Good Morning, Reading Public Schools Community,

I hope that you are enjoying the last few days before school begins.  I wanted to share with you some additional updates as we enter the Labor Day weekend.

1. School Begins on Tuesday, September 15^th-Our staff have been very engaged this week in health and safety, social emotional, equity, and technology training.  This training and preparation plans for the school year will continue next week.  School will begin for all students on Tuesday, September 15^th.  During this week the following will be happening:

• High Needs Students-Students who have been contacted for in person special education, ELL, or other services will begin on September 15^th.  You will receive specific information from your building principal, special education administrator, or teacher regarding your child’s schedule if you are in this category.

• Kindergarten Screening-Kindergarten screening will occur during September 15^th-18^th.  Your building principal will be contacting you regarding specific plans for the screening.  Because our kindergarten teachers will be engaged in the screening process all week, there will not be any in person or remote classes for our kindergarten students this week.  Kindergarten classes will begin on Monday, September 21^st.

• RISE Preschool-RISE Preschool will begin on September 15^th.  Director Kelly Bostwick will be sending out more specific information next week.  Please note that because they will begin in person on September 15^th, RISE will not have specific orientation sessions like the other levels.

• Orientation-During the week of September 15^th, we will be having in person orientation for Grades 1-12 with small groups of students and teachers at the schools.  This will be an opportunity for students and teachers to make connections, pick up materials, and get acquainted with the learning platform and technology.  The High School orientation and book distribution will extend into the week of the 22^nd as well.

On the day that students have orientation, they will not have remote classes on that day.  Building Principals will be sending out more specific information next week.

2. Attendance-As noted in the Reading Public Schools Fall Reopening Plan, we will be having a full school schedule with regular school hours, regardless if it is remote or in person.  Attendance for our in person, hybrid, or remote programs will be required for all students.  It is the expectation that parents will make best efforts for the student(s) to be present during live lessons.  Attendance will be taken each class period at the middle and high school level and once in the morning and once in the afternoon at the elementary school level. 

If your child is going to be out sick, either in person or remote, please call the absentee line of your child’s school.

3. High School Athletics-The Middlesex League has announced the following information regarding High School Athletics for the fall:

Based on the recent most guidelines established by the EEA, DESE, MIAA, Middlesex League, and the Reading Public Schools the Middlesex League will be playing a modified fall athletic schedule.   School District approval will be forthcoming as the following is being proposed for the fall 2020 season:

• Boys & Girls Soccer, Field Hockey, Golf, and Cross Country will take place this Fall Season.  Tryouts/practices begin on Monday, September 21st.  
• Football, Cheering, Girls Volleyball, and Girls Swim have been moved to Fall 2/Floating Season.  This will run from February 22nd to April 25th.
• There will be a 10 game schedule for all Varsity Teams with the exception of Cross Country.  They will have 5 meets.  There will be a maximum of an 8 game schedule for all Sub-Varsity Teams.  (Again with the exception of Cross Country).
• All games will be played on Saturdays (10/3 to 11/21) and on the October and November Holidays (10/12 & 11/11).  Golf will be played during the week based on availability of courses.  
• We will compete against one school in all sports on the same weekend to limit the contact with other communities.
• There will be no transportation provided to any games, home or away.
• Varsity Teams will practice 3 times per week and Sub-Varsity Teams will practice 2 times per week.
• There will be one fan permitted per student-athlete at each athletic contest.   
• There will be more sport specific details to follow including online registration procedures. Please also look out for communication from individual coaches.  
• All information above is subject to change.  

4. Updated Tab on RPS Website for Fall Reopening-We have updated the Reading Public School District Website to include a separate page on Fall Reopening.  You can access all District Fall Reopening Information here.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

John F. Doherty

Superintendent

Reading Public Schools

82 Oakland Road

Reading, MA 01867

781-944-5800