Principal Rubino's Weekly Update

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.

Congratulations to Ms. Carter and the Parker Middle School Math Team for their FIRST PLACE finish at Thursday's competition. What a wonderful way to start off your season! Keep up the hard work.

On Friday, I shared an email with families regarding information about the Parker Spring 2023 MCAS Results. That presentation included information about important initiatives that have been underway at Parker Middle School and our focus areas for this school year. Our School Improvement Plan (SIP), which will be shared in early November, will contain greater details about the strategic objectives developed by our leadership team and School Council and the action steps and activities planned to support those objectives. Please refer to the Parent Portal for the detailed letter.

Reading Community Education is starting a middle school LEGO League Challenge. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for our Parker students, so please check out the information below to sign up and get involved. It's a great opportunity for enrichment and extension in the field of robotics and STEM.

The Reading Children's Cabinet is also looking for a Parker student representative. Please see below for more information on how to join.

• School picture retakes will happen on Monday, Oct. 16.
• i-Ready parent information will be sent home the week of Oct. 23

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or Dr. Story with any questions or concerns.

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday, Oct. 18 - 20:

Nature's Classroom, Grade 7 Field Trip

Return on Friday, Oct. 20 by 1:30/2 p.m. (We will email and update so parents know when to expect students for pickup).

Thursday, Oct. 19:

Boston Field Trip, Grade 8

Leave Parker at 8 a.m. and return approximately by 3 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 26:

Coffee and Conversations with Principal Rubino (12 p.m.) with special guest Sarah Creighton, school adjustment counselor.

This month's topic will be on school counseling for all students and will offer an opportunity to get to know Parker's School Adjustment Counselor, Ms. Creighton.

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

Friday, Oct. 27:

Early Dismissal (12:30)

Tuesday, Oct. 31:

Halloween - students are allowed to dress up (no masks, weapons, and please pay attention to cultural appropriation)

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

Lights, camera, STEAM! Science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) inspire big ideas, bold action – and creativity. Our skills make it possible to create art and experiences that bring us together, entertain us, and move us.

During our 2023-2024 arts-inspired robotics season, FIRST® IN SHOWSM presented by Qualcomm, we will celebrate the roles our STEM skills play in the arts and design and build a world of endless possibilities. The future is yours to create! For more information or to register, please visit: https://readingcommunityeducation.myrec.com/info/default.aspx

Who: Students in 6th – 8 th grade. Each team will have a maximum of 6 students.

What: Each team is given the FIRST LEGO League challenge to complete. This year it is the “MASTERPIECE” challenge! In early March there will be an exhibition for the teams to showcase what they’ve done all season.

When: Teams meet for 1.5 hours/week starting in November until early March.

Where: Teams will meet at the middle schools during a time that the coach is available.

Coaching: Parents, we need your help! We are in need of parent volunteer coaches. We will supply you with all materials and information for the season. If possible, we will have assistant from the RMHS Robotics Team.

The number of teams are dependent on the number of coaches available. Please consider volunteering to coach this exciting program!

Cost: $199/child (Includes team registration fee and t-shirt)

The Robotics Team at the Reading Memorial High School will be holding a fun and exciting event in the high school cafeteria on the 22nd of October called the Chain Reaction Event! At this event, all students are invited to build a Rube Goldberg machine piece and watch the assembly as all the parts are put together into one giant machine! We invite you all to watch the machine in action!

To learn more, check out this flier: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pnmHA_4mnbvSuxiJEsWuU_aDZilwQl5w/view

We are looking for one student representative from Parker to join with school, town, and community leaders to help solve problems for our youth.

What is the Reading Children's Cabinet?

The Reading Children’s Cabinet brings together key leaders and
community members that serve children and youth. Our goals are to
strengthen collaboration, align resources, and help to close
programming gaps. The Reading Children’s Cabinet builds on the strong
cross sector leadership already in place in Reading with Reading Public
Schools, Town leadership, the Reading Police Department, community
leaders, business leaders, parents / guardians, and students all coming
together to empower youth to thrive.

What is the time commitment?

We anticipate that the time commitment will include three official meetings in the 2023 – 2024 school year, with the possibility of interim working group meetings to develop action plans for priorities that are identified.

Meeting dates for the 2023 – 2024 Reading Children’s Cabinet are as follows:

December 6th, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

March 6th, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

June 5th, 6:30pm – 8:00pm

Meetings will be held at the Reading Public Library and are zoom optional.

I'm interested. Now what?

If you are interested in this unique opportunity and are able to commit to attending all 3 meetings, please complete this form.

The Massachusetts State Police will be starting a youth basketball league in partnership with the Woburn Boys & Girls Club. We have similar leagues set up in various locations throughout the state. Our goal is to create a better relationship between law enforcement and youth through sports. The Instagram page @mspteams has media content from all of our outreach programs that we have established. The league is primarily for 7th & 8th grade and open to all surrounding cities/towns at no cost.

The Pine Street Inn in Boston’s South End neighborhood serves more than 1,900 individuals daily and assists homeless individuals in areas including street outreach, prepared meals, housing, medical care, and job training. Once again, we at Parker are gathering items for the residents at the Pine Street Inn by creating “Kindness Kits” that include donations from all of you to individuals in need. On Wednesday, Oct. 18, our eighth graders will pack the goods with the donations that have been collected during our drive here at school.

We can’t thank you enough for your donations and support. We will continue to collect until October 17.

Please make sure items are travel sized or small. Items Include:

6th Grade Teams: Health related donations including band aids, first aid kits, sunscreen, wet wipes/tissue packs, deodorant, chapstick, disposable razors, shaving cream, baby powder

7th Grade Teams: Personal hygiene items including toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, body lotion, combs and brushes, washcloths

8th Grade Teams: Adult socks, disposable ponchos, mini bottles of water, protein snacks including jerky, trail mix, granola bars

📌 Our next PTO meeting is Monday, November 13 at 7 p.m. at Parker Middle School and via Zoom (https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/85845982809). All are welcome! Take a sneak peek at our upcoming agenda: https://tinyurl.com/Nov23PTOmtg

📌 Parker Families: The Fall Apparel Store is now open!

Shop online to get your Parker gear, including tees, sweatshirts, pajama pants, hats, and more!
https://tinyurl.com/ParkerFall23

Order deadline is Sunday, October 22nd, and items will be delivered to Parker in November before the end of year holidays.

* When ordering, be sure to note in the comments box if something is a gift! *

All items are made to order and are final sale. Please check sizing chart measurements before ordering. Questions? Contact Kate Grant: katefgrant@gmail.com

📌 Check out the Charleson Wrap sale, open now through 12/4/23! https://tinyurl.com/ParkerCW2023

Shop online for upcoming holidays including Halloween and Thanksgiving, gift wrap, candles, eco-friendly items, personalized gifts, kitchen items, gourmet snacks and more. A portion of all sales will be donated to Parker. Shop now and items are delivered after ordering - no waiting for the end of the sale!

📌 Dues donation: The Parker PTO helps support students and staff throughout the year in a variety of ways, and runs solely on family donations. We fund the after school library hours, enrichment & field trip opportunities, staff appreciation luncheons, purchase student agendas and more! Please consider supporting these efforts through a dues donation. Suggested amount is $100/family but any donation is appreciated. Thank you! https://givebutter.com/ParkerPTO

New this year: we are now accepting donations via credit card, Venmo, PayPal, and ACH payments via the GiveButter link! Checks are also welcome and should be made payable to Parker PTO and sent in to the Parker Main Office. Pay online: https://givebutter.com/ParkerPTO. (On Apple iPhones, use Safari to access the Venmo option. On Android devices, use Chrome. On desktop computers, use any browser.)

*Please note that an optional GiveButter tip is automatically selected but can be adjusted in the dropdown before completing payment.

📌 SAVE THE DATE!

- Fall Apparel Sale: Now open through Sunday, October 22! https://tinyurl.com/ParkerFall23

- Charleston Wrap - Open 10/16-12/4/23: https://tinyurl.com/ParkerCW2023

- COMING SOON - Pie Sale - will be delivered to Parker right before Thanksgiving

- Friday, November 3, 2023: Restaurant Night at Mandarin Reading

📌 WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

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

METCO unites suburban towns with Boston to engage in a reciprocal learning partnership in support of all students. Because of this, every child who attends school in Reading Public Schools is a METCO student and every parent or guardian who has a student in RPS is a part of the METCO community.

"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."

Essex North Shore's Annual Open House: Saturday, November 18, 2023

Essex North Shore’s Annual Open House will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023. Two sessions will be offered. Pre-registration will be required. Additional information will be available at EssexNorthShore.com in the coming weeks as will posters and “Apply Now” cards for your offices and schools.

Northeast Metro Tech Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 6:00pm – 8:30pm

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

Nominate yourself and/or someone else for the SEPAC board. This is the easiest time to join the board because much of the groundwork for the 2023-2024 school year has been laid and there are active parents who have pledged to continue being active. Submit nominations by emailing sepacelection2023@gmail.com

We need YOU for the Fall Business Meeting and Board Elections on Tuesday, Oct 17th, 6PM via this link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/83527291225

Who can/should attend? Anyone affiliated with RPS is a SEPAC general council member and thus welcome and encouraged to participate. Any parent of a child with a disability, and any child 14+ with a disability are considered voting members and thus can vote in the board election.

What will attendees do at this meeting? Determine SEPAC leadership by electing board members; consider updates from Student Services administrators; collaborate on programs and events; gain skills from a general council member about how to create a successful communication tool to be given to anyone who will be working with your child; connect and gain support during optional parents-only conversation following the conclusion of the business meeting.

Your child’s educational experience directly benefits from high attendance and active engagement from general council members in real-time, but portions of the meeting will be recorded and posted on our website if you have a conflict.

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

Adult MHFA Training:

The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support will offer a special course. Mental Health First Aid for adults is skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge. Similar to physical First Aid and CPR, MHFA helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis until professional assistance is obtained or the crisis is resolved. First Aiders learn an action plan to recognize warning signs of a mental health or substance use challenge, provide help in crisis and non-crisis situations and understand where to turn for additional assistance. The course will be taught by Taunya L. Jarzyniecki, Credentialed Instructor, National Council on Mental Wellbeing. Participants must attend all four sessions on Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26 from 6-8pm at Reading Public Library to become certified as a First Aider. Register at https://conta.cc/45cNuCs

Youth MHFA for Adults Supporting Youth

The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support invites adults to participate in a special course. Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18. The course will teach you how to apply the MHFA Action Plan including: Assess for risk of suicide or harm, Listen nonjudgmentally, Give reassurance and information, Encourage appropriate professional help and Encourage self-help and other support strategies. The instructor, Erica McNamara, is credentialed through the National Council on Mental Wellbeing for Mental Health First Aid USA. Join us for all 4 sessions to become certified as a first aider on November 9, 16, 30 from 6-8 pm and Dec. 7 from 6-8 pm at the Reading Public Library. Register at https://conta.cc/3DKbCQQ

Please take the time to read through the handbook to review our policies regarding school attendance.

The best way to report any attendance issues (absence, tardy, or dismissal) for your child is by sending an email to the Parker absentee line – wspabsences@reading.k12.ma.us

Please make sure to give us:

• Student Name

• a reason for the absence or tardy

• expected date of return

• for dismissal, the name of the person who will be dismissing your child

Ms. Rochelle M. Rubino, M. Ed., CAGS

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