The Reading Public Schools is pleased to present:

“How Children Learn Math” with Professor Mahesh Sharma

Tuesday, March 22^nd, 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the RMHS Performing Arts Center

Please join us on the evening of March 22^nd for a community presentation and discussion about the developmental continuum of math understanding and how we support this progression for our children. Mahesh Sharma is the founder and president of the Center for Teaching/Learning of Mathematics of Framingham, Massachusetts and Berkshire Mathematics in England.  He is a former professor of mathematics and is internationally known for his groundbreaking work in mathematics learning problems and education, particularly dyscalculia and other specific learning disabilities in mathematics. He is an author, teacher, educational trainer, researcher, lecturer, and a consultant to public and private schools in many countries around the world.  We are very pleased to welcome him to Reading, and hope you can join us for this informational evening for parents.

As we begin to enter the last few months of the school year, our students efforts and activities continue to be showcased and celebrated with tournaments, exhibitions, learning experiences, performances, and other opportunities.  These activities and events are due to the hard work of our students with the support, facilitation, dedication and coaching of our teachers, parents and other adults in our student’s lives.

This past week was no exception, with our students in PreK-12 participating in a variety of activities ranging from literacy to the arts to athletics to the sciences.  It is these types of experiences to address the whole child and the whole student.  Below are some examples of some the great activities that happened this past week.

Read Across America

Our elementary schools and our RISE preschool participated in Read Across America Activities this past week.  Schools use this annual event in honor of the birthday of Dr. Suess to promote literacy and to engage students in the world of books and reading.

RISE Students Engaged with a Guest Reader

RMHS Drama Club Presents The Nerd

This past weekend, the RMHS Drama Club, under the direction of Mrs. Natalie Cunha, performed the Larry Shue comedy, The Nerd.  This is the second of two winter shows that have been performed recently.

The Cast and Crew of The Nerd

Massachusetts State Science Olympiad Tournament

On Saturday, both of our middle schools, along with 47 other middle school teams, participated in the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad Tournament, which was held in Assumption College in Worcester.  The Science Olympiad is a National Organization where students compete in a variety of STEM disciplines exposing them to practicing scientists and career choices, and energizing students with engaging science experiences..

Congratulations to the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad Team, under the direction of Coach Karawan Meade who won the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad Tournament.  Coolidge placed in the top 6 in 20 out of the 23 events with 11 gold medals.

The team has dedicated this season and this state championship to John McCarthy, a long time Coolidge Science Team Coach, who passed away in October from a courageous battle with cancer.  The team shirts proudly display John’s name.

The team will now prepare for the National Science Olympiad Tournament which will be held in May at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.  Congratulations to the students, coaches and parents on a job well done!

Coolidge Science Olympiad Team

Athletics

It is Tournament time in High School Athletics and this past week, we hosted the MIAA State Wrestling Championship.  In addition, our Girls and Boys Hockey Teams, and our Boys Basketball Team competed in the Tournament.  The Boys Hockey team has advanced to the MIAA Division 1 North Semi-Finals this week.

RMHS Hosts MIAA State Wrestling Tournament

Other Activities

In addition to all of these learning experiences, Joshua Eaton held two events over the last several days, an evening spelling bee and math night.  Both of these events engage our students in learning and promote the importance of math and literacy in our lives.

More to Come

Next week is just as busy for our students.  Our High School Jazz Bands will be performing on Tuesday in the Massachusetts Association of Jazz Educators (MAJE) Northeast Senior District Jazz Competition held here at Reading Memorial High School.  Parker Middle School students will be performing Disney’s The Lion King, Jr. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.  Last, but certainly not least, the RMHS Robotics Team will be hosting and competing in a New England FIRST Regional Robotics Tournament at Reading Memorial High School.

We have a lot to be proud of with our students and the number of opportunities and experiences that they have throughout their Reading Public School years.  These few weeks highlight just a few of those opportunities and it is  a testament to parent and community support, and the dedication of our teachers and staff.

We look forward to what next week’s learning activities bring!

Good Morning,

We hope all is well and you are having a great weekend.  At the link below, please find this week’s edition of the Pathways Newsletter, which captures the numerous student events that are going on in our school district.  This week’s newsletter has an update on the Parker and Birch Meadow Principal Searches, an article on key words aren’t the key to understanding math, and skills for the future.  In addition, we have several photos this week from our Read Across America Activities, the Coolidge Science Olympiad Team, and the RMHS Drama Production of The Nerd.

On another note, congratulations to the RMHS Boys Hockey Team for their thrilling overtime victory yesterday in the Division 1 State Tournament and the Coolidge Middle School Science Olympiad Team for winning the Massachusetts State Science Olympiad Competition.

Have a great rest of the weekend and week ahead.

Pathways Newsletter V2N25

Good Morning,

The link below is to the latest edition of the Pathways Newsletter.  In this week’s edition, we have articles on the new Late Start Working Group, the announcement of the Parker Principal Finalists, Reading students who have been recognized in Youth Art Month, and how classrooms can cultivate student resilience.  We also have photos from Wood End, Barrows, and Killam.

Have a great rest of the weekend and week ahead!

Pathways Newsletter V7N24

Good Afternoon,

The Reading Public Schools is pleased to announce the following four finalists for the position of Parker Middle School Principal.  They are:

1. John Flood-Assistant Principal at Ottoson Middle School in Arlington, Massachusetts
2. Tim Ruggere-Principal at Ottoson Middle School in Arlington, Massachusetts
3. Richele Shankland-Assistant Principal at Lynnfield Middle School in Lynnfield, Massachusetts
4. Jennifer Turner-Assistant Principal at Jonas Clarke Middle School in Lexington, Massachusetts

On Monday, February 29^th, each candidate will be part of a site visit to Parker Middle School which will include a tour of the school, interviews with students, interviews with the District Leadership Team, and a classroom observation.  In addition, each candidate will be interviewed in an open microphone format with staff and the community.  The Community Open Microphone session will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Parker Middle School Auditorium.  The individual candidate interview times will be announced later this week.

All are welcome to attend the Community Open Microphone Session.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Reading Public Schools Administration Offices at 781-944-5800.

Good Afternoon,

We hope that you have had a great week.  Below is the latest issue of the Pathways Newsletter.  In this week’s edition, we highlight the Parker 6th Annual “Heroes Among Us” Assembly, the Communication Audit, an article about a Massachusetts teacher who works with English Language Learner students, and a Boston Globe article about what parents can (and must) learn about Columbine.  We also have some photos from the Coolidge Hoops for Heart fundraiser and the new RMHS Main Street Cafe.

Have a great rest of the weekend and week ahead!

Pathways Newsletter V2N23

Good Morning,

There will no evening activities for the Reading Public Schools for Monday, February 8, 2016.  In addition, the School Committee meeting for this evening has been cancelled. The next School Committee meeting will be on February 22nd.

Have a great snow day!

No School for Monday, February 8

Good Evening,

This is the Reading Public Schools with an important message.  Due to the impending snowstorm that will begin early Monday morning and continue throughout the day, there will be no school for the Reading Public Schools for Monday, February 8.

Have a great snow day!

Over the last several weeks, we have been in the process of selecting the next Principal of Parker Middle School.  We have had 47 applicants apply for the position, which is a strong showing for a middle school administrative position.   The candidates who have applied have a wide variety of education and administration backgrounds and experiences. This week, the Parker Middle School Screening Committee will be interviewing several candidates who have strong backgrounds in administration and middle school and high school 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 in late February.  These finalists will participate in a public process which will include site visits and open microphone sessions with the Parker Community.  More details will follow on this phasee in a future communication.

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

• Micheala Saunders, Human Resources Administrator-Facilitator
• Sarah Marchant, Principal-Coolidge Middle School
• Heather Leonard, Principal-Barrows Elementary School
• Brendan Norton, Assistant Principal-Parker
• Grace Therriault, Teacher
• Donna Martinson, Teacher
• Robyn Ferrazzani, Teacher
• Leslie Raymond, Parent
• Teresa Arent, Parent
• Janet Faulkner, 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.

Last October, the Reading Public Schools worked with the National School Public Relations Association to conduct a Communications Audit of our school district.  This audit is consistent with Goal 5 in our District Action Plan to improve communication in our school district and school community.  You can access a copy of the report here.  If you would like a paper copy, please contact the Reading Public Schools Administration office at 781-944-5800.  A presentation will be given to the Reading School Committee at the February 8th School Committee meeting and we will be making some presentations to the schools and school community in the next few months once a plan has been developed.

The process involved a review of how we currently communicate with staff and the Community, as well as, 11 focus group sessions with staff, parents, and members of the community.  The report outlines the strengths of the Reading Public Schools, the challenges facing our school district, our current communication methods and practices, our communication strengths, and our communication challenges and needs.  In addition, 8 recommendations with action steps are given on how to improve communication in our school district.

If you have any questions, please contact the Reading Public Schools Administration offices at 781-944-5800 or by email john.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us.