PARKER WEEKLY PREVIEW
Weeks of November 22 & 29, 2021
Brought to you by, Principal Shankland
How to Translate this Newsletter
- Portuguese: Na caixa preta na parte superior do boletim, selecione Traduzir Boletim informativo para escolher o idioma desejado.
- Spanish: En el cuadro de Negro en la parte superior del boletín de noticias, seleccione Traducir Boletín de escoger el idioma deseado.
- Arabic : في المربع الأسود في أعلى النشرة الإخبارية، حدد ترجمة الرسالة الإخبارية لاختيار اللغة المطلوبة.
- Vietnamese: Trong hộp đen ở phía trên cùng của bản tin, chọn dịch ký nhận để chọn ngôn ngữ mong muốn.
Swahili: Katika sanduku nyeusi juu ya jarida, chagua Jarida la Tafsiri ili kuchagua lugha taka.
A Message from the Principal
Dear Parker Families,
Although we missed the children today, we had a great day of fun, collaboration and learning! Staff were able to dig into their goals together, share ideas and then get started on their work. We have a highly dedicated, caring and ambitious staff who are all in it for the kids! I am truly thankful for the opportunity to be the principal of Parker Middle School!
With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up, I will not be sending a newsletter next week. The next newsletter will be shared the weekend of December 3rd.
I wish everyone a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving break!
Take care,
Mrs. Shankland
Attention Boston Resident Families!
If your student plans to ride the late bus on Tuesday and/ or Thursday, please be sure to sign up HERE so the bus knows to stop at Parker at 6:05pm. Thank you!
After School Clubs (year long)
Math Team -
Meetings take place on Thursdays after school.
We The Change (WTC) -
Meetings take place every other Thursday. See more info & how to apply HERE.
The next meeting will be Dec 9.
Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) - Meetings will be very other Thursday. See more info HERE.
Next meeting will be Dec 2 at 2:35.
Parker Service - Meetings will take place every other Tuesday at 2:35.
Next meeting will be Dec 21.
Science Olympiad - Meetings will take place on Mondays from 2:45 - 3:45.
Parkapella - Rehearsals are on Tuesdays 2:40 - 4:00.
Helpful Documents
Use the links below to access important documents. These are also available on the school website and the portal.
- Staff Organization Chart
- Staff Directory
- 2021-2022 District Calendar
- 2021-2022 Parker Dates of Interest
- 2021-2022 Day Rotation Calendar
- MS Curriculum Guides
- Welcome from MS Health Offices
- Nutrislice Lunch Menu
Absences/ Tardies
To report absences and/ or tardies please either call (781)944-1236 or email wspabsences@reading.k12.ma.us.
Upcoming Dates
November 24 - Early Release, 11:00 am
November 29 - Family Math Night (K-6 Illustrative Math), 7:00-8:00pm, Zoom (Sign Up HERE)
November 29 - December 10 - Project 351 Food Drive for Reading Food Pantry
Help restock the food pantry! Bring donations to the main lobby!
November 30 - Supporting Your Child's Reading at Home, 7 pm (Info HERE)
December 3 - Early Release, 12:30 pm
December 1 - PTO Meeting (Middle Schools YRBS Results presented by Erica McNamara), 7:00 pm (hybrid: Coolidge Multi-purpose Room and zoom link)
December 4 - Friends of Reading METCO Family Event (Registration - FLYER)
December 4 and 5 - REF Festival of Tress (Advance Sales - Order Now!) FLYER HERE!
Dec 4 - Parkapella performance at 2:00 pm
December 9 - School Spirit!! Flannel Day
December 14 -
Grade 6 Band/ Chorus Concert & Parkapella, 6:00 pm
Grade 7 Band/ Chorus Concert & Parkapella, 7:45 pm
December 16 - Grade 8 Band/ Chorus Concert & Jazz Band/ wind Ensemble, 7:00 pm
December 17 - School Spirit!! Pajama Day
December 21 - Parker Service and Parkapella visit Tannerville, 2:30 pm
December 23 - School Spirit!! Holiday or Ugly Sweater Day
December 24 - 31 - Vacation
Return to school on Monday, January 3
Friends of Reading METCO - Family Event - Dec 4!
Feel free to e-mail ilka@ilkawalkley.com if you have any questions.
American Indian Heritage Month
This month is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, histories and acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and in ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.” This work is important to our "all students" mission and raising diverse students in RPS.
Let’s take this month to acknowledge and learn about our American Indian families, history, and present life. Here are some links that you can use to produce some fun creative ways of doing this.
A Proclamation on National Native American Heritage Month, 2021 | The White House
15 Classroom Activities, Books, and Resources for Native American Heritage Month - Waterford.org
Native American Heritage Month | NCAI
American Indian History and Heritage | NEH-Edsitement
National Native American Heritage Month
Teaching Native American Histories | Teaching Native American Histories (umass.edu)
Parker COVID Cases Update
This is where I will keep families updated on our weekly COVID case numbers.
From Week of Nov 15:
We had 1 student and 2 staff COVID cases reported this week and 16 close contacts identified, 14 of which will participate in "test and stay." The student case is on the upstairs 6th grade team (6Red) and the staff cases are unrelated to the student case or each other.
If you have not signed up for our school routine COVID safety check program, sign up here: https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma
11/18/21 COVID UPDATES
Hello Families,
We are aware of a number of new COVID-19 cases this week and wanted to provide some more specific information about testing.
Students in "test and stay" should quarantine outside of school. They should not participate in sports, birthday parties or even well visits or appointments. Test & Stay is for in-school exposures.
Students who are in "test and stay" may participate in pooled testing, as long as they are asymptomatic. If they develop symptoms, please consult their physician.
Pooled testing will be held at Killam on Friday 11/19 from 1-5. Here is the link to sign up for pooled testing.
Here is the link for consent for testing, including test and stay, symptomatic and pooled, if you have not already signed up.
To remove your student from the consented list please email a cancel request to: support@cic-health.com
Also Please see the 11/12/21 update:
From: Reading Public Schools Director of Nursing, Mary Giuliana
Date: November 12, 2021
Symptoms: We ask parents to do a health screening for symptoms before school and to keep their child home if symptomatic and follow up with their doctor. School nurses are using DESE and DPH guidance to make assessments and decisions about students staying in school. If a child becomes symptomatic at school, we may do the "Binax now" rapid test and if positive, give parents guidance on isolation and quarantine and begin contact tracing. If a child has symptoms but tests negative, they should be seen by PCP for PCR and/or other testing (we are unable to test for flu and strep for example). If a medical provider sends a note that symptoms are due to other causes, a cough from asthma or strep throat for fever for example, the child can return as long as they are fever free for 24 hours, which is our usual policy.
Test and Stay: Test and stay is a program from DESE and DPH for in-school close contacts only. It does not apply to students exposed to family or in other outside situations such as sports. Children are much more likely to test positive for COVID in these situations, and need to follow traditional quarantine guidance. Students in test and stay should not participate in outside activities during the 7 day time period from the last day of exposure.
Travel guidance: As holidays approach, please be aware that we have had a number of positive cases involving individuals who have traveled, which directly impacts our school community. While we cannot mandate what families do outside of school, we respectfully ask that families consider the health and safety of all of our students and staff, and follow the travel guidelines put in place by the CDC. Individuals who have been previously diagnosed with COVID within 90 days do not need to quarantine, and only those who are unvaccinated must quarantine after travel. Now that our youngest students will have the opportunity to be vaccinated, we hope to see a decline in case numbers, and expect that the travel guidelines will reflect that as the situation improves.
COVID PROTOCOL flowcharts:
Advisory Update
As a reminder, advisory occurs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 7:55-8:14. We have been using the following resource Facing History and Ourselves: - Advisory Info for our first few months: making connections, establishing norms, having 1:1 advisor/ advisee goal setting meetings, sharing our personal identities, Veteran's day activity, right/ wrong binary activities and team building activities. This will continue into December and then there will be some homeroom hall decorating fun prior to December vacation.
In January, we will build on this strong foundation and to move forward with our next unit, which is to support students to build their understanding of "power". The goal of this unit is multifaceted: to have meaningful conversations in a safe manner; to allow all voices to be heard (as long as they are not hurting others); to build understanding of each other and of history; and to support the development of students as thoughtful members of society. The goal is not to impart adult opinions on students or to create a right/wrong binary around topics, but instead to provide the space to develop their own thinking and opinions.
We have chosen to start this work by utilizing "The Power Book: What is It, Who Has It, and Why" (Songhurst et al.). It is built simply; two pages per topic, it examines how power dynamics have been impacted by different factions: adults and kids; peer to peer; gender; voting; government; race; money; different bodies; invisible; and more!
While it will take us some time to know our pacing through the various topics, a goal of mine is to be transparent with families about the topics we are discussing and the questions therein, with the hope that some families extend these conversations at home (or even to give parents the tools to ask their children about the topics).
We will be starting with the question "What is Power?".
The following week, we will explore the questions:
Who has power in your world? Why do they have it?
Who doesn’t seem to have power in your world? Why don’t they?
Students have access to journals that they can utilize for reflection activities that will support the discussions.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Reading Food Pantry Food Drive: Project 351
Hello Parker families, I’m Quinn Synnott. Some of you may remember me from last year when I ran the Cradles to Crayons clothing drive. My final act as an ambassador for the amazing program Project 351 is running a food drive for the Reading Food Pantry. I’ll be collecting food for the pantry from November 29 to December 10. There will be a donation box in the Parker lobby every day over this period that students can drop off donations in. Some of the items the food pantry always needs are coffee, tea, flour, sugar, baking soda, cooking oil, lunch packs of fruit, lunch packs of pudding, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent, toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels. Please be sure that any food being donated is not past it’s expiration date. Thank you for your support and generosity in helping those in need!
REF Festival of Trees: Dec 4 & 5
Reading Education Foundation is preparing for our 19th Annual Festival of Trees! Our annual holiday fundraiser is a great family event that helps raise funds to provide teacher grants that go beyond the regular scope of the classroom. Visitors will be delighted and inspired by a winter wonderland of decorated holiday trees that are raffled off to lucky winners! We need your help to make this event better than ever! FLYER HERE!
Our decorated trees are donated by local families, businesses, sports teams, social organizations and schools. With a wide variety of trees and holiday items to choose from, there is something for everyone!
REF will be hosting the celebration on Saturday, December 4 & Sunday, December 5, at Parker Middle School. Set up is Friday, December 3 and trees are dropped off between 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Please consider donating a decorated tree! Creativity is encouraged! In the past, donors have decorated a tree in memory of a loved one, as a family project, to promote a cause or to advertise a business, etc. Neighborhood trees have also been popular. Trees must be artificial and tree size may range from tabletop to 11 feet. Visit our website www.readingef.org for more ideas!
Please email us at FOT@readingef.org if you or a group are interested in donating a tree this season. Be sure to include the name of your tree and the name and email address of the contact person dropping off the tree during set up on Friday, December 3.
Thank you for your continued support!
PTO: ALL WELCOME!
Our monthly meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of each month. Our next meeting is on December 1 at 7:00 pm. This meeting will be a joint middle school meeting to discuss the middle school results of the YRBS. It will be led by Erica McNamara and our school resource officers. This will be a hybrid meeting, so you may come in-person and meet in the Coolidge Multi-purpose Room or participate on Zoom (link to follow).
Kelly Malone & Tricia Therrien
Co-Presidents
Private/ Technical School Application Process
Charleston Wrap Fundraiser: Now - December 3
Please note that orders should be placed by November 29 for delivery prior to December vacation.
Are you new to the Reading Public Schools?
Do you have questions about how things work at Parker and wished you knew a parent to ask questions? Hopefully, I can help you! My name is Maria Selvitelli. I’ve been a Reading resident for over 16 years. I have a 6th grader at Parker and a Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) graduate of 2020. My husband, Greg has been a Town Meeting Member for about 15 years. We have been part of the RPS since we moved here.
I’m happy to help you by being the “New to RPS” Liaison and answer any questions you have about the Reading Public Schools and Parker Middle School. If I don’t have the answers, I’ll help you find someone who can help. Are you not “New to RPS”, but have been wanting to ask about something and didn’t know who to ask…you’re welcome too! Send an email to NewtoRPS@yahoo.com.
Welcome to Reading Public Schools and I look forward to meeting you soon!!!
Maria Selvitelli
Parker PTO, “New to RPS” Liaison
Coats for Kids
From now until December break, we will be participating in the “Coats for Kids and Families” Drive.
We are looking for adult and children size warm winter coats. Each year, Anton’s Cleaners aims to collect 50,000 warm winter coats to provide to individuals and families in need. Coats are cleaned by Anton’s Cleaners and made available to a network of over 90 distribution partners made up of local nonprofits, social service agencies, and schools to ensure the coats are given to those who really need them!
Please donate your coats to the large box next to the main stairs on the first floor.
SEPAC Update
- The Reading in Reading Subcommittee created a resource list of books and podcasts that provide recommended information regarding reading.
- SEPAC_RinR_Subcommittee_Recommended_Book_List_v2 with cover April 7th.docx
Connect with SEPAC by clicking these links:
Join SEPAC's mailing list by emailing SEPACREADING@gmail.com
Follow SEPAC on Facebook (please adjust settings so that you are sure to see our posts)
The mission of the Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is to work for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community.
From the Health Office: Nurse Kate Shmulsky
Parent Notice for Screenings, Vaccines and Meds
Annual State mandated screenings are scheduled to begin in the next few weeks during November for students and will continue until complete. Please send students in clothing that supports screening for scoliosis, and with prescribed corrective lenses if applicable:
Grade 6: postural-scoliosis
Grade 7: postural-scoliosis, hearing, vision, height/weight
Grade 8: postural-scoliosis
There is an alternative to opt out. If you do not want your student to participate, please email/submit written request specifying which screening(s) and submit a current MD documentation of screening. If there are any other concerns, please let me know.
State mandated vaccines:
Grade 7: Tdap & Meningococcal vaccines are required for the start of 7th grade, and the district requests an updated physical. Please see the link for state information about school exclusions: https://www.mass.gov/infodetails/school-immunizations#school-and-camp-requirements-
ALL Grades: Reminder that students are not allowed to self-carry medicine (except EpiPens and inhalers with appropriate annual RPS Medication form/action plans). The medication administration form is listed on Parker website under the Students tab, Health Services, Forms. *Please have renewed orders and forms each school year.
The Parker Health office can be reached via email/phone: kate.shmulsky@reading.k12.ma.us or phone 781-944-1236 ext 13322
Covid vaccination eligibility was approved for ages 5-11, here is the state's link for vaccine scheduling: http://www.mass.gov/covidvaccine
Free Breakfast & Lunch!
Free meals will continue throughout the 2021-2022 school year! CLICK HERE for more information!
Snacks including bottled water and milk, not sold as part of a meal, will not be free because they are not included in the funding.
We are accepting free and reduced meal applications for other benefits families may wish to access such as sports, extended day, transportation or similar.
Application and Sharing Permission Form
Copies are also available in the Parker Main Office which is open from 8:00-3:00 daily.
Free/ Reduced Lunch Application - Financial Assistance
In a typical year, the cost of meals are free or reduced for those who qualify using the "Free & Reduced Lunch" application. The application actually has more benefits than just breakfast/ lunch. If families fill out the form, as well as the "Share" form, then those who qualify can also qualify for assistance for things like after school activities and field trips. So if you are someone who thinks you may qualify, please consider filling it out so that we can help you in various areas over the course of the year! We can't actually help without this form!
We are already planning field trips and financial assistance is only approved with this form!
Application and Sharing Permission Form
Copies are also available in the Parker Main Office which is open from 8:00-3:00 daily.
Friends of Reading METCO
Crossing Guards Needed!
A Therapeutic Resource for Families!
The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support has partnered with Doc Wayne to bring an exciting youth therapeutic program to Reading students ages 5-18. You can learn more about Doc Wayne’s programming on their website or by watching this short video. If you have any questions about Doc Wayne’s services please contact Maggie Yuan, Doc Wayne Program Director, at myuan@docwayne.org. See below for the referral form and someone from Doc Wayne will reach out to your family directly!
Interest/ Referral Form for Group Therapy
Using a theoretical curriculum, which incorporates social-emotional learning and life skills, Doc Wayne offers innovative mental health programming. In addition to traditional individual therapy, Doc Wayne offers unique group therapeutic programs. Through these groups students:
- Have the opportunity and needed supports to become resilient and regulated individuals with positive adult and peer relationships
- Create positive relationships with teammates, friends, and family members
- Become confident and competent members of their schools and larger communities
- Achieve their highest level of academic success
Please CLICK HERE to find out more! All of Doc Wayne’s programming is being offered via telehealth due to COVID-19. If you have any questions please contact Sammy Salkin, Outreach Coordinator, Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support at ssalkin@ci.reading.ma.us.
Family Resources
Please be reminded of these amazing resources, if your family is in need:
- Reading Coalition’s Mental Health Resource List, Substance Misuse Resource List, and information on the Interface Referral Service has been updated and is available for all our families. The most updated version of our COVID-19 Resource is available on our website along with some additional resources. Please take a look if you need support for you or your family.
- Culturally Responsive Resource Hub link here.
- RPS District Resource Flow Chart linked here.
- Finding support to address substance misuse linked here.
- Mental Health Resource Sheet linked here.
- RPS Behavioral Health Resources linked here.
- Town of Reading: compiled resources linked here.
- St. Vincent de Paul linked here.
- Reading Food Pantry linked here.
- Project Bread link here.
About Interface Referral Service
Walter S. Parker Middle School
Richele Shankland, Principal (x13301)
Jason Peledge, Asst. Principal (x13302)
Diane Finigan, Administrative Assistant (x13300)
Kate Shmulsky, (x13322)
Email: richele.shankland@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: www.reading.k12.ma.us/parker
Location: 45 Temple Street, Reading, MA 01867
Phone: (781)944-1236
Twitter: @WSParkerMS