Parker Post

Last week, students completed the math i-Ready assessments, and despite some technology setbacks, most students have finished this initial diagnostic. On Tuesday, September 22nd, all students will take the reading assessment. These benchmark assessments are not graded; rather, these universal screeners help us understand each student’s strengths and areas for growth so we can tailor instruction and support. Families will receive information on how to access results in next week's newsletter, once all assessments have been administered. Please remind your child to bring earbuds to school on Tuesday since the assessments include short audio segments, and please encourage them to get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast the morning of the assessment.

The first session of After School Activities begins next week. Students received a registration packet in homeroom this past week with a list of offerings and associated costs. Additional copies are linked below. Financial scholarship for participation is based on results from the Free and Reduced Lunch application. Families are encouraged to fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch Application--even though all students receive free breakfast and lunch--since this determines student eligibility for financial scholarship and the results impact grant funding for the school.

We are looking forward to welcoming caregivers to Back to School Night on Thursday, September 24th, from 6:00–7:45 p.m. The evening begins with a 15-minute presentation in the auditorium (geared toward 6th grade caregivers but open to all), followed by a chance to follow your child’s schedule and meet their teachers. Parents/guardians will receive a copy of their student’s schedule in homeroom at 6:15 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!

In Partnership,
Jill Story

Principal

THIS WEEK:

September 21 - Yom Kippur

September 22 -- Reading i-Ready diagnostic administration

September 23 - Outdoor Classroom virtual meeting, 7pm

September 24 - Early Release (dismissal @12:30pm); Back to School Night, 6-7:45pm

September 25 - Early Release (dismissal @12:30pm)

September 25 - PTO Empower Fundraiser, 1-5pm

ON THE HORIZON:

September 30 - October 2 -7th Grade Outdoor Classroom Overnight Field Trip

October 2 - 8th grade Band Day, 6pm @RMHS Stadium

October 7 - Social Media Safety Presentation for Caregivers, 6-7:30pm @Parker auditorium

October 8 - School Site Council Meeting, 3pm

October 12 - No School: Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day

October 13 - No School: Teacher In-Service Day

October 19 - Picture Retakes

October 19 - PTO Meeting, 7pm

October 30 - Early Release (dismissal @12:30pm)

To access the 2026-2027 District Calendar, click here.

For the daily rotation and a list of important Parker dates, click here.

Once again Parker Middle School will be offering a before and after school activity program. The fees are listed in each activity in the attached document. There is a maximum activity cost of $90 for a student who signs up for more than one day per week of activity. Please add supply fees separately. Payment may be in cash or check. Checks should be made payable to: Parker Middle School. Financial scholarships are available and are determined based on the results from the Free and Reduced Lunch application. This application needs to be completed each school year. If costs or fees present a hardship for any family, please contact Principal Story.

For the safety and security of our students, regular attendance is expected. Activities are on a first-come, first-served basis. Students may join some activities after the 1st class with the permission of the instructor. In the event an activity is under-enrolled the offering may be cancelled. Please remember to make pick up arrangements for each scheduled activity. There will be no after school activities on release days, or in case of inclement weather.

All grade 7 students attending Outdoor Classroom and their caregivers are invited to attend a virtual meeting on Wednesday, September 23rd, at 7pm.

Meeting Link

We will review details about packing, departure/arrival, parent communication, and the Outdoor Classroom program director will be there with some more specific information about the program/facilities. Please reach out to Ms. Cotta with any questions.

Parker Middle School is excited to launch its new official Instagram page [wsparker_ms].

Follow us to stay updated on:

• Daily school events and activities
• Student achievements and highlights
• Important reminders and announcements

Click the Instagram icon to follow us today!

Did you know your student has a webpage that features all of the art they make at Parker? Each student has their own portfolio page that is updated regularly on Artsonia.com. If you haven't already done so, please register to connect your email to your student's page to be notified of new artwork as it is added to the site. This is a very safe site that never publishes more than the student's Artsonia screen name (first name + an assigned number.) Once registered, you can leave comments for your artist, see other student artist's work, and even have gift objects made that feature your student's artwork. 6th Grade Parents & Caregivers — if you registered last year, you should be all set on the site. Please contact Ms. Ropple with any questions. Thank you!

Project: Symmetrical Drawing Experiments

Project: Symmetrical Drawing Experiments

These days, teens and tweens are spending, on average, multiple hours a day on social media. And, during all this time, they are exposed to threats and dangers they are not prepared to confront – including cyberbullying, sexual harassment, and hate speech.

The Organization for Social Media Safety, the first consumer protection organization focused exclusively on social media, will be hosting a parent workshop on October 7, 2026, from 6-7:30pm in the Parker auditorium. All middle school parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend.

During the school year, the building is open to students beginning at 7:15 a.m. each day. From 7:15 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. students will report to the cafeteria. At 7:40, they will be allowed into the corridors of the school. If a student needs to see a teacher prior to 7:40, they may do so by signing in at the main office desk (if the teacher is available). All students should be in homeroom by 7:50 each morning and will be considered tardy if not present in homeroom at that time. Caregivers will receive an auto-generated email when students are marked tardy or absent.

Drop off will occur both on Temple and King Streets starting at 7:35 a.m. Only staff may enter the school parking lots, so please do not pull into either of the school parking lots to drop off or pick up students. When you are dropping off your child, please pull over along the right side of the road to drop off, keeping traffic along the left side moving forward. Do not drop off your child without pulling over, as this creates an unsafe situation for students once they exit the vehicle. Please also be mindful of staff who are pulling into the school driveways. Adherence to these guidelines will ensure a smooth and efficient drop off.

The school day ends at 2:30 p.m. Students exit via the front, side, or rear doors of the building and may be picked up on Temple Street or King Street.

Many students ride their bicycles to school. Please remind your children that they should not ride their bicycles through the parking lot or driveway due to vehicles entering and exiting the school parking lot. Students will be reminded to walk their bicycles along the sidewalk until they have reached Temple Street.

For students who take the bus, please note that the bus is an extension of school; therefore, all Parker MS behavior expectations apply. Students should be seated and respectful on the bus to ensure a safe ride to and from school. Your support in reinforcing this message is appreciated.

Free and Reduced Price Meals and benefits are available to families who believe they may qualify. If your family chooses to apply please complete a "Free and Reduced Meal Price Application Form." Meal applications are now available online at LINQ Connect.

Forms are also available in PDF Format and can be obtained on this page or requested from school officials. Applications should be returned (completed) to any school office. You will be notified by mail of your child's status. Until notification you must provide your child with a lunch or lunch money.

Only complete one application per family. The information you give will be used to determine or prove your child's eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. This information may also be used for other state or federally funded school benefits. This information is also used to provide families with financial scholarships for After School Activities, field trips, and extracurriculars.

Factors considered in the application process are household size and total household income. HOUSEHOLD SIZE is considered all persons, related or unrelated: Including parents, children, grandparents who live in your home and share living expenses. The TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME is the income each household member received last month before taxes - this includes wages, social security, pension, unemployment, welfare, child support, alimony, and any other cash income.

Please see the attachments below for instructions to set up your LINQ account and the application forms.

Reading is beyond excited to bring Unified Sports to the middle school level for a third year. Across Massachusetts, middle school students have been participating in three seasons of unified sports including fall bocce (think beach bowling), winter strength and conditioning and early spring basketball. Last year we were able to offer all three, and it was amazing for those who participated. We too plan to officially partner with Best Buddies of MA to bring some fun offerings to promote further inclusion throughout the year.

Bocce will begin on Monday, 9/21. We will meet Mondays and Thursdays, 2:45-3:30 in the Coolidge multipurpose room. Our season will end with a league jamboree. We will be assigned a date to attend the jamboree at the end of October or the beginning of November. We have hosted this wonderful event for the past two years which was a lot of fun for everyone. We encourage all interested students to meet in the Coolidge MPR after school on Monday, 9/21 for our initial session.

Any questions or if interested in signing up, please reach out to:

Tara Herlihy (Coolidge Special Education teacher/Reading MS and RMHS Unified coach)

tara.herlihy@reading.k12.ma.us

See here for additional information about Unified Sports in Reading!

As you complete your student's Annual Forms Packet in PlusPortals, please take a few minutes to review the Reading Public Schools Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) with your student. Students must complete and sign their required annual forms before they can pick up their district-issued laptop.

This year, we added clarification to the AUP about caring for district-issued laptops and the difference between normal wear and tear and damage. We understand that laptops used every day will show signs of normal use. Minor scratches and scuffs, normal wear on the keyboard or touchpad, and normal battery aging are expected and are not considered damage. Cracked screens, broken or missing keys, damaged cases or hinges, liquid damage, and damage caused by drops or improper handling are not considered normal wear and tear and may result in repair charges.

We also strongly encourage families to consider the RPS Laptop Insurance Program. For $50 for the entire school year, insurance covers accidental damage and power adapter replacement with no deductible for up to two incidents. Without insurance, repair costs can include $150 for keyboard damage, $200 for a damaged display, or up to $600 to replace a laptop. The insurance program covers lost or stolen laptops with a $100 deductible.

Please complete the forms in PlusPortals before laptop distribution so your student is ready to receive their laptop. While completing the forms, we encourage you to review the AUP together and consider enrolling in the Laptop Insurance Program for the school year.

Thank you for helping us keep our students' technology protected and ready for learning!

Need assistance logging in to the Parent Portal? Locked out of Google Classroom? Can't get into your school email account?

For all technology questions related to the portal, school email, or Google Classroom, please reach out to Parker's Technology Integration Specialist, Linnea Frye (linnea.frye@reading.k12.ma.us).

Help the us fund school-wide enrichment, community activities, teacher supplies, and more by making a donation to the Parker PTO. The suggested donation amount is $100, but we appreciate whatever amount works for your family.

Through the Give Butter link, we accept donations via credit card, Venmo, PayPal, and ACH payments. Pay online: https://givebutter.com/parker-pto-dues-donation-2026-2027 Checks are also welcome (payable to Parker PTO).

Note: The venmo option is available as one of the listed payment methods and can be accessed via browser.(Safari on iPhones/Chrome on Android) There is 'NO' Venmo handle for ParkerPTO

The school year is off to a great start, thanks to Parker’s dedicated teachers and staff! Help us treat this wonderful group by purchasing something from our Stock the Staff Room wishlist

The Parker School Tool Box store is open until 9/30, and 10% of proceeds go right to the PTO. Purchase your child's school supplies HERE!

We are looking for volunteers throughout the year who can help our existing team bring to life programs and funding for our community. It's a meaningful way to directly impact our school — and a great opportunity to connect with other Parker families. If you're interested in volunteering, or simply want to learn more, please reach out to Monica and Dennis at parkerptopres@gmail.com, join us at a PTO meeting, or click here to fill out a volunteer interest form

For any questions regarding dues or volunteer opportunities, please reach out directly to parkerptopres@gmail.com.

The next PTO meeting will be on Monday, October 19th, at 7pm. This meeting is open to all caregivers. We hope to see you then!

• Email: parkerptopres@gmail.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ParkerPTO
• Instagram: @ParkerMSPTO, www.instagram.com/parkermspto
• Parker PTO webpage: tinyurl.com/ParkerPTOpage
• Instagram: @ParkerMSPTO, www.instagram.com/parkermspto
• Parker PTO webpage: tinyurl.com/ParkerPTOpage

Join Reading METCO for our Salsa Night Thursday 10/15/26.

This event is open to all Reading/Boston resident families and RPS staff.

Hispanic Heritage Month Salsa Night
Date: Thursday, October 15 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Coolidge Middle School Cafeteria

Celebrate Hispanic culture with us!
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Enjoy Spanish-inspired food and mingle with students, parents, and faculty.
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Beginner-friendly Salsa dance class—no experience needed!

Come ready to eat, dance, and have fun!

Sign up below!

Our Reading Public Library has some wonderful upcoming programs for our community! ❤️📖

Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts — September 24

Learn about issues facing the Latino community in Massachusetts and ways to be an ally and advocate. The presentation will be offered in Spanish and English, with Portuguese interpretation hopefully available. Registration is encouraged.

Register & learn more

Practice Spanish, meet others, and build confidence! Open to all levels, with a special focus on helping intermediate speakers practice with fluent speakers. Led by Stacey, a Reference Librarian who is fluent in Spanish. Drop-in — no registration required.

Spanish Conversation Group details

Beginner English classes for adults are returning! Classes are led by Reference Librarian Ashley and provide a welcoming opportunity to practice and develop English skills. Drop-in — no registration required.

Beginner English Class details

Our public library is more than books — it’s a place to learn, connect, and belong! ❤️

📚✨ SAVE THE DATE! ✨📚

Can you guess what the Multilingual Department is planning? 👀

Here are a few clues: stories, languages, families, learning, yummy food—and lots of fun! 🌎📖💬😋🍴❤️

We’re excited to invite families to our:

🌟 Multilingual Family Literacy Night: 📅 September 30 ⏰ 6:30 PM

📍 Reading Memorial High School Cafeteria

Come celebrate the many languages, cultures, and families that make our school community so special! 🌍❤️

📣 More details are coming soon—save the date!

If you need to connect with your child's teachers, please reach out to the Team Leader as the primary point of contact. Team Leaders will be communicating regularly with families throughout the year.

TEAM LEADERS:

Team Synergy - Jane Costa (jane.costa@reading.k12.ma.us)

Team Unity - Elisabeth Bean (elisabeth.bean@reading.k12.ma.us)

Team Justice - Andrew Spinali (andrew.spinali@reading.k12.ma.us)

Team Integrity - Steve Olivo (steve.olivo@reading.k12.ma.us)

Team Inspire - Julie Merrill (julie.merrill@reading.k12.ma.us)

Team Endeavor - Ryan Maloney (ryan.maloney@reading.k12.ma.us)

Here is who to contact for questions related to the following:

• For questions about a specific class or subject, reach out to the teacher.
• To set up a meeting with the team, reach out to the team leader.
• For questions related to your child's IEP, reach out to the case manager.
• For more general special education related questions, reach out to Team Chair Victoria Ryan (victoria.ryan@reading.k12.ma.us).
• For 504 related questions, reach out to 504 Coordinator Beth Simpson (beth.simpson@reading.k12.ma.us).
• If you have a social-emotional concern, reach out to one of the school adjustment counselors (Ms. Creighton - sarah.creighton@reading.k12.ma.us or Ms. Quevedo - katherine.quevedo@reading.k12.ma.us).
• To report an absence, tardy, or dismissal, email WSPAbsences@reading.k12.ma.us.
• If you have a logistical question, please call the main office (781-944-1236).

On Wednesdays, students will have Advisory. During Advisory, students meet in smaller groups with an assigned Advisory teacher. The goal is to foster a sense of belonging for all students through the implementation of curriculum that is designed to reinforce Parker's core values of kindness, community, and personal best.

Access to the portal can be found on the Parker website (https://parker.reading.k12.ma.us/en-US) by clicking on the PlusPortals button. Your username should be your personal email. If you have questions about your account, please contact Linnea Frye: linnea.frye@reading.k12.ma.us

Jill Story, Principal

Email: jill.story@reading.k12.ma.us

Beth Simpson, Assistant Principal

Email: beth.simpson@reading.k12.ma.us

Website: Walter S. Parker Middle School
Location: 45 Temple Street