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.

This week on Thursday evening Parker Middle School hosts Back to School Night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the Principal’s Welcome starts promptly at 6:45 p.m. in the auditorium.

Back to School Night is an opportunity for parents/guardians/caregivers to take a step back in time and experience middle school, but this time through your child’s eyes! It’s a fun evening for you to meet your child’s teachers and get a sense for what your child will be learning about all year long. Each class is 10 minutes long (much shorter than an actual class!), so the event moves quickly. Should you have individual questions about your child’s needs, please reach out to your child’s teacher and/or team leader to schedule a meeting.

This week, your child will be filling out their schedule for you to pick up that evening during Back to School Night. You will need to know your child’s homeroom teacher and classroom number as you will retrieve their schedule from their homeroom teacher prior to “first period.”

Again, doors open for the evening at 6:30 p.m. and we will begin with a Principal’s Welcome promptly at 6:45 in the auditorium. Parents/guardians/caregivers will be dismissed from the auditorium to homeroom to begin the evening and you should plan to arrive in your child’s first period class at 7 p.m. We will be following a day 4 schedule.

We had a great turnout for our first PTO meeting of the year. I’m looking forward to continuing to get to know Parker families and creating opportunities for collaboration and engagement all year long. Our next PTO meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. Note the shift to Wednesday evening due to some conflicts. Most meetings will be held on Monday evenings.

In Need: I’m still looking for two parents to serve as members of the Parker School Council. The School Council will meet before the PTO meetings at 5:30 p.m. Participants can join in person or via Zoom. The main purpose of the Parker School Council is to give guidance on the school improvement plan. If you are interested in serving on the Parker School Council, please send me an email.

Please check out this introductory video from SEPAC to learn more about the organization, what it does, and how they collaborate with families and the school - CLICK HERE.

Upcoming Events:

This Friday during extended homeroom, Assistant Principal Story with meet with students participating in the 8th grade leadership academy. All students welcome even if they didn't make it to the summer meetings. Dr. Story will be engaging with 8th grade students to develop their actionable leadership skills at Parker Middle School.

Parker Middle School 8th grade students will be participating in Challenge Day this December. Challenge Day is a daylong experiential workshop for students where students connect across lines of difference and move towards creating the culture they want in their school. More to come on this program, but I’m excited to be able to bring it back to Parker Middle School this year as it aligns with our goals around a sense of belonging and inclusivity. Challenge Day will take place on Monday, Dec. 11 and Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Permission slips for the 8th grade field trip to Boston will be distributed to students during homeroom on Monday, Sept. 18. Please return the slips by Friday, Sept. 22. If you are in need of financial assistance, please reach out to me.

The 8th grade field trip, which is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 19, begins in the morning with the creation of the Kindness Kits that are delivered to the Pine Street Inn. The Kindness Kits are a service project organized by Parker Leaders in coordination with 8th grade students. Following the completion of the Kindness Kits, students will board buses for a lunch cruise aboard the Odyssey Boston. After the lunch cruise, students will complete a scavenger hunt. Students will be with their advisory classes during the scavenger hunt.

Grade 7 families, forms and payment for the seventh grade trip to Nature’s Classroom are due on Friday, Sept. 22.

Please see below for additional dates of importance.

Upcoming Events:

Thursday, Sept. 21:

Early Release at 12:30 p.m.

Back to School Night: 6:45 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 29:

Coffee and Conversation Zoom with Principal Rubino - 8:30 a.m.

Friday, Sept. 29:

Early Release @ 12:30 p.m.

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

Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) has arrived (Sept. 15th- Oct. 15th)! In an effort to celebrate and showcase our cultural backgrounds, Ms. Santiago, our METCO School Adjustment Counselor, would like to highlight and recognize the representation that is present within our own school.

Do you identify as Latinx/Hispanic? If so and you’re comfortable with it, Ms. Santiago asking for a little Bio (cultural background, favorite native dish, favorite genre of Latin music. i.e., Ms. Santiago's is reggaeton and salsa).

You're welcome to share a photo or a family picture. We will feature your stories in our upcoming newsletters.

Please email your photos and writeup to Ms. Rubino (rochelle.rubino@reading.k12.ma.us) and Ms. Santiago (jerika.santiago@reading.k12.ma.us).

If you are interested in serving on the Parker School Council, please contact me via email or phone. I am in need of parents to join! Our first School Council meeting will be held in person and via Zoom on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 5:30 p.m. All school council meetings fall on the same day as PTO meetings and will occur prior to PTO meetings.

📌 The first Restaurant Night of the year is coming up on Friday, September 29 from 12:30-4:30pm. This is a half day for students, so swing down to Fat Larry’s after dismissal! A portion of sales will be donated back to the Parker PTO.

📌 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! 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.

📌 Help us stock the staff lounge with snacks and treats!

Donations can be sent to Parker via the Amazon wish list: https://tinyurl.com/ParkerWishlistSept23

*Please be sure to select the pre-populated Parker shipping address at check out.*

Sign up to donate additional items or help set up the snacks on F 9/29 here: https://tinyurl.com/Fall23StockUp

📌 Our next PTO meeting is Wednesday, October 11 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/PTOOct2023

📌 SAVE THE DATE!

- Friday, September 29, 2023: Restaurant Night at Fat Larry’s. 12:30-4:30pm

- COMING SOON: Fall Apparel Sale

- Wednesday, October 11, 2023: Parker PTO meeting, 7pm. In person and on zoom.

- COMING SOON: Charleston Wrap - Officially open 10/16-12/4/23 but the store is available now if you want to begin your home goods and holiday shopping shopping early: https://tinyurl.com/ParkerCW2023

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

Kymberly started working in Reading as a Team Chairperson at Killam Elementary School at the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Kymberly recently coordinated the Reading’s Extended School Year program this past summer. Prior to that, Kymberly worked at Malden Public Schools as a teacher (grades 4-8) and a Team Chairperson. She has worked in Malden’s language based and therapeutic programs. In Kymberly’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Kymberly is available to problem solve with you or address any questions you may have about special education.

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 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 Events (see flyers for details):

Tuesday, Sept 19th, 5-7PM

Lynn Lyons - Internationally recognized expert on anxiety

Helping Your Family’s Emotional Health: Practical Skills and Solutions for Managing Anxiety, Enhancing Flexibility, and Creating Wellbeing

• In-person at PARKER MIDDLE SCHOOL (note location change)

• Registration required

Thursday, Oct 5th, 9AM

Team Chair Meet and Greet at Central Office

• Come join us to meet your team chair and student service leadership in person. This is a great opportunity to foster a good relationship outside of the virtual world and the demands of IEP meetings.

• Refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!

• Location: Central Office at RMHS. Entrance next to RISE pre-school

• Registration requested

*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

From 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, we welcome parents to our “Back to School” Open House. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This is an opportunity for parents/guardians to meet their child’s teachers and to hear about the upcoming school year. We strongly urge and welcome all parents to participate in this night, starting with the Principal’s Welcome at 6:45 p.m. Paper schedules for the evening will be available for you in your child's homeroom that evening. Please make sure you know your child's homeroom teacher and classroom location!

Welcome Back!

To prepare for a healthy year, please reach out and connect if your student has any medical concerns.

Per district policy for medication given at school, all students must have an updated medication order form every year that is signed by their physician/provider. Medication order form The RPS medication administration form is renewed for each school year, dated after the previous year's last day of school (e.g. after 6/16/23 for this year).

Students are allowed to self-carry Epipens/Inhalers with the appropriate documents.

All other medications (prescription and OTC) need to be transported by an adult per Massachusetts regulations. Medication/Supply drop off: stop into the health office 7:35am-2:40pm, please try to reach out prior to arriving so we can plan for your visit.

For students with allergies, asthma, diabetes or seizures, please send in updated emergency action plans as soon as possible.

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

Please see the link for state information about school exclusions:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations#school-and-camp-requirements-

Annual State mandated screenings for middle schoolers:

Grade 6: postural-scoliosis

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

Grade 8: postural-scoliosis, sbirt

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) and submit current documentation of screening by health care provider.

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

Coolidge opt out email: cindy.ventura@reading.k12.ma.us

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

Thank you,

Parker Nurse Kate Shmulsky: kate.shmulsky@reading.k12.ma.us

781-944-1236 xtn 13322, fax 781-942-9008

Coolidge Nurse Cindy Ventura: cindy.ventura@reading.k12.ma.us

781-942-9158 xtn 12305, fax 781-942-9118

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

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."

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