JW Killam Principal's Corner
Ms. Leveque's Weekly Newsletter
From the Desk of Ms. Leveque
Week of January 22, 2023
Today marked our first snowy arrival. As the rolling car drop-off line continues to grow, we appreciate everyone who moved all the way forward. Today, we were able to get 12-15 cars unloaded a time when we utilized the entire fire lane, which is a success! Please do not wave off a teacher when they ask you to pull forward. Our staff are there to make sure our kids make it safely inside and to greet our students in the morning. Only in working together can we make this an efficient and safe arrival procedure.
We also had our whole school assembly focusing on new beginnings and the core value of responsibility. Mrs. Horton, our music teacher, encouraged the students to think about a new year's resolution which she described as a promise that you make to yourself. She talked about how this could be a school related idea such as working to better follow directions on a piece of work, or more global such as taking a risk and trying something new. The overall premise is that in making a promise to yourself, you are setting yourself up to grow and try new ideas. This builds character, strengthens the intrinsic motivation, and helps you own personal responsibility. What a powerful reminder of how even our youngest citizens are constantly being asked to grow, take risks, and set lifelong habits of reflection. The work our elementary students do each day is larger than just academics; they constantly show us that thinking about the whole child matters! Pictures from the assembly are shared below.
Stay well,
Ms. Leveque
Killam Happenings
Killam Upcoming Dates
-Sunday, January 22nd: Chinese New Year
-Tuesday, January 31st: Kindergarten Registration Night, 6:00-7:00 pm. Drop off your registration form and accompanying documents. Event will be held at Reading Memorial High School. Last names beginning in A-L, 6:00-6:30 pm. Last names beginning in M-Z, 6:30-7:00 pm. You can reach out with questions at any point by emailing RPSStudentRegistration@reading.k12.ma.us
School Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 8:15-2:45 (8:10-11:30 for half-day kindergarten)
Friday, 8:15-12:45 (8:10-12:45 for half-day kindergarten)
Killam Grades 2-5 MCAS Dates
Health Updates
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.
Thank you,
Sharon Grottkau, School Nurse
2023-2024 Incoming Kindergarten Information
It's that time of year to start thinking about our incoming kindergarten students for the 2023-2024 school year. To be eligible for admission to the Reading Public Schools, a child must have reached the age of five on or before August 31st of the entering year to begin kindergarten or have reached the age of six on or before August 31st of the entering year to begin grade one. We had a great turnout for a virtual incoming kindergarten information session on Wednesday, January 4th. Information on the school registration packet and links to the presentation are shared below and can be found on the Reading Public Schools district website.
Upcoming Event:
-Kindergarten Registration Night - Jan. 31st, 6:00-7:00 pm. Drop off your registration form and accompanying documents. Event will be held at Reading Memorial High School. Last names beginning in A-L, 6:00-6:30 pm. Last names beginning in M-Z, 6:30-7:00 pm. You can reach out with questions at any point by emailing RPSStudentRegistration@reading.k12.ma.us
Ongoing Information:
-Sign up to receive email updates during the kindergarten registration process by visiting: https://forms.gle/LK4esx7RoP7YxQ498-To learn more and stay up to date, visit the registration website at Registration Forms - Reading Public Schools
Introduction to Kindergarten Presentation from January 4th:
-Here's the link to January 4th Introduction to Kindergarten Presentation in video form: Virtual Kindergarten Information Session-20230104_190233-Meeting Recording.mp4 - Google Drive
-Here's a link to the January 4th Introduction to Kindergarten presentation in English.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sK9kOUVIc0t58Mn9k4Jld725ULiwsiddo5Cav0A3l2k/edit?usp=sharing
-Aqui está o link para a apresentação de Introdução ao Jardim de Infância de 4 de janeiro em português.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Dyq75gPb2YB6MY3t2pUTSAJjbEseopwE-RHNSludJUE/edit?usp=sharing
-Aquí está el enlace a la presentación de Introducción a Kindergarten del 4 de enero en español.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GUKK3DNGRyIwMjQhzW1QY_AfA1YR65JbKBiyRgSK4lM/edit?usp=sharing
PTO Corner
SEPAC News
Click here for the lottery for Swim Buddies, the Burbank YMCA's Adaptive Swim Lesson program. See the attached flyer for SPLASH! the new free adaptive water exercise program at the Burbank YMCA for ages 18+. Both programs are provided at no cost to participants thanks to Town of Reading ARPA funds.
Click here for slides from our January 17th presentation on Special Needs Planning. Attorney Lisa Cukier presented an overview of topics such as wills, guardianship, custody, special needs trusts, and more. Video of this presentation will be coming! We plan to do a more in-depth follow up on specific topics of interest to our parents. Please fill out this brief 2-page survey to let us know what you'd like.
Seeking 3-4 parents to meet with Student Services approximately every other month to hear updates about implementation of recommendations from the recent Program Reviews (SAIL, SOAR, REACH, EMBARK, RISE). Email sepacreading@gmail.com to participate.
Mark Your Calendars!
Bullying: What Parents Need to Know. Virtual Parent Training
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 7pm, via zoom.
Click here to register (you MUST pre-register to get the zoom link)
Parents and professionals are welcome to join this extremely important discussion which will cover the following topics: What is bullying? What are the school’s legal obligations to prevent and address bullying? What are some strategies and tools for dealing with bullying? How to address bullying on the IEP?
For much more information about the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, click here for our latest newsletter.
We encourage you to join SEPAC's mailing list, follow SEPAC on Facebook, and follow SEPAC on Instagram
Killam Change in Dismissal Form
Reporting an Absence
You can continue to call the school absence line and leave a message 24-hours a day. The number is 781-944-7831, option 1. Now, you can also email an absence to jwkabsences@Reading.k12.ma.us. Either way, letting us know will help us make sure the Killam community is safely in the building or at home.
Occupational Therapy Activities
Speech and Language Ideas
Killam School Map
Parent PlusPortal Access
As a parent guardian of a child in the Reading Public Schools, you have access to the Parent PlusPortal. The Portal will be used throughout your child’s academic career as it is where you update your child’s emergency contact information, view report cards, and beyond elementary school, see your child’s grades in real time. It also acts as a communication portal between you and your child’s teacher where oftentimes, different academic links, notes, or activities are shared.
If you are a returning parent, your account is still active. If you are new parent guardian and have not received access, please reach out to our school administrative assistant, Jackie Maglio at jaculen.maglio@reading.k12.ma.us. At that point, you will receive a separate email with your PlusPortal login information. The subject line of the email is Important! Killam School PlusPortals login. This is a confidential portal that is linked to your email account. You have 48 hours to activate your Portal account using the temporary password supplied through the email. Once you login, you can update the password and personal information.
School Lunches free 2022-2023
About These Services
Ms. Sarah Leveque, Principal
Email: sarah.leveque@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: http://reading.k12.ma.us/killam/
Location: 333 Charles Street, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-944-7831
Facebook: facebook.com/JWKillamSchool
Twitter: @Killamnews