JW Killam Principal's Corner
Ms. Leveque's Weekly Newsletter
From the Desk of Ms. Leveque
Thank you to everyone who attended our virtual Curriculum Night. It was wonderful to hear our teachers share their passion for teaching and learning. I could not be prouder of the work that our staff is doing to engage our students and give the best experience possible during this 2020-21 school year.
I wanted to share a few more virtual introductions from our staff members that support all students in the school.
Mrs. Hussey, Art Teacher
Ms. Horton, Music Teacher
Mrs. Adamo, Library Media Specialist and Assistant Principal
Mrs. Snow, Physical Education Teacher
Mrs. Grottkau, School Nurse
Mrs. Matthews, Reading Specialist
Ms. Leveque, Principal
SEPAC Organization
Stay well,
Ms. Leveque
Killam Upcoming Dates
Monday, October 19th: Grades 1 and 2 hybrid (Cohort A in-person; Cohort B remote)
Health Office Updates from Mrs. Grottkau
Preparing to return to school:
We are off to a good start, and hoping for a healthy school year for all our Killam families and friends! I appreciate check-ins regarding health issues for students and families; I’m always happy to answer questions. Boston Children’s Hospital has provided resources that are very useful in answering ‘Return to School’ questions about Covid and a tip sheet for helping your child to wear a mask. Please take a few minutes to review the information in the links below:
BCH - Helping your Child Wear a Mask
Flu Immunization Information:
Thank you to all parents who have provided immunization documentation!
The school immunization requirements, including the requirement for seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine, apply to all Massachusetts students enrolled in Kindergarten through Grade 12, regardless of whether the district is providing instruction in-person, or using a hybrid or remote learning model.
Your child needs to have a flu shot by December 31, 2020. Please make sure the letter or note of verification from the pediatrician has a stamp of the doctor's name and/or practice. If you receive the vaccine from a pharmacy such as CVS, Walgreens, Target, please ask them to send the proof of immunization to your child's pediatrician. Please send documentation of vaccinations to the health office.
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19
How do I prepare my child for safe in-person learning?
Here is what parents should know from Boston Children’s Hospital.
What kind of mask should my child wear?
Here is guidance from CDC on choosing the right mask.
What if my student refuses to wear a mask? Mask expectations
How do I help my child get used to wearing a mask?
What if my child forgets or loses their mask?
Your school nurse has masks for students, but plan to send extra just in case.
When should I keep my child home from school?
Please review the health screening before sending your child to school every day.
What if my child is sick?
Here is a list of COVID-19 symptoms:
Here is a symptom checker:
Check your symptoms and find the right care
What are the differences between flu and COVID symptoms?
What happens if my child is sent home sick from school?
Any child who is ill will be sent home and asked to follow up with their pediatrician. Children with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 will be tested at the MD’s recommendation.
If a student has COVID-19-like symptoms, they may return to school after they have tested negative for COVID-19, have improvement in symptoms, and have been without fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications. If a provider makes an alternative diagnosis for the COVID-19-like symptoms, the individual may return to school based on recommendations for that alternative diagnosis (e.g., influenza or strep pharyngitis).
If a student presents with COVID-19-like symptoms and chooses not to be tested, they may return to school 10 days from the start of symptoms, as long as their symptoms have improved and they have been without fever for at least 24 hours prior to their return to school without the use of fever reducing medication.
If your child has been to the doctor, please provide a note when they return to school.
Where can I get myself/ my child tested?
Here are local testing sites and information:COVID-19 Testing
How can I prepare my child for the COVID test?
Will schools be testing staff and students?
Not at this time. Anyone who is a close contact or is symptomatic should consult with their physician about testing. In the event of a cluster (or outbreak of cases) in the schools, in consultation with the Reading Board of Health, there may be surveillance testing for asymptomatic staff and students.
If a student in my child’s class tests positive will the class need to quarantine?
If a student tests positive, any close contacts of the child should also be tested and quarantined for 14 days. The rest of the class and teacher would only have to quarantine if the child tests positive, and if they had close contact with the student within 2 days prior to the positive test.
What is a close contact?
A close contact is anyone who has been within 6 feet of another individual for a period of at least 10-15 minutes. By wearing masks, we are hoping to decrease the transmission of the virus, however it is still considered an exposure.
If my child is a close contact of someone with COVID but they test negative, may they return to school? All close contacts should be tested but must self-quarantine for 14 days after the last exposure to the person, regardless of test result.
What happens if I or my child test positive?
It is important to note that testing, combined with contact tracing and isolation, helps control the spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts. All test results, both positive and negative, are reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH). When a person has a positive COVID-19 test, it is the local board of health or the Massachusetts Community Tracing Collaborative that will reach out to provide support so that these individuals can remain safely in medical isolation. They will also ask for help to identify close contacts. These organizations will then reach out to the individual’s close contacts to provide important information that is aimed to stop the spread of the virus, including how to safely isolate/quarantine. While these organizations will provide support to further assist with contact tracing, the student/family and staff are asked to reach out to their personal contacts and notify the school.
What if my family member tests positive?
If you are a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19, you must also be tested and quarantine for 14 days after the last close contact.
Does Reading have a lot of cases in the community?
What if my family travels outside of Massachusetts?
Anyone traveling to a higher risk area must complete a travel form and quarantine for 14 days unless they have a negative test within 72 hours of return/entry.
See COVID-19 Travel Order for details.
Where can I get more health information?
Click here to access the Reading School Nurses Virtual Health Office
Massachusetts Dept of Public Health website
CDC website
PTO Corner
Halloween Boo-Thru
On Saturday, October 24th we will have a drive-thru Halloween event for the Killam community. We are seeking donations to help bring the Boo-Thru event to life. Please see the sign-up genius for volunteer opportunities and needed donations. We have decided not to charge for this event so donations will be especially important! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F49ACA72EA1FC1-help
A sign-up for the actual event will go out soon!
Photoshoot fundraiser!
NEW DATE ADDED! 11/15 at Ipswich River Park
Looking to get holiday photos done while supporting the Killam PTO? With the support of Q Haggarty Photography we are able to offer THREE dates for mini photo sessions.
Each session is $150 for 10 minutes which includes 6 digital files and print releases. A $50 deposit is required. 20% of each session will be donated back to the PTO!
11/8 at Ipswich River Park sign up: https://calendly.com/.../11-8-ipswich-river-park-mini
11/15 at Ipswich River Park signup: https://calendly.com/qhegartyphotography/11-15-ipswich-river-park-mini-session-killam-pt-clone?fbclid=IwAR0lEpoGg4GoQc6xQl7N6sMa3zr6WbDW-cOLly3ePczXx3H2r9BUPoXI4Q4&month=2020-11
11/29 at Rollie's Tree farm sign up: https://calendly.com/qheg.../11-29-rollies-farm-mini-session
Have you received an e-mail from you room parent yet?
If the answer is no, you probably are not signed up for our directory!
Please registe for AtoZ Connect today to get connected with your classmates, room parent, and to receive valuable PTO event information. When room parents send out class emails, their source of contact info is AtoZ Connect, so if your child is not registered, you will be
missing out! You can download the AtoZ Connect App on a phone or go to AtoZConnect.com
If you are already signed up, please sign in to your account and make sure the information is up to date. You must select a teacher each year to continue to get room parent emails!
Dine-Out
The PTO is also having its first dine-out of the year! We will be having taco Tuesday at Chipotle’s on November 27. Please see flier below for more details.
Resources to Setup Your Child for Remote Learning
All information is listed under the Distance Learning Resources tab on the Killam Homepage.
Google Classroom
-How to Sign-in to Google Classroom
-How to Post Assignments in Google Classrooms
-How to View and Respond to Comments in Google Classroom
-Supporting your Child in Google Classroom
-Google – Teach from Anywhere: Google has established a website to help families and teachers (individual links) use Google and troubleshoot common problems, but all provide helpful hints. This is something teachers may want to share with families at some point. Click HERE to check it out!
Zoom
-How to Login to Zoom
Microsoft Teams
-How to Login to Microsoft Teams
SeeSaw
-How to Access SeeSaw through Google Classroom
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Support Resources:
In an effort to streamline locations that you can access for support, we've included all the information in one centralized location. On the Behavioral Health page of the Reading Public School's District website, you will now find all Covid-19 related resources, broken down by categories (upper right hand corner of the page). We are fortunate to have access to an incredible array of resources and we hope this helps you navigate this unprecedented time. Each page is set up in the same format, and hyperlinks are included to help get you quickly to the information you need.
School Presentations:
Building (Hybrid) Safety Procedures, October 2020 (Passcode: 2*7M=v9S)
A Note from Food Services
To access the Killam School lunch menu, go here or download the app.
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