Jaguar Tracks
December 6th
Dear JE families,
Last week we celebrated Kindness over the announcements and via our Kindness T-Shirts (shown below). We want to continue building a culture of acceptance and kindness at JE.
This weekend our Student Council sponsored a tree for the Festival of Trees. A huge thank you to our Student Council advisors and for everyone who donated to support!
As we move into this week, we have a focus on making recess more inclusive for all. We have built some excitement around "spotting" students for spectacular behaviors during recess like:
- Including everyone in games
- Starting games and using the play structure in a way that makes everyone safe
- Using kind language
This can be a point of collaboration. Consider talking to your students about safe and inclusive recess behaviors and we look forward to recognizing students with special Golden Ticket Spectacular Spots!
In partnership,
Caitlin Shelburne,
Principal
Lost & Found
Our Lost & Found bin is filling up quickly! Please have your child be sure to check for any lost or missing items. Make sure ALL outerwear is labeled with your child’s name. We will be sorting through the items over vacation. Anything that is labeled with a name will be returned, anything that is NOT labeled will be donated to a local charity organization. Thank you!
From the Health Office
We have seen an uptick in cases after the Thanksgiving holiday. Due to timing, many of the cases do not represent in school exposure. Staff and families are notified if there is an in-school exposure, and they are considered close contacts.
Also, if your child is identified as a close contact outside of school, please remember that they must quarantine at home. For questions or concerns please reach out to me directly - elmy.trevejo@reading.k12.ma.us
For weekly and total case updates by school check here.
We will be doing pooled testing for students on Friday at Killam from 1-5 pm. Anyone who has not previously signed consent should do so here. It facilitates the process if you also sign up here if you haven't previously.
We have added another vaccine clinic for 1/7/22, and appointments are now available Here.
Just a reminder that if your child is sick – please keep them home. If they have any of the following symptoms, they will need to have a negative covid test or documentation from a physician/provider that offers an alternative diagnosis before returning to school……
- Fever greater than 100, chills or shaking chills
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle aches or body aches
A COVID test is also required if your child develops a combination of two or more of the following symptoms:
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Nausea, Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nasal Congestion or Runny Nose
If your child develops symptoms at school, and is consented for symptomatic testing, I can test them onsite. However, depending on their symptoms, you may be asked to follow up with a PCR test to confirm.
Please refer to PROCOTOL C from the DESE COVID testing flowchart.
https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/flowcharts.pdf
If you haven’t signed up for COVID testing at school, here is the link.
https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma
If your child is identified as a close contact to someone that has tested positive outside of school, please let me know as soon as possible. Students are still required to quarantine and should not be coming to school.
Information and guidance for persons in quarantine due to COVID-19
Travel Guidance
If your child/children travel out of the state, we are asking that you follow CDC recommended guidance on travel. Here is the link that outlines what to do for unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html
Vision and Hearing Screening for grades 1-3
I will be starting state mandated vision and hearing screenings for our first grade students the week of October 18th. If you do not want your child screened, please send me an email by 10/15, requesting to opt-out. elmy.trevejo@reading.k12.ma.us
It takes a village to keep our schools safe. Thanks for your support!
Best,
Elmy Trevejo, RN MPH (elmy.trevejo@reading.k12.ma.us) 781-942-9161 ext 15140
Interested in learning more about math instruction in Grades 3-5?
Interested in substituting at JE?
Are you looking for a way to support our school? We have a great opportunity. From time to time, teachers attend important trainings during the school day. Usually, we hire substitutes to cover classrooms, but given the current staffing shortage we are having difficulty finding qualified substitutes. We know most parents/guardians are not able to commit to substituting regularly, but we want to offer an option for those who might want to substitute occasionally. Below is some information:
- Pay rate has increased - the NEW rate will be increased to $105/day for certified teachers, and the uncertified daily substitute rate will be increased to $100/day!
- Substitutes need to have a CORI and fingerprinting check
- Teachers leave detailed plans for substitutes to follow
- Parents/guardians will not be allowed to substitute in their child's class
Please contact Kristyn Cohen and Michelle Roach and CC me: kristyn.cohen@reading.k12.ma.us/ Michelle.Roach@reading.k12.ma.us
From the Desk of the PTO
PTO News
Thank you to everyone who donated breads to our holiday bread drive! It is so heartwarming to see our community come together to honor our teachers and staff. Big thanks to Brenna Westover and Julie Irwin, Staff Appreciation and School Resources Coordinators, for organizing and running this event!
Please remember that we are still accepting and very much appreciate direct donations! We keep our direct donations drive open all year long! Any amount helps, but this year we are requesting $75 per student to cover the costs of our amazing enrichment programs and any field trips. Please give whatever you can! We do not do other fundraisers such as bake sales or wrapping paper sales, so our direct donation drive is very important! Remember that if your company does matching donations, Joshua Eaton is an eligible 504c!! You can donate by check made out to Joshua Eaton PTO via your child’s homework folder or sent to JE at 365 Summer Ave. Please note “direct donation” and your child’s name on your check. You can also donate at our Paypal link: www.paypal.com/paypalme/jepto or you can Venmo donations to @JoshuaEaton-PTO. Please write “direct donation” and your child’s name in the comments field of Venmo or Paypal.
Thank you to everyone who attending our last virtual PTO meeting. It was great to see so many new people attend! Our next meeting will be on February 9th at 7pm and will be virtual.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving break!
Natalie and Meredith, PTO Co-Presidents
Reading Food Pantry Food Drive!
Co-sponsored by the Student Council and the PTO, Joshua Eaton will be running a food drive to collect items for the Reading Food Pantry this holiday season. The drive will run from Monday, 11/22 through Monday, 12/13. Items can be dropped off at school (there will be a bin outside of the main office) as well as at 10 Pine Ridge Road and 113 Pine Ridge Road (there will be bins by the front door). The Reading Food Pantry has provided the following wish list; however, all non-perishable items will be accepted as long as they are within their expiration date.
Ramen/Cup of Soup
Brownie Mix
Canned Mandarin Oranges
Breakfast Bars
Instant Mashed Potato
Canned Corned Beef Hash
Paper Towels
Tissue
Laundry Detergent
Dish Detergent
Thank you in advance for your donations!
Joshua Eaton Website
Have you visited our website? We encourage all of you to familiarize yourself with our Joshua Eaton website www.reading.k12.ma.us/joshuaeaton. Here you will find all pertinent school information including:
· School Calendar with important dates and events
· Jaguar Tracks Newsletters
· Staff list and contact information
· Forms (Including CORI, Dismissal, etc…)
· PTO information
· Health Office Information
· Curriculum Information
· School Handbook
…and more!
This is your “Go-To” place for all JE information!! Our website is updated regularly, so stop by and take a peek!!