October.
Please note that the JE community will have the opportunity to vote on the exec board in June.
If you are interested in learning more about any of the PTO exec board roles, please email jeptopresident@gmail.com.
📌JE Scramble Golf Tourney - MONDAY, April 29th! Registration now open!
Join us for a day of golf, food, and fun at the Meadow Brook Golf Club!
$200 per person registration fee includes 18 holes of golf and BBQ lunch/dinner after the Scramble!
Over 30% of proceeds go towards JE PTO Enrichment programs!
Email joshuaeatonpto@gmail.com with name(s) of participants. Venmo registration to @Joshua-Eaton-PTO. Please indicate if you are signing up as an individual or if you have a foursome (along with all names).
The PTO is looking for sponsorships! If you are interested in advertising your business, please reach out to dennis.h.camacho@gmail.com.
📌Save the Date: Joshua Eaton Fun Run - May 23rd!
This year’s big spring fundraising event will be held Thursday, 5/23.
All students will be involved in the weeks leading up to the event, as teachers and staff will lead daily curriculum modules to get everyone excited.
Students can run, walk, skip, or dance along to the music as they raise funds for Joshua Eaton.
More details coming after April break!
📌Tickets Sales EXTENDED for JE Night at Fenway - TUESDAY, June 4th!
It’s not too late to join the JE community for a fun night cheering on the Red Sox in the Fenway bleachers!
Tickets are $40 (cost includes a donation to the JE PTO).
Use this link to purchase tickets!
Any questions? Email Jenean Rombola: jrombola@gmail.com.
📌PTO Events Calendar
The updated 2023-24 JE PTO calendar of events can be found here.
📌Check out our PTO page on the JE Website!
You can find lots of helpful information about the PTO here, including the minutes from our most recent meeting!
📌Follow us on Facebook
For the latest PTO updates, follow Joshua Eaton PTO on Facebook!
Jessie Tran & Sarah Fuller
PTO Co-Presidents
Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Council - Events are open to all!
Do you have a child who is on an IEP, a 504 plan, or with special needs. If so, the Reading SEPAC exists for YOU.
Please fill out this brief, anonymous survey to help your SEPAC Board to plan for the 2024-2025 school year. It should only take a few minutes.
This school year we brought speakers to the Reading community on important topics such as executive functioning and anxiety based in large part on what parents highlighted in the annual survey, so it’s very important to make sure your voice is heard.
We also want to hear from you on how we are doing in meeting our community’s needs and what more we can do to improve Reading SEPAC.
SEPAC Family Lunch Meetup
Come have lunch, meet other families, and enjoy a time of conversation and connection.
Limited seating, so sign-up soon!
April 9th, 11-1PM
Please Click Here to Register for the SEPAC Lunch Meetup.
School Transition Workshops:
For parents and caregivers whose child has an IEP and will be transitioning to a different school in Reading or who is new to Reading.
Thursday, April 11th, 12-1pm (Virtual)
Wednesday, April 24th, 6pm (In Person - location TBD)
Please Click Here to Register for the Virtual School Transition Presentation.
The New IEP Presentations:
Wednesday, May 8th, 6PM (In Person - location TBD)
Thursday, May 9th, 12PM (Virtual)
Past Events:
Extended School Year (ESY) Presentation Recording will be available soon on the Reading SEPAC Website. Please check back.
MCAS & Students with Disabilities Presentation Recording will be available soon on the Reading SEPAC Website. Please check back.
Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Presentation Recording available on the Reading SEPAC Website.
Review tiered system of supports and provide examples
Outline effective communication channels with your team and the school
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."