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 past week featured a lot of fun events for our 8th grade students including a trip to Quebec and salsa dancing field trips. We ended the week with a seventh-grade dance. It was a lot of fun to see the students having a great time all dancing and enjoying spending time together. See below for photos of these events.

Important reminder - Please turn off your cars when you are waiting to pick up your child after school. The anti-idling law prohibits engines from idling for more than 5 minutes. Thank you for your help with this.

This week, we are beginning a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) activity tied to our core values of kindness, community, and personal best. Students will earn tickets for displaying these characteristics in action. The tickets go into a bin for each grade and every Friday until the end of the school year, students will be entered into a drawing for a $5 gift card. Students who earn the tickets will also receive fun pencils and erasers. Thanks to the Parker PTO for helping to support this initiative by providing gift cards and other small prizes for students.

Please consider joining Parker Leaders, Student Council, and the Parker PTO for the annual Parker Beautification Community Event. Right after school on Wednesday, May 8, student leaders and anyone who wishes to join the efforts will mulch and plant flowers in front of the school. It's a wonderful way to bring the entire Parker community together. If the weather looks to be a washout, we will hold the event right after school on Thursday, May 9.

Please read on for important dates for the week ahead and beyond.

This Week:

• Wednesday, May 1
• Last day to order Parker yearbooks
• Friday, May 3
• Last day to order $10 Target Gift Cards shipped from our registry: Help us thank the Parker Staff! https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/parker.middle.pto Purchase $10 Target gift cards for us to gift to staff. Please click the link to order from our registry. Choose “MAIL” as the delivery method, and “Parker MS PTO’s Community Registry” as the delivery address. If you prefer, you can drop your gift card(s) at Parker Middle School or Kristen Granara at 36 County Rd, Reading. See the PTO section below for other ways to help with Staff Appreciation!
  

Looking Ahead

• Tuesday, May 7
• Coffee and Conversation with Principal Rubino via Zoom at 9 a.m.
• Topic: Pathway Exploratory Courses
• Zoom Link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/84997881056
• Wednesday, May 8
• Parker Beautification - Right after school
• Come join Parker Leaders and Student Council as we mulch and plant flowers in front of the school. It’s a community event, so feel free to bring your family along to help!
• Friday, May 10
• Early Release at 12:30 (Staff Professional Development)

• Wednesday, May 15
• Math MCAS (all grades)
• Thursday, May 16
• Math MCAS (all grades)
• Friday, May 17
• Parker Family Fun Night - 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, May 18
• Join Reading METCO at the Boston Kite and Bike Festival - 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• 1 Franklin Park Rd; Dorchester, MA (on the Playstead Pierpont Road)
• Tuesday, May 21
• Grade 8 Science, Technology Engineering MCAS
• ELA iReady (grades 6 & 7 only)
• Wednesday, May 22
• Grade 8 Science, Technology Engineering MCAS
• Thursday, May 23
• Early Release for students (12:30 p.m.)
• Multicultural Night - beginning before Open House at 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Parker Open House - 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Tuesday, May 28
• Grade 8 Civics Performance Task MCAS
• Math iReady (grades 6 & 7 only)
• Wednesday, May 29
• Franklin Park Zoo Field Trip Grade 6 (Unity)
• Thursday, May 30
• Spring Concert Grade 6 at 6 p.m.
• Spring Concert Grade 7 at 7:45 p.m.
• 8th Grade Field Trip to Kimball Farm
• Friday, May 31
• Franklin Park Zoo Field Trip Grade 6 (Syngergy)
• Monday, June 3
• Grade 8 Civics End of Course MCAS
• Move Up Day - starting about 1 p.m.
• Thursday, June 6
• Spring Concert Grade 8 at 7 p.m.

Last Week of School

• Monday, June 10
• Field Day
• Talent Show
• Tuesday, June 11
• Field Day (rain date)
• Wednesday, June 12
• Science Expo Day - 8:15 to 12:30 p.m.
• All School Enrichment - Hagarmania Extreme Science at 1 p.m.
• Thursday, June 13
• Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony followed by the dance
• Ceremony begins at 6 p.m. and dance ends at 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, June 14
• Last Day of School

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

To access the Cultural Holidays Calendar, click here.

Parker Middle School will be holding its annual in-school Talent Show on Monday, June 10, 2024! All students with a specific talent (singing/dancing, comedy, etc.) are encouraged to sign up to participate. For students who are looking for other opportunities to be a part of the talent show, we will need a few emcees, a technology coordinator, and one or two students working backstage to ensure the show runs smoothly. Any students who are participating in the talent show must be in good standing with our school’s core values (kindness, community, & personal best) and following all rules of the student handbook. In addition, students who are participating in the talent show must attend all after-school rehearsals leading up to the day of the talent show. The rehearsal dates will be on Mondays from 2:40 pm- 3:40 pm beginning on April 29, 2024.

If you would like to be a part of Parker’s Talent Show, please email Ms. McKay (kasey.mckay@reading.k12.ma.us). Please include your name(s), your talent/skill, and links to music you will be using if you are an act.

We look forward to seeing all of the different talents within our Parker community!

Join Reading METCO for our Family Kite and Bike day on Saturday May 18th from 12:00pm-3:00pm at 1 Franklin Park Road, Dorchester, MA, 02121 (on the Play SteadPierpoint Road). There will be free kites for children, face painting, balloon animals, pizza, Reading METCO t-shirts and more. We hope to see you there!

Seventh-grade students danced the night away during the seventh-grade Spring Fling! Special thanks to chaperones Ms. Yule, Ms. Kaddaras, Mr. Fisichella, Ms. Gualtieri, Mr. Spinali, Dr. Story, Ms. Rubino and custodians, Jay & Jorge! We couldn't have done it without you!

Special thanks to chaperones, Ms. Jen Gray and Mr. Richard Caughey. Students enjoyed a visit to the city where they were able to speak French.

Thanks to Ms. Cristi, Ms. Taranto, and Ms. Solitro, Spanish students took a field trip for some salsa dancing lessons and ended the day with lunch at T'ahpas 529.

Middle School students, come learn some basics of robot building with the Reading Memorial high school robotics team. We have created a game course and will help you build a robot to play the game. Absolutely no experience needed!

Open to all 8th graders and to 7th graders with a strong interest in Robotics. The program will be on Monday, May 20 and Thursday, May 23 at 3:00 at the high school. (Participants can show up as early as 2:40.)

Space is limited to 20 students; more than that will be added to a wait list for a potential session the following week. (Priority will be given to the 8th graders.)

Please use this link to sign up by May 8. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRa82R99ANUkWzbdJvCXIDKqNlai9lbAVMEZwEu97oHkxdKA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Email questions to: Robockets.4761@gmail.com

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.

📌 PTO MEETING: Join us for our next meeting, Monday, May 13 at 7 p.m. at Parker Middle School and via Zoom. Take a sneak peek at our upcoming agenda. All are welcome!

📌 PTO ROLES: The Parker PTO is looking to fill some coordinator roles for the next academic year and we’d love to have you join us. Grab a friend and volunteer together! Reach out for more information if you’d like to help plan:

• Hospitality: Organize staff appreciation meals and activities (a few times per year)
• Restaurant Night: Plan occasional restaurant nights with local eateries
• 8th Grade Activities: Help plan our celebration in the spring
• General board volunteer: be a part of the board planning PTO events for the year ahead

Email to join the crew! parkerptopres@gmail.com

📌 STAFF APPRECIATION: As Staff Appreciation Month approaches in May, it's our chance to show our gratitude to the dedicated educators at Parker Middle School. While middle school teachers and staff may not typically receive gifts from families like in elementary school, we have the opportunity to honor them with tokens of our appreciation.

Here's how you can help us celebrate Staff Appreciation:

1. $10 Target Gift Cards: https://www.target.com/gift-registry/gift/parker.middle.pto Purchase $10 Target gift cards for us to gift to staff. Please click the link to order from to order from our registry BY MAY 3rd. Please choose “MAIL” as the delivery method, and “Parker MS PTO’s Community Registry” as the delivery address. If you prefer, you can drop your gift card(s) at Parker Middle School or Kristen Granara at 36 County Rd, Reading.
2. Volunteer / donate with Sign Up Genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45A9AF2CA1F94-49072527-parker Use our Sign Up Genius to donate goods or lend a hand. Your time and support are invaluable in making this a success.
3. Donate to our GiveButter fund: givebutter.com/staffroom Help fund the breakfast, lunch, and other fun treats we are giving the staff by donating to our GiveButter campaign. Your contributions will ensure our Parker staff feels valued and celebrated throughout the month.

If you have any questions please contact Kristen Granara at kgranara@comcast.net.

Thank you for joining us in honoring the hard work and dedication of our teachers and staff. Together, let's make Staff Appreciation Month unforgettable for the educators who shape our students' lives every day!

📌 PARKER BEAUTIFICATION: Spring has sprung and we’re going to spruce up the Parker grounds! Please join us on Wednesday, May 8 from 2:30-5pm (raindate: TH 5/9) to plant and mulch, or lend us your tools (please label so they can be returned). Donation signups: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094DA4A62EAAFBC52-49029078-parker#/

📌 BLACKTOP GAMES / PAINTING: Please join us to paint 4-squares and a few other outdoor games on Parker grounds on Saturday, May 11 @8am! (Raindate: Sat. 5/18) Bring your creativity and/or painting know-how, we will provide paint and brushes. If you're interested in finding out more, please reach out to parkerptopres@gmail.com.

📌 SPRING FAMILY FUN NIGHT: Join us Friday, May 17 from 5:30-7 on the King Street lawn. Bring a picnic, and join us for lawn games, pizza, cotton candy, music, snacks and catching up with friends! Rising 6th graders and families are welcome! *FREE*

SAVE THE DATE!

- PARKER BEAUTIFICATION: Wednesday, May 8, 2:30-5pm (raindate: 5/9).

- 4-SQUARE BLACKTOP PAINTING: Saturday, May 11 @8am (raindate: 5/18).

- SPRING FAMILY FUN NIGHT: Friday, May 17, 5:30-7pm. Rising 6th graders and families are welcome!

- MULTICULTURAL NIGHT: Come join in this exciting new event! Families are encouraged to participate by sharing your background, Thursday, 5/23, 5-7pm. PTO is providing empanadas from Del Sur Empanadas in Reading!

- PARKER AT THE RED SOX: Tuesday, 6/4/24. Tickets sold in January.

- HAGERMANIA (ALL-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT): Parker students will be treated to an Extreme Science program on Wednesday, June 12. They’re going to end the school year with a BANG! Check it out: https://hagermania.com/extreme-science-school-assembly/

📌 WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

• Email: parkerptopres@gmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkerPTO
• Instagram: @ParkerMSPTO
• Parker PTO webpage: tinyurl.com/ParkerPTOpage - access all of our info, agendas and meeting minutes.

RSVP - CLICK HERE

Interested in purchasing some METCO swag? Families and community members have been asking about METCO sweatshirts, and now is your chance to get one! Click here to order a METCO sweatshirt in black, mint or classic Reading red! Orders will close on April 16th and there is an estimated 2-week turnaround for orders placed. When completing the form, please list your school address as shipping address. All orders will be delivered to the school and you will be notified when they are ready for pickup.

Parker Middle School is pleased to announce that we will be hosting a Multicultural night on Thursday, May 23rd from 5 - 7 PM, which is the same night as Open House. However, the event begins one hour prior to Open House so that families can attend the event and then visit other classrooms. Our World Language teachers will have tables setup representing both Spanish and French speaking countries in the cafeteria. In addition, we would like to extend the opportunity for all students’ backgrounds to be on display as well by inviting families to participate if interested.

Please complete the attached google form Here if you would like to participate in either of the 2 options as follows:

• Display only - Students will create tri folds representing your country of origin for display in the cafeteria on multicultural night

• Display with Table Participation - Families will be provided their own table to introduce their country, culture and background to the school community through traditional clothing, flags, instruments, music, art, typical dishes, interesting facts, etc.. Students will create the tri fold display during advisory to assist.

Multicultural night is the perfect time to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Parents, students and teachers are all invited to be part of this exciting event!

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Taranto or Ms. Santiago at maria.taranto@reading.k12.ma.us or jerika.santiago@reading.k12.ma.us

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 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

The New IEP Presentations:

Reading Public Schools will implement the new IEP in the fall. Please join us for an opportunity to learn what changes to expect and to ask Student Services your questions. The presentation will be held both in person and virtually.

More information about the new IEP can be found here.

If you have a child on an IEP, we recommend that you take a moment to familiarize yourself with what the new IEP form will look like.

Understanding the New IEP Form in Massachusetts: Article Published by Mass General Hospital for Children and Lurie Center

Wednesday, May 8th, 6PM (In Person - Location: Distance Learning Lab at RMHS)

This will be a presentation for families to review DESE's NEW IEP Improvement Project to include the school’s timeline for rollout, what the new forms look like and what to expect for any adjustments to the team meeting process.

Location: Distance Learning Lab at RMHS. This room is on the 4th floor. Parents will take the elevator to the 4th floor and follow signs to the Distance Learning Lab. We will also have people directing until just after 6pm.

Please register for this presentation so we can be prepared with how many families will be attending as we need to be sure to accommodate a large crowd if needed.

Please Click Here to Register for the May 8th In-Person Presentation.

Thursday, May 9th, 12PM (Virtual)

This will be a presentation for families to review DESE's NEW IEP Improvement Project to include the school’s timeline for rollout, what the new forms look like and what to expect for any adjustments to the team meeting process.

Registration required to receive the zoom link.

Please Click Here to Register for the May 9th Virtual Presentation.

Tuesday, May 14th, 11-1PM (In-person at Northern Bank’s Community room or join virtually)

Come have lunch with other SEPAC families and some members of the Reading SEPAC Board. SEPAC will provide cheese pizza. Feel free to bring optional potluck sides or your own brown bag lunch, especially if you or your loved one has a special diet. Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverages if you will be joining us.

A picnic blanket will be set up with toys for any kids who want to join and don’t need a chair. Feel free to bring other toys your child wouldn’t mind sharing with others.

This will be an informal monthly gathering on the 2nd Tue of the month just to hang out with other SEPAC families.

Space is limited to 8 adult seats in person and unlimited virtually.

Please Click Here to Register for the May SEPAC Lunch Meetup.

We reviewed the survey results at our last meeting. Thank you to everyone who was able to complete the survey. If you did not get a chance yet, it’s not too late to submit as we will use this as a reference point to plan for next year.

Past Events:

Recorded events that’s available on the Reading SEPAC Website:

Transition Presentation

• For parents and caregivers whose child has an IEP and will be transitioning (between schools, grades, levels, or are new to the school district)

Extended School Year (ESY) Presentation Recording

MCAS & Students with Disabilities Presentation

Multi Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Presentation Recording Available on the Reading SEPAC Website

• Review tiered system of supports and provide examples

• Outline effective communication channels with your team and school

***Should you wish to reach out to Reading SEPAC anonymously, please use this form

Recently, the MA DPH updated the COVID guidelines. Here are updated guidelines that pertain to staff and student absence who have any respiratory illness, including COVID.

You may begin to resume normal activities with precautions if:

1. You have not had a fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicines; AND
2. Your other symptoms are improving.

You may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better.

For at least the first 5 days after you resume normal activities, take these extra precautions:

• Avoid crowded indoor spaces. Wear a mask anytime you are indoors around other people
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid spending time with people who are at increased risk for severe disease.

For the complete guidelines, go to this site.

"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