Jaguar Tracks
January 5th
Dear JE families,
Happy New Year! I hope you all enjoyed restful and rejuvenating vacations. I also hope that in this season of strep and the flu that you have a healthy January and 2024. It is a wonderful feeling to be back with your children every day! They bring so much spirit to our building and make our community engaged, vibrant and curious. We had a wonderful start to 2024. Our students have quickly transitioned back to our routines for learning and engaging as a community. We are so incredibly proud of our Jaguars. In the second half of the year, we focus on preparing students for the next grade level. We refer to students as "rising 3rd graders" etc. and work to build them up to meet higher academic and citizenship expectations. When you ask your children how their day was, consider drawing on academics detailed in teacher newsletters or by asking "what core value did you demonstrate today?"
In order to be successful in our programming, please ensure that your child is present every day. We have vacation weeks in February and April, which are strategically placed--In these next couple of months, the instruction picks up drastically and it is imperative that your children are present every day to engage in learning with their peers. When students are absent, especially for multiple days, they are missing learning experiences that are unable to be made up. As such, please plan your vacations during our scheduled vacation weeks so that your children can build great habits to prioritize their learning. Our school community is only complete when every child is present.
Here are a few quick notes:
- Cold weather gear and procedures: We are expecting snow this weekend! We will allow children to play in the snow IF they have snow-pants, snow-boots and jackets. If your family is in need of any of the above items, please do not hesitate to reach out and let us know.
- Follow us on Instagram at "JE_Jaguars": We have so many wonderful pictures and videos of learning in action and those small moments that make our days! This gives a nice window into the day in the life of a Jaguar!
Caitlin Shelburne
Absentee Email
Please note that we do not regularly check the absentee email after 9 a.m. If you need to notify us of any dismissal changes or need to get information to your child/ren, please email
Mrs. Greco directly amy.greco@reading.k12.ma.us or call the main office 781-942-9161. Thank you.
Do you have a child eligible to begin kindergarten or first grade in the 2024-2025 school year? Join us January 9th (7 - 8 pm) for a Virtual Information Session via Zoom to learn more about the Reading Public Schools Kindergarten program and registration process. The 2024-2025 Registration Packet is now available on the district website for you to view and download. You may also click here to view and download the packet. Please note, parents/caregivers are encouraged to use the packet in its fillable format. We will share more information and answer any questions during the Virtual Information Session, but please reach out to RPSStudentRegistration@reading.k12.ma.us with any urgent questions.
REF Festival of Trees
The Reading Education Foundation (REF) sincerely thanks the RPS community for your support of our annual Festival of Trees (FoT) fundraiser. The FoT took place December 2nd and 3rd and included 82 donated trees. We had our most successful event yet and raised $38,000 to give back to RPS via teacher-requested grants!
REF is always looking for additional volunteers and Board Members. If you’re interested in learning more or applying to join the Board, please email readingef@gmail.com.
Winter Weather Reminders
Students will line up outside for morning arrival and go out to recess unless the temperature is below 20 degrees, raining or snowing. Look for our blue weather flag in the doorways to signify an inside day for arrival. We do take the wind chill into consideration on weather days. Please dress your child/ren accordingly. Students should not arrive to school before 8:10 a.m. as there is no supervision.
Mark your calendars!
January
9th - Virtual Kindergarten Information Session 7 - 8 p.m.
15th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - No school
31st - Kindergarten registration 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. RMHS
Attendance - Arrival - Dismissal
Dismissal notes: If you have a one-day change in dismissal, please communicate this directly with your classroom teacher through email or bring in this change of dismissal FORM. Please copy Amy Greco (amy.greco@reading.k12.ma.us) on any dismissal information or absence.
Reminder Arrival/Dismissal: The parking lot is a staff only parking lot. Please do not drive through it as it presents a safety issue for students. Additionally, bikes and scooters must be walked once you reach JE property.
Absences & Tardies:
Please note that if your child is going to be absent or tardy, for any reason, you must notify the OFFICE before 8:30 a.m. If your child has an appointment, please be sure to bring a note from the doctor's office. You can call the absentee phone line at 781-942-9161 or email us at jeeabsences@reading.k12.ma.us. If you email your child’s teacher, you must still notify the office, as well.
From the Desk of our PTO Co-Presidents
Happy 2024!!
Fall 2023 was packed with fun PTO events at JE!
We kicked off the year with the Kindergarten Popsicle Play Date (special thanks to Social Chair Amanda Rotondo) …
Chalked the Walk to welcome students and staff back to JE (thanks to Staff Appreciation Chairs Erin Pappo and Lisa Loiselle) …
Gathered for the Family Picnic and Book Fair (thanks to coordinators Amanda Rotondo, Lindsay Conti and Stephanie Pothier)...
Had a screaming good time at the Halloween Howl (special thanks to coordinator Jes Lynch) …
Honored our Veterans at the Veterans Day assembly and breakfast (special thanks to coordinator Caitlin McLaughlin) …
Jogged it out at the Jaguar Jog (special thanks to coordinators Erin Gaffen, Jacqueline Teplitsky, and Holly Weinberg)...
And showed gratitude for our faculty with Holiday Breads at Thanksgiving (special thanks to coordinators Sue Newell and Anne Maganzini).
We have also had successful fundraisers to support these events as well as our grade-level and all-school Enrichment program! We look forward to our events and fundraisers in 2024!
📌Check out our newly updated PTO page on the JE Website!
📌Have an idea for an event or activity this winter or spring?
Contact Monica Acker and Jenn Turner at jevolunteers@gmail.com
📌Attention GRADE 5 Caregivers! Yearbook Coordinator Needed!
Our adorable 5th graders need a grownup (or two?) to solicit and organize photos, as well as order and organize distribution of the yearbook.
If you are able to assist with this beloved 5th grade tradition, please email jevolunteers@gmail.com!
📌Tickets on Sale Now for JE Night at Fenway Park - June 4, 2023!
Join the JE community for a great time in the Fenway bleachers!
Tickets are $40 (cost includes a donation to the JE PTO).
Use this link to purchase tickets!
Any questions? Please email Jenean Rombola: jrombola@gmail.com.
📌 PTO Events Calendar
Our PTO calendar has been updated with the bimonthly PTO General meetings this year. All meetings are held on Zoom. We hope to see you there!
The 2023-24 JE PTO calendar of events can be found here.
📌Follow us on Facebook
For the latest PTO updates, follow Joshua Eaton PTO on Facebook!
Welcome back! Have a great weekend!
Jessie Tran & Sarah Fuller
PTO Co-Presidents
Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Council - Events are open to all!
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council works for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community (including ALL children on IEPs or 504 plans and children who may require specialized support). Watch this brief introductory video to learn more!
Reading Public Schools is a METCO District
"Since its founding during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, the METCO program has enrolled tens of thousands of Boston students of color in predominately white school districts, creating the opportunity for those districts to experience the advantages of learning and working in a racially and ethnically diverse setting."