Wood End Wildcat News
June 13, 2021
Wood End Celebrates Special Olympics!
Not a dry eye as we cheered for our athletes, Wildcat style!
All-School Send Off!
So much support for friends!
On your mark, get set, GO!
Heading to the starting line!
Cooling down with some tasty slush!
Thank You PTO!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our retiring PTO board members for their leadership, dedication and support over the past several years. These folks have worked hard to provide some wonderful opportunities for our students, staff and families. Coordinating fundraising events, book fairs, enrichment programs, school supplies, teacher appreciation events, flamingo flocking, and restaurant nights to name a few, they have helped make Wood End the special community it is today. I am so grateful for all they have done, and all they have shared with our students. A great big thank you to...
- Cristina Prior & Melissa Moran - Co-Presidents
- Lisa Coulouris - VP Social Coordinator
- Jackie Hanley - VP Room Parent Coordinator
- Dimpee Desai - VP Communications
- Lindsey Byrnes - VP Enrichment
- Jackie Hanley - Secretary
- Kathy Exarchos - Treasurer
We held our final PTO meeting of the year and elected our new board members for the 2021-23 terms. Congratulations to the following board members:
- Laura Brandt - VP Events & Fundraising
- Emily McNaughton - VP Room Parent Coordinator
- Dimpee Desai - VP Communications
- Bridget Briere - VP Enrichment
- Amt Croot - Secretary
- Kristen Godsoe - Treasurer
We are still looking for someone to take on the President/Co-President. This is a wonderful opportunity to help lead an amazingly talented and dedicated group of people who are actively involved in our school community. If you are interested in this role or learning more about it, please reach out to Dr. King, Melissa Moran, or Cristina Prior for more information.
All-School Beach Day & Book Buddies Celebration
Students Showcase Their Interviews!
Thank you to all of you who participated in our Family & Community interviews put on by School Council! Beginning Tuesday, families may view all the interviews from our students using this link. Be sure to also go to the photo and video links on the assignment page in each grade level!
Enjoy getting to know our wonderful school community!
Report Cards
Please remember that during a "typical" year, the expectation is for your child to be “Meeting” (M) the standard by the end of the school year. Many of our students may be "Advancing" (A) toward the standards, so please don’t be alarmed if your child has not mastered all the skills and can perform them independently. Teachers will be reviewing report cards in the fall for incoming students so they can plan their instruction accordingly and plan time for explicit instruction on any skills not yet mastered. Missing what has amounted to almost a full year of in-person learning has had an impact on every child. We are all working together to plan appropriate instruction to meet those needs, though this will not happen overnight. We will continue to provide information about next year's instruction and pacing to keep you updated. If you have specific concerns about your child's progress this year, please contact your child's classroom teacher.
Still Missing Many Laptops!
If you have not done so already, please return the laptop that was provided for remote learning. Since remote access is no longer needed, we are asking all families to return the laptops and cables/cords, as well as hotspots if applicable, as soon as possible. We need to inventory and account for this equipment and would like to do this as soon as possible. Please refer to the attached loaner agreement to review the terms of agreement you signed.
All laptops and cables/cords from each family should be returned to Mrs. Finigan in our Main Office at your earliest convenience. Please be sure the power cord is provided with the laptop. If laptops are not returned, families will be charged for replacement of items that are not returned, lost, or damaged.
5th Grade Celebration Details
We are very excited for our outdoor "Moving On" ceremony honoring our 5th grade students on Wednesday, June 16th beginning at 8:45 a.m. Students should plan to dress comfortably (i.e. shorts, t-shirts, sneakers) and wear sunscreen for this day. Please note the schedule for this day's events below. Rain date is Thursday, June 17th.
- 8:45-9:15 "Moving On Ceremony" on the lower field. Attendance is limited to 3 guests per 5th grade student. Younger siblings will not be allowed to leave their classes to attend. Adults should bring a chair if you want to sit for this period. Masks are not required outdoors as long as we maintain 3 feet for social distancing between families. Families are encouraged to take photos immediately following the ceremony before students begin field day, and family members depart.
- 9:15-9:30 Students transition to field day activities; snack/water break; bathroom break
- 9:30-11:30 Field Day games & activities organized by Mr. Bauer and 5th grade planning committee
- 11:30-12:00 Pizza lunch on the field
- 12:00-12:30 Slush & socializing with peers
- 12:30-2:45 Students return to classrooms
If you can provide requested games, snacks, water and other needed supplies, please check out our Sign-Up Genius HERE. We appreciate any help you can provide to make this day special for our 5th graders.
Thank You REF!
Library Update
Overdue Books & Materials
The Massachusetts Children's Book Awards
The new list for the Massachusetts Children’s Book Awards (MCBA)has been released by Salem State. This list highlights 25 books aimed at students in grades 4-6 covering a variety of genres and levels. These are recommended by teachers, librarians, and publishers as top books for students. Liz Whitelam, from Whitelam Books, has also created an online bookshop for these titles and the Reading Public Library created a virtual bookshelf, so you can browse and request books from their collection. They also shared a link to their Overdrive collection for MCBA titles that has access to audiobook and e-books.
Whitelam Books https://bookshop.org/lists/2021-mcba-booklist
Health Updates
As a school nurse and a parent of 3 kids, I have noticed the trend that we all need to readjust from "pandemic survival mode" to re-establishing healthy routines again. As we head toward the summer, please consider planning any overdue doctor appointments, necessary specialist visits, or dentist appointments for your children. In addition to lots of summer fun, this is also a great time to help kids refocus on personal hygiene, sleep habits, and healthy eating.
If your child has an Epipen, inhaler, or other medication at the school, please plan to pick these up either Friday, June 18th or Monday, June 21st by 3:00 p.m.
As we prepare for the new school year in the fall, you will need a new doctor’s order and parent permission forms for any medication. Be sure to check those expiration dates.
Click HERE for many helpful forms and other school health information.
I sincerely thank you and have loved being a health resource for you and your family.
Wishing a happy & healthy summer to all!
Sincerely,
Kristen Agami, RN BSN
Middle School Summer Reading
The Middle School Library Media Specialists along with Alison Straker, the district Humanities Coordinator, has put together an easy to access list for Middle School Summer reading. They also coordinated with the fabulous Liz Whitelam for our local bookstore, Whitelam Books. She put together online book lists for families that were interested in buying any of the titles. There are also books on display in the store. The Reading Public Library has the list of books and they will also be available there!
The links to shop are located right on the slides!
Reading Summer Reading Program
The Wood End Library may be closed for the summer, but the Reading Public Library is open and offering lots of great programming! This year's summer reading theme is "Tails and Tales." It will be focused on all kinds of animal fun, and of course lots of reading! Read below to find out more information on how to join in the fun this summer!
When: June 21st - August 14th
How: Kids may stop by the Children’s Room to sign up on or after Monday, June 21. They'll be given a Bingo board full of ideas and activities. When they complete a row, column, diagonal, OR do a “blackout” – fill out the whole board they are eligible for prizes. Registration can also occur online with the option for the child to print their own Bingo sheet.
In addition to the Bingo board there will be ongoing theme-based activities held throughout the summer including seeing Flying High Dogs, a professional K-9 Frisbee team perform on June 29!
Here's the LINK for more information, reading lists, events list etc.
Reading Public Library Resources
Virtual bookshelf https://www.readingpl.org/bookshelves/mcba-nominees-2021-22/
Overdrive collection https://noble.overdrive.com/noble-reading/kids/collection/1214236
If you don’t have a library card, stop by and get one. The library is open!
Summer Food Resources
As we continue to transition out of the pandemic, we would like to communicate to you two opportunities throughout the summer where families will be able to access food on a weekly basis. Both of these programs are meant to complement each other and are not in competition with each other.
I. Reading Public Schools Food Distribution Program Through the USDA
We will be continuing our food distribution program throughout the summer. As part of the USDA Seamless Summer Program, we will be providing 7 breakfasts and 7 lunches for each child in a family, ages 0-22. The food will include fresh fruits and vegetables, along with perishable items. Food Distribution will be every Tuesday, beginning on June 22nd, from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon at the bridge at Reading Memorial High School near the Hawke Field House. For further information, please contact School Nutrition Director Danielle Collins at Danielle.Collins@reading.k12.ma.us.
II. St. Vincent de Paul Society Fifth Annual Summer Food Distribution Program
The Reading Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul is pleased to invite you to share in our fifth annual summer food program. This free program serves the families of any students who are at risk of hunger during this very difficult financial time. Every family who joins this program will receive a supply of free, high quality, nutritious and non-perishable food each week during the summer months...oh, and some new recipes, too.
Here’s how to join:
1. Register your family with us by answering the following three questions:
A. Your last name
B. The number of children in your family
C. The address in Reading to which your groceries should be delivered
2. Send this information to St. Vincent de Paul Society on line at
st.agnes.reading.svdp@gmail.com by Thursday, June 10, 2021.
Weekly deliveries will be made on Wednesday late afternoon from June 16 through August 18. You will receive a weekly email on the day of delivery which will advise you of the approximate time you can expect your groceries. At this point, if you wish to cancel this delivery just send notice via return email. Please also use this email to discuss any comments or concerns you may have with this free service during the summer.
Your groceries will be delivered to the address in Reading as noted above. Please state which outside door to leave these bags and if you wish the delivery person to ring the bell. To be certain that all the groceries are delivered in a timely way, the driver is on a very strict schedule and so is not able to enter your home.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Although we are sensitive to friends with food allergies, we are not prepared to modify the contents of the bags to meet everyone’s personal needs. Just as you would shop in a store, we ask you to select the items for your family. If there is something you cannot use, please pass it on to someone else or deposit it into the Reading Food Pantry collection bin at your local supermarket.
Best wishes for a very healthy and happy summer,
Alicia Gallagher
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Book Drive Ends June 13
In an effort to bring more books that represent diverse perspectives into our schools, Understanding Disabilities has put together a book drive with Whitelam Books. Understanding Disabilities teaches our students that even though we may be different in many ways, we are all the same inside. To help our kids see through the eyes of people with diverse abilities, UD has created a wish list of books for our school, chosen by our library staff, that feature characters with disabilities.
Beginning May 10 and running through June 13, stop into Whitelam Books on Main Street here in Reading, or call (781) 779-1833, to purchase one or more of these books for our school library, and while you are there, check out the full list of books and consider picking one up for your child as well! Many of these books are past MCBA book honorees, and Whitelam has books from picture books through young adult books selected for all five elementary schools and the two middle schools in town.
The books for Wood End will be delivered to our library in June after the drive is complete, and will be ready for students to start reading in the fall. Please share this information with loved ones and friends who might also like to support our school and Understanding Disabilities.
- The Snow Rabbit Hardcover by Camille Garoche
- My Three Best Friends and Me, Zulay by Cari Best and Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Illustrator)
- Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant
- A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin byJen Bryant, Melissa Sweet (Illustrator)
- Completely Me byJustine Green
- The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game by Nancy Churnin, Jez Tuya (Illustrator)
- Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
- Farah Rocks Fifth Grade by Susan Muaddi Darraj
- Show Me A Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
- What the Wind Can Tell You by Sarah Marie Jette
FIANL Student Services Office Hours
Dear Families,
If you are interested in meeting with Dr. Jennifer Stys, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Allison Wright, Director of Special Education, please utilize this Doodle Poll to reserve a time. The purpose of the office hours is to provide time to connect with families regarding any questions or concerns regarding your students and their experiences. Prior to your designated time, you will receive a ZOOM link for your meeting time.
OFFICE HOURS:
- Tuesday, 6/15/21 @12-1 pm
Please reach out to Allison Wright, Director of Student Services with any questions or concerns.
End of Year Opportunities
SEPAC Workshop on June 15th–Reading SEPAC and Reading Public Schools will host a workshop, Understanding the Process of Assessing for Reading Disabilities, on Tuesday, June 15th at7:00 p.m. on Zoom. You can access the link here: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/87037078496.
This is the second in a series of community reading trainings. As part of this training, participants will learn about:
- Understanding the Process of Assessing for Reading Disabilities
- Understanding the Referral Process
- Understanding Reading Assessments for Specific Constructs/Assessment Sensitivity
- Using Reading Assessment Data to Drive Instruction/Progress Monitoring (Aimlines)
- The Crafting Minds Special Education Graphic Organizer for Assessment Results
The presenters for the workshop will be:
- Shana Goldwyn, PhD – Team Chairperson: Killam Elementary/Joshua Eaton Elementary
- Renee Limauro, MS, CCC-SLP – Team Chairperson: Reading Memorial High School
- Auriana Musselman, M.Ed. – LEAD Teacher, Parker Middle School
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)
- Visit SEPAC’s website
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.
1st Days School Supplies for 2021-22
We have been working with 1st Days School Supplies to once again create grade-level supply kits for next year! By ordering through this vendor, families are able to do their back to school shopping risk free from the comfort and safety of their own home. Get the exact supplies our teachers are requesting without the hassle and aggravation of shopping at big box retailers.
Emails from 1st Day School Supplies with this link were also sent directly to all families who purchased a kit in prior years.
Ongoing Fundraisers
Amazon Smile
When you shop at smile.amazon.com, Amazon donates 0.5% of the purchase price to the PTO. Bookmark in your browser for every time you shop Amazon. Save this link as a shortcut on your phone desktop!
Shutterfly
Be sure to use our school's Shutterfly & TinyPrints Storefront when ordering cards, photos, gifts, invitations, etc. Did you know that 8% of your purchase gets donated back to Wood End for our kids? Please feel free to share our storefront with family members and friends.
About These Services...
The Town of Reading contracts with William James College to offer a special service for our residents. The William James INTERFACE Referral Service maintains a mental health and wellness referral help line Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). This is a free, confidential referral service for individuals across the lifespan living in Reading. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers from our extensive database. Each referral meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller. Click here to learn more!
Family Resources
Please be reminded of these amazing resources, if your family is in need:
- RPS Behavioral Health Resources linked here.
- Town of Reading: compiled resources linked here.
- RCASA and Mental Health Support linked here.
- St. Vincent de Paul linked here.
- Free & Reduced lunch access: sign up here.
- Reading Food Pantry linked here.
- Project Bread link here.
- Residential Financial Assistance (Rent/Mortgage) link here. (New resource! Check it out!)
Upcoming Events:
June
15 - Kindergarten Celebration of Growing, 8:45-9:15; Grade 3 Virtual enrichment program, Museum of Science, Built for Survival
16 - Spirit Day, Wear your Wildcat Gear! Grade 5 "Moving On" Ceremony & Celebration; Student Council end-of-year celebration
21 - Last Day of School; All-School Meeting & Celebration; 11:00 a.m. dismissal
About Us
Email: joanne.king@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us/woodend/
Location: 85 Sunset Rock Lane, Reading, MA, United States
Phone: 781-942-5420
Twitter: @WoodEndSch