JW Killam Principal's Corner
Ms. Leveque's Weekly Newsletter
From the Desk of Ms. Leveque
There is a lot happening in the next few weeks! This newsletter has a ton of information that it is typical for the end of the year. Closure may be virtual but we are still doing our best to support our students now while planning for the future.
As stated last week, over the next few weeks, teachers will be packing their classrooms. Please recognize that some of these will interrupt or disrupt the live meetings teachers are having with students. One example: teachers have limited time in the school to pack up classrooms and prepare student belongings for pick up. We have to schedule these times in accordance with social distancing guidelines from the Town Command Center. So your teachers may have disruption in live classes and student meetings because they are scheduled in the building to pack. Your teachers and I will keep you informed about interruptions to live time if there are any for your child/children but you can anticipate the disruptions this week, May 31st.
I'm pleased to announce that the pack-up in our building is going smoothly, although a bit sadly as we love closing a year with our students help! It's bittersweet to be in the building surrounded by children's artwork and writing but not seeing a child in sight. You are missed. As part of this process, we have setup a system and schedule for you to pickup student materials. The information is listed below-- please read it carefully so you know what to expect and how to prepare. The pick-up will happen on Monday, June 8th- Wednesday, June 10th.
We are also working hard to keep as many of our valued Killam end of year traditions as possible. Information for our 5th grade families regarding our end of year recognition will be shared with you next week. We haven't forgotten about our 5th graders! Additionally, we will be sharing plans for our virtual move-up day for current K-4 students. As Dr. Doherty shared today (see below), we will not be announcing the your child's teacher until the summer. While our staff has internally prepared for brick and mortar placement, we want to recognize we may need to be nimble and creative in our opening due to the pandemic. Thank you for understanding.
Missing the Killam students,
Ms. Leveque
Current K-5th Grade Student Pick-up Schedule
Each family will have 3 opportunities to pick-up their children(s) materials the week of June 8th. We will be utilizing the rolling car drop-off procedures for pick-up. To prepare, please create a piece of paper with your child’s last name, first name (for example: Leveque, Sarah). This should be displayed in your front passenger side window or dashboard. Masks should be worn when you pull up to the driveway. Cars will line up and pull forward. Staff will collect any materials you are returning* (ex: library books) while also handing you a bag with your students’ belongings. Any medications will be in the bag. You should remain in your car at all times. Please be on time as we will be organizing our materials based on pick-up times. Any items remaining at the end of the week will be discarded.
Many parents have asked if they can get an end of year gift to our staff. This is very sweet! You are welcome to drop it off during this pick-up time. Just label the gift and we'll make sure to get it to the teacher.
*If you borrowed a laptop from the Reading Public Schools, you will be returning that separately. The technology return will happen the week of June 22nd at the RMHS Field House (same location you picked up). Details will be forthcoming.
A Message from Dr. Doherty
Good Morning, Reading Public School Families,
At each level, this is the time of year when our schools begin the teacher assignment process for the upcoming school year. Under normal circumstances, it can be a time of excitement as students begin to learn who their teachers are and what friends will be in their classes.
Like everything else, we are in a time of uncertainty when it comes to class placement and teacher assignment for next year. Because we do not know yet what the opening of school will look like (virtual learning environment, brick and mortar classrooms, or a hybrid model), it is possible that class assignments and teacher assignments may look different in the fall than what is being communicated now. If your building principal is communicating a grade level, a teacher team, or a class assignment, it is with the assumption that all staffing remains the same and that we will be entering physical classrooms to begin the 2020-2021 school year.
We wanted you to know this information in advance in case circumstances change. We are working closely with state and local officials as to what the fall will look like and we will communicate more information when it becomes available.
Thank you in advance for your flexibility and patience.
PTO Corner-- School Supply Kits and Final Reminders
School Supply Kits
Every year, the Killam PTO sets up an easy way to order school supply kits for families. Rather than getting a list of materials and going to Target or Amazon to buy them, you order online the supplies are delivered to your child's classroom for the first day of school. This is a super easy way to check one thing off your summer to-do list and avoid extra trips to the store. Go to https://1stdayschoolsupplies.com/ to order now. The deadline to order is July 1.
A few changes for this year:
- The PTO has eliminated the small amount extra we raise from the kits as an effort to reduce costs for families. This year school kits will not be a PTO fundraiser. Please though consider donating to the PTO in the fall by paying dues if you are able.
- If you would like a school kit but would rather pay for it in late August (or if you cannot afford one due to financial hardship), please contact Principal Leveque with your name, your child’s name, and their grade. She will keep this information private but will communicate with the PTO how many additional kits we should order and pay for per grade, then in the first couple of days of school, you may pay for the kit for your child in the Killam office.
PTO Directory
Please register for the Killam School Directory (AtoZ Connect) today to get connected with your child’s future classmates, room parents, and to receive valuable PTO emails on school-wide events. When room parents send out class emails, their source of contact info is AtoZ Connect, so if your child is not registered up on there, you will be missing out on emails about in-class enrichments, celebrations, teacher gifts, Killam gear ordering, etc. You can download the AtoZ Connect App on a phone or go to AtoZConnect.com on a computer to join - it's super easy! Just click on "sign up" and search by the school zip code (01867), the select Killam from the list.
PTO Social Media
We also post info to Facebook at Killam School PTO, Reading MA, please join/like us! Please feel free to contact Jen Kane, our PTO secretary if you need help or have questions: jwksecretary@gmail.com.
Message from the Curriculum and Learning Office
Dear Reading Parents and Guardians,
We hope that this email finds you well. It’s hard to believe that June is right around the corner, this end of the year is certainly one that we will never forget. We are asking all families to help us by participating in the attached survey on remote learning found HERE. (https://forms.gle/sQkTABopBUZeWDYN8) Your feedback will support our planning for future needs and will identify common themes on areas of success and areas of that provided challenges. We are asking each family to fill out ONE survey. Our link will be open until June 11, 2020.
Fondly,
Chris Kelley, Assistant Superintendent and
Members of the Learning and Teaching Team
Summer Reading for Middle School
Check out these links for summer reading information!
The first is a website with all of the information about summer reading, how to access the titles electronic copies from the Reading Public Library and some other reading resources. https://sites.google.com/reading.k12.ma.us/coolidgesummerreading/home
The second is a short video tutorial explaining how to use the website and it's resources.
Video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R0DpMIzrZpwa4w7gbh2D5DtqXRo4x_6I/view?usp=sharing
MiddleSchoolSummerReadingVideo.webm
drive.google.com
Specialists' Corner
As specialists continue to think creatively about how to engage with our children, their schedules will be posted for easy access in multiple locations. Besides Google Classrooms, we'll be posting in the Principal Weekly Newsletter and here on the Killam website.
We are excited to announce that the specialists now have a Google Classroom page. The page is linked in your child's Grade Level Classroom page. The code to enter is: kpezgng
Week of May 31st:
Art with Mrs. Hussey
Please drop off your painted message rocks at the collection box by the school front door today to have your rock included in the community sculpture. Thank you!
Draw-along
Please join me to learn about drawing landscapes and to create your own spring landscape next week. It makes my heart happy to see your faces and watch you create!
We are using the Teams platform to come together and the dates, times, and links are included here. All you will need is a pencil and paper. Coloring materials and any artwork you would like to show the group are optional.
Please note the 3-5 session on Tuesday is switched to Thursday at 9:00 next week as I will be packing up a studio on Tuesday.
I understand there were some issues with the link to the 1-2 session this week. I have deleted the old links and replaced them. Hopefully this corrects whatever went wrong. My apologies for those friends I missed. Please try again next week!
When you finish your artwork, I hope you will post it on our Draw-along Sharing Padlet.
https://padlet.com/amyhussey/qkjb1q6rdxi3jmwy
Think Outside the Box Challenge
Print this week’s Challenge Page and complete the drawing. Post your creation to our Creativity Challenge Padlet https://padlet.com/amyhussey/3quf61htas5ntive to share and be entered in our weekly raffle. One lucky artist will get a trip to the art studio treasure chest whenever we can be together in person. If you are a fifth-grade winner, come back to visit next year and claim your prize! Winners will be drawn on Thursday at 5:00 PM and announced in Ms. Leveque’s newsletter on Fridays.
This week’s “Think Outside the Box” lucky winner is Delaney McDonnell in Mrs. Gramolini’s class!!!!! Congratulations Delaney and thank you to ALL our entrants. Your creativity is so much fun to witness!
Live Sessions:
Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade Draw-along- Thursday, June 4th from 9:00-9:40.
First and Second Grade Draw-along- Thursdays from 10:00-10:40
Library Media with Mrs. Adamo
Mrs. Adamo and my dog Charlie would love to share some stories with you! Please click this link on Tuesday, June 2nd at 10:30 to join us for story time. This week Charlie is dressed as his favorite baseball player as we read Batter Up Wombat and a few other favorites. If you miss any of Charlie’s story time fun, click on my Padlet to watch Charlie’s read aloud videos (and check out his adorable costumes!) https://padlet.com/kimberlyadamo/Bookmarks
Calling all third, fourth and fifth graders! The NEW Massachusetts Children’s Book Award list is out for the 2020-2021 school year! Come to my Library Live class on June 4th at 10:30 to learn what books are on the new list and decide which ones you want to read first. I will review how to access these books remotely for free with your Reading Public Library card. We will also watch book trailers created by our talented fourth and fifth graders on past MCBA books and learn about all the fun new projects we will be doing with these books this Fall.
Live Sessions:
Story time with Mrs. Adamo and Charlie, Tuesday, 10:30-11:00
3rd- 5th Grades
Virtual Pep Rally for the New MCBA List
(2020-2021)
Thursday, 10:30-11:00
PE with Mrs. Snow
Thank you for participating in the PE Meeting on 5/27. Loved seeing your best effort given for the PE activity!
Please remember to check our Specialists Google Classroom for additional resources and links to live sessions.
Class Code: kpezgng
Equipment needed for Monday:
- 3 Scarves (or tissues, or plastic bags)
- Space to move safely around in
-
Equipment needed for Wednesday:
- 6-10 plastic cups
- 3 pairs of sock balls or a tennis ball or similar sized ball
- Space to move safely around in
See you soon!
-Mrs. Snow
Live Sessions:
K-2 PE Meeting – Monday, 10-10:30
3-5 PE Meeting – Wednesday, 10-10:30
Music with Ms. Gallant
No Live Session on Monday again! I will be at the schools packing everything up! So ALL K-5 students are invited to Wednesday’s session!
This week:
Music Instrument BINGO! Now that you have seen and heard the instruments, let’s play BINGO! This will include some instruments that we did not talk about, but there will be pictures and names on the bingo cards. Bingo cards will be posted in the Specialist Google Classroom under Music! Pick a random one and print it out, and come play bingo with us! I hope to see you all there!
Live Sessions:
(No Monday Session this week! I’ll be at school packing up.)
Music Check in with Ms. Gallant K-5, Wednesday at 12:30
Student Collections in the Front Entrance
We are in need of everyone's help! We know there are many, many library books that are in homes and backpacks. Beginning May 26th, there will be book return bins on the front entrance of Killam, Monday-Friday from 8:00 to 2:30. If you are out taking a walk or a bike ride and have some library or classroom books, we would love to get them back. Checking in and shelving books will be a huge task.
We'd also love any extra paper bags you have for us to use in packing up student belongings. For everyone who's ever packed up a house, there are always more "goodies" than anticipated. You'll see a collection bin outside the school.
Fourth Annual Summer Groceries Program
The Reading Conference of Saint Vincent de Paul Society is pleased to invite you to share in the Fourth Annual Summer Groceries Program. As in previous years, this free program is being offered to families of students who participate in the National School Lunch Program in the Reading Public Schools during the academic year.
We have a limit of 40 participants this summer. These students will be selected on a first come first serve basis. If the program is already filled when you email us, please consider enrolling in the Reading Food Pantry at the Olde South United Methodist Church, 6 Salem St., Reading.
Groceries will be distributed on the ten Wednesdays of the summer starting on June 17, 2020 through August 19, 2020. This summer your groceries will be delivered to your home in Reading by our partners at the Knights of Columbus Organization.
Register your child(ren) with us by providing us the following information:
- The last name of the child(ren)
- Number of students in your family
- The address where you would like us to drop off these bag(s)
- Which OUTSIDE door you would like us to drop off these bag(s)
- Send this information to us via email at st.agnes.reading.svdp@gmail.com
VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE: Although we are very sensitive to friends with food allergies, we are not able to meet everyone’s personal needs. Just as you would shop in a store, we ask you to select the items for your family; and if there is something that you cannot use, please pass it on to someone else.
All the best wishes to you and your family for a safe and healthy summer,
Alicia Gallagher, Coordinator of Summer Lunch Program
Killam Classroom Teachers
We are also pleased to announce our general education classroom teachers for the 2020-21 school year. This lineup is subject to change due to the Covid-19 pandemic and guidance from DESE.
Kindergarten: Mrs. Boran, Ms. Cole, and Mrs. Wheaton (Half-Day K classroom)
First Grade: Ms. Cannata, Mrs. Pegoraro, Mrs. Rice, and Mrs. Walker
Second Grade: Ms. Binns, Mrs. Gramolini, Ms. McMahon, and Mrs. Nawrocki
Third Grade: Mrs. Bruno, Mrs. McGinnity, and Mrs. Treacy
Fourth Grade: Mrs. Encarnacao, Ms. Rees, and Ms. Vetal
Fifth Grade: Mrs. Gustafson, Ms. McGuire, Mrs. Palmieri, and Mrs. Sweeney-White
Killam Remote Learning Communication Schedule
We want to be mindful of how overwhelming it can be to receive multiple emails a day. We hear you and are attempting to streamline the information for you. If information changes, we will update you.
REMOTE LEARNING PHASE III
Classroom teachers: Classroom teachers will communicate enrichment opportunities either on a daily basis or weekly basis, depending on the grade level team decision. In addition, you will receive check-ins and live opportunities to see if you need any clarification or support multiple times a week.
Special Education teachers: If your child receives special education services, an email with enrichment opportunities for your child will be sent on Tuesday. You should also have received an individual Continuation of Learning Plan from your child's liaison. In addition, you will receive check-ins and live opportunities to see if you need any clarification or support multiple times a week.
NEW Specialists (Library Media, Art, Music, and Gym): An email with enrichment opportunities for your child will be posted on Google Classrooms on Wednesday or daily, depending on the grade level team decision. Information regarding live enrichment opportunities will be posted Friday under the Specialists tab on the Killam website and in the Principal's Newsletter. Your child's Google Classroom will also have the weekly information.
We are excited to announce that the specialists now have a Google Classroom page. The page is linked in your child's Grade Level Classroom page. The code to enter is: kpezgng
Principal's Weekly Newsletter: An email will be sent out on Friday and previous newsletters will continue to be posted on the Killam website.
Closure Information: Access to links and information will be posted on the Killam and RPS District websites.
Adult Articles and Resources
Reading Public School Remote Learning
Reading Public School Covid-19 Information
Reading Public Schools Behavioral Health Page
Open Circle Guidance on How to Talk to Kids about Coronavirus
Open Circle Social-Emotional Health Resources
National Association of School Psychologists resources
CDC Talking to your Kids about Coronavirus
National Child Traumatic Stress Network: Talking to Kids about Covid-19
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