In the black box at the top of the newsletter, select Translate Newsletter to pick the desired language.

· Portuguese: Na caixa preta na parte superior do boletim, selecione Traduzir Boletim informativo para escolher o idioma desejado.

· Spanish: En el cuadro de Negro en la parte superior del boletín de noticias, seleccione Traducir Boletín de escoger el idioma deseado.

· Arabic : في المربع الأسود في أعلى النشرة الإخبارية، حدد ترجمة الرسالة الإخبارية لاختيار اللغة المطلوبة.

· Vietnamese: Trong hộp đen ở phía trên cùng của bản tin, chọn dịch ký nhận để chọn ngôn ngữ mong muốn.

· Swahili: Katika sanduku nyeusi juu ya jarida, chagua Jarida la Tafsiri ili kuchagua lugha taka.

Welcome to February. This month we celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month is a time set aside each year to celebrate the achievements of Black men and women in the past and present. It is a time when we celebrate influential Black people that made important contributions to the United States. It's a time to educate all students about the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and raise general awareness about the challenges Black people have faced both historically and in the present.

Below you will see resources and information about Black History Month and information on influential Black people. While we strive to always discuss and learn about the achievements of Black men and women in all aspects of the curriculum, throughout this month, we will raise extra awareness and celebrate the diverse lived experiences of people in our community and beyond.

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A quick ask: During morning drop off and afternoon pick up, please be mindful of student safety. If you drop off on the King Street side of the school, please do not block the driveway when dropping off students. Students should exit vehicles on the right so they are exiting onto the sidewalk and not the street. If you are dropping off on the Temple Street entrance, please also do not block the driveway or drive down the driveway to drop off in front of the school.

Please also be mindful of your speed on Temple and King Streets. Finally, please also remember to turn off your vehicle when waiting for your child at the end of the day. Cars should not be idling while waiting. Thank you for your help and cooperation.

Please read on for more information for the upcoming week and beyond. Have a great week!

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, Feb 6th, 5-6:30PM

Raising Superpowered Middle Schoolers

Presenter: Phyllis Fagell

Zoom Link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/87617650177

Friday, Feb. 9, 2024

Early Release at 12:30 p.m.

Support the Coolidge & Parker Middle School’s

8th Grade French Trip to Québec, Canada

The Mandarin Reading

296 Salem Street, Reading MA 01867

www.mandarinreading.com / 781-942-8200

Dine in OR Take Out

Monday, Feb. 12, 2024

School Council at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom and in person

Zoom link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/85211218653

PTO at 7 p.m. via Zoom and in person

Zoom link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/89440949482

Monday, Feb. 19 - Friday, Feb. 23, 2024

No School - School Vacation Week

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024

Coffee and Conversation with Principal Rubino via Zoom

Topic: TBD

Zoom link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/84997881056

To access the 2023-2024 District Calendar, click here.

To access the Cultural Holidays Calendar, click here.

Dr. Anthony Trecek-King, renowned choral conductor & clinician, worked with both the 7th & 8th grade Parker choruses this past Thursday, 2/2. Dr. Trecek-King is the resident conductor of the Handel and Haydn Society & past conductor of the Boston Children’s Chorus.

He holds a B.M. in Cello Performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, an M.M. in Orchestral Conducting from the Florida State University, and a D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from the Boston University.

We thank the Reading Education Foundation for funding this year’s choral guest artist series for Parker. We’re learning a lot & having so much fun!

We hope those of you who were able to make it enjoyed the Arts Orientation at RMHS! For those who weren't able to make it, and who want to learn more, please check out the resources below. The arts in Reading are SO strong; we encourage all students to get involved in some way!

• Fine and Performing Arts Presentation
• RMHS Arts Course Catalog

• Video about each of the courses

Tuesday, Feb 6th, 5-6:30PM

Raising Superpowered Middle Schoolers

How Parents can Help Tweens Thrive Socially and Academically

Presenter: Phyllis Fagell

Zoom Link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/87617650177

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This virtual parent presentation will help parents/caregivers identify the signs of an unhealthy relationship, help their teens navigate these tricky relationships, provide positive support for both the parents and teens, and connect parents with local resources.

When: Feb. 12: 7:30 - 8:15 p.m.

Where: Virtual Workshop

The Great Gatsby presented by The RMHS Drama Club. This 30-minute one-act play based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald was adapted by the RMHS Drama Club for its participation in the METG High School DramaFest competition in March. It will premiere at the RMHS Performing Arts Center February 9-11. Open the community.

Details and tickets:

https://www.rmhsdrama.org/the-great-gatsby

📌 PTO MEETING: Our next PTO meeting is Monday, February 12 at 7 p.m. at Parker Middle School and via Zoom. Take a sneak peek at our upcoming agenda. All are welcome!

📌 STOCK THE STAFF ROOM: Help us stock the staff room with snacks and treats! Donations can be sent to Parker via the Amazon wish list. *Please be sure to select the pre-populated Parker shipping address at check out.*

📌 SAVE THE DATE!

- PARKER AT THE RED SOX: Tuesday, 6/4/24. Tickets on sale now through January 31.

- STOCK THE STAFF ROOM: Donate treats to help stock the staff room using the Amazon wish list.

- ALL-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT: Parker will be visited by Len Cabral, a storyteller of folktales & legends from around the world on Thursday, 3/28/24 - http://www.lencabral.com/

📌 WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

• Email: parkerptopres@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkerPTO
• Instagram: @ParkerMSPTO
• Parker PTO webpage: tinyurl.com/ParkerPTOpage

Mark your calendars for Feb. 1 and be the first to order your tickets for Shrek Jr. Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/78994

Parker Middle School’s full color, 48-page yearbook features

portraits of your friends, teachers and administrators, school

events, groups and clubs. This keepsake will leave you with a

lasting memory of your 2023-2024 year. All grades are represented.

Please read the following instructions.

1. Access the Pictavo store https://buytheyearbook.pictavo.com and search for

Walter Parker Middle School. There are known issues purchasing from phones.

2. Under “Shop My School” you will be prompted to enter your child’s name and

homeroom. All payments must be made online. Yearbooks cost $24 plus a 5%

service fee. The last day to order your book is May 1, 2024.

3. Students will receive yearbooks in homerooms before the last day of school. Our

8th grade students will receive yearbooks on the day of their class signing.

School Attendance: As you know, school attendance is extremely important and matters every day. In our attempt to communicate proactively with families regarding attendance, we have been sending out letters to families if your child has more than five absences (regardless of whether they are considered excused or unexcused). Absences are considered excused if your child is sick or has a medical appointment. We do ask families to provide documentation from your health care provider if there is an extended absence due to a medical reason. As we work through what works best to maintain this ongoing communication with families, we have decided to pilot a monthly attendance letter to all families. This letter will be sent through the portal at the beginning of the month starting in February and will outline all of your child’s absences. Assistant Principal Story will reach out to families directly to set up attendance meetings if your child has exceeded 10 absences.

Please mark your calendar for the following dates for MCAS testing:

• ELA 6 - 8: Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10

• Math 6-8: Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16

• STE 8: Tuesday, May 21 and Wednesday, May 22

• Civics 8 performance task: Tuesday, May 28

• Civics 8 end of course test: Monday, June 3

It's important that students are present in school on the days of MCAS testing.

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 Event:

Tuesday, Feb 6th, 5-6:30PM - Virtual

Raising Superpowered Middle Schoolers:

How Parents can Help Tweens Thrive Socially and Academically

Presented by Phyllis Fagell

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 Nurse Kate with any questions. Our next vaccine clinic will be held at Coolidge middle school on Friday January 5th from 2-5 pm.

The Parker Middle School will begin Annual Screenings including Postural, beginning next week. The purpose of Postural screening is to find early signs of possible spinal problems in children in grades 6-8. It is not a diagnostic service but a program to identify young people who should have further medical evaluation. If your child has any unusual findings, you will be notified and asked to take the child to a physician as a precaution. The majority of students exhibit no findings. If nothing unusual is found, we will not be contacting you again until the screening next year.

Annual State mandated screenings include:

Grade 6: postural-scoliosis

Grade 7: postural-scoliosis, hearing, vision, height/weight

Grade 8: postural-scoliosis, sbirt

For postural screening please send students in clothing (during PE days) that will help support visualization of the spine. Students should be checked with their backs bare. Boys should be bare to the waist; girls should wear two-piece bathing suits or shorts and a halter.

There is an alternative to opt out. If you do not want your student to participate, please email/submit a written request specifying which screening(s) to omit and submit current documentation of screening by their health care provider.

Parker screenings opt out link: https://forms.gle/bkUS6Anz3cPmxptE8

Please see the links for state information about school health screenings, immunizations and school exclusions: https://www.mass.gov/lists/school-health-screening,https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations#school-and-camp-requirements-,

Chart reviews will continue to update immunization records, parents can upload updated vaccinations and documents directly on the snap health portal.

Grade 7 & New Students: Tdap & Meningococcal vaccines are required for the start of 7th grade, and the district requests an updated physical.

Reading Public Schools Snap Health Portal: https://www.reading.k12.ma.us/en-US/health-services-83f6862d/snap-health-portal-7580ab3a

Health offices can be reached via the health portal, or email/phone.

In Health,

Nurse Kate

kate.shmulsky@reading.k12.ma.us

"Since its founding during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, the METCO program has enrolled tens of thousands of Boston students of color in predominately white school districts, creating the opportunity for those districts to experience the advantages of learning and working in a racially and ethnically diverse setting."

Principal

Dr. Jill Story

Assistant Principal

Email: rochelle.rubino@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.reading.k12.ma.us/parker/
Location: 45 Temple Street, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-944-1236
Twitter: @WSParkerMS