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.

Report cards for quarter 3 have been posted to the Portal. To find them, go under "E-Locker" then "E-Portfolio".

This week we begin MCAS testing. ELA assessements will be held on Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10. On Thursday, I sent home a message to parents and caretakers reminding all that attendance is vital on our testing dates.

The MCAS is one measure of student achievement and we are confident that this year’s assessments will show the results of hard work and growth of our students and faculty.

State assessments are administered under conditions that are difficult to recreate. Please make every effort to ensure that your child is present and on time.

Below are additional tips to help prepare for state testing and encourage a positive environment and experience:

• Ensure that your child is on time and present on MCAS dates.

• Encourage your child to take their time on the exam and try their best.

• No cell phones, smart watches, music players, earbuds, or electronic devices are allowed in the room during exams. Any electronic devices brought into the testing room will be held by teachers for the duration of the exam. Students are allowed to bring a water bottle.

• Encourage your child to get a good night’s sleep and eat a hearty breakfast. As a reminder, FREE breakfast is served for students beginning at 7:15 a.m.

• Have your child bring a book to read after they finish testing for the day. They will not be allowed to work on homework or use a computer for any reason until testing is done for the day.

• Remind your child that MCAS is an opportunity for them to show off all the skills they have developed over the past school year.

MCAS testing is untimed and students can use the entire school day to complete the assessment if necessary. We know that our students are ready and prepared to work hard and shine during this year’s state testing. Please let us know if you have any questions.

• Don't forget to express your interest in Parker's first multicultural night. Please complete the attached google form Here if you would like to participate.
• Grade 6 Families, math recommendations will be shared with families at the end of this week. Please also remember to select a world language course for seventh grade.
• Grade 7 Families, tickets will be on sale for the grade 7 dance during lunches this week. The cost is $5 per student. The dance will be held on Friday, April 26 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

• Grade 8 Families, on May 30, students will participate in an end-of-year field trip to Kimball Farm. More information to come from eighth-grade teachers after April school vacation. The PTO donates money to this trip to keep the cost per student minimal. If you need financial assistance, please reach out to Mrs. Rubino. This year's moving on ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 13 beginning at 6 p.m. A dance will follow the ceremony.

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

Monday, April 8 - Wednesday, April 10

Arts Fest - See below for more information

Monday, April 8

School Council at 5:30 p.m.

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

Agenda: CLICK HERE

PTO at 7 p.m.

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

Tuesday, April 9

ELA MCAS all grades

Wednesday, April 10

ELA MCAS all grades

April 13 - April 21

School Vacation Week

Wednesday, April 24 - Friday, April 26

Quebec Trip for Grade 8 French students

Spanish Field Trips for Grade 8 Spanish students

Friday, April 26

Grade 7 Dance; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, May 1

Last day to order Parker yearbooks

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.

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.

Parker Open House - 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tuesday, May 28

Grade 8 Civics Performance Task MCAS

Math iReady (grades 6 & 7 only)

Thursday, May 30

Spring Concert Grade 6 at 6 p.m.

Spring Concert Grade 7 at 7:45 p.m.

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.

Monday, June 10

Field Day

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

Begins at 6 p.m.

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

To access the Cultural Holidays Calendar, click here.

Arts Fest is a highly-anticipated annual festival at which we highlight and celebrate the visual and performing artistic pursuits and achievements of our students from pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade!

Mark your calendars for this year’s three-evening event which is taking place on RMHS Main Street and in the Performing Arts Center on Monday, April 8th; Tuesday, April 9th; and Wednesday, April 10th from 5:00 to 8:15 PM!

Come and see student-created visual artwork and media on display at our art exhibition which runs the length of the RMHS Main Street and is open to the public from 5:00 to 8:15 PM each of the three evenings.

The space will also feature an interactive art scavenger hunt as well as opportunities to write “letters to the artist” in which you can encourage the artists whose artwork is on display! Each of the three evenings will also feature live student performances in the Performing Arts Center!

At 5:30 PM on Monday, April 8th, we open with performances by the RISE preschool and each of our elementary schools.

On Tuesday, April 9th, we feature 6:00 and 7:00 PM performances. At 6:00 PM, come experience our 8th Grade Combined Band and the Reading Memorial High School Symphonic Band. At 7:00 PM, be amazed by the 8th Grade Combined Chorus, the RMHS Mixed Choir, Harmonium, and selections by the RMHS Drama Club.

On Wednesday, April 10th, we feature the 6th Grade Combined Band and Chorus and at 7:00 PM, you won’t want to miss The Reading Middle School Jazz Band, the RMHS Stage Band, the RMHS Jazz Ensemble, RMHS Improv, and RMHS Playwriting!

Congratulations to Om Patel for his accomplishments at last week's math meet. Om was the top scorer of all the seventh-grade students who participated. Om competed against neighboring school districts. Way to make Parker proud, Om!

Project 351 Ambassador Declan Grant's Cradles to Crayons clothing drive yielded 33 garbage bags of donations! Thanks to the Parker community for supporting this service project and to Declan for spearheading these efforts!

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.

The eclipse on Monday will start at 2:15 and end around 4:45. Our area will reach about 90% darkness at around 3:30. Students will not be in school at that time, but we want them to be safe. We also want them to experience this extremely special opportunity to watch the eclipse safely if they want to do so. It is important to remind students that they should never look directly at the sun or at an eclipse unless using the proper glasses. I want to make sure that families are creating a plan ahead of time regarding your child's plans after school on Monday including their eye safety. I have heard that the Reading Public Library and Warby Parker are both giving away eclipse viewing glasses (as supplies last); they can be ordered from Amazon; and I'm sure there are other places.

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

📌 PTO MEETING: Join us for our next meeting, Monday, April 8 at 7 p.m. at Parker Middle School and via Zoom. Take a sneak peek at our upcoming agenda. All are welcome!

📌 ALL-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT: Ask your student about the storytellers who visited Parker this past Thursday. Len Cabral (http://www.lencabral.com/), and his colleague Derek Burrows (http://derekburrows.com/) treated our students to folktales & legends from around the world, and spoke to the students about how they have stories in them!

📌 LOOKING FOR HELP - CREATIVITY NEEDED! We're seeking people with skills to help paint 4-squares and a few other outdoor games on Parker grounds! Bring your creativity and/or painting know-how. If you're interested in finding out more, please reach out to parkerptopres@gmail.com.

SAVE THE DATE!

- 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*

- MULTICULTURAL NIGHT: Come join in this exciting new event! Families are encouraged to participate by sharing your background, Thursday, 5/23, 5-7pm.

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

📌 WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:

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

During the 2024/2025 school year, Parker Middle School will be utilizing a new bell schedule. With this new bell schedule, we will be increasing class times to 52 minutes per period. Currently, our periods are 48 minutes per period. As a result, the advisory class will meet once a week on a Wednesday, but for 30 minutes. While we are reducing the overall number of advisory blocks, the longer period of time will enable students and teachers to have in-depth conversations and activities on a particular topic rather than the starting and stopping of a topic throughout the week. Homeroom will take place for 6 minutes each morning. Students will still be able to access their lockers and classrooms beginning at 7:40 a.m. each morning. Students will be expected to be in their homeroom, seated for attendance at 7:50 a.m. Parents, caregivers, and students, please fill out this survey to share feedback on the proposed bell schedule for next year.

Supporting Parents and Caregivers

One of the biggest challenges of raising children is managing the emotional fallout.

We want the best for our children, and sometimes it can feel as if you can never do enough. Informed by research, our caregiver programs teach practical strategies that can be used immediately in everyday life and are appropriate for parents, grandparents, nannies, or other caregivers.

• New! Mindful Self-Compassion Course for Caregivers
  Six-week virtual course to help caregivers learn self-compassion practices that promote emotional wellbeing, healthy habits, and satisfying personal relationships.
  LEARN MORE ▸

• Behavioral and Emotional Skills Training℠ (BEST)
  Interactive training for parents and caregivers to help manage problem behaviors in the home.
  LEARN MORE ▸

• Parents of Anxious Children and Teens (PACT)
  Interactive webinar series providing families and caretakers with evidence-based, practical strategies for supporting children and teens ages 3-13 struggling with anxiety.
  LEARN MORE ▸

Here is your chance to learn more by joining the free youth academy. Program is open to Reading students only and runs from July 29 - Aug. 2; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Topics covered include: physical fitness, training, Internet safety, criminal law, investigations, motor vehicle law, CPR, defensive tactics, K9 unit, public speaking, SWAT team and more. If interested, reach out to the Reading PD or SRO Vatcher for more information.

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 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

Transition Presentations:

Thursday, April 11th, 12-1pm (Virtual)

Wednesday, April 24th, 6pm (In Person at the RMHS Library Media Center)

Registration for virtual event, April 11th, 12-1pm

Registration for in-person event, April 24th, 6pm

The New IEP Presentations:

Wednesday, May 8th, 6PM (In Person - location TBD)

Thursday, May 9th, 12PM (Virtual)

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 Webiste:

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

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