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.

Please take some time to read through this update. There is a lot of important information in here including an update from Nurse Kate, a form to fill out if you want your child(ren) to be issued a charger so that they can take their computers home, and information on ways to get involved in clubs and activities at Parker Middle School.

Today, I also emailed you a letter regarding the Health and Wellness classes. Please be sure to review that information.

Last week, seventh-grade homeroom teachers shared out documents for the Nature's Classroom field trip. Please return them with your final payment as soon as possible and no later than Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. I have attached a PDF of the packet below.

Parents/Guardians/Caregivers, please also be sure to sign our handbook form, confirming the receipt of the Parker and RPS handbooks. Handbooks are linked on our website under “school information” and were sent via email from me last week.

Finally, I plan to host my first "Coffee and Conversations with Principal Rubino" via Zoom on Friday, Sept. 29 at 8:30 a.m. This is new this year and will be held monthly as a way for me to share information happening at Parker Middle School. The first "Coffee and Conversation" will feature our new assistant principal, Dr. Jill Story, and we will discuss our code of conduct and core values.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, Sept. 11:

PTO Meeting - 7 p.m.

In person at Parker in the conference room and via Zoom: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/85845982809

Wednesday, Sept. 13:

Clubs and Activities Fair: 2:30 - 3p.m. in the Parker cafeteria

Thursday, Sept. 21:

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.

Check out all the upcoming clubs and activities during our activities fair after school on Wednesday, Sept. 13 in the cafeteria from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more about what is offered and sign up to join!

In order to get the group up and running as soon as possible, applications will be due by Friday, September, 15. CLICK HERE for the application which can also be found on the website. This is open to grades 6, 7, and 8. The Parker Service students facilitate and lead school-wide community outreach as well as some of our grade level and school-wide activities. Applications will be reviewed and advisors will follow up with chosen members.

Applications to become a member of this organization, which uses resources from the Anti-Defamation League, will be due by Friday, September 15. CLICK HERE for the application which can also be found on the website. AWOD’s mission is to make Parker school a safe place for everyone regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, or physical and mental abilities.

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

If you are interested in serving on the Parker School Council, please contact me via email or phone. Our first School Council meet 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.

Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) is quickly approaching (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).

📌 The first Parker PTO meeting of the school year is Monday, September 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: http://tinyurl.com/PTOSept23

📌 SAVE THE DATE!

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

From 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 21, we welcome parents to our “Back to School” Open House. 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 go home with your child that day.

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).

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

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