RMHS Weekly Newsletter

Students in grades 11 and 12 can sign up below for free financial literacy sessions with representatives from Fidelity in Jan. and early Feb. There is no commitment to work directly with Fidelity after attending these educational sessions, it is meant as a tool to inform and teach about financial wellness. Sign Ups close on Dec. 20 (this Wed.).

• 12/22 - Early Release (11:15 am) for winter break

• 12/22 - 1/1 - Winter Break

• 1/4 - Alumni Day (Gr. 11 / 12 - last 10-min of B block and flex)

• 1/11 - Jr. Parent Night

• 1/12 - Close of Quarter 2

• 1/12 - Early Release Day (1:04 pm)

• 1/15 - MLK Jr Day - No School

• 1/16 - 1/19 - Mid-Year Exams

• 11/16 - A/B

• 11/17 - C/D

• 11/18 - E/F

• 11/19 - G/ Make Up

• 1/17 - Gap Year Fair

• 1/22 - Q3 Starts

• 1/23 - Future Freshman Night

https://rmhs.reading.k12.ma.us/en-US

A very Merry Christmas to all those that observe the holiday! May your upcoming winter break be both filled with restful and peaceful!

As we are in the midst of cold and flu season, we are also seeing an increase in COVID cases. Please be aware that there are masks and COVID test kits available in the health office for all students, families and staff. Please see our COVID protocols here, and information about the flu here. Please feel free to reach out to mary.giuliana@reading.k12.ma.us with any questions. Our next vaccine clinic will be held at Coolidge middle school on Friday January 5th from 2-5 pm.

Reading Scholarship Foundation is ready for you to apply for scholarships!

The Reading Scholarship Foundation is pleased to announce that its 2024-25 application is now available. Any Reading, MA resident who is a high school senior OR is pursuing an undergraduate degree may apply. Any non-Reading, MA resident that attended Reading Memorial High School in Reading, MA, as a full-time student for a period of at least three years is also eligible. The application and the full requirements to apply can be found at https://readingsf.org/scholarship-application-plugin/

The Department has partnered with the nonprofit uAspire to provide free support to students and school staff to help seniors complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For Students: uAspire will offer a FAFSA webinar for students three times: 4:00-5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3; 5:00-6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 30; and 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 27. Registration is open online. In addition, FAQs are available in English and Spanish, and more resources are posted on uAspire.org/resources, uaspire.org/Checklist, and uaspire.org/FSAID.

ALL students, staff, and community members can order a yearbook via Lifetouch. RMHS’s yearbook code is: 14773724. Link: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/Order/SelectStudent?isAdvertisementOnly=false. $65, regular pricing, ends on February 12th.

SENIORS can submit their yearbook bios through December 22nd, 2023. Use this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfOoGipTHz-64voPOm9ezy2IYN1gUY50hTh-KKJe6Na1PcD3g/viewform?usp=sharing. Only students can submit, but families can help out by reminding their seniors!

Enrollment and audition sign-ups are now available for this summer’s Five Star Theatre Program. This program is open to ages 9-15.

Journalism students and members of The Orbit club have collectively posted more than 40 news items at rmhsorbit.com. Included among them are 7 new episodes of The Orbit Conversation podcast. These were produced using equipment acquired through an REF grant. If you are interested in using the equipment in your class, inquire with Lynda Moylan or Mike McSweeney.

PTO IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• PTO DUES (different from Class Dues) - $50 per family (not per student) is the suggested donation but any donations are welcome. Please send your annual dues via PayPal or check made out to “RMHS PTO.” Pay via PayPal using the online link https://bit.ly/2MnjShb (we suggest donating $55 to cover fees) or send a check to “Attn. RMHS PTO - RMHS Main Office, 62 Oakland Road.”

• The PTO is sponsoring a night for Parents & Caregivers during the January on the topic of Financial Wellness. The meeting is a 7 pm in the RMHS library. See promotional materials below. This will be coupled with free financial literacy classes offered to juniors and seniors in Jan. during flex blocks (see promotional materials above).
  
  

In recent years, your PTO dues and funds raised have provided funding for items including agendas, funding after school library hours, books/resources for RMHS library, enrichment programs and speakers, staff appreciation, Homecoming and Unity Day activities. Thank you for your support!

MCAS tests are required by state and federal law and are an important tool to promote student success and educational equity. High school students in Massachusetts must take and pass the MCAS tests in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, and science to earn a high school diploma, in addition to meeting local requirements. Students will have additional opportunities to retake the tests prior to graduation if they do not meet the criteria in the spring of 2024. The high school MCAS tests also provide the opportunity for students to qualify for several state awards. These include the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship and the Stanley Z. Koplik Certificate of Mastery.

The dates for the Spring tests are shown in the table. Ninth graders will take the Biology test in June, and tenth graders will take the ELA test in March and the math test in May. Each test has two sessions over two consecutive days. Please add these dates to your calendar so that your child is available for testing. More information will follow in the spring.

Stay up to date with the daily happenings at RMHS! You can find our daily announcements located on the RMHS Website under Morning Announcements.

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

Tuesday, Dec 19th, 6PM

Tiered Support for Students Presentation and SEPAC Winter Business Meeting

• Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is used by the Reading Public Schools to give targeted support to struggling students. Join us to learn how it works and to ask questions.

• Business meeting to follow

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

• Virtual Event - Meeting URL: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/81226110598

• Click here to see the flyer.

  
  

Principal Jessica B. Callanan

jessica.callanan@reading.k12.ma.us
781-944-8200 ext. 19801

62 Oakland Road

Reading, MA 01867

** All past newsletters from the 2023-24 school year are also archived on the school website for ease of accessibility.

RMHS Website (Including Updated 2023-24 Student Handbook)