JW Killam Principal's Corner

Week of December 4, 2022

I hope that everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving break. It was wonderful to be together with my family. Leaving Maine becomes harder each year as I realize how quickly family can change as we grow older. I'm cherishing every moment!

I wanted to share with the school community the Killam School Improvement Plan. The purpose of the School Improvement Plan is to create goals for our school community that work on continuous reflection and improvement. In doing so, we review our school work and data from previous years and establish steps that align with our District goals. Each year, schools are required to create a plan. Ours is developed with the staff and reviewed by the School Council. I want to thank our School Council Members for their support in this work. Thank you to Katie Cole, Tonia McGuire, Marc Cerasuolo, Chris Mauro, and Brian Jarmusik. In our district meetings and discussions, we set priorities that allow us to focus on two to three areas so that our vision and professional development is focused throughout the year. This is an ambitious plan and we recognize that we may not accomplish all pieces. Yet, we want to set high expectations for ourselves and a vision for where our path is leading in the years ahead. Thank you to the Killam Staff and School Council for their hard work in this process.

The plan was reviewed and approved by School Committee at Thursday evenings meeting. You can read the plan here.

Stay well,

Ms. Leveque

-Saturday, December 3rd and Sunday, December 4h: REF Festival of Trees (information below)

-Tuesday, December 6th: Killam PTO Meeting, 7-8 pm in the library. All are welcome!

-Friday, December 9th: Town of Reading vaccine clinic, for both flu and updated COVID booster vaccines in the RMHS cafeteria, from 2-5 pm. Here is the link to register.

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)

Reading Public School Calendar

We've had reports of parked cars being hit along Charles Street. Be careful and mindful of your surroundings when driving around the school. If you see something, do not hesitate to report it to the Reading Police Department.

The Reading Education Foundation (REF) sends direct support to our schools in the form of grant funded opportunities for our students and staff. Each year, the REF holds fundraisers to support the creative, educational work that RPS wishes to explore. Coming up is the Festival of Trees on December 3rd and 4th. Whether you choose to donate a tree or attend the festivities as a participant, it's a wonderful event. Information is listed below about how to participate.

The Class of 2025 at RMHS is hosting a Winter Drop and Shop for parents of elementary school students in the Reading Public Schools. We ask that you please RSVP by Thursday, December 8th. You can bring payment the night of the event. Thank you! Where: RMHS Cafeteria When: Thursday, December 15, 2022 Time: 5-7:30PM Cost: $8 per child, $14 dollars for two children, $5 for each additional child in the same family Pizza, Snacks and games provided! Sign up here.

To help us make sure your child gets home safely, if there is a change in dismissal, fill out the attached form and send it in with your child. Thanks!

SEPAC works for the understanding of, respect for, and support of all children with special needs in the community.

*The YMCA plans to offer adaptive swimming soon! Fill out this survey to help the organizers plan. MANY THANKS to the parents and community partners who made this possible.

*Find Parent Trainings on Basic Rights here.

*Click here our most recent SEPAC update.

There are now two ways to let us know if your child is going to be absent from school, stating your child's name and reason for the 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 KillamAttendance@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.

Our Occupational Therapist, Michelle Goldner, has put together some great activities for families to try at home. These help children build strong dexterity and muscles to help them grow in all settings.

Tips

Backpack Wearing Tips

Our speech and language pathologist, Jackie Dunn, wants to share some language development activities you can try at home. Check them out.

Ideas

Curious where your student's classroom is located and where to connect for drop-off and pick-up? Check out the Killam School map.

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 are once again free for students in the Commonwealth. We look forward to providing nutritious meals for our students!

The Town of Reading contracts with William James College to offer a special service for our residents. The William James INTERFACE Referral Service maintains a mental health and wellness referral help line Monday through Friday, 9 am-5 pm, at 888-244-6843 (toll free). This is a free, confidential referral service for individuals across the lifespan living in Reading. Callers are matched with licensed mental health providers from our extensive database. Each referral meets the location, insurance, and specialty needs of the caller. Click here to learn more!

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