Jaguar Tracks
October 18th
Dear JE families,
I continue to be amazed by your students. Our staff is doing an incredible job of implementing "Academic Discourse" by providing systems to support your students in sharing their thinking. When in math classes, you will hear your students describe how they arrived at an answer using academic vocabulary. In a grade 5 classroom this week, students engaged in an energized debate about the best strategy to solve a problem. You could see the passion as students sprung up from their seats to model on the board. This is the type of conversation that is rigorous, standards aligned and pushes our students to be productive citizens of the world. While engaging in math talk, they are practicing conversational skills and how to disagree in a respectful way.
Thank you to those that talked about recess safety with your students. We saw the results in recess last week as students made good choices in the types of games that were played. We are still working on including everyone. Recess is a time to make new friends as students are seeing each other outside for the first time in a couple of years! We hope to see students include those that want to play. I was excited to witness a moment that modeled this perfectly last week. A second grade student asked a group of students if they could join their game. The students said "of course you can!" and made room :).
A safety reminder: When students come in the morning, we are asking them to stay on the sidewalk when walking through the parking lot. If you walk your students to school, we ask that you model this as well. As a reminder, students should walk their bikes and scooters down the JE driveway. I'll be out there sharing this reminder in the mornings :).
Upcoming dates:
October 28th: Picture Retakes
October 29th: Halloween Howl
In community,
Caitlin Shelburne, Principal
From the Health Office
It’s been a great start to the year! I want to thank you for everything that you are doing to keep our community safe. Although the situation has improved significantly, COVID continues to be a health concern and we must all remain vigilant about preventing transmission.
Just a reminder that if your child is sick – please keep them home. If they have any of the following symptoms, they will need to have a negative covid test or documentation from a physician/provider that offers an alternative diagnosis before returning to school……
- Fever greater than 100, chills or shaking chills
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- New loss of taste or smell
- Muscle aches or body aches
A COVID test is also required if your child develops a combination of two or more of the following symptoms:
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Nausea, Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Nasal Congestion or Runny Nose
If your child develops symptoms at school, and is consented for symptomatic testing, I can test them onsite. However, depending on their symptoms, you may be asked to follow up with a PCR test to confirm.
Please refer to PROCOTOL C from the DESE COVID testing flowchart.
https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/on-desktop/flowcharts.pdf
If you haven’t signed up for COVID testing at school, here is the link.
https://www.cic-health.com/consent/ma
If your child is identified as a close contact to someone that has tested positive outside of school, please let me know as soon as possible. Students are still required to quarantine and should not be coming to school.
Information and guidance for persons in quarantine due to COVID-19
Travel Guidance
If your child/children travel out of the state, we are asking that you follow CDC recommended guidance on travel. Here is the link that outlines what to do for unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html
Vision and Hearing Screening for grades 1-3
I will be starting state mandated vision and hearing screenings for our first grade students the week of October 18th. If you do not want your child screened, please send me an email by 10/15, requesting to opt-out. elmy.trevejo@reading.k12.ma.us
It takes a village to keep our schools safe. Thanks for your support!
Best,
Elmy Trevejo, RN MPH (elmy.trevejo@reading.k12.ma.us) 781-942-9161 ext 15140
Joshua Eaton Website
Have you visited our website? We encourage all of you to familiarize yourself with our Joshua Eaton website www.reading.k12.ma.us/joshuaeaton. Here you will find all pertinent school information including:
· School Calendar with important dates and events
· Jaguar Tracks Newsletters
· Staff list and contact information
· Forms (Including CORI, Dismissal, etc…)
· PTO information
· Health Office Information
· Curriculum Information
· School Handbook
…and more!
This is your “Go-To” place for all JE information!! Our website is updated regularly, so stop by and take a peek!!
Student Council Presents: Socktober
Socktober is an event that was created by students to help bring warmth to those who are experiencing homelessness. Starting tomorrow we will begin collecting new socks to donate to the LifeBridge North Shore homeless shelter organization. They have homeless shelters in Salem, Beverly, and Gloucester. There will be a collection box outside of the office door. Please bring in your sock donations by 10/29. Let’s work together to help keep others warm as colder weather is coming!
Interested in learning more about math instruction in Grades 3-5?
Interested in substituting at JE?
Are you looking for a way to support our school? We have a great opportunity. From time to time, teachers attend important trainings during the school day. Usually, we hire substitutes to cover classrooms, but given the current staffing shortage we are having difficulty finding qualified substitutes. We know most parents/guardians are not able to commit to substituting regularly, but we want to offer an option for those who might want to substitute occasionally. Below is some information:
- Pay rate has increased - the NEW rate will be increased to $105/day for certified teachers, and the uncertified daily substitute rate will be increased to $100/day!
- Substitutes need to have a CORI and fingerprinting check
- Teachers leave detailed plans for substitutes to follow
- Parents/guardians will not be allowed to substitute in their child's class
Please contact Kristyn Cohen and CC me: kristyn.cohen@reading.k12.ma.us
Preschool screening
The Reading Public Schools will be offering preschool developmental screenings on October 22nd and October 29th from 8:00 am - 12:00 pm. This screening is intended for any 3- or 4-year-old child residing in Reading, that is not currently attending the R.I.S.E. Preschool Program.
The screenings are offered free of charge to parents who have concerns for their child in the areas of speech & language, cognition, adaptive, fine motor, or gross motor skills. The screening activities are designed to assess a child’s development in problem-solving and thinking skills as demonstrated in play, language/ communication, social interaction, and adaptive behavior, as well as fine/gross motor skills. Preschool developmental screenings are provided to ensure that all children receive appropriate services and supports prior to entering Kindergarten.
Preschool Screenings will take place a R.I.S.E. Preschool at the High School location, 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA 01867. Please sign for a 30-minute time slot via this Doodle Link: https://doodle.com/poll/6378gbfyqncv7za8?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link
If you have questions, please contact R.I.S.E. Preschool Director-Kelley Bostwick at Kelley.bostwick@reading.k12.ma.us or 781-942-9179.
FREE online parenting event
The Happily Family Online Conference - this week from October 14-18, 2021. This event gathers together families and professionals who embrace a conscious and mindful approach to raising kids to be resilient, motivated, calm and connected. The Happily Family Conference focuses on how to help kids cope with their feelings, get along with others, and do their best.
Some of the world renowned presenters include:
Dr. Daniel Siegel - Author of The Power of Showing Up Julie Lythcott-Haims - Author of How to Be an Adult Dr. Tina Payne Bryson - Author of The Whole-Brain Child Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson - Authors of The Self-Driven Child Dr. Laura Markham - Author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Suzanne Tucker, founder of Generation Mindful and creator of the Time-In Tooklit
The link to register is: https://conference.happilyfamily.com/
All of the presentations will be broadcasted and available for 24 hours for easy viewing.
From the Desk of the PTO
PTO News
Hello families! It’s already the middle of October, and we are in full Halloween Howl planning mode! Please see the Howl post above in this newsletter for more info on how to volunteer and how to RSVP. Huge thanks to our Howl coordinator, Jes Lynch, and our Social chairs Amanda Rotondo and Catherine Camacho for all of their hard work in making this fun event happen again this year!
Just a reminder that we continue to receive and welcome Direct donations! The Direct Donation drive is open all year, and you can give as much as you are able! Any amount helps us provide our students with field trips and enrichment programs. You can send in a check made out to “Joshua Eaton PTO” with direct donation written in the notes, or you can donate via our Paypal link. Please write direct donation in the notes line when donating via Paypal as well. http://www.paypal.me/jepto
Thank you to all parents and guardians who volunteered to be room parents for this school year. This is such an important role, and we know everyone is very busy, so we greatly appreciate you giving your time to help out.
Our next PTO meeting is November 10th from 7-8 pm. This meeting will most likely be held virtually, so keep an eye out for a meeting link so you can join!
Natalie and Meredith, PTO Co-Presidents
Calareso's Fundraiser
LAST chance to participate in our Calareso’s Fundraiser - final orders are due on October 20thl! As a reminder, Calareso’s generously contributes 25% of the amount sold to support Joshua Eaton and the certificates are good for ANYTHING and never expire! To purchase, fill out the form that comes home on Thursdays and return it in your child's backpack with a check made out to "Joshua Eaton PTO" or pay at http://www.paypal.me/jepto (please write “Calareso's” in the comments) and send in a printed paypal receipt with your order. Certificates are not redeemable for cash and may not be used for purchases less than the value of the fundraising certificate. Questions? Email Caroline at JEfundraiser@gmail.com.
Halloween Howl
Joshua Eaton Halloween Howl:
We are looking forward to the Halloween Howl on October 29th on the back lot of the school! Grades K through 2 are invited to attend from 3-4:30, and grades 3 through 5 will attend from 4:30-6. Dancing, fun, and games for all! Costumes are optional. Masks are required for all. The Howl will be cancelled in the event of heavy rain. Below, please find a link to RSVP to the Howl as well as a link to sign up and Volunteer at the event. Thanks so much for your help!
Google Form: RSVP to the Halloween Howl:
Sign Up Genius: Volunteer at the Halloween Howl:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080B44A5A82DA4F94-halloween1
~~~SAVE THE DATE!~~~
2021 Halloween Howl
Joshua Eaton Halloween Howl Kids Social
Friday, October 29th on the Back Lot
Gr. K-2 from 3-4:30, Gr. 3-5 from 4:30-6 pm
*DJ Monster mash *Spooktacular Activities *Spine-Tingling Games
*Ghostly Dance Party **Snacks
*COSTUMES OPTIONAL
*Children must be accompanied by an adult
*Questions? - Please contact Jessica Lynch at