Parker Post
September 12, 2026
KINDNESS ~ COMMUNITY ~ PERSONAL BEST
Dear Parker Families,
It was great to see so many families at the PTO's annual Parker Family Fun Night! A special thanks to the PTO Board members for making it happen, to custodians Cody and Chris for their support during the event, and to Dr. Turner for making an appearance. This is a special community event to kick off the school year, and we are grateful to the PTO for their efforts in coordinating the evening's festivities.
We have now made it through the first 6-day cycle, with students attending all of their classes at least once. During the next two weeks, students will take the i-Ready diagnostic assessment (math on 9/15 and reading on 9/22), which is used to establish math and reading benchmarks. These assessments are not graded, but rather used to inform instructional and assessment practices, as well as interventions. Results will be shared with families once all assessments have been completed. Please send students to school with headphones/earbuds on Tuesday, and please encourage students to get a good night's sleep the evening before and eat a healthy breakfast the morning of the assessment.
Please note that the first PTO meeting of the year will occur on Monday, September 14th, at 7pm on Zoom (https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/4164851110). All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Have a wonderful weekend!
In Partnership,
Jill Story
Principal
🍎📚🍎📚🍎📚🍎📚🍎
Upcoming Events
THIS WEEK:
September 11 & 12 - Rosh Hashanah
September 14 - PTO Meeting, 7pm (on Zoom: https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/4164851110)
September 15 - Math i-Ready administration
ON THE HORIZON:
September 21 - Yom Kippur
September 24 - Early Release (dismissal @12:30pm); Back to School Night, 6-7:45pm
September 25 - Early Release (dismissal @12:30pm)
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.
School News & Information
Save the Date! Grade 8 Band Day @ RMHS
School Site Council
I am seeking volunteers to be members of Parker's School Site Council. The School Site Council will meet several times throughout the year (on Thursdays @3pm), beginning on Thursday, October 8th. Meetings will be hybrid and held in person at Parker and remotely. The main purpose will be to guide the development of the School Improvement Plan and advise on the school budget and policy. If you are interested in serving on the School Site Council, please email Dr. Story (jill.story@reading.k12.ma.us) by Friday, September 18th to indicate your interest and confirm availability.
Save the Date: Caregiver Social Media Presentation
October 7th, 6-7:30pm
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.
Reminders & Updates
Arrival and Dismissal
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.
Bicycles and Buses
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 Lunch Application
Please complete the FRLA to be eligible for Financial Scholarship
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.
Unified Sports & Best Buddies: Middle School
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!
Annual Parent Portal Forms & Technology Support
Annual Forms – Acceptable Use Policy & Laptop Insurance
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!
Technology Support
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).
News from the PTO
📌 PTO Meeting:
Attend our first PTO meeting of the school year on Monday, September 14th at 7pm on Zoom (https://readingpsma.zoom.us/j/4164851110). This meeting is open to all caregivers. We hope to see you then!
📌 Volunteer with the PTO:
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 of the year, or click here to fill out a volunteer interest form
📌 Empower Fundraiser:
Save the date for our first Restaurant Night of the school year – EMPOWER, 9/25. Details and an event flyer will be coming soon.
📌 Family Donations:
Please consider supporting your PTO by sending in your family donations. The suggested donation amount is $100 but we appreciate whatever amount works for your family. We can accept donations via credit card, Venmo, PayPal, and ACH payments. Checks are also welcome (payable to Parker PTO). Pay online: https://givebutter.com/parker-pto-dues-donation-2026-2027
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.
Double Your Impact with Matching Gifts – Your employer might offer matching gift programs, which means your contribution could be doubled (or even tripled!) at no extra cost to you. Check with your company to see if they participate in matching donations.
For any questions regarding dues or volunteer opportunities , please reach out directly to parkerptopres@gmail.com
📌 Fall Family Fun Night
Thank you to the families who came out to the King Street lawn to join us for this PTO tradition!
📌 WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED:
• 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
SEPAC Updates
To learn more about Reading SEPAC, please visit our website: Reading SEPAC Website
Should you wish to receive our monthly newsletter, please send an email to SEPACReading@gmail.com
Please note that Reading SEPAC IS OPEN TO ALL parents/caregivers and not only families who have a child with special needs as we offer various opportunities to connect with other families and provide learning experiences.
METCO
Salsa Night - October 15th @4:30pm
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!
SEPAC
About Reading SEPAC
SEPAC works for the understanding of, respect for, and support of, all children with special needs in the community (including ALL children on IEPs or 504 plans and children who may require specialized supports).
METCO
Reading Public Schools is a METCO District
METCO unites suburban towns with Boston to engage in a reciprocal learning partnership in support of all students. Because of this, every child who attends school in Reading Public Schools is a METCO student and every parent or guardian who has a student in RPS is a part of the METCO community.
Community Updates & Information
Parker Teams
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)
Other Points of Contact
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).
Regular Day Bell Schedule
Advisory Day Bell Schedule (Wednesdays)
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.
Parker Middle School Health Services Update
To prepare for a healthy year, please reach out and connect if your student has any medical concerns.
Per district policy for medication given at school, all students must have an updated medication order form every year that is signed by their physician/provider & parent/guardian. The RPS medication administration form is renewed for each school year, dated after the previous year's last day of school. Health Services Website - Forms
Students are allowed to self-carry Epipens/Inhalers with the appropriate documents.
All other medications (prescription and OTC) need to be transported by an adult per Massachusetts regulations.
For students with allergies, asthma, diabetes or seizures, please send in updated emergency action plans as soon as possible.
State mandated vaccines & physical: Grade 7 and New Students: Tdap & Meningococcal vaccines are required for the start of 7th grade, and the district requests an updated physical. Please see the link for state information about school exclusions:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations#school-and-camp-requirements-
Annual State mandated screenings for middle schoolers:
Grade 6: postural-scoliosis
Grade 7: postural-scoliosis, hearing, vision, height/weight
Grade 8: postural-scoliosis, sbirt
There is an alternative to opt out. If you do not want your student to participate, please email/submit a written request specifying which screening(s). Health offices can be reached via email/phone and the health portal.
Parker opt out email: kate.shmulsky@reading.k12.ma.us
Thank you,
Parker Nurse Kate Shmulsky: kate.shmulsky@reading.k12.ma.us
781-944-1236 x 13322, fax 781-942-9008
Resources for Caregivers
2026-2027 Walter S. Parker Student Handbook
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
About 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