The Coolidge Family Newsletter
Weekly Update: March 21, 2022
Brought to you by Sarah Marchant, Principal
A Message from Principal Marchant
Upcoming Dates of Note
*Students will be going to the book fair during the week with their ELA teachers! More info below about payment, etc.
The schedule has been added to the dates below:
March 21 (Day 5): Mr. Simpson's classes and Gemini 7th will go to the book fair
March 22 (Day 6): Mrs. Herlihy's classes will go to the book fair
March 23 (Day 1): Ms. Lascher's, Ms. Tsoutsis' 73 & 74, and Ms. Fadil's classes will go to the book fair
- Coolidge Welcome Night for incoming families. 6:00: Principal presentation; 6:30 - 7:45: Family Fun activities.
March 24 (Day 2)
March 25 (Day 3): Gemini 8th and Ms. Tsoutsis's 75 & 76 will go to the book fair
Future Important Dates:
- April 7 - May 27: MCAS Window. To see the Coolidge MCAS schedule, click here.
- April 8: Early Release (Grades 6-12) (12:30 Dismissal at Coolidge)
- April 12 & 13: ArtsFest (middle school concerts & art work at RMHS)
- April 18 - 22: Spring Recess
- April 29: Coolidge Gives Back: 3 vs. 3 basketball tournament and celebration for "giving back"!
- May 2 - 4: Nature's Classroom (7th grade field trip)
- May 16 & 18: Project Adventure Field Trips
- May 19: Early Release/ Evening Open House
- May 26: 8th grade trip to Boston.
- June 3: Early Release (12:30); Field Day
- June 10: Special Olympics
- June 13: Olympiad Day; Move-Up Day
To access the District Calendar, click here. Please make note of the middle level early release dates, which are marked in blue.
For a full list of ALL important Coolidge dates at Coolidge (printable for your fridge), click here.
NEW NEWS
PTO/ Calareso's Fundraiser! A fantastic opportuntiy!
To order your certificate or your booklet, and to learn more, please use this flyer. Orders must be placed through the Coolidge PTO by April 1, 2022.
Science Olympiad Team: State Results!
- 2nd Place in Bridges (both the regular team and the alternate teams placed 2nd)
- 1st in Electric Wright Stuff
- 1st place in Ping Pong Parachute
The students who were part of the team this year, and who deserve recognition for their efforts: Anastasia Brechko, Jayson Encarnacao, Grace Hayes, Colin Herlihy, Ryan Ho, Thomas Jin, Allison Kane, Alexander Kirkwood, Mia Kocev, Thomas Macari, Peter Misticawi, Saloni Patel, Jessica Richter, and Leo Rimkunas.
April Vacation Academy
The Reading Public Schools will offer several programs over April Vacation for students in grades 3-12 aimed at extending student learning. These free programs will run Tuesday, April 19, 2022, thru Friday, April 22, 2022. You can follow the link below to learn more and to sign up.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tVjEqk4MFwppbk3rKADDzEguQMakAyaGQF6qilsFSVs/edit?usp=sharing
Coolidge Book Fair: March 21-25
We’re excited to invite you to our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair. This event is an opportunity for students of all ages to build their home libraries and further their love of reading. As always, all purchases benefit our school.
After missing out on many beloved traditions, our spring Book Fair will be a familiar, welcome, and safe event for our students. Here’s what you need to know about the Fair, which will take place from March 21st to March 25th in the Library. Students will be brought down in classes and have the opportunity to check it out afterschool.
Methods of payment: Cash, Check (payable to Coolidge Middle School), as well as eWallet, a safe and secure alternative to cash. Simply create a free account to add funds and/or invite family and friends to contribute so your child can select their own books. Any unused funds can be spent at The Scholastic Store Online or to fund a future eWallet.
For a virtual option, shop at our school’s Online Book Fair. All orders ship directly to your home, and shipping is free for book orders over $25. Your online orders will also benefit our school.
Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and get started with eWallet and online shopping: https://www.scholastic.com/bf/coolidgemiddleschool We’re excited to celebrate our love of books together at the Book Fair. We look forward to seeing your student there!
PTO: Thanks for Your Support as we "Take Away the Madness of March"
Thank you to the families that helped make "You Are Souper Day" a complete success. This past Friday teachers enjoyed various soups and clam chowder from many generous families. Also thank you to Drew's Stews for donating dips that went along with the soups. From "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Dip", to "It's Lebanese, Blanchie Baba Ghanoush", and "Parsnip for the Course", the dips were a big hit.
Thank you also to families that donated bread as well as helped set up and clean up.
One more week to go with our "Take Away the Madness of March". Thank you to everyone who has helped to make March more enjoyable for our hard-working staff members at Coolidge.
Photos of the Soup Lunch! THANK YOU!
New After School Opportunities
- Dodge Ball: This will be held on Thursday afternoons from 2:35 - 3:25. All interested students may attend - no sign-ups needed! This is being financially sponsored by the PTO to give students more fun after school opportunities (thank you, parents!)! This started on Thursday, March 10!
- Math Club: while we don't have an official competing math team this year, a parent has stepped in to start a club (which will act like a building-based math team for the remainder of the year)! The club began on Monday, March 14 and will run from 2:35 - 3:30 each Monday. The club is limited to 20 participants (and students will be expected to attend as much as possible). Interested students should sign up here and should report to room D3 on Monday after school.
Negative Pools, Week 3
Student COVID Test Kit Distribution & Sign Up
In order to participate, parents MUST FILL OUT AN OPT IN form for each student using THIS FORM.
Advisory Update
Our Advisory (7:50 - 8:12) is structured as follows on a weekly basis:
- Tuesdays & Wednesdays: Advisory Curriculum (see below)
- One day: Organize/ Quiet activities
- One day: "What's in Our News"
- One day: Fun
March Advisory Topics: Continue "The Power Book" Themes. Most groups are working on the following themes:
- What is War For?
- Voting
- People Power
- Word Power
- Rebel Power
- World Views
- To get a more comprehensive look at the discussion prompts for these and future topics, click here.
2022-2023 Agenda Cover Contest for 7th Graders
Study Buddies - RMHS Program
Reading Public Library: Teen Opportunities
Hello from the Reading Public Library!
We have a volunteer opportunity for Teens to work with kids. Please see this flyer for more information on The Scribble Society. Please also check out this flyer for the Teen creative writing group, TBW: To Be Written.
PAST NEWS THAT MAY STILL BE HELPFUL
Team "At a Glance" Pages - Reminder!
Free & Reduced Lunch Application & *SHARE FORM
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 (p. 11), as well as the "Share" form on page 10, then those who qualify can also qualify for assistance for things like after school activities and field trips.
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! Click here to access the form.
Support the Coolidge PTO!
SEPAC Updates
First, we are canceling our March business meeting. There's not much new business to discuss, and we want to focus on exciting upcoming opportunities (see below). Were you hoping to connect with the board about something? Please email!
Next, here are those exciting upcoming opportunities!
- SEPAC movie night in April! Let's gather to watch This Is Not About Me: A story about growing up non-speaking. Thanks to SEPAC general member Karen Janowski for sponsoring this screening. We are hammering out the details but it's tentatively planned for Tuesday, April 12 at 7 pm at RCTV. Watch email, newsletters, and social media for details. Advanced registration will be required.
There are SO many other wonderful opportunities coming up. Registrations, workshops, events, etc. Please check social media for some of them!
Also, a few notes about last month's business meeting.
- We voted to revise our by-laws to remove language about open meeting law.
- We started a tradition of having parents/caregivers only stay behind after the business meeting to have informal conversation. It was enjoyable!
- We hope these changes help remove some of the formality of our meetings and introduce more opportunities for fellowship and support to our members.
- We could use some help putting together welcome packets/kits for newly registering RPS families. The tasks will be VERY manageable and could be done on your own time. It really won't be much--please email if you can help!
Follow SEPAC on Facebook
Family/ Caregiver Resources
Order your Coolidge Gear Today!
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.
Vietnamese: Trong hộp đen ở đầu bản tin, chọn Dịch bản tin để chọn ngôn ngữ mong muốn
Polish: W czarnym polu u góry biuletynu wybierz Przetłumacz biuletyn, aby wybrać żądany język
Contact Us
Brienne Karow, Assistant Principal (x12302)
Marianna Zanni, Administrative Assistant (x12303)
Karen Mungenast, School Secretary (x12304)
Cindy Ventura, School Nurse (x12305)
For a full staff directory, click here.
Email: sarah.marchant@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: reading.k12.ma.us/coolidge
Location: 89 Birch Meadow Drive, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-942-9158
Twitter: @coolidgemiddle