Principal Rubino's Weekly Update
W.S. Parker Middle School Newsletter; Friday, March 24, 2023
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Dear Parker Middle School Families,
This month is just speeding by. I can’t believe we are approaching the last week of March!
On Monday, Urban Improv Rehearsal for Life will be here to work with our grade 8 students. The topic of their social emotional learning is microaggressions. I’m hoping to finalize a new date for our Family and Community Event with Rehearsal for Life early next week. This past week the group worked with our seventh-grade students around the topic of cyberbullying. Students had an opportunity to think more about what happens when unkind messages are shared via social media and text messages and how to respond if something happens.
Earlier this week I sent home information regarding the Project Safe Childhood (PSC) Internet safety presentations for grades 6, 7, and 8. Project Safe Childhood is the United States Department of Justice initiative that launched in 2006 to combat the proliferation of technology-facilitated crimes involving the exploitation of children. You can find more about PSC here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/outreach/project-safe-childhood The presentations will take place during school on Thursday, April 6 in a partnership between the United States Attorney’s Office and the Reading Police Department. If you wish to opt your child out of this presentation, please send me an email.
I have started to share information regarding transitions for students in grade 6 moving into grade 7. All information regarding transitions will be added to our school website under “school information - access transition documents.” Forms for course selection for our current students will be sent via email to students and families the week of April 10.
And finally, a quick message from Mr. Peledge:
To the Parker Community,
I wanted you to hear from me directly that I have been offered the position of principal at The Lincoln School, 5-8 in Lincoln, MA. Once contract negotiations are settled, I will become principal there beginning July 1, and a new assistant principal will take my place at Parker.
As a 17-year resident of Reading, and a former Parker parent myself, it has been a great joy to work in the district and at Parker in particular. I had known many of you prior to my time at Parker, and very much appreciated the support you have given me during my time here. It has made being here feel like home, largely because of the community support you afforded me. Therefore, it is with bittersweet feelings that I will move on from Parker, but I know the school is in good hands with Ms. Rubino and the Parker staff and will continue to be so because of the support we get from our families. I will do my best to make the transition for the next assistant principal a smooth one, and I look forward to cherishing my closing months until that time.
Very respectfully,
Jay Peledge
All of us at Parker wish Mr. Peledge the best as he moves on at the end of this school year.
Upcoming Important Dates:
Sunday, March 26: Friends of Reading METCO Caregiver Social Event @ Dona Habana Restaurant in Boston from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Adults Only!)
Friday, March 31:
- End of Term 3
- Grade 6 School Dance
Tuesday, April 4
Grade 8 ELA MCAS
Wednesday, April 5
- Grade 8 ELA MCAS
Friday, April 7
- Early Release at 12:30 p.m.
- Good Friday
Monday, April 10
- Grade 7 ELA MCAS
- Course selection forms for World Language sent via email to current grade 6 students
- Course selection forms for incoming grade six students sent via to families and students
- Arts Fest
Tuesday, April 11
- Grade 7 ELA MCAS
- School Council Meeting at 7 p.m.
- Arts Fest
Wednesday, April 12
- Grade 6 ELA MCAS
- Arts Fest
Thursday, April 13
Grade 6 ELA MCAS
April 17 - 21: School Vacation Week
Save the Date: 8th grade Promotion Ceremony and Dance: Wednesday, June 14
- Promotion Ceremony to begin at 5:30 p.m.
- Dance to follow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
To access the 2022-2023 District Calendar, click here.
2023 Boston Sports Museum Essay Writing Winners:
5th Grade Instrument Nights – SAVE THE DATE!
All 5th graders are strongly encouraged to attend the 5th Grade Instrument nights! Don’t miss the opportunity to discover what instrument is the best fit for you to play in band next year. Almost everyone will be beginners, and 6th grade is the year to join the band! More information to follow; at this point, we just want you to save the dates!
Monday, April 24th
@ Coolidge 6:00-8:00 (for future Parker and Coolidge Students)
Students from Barrows, Birch Meadow, and Wood End
Tuesday, April 25th (for future Parker and Coolidge Students)
@ Coolidge 6:00-8:00
Students from Killam and Joshua Eaton
Parker Middle School Rocked Our Socks for World Down Syndrome Day
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
Join us for Arts Fest 2023
District Strategic Planning - Family/Community Engagement
News from the PTO
📌 It's time for our Spring CALARESO'S FUNDRAISER!
Support a local business by purchasing gift cards from Calareso's Farm Stand & Garden Center. Certificates are $10 each and orders can be sent in thru Friday March 31st. 25% goes straight to our PTO!
Please consider stocking up on certificates for all your spring needs. Use them yourself or give them as gifts!
Flyers were emailed and sent home in backpacks. Please have your students drop off the order form at the front office. Thank you for supporting the Parker PTO.
📌 SAVE THE DATE! Parker Family Fun Night is Friday, May 19 from 6:30-8:30pm. We are looking for a few volunteers to help organize this fun outdoor event. The PTO has funds that can be used towards food/supplies for this free event. If you are interested please email: Parkerptopres@gmail.com. This event can't happen without our volunteers!
📌 Dine Out for Parker - Anthony's Roast Beef & Pizza - Wednesday March 29th from 4-8pm. Mention “Parker” and 20% of all sales will be donated back to Parker!
📌 LAST CALL FOR RED SOX TICKETS: Join the Parker community, family and friends for a night of fun at Fenway Park!
When: Wednesday, May 31st at 7:10pm
Cost: $40 per ticket (Includes donation to Parker Middle School)
Please use this link to purchase tickets: https://fevogm.com/event/Parker2023
Questions: Contact Megan Holton- mholton21@gmail.com
See flyer for more details.
📌 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!
⭐ 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 more information about these and other opportunities, click here for SEPAC’s 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