Listen to this notice as a podcast.

Dear RISE Preschool Families,

The sun is shining at RISE today and that means joyful faces on the playground! Although it is fall, this seems like the kind of day we wished for all summer long!

Our classes are in full swing, students are learning new routines and skills and strengthening relationships with staff and peers both old and new. Its a wonderful time to be at RISE!

This week is SEPACS meet the team chair event on October 5th! Please join to learn more about Tracy Pluchak and all of RPS team chairs.

Our PTN is looking forward to meeting with you for their first meeting of the year. Join us on October 16th at 7:30 for our first meeting on ZOOM. Our school appreciates all of the support our PTN gives us! We are looking forward to painting pumpkins this month thanks to our awesome PTN.

A friendly reminder for all families, please drop your child off at school at arrival time so that they can make a smooth transition into the class with the whole group. I know some times late arrivals are unavoidable, but I often think of asking a child to join the class when it is already in session as feeling like being pushed on stage of the Rockettes mid-show and being expected to jump in and kick! If your child does arrive late, please stop in the office to sign them in. A member of the RISE staff will walk them down to the classroom and get them settled. As always, call the absence line with any absences.

Have a wonderful week!

Kerry

Enjoy your day together!

Please come meet Tracy Pluchak and all of the RPS Team chairs on October 5th. Tracy has also included a letter sharing a bit about her here. Please take a look whether or not you are able to make the event on the 5th (details below!)

VISION SCREENINGS STARTING SOON

The nurses will soon begin the Preschool vision screening. Please email the nurse office if you prefer to have your child opt out of school vision screening. Even though the pediatrician's do some screening, we have found that school screening can help with the early detection of many treatable conditions. We want to help your child learn best and try to make school screenings quick, calm, and a good experience for the students.

These are our upcoming school picture days... this is a CHANGE from last week to be sure all students will be in the building when their picture days occur!

October 16-RISE @ RMHS

October 18- RISE @ Wood End

October 25- RISE @ Killam

PTN needs YOU!

Our fantastic PTN board is hard at work planning fun ways to engage children and families at RISE. They are looking for an Enrichment Coordinator who can help set their ideas for enrichment in motion for the students at RISE. Please reach out if you have any interest in lending a hand!

The PTN welcomes all families to participate in meetings in whatever capacity they can. ALL parents/caregivers are welcome. Please come to our next meeting, held via ZOOM on October 16th at 7:30!

We are grateful to the PTN for sponsoring Pumpkin Painting for our entire RISE program this month. Thank you!

Board Members for 2023-24:

• Co-Presidents: Meghann Cerratani
• Vice-President: Rachel Bramante
• Secretary: Corey Mathison
• Treasurer: Courtney Martinello

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!

Visit the SEPAC WEBPAGE

Sign up for our mailing list

Follow SEPAC on Facebook or Instagram

See our 2023-2024 Calendar of Events

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, Oct 5th, 9AM

Team Chair Meet and Greet at Central Office

• Come join us to meet your team chair and student service leadership in person. This is a great opportunity to foster a good relationship outside of the virtual world and the demands of IEP meetings.

• Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!

• Location: Central Office at RMHS. Entrance next to RISE pre-school

• Registration requested

Tuesday, Oct 17th, 6PM

SEPAC Fall Business Meeting and Elections (virtual)

• Who can/should attend? Anyone affiliated with RPS is a SEPAC general council member and thus welcome and encouraged to participate.

• Who can/should vote? Any parent of a child with a disability and any child 14+ with a disability are considered voting members.

• Our kids benefit from active general council member engagement. Please make efforts to participate in real time, but we will record portions of the meeting to post on our website later.

• At this meeting: elect board members, hear plans for the school year, provide your feedback, learn ways to participate, receive updates from Student Services, and learn about a successful communication strategy from a general council member.

• Opportunity for parents-only conversation following conclusion of the meeting.

• Link to join: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/83527291225

• SEEKING a general council member to be a note-taker for this meeting. Email sepacreading@gmail.com if you can do this.

Hello,

Happy Fall! We hope this message finds you all doing well. The next meeting of the Family Resource Network Advisory Council will be:

Thursday, October 5, 2023

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Zoom link and meeting materials will be sent closer to meeting time

The FRN Advisory Council is a group that includes representatives from each of the eight communities we serve. Members include, but are not limited to representatives from human service agencies, businesses, parent groups, state and community politicians, staff from public and private early education and care programs, libraries, parents and more. During Advisory Council Meetings, you will have an opportunity to learn about what is going on through our FRN programs, network and share information with all agencies present, and be a part of programs that bring services and education to all families as they raise their children. Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you feel would like to be a part of the FRN Advisory Council.

We hope many of you will be able to attend on October 5th and we look forward to seeing you then.

Thanks so much,

The FRN Team - Molly, Katie & Kathy

Molly Rice Goyette
CFCE & ParentChild+ Program Director

Coordinated Family & Community Engagement Grant
North Suburban Child & Family Resource Network
Wakefield Public Schools

30 Farm Street, Wakefield, MA 01880

(781) 246-5187

Serving the towns of Lynnfield, Malden, Melrose, North Reading, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield & Winchester

www.nsfamilynetwork.org

https://www.facebook.com/northsuburbanfamilynetwork/

1. Documentation of all immunizations and a physical exam must be provided prior to the first day of school as mandated by Massachusetts State Law. All medical requirements are included in new student paperwork. If your child has a summer birthday, please make sure their scheduled physical happens before the first day of school and send the documentation to school for your child’s record. Medical or religious immunization exemptions are permitted; documentation of such exemptions is required annually.

2. First Aid: Most injuries are minor; however, please make sure to complete all emergency contact information for your child. Include contact numbers for parents and any other person who might be responsible for picking up your child in the event of an emergency. Also include your child’s physician’s name and contact information. Remember to update this information throughout the school year for any corrections or changes.

3. Medication Guidelines:

• Doctor’s orders and parent authorization forms must be completed for ALL medications given in school (including over-the-counter medications).
• Tylenol and ibuprofen can be given in middle and high school with parental consent.
• All medication orders expire at the end of the school year.
• Medications must be provided in their original labeled container.
• A parent or responsible adult must transport medication to and from the Health Office and meet with the nurse regarding instructions. Do not send any medication in your child’s backpack.
• Exception to medication guidelines: Short term antibiotics may be given without a doctor’s order. The antibiotic must be provided in the original labeled container. This serves as proof of a doctor’s order in this case only.

4. Attendance at School: Please do not send your child to school if they have any of the following:

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher. A child with a fever should not return until they have been fever-free without a fever reducer such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen for 24 hours.
• Infectious illness such as strep throat for which they have been treated with antibiotics for less than 12 hours.
• Any symptoms listed on the COVID health screening. Please check your child for symptoms daily. If you have any concerns, please contact your school nurse, and follow up with your child's physician.

5. School Screenings: State mandated school screenings are as follows: Vision screenings are done in grades prek-5,7 &10, hearing screenings are done in grades K-3, 7 & 10. Height and weight screenings are performed annually on grades 1,4, 7 &10. Postural screenings are done for grade 5-9 annually. SBIRT screenings are done in grades 8 &10.

Parents will be notified of upcoming screenings and notified if a referral is indicated after the screenings. Parents may opt out of any screenings in writing to the school nurse.

6. Communication from the Health Office is through SNAP Health Portal, which connects directly with your child’s electronic health record, and provides direct messaging to your school nurse. School nurses may also reach out via phone call, email, and school newsletters. Please make sure your contact information is up to date.

7. Contagious Illnesses: Please notify the Health Office if your child has any contagious illness or conditions such as COVID, flu or strep throat. Always refer to your pediatrician for guidance.

8. Student Absence: If your child is absent, please call the absentee phone line and mention the reason for the absence. A note is required for all absences when your child returns.

9. Allergy Guidelines: Reading Public School Guidelines for Food Allergies are available on the district webpage under District Information. All classrooms are food-free except for individual snacks and lunches provided from home. All food brought into the classroom must follow the Food Allergy Guidelines. You will be notified of food allergy restrictions for your child’s classroom prior to the beginning of the school year. No food sharing is allowed.

10. Allergies and Chronic Conditions: Please contact the school nurse if your child has any health issues or life-threatening allergies so appropriate accommodations can be made.

Please send in a copy of your child’s yearly physical so that health records and immunizations can be updated. Summer is a good time to reinforce good hygiene habits such as handwashing, cough and sneeze etiquette and the importance of no food sharing at school. Another health issue to consider is lice prevention. Please get into the habit of watching for symptoms and routinely checking your child’s head.

Please contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns. We look forward to working with you and getting to know your child.

Sincerely,

Reading Public School Nurses

The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support, formerly known as RCASA, was established in 2006 in Reading. The coalition started as a town, police, school and community initiative focused on improving collaboration and reducing substance abuse. The coalition was grant-funded from 2007-2019. Today, the coalition funded under the Reading Police Department, offers programs and services that focus on substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion.

Follow us on Instagram @rcps_rpd

Like us on Facebook @reading coalition

Follow us on Twitter @rcoalition4prev

About These Services

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!

October

5: SEPAC Event-Meet the Team Chair

9: No School

13: Director Chat 11:00 AM at RISE/RMHS for all RISE parents/caregivers

16:Picture Day-RISE @ Wood End

18:Picture Day- RISE @ RISE

25:Picture Day- RISE @ Killam

November

7: No School, Teacher In Service Day

10: No School, Veterans Day (observed)

22: Early Release

23-24: No School

Reading Public Schools offers a variety of outstanding integrated preschool programming for Reading residents. Our integrated programs serve tuition-based students and students who receive special education services. Our goal is to create an environment of mutual respect, where all students learn from their teachers and from each other.

Our integrated preschool programs are multi-age, and students may enter when they turn three years old. This enables our younger students to learn from their older classmates. Our four-year-old students love being role models and leaders to our three-year-old students.

Our integrated programs are designed to support the learning and growth of both tuition students and students with disabilities. Our approach is play-based. Students learn school, social and academic skills through center activities, free play, circle time, recess, and more.

If you have questions about our programs, you are welcome to contact Kerry Wilcox, RISE Director at kerry.wilcox@reading.k12.ma.us

Email: kerry.wilcox@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: https://rise.reading.k12.ma.us/
Location: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-942-9179
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049057732334
Twitter: @RISEReading