Good Morning,

There will be a Kindergarten Parent Information Night for next year’s incoming kindergarten class on Wednesday, November 4th at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.  The information is below.

If you have any questions, please contact Linda Engelson at linda.engelson@reading.k12.ma.us.

Topic: Kindergarten Parent Information Night
Time: Nov 4, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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Meeting ID: 894 5963 8791
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Good Morning,

There will be a meeting of the Reading School Committee at 5:00 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.  The link to the meeting is below and the packet is attached.  If you would like to make a public comment during the meeting, please use the live chat on teams.  Emails will be placed in the next packet.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NGUyMmRjOTYtYjc5YS00ODY4LThjNTgtYjc5MjlhYjE4MWJm%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%226b81bca4-cd59-4341-a904-ea2ff758fe2a%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%220201fbad-7d69-4c02-99db-cffbb16751d6%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d

Dear Staff, Parents and Community Members:

We have been notified that six Grade 10 Reading Memorial High School students have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).  Because of our phased in hybrid model, these students have not been in school yet this year.  Through our contact tracing procedures, these students had been in close contact with other students, who also have not been in school yet and those students are now currently quarantined according to DESE protocols. 

In addition, we have received word that a staff member at the Birch Meadow elementary school has tested positive for COVID-19.  This staff member had close contact with other staff members and students in specific classrooms and office areas and those staff and students are in the process of being notified.  Because of our cleaning and disinfecting schedule all Birch Meadow classrooms and office areas were disinfected through a misting process after all staff left on Friday.

As a result of these two situations, we will need to take the following measures out of an abundance of caution:

1. All students at the Birch Meadow Elementary School will be remote on Monday, November 2^nd and Tuesday, November 3^rd (a previously scheduled remote day).  This will allow us to identify if any additional staff and students who were in the school last week will need to be quarantined and to arrange for appropriate coverage for those staff that will need to quarantine.
2. Because several of the RMHS students who tested positive or are quarantined participate in sports, all Reading Memorial High School in person sports and extra-curricular activities will be cancelled until Saturday, November14th.

Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their definition of close contact to include someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.  In school settings, close contacts include being in a classroom, in other school spaces, on the bus, or at an extra-curricular activity.  Contact tracing with the individuals who tested positive are continuing, and any close contacts are being notified and will be followed up by the Reading Board of Health. At this time, we have not received any reports of other students or staff members experiencing illnesses with symptoms resembling those of coronavirus. 

COVID-19 is thought to be spread via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person. As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge everyone to take the following preventive measures:

• It is not one mitigation strategy but a combination of all these strategies taken together that will substantially reduce the risk of transmission.
• Staff must monitor themselves for symptoms daily and students, with the assistance of families, must also be monitored daily for symptoms. Staff and students must stay home if feeling unwell.
• Masks are among the most important single measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. We require all students and staff to wear masks that adequately cover both their nose and mouth. Exceptions must be made for students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks/face coverings.
• Hand hygiene is critical. Students and staff are required to exercise hand hygiene (handwashing or sanitizing) upon arrival to school, before eating, before putting on and taking off masks, and before dismissal. Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best practice. However, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol should be substituted when handwashing is not available.
• Physical distance greatly reduces the risk of transmission. Physical distancing is a critical tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The CDC[1] and DPH[2] recommend 6 feet of distance between individuals.
• Cohorts/assigned seating. Students organized in groups/classrooms and other cohorts help mitigate transmission of the virus. Assigned seating is important because it effectively creates even smaller groups within cohorts which minimize transmission. Assigned seats can also assist with contact tracing. Wherever possible, seats should be assigned (including classroom, bus, meals).

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the regular seasonal influenza and the single most important thing to do if any of the following symptoms are present is to STAY HOME.

• Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills (CDC has lowered the temperature from 100.4 to 100.0)
• Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Headache when in combination with other symptoms
• Muscle aches or body aches
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

If staff or students have any of these symptoms, we encourage you to get a PCR COVID-19 test.  A list of test sites is available here, and Massachusetts also has an interactive testing map. Staff and students who have symptoms should also contact their primary care physician for further instructions.

We are closely monitoring this situation and will provide you with updates as we know more. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

John F. Doherty

Superintendent of Schools

---

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html

[2] https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-prevention-and-treatment#social-distancing-

Good Afternoon, Reading Public School Community,

We hope that you are doing well.  As you know we have several tutor and paraeducator openings in our school district.  These positions are critical to implementing our full hybrid model.  We also understand that some parents are unable to commit to a full time position because of the hybrid model that we have implemented.

We currently have the following positions available:

Elementary School

• 2 Tutor Positions
• 1 Special Education Paraeducator Position
• 2 Lunch Room Paraeducator Positions

High School

• 7 Special Education Paraeducator Positions
• 10 Regular Education Paraeducator Positions

We would like to invite you to explore job share opportunities to apply for a paraeducator or tutor position at either the high school or our elementary schools.  In this model, we would hire two people for one full time position.  One person would work during the Cohort A week and the other would work during the Cohort B week.  The positions are usually Monday-Thursday (some have a couple of hours on Fridays) and range from 26 to 30 hour positions per week and would not be benefit eligible.

If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please contact Superintendent of Schools John Doherty directly at john.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us.  In your email, please give the following information:

1. The Cohort week that you are able to work (A or B)

2. The level that you would like to work (Elementary or High School)

3. The position that you would be interested in (special education paraeducator, tutor, regular education paraeducator, lunchroom paraeducator)

4.  Any other information that you would like to share.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Superintendent of Schools John Doherty.

Thank you.

Good Morning, Reading Public Schools Staff and Families,

There will be a School Committee meeting this evening at 7:30 p.m. (Note Time Change) on Microsoft Teams.  The link to the meeting is below. 

Please note that if you would like to make a public comment you will need to use the live chat on Teams.  Emails will be placed in the next School Committee Packet.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_Y2EwZDJmMTYtYzlmMC00ZDE0LWJlNGUtODc3NDZkNGQ2YWIw%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%226b81bca4-cd59-4341-a904-ea2ff758fe2a%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%22c0e8c5d3-a82a-4511-9dc1-a9f6080ccbc3%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d

John F. Doherty

Superintendent

Reading Public Schools

82 Oakland Road

Reading, MA 01867

781-944-5800

Good Afternoon, Reading Public School Staff and Families,

I hope that you are doing well and you are enjoying this weekend.  Here are some weekly updates:

• Green to Yellow-This week, the Town of Reading went from a designation of Green to Yellow in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Weekly Public Health Report.  In addition, as communicated earlier this week, we had four students and one staff member test positive for COVID-19. 

With more and more students and staff now entering our schools, we ask families to follow the state guidelines for prevention of spreading COVID-19.  We are doing everything that we can in our schools to keep your children and staff members safe by putting in place several health and safety precautions as outlined by DPH and CDC.  However, I have observed and we have received concerns from community members that outside of school, students are not following health protocols such as proper physical distancing and the wearing of masks.  Other school districts have had to go fully remote for at least a few days and in some cases, up to two weeks, because of students or staff testing positive.  We want to minimize those risks as much as possible and we ask for your support in educating your children the importance of following proper health precautions.  Thank you in advance for your support.

• Job Share Positions-We want to thank all of the community members who have inquired about in person job share paraeducator and tutor positions.  Our principals have begun interviewing those candidates and we are beginning to fill those positions at the elementary level.  Once we hire positions, it takes approximately one week to onboard an employee to make sure that they have all of the necessary paperwork and requirements completed.  As a result, our Grade 3 students are beginning to come back on November 2^nd and we are optimistic that we will be able to bring Grades 4-5 back to a full hybrid model soon.

We still have several openings at the High School for paraeducator positions and we still have a few openings at the elementary level.  If you are interested in a job share position, please send an email to john.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us.

• Phase in Update-This week, we welcome Grades 11/12 to a modified hybrid schedule.  In addition, we will have Grade 3 going to a full hybrid schedule, beginning on November 2^nd (Cohort A).  Cohort B for Grade 3 will begin hybrid on November 9^th.
• Out of State Travel-As we get closer to the holiday season, we want to remind families about the Department of Public Health guidelines for Out of State travel. The full guidelines are located at the link below.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-travel-order

                In summary, the guidelines state the following:

• All visitors entering Massachusetts, including returning residents, who do not meet an exemption, are required to:

• Complete the Massachusetts Travel Form prior to arrival, unless you are visiting from a lower-risk state designated by the Department of Public Health.
• Quarantine for 14 days or produce a negative COVID-19 test result that has been administered up to 72-hours prior to your arrival in Massachusetts.
• If your COVID-19 test result has not been received prior to arrival, visitors, and residents must quarantine until they receive a negative test result.
• Please note that we will not be able to allow students or staff in person who have travelled out of state unless they submit a negative COVID test with 72 hours of return

• SEPAC Information-Below are several updates from the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
  • There will be a Meeting (including Board elections)THIS Tuesday, October 27^th, at 7:00 PM via Teams. 

• The meeting agenda is available here and the link to the meeting is below.
  • Oct 27 Meeting Link
• Understanding the IEP Workshop will be held on October 29^th at 6:00 p.m. You must pre-register by clicking here
• There will be a Transition Planning Workshop on November 2 – 6:00 PM. You must pre-register by clicking here.
• There will be a Virtual support chat for Reading SEPAC Members on November 5 at 7:30 p.m.  To receive the meeting link, Email SEPACREADING@gmail.com
• There will be a Presentation on Facilitated Team Meetings and Mediation Services on Nov 17 – 7:00 PM.  The Meeting link will be forthcoming.
• DESE Guidance about COVID-19 Compensatory Services can be found on the link below.
• COVID 19 Compensatory Services Family Fact Sheet

Thank you for everything that you are doing to support educating our students.  Have a great rest of the weekend, a great week ahead, and be safe.

Dear Staff, Parents and Community Members:

Yesterday, the Reading Public Schools was notified that two of our elementary age students tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).  Neither student has been in school yet this year, have not been in close contact with staff or students and they are currently quarantined according to DESE protocols.  Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their definition of close contact to include someone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to test specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.  In school settings, close contacts include being in a classroom, in other school spaces, on the bus, or at an extra-curricular activity.  Contact tracing with these students have been completed, and any close contacts have been notified and will be followed up by the Reading Board of Health. We have not received any reports of other students or staff members experiencing illnesses with symptoms resembling those of coronavirus. 

COVID-19 is thought to be spread via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person. As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge everyone to take the following preventive measures:

• It is not one mitigation strategy but a combination of all these strategies taken together that will substantially reduce the risk of transmission.
• Staff must monitor themselves for symptoms daily and students, with the assistance of families, must also be monitored daily for symptoms. Staff and students must stay home if feeling unwell.
• Masks are among the most important single measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. We require all students and staff to wear masks that adequately cover both their nose and mouth. Exceptions must be made for students with medical, behavioral, or other challenges who are unable to wear masks/face coverings.
• Hand hygiene is critical. Students and staff are required to exercise hand hygiene (handwashing or sanitizing) upon arrival to school, before eating, before putting on and taking off masks, and before dismissal. Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best practice. However, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol should be substituted when handwashing is not available.
• Physical distance greatly reduces the risk of transmission. Physical distancing is a critical tool in preventing the spread of COVID-19. The CDC[1] and DPH[2] recommend 6 feet of distance between individuals.
• Cohorts/assigned seating. Students organized in groups/classrooms and other cohorts help mitigate transmission of the virus. Assigned seating is important because it effectively creates even smaller groups within cohorts which minimize transmission. Assigned seats can also assist with contact tracing. Wherever possible, seats should be assigned (including classroom, bus, meals).

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the regular seasonal influenza and the single most important thing to do if any of the following symptoms are present is to STAY HOME.

• Fever (100.0° Fahrenheit or higher), chills, or shaking chills (CDC has lowered the temperature from 100.4 to 100.0)
• Cough (not due to other known cause, such as chronic cough)
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Headache when in combination with other symptoms
• Muscle aches or body aches
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Fatigue, when in combination with other symptoms
• Nasal congestion or runny nose (not due to other known causes, such as allergies) when in combination with other symptoms

If staff or students have any of these symptoms, we encourage you to get a molecular COVID-19 test.  A list of test sites is available here, and Massachusetts also has an interactive testing map. Staff and students who have symptoms should also contact their primary care physician for further instructions.

We are closely monitoring this situation and will provide you with updates as we know more. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

John F. Doherty

Superintendent of Schools

---

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html

[2] https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-prevention-and-treatment#social-distancing-

Good Morning, Reading Public School Community,

We hope that you are doing well.  As you know we have several tutor and paraeducator openings in our school district.  These positions are critical to implementing our full hybrid model.  We also understand that some parents are unable to commit to a full time position because of the hybrid model that we have implemented.

We would like to invite you to explore job share opportunities to apply for a paraeducator or tutor position at either the high school or our elementary schools.  In this model, we would hire two people for one full time position.  One person would work during the Cohort A week and the other would work during the Cohort B week.  The positions are usually Monday-Thursday (some have a couple of hours on Fridays) and range from 26 to 30 hour positions per week and would not be benefit eligible.

If you are interested in applying for one of these positions, please contact Superintendent of Schools John Doherty directly at john.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us.  In your email, please give the following information:

1. The Cohort week that you are able to work (A or B)

2. The level that you would like to work (Elementary or High School)

3. The position that you would be interested in (special education paraeducator, tutor, regular education paraeducator)

4.  Any other information that you would like to share.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Superintendent of Schools John Doherty.

Thank you.

Dear Staff, Parents and Community Members:

Over the weekend, the Reading Public Schools was notified that two of our students and a staff member have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).  Because of our phased in hybrid model, neither student was in school last week and our staff member, who is located at the high school, did not have any direct/close contact with high school staff or students.  In school settings, close contacts include other students and staff who were within 6 feet of the student or staff member for at least 15 minutes in a classroom, in other school spaces, on the bus, or at an extra-curricular activity.  Contact tracing has been completed, and any close contacts have been notified and will be followed up by the Reading Board of Health. We have not received any reports of other students or staff members experiencing illnesses with symptoms resembling those of coronavirus. 

COVID-19 is thought to be spread via person-to-person contact through contaminated air droplets from coughing and sneezing by an infected person. As with controlling the spread of other viruses, we urge everyone to take the following preventive measures:

• Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Using soap and hot water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to also wash your fingertips.
• Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.
• As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose.

The symptoms of coronavirus are similar to the regular seasonal influenza and include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. Some people with coronavirus have reported additional symptoms, such as a runny nose, sore throat, nausea, lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some situations, the virus can develop into pneumonia.   We encourage you to get a molecular COVID-19 test if you or your child(ren) have these symptoms.

Individuals who need medical care should call their medical provider to report their illness prior to seeking care at a clinic, physician’s office, or hospital. Parents of students exhibiting flu-like symptoms or staff exhibiting flu-like symptoms are asked to contact their physician.

We are closely monitoring this situation and will provide you with updates as we know more. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

John F. Doherty

Superintendent of Schools

Good Afternoon, Reading Public School Families,

I hope you are enjoying your weekend.  Here are this week’s updates:

1. Community Forums This Week-As we continue to phase in students, we are holding Zoom community forums this week to answer questions you may have.  The dates, times, and links are as follows:
   • Tuesday, October 20^th, 5:00 p.m.-The zoom link is below.

https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/81327818280

• Wednesday, October 21^st, 5:00 p.m.-The zoom link is below:

https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/82340703622

• Thursday, October 22^nd, 8:00 a.m.-The zoom link is below:

https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/82860172789

2. Student groups this week and next week-This week, we welcome back our Cohort A Grades 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 for all schools.  Next week, Grade 11/12 will be coming back with a modified hybrid schedule.  Principal Boynton will be sending out more information as to the modified schedule change this week.

We are working on a plan to phase in Grades 3-5.  Because of our staffing vacancies at this grade level, it may look different.  We will have more details this week.

3. Middle School Back to School Nights This Week-The middle schools will have their Back to School Nights on Thursday, October 22^nd at 5:30 p.m.  Principals Marchant and Shankland will be sending out Teams links to the event this week.
4. November 3^rd–Because of the National Election, Tuesday, November 3^rd will be a full remote day for all students, including Preschool, Kindergarten, and High Needs students.

Have a great rest of the weekend and week ahead.

Take care.