JW Killam Principal's Corner

Week of March 5, 2023

There was pure joy for many of our students at the end of this week as they were able to play in the snow at recess. There is something to be said for embracing the New England winter, even if it seems to be delayed. With a snow day, we ushered in March.

Through the month of March, members of the Reading School Community will be visiting several of our Kindergarten classes during their library class time to read a favorite story in celebration of Read Across America. Here is a picture of School Committee member Chuck Robinson reading to Mrs. Wheaton’s Kindergarten class. Next week will be our Read Across America Book Fair! Don’t forget to dress up on March 10th for our “Dress As Your Favorite Story Book Character” spirit day!

The Read Across America Scholastic Book Fair will take place in the Killam Library from Monday, March 6th through Friday, March 10th. All proceeds raised from the Book Fair will be used to purchase new books for the Killam Library. Your child will visit the Book Fair during their regularly scheduled library class time. For a schedule of when each class visits the library, please visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c44adab28a31-library#/

Please remember to send in money on that day if you are interested in having your children purchase books. If students do not bring in money, they are welcome to select a free gently used book from our book donation cart to keep. On Friday, March 10th, the Book Fair will be open to all Killam Families from 12:45-2:00.

Stay well,

Ms. Leveque

-Monday, March 6th - Friday, March 10th: Read Across America Scholastic Book Fair

-Tuesday, March 7th: Killam PTO Meeting, 7-8pm in the library. All are welcome!

-Friday, March 10th: Spirit Day, Read Across America event- Dress As Your Favorite Story Book Character

-Friday, March 17th: No School for students; teacher in-service day

School Hours:

Monday-Thursday, 8:15-2:45 (8:10-11:30 for half-day kindergarten)

Friday, 8:15-12:45 (8:10-12:45 for half-day kindergarten)

Reading Public School Calendar

Hello Families,

I am happy that we are moving toward spring, and hopefully more time outdoors with better weather! For now, we are seeing some typical winter illnesses. I thought it might be helpful to share a symptom chart to help you recognize the symptoms of common illnesses (seen below).

As always please keep your child home the following:

· Fever (>100.0 Fahrenheit/ 38.0 Celsius). *To prevent spread of illness, your child must be fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication before returning to school

· Positive Covid-19 test (Please call to notify me)

· Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Please consider keeping your child home if they have:

· Persistent or productive coughing

· Significant sneezing and/or congestion

· Headache

· Earache

· Sore throat

· Skin rash

If you are not sure whether your child should attend school, please call me to discuss their symptoms.

Thank you,

Sharon Grottkau, School Nurse

On behalf of Parker and Coolidge Middle Schools, we would like to share with you the following welcome letters, which contain important upcoming middle school transition dates as well as links to other helpful information. Please read the letter that pertains to your child’s future school. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Principal Sarah Marchant (Coolidge) or Principal Rochelle Rubino (Parker).

• Parker Middle School Welcome Letter
• Coolidge Middle School Welcome Letter

Reach out with any questions to Principal Rochelle Rubino, Parker (Rochelle.rubino@reading.k12.ma.us) and Principal Sarah Marchant, Coolidge (Sarah.marchant@reading.k12.ma.us).

Nearly 100 diversely talented Parker Middle School students have been preparing for Parker Drama's second chance to perform The Little Mermaid on stage. Originally scheduled for March 2020, then students found out during dress rehearsal that their show was cancelled due to the COVID shut down announcement. A new cohort of students has stepped in and worked tirelessly to resurrect the performance and bring Ariel and her journey under the sea to the live stage at Parker Middle School. Directed by the same leadership team; Director Stephen MacDonald, Musical Director Jennifer DiMuzio and Choreographer Nancy Katz this is an opportunity to honor what was lost while looking forward to new beginnings. Perfect for families and adults alike, this lively, bright, and fresh show features classic favorite songs like; Under the Sea, She's In Love, Les Poissions, and Kiss the Girl.

Join them *live* and *on stage* at Parker Middle School There are three family friendly performances: Thursday March 9th at 6:30pm, Friday March 10th at 7:00pm, and Saturday March 11th matinee performance at 2:00pm. Purchase tickets in advance to ensure your seat and avoid the lines!

Mark your calendars! The testing window has been set by DESE and we are planning for the following MCAS test dates at Killam. Please note that students will take 2 days of tests per content area (English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Gr. 5 Science and Technology). Please refrain from vacations or unnecessary absences on these dates.

Latest Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) Update (3/1/2023)

Join the Reading SEPAC for a lineup of valuable, informative events this spring.

Topic events include bullying, inclusivity, family emotional health, and anxiety.

We'll conclude the season with a social in June!

All events are free and open to anyone interested.

See flyer for more information.

Mark your calendars and be sure to register when needed.

Reminder that SEPAC events are open to all! For much more information about SEPAC and the opportunities mentioned above, click here for our latest newsletter.

We encourage you to join SEPAC's mailing list, follow SEPAC on Facebook, and follow SEPAC on Instagram

For much more information about the Special Education Parent Advisory Council, click here for our latest newsletter.

We encourage you to join SEPAC's mailing list, follow SEPAC on Facebook, and follow SEPAC on Instagram

It's that time of year to start thinking about our incoming kindergarten students for the 2023-2024 school year. To be eligible for admission to the Reading Public Schools, a child must have reached the age of five on or before August 31st of the entering year to begin kindergarten or have reached the age of six on or before August 31st of the entering year to begin grade one. We had a great turnout for a virtual incoming kindergarten information session on Wednesday, January 4th. Information on the school registration packet and links to the presentation are shared below and can be found on the Reading Public Schools district website.

Ongoing Information:

-Sign up to receive email updates during the kindergarten registration process by visiting: https://forms.gle/LK4esx7RoP7YxQ498

-To learn more and stay up to date, visit the registration website at Registration Forms - Reading Public Schools

Introduction to Kindergarten Presentation from January 4th:

-Here's the link to January 4th Introduction to Kindergarten Presentation in video form: Virtual Kindergarten Information Session-20230104_190233-Meeting Recording.mp4 - Google Drive

-Here's a link to the January 4th Introduction to Kindergarten presentation in English.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1sK9kOUVIc0t58Mn9k4Jld725ULiwsiddo5Cav0A3l2k/edit?usp=sharing

-Aqui está o link para a apresentação de Introdução ao Jardim de Infância de 4 de janeiro em português.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Dyq75gPb2YB6MY3t2pUTSAJjbEseopwE-RHNSludJUE/edit?usp=sharing

-Aquí está el enlace a la presentación de Introducción a Kindergarten del 4 de enero en español.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GUKK3DNGRyIwMjQhzW1QY_AfA1YR65JbKBiyRgSK4lM/edit?usp=sharing

To help us make sure your child gets home safely, if there is a change in dismissal, fill out the attached form and send it in with your child. Thanks!

There are now two ways to let us know if your child is going to be absent from school, stating your child's name and reason for the absence.

You can continue to call the school absence line and leave a message 24-hours a day. The number is 781-944-7831, option 1. Now, you can also email an absence to jwkabsences@Reading.k12.ma.us. Either way, letting us know will help us make sure the Killam community is safely in the building or at home.

Our speech and language pathologist, Jackie Dunn, wants to share some language development activities you can try at home. Check them out.

Ideas

Curious where your student's classroom is located and where to connect for drop-off and pick-up? Check out the Killam School map.

As a parent guardian of a child in the Reading Public Schools, you have access to the Parent PlusPortal. The Portal will be used throughout your child’s academic career as it is where you update your child’s emergency contact information, view report cards, and beyond elementary school, see your child’s grades in real time. It also acts as a communication portal between you and your child’s teacher where oftentimes, different academic links, notes, or activities are shared.

If you are a returning parent, your account is still active. If you are new parent guardian and have not received access, please reach out to our school administrative assistant, Jackie Maglio at jaculen.maglio@reading.k12.ma.us. At that point, you will receive a separate email with your PlusPortal login information. The subject line of the email is Important! Killam School PlusPortals login. This is a confidential portal that is linked to your email account. You have 48 hours to activate your Portal account using the temporary password supplied through the email. Once you login, you can update the password and personal information.

School lunches are once again free for students in the Commonwealth. We look forward to providing nutritious meals for our students!

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!

Email: sarah.leveque@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: http://reading.k12.ma.us/killam/
Location: 333 Charles Street, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-944-7831
Facebook: facebook.com/JWKillamSchool
Twitter: @Killamnews