Pathways

A weekly collection of information, thoughts, reflections, and accolades for the Reading Public Schools Community

June 17, 2018 Volume 4, Number 39

Upcoming Dates

• June 20 – Last Day of School; (11:00 a.m. Release Prek - 12

Unity Project Video TV Production Class Captures the Spirit of the Project

As described in a previous Journey Newsletter, RMHS held its first Unity Project on the front lawn of the school in late May. During that time, students, teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, and community members gathered during all times of the day to highlight all the ways that we are the same, even amidst our differences. In June of 2016, UNITY, an interactive public art project, was created as a response to the divisiveness and negative rhetoric in American politics. Created to raise consciousness about the labels we give ourselves and others and explore how those labels both support and limit building interconnected, interesting communities. UNITY is a larger-than-life structure that helps us celebrate our uniqueness and strengthens our ties to each other. The project consists of 32 posts, each with identifiers such as, “I’m a parent; I speak English as a second language; I identify as LGBTQ,” etc. Participants tie colorful yarn to posts that reflect their identities. Their yarn intertwines with others’ to create a web of interconnectedness. In the end, we see that we are all connected by something, and it's our diversity that builds a strong and vibrant community. To capture this experience, the RMHS TV Production Class, under the direction of Laura Davis, created a video which begins with the Opening Ceremony. That video is below. A special thanks goes to Laura and the class for an outstanding job.

Unity Project Video

https://youtu.be/Wi65R54Jnnc

Kudos and Accolades

• Congratulations to girls & boys lacrosse on north semi-final wins in the MIAA tournament.

• Congratulations to RMHS track athlete Haley Lightbody who finished in the pole vault at the New England Championship meet.

• Congratulations to RMHS Business Teacher Heather Conner, who last Saturday was inducted into the United States Tennis Association New England Hall of Fame.

Disheartening Graffiti Found at Parker This past week, another of our Reading Schools was defaced with anti-semitic graffiti, this time at Parker Middle School. The graffiti, which was located on one of the brick walls in the vestibule right inside the front doors of the building included a swastika and disturbing anti-semitic language. The incident has been reported to police and the graffiti was immediately removed. We continue to be disheartened and saddened by these events in our schools and troubled that this hate continues to exist in our community. Since these events began a year ago, we have focused our work in educating students the meaning of these hateful symbols and phrases and the importance of inclusion and acceptance through our core values program, A World of Difference student leaders, advisory lessons, student-led assemblies, Dr. Ornstein's visits to all three secondary schools and curriculum based activities. Our principals and teachers have spoke with all of the students about the graffiti and emphasized their role/power in fostering a safe and inclusive environment through their own actions and expectations of each other. Although the events continue, we need to continue to do the work necessary to educate our students and community about the importance of fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students. This will continue to be focus for our schools. We also encourage families to engage in conversation about these important topics. The Anti-defamation league has resources giving parents tools to discuss current events. The link to those tools is below. https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/table-talk If you have any questions, please contact the Reading Public Schools Administration offices or your child’s school.

Barrows Principal Announcement

Superintendent of Schools John Doherty is pleased to announce that Beth Leavitt has been appointed as the next Principal of the Barrows Elementary School. Ms. Leavitt is currently a Grade 2 teacher and Science/Technology Engineering Curriculum Specialist at the E. Ethel Little School in North Reading, Massachusetts. She has a Master’s Degree in Education in Moderate Special Needs from Framingham State College and a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from Connecticut College. She recently completed a very rigorous administrator licensure process with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education which included a 500 hour Principal/Assistant Principal Practicum at the Sanborn Elementary School in Andover, MA.

Beth will begin on July 1st. We would like to thank all of those who participated in the process, including those who helped with the site visit, the Barrows Principal Screening Committee, and those who participated in the Community and Staff Open Microphone Sessions.

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

Reading Public School Staff To Be Recognized on Monday School Committee to Recognize Milestones, Retirements, PTS

This Monday evening, the Reading School Committee will recognize 79 staff who have reached milestones in their teacher career in the Reading Public Schools. This includes reaching Professional Teaching Status, 10 year, 20 year, 30 year, and 35 year milestones, and retirement. We would like to congratulate all of the staff who have reached these significant achievements and we thank you for your years of service.

Last Name First Name Location Years/Achievement

Gilchrist Julie Barrows Elementary School PTS

Granoth Bethany Barrows Elementary School PTS

Herlihy Andrew Barrows Elementary School PTS

Connery Elisabeth Birch Meadow Elementary School 10

Costello Margaret Birch Meadow Elementary School 10

Rhein Jan Birch Meadow Elementary School 10

Thomas Mary Beth Birch Meadow Elementary School 10

Kwiatek Debra Birch Meadow Elementary School 20

Simon Maria Birch Meadow Elementary School 20

Turner Leica Birch Meadow Elementary School PTS

Zahoruiko Keriann Birch Meadow Elementary School PTS

Bernard Michael Coolidge Middle School 10

Finigan Kelsey Coolidge Middle School 10

Guilbert Margaret Coolidge Middle School 10

Hetherton Marybeth Coolidge Middle School 10

Huizenga Christian Coolidge Middle School 10

Castriano Eric Coolidge Middle School PTS

Chiuve Janelle Coolidge Middle School PTS

Cody Daniel Coolidge Middle School PTS

Pendleton Nikole Coolidge Middle School PTS

Wentlent Anna Coolidge Middle School PTS

Grant Marcia Coolidge Middle School Retirement

Guilbert Margaret Coolidge Middle School Retirement

Cornetta Jessica Joshua Eaton Elementary School 10

Greco Amy Joshua Eaton Elementary School 10

Hurley Elizabeth Joshua Eaton Elementary School 10

Libby Susan Joshua Eaton Elementary School 20

Mayberry Jill Joshua Eaton Elementary School 30

Conant Brittany Joshua Eaton Elementary School PTS

Derosier Adam Joshua Eaton Elementary School PTS

Emery Sandra Joshua Eaton Elementary School PTS

Hardiman Kelley Joshua Eaton Elementary School PTS

Lynch Maureen Joshua Eaton Elementary School Retirement

Mayberry Jill Joshua Eaton Elementary School Retirement

Balfe Nina Killam Elementary School 10

Chuha Kristine Killam Elementary School 10

Quote of the Week . . .

“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far

more than our abilities. - J.K. Rowling.”

Pegoraro Christen Killam Elementary School 10

James Brian Parker Middle School 10

Merrill Julie Parker Middle School 10

Walsh James Parker Middle School 10

Rodin Brigid Parker Middle School 20

Bernazzani Kimberly Parker Middle School PTS

Dougherty Jessica Parker Middle School PTS

Moreau Kimberly Parker Middle School PTS

Sanchez Alison Parker Middle School PTS

Trapani Nicholas Parker Middle School PTS

Dicato Kelly Pupil Services 10

Keaney Jennifer Reading Memorial High School 10

Dyment Amy Reading Memorial High School 20

Napoli Illeana Reading Memorial High School 20

Von Euw Paula Reading Memorial High School 20

Mooney Robert Reading Memorial High School 30

Killian Kristin Reading Memorial High School 35

Clawson Christina Reading Memorial High School PTS

Griffin-Roland

Colleen Reading Memorial High School PTS

Howie Megan Reading Memorial High School PTS

Leiper Bristol Reading Memorial High School PTS

Lynch-Disorbo

Alexandra Reading Memorial High School PTS

Murphy Andrew Reading Memorial High School PTS

Deligianidis Maureen Rise Pre Kindergarten 10

Oleary Susan Rise Pre Kindergarten 10

Sage Mary Rise Pre Kindergarten PTS

Miller Lori School Central Office 20

Halloran Robert School Facilities 20

Lavita Joseph School Facilities 20

Feely Diane School Food Service 10

Hall Muriel School Food Service 10

Joos Suzanne School Food Service 10

Learned Nancy School Food Service 10

Obrien Laura School Food Service 10

Donahue Geraldine School Food Service 20

Mccarthy Michele School Food Service 20

Mccarthy Hilary School Food Service 20

Roberts Jane Wood End Elementary School 20

Bauer Chris Wood End Elementary School PTS

Breed Lisa Wood End Elementary School PTS

Leahy Deborah Wood End Elementary School Retirement

Disney Tweet of the Week

"The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the

problem."

-- Jack Sparrow (Pirates of the Caribbean)

Get the Most Out of Summer Eight tips on incorporating relaxation and intentional planning for the year ahead into your summer so you can return to school refreshed.

By Vicki Davis for Edutopia

Summer is becoming a lost art. Perhaps that’s why so many in our profession are losing heart. We run into summer at full velocity, and many teachers never slow down but tumble into more events for their children or themselves. Many of us volunteer too much, plan too much, and do too much—if we’re not careful, we start the fall without getting the most important things done.

Here are eight things that I believe will help you—and me—spend our summer well and be better in the fall.

1. TAKE TIME EACH DAY TO GO OUTSIDE

When I was a little girl in South Georgia, the first thing I’d do when summer started was take off my shoes, put on my shorts and my favorite halter top, and head out through the field behind our house. Sometimes there was wheat in that field, sometimes it was corn, and sometimes it was rye or peanuts. Eventually we planted pecan trees back there. It didn’t really matter what was there, I would just walk outside. That day I got out of school, I just needed to be. I’d walk outside and see what I saw.

Richard Louv talks about “nature deficit disorder” in his book Last Child in the Woods, in which he shares astounding research on a child’s emotional health and their connection with nature.

Who robbed us of open spaces and long walks with friends? When was the last time we looked at the sky?

2. USE A JOURNAL TO CAPTURE YOUR BEST THINKING

Over time a computer hard drive stops storing files efficiently. As files are deleted or saved, bits and pieces are left here and there. So sometimes, it helps to defragment the disk. Likewise, when summer arrives, I’m fragmented in my thinking. All of the school year is jumbled in my mind like those partial files on my hard drive.

So I grab my journal as I start my summer thinking. I write lists of issues. Observations. Funny stories. Eventually I get around to the problems I’d like to solve. Some of our best thinking can be done in the summer.

3. TAKE A DIGITAL VACATION

Once I was on a cruise and was shocked to see angry people pacing the upper decks, yelling into their cell phones about the latest problem at work. Their bodies went on vacation, but because they brought their work phones, their minds didn’t.

We sacrifice time with the person in front of us for the distant person we never see. My pastor has his family put all of their devices in a basket when they go on vacation. They pick them up on the last day.

Important Websites

Help Desk (To submit a ticket) help.desk@reading.k12.ma.us

RPS District Website

www.reading.k12.ma.us

Access Your Email https://login.microsoftonline.com/

Baseline Edge

https://baseline.ioeducation.com/Site/login

Interface Health Services

https://interface.williamjames.edu/community/reading

I take real vacations. But I also have digital vacations—limiting my cell phone use to what is absolutely necessary.

4. WASTE SOME TIME, GUILT-FREE

Marthe Troly-Curtain says, “Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” I think that sometimes doing nothing is exactly what we teachers should do. I have to intentionally tell myself to waste some time or I won’t let myself read fiction. Relax. Have a long conversation that I let ramble all over the place. Laugh with a friend. Or just be me.

5. GO ON AN ADVENTURE

I screamed all the way on the zip line over the Nantahala Gorge. I yelled in delight as we went dune bashing in Qatar with Arab hip-hop playing at full volume. I let out a good old southern “Yahoo!” riding a toboggan down from the top of the Great Wall of China and again in Jamaica when my bobsled went airborne. All of this happened after I turned 40.

There’s nothing stopping us from adventure except our unwillingness to think about going.

6. DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL

My pastor says, “Don’t sit in a recliner and watch The Price Is Right for the rest of your life... get out there and do something.”

Is there something you can do this summer that will mean something to you in 25 years?

7. GET BACK ON TRACK PHYSICALLY

If you’re fighting burnout, work out. The link between exercise and positive mood, better learning, and longer life is astounding. Exercise is free, costing only your time and sweat. So why don’t we do it?

Try out new eating plans. Get into new fitness routines. Find new fitness buddies.

8. PREPARE FOR SCHOOL INTENTIONALLY

During the summer, I plan out the issues that I’ll tackle for the fall. Usually these come from my student surveys at the end of school. I can’t do everything, so I make a list of those things I need to do this summer—and I plan to get them done two weeks before school starts so I can take a break right before we begin school.

I’ll have a few lessons plans that I want to rework. I’ll plan global projects. I’ll also make a list of things not to do for the fall. If something doesn’t work or is outdated, I’ll drop it from my lesson plans.

MAKE SURE YOU MAKE THE MOST OF IT

Summer will go by so quickly, but then again, so does life. I think the most effective way to get the most out of life is to live each day like it matters, because it does.

We as teachers need our summers so we can heal. So we can rest. So we can learn. But I’ll tell you this: In our fast-paced, hyper-connected world, if we don’t take control of our summer, it will pass by unused and unenjoyed.

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 info to John Doherty at:

john.doherty@reading.k12.ma.us

We all need a great summer, so, let’s get out there and make the most of it.

Reading Public Schools Happenings

Coolidge Field Day

On Friday, Coolidge held its annual Field Day. Below are some pictures of the event.

RMHS Future Freshman Night This past week, RMHS held its annual Future Freshman Night 2, highlighting all of the clubs and activities for next year’s Freshmen to join. Below is a picture of the RMHS Chorus Officers with their table recruiting Future Freshmen.

Stepping Stones… • We have posted a new position. If interested, please visit

https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx to view the job detail

1.0FTE Special Education Therapeutic Support Program Teacher (repost), RMHS https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=502

0.4 FTE Guidance Counselor (one-year), RMHS https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=503

1.0 FTE Wellness Teacher, Coolidge Middle School https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=504

0.6 FTE School Psychologist, Reading Memorial High School https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=505

Regular Education Kindergarten Paraeducator, 33 hours biweekly, Killam Elementary School https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=506

Regular Education Kindergarten Paraeducator, 33 hours biweekly, Joshua Eaton Elementary School https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=507

Regular Education Kindergarten Paraeducator, 33 hours biweekly, Wood End Elementary School https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=508

1.0 FTE Social Worker, Reading Memorial High School https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=509

0.8 FTE Physical Education Teacher, RMHS https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=511

Regular Education Kindergarten Paraeducator, 56 hours biweekly, Wood End Elementary School https://reading.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=512

Blazing Trails… "2018 NASSP Digital Principals of the Year Announced Including a Massachusetts

Principal." Innovative. Bold. Creative. These are the qualities exemplified by the

2018 NASSP Principals of the Year. Each year, NASSP recognizes principals who

harness the potential of new technologies to further students' learning.

Congratulations to this year's digital principals: Kristina MacBury, (Massachusetts'

own) Brian McCann, and Mariah Rackley. This award reflects these principals' digital

leadership and the tremendous work they have done to model the effective use of

digital tools and resources to lead a learner-centered environment and collaborative

community. Read More

"Slain Seniors Honored At Marjory Stoneman Douglas Graduation." The

Huffington Post reports graduating seniors at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High

School in Parkland, Florida "took the stage to celebrate their academic

accomplishments and mourn those who should still be with them." School officials

gave diplomas to the families of seniors killed in the February shooting at the

school. A number of graduating students wore tokens of their anti-gun activism at

the ceremony, and "'Tonight Show' host Jimmy Fallon gave a surprise

commencement speech to the graduating class." Read More

"PBL Spreads to More Massachusetts Schools." Educators in at least a dozen

school districts in Massachusetts have adopted project-based learning to help

engage students in academic lessons. Educators say the projects, often tied to real-

world situations such as lack of clean water, help students learn about critical

thinking, teamwork and public speaking. Read More

"The Best Piece of Advice You Received When You Started Teaching." The May

issue of ASCD's Educational Leadership features a collection of the "best advice"

new teachers received when they entered the profession. Read It Here

"UK Teacher Pilots Empathy Program." Jon Biddle, a primary-school teacher in the

UK, is helping his students better understand other people, including refugees,

through a pilot program focused on empathy. In this commentary, Biddle asserts

that the EmpathyLab program has helped students increase their emotional

vocabulary and comprehension skills. Read More

Have a Great Ending to Your School Year and A Restful and Relaxing Summer!