Good Morning, Reading Public School Staff and Families,

I hope that you are surviving this very cold weekend.  Here is Winter Hybrid Update #7.

• COVID-19 Information:  We had a total of 10 cases this past week.  Below are the cases by level:
  •   3 RMHS students-There was no in school exposure and no athletics exposure.  No students or staff were quarantined.
  •   1 Coolidge student-There was no in school exposure and no students or staff were quarantined.
  •   4 Parker students-There was three classes of students that were exposed.  33 students and no staff were quarantined.
  •   5 Wood End students-All unrelated.  There was one class that was exposed.  9 students and 1 staff member were quarantined.

• Community Forum This Week on Pooled Testing and Other Hybrid Updates-The Reading Public Schools is planning on moving forward with pooled testing in the near future as an additional mitigation step for all staff and students.  We will be holding staff and community forums this week to present what pooled testing is and also any other winter hybrid updates.  The community updates will be held on Zoom and will be at the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, February 2^nd–4:30-5:30 p.m.  The link to the forum is https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/86289927087
• Wednesday, February 3^rd–6:00-7:00 p.m.  The link to the forum is https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/82681326728

• Potential Snow Storm for Monday Afternoon/Tuesday-The current forecast for our area is predicting that snow will begin tomorrow afternoon at approximately 1:00-3:00 p.m. and will continue into the evening and Tuesday morning.  If school is impacted on Tuesday due to inclement weather, it will be a snow day and not a remote day.  We will keep you updated if conditions change.

• Second Semester/Third Quarter for Secondary Schools starts Tomorrow-Second Semester and Third Quarter begins tomorrow for our middle schools and RMHS.  In addition, elementary schools will switch art and music classes. 

• CDC Article on Reopening Schools-This week, you may have seen the CDC study on reopening schools  and accompanying articles.  It is important to continue to emphasize that the reason why in school transmissions are much lower than the rest of the community is because of all of the mitigation steps that our schools are taking.  This includes the 6 foot distancing, hand sanitizing, cohorts, cleaning and disinfecting, mask wearing, updated ventilation and upgraded filters, and staying home when a person has symptoms.  We are excited that we will now be adding pooled testing to those mitigation strategies.

• SEPAC Information– Please join the SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) at our next business meeting on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 7:00 PM! New business for this meeting includes an update from our reading/literacy subcommittee and a brief presentation by Alice Gomez, School Psychologist, on community resources, followed by a parent discussion regarding the same. Please join us for this presentation and discussion and feel free to share any additional resources that you think other parents may find helpful. All are welcome!  This meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom. Join us for our next VIRTUAL SEPAC MEETING on Tuesday, February 9th at 7 PM. Meeting link: Join Zoom Meeting . Please also join us for our next VIRTUAL Reading and Literacy Subcommittee Meetingon Tuesday, February 2nd at 7PM.  Meeting link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/87835232197  All are welcome and ENCOURAGED to attend!
• Opportunity for Therapy- The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support has partnered with Doc Wayne to bring an exciting youth therapeutic program to Reading students ages 5-18. If you are looking for individual therapy for your child or are interested in learning more about group therapy, please join Doc Wayne and the Reading Coalition for a virtual information session. Sessions will be hosted on:

• Tuesday February 2^nd, 7:00-7:30PM:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83625231000?pwd=dk5PMWlPZVJzdHdudjYzOEFqZjRIUT09
• Thursday February 4^th, 12:00-12:30PM:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81745519753?pwd=OGViZG1ucFpEVUU3Q0ZtWVY0MmJIQT09

Using a theoretical curriculum, which incorporates social-emotional learning and life skills, Doc Wayne offers innovative mental health programming. In addition to traditional individual therapy, Doc Wayne offers unique group therapeutic programs. Through these groups students:

• Have the opportunity and needed supports to become resilient and regulated individuals with positive adult and peer relationships
• Create positive relationships with teammates, friends, and family members
• Become confident and competent members of their schools and larger communities
• Achieve their highest level of academic success

Please see the attached PDF for additional information on Doc Wayne. All of Doc Wayne’s programming is being offered via telehealth due to COVID-19.

doc-wayne_readingDownload

If you have any questions please contact Sammy Salkin, Outreach Coordinator, Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support at ssalkin@ci.reading.ma.us.

Have a great week ahead!

John Doherty

Superintendent

Reading Public Schools

82 Oakland Road

Reading, Massachusetts 01867

781-944-5800

John.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us

Please see the attached information from Reading School Committee Chair Charles Robinson regarding the announcement of the finalists for the Position of Superintendent of Schools.

January 29, 2021

To:       Reading Public School Community and the Reading Community at Large 

From:   Chuck Robinson, Chair Reading School Committee

Re:        Superintendent of Schools – Reading Public Schools

As you are aware the Reading School Committee has been conducting a search for a new Superintendent of Schools to begin leadership of our school district effective June 30, 2021.  I am pleased to inform you that our search process has selected three exceptional candidates as finalists to be interviewed by the committee.  They are as follows:

• Dr. Matthew Janger, Currently High School Principal at the Arlington, MA Public Schools
• Mr. Thomas Milaschewski (Doctoral Candidate – June 2021), Currently Superintendent Resident at the Medford, MA Public Schools
• Dr. Stephen Zadravec, Currently Superintendent at the Portsmouth, NH Public Schools

The committee is excited about these candidates and we have planned various opportunities for all the stakeholders to meet these candidates and provide feedback.  Information on these forums and the feedback gathering mechanism will follow in a separate notice.

We look forward to announcing the Next Superintendent of the Reading Public Schools on February 11, 2021. 

Thank you,

Charles Robinson

Chair, Reading School Committee

I hope this note finds you all well and safe. Please know that no one can do more to protect the health and wellness of the Reading community than each of you – and please remember to look after each other.

Two days ago, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts changed their approach to Covid-19 vaccinations, with an emphasis on state-run large sites and online sign ups. As many of you know, the best locations for up-to-date information from the state are: https://www.maimmunizations.org and this map for state locations: https://www.maimmunizations.org/clinic/search.

Another useful map combines state and private locations, but not all are available to Reading residents: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccination-locations-for-individuals-in-eligible-groups-and-phases. As I write this, the state is working to simplify the online application process, and we will keep the community updated. Right now, the emphasis is on completing Phase 1 eligible candidates (medical personnel and first responders); then moving to 75+ year old residents; 65+ year old residents; and then under 65-year-old residents with two or more serious medical conditions.

In Reading, since March 2020 we have provided updates on our home page www.readingma.gov. The red banner on the top of that page represents all the best information we have, along with many links to a lot more information. Recently we added a yellow ‘COVID-19 Vaccine Info’ button to that home page, which is also included within the red banner page.

Your Emergency Management team in Reading is prepared to run large scale local clinics, as Town and School staff have worked collaboratively and diligently through the myriad of logistics to make this happen. However, those plans were shelved by the new approach by the state, as we have been told that we will receive a maximum of 100 doses per week for the foreseeable future. At that rate, we would be vaccinating our 75+ year old residents well into next fall, let alone the other 20,000+ residents! I raised this point on a state-wide call on Tuesday, and the same frustration is happening everywhere.

Yesterday Governor Baker indicated that the uncertainty of vaccination supply is a national issue, and believes that the federal government will provide more information by early next week. This will allow the state to better plan vaccine distribution, and we will continue to advocate loudly for more vaccine so we may directly serve our residents locally.

Some folks have asked about actions in neighboring communities. For reference, we are in a public health region within the state that reaches to our north and west, and led by Andover. We challenged this setup earlier this winter, but it did not change. I am told that one of the charms of New England is the decentralization of government to the local level. While I often see and enjoy that charm, during a pandemic having Police, Fire and Public Health all in three different regional groups does not improve the efficiency of a coordinated response, a point I raised over a decade ago. Yet rest assured that we are using all of our relationships with other communities regardless of region to provide the best resources for Reading.

Today we have only 20 doses of vaccine on hand with another 50 doses on the way. So right now, our best advice is for neighbors to please help each other. Yesterday, I did hear from some residents that with persistence they were able to schedule appointments. However, we know that about 25% of our 75+ population do not use computers regularly, and the state’s online application process can be daunting.

We began the process to reach out proactively to lists of the frail and fragile residents that would most need our help. This help ranges from online computer assistance through medical rides. We have also contemplated delivering services to our home bound residents. However, our resources have been swamped by hundreds of incoming calls in the past 48 hours – very understandably. We have shifted additional staff to help out, and are keeping lists of requests so that we may soon return to our proactive work aimed at those most in need.

I believe the new approach by the state is a good one, and will, err… overcome some of that local charm when we are ready for broad vaccine distribution at Phase 3 sometime in the spring. In the meanwhile, we will advocate for more vaccine so that we may at least serve our most frail and fragile residents.

The pandemic has exhausted us all, in a wide variety of ways, physically, mentally and emotionally. One day in the future, we will all be well rested and calm, and able to look back critically on things that might have been done differently.

Today, however, is the time to remember to take care of each other and be a close-knit community.

The pandemic has isolated us in ways we could not have imagined. Isolationism is divisive. Please stop, take a deep breath, and call an elderly relative or neighbor that might need your help. Working together is the only way we’ll get the best results the community deserves.

Good Morning,

There will be a meeting of the Reading School Committee this evening at 7:30 p.m. (Please note change in time) on Microsoft Teams.  Here is the public attendee link to the meeting and the packet is attached.

Thanks.

Good Morning,

There will be a meeting of the Reading School Committee this evening at 7:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. Executive Session) on Microsoft Teams.  The link to the meeting is below and the packet is attached.

Public comment can be given on the live chat section of Teams. Please list your full name to be recognized for public comment.

https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_NzVhNzY2MDQtYzI2Yi00NzY1LWEwOWQtZjRhOTUyM2Q2ZTlh%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

Thanks.

John Doherty

Superintendent

Reading Public Schools

82 Oakland Road

Reading, Massachusetts 01867

781-944-5800

John.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us

Good Afternoon, Reading Public School Staff and Families,

I hope that you are enjoying this chilly weekend.  Here is Winter Hybrid Update #6.

• COVID-19 Information-In the second half of the week, there were fewer positive cases across the district.  We have been informed of the following positive cases in our school district this week.  None of the cases below were in school transmissions.  All close contacts have been notified by our health staff and building administrators.

• 2 RMHS Student-Remote this week, no quarantine of staff or students
• 2 Middle School Students (Parker)-Remote this week, no quarantine of staff or students
• 4 Elementary Students (2 Killam, 1 Birch Meadow, 1 Barrows)-2 in person and on the bus and 1 remote
  • 40 Students and 5 Staff Quarantined
• 1 RMHS Staff Member, no in school exposure
• 1 Killam Staff Member, 1 Staff member quarantined due to close contact

• Pooled Testing Update-The Reading Public Schools is currently investigating bringing pooled COVID-19 testing for staff and students during in person weeks.  This program is being funded until March 28^th through DESE.  We will be providing more information in the near future.  For further information on what pooled testing is, please go to https://www.doe.mass.edu/covid19/pooled-testing/ .

• School Committee Meeting, Monday at 7:00 p.m.-There will be a meeting of the Reading School Committee on Monday, January 25^th at 7:00 p.m. (Executive Session at 6:00 p.m.).  The meeting will be held on Microsoft Teams and RCTV.  A link to Teams will be sent out tomorrow.  The main topic of the meeting will be the School Committee taking a vote on the FY22 Superintendent’s Recommended Budget.

• SEPAC Information– Please join the SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council) at our next business meeting on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 7:00 PM! New business for this meeting includes an update from our reading/literacy subcommittee and a brief presentation by Alice Gomez, School Psychologist, on community resources, followed by a parent discussion regarding the same. Please join us for this presentation and discussion and feel free to share any additional resources that you think other parents may find helpful. All are welcome!  This meeting will be held virtually, via Zoom. Join us for our next VIRTUAL SEPAC MEETING on Tuesday, February 9th at 7 PM. Meeting link: Join Zoom Meeting . Please also join us for our next VIRTUAL Reading and Literacy Subcommittee Meetingon Tuesday, February 2nd at 7PM.  Meeting link: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/87835232197  All are welcome and ENCOURAGED to attend!

• Opportunity for Therapy- The Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support has partnered with Doc Wayne to bring an exciting youth therapeutic program to Reading students ages 5-18. If you are looking for individual therapy for your child or are interested in learning more about group therapy, please join Doc Wayne and the Reading Coalition for a virtual information session. Sessions will be hosted on:

• Tuesday February 2^nd, 7:00-7:30PM:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83625231000?pwd=dk5PMWlPZVJzdHdudjYzOEFqZjRIUT09
• Thursday February 4^th, 12:00-12:30PM:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81745519753?pwd=OGViZG1ucFpEVUU3Q0ZtWVY0MmJIQT09

Using a theoretical curriculum, which incorporates social-emotional learning and life skills, Doc Wayne offers innovative mental health programming. In addition to traditional individual therapy, Doc Wayne offers unique group therapeutic programs. Through these groups students:

• Have the opportunity and needed supports to become resilient and regulated individuals with positive adult and peer relationships
• Create positive relationships with teammates, friends, and family members
• Become confident and competent members of their schools and larger communities
• Achieve their highest level of academic success

Please see the attached PDF for additional information on Doc Wayne. All of Doc Wayne’s programming is being offered via telehealth due to COVID-19.

If you have any questions please contact Sammy Salkin, Outreach Coordinator, Reading Coalition for Prevention & Support at ssalkin@ci.reading.ma.us.

 Have a great week ahead!

John Doherty

Superintendent

Reading Public Schools

82 Oakland Road

Reading, Massachusetts 01867

781-944-5800

John.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us

Good Afternoon,

Tomorrow at 10:00 a.m., the Reading Human Relations Advisory Committee will present “Beloved Community” in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  You can access the event virtually at the following link. 

 www.facebook.com/hracofreadingma

Thanks and take care.

John Doherty

Superintendent

Reading Public Schools

82 Oakland Road

Reading, Massachusetts 01867

781-944-5800

John.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us

Good Afternoon, Reading Public School Staff and Community,

I hope that you are having an enjoyable weekend.  Here is Weekly Winter Hybrid Update #5.

• COVID-19 Information-Below is the latest information on the COVID-19 cases for this week.  Our cases were lower this week and many students who tested positive were remote.  We believe a combination of our district going remote last week, combined with the work that families and staff are doing with preventative measures contributed to the lower numbers.  Thank you for your efforts.
  • 3 RMHS students tested positive.  All three students were remote and there was no in school exposure.  However, all three are in season athletes and, as a result, 9 other athletes had to quarantine.  Unfortunately, this results in one of our teams being quarantined until 1/21.
  • 2 Coolidge Middle School students tested positive.  Both students were remote and there was no in school exposure.
  • 4 Elementary Students (Eaton, Birch Meadow, Killam) test positive.  All four students were remote and there was no in school exposure.
  • 1 RMHS Staff Member test positive.  As a result, 4 staff members and 2 students have been quarantined.

• School Nurses Receive First Dose of Vaccine-We are pleased to announce that our school nurses have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccination along with our Reading first responders.  Our nurses will be assisting in administering the vaccine to the community and to the schools.

• Reading Public Schools Professional Development Day on Friday-This past Friday, Reading Public School staff participated in several workshops focused on “Resiliency and Support in COVID impacted classrooms.  The topics focused on several areas including:
  • Cultural Proficiency
  • Uncovering Implicit Bias
  • Difficult Conversations About Race and Racism
  • How to begin courageous conversations
  • Technology Professional Development
  • Mindfulness and Meditation
  • Youth Mental Health First Aid
  • Creating a trauma sensitive classroom
  • And More!

I want to thank Assistant Superintendent for Learning and Teaching Chris Kelley and the Professional Development Committee for their efforts in organizing this day.The work that was done on Friday aligns with one of our goals in our current district improvement plan that focuses on equity and social justice practices, as well as, the social and emotional well-being of all students.Public schools need to provide safe places for all students to have discussion and dialog about issues of public concern such as equity and social justice.These professional development days provide the support and training needed to have those discussions and dialog.As I mentioned in my message to the Community last week, I am proud of the work that our Principals and staff are doing on this important topic and I support their work.

• FY22 Public Hearing and School Committee Meeting on Budget-There will be a meeting of the Reading School Committee on Thursday, January 21^st, beginning at 7:00 p.m.  The meeting will begin with a public hearing on the FY22 budget and continue with the regular SC meeting agenda.  Because of the nature of the public hearing, this meeting will be on Zoom and RCTV at the following link below.

https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/81055755789

• Email-Recently, you may have received an email from john doherty <fixreadingschools@yahoo.com> . I would like to make it clear that this email did not come from me nor is this email or the website affiliated with the Reading Public Schools.  We cannot guarantee if the contents of this email is safe to open.

Have a great rest of the weekend and week ahead!

Good Evening, Reading Public School Community,

This past week was an exceedingly difficult week in our country, emotionally, politically, and civically.  Amid the ongoing impact of the pandemic, there was a major historic event that took place last Wednesday afternoon at the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. where six people died, including a Unites States Capitol Police Officer who gave his life protecting our legislators.   This event created a significant number of emotions ranging from anger to anxiety to sorrow. 

I have withheld public comment on the recent events regarding the attack on the Capitol and our response as a school district, because, frankly, I have struggled on what to say.  I have written and rewritten my words several times over the last few days.  Each time I feel that I have the right words, something else happens which creates pause in my remarks.  I have listened openly to parents, teachers, administrators, community members, and members of the Reading Police Department about what transpired, both in our country and in our community.  These conversations have been emotional at times and there has clearly been many points of views expressed.  After listening to all these stakeholders and reflecting on what I should sayas the leader of this school district, I have concluded that we all need to pause and take a breath before it is too late.

Our community, like many communities are at a tipping point.  The combination of the fatigue of the pandemic, the recent incidents in Washington D.C., and the social unrest that has hit our nation over the last several months has pitted groups of people against each other who in the past have worked very well together.  This has had an impact on our students, our staff, and our police.  This week, an anonymous website called Fix Reading Schools was put online.  This website denounced the role of the schools in teaching social justice issues and unfairly criticizes the work that our teachers and Principals have done in this area. In addition, some of our schools and our central office have received unidentified phone calls regarding our handling of these topics.  As a result, some of our staff do not feel safe.  In addition, our police do not feel supported by the schools in the discussions about social justice and equity.  Ultimately all our students are being impacted, particularly the families of police officers and students of color.  The children of police officers cannot feel alienated from our schools.  Our students of color must feel like their voices are being heard.  Divisive and harassing behaviors are not acceptable in our community and in our classrooms and do not allow us to have the difficult conversations and hear all perspectives which is critical in times like this.

As a community, we have a long way to go on this topic, but our school district and our law enforcement are trying every day to do their jobs to the best of their abilities.  To that end, I want to say unequivocally that I support the difficult work that our principals and staff are doing with equity and social justice AND I support the work that our police are doing in our community.  I purposely say that in the same sentence because over my tenure as Superintendent, we have had an amazing relationship with the Reading Police Department.  Our police officers risk their lives every day in the line of duty and many live in our community and have children attending our schools.  We have worked collaboratively on a variety of school safety, equity, and social justice issues.  We have a relationship with our School Resource Officers that do not exist in other school districts and other communities are envious.

Public schools need to be safe places for all students to have discussion and dialog about issues of public concern such as equity and social justice.  However, those discussions need to be respectful and not attack or give one sided political views.  Last Thursday, many of our classes had those discussions after our students watched the events unfold on Wednesday afternoon in Washington D.C.  Many students came into school with a lot of questions and concerns about their safety, their country, and the impact on society.  What made these discussions a little more challenging was that we were virtual last week and that lack of in person connectedness made the discussions a little more challenging.    Unfortunately, what made these discussions more challenging for our teachers last week is that we were all remote and had to have these conversations virtually.

In anticipation of those student questions our building principals sent optional resources to staff and families to help support those conversations.  These resources were shared to the principals by the school district.  Traditionally, this is something that we have done in the past when tragic events have occurred that we know will have an impact on our students.   The purpose of these resources was to give parents and teachers options on how to focus the conversations from supporting our students to feel safe, to looking at the event through a civics perspective and a social justice perspective.  Our teachers did not share these resources with students.  The resources that were shared with parents were not meant to promote a particular political view nor to denigrate the work that our police department or other departments do to keep our schools and community safe.  However, one link that was shared, which contained the Woke Kindergarten Video, should not have been shared due to some of the violent nature of some of the photos and the perceived role that police play.  I take full responsibility for this and I need to do a better job of vetting resources prior to them being shared with staff.  I truly apologize to those individuals who were impacted by the content of what was sent out. 

Since this incident occurred last week, Chief Clark and I have had several productive conversations on what the next steps should be to support both the work of police and the work of our educators.  As we have in the past, we will be working collaboratively to continue to build the trust between law enforcement and our schools.  The Reading Police Department has been and will continue to be partners with us in our quest to create a safe and supportive environment for all and we appreciate that partnership.

As I mentioned earlier in my statement, we need to pause and take a deep breath.  As a community, we are beginning to plunge headlong into the unknown, out of fear, fatigue, uncertainty, and a need to do something.   This pause may not be well received by all – but it needs to be.  The conversations that we are having with our students, our staff, our families, and each other are uncomfortable and challenging, especially during these times of crisis.  The only way that we can address the critical issues facing our society is to have these conversations.  We have a long way to go as a school district and as a community in how we can have these conversations with our students and our families.  In this hard work, we are committed to representing all our students.  With this, we will work to provide our parents with appropriate resources that represent our entire population and that offers entry points for discussion.  I want to thank the families, our Principals and teachers for providing that safe space to allow our students and staff to have those conversations.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you.

John Doherty

Superintendent of Schools

Good Afternoon,

There will be a meeting of the Reading School Committee this evening at 7:00 p.m. on Microsoft Teams.  Here is the public link for this week’s School Committee meeting. Public comment can be given on the live chat on Teams.  Any emails sent will be included in the next SC packet.

The link to the SC packet can be found here.

Thanks and take care.