RMHS

This Wednesday RMHS held Back to School Night, which was heavily attended! Thank you to parents / caregivers for coming out and meeting our staff. We are all so proud to showcase the great work taking place in classrooms and across the school. As part of the evening, I presented a brief slide deck to highlight some of the exciting programming taking place at RMHS this year. If you were not able to attend and wish to preview the presentation, please find it at the following link. It also includes hyperlinked email addressed for key personnel on staff should you need a quick means to contact administration or our incredible team of administrative assistants.

I would like to take a moment to further explain a few of the new activities and initiatives that were briefly mentioned at the start of the evening. This year RMHS is offering an on-site dual enrollment class, Ethics and Society, through Middlesex Community College instructed by our very own Ms. Jess Bailey. In addition, RMHS is partnering with TEALS, the philanthropic arm of Microsoft, to enhance the experience of introductory computer science courses by having volunteers that are currently working in the Computer Science industry partner with our instructors in the classroom up to 5-days a week.

We are proud to say that the new Innovation Career Pathways Program is taking off in the areas of Advanced Manufacturing (Engineering) and Information Technology (Computer Science and Digital Media). Over 75 students are currently enrolled in ICP Pathways courses this year in grades 9 and 10. RMHS is also applying for additional pathways in Clean Energy and Healthcare and Social Assistant (Public Health) which, if approved, will begin in the 2024-25 school year. Today, RMHS was notified that we will receive a $75,000 Implementation and Planning Grant that will support exciting experiences for the ICP students in the coming months to include fieldtrips, speakers, dual enrollment and Advanced Placement exam costs and more!

RMHS is working to offer students more opportunities to lead and earn service hours within the school day and during school activities. As a result, the Rocket Ambassador Program was revamped this summer and the current ambassadors will for the first time receive training from a professional organization in mentorship which they will put to use during freshman flex blocks throughout the school year.

Students should keep an eye out for an upcoming announcement regarding a new Peer Mediation program that the school is starting shortly as well!

Before we know it seniors will be coming to the end of the school year! Right now they are highly focused on getting all college applications in by the upcoming deadlines. After the application season settles down we will engage seniors in discussions about financial literacy (for which we are working to partner with Fidelity) and the RMHS internship program!

Seniors can now also take advantage of the new Teacher Assistant program. Interested seniors can see their guidance counselors to discuss opportunities to assist in high school classrooms, library or with the IT Department as part of the Help Desk!

Last but not least I would like to highlight the amazing School Counseling Department at RMHS, led by Ms. Lynna Williams. In my nearly 20-years in education I have not seen a school that implements such a comprehensive school counseling (college and career) curriculum. RMHS counselors deliver an exceptional curriculum to their caseloads of students each year, meeting with each student for approximately 8-10 classrooms sessions as well as individual check ins. In addition, the department hosts many informational nights for parents and a college fair with over 100-schools in attendance.

Thank you once again for your support and know that my door is always open to support you and your children.

Kindly,

Jessica B. Callanan
(Interim) Principal

Happy Rosh Hashanah to those that observe!

• 9/15-9/17 - Rosh Hashanah
• 9/19 - SEPAC Speaker, Lynn Lyons (5-7 pm) - see below for details
• 9/20 - School Council Meeting

• 9/20 - Counseling Department Senior Parent Night (6:30 pm in PAC)

• 9/24-9/25 - Yom Kippur

• 9/26 - Innovation Career Pathways Kick Off for Accepted Students (flex in PAC)

• 9/29 - Early Release

• 10/4 - Counseling Department Freshman Parent Night (6:30 pm in PAC)

• 10/5 - SEPAC Team Chair Meet and Greet (9 am) - see below for details

• 10/5 - ALiCE drill (during flex)

• 10/6 - Innovation Career Pathway Fieldtrip - Manufacturing Day at Millipore (Engineering and Computer Science ICP Students)

• 10/6 - Unity Day

• 10/12 - Activities Fair (T) fieldhouse during flex
  

• 10/17 - Innovation Career Pathways UMLowell Field trip (Engineering Students in ICP)

• 10/18 - PSATs during the school day / delayed opening for 9, 12 and 10/11 not taking PSAT. See link for schedule.

• 11/6 - NHS Induction for Class of 2024 (7 pm in PAC)
  
  

School Website w/ School Calendars: https://rmhs.reading.k12.ma.us/en-US#0

We will be hosting our first vaccine clinic of the school year next Friday, September 22nd, at Coolidge from 2-5 pm. VaccinateRx is now working with Shaw's pharmacy, so the link will look slightly different. You may register for the 9/22, 10/13 or 11/3 clinic.

The following vaccines will be available next Friday:

Updated COVID vaccines will be available for 12+, with a limited supply for under 12 at this clinic (hoping more will be available in October).

Flu vaccine, including high dose, will be available for individuals age 3+

RSV vaccine will be available for anyone age 60+

Register here for the clinic. Please feel free to contact mary.giuliana@reading.k12.ma.us with any questions.

• Google Doc with our full Newsletter Submission
  
  

SEPAC 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!

Visit the SEPAC WEBPAGE

Sign up for our mailing list

Follow SEPAC on Facebook or Instagram

See our 2023-2024 Calendar of Events

2. Upcoming Events (see flyers for details):

Tuesday, Sept 19th, 5-7PM

Lynn Lyons - Internationally recognized expert on anxiety

Helping Your Family’s Emotional Health: Practical Skills and Solutions for Managing Anxiety, Enhancing Flexibility, and Creating Wellbeing

• In-person at PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL (note location change)

• Registration required
  
  

Tara Herlihy (Coolidge teacher) will continue to be head coach, and you can feel free to reach out to her with any and all questions. Her email is: tara.herlihy@reading.k12.ma.us

Students need no previous experience with basketball or Unified Sports. This program is open to all that are interested in having fun, making friends and getting a little exercise. The environment will be laid back and full of encouragement.

Please have students register using this link by Thurs 9/21

https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/259/reports/949990

Unfortunately, there is NO Calareso’s fundraiser this year as it is only being offered to elementary schools. We are so sorry for any confusion.

Volunteers Needed: The PTO needs your help! Please reach out to PTO board members or email RMHSpto@gmail.com if interested in volunteering for any of the following:

• Restaurant Night chair: plan restaurant nights over the course of school year

PTO Meeting: Join us at the first meeting on Monday October 2nd, 2023 at 7pm in the RMHS library or via zoom