Good Afternoon, Reading Public School Families,

This Fall Update contains important Fall Reopening Information for the start of the school year on September 15^th.  As we phase in more students into our schools, we will continue to send updated reopening information.  The Reading Public Schools Fall Reopening Update Page has all of the latest information regarding the Fall Reopening.

• First Day Fliers-There are several first day fliers and forms for you to review.  You can access them here.  
• School Opens on September 15^th–After six months, our buildings will be opening for our students.  We are very excited to have students back!  During this upcoming week, we will have several groups begin and we will begin our student orientation and book distribution.   On September 15^th, our high needs students and preschool students will begin in person.  Kindergarten screening and student orientation for Grades 1-12 will begin on this day as well.  Your building principals will send out further detail.
• Health Information-Please review the following health information from Director of Nurses Mary Giuliana.  For any student that will be coming to school, please review the following health screening : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QVnPqBwo0v4cbKUzRW6o1jRx3h7Sz6aO4Qsxgv3OJ84/edit?usp=sharing before coming to school each day and please notify your school nurse if your child has any health concerns we should be aware of while they are in the building.We have also attached an opt out form for the use of hand sanitizer.  
• Videoconferencing Protocols and Procedures-With the increase emphasis on remote learning and videoconferencing, the Reading Public Schools has developed videoconferencing protocols and procedures.  You can access those and the updated Acceptable Use Policy, here. 
• Food Distribution-The United States Department of Agriculture has extended the Seamless Food Distribution program for all students.  You can access the weekly dates and times for the distribution here.
• Playgrounds-Recess and having access to playgrounds are a very important part of our preschool and elementary student’s day.  To that end, we will have our playgrounds available for recess during the school day.   We are going to follow the following guidelines for playground use:

1. We will be following CDC guidelines (not DESE) which does not require frequent disinfecting.
2. Facilities will be constructing hand sanitizer stations for each playground. 
3. We will have students follow all mitigation safety protocols.
   1. Hand sanitizing before and after recess.
   2. Wear masks when using playground equipment.
   3. 6 feet physical distancing.

• Special Education Information-Please review the following information from Director of Student Services Dr. Jennifer Stys.
• School Calendar-The Reading Public School Calendar has been updated with color coded cohort A and B weeks.  You can access it here. Please note that once we phase into hybrid, we may have to switch to remote based on infection rates.  The cohort schedule on the calendar is to allow families to plan for the year.
• 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.

John F. Doherty, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Reading Public Schools

781-944-5800

John.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us