For the last seven years, all seniors at Reading Memorial High School have ended their English Language Arts experience in the Reading Public Schools by completing a common writing assignment, a This I Believe essay. This I Believe, Inc.is a national non-profit organization that encourages individuals from all walks of life to compose and submit short essays of personal belief. The website thisibelieve.org serves as an archive and showcase of fine reflective writing from a diverse sample of citizens. Many of the essays are presented on National Public Radio as audio recordings featuring the voices of the authors. The Reading Memorial High School English Department has their own wiki space, http://tib-rmhs.wikispaces.com/home, which contains seven years’ worth of This I Believe essays. The essays here collected were recognized by the students themselves as the finest essays from across our many sections of English 12. The authors graciously agreed to create recordings of their respective essays.  The 2015 essays are found at http://tib-rmhs.wikispaces.com/This+I+Believe+2015.  A special thanks goes to the Reading Memorial High School English Department, under the direction of Department Chair Mike Sweeney for compiling these essays. http://tib-rmhs.wikispaces.com/This+I+Believe+2015

This past Thursday, The Reading Clergy Association hosted the annual Baccalaureate Service at First Congregation Church for the RMHS Class of 2015.  Approximately 150 families and friends attended this spiritual event that focuses on student reflections, remarks from the clergy and school administration, and singing from the RMHS Chorus.  A special thanks goes out the the Reading Clergy Association for hosting and planning this event.

The remarks from Superintendent of Schools John Doherty are located below.

Baccalaureate Speech-2015

Good evening, Parents and students of the Class of 2015 and thank you for attending this baccalaureate service.  I would like to thank the Reading Clergy Association for planning this event and the First Congregational Church of Reading for hosting this year’s celebration.  I always look forward to this service 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.  I want to congratulate you on a very successful four years at Reading Memorial High School.  You have been leaders in community service, in the classroom, on stage, on the court and on the playing field.  You have set a very positive tone for future classes to follow and we appreciate your efforts.  I am very proud and honored to have been your Superintendent during these last four years.

A story can be very powerful to bring forward messages of inspiration.  I recently came across a story that was written by Elizabeth Silance Ballard. It is called ‘Three Letters from Teddy’ and it focuses on the impact that people can have on other’s lives.  Although it is not a true story, it is, nonetheless, inspirational and teaches us all a message that is perfect for tonight’s service.  What makes this story even more connected is that it is about a teacher, Jean Thompson and one of her students, a little boy named Teddy Stallard.  Permit me a few minutes as I tell the story.
Jean Thompson was a fifth grade teacher and on the first day of school, she noticed a little boy, slumped in his seat named Teddy Stallard. As the weeks went on, Miss Thompson became increasing concerned because Teddy did not play well with other children, his clothes were messy, and he was not well kept.  Above all, Teddy was not a pleasant person.

Teddy was also not doing well in school, failing many tests and quizzes and not turning in his homework.  Because Teddy was a sullen little boy, no one else seemed to enjoy him, either.   Mrs. Thompson was concerned and reviewed his records from past years.  This is what she found:
His first grade teacher wrote:
“Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is such a joy to be around.”
His second grade teacher wrote:
“Teddy is an excellent student, well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a  terminal illness, and life at home must be a struggle.”
His third grade teacher wrote:
“Teddy continues to work hard, but his mother’s death has been hard on him.
He tries to do his best, but his father doesn’t show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren’t taken.”
Teddy’s fourth grade teacher wrote:
“Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He doesn’t have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class. He is tardy and could become a problem.”
By now Mrs. Thompson realized the problem but Christmas was coming fast.  It was all she could do, with the school play and all, until the day before the holidays began and she was suddenly forced to focus on Teddy.
Her students brought her presents, all in beautiful ribbon and bright paper, except for Teddy’s, which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper of a scissored grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.  Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of cologne.  She stifled the children’s laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume behind the other wrist. Teddy Stallard stayed after school that day just long enough to say,
“Mrs Thompson, today you smell just like my Mom used to.”

After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and speaking. Instead, she began to teach children.
From that day forward, Jean Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy Stoddard.  As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.  On days there would be an important test, Mrs. Thompson would remember that cologne. By the end of the year he had become one of the smartest children in the class.
A year later she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that of all the teachers he’d had in elementary school, she was his favorite.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.  He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still his favorite teacher of all time.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he’d stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson she was still his favorite teacher.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor’s degree, he decided to go a little further.  The letter explained that she was still his favorite teacher but that now his name was a little longer.  The letter was signed:
Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D. 

The story doesn’t end there.  You see, there was yet another letter that Spring.  Teddy said he’d met this girl and was to be married.  He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering… well, if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the pew usually reserved for the mother of the groom.  And guess what, she wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing.  And on that special day, Jean Thompson smelled just like… well, just like the way Teddy remembered his mother smelling on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson’s ear:
“Thank you, Mrs Thompson, for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.”
Mrs Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, “Teddy you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference.

I didn’t know how to teach until I met you!”

The moral of this story is powerful…You never can tell what type of impact you may make on another’s life by your actions or lack of action.   I want to conclude my remarks by asking you to reflect on some questions:

Who has made an impact in your life?  Is it a teacher, a parent, a coach, a member of the clergy, a friend?  Take a moment over the next few days to thank them for helping you along your journey towards graduation.  If they are no longer with us, remember the impact that they had on your life.

My final question to you is:  How can you make a positive impact on others?  As the writer and poet Maya Angelou said,

“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.”

Class of 2015, good luck in the next leg of your journey.  I look forward to celebrating your commencement day with you on Sunday.  Thank you.

The Reading Public Schools is pleased to announce that Patti Beckman has been selected to be the associate principal at Birch Meadow for the 2015-2016 school year.  Mrs. Beckman has been a grade 1 teacher at Birch Meadow for the past 11 years.  Prior to teaching first grade she worked as a tutor at Birch Meadow.   She will work closely with current Birch Meadow Principal Eric Sprung as a team to lead Birch Meadow while Mr. Sprung assumes the role of Principal at Joshua Eaton during the 2015-16 school year. While Mr. Sprung will continue as the principal of the school, Mrs. Beckman will manage the day to day routines and leadership.

Along with her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Beckman demonstrated wonderful leadership as the assistant principal during the past four years.  Patti led the Birch Meadow Student Council, ran charitable donation campaigns such as Pennies for Patience and Coats for Kids, developed a safety monitor program, served on the school’s MTSS (leadership) team, managed movie nights and school-wide programs, led staff meetings, mentored new teachers, presented to school committee, planned Blue Ribbon programs, supported the development of schedules and budget planning, and has recently been chosen to lead the district mentoring program. Patti is completing the final steps of her certification to be a school principal.  All of these experiences will be relevant as she takes on the associate principal responsibilities.

Patti is the parent of three children that graduated from Reading Memorial High School.  Along with being a town resident, she served on Town Meeting and was the president of the Reading Memorial High School Parents Drama Club.

As part of the transition, this week, Mrs. Beckman and Mr. Sprung will visit all students in their classrooms to introduce themselves as the two principals who will lead Birch Meadow next year.  Students will be told that Mrs. Beckman and Mr. Sprung will work together to make sure Birch Meadow is still a great school.  Students will hear how Mrs. Beckman will be working in the office next year and they will see her every day.  Lastly, all students will know that the teamwork approach will be for one year and Mr. Sprung will be in the office the following year (2016-2017) as their only principal.

Please join the Reading Public Schools as we congratulate Mrs. Beckman on her appointment as Associate Principal.

Good Morning,

I am pleased to post our first official Reading Public School video blog.  This semi regular video segment will highlight some of what is happening in our school district.  This week’s segment was produced by RMHS students Megan Catalano and Julia Donahue.

Good Morning,

We hope that you are having a restful Memorial Day Weekend.  Below is a copy of this week’s Pathway’s Newsletter.  This week’s newsletter features a story about a high school student who has teachers as parents.  We also have a story about how to engage middle school students.  In addition, there are several stories and photos on events that happened last week including the RMHS Spring Awards, Coolidge Greek Day, and the AP Art Show.

This is just a reminder that our last two Community Forums will be held this Tuesday, May 26th at Coolidge Middle School and next Thursday, May 28th at Birch Meadow Elementary School.  Both Forums begin at 6:30 p.m.

Have a great week ahead!

Pathways Newsletter V1N35

This past week has been a very busy week in our schools as we are beginning to wind down the school year with PARCC testing, awards celebrations, and culminating events that celebrate learning.  Here are some of the activities of this past week.

Journey for Sight Road Race

On Saturday, May 16th, Coolidge Teacher Mary Anne Cuscuna and members of the RMHS Girls Track Team participated in the Journey for Sight Road Race where the students were running guides for the visually impaired.  Special thanks to Mary Ann and the students for participating in this inspirational event.

AP Art Show Last Tuesday Evening, the RMHS Art Department held an Art Show featuring several of our talented AP and PreAP Art Students.  Below are some of their work.  Congratulations to the following AP students who participated in the event:  Emily Chen, Julie Herman, Sabine Michaud, Kendall Richardson, Carolyn Vanasse, Samuel Wagner, Sydney Willwerth.  In addition, the following Pre-AP students participated:  Melanie La, Brenna Farley, Emily Narahara, Natalie Krowitz, Sammi Dowe, Samantha Kramer, Molly McInerney, Owen Murphy, and Emily Rhein.  Special thanks goes to Art Teachers Veronique Latimer and Susan Gilbert for all of their efforts in working with these talented students. Sabine Michaud and her art work Sam Wagner and his art work

RMHS Spring Award Evening Last Wednesday evening, RMHS held its second recognition event of the Spring with the annual Spring Award Evening.  This evening honors Seniors and Juniors in a variety of academic, athletic, and community areas.  Below are some of the students who were recognized.  In the immediate photo below, RMHS Senior James Bedingfield was recognized by the United States Army for his U.S. Military Academy Appointment to West Point.  In the next photo, RMHS Senior Caitlin Mahoney received the Physics Award.  In the final photo, RMHS Senior Joshua Caruso received the Garth Scott Hockey Award.  Congratulations to all of the students who were recognized that evening! RMHS Senior James Bedingfield RMHS Senior Caitlin Mahoney RMHS Senior Joshua Caruso

MVSA Academic Scholars Dinner Last Tuesday, over 80 High School Seniors from the Merrimack Valley Superintendent’s Association were recognized as outstanding Academic Scholars.  RMHS Seniors Kate Mignosa and Ryan Friedmann (shown below) were recognized. Kate Mignosa and Ryan Friedmann

Coolidge Greek Day Event On Friday, Grade 6 students culminated their unit study of Ancient Greece with the annual Coolidge Greek Day Event.  Below are some photos of the event.

Good Afternoon,

We hope that you are enjoying your weekend.  Below is the link to the Pathways Newsletter for this upcoming week. There are several stories and photos including the Reading Memorial High School Scholastic Awards Night, the RMHS Band Concert, and the RMHS Choral Concert.

Have a great week!

Pathways Newsletter V1N34

The following message is from Superintendent of Schools, John Doherty.

Good afternoon,

I hope all is well.  We would like to update you on the Joshua Eaton Principal Search.

Ryan Eckart , as you know, was a finalist for the position of principal,  and shortly after last week’s community forum was offered the position.  Unfortunately, we have learned that Mr. Eckart has decided to decline the position due to family and professional reasons.

We have determined that starting a new search process this late in the school year would not be productive and that our best option would be instead to appoint an existing elementary principal from within our district, who is able to begin transitioning immediately and who already has a thorough understanding of our elementary schools.  Therefore, the Reading Public Schools is pleased to announce that Eric Sprung will serve as the Principal of the Joshua Eaton Elementary School for the 2015-16 school year.

Mr. Sprung has served as principal at Birch Meadow Elementary School for the last seven years and will continue as lead principal of the school for 2015-2016.  During this interim, however, an Associate Principal will be appointed to Birch Meadow for 2015-2016, who will work under the direction of Mr. Sprung and oversee the day to day operations of the school.  The process for appointing the Birch Meadow Associate Principal will begin immediately, and we hope to make that announcement within the next couple of weeks.

As part of the transition process, Mr. Sprung will be reaching out to the Eaton Community immediately and begin meeting with teachers and parents prior to his official start on July 1^st.  Over the next few days, you will be receiving some communication from Mr. Sprung regarding his appointment.

We intend to initiate a full search for the Joshua Eaton Principal position next February for the 2016-2017 school year.  Mr. Sprung will then return to his role as Birch Meadow Principal for 2016-2017.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

John F. Doherty

Superintendent of Schools

The latest Pathways Newsletter is posted below.  This week’s edition contains stories and photos on Teacher Appreciation week,  The RMHS Drama Production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Reading’s participation in the Special Olympics, and the RMHS Girls Hockey Team visit last week to the State House.  Enjoy and have a great week!

Pathways Newsletter V1N32-A

The week of May 4-8 is Teacher Appreciation Week.  This week is an opportunity to reflect on the impact that teachers have had on our own lives when we went to school and to also thank our children’s teachers for their hard work and the positive effect that they have on our students.  Please join me for the next few minutes, as I share with you some stories of a few of our current students who, through the support of many of our teachers, have overcome challenges and blossomed as students.

First, meet Ottavio, a first grade student at the J.W. Killam elementary school.  In September, 2014, Ottavio was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, a highly malignant brain tumor.  Since September, this little boy has endured numerous surgeries, radiation, and chemotherapy treatments.  Through it all, whenever possible, he attended school and was happy to be with his Killam friends. Currently, he attends school on a part-time basis and is doing better, although some days are more difficult than others. He is able to participate with his classmates for some parts of his school day, and loves attending Physical Education class and having choice time with his classmates.

Ottavio’s classroom teacher, Nina Balfe, shown here in this photo with Ottavio has made a difference in his life.  Throughout this entire year, Nina has shown extreme dedication, compassion, and support to not only Ottavio, but to his entire family.  She has been his number one advocate…doing whatever she could to make him feel safe, happy, and welcome.  Additionally, Nina has also done everything she could to be sure that Ottavio could receive all the services that could be provided to him.  She even tutored him after school on the days he was well enough to do so.

Nina also knew the importance of supporting all of her other students as they watched their friend go through this very difficult time. In working closely with his doctors and his family, Ms. Balfe adopted a class mascot stuffed monkey named Steve to keep Ottavio’s spirit alive within the classroom when he cannot be there. His classmates have been extremely helpful, kind and caring in taking care of Steve.  The monkey travels everywhere with her class.  She even had her first graders share at a recent all school assembly why they carry Steve with them throughout the school day.

The Killam PTO and community have also been supportive and have sent generous donations for the family.  They were able to connect with an organization, Family Reach, who will sponsor a marathon runner, Jason Beulow, who will run at the Boston Marathon this Monday on Ottavio’s behalf.   The money Jason raises will be used to help offset Ottavio’s medical expenses.

Meet Huixin (“who-sin”), a 2nd grader at Barrows currently in Mary Ellen Mauriello’s classroom.  She came to Reading from China last year as a 1st grade student speaking no English at all.

Huixin has made amazing progress through the supports provided by her classroom teachers, her ELL teachers Carla Pennachio and Karen Hall, and her connections with her peers.

This is a picture of Huixin dressed as Betsy Ross at her 2nd grade Wax Museum presentation day.  With the help from her mother, Huixin handmade (not with a sewing machine) her Betsy Ross dress for the Wax Museum AND made the hat all by herself. In addition, she completed research and wrote a report about her historical figure.  Huixin is remarkable and is speaking, reading, writing, in English, has a wonderful collection of friends, participates actively in class, and is a great artist.  She is truly a success story!

Holly is an eighth grade student at Coolidge Middle School who has struggled at times in school.  In December, Holly had the opportunity to participate in Challenge Day, a full-day event in which 8th grade students and adults alike broke boundaries between each other, walked a day in each other’s shoes, and ultimately, learned to appreciate each other for who they are, rather than judging them by their stories.  Holly embraced this experience.  She opened up about herself, talked about the challenges in her life, and even stood and sung in front of 80 of her peers and 20 adults.  The teachers who attended said that particular moment was emotional and powerful and that the entire Challenge Day experience had a significant impact on everyone who attended.  This learning opportunity would not have been possible if it were not for Coolidge counselor, Marlene Lifshin, who wrote a Reading Education Foundation grant to bring Challenge Day to Coolidge Middle School.  Ms. Lifshin also co-teaches a Project Adventure class, which encourages students to step out of their comfort zones, and embrace their uniqueness.  Recently, Marlene challenged her class to remember the message of Challenge Day and to come up with their own message on empathy, which was one of the key themes of that Day.  Holly embraced the challenge and wrote her own song, performed it, further celebrating her comfort with who she is, her strength, and her growth.  Her song, called Empathy, is on You Tube (see below) and is beautifully written and sung.

Brandon is an eighth grade student at Coolidge. Not too long ago he was stumped on what to do for an art project.  He sat, staring at a collaged paper he had made for an entire class period, wondering what to do next with it.  Day number two, he still sat pondering.  His art teacher, Sarah Doane encouraged him saying, “Sometimes if you just make a mark on the paper, it will help get you started.  It might inspire you to turn it into something specific.”  His white line of paint turned into a series of birch trees. Brandon, shown here with his art work, received a National Silver Medal in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for this piece of art. He will be accepting his award in June at Carnagie Hall in New York City.  It was the encouraging words of Sarah Doane that enabled Brandon to persevere.

Last, but certainly not least, meet Kaitlin, a senior here at Reading Memorial High School.  Currently she is taking college level courses at North Shore Community College while simultaneously finishing her high school diploma …. All with the support of RMHS Teacher Catarina Angelou.  Kaitlin has struggled academically and emotionally since elementary school and has become, with supports and patience during her K-12 years, a proud young woman who will graduate from Reading Public Schools thankful for all that have been offered to her in her time here.

Recently, Kaitlin was asked to reflect back on her entire school career.   She noted that Killam Elementary School was a home for her. Each day, she was greeted warmly by her principal Cathy Giles, and Killam Office Staff, Denise Iozzo and Priscilla Osterlind.  She also shared that her 2^nd grade teacher, Maureen Gilman always provided a safe haven for her.  Kaitlin says that feeling of emotional safety continued when she entered Parker Middle School and met Parker staff members Gerry Gomes, Eric Hiltz and Diane Ketlak.  Each of these staff members helped her balance her home life and peer struggles which followed her into school each day.  They helped to ease her transition into RMHS where Kaitlin found academic inspiration in a History course taught by Dr. Jeffrey Ryan and a mentor in her Latin teacher, Danja Mahoney.  She was challenged with the structure and rules of the classroom but, she is the first to admit, these were challenges she fully embraced.  Reading Memorial High School became a secure place for her to be herself, grow and achieve with teachers like Jen Hagopian, Harlan Kroft, Steve Padovani and her guidance counselor, Sara Meunier.  Julie LaCasse stuck with her in Math and never let her give up on herself.  Outside of the school day, after first expressing hesitation, Kaitlin found her voice with RCASA and was supported by the adults in the program including Tom Zaya, Erica McNamara, and Julianne DeAngelis.  School Resource Officers Corey Santasky and Mike Muolo watch out for her in the community.  Even adults who have never officially had Kaitlin continue to reach out to her.  Mike Scarpitto always greets and laughs with her as does custodian Mo Hillis. Secretary Pat Shields puts aside whatever she is doing to make time for Kaitlin so that she feels welcomed.

Ottavio, Huixin, Holly, Brendon and Kaitlin all have something in common.  They have caring adults in the Reading Public Schools in their lives who believe in them, coach them through challenges and struggles, and allow them to blossom.  More so, these adults do these types of things because they know and believe it is the right thing to do for their students.  It is in their DNA as an educator. These students remind us that, we, regardless of our role, make a difference in the lives of our students each and every day just by being here, saying hi, smiling, and being supportive.  Sometimes having a safe place to go and getting a little inspiration is all a young person needs.

We have over 4400 students in the Reading Public Schools and each of them have their own unique story to tell.  All of them have had someone in their lives who have made a difference.  Our teacher’s role is to unlock the potential in our students, connect with them, support them through challenging times and help each of them reach their potential.

Why do teachers do what they do?

They are here because of the impact that they can have on their students’ lives.  At times, the work is challenging, but they persevere, because they know the outcomes are priceless.  Our teachers have entered education and have been called to this profession because of the Ottavio’s, Huixin’s, Holly’s, Brendon’s and Kaitlin’s of this world and the inspiration that they provide to us as educators each and every day.

I want to conclude this post with an excerpt from a poem from educator Ivan Welton Fitzwater called, “Only a Teacher?”

“I am a teacher! What I do and say are being absorbed
by young minds who will echo these images across the ages.
My lessons will be immortal, affecting people yet unborn,
people I will never see or know.

The future of the world is in my classroom today, a
future with the potential for good or bad. The pliable minds
of tomorrow’s leaders will be molded either artistically
or grotesquely by what I do. Several future presidents are
learning from me today; so are the great writers of the next
decades; and so are all the so-called ordinary people who
will make the decisions in a democracy…

Only a teacher? Thank
Goodness I have a calling to the greatest profession of all! I must
be vigilant every day lest I lose one fragile opportunity to
improve tomorrow.”

As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, please take a moment and thank a tcacher for the work that they do each and every day with our students.  On behalf of the Reading Public Schools, thank you to our teachers for being part of our school district, thank you for what they do each every day for children and thank you for the impact that they have on those students who come to school because of that one adult who they have connected with in our schools.