Pathways A Weekly Collection of Information, Thoughts, Reflections and Accolades for the

Reading Public School Community June 12, 2016 Volume 2, Number 38

Upcoming Dates June 13 – (9:00

a.m.) Birch Meadow

Career Day; (1:00

p.m.) Grade 5 & 8

Move Up Day; (3:00

p.m.) District PD

Committee Meeting;

(7:00 p.m.) Coolidge

Incoming Grade 6

Parent Orientation;

(7:00 p.m.) SEPAC

Meeting in the

Superintendent’s

Conference Room

June 14 – (7:00

p.m.) Coolidge

Chorus Spring

Concert in the

Endslow PAC

June 15 – (after

school) Secondary

Building Meetings;

(6:30 p.m.) RMHS

Future Freshman

Night II; (7:00 p.m.)

Birch Meadow 5th

Grade Celebration

June 16 – (after

school) Elementary

Building Meetings;

(7:00 p.m.)

Community Listening

Session at Parker

Middle School

June 17 – (10:00

a.m.) Birch Meadow

Musical in the

Cafeteria; (6:00

p.m.) Parker Student

Recital; (7:00 p.m.)

RMHS Improvosaurus

in the Endslow PAC

June 20 – (6:00

p.m.) Coolidge &

Parker Grade 8

Promotion Ceremony;

(7:30 p.m.) Coolidge

RMHS Graduation Last Sunday, 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 is a short RCTV video of the graduation. A special thanks goes out to the Principal Adam Bakr, Assistant Principals Mike McSweeney and Tom Zaya, Senior Class Advisors Zach Broken Rope and Allyson Williams, School Secretary Carmen O’Rourke, and Reading Public Schools Facilities Department for making this year’s ceremony a complete success.

& Parker grade 8

Dance

June 21 – Last Day of

School; (9:00 a.m.)

Parker Awards

Assembly; (11:00

a.m. Dismissal for

Students) Schools

Out For the

Summer!!!!

RMHS Class of 2016

Graduate Claire Walsh, daughter of Parker Teacher Bryan Walsh, Receives Diploma

from School Committee Vice Chair Jeanne Borawski

Kudos and Accolades Congratulations to

RMHS Tennis players Charles Wang, Jacquelyn Iannuzzo, Ellie & Ruthie Wilson, Jackson & Justin Conroy, Boys Lacrosse Players Dan Cozzi, Kevin Tobin, Jack Geiger, Will Connery, CJ Hart & Colin Doherty, Softball players Ali O’Leary, Taylor Perillo & Stephanie Ghostlaw and Track members Kevin Shannon, Paul Chong, Eric Webb, Chris Doncaster, David Dimare, Mark Porter, John Eldridge, Ben Lynch, Kevin King, Haley Lightbody, Emily Allardi & Paige Donahue on being named as 2016 Middlesex League All-Stars

Congratulations to boys lacrosse coach Charlie Hardy for being named Middlesex League Coach of the Year

Congratulations to the boys lacrosse, baseball and tennis teams for winning games in the MIAA Tournament. Congratulations to the Boys Lacrosse team for reaching the Division 1 North Final game versus Lincoln Sudbury. Unfortunately, the team lost 19-9.

Congratulations to Parker Teachers Chris Copeland and Anne Natala who celebrated their upcoming retirement last week.

Class of 2016 Processing Out of the Graduation Ceremony

Reading Public School Staff Honored

At last week’s Reading School Committee meeting, the Reading Public Schools honored several staff who reached milestones in their teaching career, including achieving Professional Teaching Status, 10, 20, and 30 year milestones, and retiring from our school district. A list of those staff are below. Congratulations to all staff on their worthy accomplishment!

First Name Last Name School Milestone/Years

Barrows

MARY MCGRATH Barrows 10

CAROLE CASAVANT Barrows 10

NANCY WALCOTT Barrows 20

KELLEY PAPA Barrows 20

DEBRA FORESTELL Barrows PTS

DEBRA BURCHILL Barrows Retirement-16 Years

Birch Meadow

ELIZABETH SLATER Birch 10

MARGARET MCDERMOTT Birch 10

JULIE SPINUZZI Birch 10

JESSICA TUFTS Birch PTS

ANNA KYRITSIS JERVINIS Birch PTS

TRACY THRASHER-HYBL Birch PTS

RICHARD DOWNES Birch Retirement-43 Years

JANIS GERETY Birch Retirement-43 Years

Coolidge

DINA KENNEY Coolidge 10

JAMES HENERBERRY Coolidge 10

ANN JACOBSMEIER Coolidge 20

CYNTHIA BARBERA Coolidge PTS

RAFAEL MERCADO Coolidge Retirement-19 Years

Eaton

ELIZABETH MCGEVNA Eaton 10

JAIME QUINN Eaton 10

JUDY COOPER Eaton 10

MAUREEN LYNCH Eaton 20

JANE MERRILL Eaton Retirement-12 Years

Killam

VICTORIA LEBLANC Killam 10

LAUREN NAWROCKI Killam 10

JO-ELLEN MCGINNITY Killam 20

PRISCILLA OSTERLIND Killam 30

ALLISON BYRNES Killam PTS

MEGHAN CAFFREY Killam PTS

HOLLLY GALLANT Killam PTS

ALICE GOMEZ Killam PTS

LAUREN GRAMOLINI Killam PTS

Parker

RENEE GELIN Parker 10

JENNIFER WEBSTER Parker 10

VONDA GAUTHIER Parker 20

CHRISTINA COPELAND Parker 30

JESSICA BREHAUT Parker PTS

MARTI NEUGARTEN Parker PTS

ANNE NATALE Parker Retirement-19 years

CHRISTINA COPELAND Parker Retirement-30 Years

YERI CASTELLANOS Parker Retirement-16 Years

CARMEN REDFEARN Parker Retirement-13 Years

RISE

KELLY BARRY Rise 10

JANELLE BOUTIN Rise 10

RMHS

ERICA SANCHEZ RMHS 10

SARAH MEUNIER RMHS 10

CAROLINE ALLISON RMHS 10

MAURA CORREA RMHS 10

KATHERINE CROSBY RMHS 10

KATHLEEN DAILEY RMHS 10

JENNIFER DIVIRGILIO-THOMAS

RMHS 10

VERONIQUE LATIMER RMHS 10

DANJA MAHONEY RMHS 10

COLLEEN DIMATTEI RMHS 10

STEVEN KENNEDY RMHS 10

GARY DENTREMONT RMHS 20

JEANNE THOMASES RMHS 20

JOHN FIORE RMHS 20

MAURICE HILLIS RMHS 30

RAYMOND ALBRIGHT RMHS PTS

JESSICA BAILEY RMHS PTS

SARAH CUMMINGS RMHS PTS

CASEY FREEDMAN RMHS PTS

KYLIE KANE RMHS PTS

TANYA MCSORLEY RMHS PTS

LYNNA WILLIAMS RMHS PTS

NOREEN SCARPITTO RMHS Retirement-18 Years

Wood End

LINDSEY TAINSH Wood End 10

KERI DINAPOLI Wood End PTS

Update on Lead Water Testing

Recently, the Town of Reading Water Department and the Reading Public Schools decided to be more proactive in our lead water testing in each school by following the new recommended Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Guidelines regarding lead water testing. The new recommended procedure is to test several faucets/water bubblers in each school more frequently instead of testing a smaller amount of faucets/bubblers in each school every three years.

As reported last week, we received the results of the sampling performed by our local water department under the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Lead and Copper Rule program. You can access the results on the Town of Reading Website located at the link below. http://www.readingma.gov/sites/readingma/files/uploads/2016_lcca_all_results-

web_fin.pdf

As you review the data, the areas that are shaded for each school are the water testing locations where the readings where above the MASS DEP and EPA action level for lead in water. As mentioned to you in a previous correspondence, the results showed that in five of our eight schools (RMHS, Wood End, Barrows, Joshua Eaton, and Parker), the levels for all samples were well below the recommended action levels for lead water testing. In two of our schools (Coolidge and Birch Meadow), 1 sample contained lead results above the recommended level. At Coolidge the higher lead levels were found in a hand washing sink in the kitchen and at Birch Meadow, the higher lead levels were found in a combination classroom sink/water faucet combination. The Reading Public Schools and the Town of Reading takes these results very seriously and is moving immediately to safeguard the health of the students, faculty and staff. The following information describes steps we are taking to address the issue of lead in the water.

Quote of the Week….

Respect yourself enough

to walk away from anything that no longer grows you or makes you

happy.

Robert Tew

As a result of the above level readings, Town and School staff collected water samples for all of the other faucet and drinking fountain locations at Killam. We should hear the results this week. Because we received an above level reading at Birch Meadow and Coolidge, we collected samples on all faucets and fountains last week at Birch Meadow and we will be conducting tests at Coolidge this week.

Following MWRA and EPA regulations, we are collecting two different water samples at each fixture. The first sample is taken immediately after the water has been turned on and the second sample has been taken 30 seconds after the water has been turned on. The lead readings from each sample will help us determine if the source of the lead is in the fixture itself or in the pipes leading to the fixture.

At Killam, as a precautionary measure, we have removed from service all drinking fountains in classrooms and corridors until we test the remaining faucets and drinking fountains in the building and determine the source of the lead. Students and staff may use the sinks for handwashing only, but not for drinking or cooking purposes. We will not be cooking in the kitchen, but lunch will be served. In addition, we will provide bottled water for all students and staff until additional testing proves that the water is clear and below the action level for lead and drinking water. In the meantime, we have contacted the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) and the Board of Health to notify them of the situation. The MWRA will assist us in additional water testing for Killam and to determine the cause of the lead.

We will be working very closely with our water department, local officials, and the MWRA over the next few weeks as we identify the source of the lead and develop a long range plan to address this issue. Through periodic reports, we will keep you informed as to the progress of our efforts. These reports will serve to let you know what has been done and what is being done to safeguard against lead exposure from drinking water at Killam.

At the June 6th School Committee Meeting, the Reading Water Department and the MWRA updated the School Committee on the situation. To access a video of the meeting, go to the following You Tube link. For further information about lead in drinking water in schools, please go to the following websites: MWRA “What You Need to Know About Lead In Tap Water” info and FAQ link: http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/04water/html/qual6leadinfo.htm MassDEP Overview of Lead in Massachusetts Drinking Water link: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/drinking/overview-of-lead-in-massachusetts-drinking-water.html MassDEP Lead & Copper in Schools Link: http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/massdep/water/drinking/lead-copper-schools-lc.html

Disney Tweet of the Week

You must not let anyone define your limits

because of where you come from. Your only

limit is your soul.

–Gusteau (Ratatouille)

Town of Reading Water Department Water Quality and Supply with a section concerning Lead & Copper Testing: http://www.readingma.gov/water-division/pages/water-quality-supply If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Erik Mysliwy from the Reading Water Department at 781-942-9199 or by email at emysliwy@ci.reading.ma.us or the Reading Public Schools Administration Offices at 781-944-5800.

Director of Finance Search Update

Last week, Director of Finance and Operations Martha Sybert announced that she will be leaving the Reading Public Schools to become the Assistant Director of Finance for the Lexington Public Schools. We wish Ms. Sybert the best in her new role. We have begun a search process for a new Director of Finance/School Business Manager. The position was posted last week on Talent Ed with a deadline of July 1st. As with other administrative searches, we will have a screening committee consisting of staff and community members who will screen perspective candidates. The finalists will be interviewed by the Superintendent and the School Committee. A final decision on a candidates is expected to be by early August.

Killam Principal Search Update

Last Monday, Superintendent of Schools John Doherty announced the finalists for the position of Killam 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

Last Thursday, June 9th, each candidate was part of a site visit to Killam Elementary School which included a tour of the school, interviews with students, interviews with the District Leadership Team, and a classroom observation. In the afternoon, Killam staff had the opportunity to ask questions to each candidate at a Staff Open Microphone Session. On Thursday evening, each candidate participated in a Community Open Microphone Session which was attended by over 50 community members.

The next step of the process will include additional research on each candidate, which may include site visits to the candidate’s schools. The goal is to announce the next Principal of Killam by the end of the school year.

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.

Student Hopes Buddy Benches Will Build New Friendships By Erika Tarantal, WCVB TV

READING, Mass. —Our latest "5 For Good" highlights the efforts of a Reading student who is hoping to help build friendships across her school district.

Watch the report

Eighth-grader Samantha Gibbs has Down syndrome. Personal experience motivated her to lead a campaign to install buddy benches at the five local elementary schools in her district. "No one should be alone like I was sometimes" explains Sam. She shared her message and mission with all the powers who could help make her vision a reality. She made her pitch to all the school principals, the PTOs and, of course, Superintendent, John Doherty.

"My first thought was, 'Oh my goodness, what a great idea,'" Doherty says, "Why haven't we done this earlier?"

Sam's parents, Lisa and Rob Gibbs, couldn't be more proud.

Lisa explained "She really had to learn to read the presentation, which was great, and then see everyone else's faces in the room, how proud they were. There really wasn't a dry eye in the room."

Sam knows finding friends isn't always easy, acknowledging, "It was sometimes hard."

The way the buddy benches work is if you're feeling a little lonely, take a seat. Someone else looking for a buddy to play with is bound to come over. The only rule is you can't then refuse to play with that person.

In Sam's words, "You can't be picky about it."

Sam's parents say they really think these benches would have been a big help to Sam when she was younger.

"When kids get to third grade, fourth grade they become aware of people who are different" says Lisa. "People are so different in many ways, and I think a buddy bench would have been so helpful for Sam."

This summer all five benches will be installed, thanks to generous donations -- some of which weregiven by complete strangers.

Clearly, Sam's courage to ask inspired many to answer.

Coolidge Art Student Receives National Recognition

Congratulations to 8th grade Coolidge student, Abby Frechette, who was recently awarded with a National Gold Key Award for a print that she created in Coolidge Art Teacher Sarah Doane's class last semester. Abby was one of 660 creative teens from across the country that was recognized at the 2016 National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City last week. Special guests Alec Baldwin, Billy Collins, Tim Gunn, Sonia Manzano and Hunter March praised these teens as being the best young artists in the country. Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, who received a Scholastic Art & Writing Award when he was 17 years old, was presented with the Alumni Achievement Award.

In addition, Abby's work is currently on display in NYC at the Art.Write.Now.2016 National Exhibition, located at Parsons School of Design. The exhibit will be on display from June 2-12 and then travel across the country for the next two years.

Below are some photos of the event. Congratulations to Abby for her outstanding print and to Sarah Doane for her work with Abby.

Abby Frechette with her print at Carnegie Hall

Abby Frechette and her teacher, Sarah Doane

Reading Public School Happenings RMHS Drama Club Banquet

On Friday, the RMHS Drama Club held its annual cookout and awards banquet which featured several skits, videos, and recognition of students for a great year. In addition, the shows for next year were announced. They are as follows: Fall Musical: The Wedding Singer Winter Show 1: 12 Dancing Princesses Winter Show 2: 1776, the Musical Spring Show: Taming of the Shrew Below are some photos of the event. Special thanks goes out to RMHS Drama Club Advisor Natalie Cunha for an outstanding year!

This Year’s Drama Club Officers and Next Year’s Officers Performing a Skit

RMHS Drama Club Advisor Natalie Cunha Announcing Next Fall’s Musical

Killam Recycled Carnival Recently, Killam students, under the direction of Library Media Specialist Kim Adamo held a recycled carnival. All of the carnival games were created by fourth grade

students using only cardboard and recycled materials. Killam’s first, second, and third

graders attended the carnival and played all of these games. This project is part of

Killam’s school wide S.T.E.A.M. and Makerspace initiative. The idea for hosting a

Recycled Carnival was inspired by a documentary about a nine year old boy named

Caine who created a whole arcade in downtown East L.A. using only cardboard and

ingenuity. If you are interested in viewing this documentary, please

visit http://cainesarcade.com/

RMHS Lacrosse Team In Division 1 North Final On Saturday, the RMHS Boys Lacrosse Team, under the direction of Coach Charlie Hardy played the top seed Lincoln Sudbury in the Division 1 North Final held at Concord Carlisle High School. The team played hard, but unfortunately were beaten by Lincoln Sudbury, 19-9. Congratulations to the team and Coach Hardy on a very successful season.

Contact Us The Pathways newsletter is published weekly for the Reading Public School Community. If you have anything that you would like to share, please email your information to John Doherty at john.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us

Stepping Stones… We welcome the following new hires to our school district:

Katie Ford, Daily Substitute, District

Daniel Scherwatzky, Substitute, District

We have posted a new position. If interested, please visit https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx to view the job detail

Director of Finance & Operations/Business Manager, Reading Public Schools https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=57

Regular Education Paraeducator/Reading Tutor, Birch Meadow Elementary School https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=56

1.0 FTE Elementary Music Teacher (Joshua Eaton/Barrows Elementary) https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=54

Blazing Trails…. "School Tech Program Culminates in Student-Led Workshops." Sixth-graders at a Michigan

school developed technology skills through a pilot project in which they learned specific skills

throughout the year and then they lead workshops for their families. Students participating

in the Gemini Project taught classes on programs such as Google Drive and Minecraft. Read

More

"Using Meditation to Help Close the Achievement Gap." Some schools in the San Francisco

Bay Area are using meditation to reduce student stress and improve learning. Studies of the

programs reveal benefits such as reduced suspensions and increased attendance. Read

More

"How Classroom Observations Benefit Students, Teachers." Lesson studies involve teachers

planning their lessons together, observing each other's classes and debriefing after the

lesson. The strategy is commonly used in Japan and gives teachers an opportunity to observe

students, and some educators say it creates a supportive environment among

colleagues. Read More

"Positive Reinforcement: Distinguishing Praise from Acknowledgement in the

Classroom." Technique #59 in Teach Like a Champion is Precise Praise. One of its key ideas is

that you should give lots of positive reinforcement to students to build morale &motivation

but that you should try to distinguish acknowledgement from praise. In the book I describe

the difference this way: Acknowledgment is what you often use when... Read More

"Traditional A-Level Subjects on the Rise as Students Turn Their Backs on Vocational Courses." More students in the UK are sitting for traditional A-level exams, indicating a reduction in the number of students pursuing vocational tracks, according to an analysis by UCAS. Possible reasons for the shift include tighter rules for schools and more relaxed entrance requirements at universities. Read More

Have a Great Week!