Principal's Corner

Good Afternoon Killam Families,

A reminder that there is no school Tuesday! Educators have a full day professional development day!

As we step into November, our teachers are excited to welcome you to family conferences next week. These conferences are a wonderful opportunity to connect with your student’s progress and gain a closer look at their classroom environment. We look forward to seeing you and discussing how we can continue to support each child’s growth and success. Support staff, specialists, special education teachers, adjustment counselor, etc, are also available for conferences.

Please also note that all students will have their class photos retaken this week on Thursday, November 7th. Individual picture retakes will also take place Thursday for anyone who would like their child's redone. Please send back the picture packets if this applies to you.

There is a Killam School Building Project Meeting tomorrow night at 7:00 PM at Killam. We will be showing the Killam site plan and focusing on the traffic layout and plan for the local area!

Warm regards,
Lindsey

Donate your leftover Halloween Candy to MGH Cancer Center! Mary McNeice will deliver the candy to the unit in the upcoming week or so. Please drop off leftover candy at the main office!

We are also collecting new or gently used costumes for those in need for next year!

• The Killam PTO is excited to leave the paper order forms in the past and roll out a new electronic storefront for Killam gear
• The store is open now through Friday, November 15
• Two shipping options during checkout:
• Complimentary pick up at the school lobby on:
• Thursday, December 19, between 8:00 - 8:30 am, 2:45 - 3:15 pm, or 4:30 - 6:00 pm
• Friday, December 20, between 8:00 - 8:30 am or 2:45 - 3:15 pm
• ** If these times do not work for you, please select shipping to your home address **
• ** An adult needs to pick up the gear physically; we cannot put it in your child's backpack **
• Pay for shipping directly to your house. Orders will be shipped around December 13.
• This is a fundraiser for the PTO; every dollar counts, and we appreciate your support!
• Contact Gear Coordinators Nora Flynn (nflynn46@gmail.com) and Lindsey Donahue (lindsey.g.donahue@gmail.com) with any questions

This Week:

Monday, November 4th-Killam Building Project Community Meeting

Tuesday, November 5th- Election/In Service Day- NO SCHOOL

Thursday, November 7th- School Picture Retakes

Next Week:

Monday, November 11th- Veterans Day- NO SCHOOL

Thursday, November 14th- Early Release Day 12:45 pm dismissal- Family Conferences 12:45-4:10 pm

Friday, November 15th- NO SCHOOL- Family Conferences all day

Coming Soon..

Wednesday, November 27th- Early Release 11 AM dismissal

Thursday, November 28th- Friday, November 29th- NO SCHOOL

Dear Families,

As we head into cold and flu season, I want to remind you of the guidelines for attendance at school:

School Attendance Guidelines for Sick Days:

Please keep you child home for:

• Fever of 100 degrees or higher. A child with a fever should not return until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without taking a fever reducer such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.

• Infectious illness such as strep throat for which they have been treated with antibiotics for less than 12 hours.
• If you are uncertain about whether to send your student to school, please call me in the Health Office at: 781-942-9177

Avoiding Head Lice

We sometimes see cases of head lice at school. Here is some information that may be helpful:

• Lice spread through head-to-head contact. They need a host to survive and do not live on surfaces for long.
• Remind your students to hang clothing such as coats and hats in their cubbies and not to share these items. They should also be reminded not to share hairbrushes, barrettes, and headbands.
• Posing for selfies with friends is another way lice may travel head-to-head.
• For students with long hair, it is recommended that hair be worn up or in a ponytail or braid.
• Get into the habit of checking your student’s head for nits or lice, especially if you notice that they are exhibiting behaviors such as scratching or complaining of itchiness.

If you do find any evidence of lice, please know that they do not spread disease and there are effective ways to get rid of the lice. If I suspect your child has lice while they are at school, I will call you to discuss treatment options. Use this link for more information about lice from the CDC.

Thank you,

Sharon Grottkau, J.W. Killam School Nurse

Phyllis Fagell, author of Middle School Superpowers, will be presenting an interactive virtual session on “Helping Kids Make Smart, Ethical Decisions” on November 14th at 6pm. All are welcome!

The RMHS Drama Club presents We Will Rock You - School Edition (Nov 8-17)

We Will Rock You - School Edition is guaranteed to blow your mind!

Join the RMHS Drama Club for an electrifying journey through a world where rock reigns supreme! We Will Rock You - School Edition brings the iconic music of Queen to life with a vibrant cast and crew of talented students. Experience unforgettable hits like "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Another One Bites the Dust," and "We Will Rock You" as our heroes battle the oppressive Globalsoft regime to reclaim the spirit of rock 'n' roll.

This energetic musical combines a compelling story of rebellion, friendship, and the power of music, with a rock concert feel that will bring audiences to their feet. With a fresh twist and dynamic choreography, it’s a show that will resonate with audiences of all ages!

Don’t miss your chance to witness the magic of live theater! With shows Nov 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th at 7:30 pm and Nov 10th and 17th at 2:00 pm in the Reading Memorial High School Endslow Performing Arts Center. Grab your tickets now at https://www.rmhsdrama.org and prepare to rock out with us.

$20 for Adults

$15 for Students and Seniors

Dickens Holiday Marketplace and Craft Fair (Dec 14)

You are invited to the Dickens Holiday Marketplace and Craft Fair on Saturday, December 14th from 10 am to 3 pm at RMHS.

This event is a wonderful holiday marketplace featuring approximately 50 craft vendors exhibiting and selling their creations. The RMHS Main Street hallway will be transformed with seasonal decorations and musical performances throughout the day. We look forward to strolling carolers, Shakespearean actors, dance troupes, musicians, refreshments - and 50+ crafters/vendors, all under one weather-proof roof. Patrons will enjoy shopping, relaxing with a cup of cocoa, and taking in the holiday spirit. Free admission! Free parking!

The Dickens Fair is a fundraiser for Parents Supporting Student Theatre (PSST), which supports The RMHS Drama Club. All fundraising enhances our students' experiences by paying for extracurricular teachers (Playwriting, Shakespeare, Improv, and Technical Directors), providing student scholarships, covering extra production costs (mic batteries, fog machines, shop tools, etc.), and feeding working students who spend 8 hours on a Saturday building sets!

See https://www.rmhsdrama.org/dickens-faire for additional information.

All proceeds raised will go directly to the RMHS senior class and all the fun senior activities, i.e. prom, senior week, and graduation.

We will have two different races scheduled: a true 5k and a 10 and under ½ mile fun run! We encourage the whole family to participate!

Here are a few details about the fundraiser:

• Event Date: Sunday November, 24th

• Start Time: 8:30 AM 10&U and 9:00 5K

• Location: Birch Meadow Elementary School (27 Arthur B Lord Dr.)

• Registration Fee: $15 Fun Run & $30 5k

Link to Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Reading/WalkItLikeYouRocket

Kadi Buckley, Chrissy Clawson, Jess Greenbaum and the senior class officers.

Email: lindsey.fulton@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: https://killam.reading.k12.ma.us/en-US
Location: 333 Charles Street, Reading, MA, USA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JWKillamSchool
Twitter: @smorenewsletter