The RISE Report

Listen to this newsletter as a podcast HERE.

Dear RISE Community,

Welcome back! I hope your spring recess was wonderful! We are excited to have your children back in our classrooms!!

Before we left for break, we were excited to host Curious Creatures in all three of our RISE locations. We met lots of exciting wonders from the wild: a rabbit, a tortoise, a snake, a ferret and even an alligator to name a few! Thank you to the RISE PTN for sponsoring this event for us!

Please see below for updates from the Reading SEPAC and other community events. Remember that PTN Spring Raffle tickets are available now until May 1st!

Have a great week!

Kerry

April

25: RISE Spirit Day!

May

16: Pre-K open house (more details to come!)

27: No School-Memorial Day

June

5: SAVE THE DATE! End of year RISE family picnic. More information to come!!

Don't forget to purchase your Spring Raffle tickets by May 1st!. Purchase tickets HERE.

Our next PTN meeting is May 6th at 7:30PM! https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/82312772016

Board Members for 2023-24:

• President: Meghann Cerratani
• Vice-President: Rachel Bramante
• Secretary: Corey Mathison
• Treasurer: Courtney Martinello
• Enrichment Coordinator: Nancy Nguyen

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

* Park in marked spaces only, please do not make your own space!

* Park in lot across from playground only, not in the staff/delivery lot

* Parking in the staff/delivery lot is only for those with ADA/accessible parking needs

Most importantly: Please do not pass the bus when it is loading/unloading. The flashing lights will be on. This includes turning out of the parking lot. This is essential for safety and is also the law. Unloading takes less than two minutes, please have patience.

As we are in the midst of cold and flu season, please remember our illness guidelines. 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 mary.giuliana@reading.k12.ma.us with any questions. Our next vaccine clinic will be held at Coolidge middle school on Friday January 5th from 2-5 pm.

1. Documentation of all immunizations and a physical exam must be provided prior to the first day of school as mandated by Massachusetts State Law. All medical requirements are included in new student paperwork. If your child has a summer birthday, please make sure their scheduled physical happens before the first day of school and send the documentation to school for your child’s record. Medical or religious immunization exemptions are permitted; documentation of such exemptions is required annually.

2. First Aid: Most injuries are minor; however, please make sure to complete all emergency contact information for your child. Include contact numbers for parents and any other person who might be responsible for picking up your child in the event of an emergency. Also include your child’s physician’s name and contact information. Remember to update this information throughout the school year for any corrections or changes.

3. Medication Guidelines:

• Doctor’s orders and parent authorization forms must be completed for ALL medications given in school (including over-the-counter medications).
• Tylenol and ibuprofen can be given in middle and high school with parental consent.
• All medication orders expire at the end of the school year.
• Medications must be provided in their original labeled container.
• A parent or responsible adult must transport medication to and from the Health Office and meet with the nurse regarding instructions. Do not send any medication in your child’s backpack.
• Exception to medication guidelines: Short term antibiotics may be given without a doctor’s order. The antibiotic must be provided in the original labeled container. This serves as proof of a doctor’s order in this case only.

4. Attendance at School: Please do not send your child to school if they have any of the following:

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher. A child with a fever should not return until they have been fever-free without a fever reducer such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen for 24 hours.
• Infectious illness such as strep throat for which they have been treated with antibiotics for less than 12 hours.
• Any symptoms listed on the COVID health screening. Please check your child for symptoms daily. If you have any concerns, please contact your school nurse, and follow up with your child's physician.

5. School Screenings: State mandated school screenings are as follows: Vision screenings are done in grades prek-5,7 &10, hearing screenings are done in grades K-3, 7 & 10. Height and weight screenings are performed annually on grades 1,4, 7 &10. Postural screenings are done for grade 5-9 annually. SBIRT screenings are done in grades 8 &10.

Parents will be notified of upcoming screenings and notified if a referral is indicated after the screenings. Parents may opt out of any screenings in writing to the school nurse.

6. Communication from the Health Office is through SNAP Health Portal, which connects directly with your child’s electronic health record, and provides direct messaging to your school nurse. School nurses may also reach out via phone call, email, and school newsletters. Please make sure your contact information is up to date.

7. Contagious Illnesses: Please notify the Health Office if your child has any contagious illness or conditions such as COVID, flu or strep throat. Always refer to your pediatrician for guidance.

8. Student Absence: If your child is absent, please call the absentee phone line and mention the reason for the absence. A note is required for all absences when your child returns.

9. Allergy Guidelines: Reading Public School Guidelines for Food Allergies are available on the district webpage under District Information. All classrooms are food-free except for individual snacks and lunches provided from home. All food brought into the classroom must follow the Food Allergy Guidelines. You will be notified of food allergy restrictions for your child’s classroom prior to the beginning of the school year. No food sharing is allowed.

10. Allergies and Chronic Conditions: Please contact the school nurse if your child has any health issues or life-threatening allergies so appropriate accommodations can be made.

Please send in a copy of your child’s yearly physical so that health records and immunizations can be updated. Summer is a good time to reinforce good hygiene habits such as handwashing, cough and sneeze etiquette and the importance of no food sharing at school. Another health issue to consider is lice prevention. Please get into the habit of watching for symptoms and routinely checking your child’s head.

Please contact your school nurse with any questions or concerns. We look forward to working with you and getting to know your child.

Sincerely,

Reading Public School Nurses

The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support, formerly known as RCASA, was established in 2006 in Reading. The coalition started as a town, police, school and community initiative focused on improving collaboration and reducing substance abuse. The coalition was grant-funded from 2007-2019. Today, the coalition funded under the Reading Police Department, offers programs and services that focus on substance misuse prevention and mental health promotion.

Follow us on Instagram @rcps_rpd

Like us on Facebook @reading coalition

Follow us on Twitter @rcoalition4prev

About These Services

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!

Reading Public Schools offers a variety of outstanding integrated preschool programming for Reading residents. Our integrated programs serve tuition-based students and students who receive special education services. Our goal is to create an environment of mutual respect, where all students learn from their teachers and from each other.

Our integrated preschool programs are multi-age, and students may enter when they turn three years old. This enables our younger students to learn from their older classmates. Our four-year-old students love being role models and leaders to our three-year-old students.

Our integrated programs are designed to support the learning and growth of both tuition students and students with disabilities. Our approach is play-based. Students learn school, social and academic skills through center activities, free play, circle time, recess, and more.

If you have questions about our programs, you are welcome to contact Kerry Wilcox, RISE Director at kerry.wilcox@reading.k12.ma.us

Kerry A. Wilcox, MS, CAGS

RISE Director

Email: kerry.wilcox@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: https://rise.reading.k12.ma.us/
Location: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-942-9179
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100049057732334
Twitter: @RISEReading