Jaguar Tracks
October 12th
Dear JE families,
I hope you all had a restful and rejuvenating long weekend! I spent Monday cheering my brother on at the Boston Marathon. It was so exciting to see him cross the finish line after all of that training! He said that while he was running, he thought "what incredible example of the power of humanity!" He grew up playing team sports, where there is always a winner and an undertone of competition. He was amazed that even though everyone was running individually, it was a "one huge team" atmosphere -- everyone was happy to see each other meet the goal of finishing and the energy was contagious. It was my first time at the marathon and was a great event to be a part of!
We are proud of our safeties and student council members!! Student council is already working on a fundraiser (see information below) and our safeties have decided to brighten up our mornings by dancing to the music at arrival. It is so exciting to see students take on these leadership roles and bring their own spin and vision to it!
A place to partner: As we are welcoming our students back to a sense of normalcy at recess, we are learning that there is a need for more explicit teaching about safe and appropriate recess play. Our teachers are planning to re-teach recess play this week and we are hoping that you can help reinforce our instruction at home. Here are our goals:
- Students understand that there is no "hands-on" play out at recess. This means no touch games or pushing.
- Students understand that the play structure is to be used for it's intended purpose and there is no running on the structure.
- Students understand that all should be included and to use this time to strengthen friendships and build new ones!
Lastly, it is the final week of Hispanic Heritage Month. Our teachers have done a great job of bringing Hispanic and Latin heritage into the curriculum through texts, videos and song. Consider bringing your students to the public library this week to check out a book written by a Hispanic author or take your student to a Hispanic owned business this week. Below, you will find a resources to support!
Upcoming dates:
October 28th: Picture Retakes
October 29th: Halloween Howl
In community,
Caitlin
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
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
It is week 2 of our Calareso’s Fundraiser - don’t forget to stock up for your fall and winter decorating needs and help support our school! As a reminder, Calareso’s Farm Stand generously contributes 25% of the amount sold to support Joshua Eaton and the certificates are good for ANYTHING and never expire! Orders are due on Wednesday of each week (10/13 and 10/20)
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.
Natalie and Meredith, PTO Co-Presidents
Halloween Howl
~~~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
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is unique as it doesn't start and end within the same month. Instead, it starts on September 15th to honor the independence days of several Latin American countries and ends on October 15th. Consider ways to celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. At JE, we will do so by sharing contributions of Latino & Hispanic Americans and tidbits about culture during morning announcements.
Hispanic & Latinx Owned Businesses
Who is Lisa Fernandez ?
Lisa Fernandez
Lisa Fernandez will surely inspire the aspiring athlete in your household! A Puerto Rican-American, she started her softball career as a right-handed pitcher for the UCLA Bruins, where she won two National Championships and was selected as a four-time, first-team All-American. Fernandez also received the Pan American Gold medal three times, and she won three Olympic gold medals for softball (in addition to breaking several Olympic records, such as the most strikeouts by a pitcher in one game). She's often touted as one of the greatest female athletes of all time.
Hispanic Heritage Month Resources
Consider watching a video about Hispanic Heritage with your students at home.
PBS Latino Americans