Jaguar Tracks for Families
March 9, 2021
From the Desk of Mrs. Ippolito
With Term 2 coming to a close at the end of this week, on March 11th, we find ourselves three months away from the end of the school year. There is so much planning and celebrating to do within these three months. As we continue to engage our students in meaningful learning experiences and support their social/emotional health during these changing times, we are also engaged in the planning process for the months ahead on matters including, but not limited to, Gr. 5 promotions, MCAS assessments for grades 3-5, and reopening school fully. We will be sharing details on all of these topics and more in the coming weeks through the Tracks as we look ahead to the end of the school year.
The Board of Education has voted that all K - 5 students will be coming back to school on April 5th. I am working on new schedules and plans while trying to maintain as much consistency for our students as possible.
Most of the safety protocols will remain the same. Students will remain 6 feet apart in areas that they need to remove their masks. This includes lunch and snack breaks. At Joshua Eaton, our classrooms will be three feet apart to fit into our learning spaces. All other mitigation measures will continue to remain in place; masks, social distancing, and sanitizing. The specialists will continue to travel to classrooms for instruction (except for PE) to limit the exposure of many students passing in the hallways at one time. Every class will continue to be assigned an outdoor learning space to use when possible. Students who remain remote for the third term will be live-streamed or have asynchronous learning with their homeroom classroom.
To answer a few questions from the survey here. The student will have their own desks to keep their materials inside. This will certainly lighten up their backpacks. We will continue to have our night custodian and an outside company tending to the nightly cleaning of the classrooms once the students leave each day. Many of our staff have had or are beginning to have their COVID vaccines, now that the State has opened up this possibility to educators. Thank you for the comments in the survey as well. This is a stressful time with many varying views on what should happen and how it should happen. My number one priority is the safety of the students at Joshua Eaton using the parameters given to me. Thank you for working together to make our students feel safe and comfortable, regardless of your choice of learning model.
Thank you to those who have completed the survey about the remainder of the year. I am still missing a few responses and need this information to plan for the restart for the Spring. The survey is required for EVERY student. I am working on the plans for a safe return for all and accurate counts are critical. I am asking Mrs. Greco and Mrs. Pippy to call those families without a response. I have sent two reminders through the portal as well, so it may be that those families' emails aren't up to date.
Please remember that the upcoming PD day is on MARCH 26th. There is NO SCHOOL for children on this day. It had been posted as 3/19 on an earlier district calendar and it was changed to the 26th.
Thank you JE Families for all that you do!!
All my best,
Mrs. Ippolito
Joshua Eaton Reminders:
- Doors open & students begin to sign on @ 8:10
- Morning Work @ 8:10 -8:25
- School starts @ 8:25
- The dismissal bell rings @ 2:45
- Car tags must be hung on car visor or placed on the dash of the car to pick up car riders
- Send a note with your student if changing transportation home
- Students receive a free lunch every day
For families who are walking home via Oak St, please be sure to stay on the sidewalks as you leave JE to help keep everyone safe!!
Important Dates
- March 11th - Term 2 ends
- March 26th - Report Cards distributed & Professional Day for Staff (No School for students)
ALL SCHOOL ENRICHMENT
Joshua Eaton's PTO has sponsored a wonderful enrichment opportunity around mindfulness for all students at Joshua Eaton. (Feb. 26th, March 5th, March 12th) This program is present by Erin McGrath from Happy Human Mindfulness. Here is the link if you would like more information: https://happyhumansmindfulness.com/
March 12th - Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86479226056?pwd=azV3ZFlxcFVKMVBSV1hOK2FPWjZqQT09
9:00 1st - McQuillin
9:30 4/5 – Callan, Johnston
10:00 4/5 – Tierney, Derosier, Donlon
***************************************************
GRADE 5 Transition Night
Save the date! March 29 at 6:30 pm - Middle School Transition Night for Grade 5 Families
The Parker and Coolidge Middle School principals will host informational Zoom meetings for students and their families to hear about the transition and what middle school is like. Zoom links will be sent out prior to March 29. Stay tuned!
Joshua Eaton PTO News
Sick of Quarantine Cooking?!?
We will be collecting favorite recipes from families (& teachers!) and creating the first-ever, Joshua Eaton Cookbook! Proceeds will support the PTO, so gather your tried-and-true recipes and share one or two using this form or use the PDF below (please keep your recipes in the format provided and go to File>Make a Copy to share your recipe). Interested in helping out? We're looking for help from anyone who is familiar with graphic design, as well as for help with collating the recipes.
Please contact caroline.n.courtney@gmail.com. Thanks so much!
Calareso's Spring Fundraiser Coming Up - Joshua Eaton will be printing a hard copy to send home for each student.
5th Grade Yearbook: Art and Poem Contest!
5th graders are invited to participate in a cover contest for the yearbook! Students can draw a picture or write a poem about JE pride and what JE means to them. A student yearbook committee (more on that soon!) will determine the winners whose work will be showcased on the front and inside cover of the yearbook! All submissions will be included in the yearbook.
Please submit your child’s work to Rosanne Guerriero at rosannetg@gmail.com by April 5. If you cannot scan artwork and send it digitally, please email Rosanne to determine an alternative way to submit.
Joshua Eaton News
Office of Student Services
Dear Families,
We hope everyone is feeling rested after February break and that you were able to spend some time with your families! As we move into the month of March, we wanted to share the Student Services Office Hours for the upcoming month. Please use the link to the DOODLE Poll to select a time to meet with us.
The purpose of Office Hours is to meet with the Director and Assistant Director of Student Services to ask questions, express concerns or to share personal experiences of your student. These are optional meetings and are not team meetings. We've enjoyed these opportunities and look forward to continuing connecting with families during office hours.
Prior to your scheduled time, a ZOOM link will be sent to you via email. Please be sure to include your email address when you sign up!
If you have any questions regarding Office Hours, please contact Allison Wright, Assistant Director of Student Services @ Allison.Wright@reading.k12.ma.us.
Office Hours for March 2021
- Tuesday 3/9 @ 1:00-2:00 pm
- Thursday 3/18 @ 11:00-12:00 pm
- Monday 3/22 @ 10:30-11:30 am
- Wednesday 3/31 @ 9:00-10:00 am
Link to the Doodle Poll to sign up for Office Hours:
Best,
Allison Wright
Director of Student Services
Reading Public Schools
Reading, MA 01867
MCAS Update
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is preparing for MCAS administration this spring and therefore we are starting the preparation process at Barrows. The testing windows for this spring are:
Grades 3, 4, and 5
ELA, Mathematics, and Science (grade 5 only) May 10 – June 11
DESE has made the adjustment to one session per grade and content area and a shortened testing window. We do not have information yet on how tests will be administered for fully remote students.
Student Absences - IMPORTANT
There are two ways to do that prior to 7:45 am of the morning the student is absent:
1. Call 781-942-9161, Dial 1 - leave a message
2. Email jeeabsences@reading.k12.ma.us
JE School Supply Pick-Up - Next Pick-up March 11th
From the Desk of Mrs. Trevejo, School Nurse
Next week, we will begin pool testing students in K-5. We will have an outside vendor coming by to test the students. Mrs. Ippolito and I will be there to oversee the process and to support the students. If you have consented your child to being included, please take a few minutes, and explain to your child what to expect during the process. I have included a social story that captures the details for you to review with them. Thank you for your support with this initiative.
Right now, the plan is for testing to take place on Wednesday morning, 3/10/21. We anticipate results will be back by Friday. You will only be notified of your results IF there is a positive result in your child’s pool. If that happens, we will be in touch about the next steps.
If you are making a change to your child’s schedule, (remote or in-person) and your child takes scheduled or PRN medications, please remember to drop off meds prior to their first week. Also, all medications must have an active MD/NP/PA order on file. Here is a link to the district’s medication order and permission form. Please schedule a time to drop off all documentation and medications PRIOR to your student starting in person.
In good health,
Mrs. Trevejo, RN MPH
elmy.trevejo@reading.k12.ma.us
C: 781-779-4035
O: 781-942-9161 ext. 140
Building Safety Project
From the Desk of Ms. Cucinotta, PE Teacher
SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)
Please join the SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) at our next business meeting on
Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at 7:00 PM!
New business for this meeting includes an update from our reading/literacy subcommittee and a brief presentation by
Alice Gomez, School Psychologist,
on community resources, followed by a parent discussion regarding the same.
Please join us for this presentation and discussion and feel free to share any
additional resources that you think other parents may find helpful.
All are welcome!
This meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom.
Join us for our next
VIRTUAL SEPAC MEETING
on Tuesday, March 9th at 7 PM.
Meeting link: Join Zoom Meeting
All are welcome and ENCOURAGED to attend!
Connect with SEPAC by clicking these links:
- Join SEPAC's mailing list by emailing SEPACREADING@gmail.com
- Follow SEPAC on Facebook (please adjust settings so that you are sure to see our posts)
- Visit SEPAC’s website
The mission of the Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is to work for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community.
The Jungle Book Presentation...LIVE from Parker
Parker Drama is presenting The Jungle Book - live-streamed! - on Thursday, March 25 @ 6:30pm and Friday, March 26 @ 7:30pm.
Tickets are on sale now at: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/46795
Be sure to check out the online Playbill here for many Barrows alums in the cast and crew: https://www.playbillder.com/show/vip/Parker_Middle_School/2021/The_Jungle_Book_87919
Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program’s Yard Sign Design Contest
The Massachusetts Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program’s Yard Sign Design Contest is a way for students to use their creativity to help promote safe roads for cyclists and pedestrians in their communities.
Here’s how: Students create and submit a design for a yard sign that brings awareness to being safe and being seen – as a pedestrian and/or a cyclist. We want the students to focus their designs on wearing bright/reflective clothing, wearing helmets, using crosswalks, and/or being aware of traffic, especially in and around school zones.
Please see the official rules in the handout below.
Superintendent Virtual Office Hours
- Just a reminder, that Dr. Doherty is holding the Superintendent Virtual Office Hours. Office hours will be scheduled in 20 minutes blocks of time on Microsoft Teams. If you would like to schedule an office hour, please complete this link.
RPS Food Distribution
Family Support Resources
Please be reminded of these amazing resources, if your family is in need:
- RPS Behavioral Health Resources linked here.
- Town of Reading: compiled resources linked here.
- RCASA and Mental Health Support linked here.
- St. Vincent de Paul linked here.
- Free & Reduced lunch access: sign up here.
- Reading Food Pantry linked here.
- Project Bread link here.
- Residential Financial Assistance (Rent/Mortgage) link here. (New resource! Check it out!)
Mrs. Ippolito, Principal
Mrs. Trevejo, School Nurse
Mrs. Greco, Administrative Assistant
Website: http://reading.k12.ma.us/joshuaeaton
Location: 365 Summer Avenue, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-942-9161
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoshuaEatonSchool/
Twitter: @Mrs_Ippolito