Good Afternoon, Reading Public School Community,

It is with great sadness that we share with you that Birch Meadow Grade 4 Teacher Jolene Tewksbury passed away unexpectedly at her home on July 5th.   Jolene was a devoted teacher and teacher leader who cared deeply about her students and who was an integral part of the Birch Meadow Community and the Reading Public Schools.  Her positive attitude and dedication to the profession and her students will be greatly missed.

We will update you when we have more information to share about arrangements.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jolene’s family and the entire Birch Meadow Community during this time of sadness.

Good Morning,

Happy Father’s Day! We hope all is well and you are enjoying your weekend.  The link below leads to the final Pathways Newsletter of the 2015-16 school year.  In this edition, we have stories from the RMHS Vigil that was held last week in memory of the Orlando victims, an update on the Killam lead in water testing, the RMHS National Spanish Honor Society Induction Ceremony, and an article from Dr. David Walsh on helping children cope with tragedy.  We also have several photos from Killam, Coolidge, Parker, Birch Meadow, and Wood End.

Have a happy, healthy, and relaxing summer!

Pathways Newsletter V2N39

Good Morning,

The Reading Public Schools is pleased to announce that Sarah A. Leveque, has been appointed as the next Principal for the Killam Elementary School.  Sarah is currently a third grade teacher and teacher leader for the Bowman Elementary School in Lexington, Massachusetts.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in Child Development and Her Master of Arts in Teaching from Tufts University.  She has also attended the University College of London, England, Boston University, and the Commonwealth Leadership Academy for certificate and leadership training.  In Lexington, Ms. Leveque has been a teacher leader at the school and district level, including the District Data Team, the School Site Council, the Math Leadership Team, and the Literacy Leadership Committee.  She is also a Curriculum Writer Consultant for the Tufts University Center for Reading and Language Research.

Sarah will begin on July 1^st.   Please welcome Sarah Leveque to the Killam Community and the Reading Public Schools!

A special thanks goes out to the Killam Community and the Killam Principal Screening Committee for all of their efforts and feedback during this process.

Good Morning,

We hope all is well and you are enjoying your weekend.  It is hard to believe that we are entering the last full week of school!  Below, please find this week’s edition of the Pathways Newsletter.

In this week’s edition we have several local school stories about the RMHS Graduation, the Reading Public School staff who were honored at the School Committee meeting last week, a story about Coolidge Student Samantha Gibbs and her buddy bench project, and updates on the lead water testing, the Killam Principal Search, and the Director of Finance search.

Have a great rest of the weekend and last full week of school!

Take care.

Pathways Newsletter V2N38

Yesterday, 317 students from the Class of 2016 graduated from Reading Memorial High School.  The graduation ceremony featured the National Anthem sung by Cameron Dieselman, the Salutatory Address by Paul Chong, the Valedictory Address by Elizabeth Trauger, the Class President remarks by John Guazzaloca, and remarks from Principal Adam Bakr and Superintendent of Schools John Doherty.  The RMHS Band, under the direction of Joe Mulligan provided the Processional and Recessional music, and the RMHS Singers, under the direction of Kristin Killian, sang Finale B.

Below are the remarks from Superintendent of Schools John Doherty.

High School Graduation Speech-Dr. John F. Doherty
Mr. Bakr, School Committee Members, Fellow Administrators and Faculty, Family and Friends of the Graduates, students, other guests, and most importantly, members of the Graduating Class of 2016, it is with great pride that I address you today as you complete your graduation requirements and begin the next part of your journey.  This is my seventh high school graduation as Superintendent and speaking to our students on their graduation day is an honor that I look forward to each year. However, this year, I am giving my remarks with mixed emotions, because after today, I will no longer be a parent in the Reading Public Schools.  Rarely, does a Superintendent have an opportunity to speak as a parent on Commencement Day.  But, I am going to give it a try.

So, as you might imagine, when I sat down and began to compose my speech, my mind was filled with thoughts and emotions. I first thought about all of you, another class of amazing students who are about to graduate from the Reading Public Schools, but then I couldn’t help but think that my youngest daughter is about to graduate from high school!  And that is when the father in me came out.  I can’t even begin to imagine how challenging it must have been for my daughter Shealagh during the last 7 years to be known as the superintendent’s daughter, particularly during the winter months whenever a snowstorm rolled in and she got countless texts from her classmates asking her to share their opinions with me regarding school cancellations.  As an aside, Class of 2016, I do apologize for the lack of snow days this year. And Shealagh, I hope being known as the superintendent’s daughter didn’t bother you too much!
Little did I know when I entered the teaching profession 33 years ago that one day I would witness firsthand, as a principal and superintendent,  the positive impact that teachers and other adults have on students’ lives, and in this case, on my daughter’s life.  I am very proud of the commitment and the work our teachers do each and every day during the school year and beyond to have such a positive impact on all of you sitting before us today. Reading Public Schools is certainly a very special district. Our schools are filled with a community of teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, coaches, advisors, and support staff who go above and beyond to educate and prepare our students not only to be college and career ready, but more so to enter into adulthood.  What’s more, is that this support from caring adults does not stop at the doors of our schools but extends into the greater community to our police officers, firefighters, clergy, community leaders, and even local business owners who continuously provide their support to our students.  One example of this tremendous effort was in December, 2014 when this community grieved with you and supported you when one of your classmates, Nate Doiron passed away. Class of 2016, please know that the entire community of Reading is filled with people who care about you and maybe, without you even realizing it, have helped you all along the way.
During your time at RMHS four very dedicated teachers of that very school community have passed away, three this year.  We said goodbye to Joshua Eaton teacher Jody Carregal, Coolidge teacher John McCarthy, Birch Meadow teacher Irene Bourne and Birch Meadow and Wood End teacher Sally Mucica.  Please share in a moment of silence in their memory as they too, positively impacted the lives of so many students, colleagues, and families who had the opportunity to know them.  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, today, Class of 2016, I share with you a few messages, the first as a dad and the rest as a Superintendent.  It is my hope that these messages will further help to prepare you for the next leg of your journey.
First and foremost, remember the importance of family and just how much you are loved by your parents, siblings, and relatives. At Friday’s Class Day, you all watched a slideshow with pictures dating as far back as your first day of kindergarten.  Seeing the slideshow was like unlocking a chest, filled will treasured memories.  As your parents, we too have our own special memories which we store in our minds and at times like this, we are reminded of them.

 

We remember all of your firsts- when you first entered this world, when you took your first step, said your first word, and celebrated your first birthday.  The first day of kindergarten is a day we will never forget and hearing you read a book for the first time was priceless. Not only do we remember your first day of Kindergarten, but your first day of every new school year as you began a new grade.  We also remember when you began participating in activities involving dance, scouts, arts, music, and sports and with those activities came your first recital, your first badge ceremony, your first art show, your first chorus or instrument performance and your first sports game. However, with all of these celebratory memories, also come memories of having to watch you as you experienced setbacks and disappointments.  Of course, these are the memories we wished you didn’t have to experience, but with every one, we were there supporting and comforting you and assuring you that you would make it through those difficult times.  Those times made you a stronger person and us as well.  Yes, over the years, we have shared with you your many firsts, your successes and your disappointments.  We hope you know that we were always there for you.

We also remember the countless hours we spent volunteering at your many different events; buying candy, cookies, candles, wrapping paper to support your school and activity’s fundraisers, selling refreshments and raffle tickets during your events, coaching your teams, and, most of all, driving you back and forth from activity to activity.  We attended your parent teacher conferences and we looked forward to watching you lead your first student conference during your freshman year. What a proud moment it was to hear you share all that you learned and accomplished.  We also remember when you first got your driving permit and all of the times we sat in the passenger seat, holding on to the dashboard and pressing the passenger floor wishing it was a brake pedal as you drove around, and around, and around empty parking lots before taking on the streets around your neighborhood. When you first got your driver’s license life got a little easier on us because we no longer had to drive you everywhere!

And then, we will never forget this past year, as it was like a roller coaster ride as you were deciding what path you would follow after graduation- attend a post high school, join the military, take a gap year, enter college or begin to work.  If college was your choice, it became which college did you want to attend, and how were we going to pay for it?  Then, did you write your essays and get your applications in on time? Did you apply for scholarships?

Most recently, many of your firsts became your lasts. We remember your last game, your last dance recital, your last concert, your last performance, and your last day of high school.  All of these times, whether it was a first or a last, have provided us with so many wonderful memories and all of them should prove to you that your years of hard work have been worth your effort and time.  Personally, for me, I will always remember the last time that Shealagh and I drove to school together, just last week…. Shealagh, my morning rides will never be the same as you, my driving companion will, like all of the Class of 2016, will now begin a new leg of your journey.

Finally, and probably the most difficult memory was the day we realized that you had grown up, and that you did not need us as much as you once had.  We have done our best to coach you, nurture you, challenge you, and encourage you to believe in yourself and in your abilities.  The role we will now play in your lives may change, but we always want to be an important part of your lives.  Although our arms may not be big enough to carry you, or our backs are not strong enough to give you piggyback rides or hold you on our shoulders any more, our hearts and spirits will always be there for you.  So, with that, I say thank you, from all of us parents, to all of you, thank you for these memories. And always remember the importance of family.
Okay, now I am going to switch to my Superintendent’s hat and my second message to you is to always be true to who you are.  Share and celebrate your talents, gifts, and your uniqueness with the world.  Those personal qualities that you may not consider special may lead you to something you never expected.  For some of you, you may not have discovered those special talents yet, but that’s ok… that is what the next chapter in your life is all about. Now is the time to embrace your uniqueness and look for and experience new opportunities.

 

Some of you have already begun to embrace your skills and talents in your lives.  Here are just a few of the many examples.  Luke Chase, through his hard work, motivation, and a passion for learning persevered through many difficult educational challenges during the past four years and as a result grew tremendously as a student, an athlete and as the person he is today. Briana Ferreira has lived one third of her life in Brazil and after doing so, successfully transitioned back to living in the United States and reentering school. Her resiliency and life experiences has made her a stronger person which will help her in pursuing a career in nursing.  Julia Lorenzetti is a talented and accomplished trombone player who is passionate about music.   She has been selected to participate in numerous ensembles, including the Massachusetts All State Festival.  She will now take her talents to the University of Miami and focus on music education so that she can inspire others with her gift.  Simran Poudyal (Pow dell) was born in Nepal and has traveled back to her native country several times to volunteer, most recently last year after the devastating earthquake.  Nick O’Leary is a talented math and science student who recently received the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association Fellowship award and will be completing an internship at Raytheon this summer before attending UMass Amherst this fall to study engineering.  Christina O’Connor, who will study nursing next year at UConn, spent time volunteering at a hospital in Ecuador, shadowing doctors and nurses, as well as, visiting and entertaining children who ill.  She met with their families in an effort to make them feel more at ease.  Elizabeth Trauger, this year’s Patrick A. Schettini, Jr. Scholarship winner, participated in an internship in Ecuador with Fundacion VIHDA, a foundation which raises money to provide treatment for HIV infected pregnant women so that their children are born HIV free.  Inspired by her Ecuadorian internship experience, she came back in to school and co-founded a new club, which in its first year at RMHS, raised over $1,500 dollars.  Sam Enright, an avid rock climber since he was 10 years old, qualified for the International Federation of Sport Climbing world youth championship last year by placing 4th in the National Competition.  He then competed internationally in Italy, participating with climbers from over 50 countries.  Last, but certainly not least, Amelia Collymore focused her Girl Scout Gold Award project on creating storybooks for RISE Preschool students who have sensory and physical learning disabilities.  She was inspired by her family and the internship that she had completed at RISE last year.

I am proud to say that we also have three members of the Class of 2016 joining our armed forces in the future.  Seth Fillmore will be joining the United States Army, Kevin King will be attending Norwich University and then pursuing a career with the United States Army, and Kayla St. Pierre will be attending the United States Air Force Academy and then pursuing a career with the United States Air Force.  Seth, Kevin, and Kayla, thank you for defending our country and doing such important work. We wish you a safe journey and Godspeed.

Another important message for you today…dream big and never give up on those dreams, no matter how big or impossible they may seem.  Those who feel that they can change the world, most often do.  Sometimes chasing your dreams may not always be easy and yes you will make mistakes along the way, and at times, you may fail.  Making mistakes and learning from those mistakes are part of the natural process of learning.

Often, others may not believe in you and you may have to travel along a road that few have taken.  As the poet Robert Frost says, “Two roads diverged in the woods, and I took the one less travelled and that has made all of the difference.” Try the road where your dreams can become a reality, where you can learn and grow, and where it is ok to question the status quo.  Put yourself in a position where someday you can say, I am glad I took the road I did.  Remember, it is not about the destination that you reach, but the journey that you take along the way.

My final message that I have for you is actually a challenge…To Make a positive difference in this world, no matter how large or how small.  Each of you has tremendous skills and talents that can change our world.  A positive change can be as simple as performing ongoing community service, an act of kindness, or using your skills and talents to impact others.  Perhaps the songwriter Diane Warren said it best with her lyrics from the song, “I am here”,

I wanna leave my footprint on the sands of time
Know there was something that, meant something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I’ll leave no regrets,
Leave something to remember, so they won’t forget
The hearts I have touched will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see
I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone to happiness
Left this world a little better just because
I was here

So, Class of 2016, in a few short minutes, you will be receiving your diploma which symbolizes a successful culmination of your Reading Memorial High School experience.  As you walk towards this stage, reflect on your experiences, remember the importance of your family, of being true to who you are, of dreaming big without giving up and my challenge to you of making a positive difference in this world. We look forward to hearing about and seeing where your journey will take you and how each of you made this world a better place for you and future generations.

It’s has been a tradition to conclude my graduation speech with a quote from Walt Disney, as he is someone who has inspired me as a leader, a parent and a person.  When Walt was asked about his success, he said:
“I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing-that it was all started by a mouse.”  My translation of this quote for you is, “I only hope that we don’t lose sight of one thing-that your hopes and dreams are all started by you.”

Class of 2016, on behalf of your parents, family, educators, and the entire Reading Community, I congratulate you on your graduation.  I wish you good fortune and much success on your journey ahead.
Thank you.
 

 

 

 

 

Last Thursday, the Reading Clergy Association sponsored the annual Baccalaureate Service for the Class of 2016 at St. Agnes Church.  This year’s service focused on “Coming Together in the Spirit of Peace, Acceptance, and Gratitude.”  There were several student speeches, music by the RMHS Chorus, remarks and prayers from the Clergy Association, and remarks from Principal Adam Bakr and Superintendent of Schools John Doherty.  Below are Dr. Doherty’s remarks.

RMHS Baccalaureate Speech-2016

Good evening, families and students of the Class of 2016 and thank you for attending this interfaith baccalaureate service.  I would like to thank the Reading Clergy Association for planning this event and for St. Agnes for hosting this year’s celebration.  Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank the students who are participating in today’s service, including our Reading Memorial High School Chorus and our many student speakers.

I always look forward to this evening because it allows each of us during this very busy time in our lives and a very hectic week of activities to stop, take a breath, and reflect on what is truly important.  In a lot of ways, this is your last learning experience of your high school career.

I also want to congratulate you on a very successful four years.  Your talents and leadership have shown brightly in the community, in the classroom, on stage, the court and the playing field.  You have set a very positive tone for future classes to follow and we appreciate your efforts.  I am especially proud and honored to have been your Superintendent during these last four years and to be speaking to you this evening wearing two hats; both as the Superintendent of Schools, and as a proud parent of a daughter who is graduating this year.

The theme of this year’s service is “Coming together in a Spirit of Peace, Acceptance, and Gratitude” and for those of you who have attended RMHS baccalaureates before, I like to use the power of a story to bring forward the message.  Tonight, I would like to share with you a true story, called, Perfection at the Plate, written by Rabbi Paysach Krohn.  The story is about a child named Shaya, who attended the Chush school for learning disabled children in Brooklyn, New York in the late 1990’s.  Shaya’s father shared this story about his son at a fund raising dinner for the school and he began the story with a very simple question…”Where is the perfection in my son Shaya?”  He explained that when a child enters this world, there is a purpose and a perfection.  But, he stated, “my child cannot understand things as other children do.  My child cannot remember facts and figures as other children do.  My child is learning disabled. Where is his perfection?”
The audience at the dinner was shocked by the question, pained by the father’s anguish, stilled by the piercing query.
“I believe,” the father answered, “that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection that he seeks is in the way people react to this child.”
He then told the following story about his son Shaya:
One afternoon Shaya and his father walked past a park where some boys Shaya knew were playing baseball. 
Shaya asked, “Do you think they will let me play?”
Shaya’s father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team. But Shaya’s father understood that if his son was chosen to play it would give him a comfortable sense of belonging.
Shaya’s father approached one of the boys in the field and asked if Shaya could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said “We are losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we’ll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning.”
Shaya’s father was ecstatic as Shaya smiled broadly. Shaya was told to put on a glove and go out to play short center field.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shaya’s team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaya’s team scored again and now with two outs and the bases loaded with the potential winning run on base, Shaya was scheduled to be up. Would the team actually let Shaya bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shaya was given the bat.
Everyone knew that it was all but impossible because Shaya didn’t even know how to hold the bat properly, let alone hit with it. However as Shaya stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shaya should at least be able to make contact.
The first pitch came in and Shaya swung clumsily and missed. One of Shaya’s teammates came up to Shaya and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher waiting for the next pitch. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shaya. As the pitch came in, Shaya and his teammate swung at the bat and together they hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shaya would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman.
Everyone started yelling, “Shaya, run to first. Run to first.” Never in his life had Shaya run to first. He scampered down the baseline wide-eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman who would tag out Shaya, who was still running. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher’s intentions were, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman’s head. Everyone yelled, “Run to second, run to second.” Shaya ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home. As Shaya reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base and shouted, “Run to third.” As Shaya rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming, “Shaya run home.”
Shaya ran home, stepped on home plate and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a “grand slam” and won the game for his team.
“That day,” said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, “those 18 boys reached their level of God’s perfection.”

There are many take-aways from this story, but the one that I would like you to embrace is to accept people for who they are and the strengths that they can bring to this world.  Treating them differently or with pity is not what the message of this story should be about.  Too often our society tends to give honor to those who have more than us. But there are many people in society who have fewer friends, less money, are going through difficulty in their lives and have less prestige than others. Those people especially need our attention, our recognition, our empathy and most, importantly, our support. We should try to reach the same level of perfection in human relationships which the boys on the ball field achieved on that day.

How can we can reach that level of perfection?  This can be done through practicing random acts of kindness such as providing community service or helping out a neighbor, a friend, or even a complete stranger.  Think about what our world would be like, if each of us behaved this way.  The world would clearly be a better place.

Teaching is a profession that focuses on helping others and you have most likely had many teachers in your life who have helped you along your journey.   Sadly, this past year, three Reading Public School teachers who made a career of helping others in need, passed away.    Coolidge teacher John McCarthy, Joshua Eaton Teacher Jody Carregal, and Birch Meadow teacher Irene Bourne had such a profound impact on children and never gave up on a struggling student.  Their memories have inspired those who knew them to live our lives that way.  These teachers are the true heroes.

Many of you regularly offer random acts of kindness through Community Service.  Whether it is serving meals at Rosie’s Place, a homeless shelter for women and children in Boston, or My Brother’s Table, a soup kitchen in Lynn, or donating toys each Christmas to Toys for Tots, or providing water for families in Flint, Michigan, or volunteering at a local nursing home, you are seeing the perfection in everyone.

Soon, you will be leaving Reading Memorial High School and pursuing new dreams and exciting new opportunities.  Many of you are pursuing college degrees that focus on service or helping others.  In your new experiences, you will be able to practice those random acts of kindness and make this world a better place, one step at a time.

I would like to conclude with the words of writer and poet Maya Angelou:

“I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he or she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that making a “living” is not the same thing as making a “life.” I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one. I’ve learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I’ve learned that I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

As we come together in the spirit of peace, acceptance, and gratitude, Class of 2016, good luck in the next leg of your journey.  I look forward to celebrating your commencement day with you on Sunday.  Thank you.

 

 

Good Morning,

We hope all is well and you are enjoyed your weekend.  Below is this week’s Pathways Newsletter.  This week’s edition contains an update on the lead water testing, the Boy’s Track Team winning the Division 2 State Championship, an update on the Killam Principal search, and an article on how we can develop student self-regulation.  There are also photos from the RMHS Senior Week Activities, Coolidge, and Wood End.

Have a great week!

Pathways Newsletter V2N37

Listed below are the finalists for the position of Killam Elementary School Principal.  They are:

1. Rebecca Gordon, Principal, Ferryway School, Malden, Massachusetts
2. Sarah Leveque, Grade 3 Teacher, Bowman Elementary School, Lexington, MA
3. Lena Marie Rockwood, Assistant Principal, Rumney Marsh Academy, Revere, MA

A copy of their resumes are linked below for your review.  On Thursday, June 9^th, each candidate will be part of a site visit to Killam Elementary School which will include a tour of the school, interviews with students, interviews with the District Leadership Team, and a classroom observation.  Killam staff will have the opportunity to ask questions to each candidate on Thursday afternoon at a Staff Open Microphone Session.  On Thursday evening, each candidate will participate in a Community Open Microphone Session which will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Killam Cafeteria.  The schedule for Thursday’s Community Open Microphone Session is as follows:

6:30 p.m.   Rebecca Gordon

7:00 p.m.   Lena Marie Rockwood

7:30 p.m.   Sarah Leveque

All are welcome to attend the Community Open Microphone Session.  We want to again thank the Screening Committee for their hard work and diligence in screening the candidates and selecting a group of strong finalists.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Reading Public Schools Administration Offices at 781-944-5800.

Killam Finalist Resumes

Good Morning,

I hope all is well and you are enjoying this Memorial Day weekend.  It is hard to believe that we are entering the last month of the school year!

Below is a link to this week’s Pathways Newsletter.  In this week’s edition, we have a story about the RMHS Art Club participating in the Memory Project, an update on the Killam Principal Search, an article from The Atlantic on how to successfully educate students who have experienced toxic stress and several photos from activities that are going on in our school district.

Have a great rest of the weekend and week ahead!

Pathways Newsletter V2N36

 

Good Morning,

The purpose of this blog post is to update you on the Killam Elementary School Principal Search.  We have had 22 applicants apply for the position, which is a excellent showing for an elementary school administrative position.   The candidates who have applied have a wide variety of education and administration backgrounds and experiences. This week, the Killam Elementary School Screening Committee interviewed 9 candidates who have strong backgrounds in administration, teacher leadership and elementary classroom experiences.  This part of the process is confidential so that we are able to attract that largest number of qualified candidates possible.  Based on the interviews, reference checks, and application review, a small group of finalists will be announced to the Community next week.  These finalists will participate in a public process which will include site visits and open microphone sessions with the Killam Community.  More details will follow on that process in a future communication.

We would like to thank the members of Killam Screening Committee who are participating in this process.  The members are as follows:

• Micheala Saunders, Human Resources Administrator-Facilitator
• Joanne King, Wood End Principal
• Kelley Bostwick, Team Chairperson
• Erline Trites, Paraprofessional
• Amy Hussey, Killam Teacher
• Julia Doherty, Killam Teacher
• Ann Sweeney, Killam Teacher
• Marc Moll, Killam Parent
• Bryn Burkhart, Killam Parent
• Nancy Cresta, Killam Parent

We will update you on the process when more information becomes available.  If you have any questions, please contact the Reading Public Schools administration offices at 781-944-5800.