The RISE Report

Listen to this notice as a podcast.

Dear RISE Preschool Families,

Welcome to our first RISE Report of the 2023-24 school year!

We are so excited to welcome our new families and welcome back our returning families to RISE this year. It was a busy and exciting summer of extended year services and summer enrichment thanks to our wonderful ESY and Extended Day staff. Since the close of those programs, facilities, custodial staff, teachers, and staff have been working hard getting our school in tip top shape and ready for your students!

We welcome you for visiting day on Wednesday, August 30. Your welcome letter will give you specific details on when and where to meet on that day. Our first day of preschool is Tuesday September 5 for all locations. We can't wait to see you!

Below you will find important information about our parent groups, RISE PTN and Reading SEPAC, as well as activities from Ms. Linda, our occupational therapist, information about our health policies and some other community notices you may be interested in. I hope your families will jump in an engage with the RISE community!

Enjoy the last bits of summer,

Kerry

Co-President Still Needed:

Our PTN has done some amazing work this year to support the RISE Preschool. We had our final meeting and hoped to elect a co-president to share duties with our other co-president, Meghann Cerretani. Although no one offered to fill the role at this meeting, there is still plenty of time. The next meeting will be held in the fall and there will be an opportunity to join the board at that time. If you might be interested in joining the PTN in this shared role, we would love to have you! Please reach out to any of our board members listed below and let us know! Stay tuned for upcoming dates in the fall!

If you have any questions, or interest in volunteering next year to support our PTN, please reach out to any of our PTN board members. We welcome everyone to join!

Board Members for 2023-24:

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

Big News: NEW SEPAC WEBSITE!

Click here for the NEW, IMPROVED READING SEPAC WEBSITE, an incredible resource for parents/caregivers of all children, especially those with diverse learning profiles. We strongly urge you to visit it soon, and often. Short on time? Here’s a very brief video to give you a sense of what’s there in just over one minute.

About Reading SEPAC

SEPAC works for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community. Email sepacreading@gmail.com to get on our confidential mailing list–your best source of SEPAC information. Visit us at https://sepac.reading.k12.ma.us/

*Join our mailing list to receive info about summer get-togethers, including patio socials for parents/caregivers and popsicles on the playground for families.*

About Reading SEPAC

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 supports).

SEPAC WEBPAGE

Join SEPAC's mailing list

Follow SEPAC on Facebook

Follow SEPAC on Instagram

"We help to build strong families by offering playgroups, story times, parent education groups, community and parenting resources, workshops and more!" The North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network is a community based family support and education program. Funding is provided by a Coordinated Family & Community Engagement grant through the MA Department of Early Education and Care. They hold a variety of in-person and on-line groups and workshops throughout the year. Information about their schedule can be found on their website. This is a wonderful resource for families!

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!

August 30: PreK Visit Days!

September

1: No school

4: Labor Day, No school

5: First day of school for PreK-K students

20: Early Release; PreK Back-to-School Night

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