Wood End Wildcat News

Ice cream will be served EACH Friday for $1. Dairy free option will be available for those with a dairy allergy. Please be sure to load money onto your child's lunch account or send in $1 if they plan to purchase ice cream.

SNOW DAY after school make up classes:

• Coding: March 24th

We identify ourselves in so many ways - by language of origin, abilities, family structure, ethnicity, etc. This diversity of cultural identity enriches our school. We want to highlight and celebrate the cultural diversity of our community. We’ll celebrate with “museum tables,” arts and crafts, music, activities, and a sampling of diverse cuisines from around the world!

Keep in mind that there are many sources of culture. You may choose to share the culture of your family's countries of origin, but you could also teach us about another group, language or shared history that is meaningful to you.

If you are interested in sharing anything about a culture or identity even if it isn’t your own, please do. All are welcome! Kids, parents and other family members or guardians are welcome to make a poster, share artifacts/items, demonstrate activities and share with us!

Museum Display: make a poster or bring in items about a country or culture you'd like to share- could be your culture or one you want to research and teach others about.

• Examples include: clothing, music, language facts, holiday decorations, etc.

• Are your grandparents from a part of the United States that’s different from Massachusetts? Share with us the food and music of their hometown.

• Do you or one of your family members speak Sign Language or read Braille? Teach us!

• The options are endless!

Tables will be provided for those who need them. Plan to stay at your display to answer questions for visitors.

Hands-on Activity: Lead and art project or other hands-on activities related to a culture or place. Science projects demonstrating science from around the world are welcome too!

Musical Demonstration: Want to teach others to Salsa Dance, Perform and Irish Step Dance, or any other performance? Sign up!

Bring food to share: A chance to share food from your family, culture, or just foods you love. Please label your offering and include info on the ingredients.

Every year on March 21, people all around the world come together to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by wearing brightly colored, mismatched socks. March 21 is symbolic because people with Down syndrome have 3 copies of their 21st chromosome. Socks were chosen because the karyotype of Down syndrome chromosomes actually looks like mismatched socks!

We will Rock our Sock to celebrate on Friday, 3/20.

We had a fun first week of Read Across America. Students and staff have shown their spirit with a few spirit days! We read some stories in the library, had fun coding and seeing how programming is used to create games and enjoyed art, stories and games on our Read Across America Choice Board.

Last Friday, we had an All School meeting where the Student Council kicked off Read Across America sharing with students and staff all that will be going on. Student Council put on a skit where our Wildcat mascots get sucked into a video game! You can watch it here! Then we premiered our music video that features students in grades 3-5 with a song written by Miss Norcross and Ms. Gallant and preformed by our 5th grade chorus. You can watch it here!

This week we have the book fair! It's a great way to stock up on new books and help support the library. Student Council will be running the Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, March 10th, where you can buy ice cream hoodsie cups or popsicles from 5-7 PM in the cafe while you shop.

Important Info for Read Across America:

Papers on all of the below information was in the Read Across America packet that was sent home on February 27th and attached in an email from Miss Norcross at the end of last week.

Makerspace Challenge: Students can work individually or in teams to create a video game controller of any kind. They can be as creative as they like, but please no food. These are due on Friday, March 13th.

Book Reviews: Students can review any book they are reading or have read. Due to school by March 20th. There is a writing and drawing option.

Author Book Order Forms: These are done completely digitally through the author. To get it delivered to school on the day of his visit, you must complete your order by Monday, March 16th online. All details are on the form. It was sent in the packet.

If you have social media, keep an eye on our @woodendschool and @missnlibrary page for pictures of the fun!

We will be offering Portuguese classes for students, a fun opportunity for kids to learn or strengthen their Portuguese language skills while connecting with their culture and community.

Families can learn more and register here:
https://readingpl.libnet.info/event/15655519

For more information, families can also contact me directly:
Taiana Pereira
taiana.pereira@reading.k12.ma.us

Please be sure your child has appropriate clothing to go outside. Our students will go outside for recess on most days even when it's cold. Students will be sent outside in whatever it is that they are sent to school in for outdoor recess. Please have your child wear appropriate winter clothing and not just sweatshirts! Similarly, arrival will be outside, so dress warm!

We will allow children to play in the snow IF they have snow-pants, gloves/mittens, snow-boots and jackets. If your family is in need of any of the above items, please do not hesitate to reach out and let us know.

Salt and Plowing during Inclement Weather

School personnel salt all sidewalks that are located on school property. This includes the driveway leading down to Sunset Lane, the side door entrance, and the front courtyard.

Please note that the Department of Public Works (DPW) does not salt or sand sidewalks, per their guidelines under the “Sidewalk Plowing” section (per their guidelines, see here). This includes walkways that connect to school property, such as the Fox Run path and other adjoining paths.

If you have any questions regarding DPW policies or procedures, please feel free to contact DPW directly.

SAFETY in the DRIVEWAY: Please adhere to typical traffic patterns in the driveway. We are a one-way in and one-way out access and with students, staff and families trying to get into the building, we need to be safe. We have observed many drivers not stopping at the crosswalk and passing cars quickly while traffic is coming the other direction. To ensure our students are not hurt, we are asking that families adhere to safety regulations as outlined below:

• Crosswalk: Please be sure to use the crosswalk when crossing the drive way.

• Morning Drop-Off: Staff will be visible beginning at 8:10 a.m. to assist students. All cars will remain in a single-file once they enter Sunset Rock Lane, up the driveway, continuing around the circle at the top of the driveway near the playgrounds, and back down the driveway to exit the school. Drivers will pull into the unloading area along the sidewalk. All students must exit quickly & safely through the passenger side doors closest to the sidewalk. Drivers must stay in cars and remain alert. We will unload several cars at a time, so please pull up and unload as soon as you enter this area. Do not wait to pull up to the front door. Please do not pass cars in the driveway or park in the fire lanes

• Afternoon Placard Pickup: All parents or designated adults will place the placard on the right-hand side of their vehicle’s windshield upon entering the Wood End driveway. Cars will line up along the school driveway and onto Sunset Rock Lane (do not park or idle in the rotary at the end of the driveway blocking in our neighbors). As your car reaches the school, a staff member will radio your name to additional staff stationed where your child will be waiting (under the large wooden awning at the front of the building). Staff will direct your child to the right side of your car as you stop. Please remain in your vehicle while your children get into the car. Once your children are seated and buckled in, you will proceed around the traffic circle and exit back onto Sunset Rock Lane.

• Idling of Motor Vehicles - For the safety of staff and students, school policies restrict operators of school buses and personal motor vehicles, including students, faculty, staff and visitors, from prolonged idling of such vehicles on school grounds and violators may be subject to a fine.

We respectfully ask you to partner with us by reminding your student that all student smartwatches (GizmoWatch, etc.) & cellphones must be powered off and remain in backpacks or teachers' desks during the entire school day. Students always have access to call home with the permission of their classroom teacher in case of an emergency. We want to help our students learn that we have many caring adults here during the day to help them navigate challenges and solve problems together.

School’s and state’s expectations around attendance and why it matters so much for every student:

Why is attendance so important?

• Building strong connections with peers. Missing multiple days can make it harder to come back, as students feel they’ve missed out on social and academic opportunities.
• Providing the best opportunities for academic success. From core instruction to interventions, research shows a direct correlation between poor attendance and academic challenges.
• Establishing good habits for the future. Consistent routines now build lifelong responsibility.

It’s absolutely okay for students to come to school with a mild cold. Students should stay home if they have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea (fever-free for 24 hours before returning).

A few reminders:

• If your child will be absent, please notify the main office by calling or emailing.
• If your child misses school for an appointment, please send in a doctor’s note.
• If a child is out sick for five or more days, a doctor’s note is required.
• Please avoid planning vacations during school days. We are fortunate to have many breaks built into the calendar, including one of the longest winter breaks in recent years. You can find the full calendar here: RPS District Calendar 25/26

To support your child’s energy and focus throughout the school day, we kindly ask that you send a snack with your child each day. Please avoid any allergens as they relate to your child's classroom (notice from Nurse Kristin went out if there are any classroom restrictions). Thank you for helping us promote healthy habits and a positive learning environment!

All five elementary schools in RPS dedicate a weekly 30-minute block to Social Emotional Learning (SEL). This year, with guidance from an RPS multidisciplinary curriculum team, we are excited to launch updated SEL lessons. This flier gives families a snapshot of what SEL looks like in grades K-5.

SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

Students need new medicine orders for each new school year. The summer is an ideal time to start this paperwork. Families can use this attached form for parent permission and doctor's orders. We also accept medication orders that a doctor writes on their own form. If you think your child would occasionally need Tylenol or Motrin, we need a doctor's order to give this in elementary school. For medicine safety, a parent or guardian needs to bring the medicine directly to the nurse to sign it into school. Please do not send medicines in their backpack.

School Medical Policies below!

PTO General Meeting Schedule

• March 18 : LINK HERE
• May 13 @ 7pm: LINK HERE
• June 3 @ 8:15 (In Person)

We have some amazing parents who have taken on leadership roles to keep our very active PTO up & running. We are so grateful for their willingness to provide our community with many opportunities to volunteer and support our students and families. Our PTO has been involved in coordinating fundraising events, book fairs, enrichment programs, school supplies, teacher appreciation events, flamingo flocking, and restaurant nights, just to name a few, to make Wood End the special community it is today. If you are interested in becoming more involved in our PTO, please reach out to any of our board members @ woodendpto@gmail.com .

BOARD MEMBERS

Linda Liang, President

Linda Liang, Treasurer

Courtney Bell, Secretary

Hilary Quinn, Events and Fundraising Coordinator

Sarah Henic, Enrichment Coordinator

Steff Keilty, Room Parent Coordinator

Thank you for celebrating November SEPAC Awareness Month with us and supporting our community. The Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) improves the outcomes and wellbeing for ALL students. SEPAC fosters relationships, helps identify unmet needs, and provides valuable input on the development of programs, services, and policies. Our council is open to all parents and caregivers and is not limited to just families who have children with special needs. We offer various opportunities to connect with other families and provide learning experiences for all.

To learn more about Reading SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council), please visit our website: Reading SEPAC Website

Should you wish to receive our monthly newsletter, please send an email to SEPACReading@gmail.com

SEPAC WEBSITE!

Click here for the NEW, IMPROVED READING SEPAC WEBSITE, an incredible resource for parents/caregivers of all children, especially those with diverse learning profiles. We strongly urge you to visit it soon, and often. Short on time? Here’s a very brief video to give you a sense of what’s there in just over one minute.

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).

SEPAC WEBPAGE

Join SEPAC's mailing list

Follow SEPAC on Facebook

Follow SEPAC on Instagram

"Since its founding during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, the METCO program has enrolled tens of thousands of Boston students of color in predominately white school districts, creating the opportunity for those districts to experience the advantages of learning and working in a racially and ethnically diverse setting."

Reading METCO is excited to announce that we will be hosting a roller-skating event for all RPS students and parents/guardians at Roller World in Saugus on Thursday, March 26th, from 5:00pm–7:00pm. Because last year’s event was such a huge success and filled up quickly, we were excited to bring it back again for this year!

This event is open to Reading Public Schools students and their families. While we all come from different communities, we are one METCO family, and this will be a fun opportunity for students to hang out and mingle after school hours while parents from Reading and Boston connect and engage with one another.

Skate rentals, pizza, and drinks will be provided. If you are a parent who is unable to attend, please feel free to send your child with money to purchase any additional items they may want. Please keep in mind that we are not responsible for your child’s money if they choose to bring it.

You must register for this event, as it is first come, first served. Last year, spots filled up fast! Please use the link below to register by Friday, March 20th.

• ​​ Registration Link For Roller World

Event Details:
Date: Thursday, March 26th, 2025
Time: 5:00pm–7:00pm
Location: Roller World, Saugus, MA
425R Broadway, Saugus, MA

Read Across America Spirit Days

MARCH

March 3- Glitch Day (mismatch)

March 5- Level Up Day (bright colors and neon)

March 6- Multiplayer Day (class themes)

March 11- Wildcat Wednesday

March 13- Power Down Day (PJs)

March 17- Ocean Day

March 19- Book Character Day

Reading Public Schools Calendar 2025-2026

The RMHS robotics team, the Robockets, is hosting a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) competition in the RMHS Fieldhouse Saturday, March 14th (approx. 10:30-6), and Sunday March 15th (approx. 10-6). The Robockets would love for you to come show your town pride and support for the team. Come whenever and stay as long/short as you want.

The Reading FIRST Lego League teams will also have an exhibition. This is a great opportunity if your elementary or middle school student is interested in checking out the FIRST Lego League program.

Additionally, both the Robockets and FRC are always looking for volunteers for their events.

Robockets volunteers handle tasks like manning the snack bar and managing orders: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0449ADA923A4F5C52-62049068-2026#/.

FRC volunteers set up, judge, and organize the competition: https://www.nefirst.org/volunteer.

Link: https://www.nefirst.org/frc-events/north-shore

• https://readingpl.org/healing-kits/

• At the Reading Public Library, there are 10 different kits that address different needs that people in the community may experience (e.g. Grief, anxiety, trauma, etc.). You can request a kit through the online library catalog or check it out in person. Kits contain a variety of materials that are accessible to kids, teens, and/or adults, as well as a resource packet with lists of community resources and activities. Each kit also contains a notebook where others who have used the kit can leave words of support.

In the box at the top of the newsletter, click on Translate to pick the desired language.

• Portuguese: Na caixa preta na parte superior do boletim, selecione Traduzir Boletim informativo para escolher o idioma desejado.

• Spanish: En el cuadro de Negro en la parte superior del boletín de noticias, seleccione Traducir Boletín de escoger el idioma deseado.

• Vietnamese: Trong hộp đen ở đầu bản tin, chọn Dịch bản tin để chọn ngôn ngữ mong muốn

• Polish: W czarnym polu u góry biuletynu wybierz Przetłumacz biuletyn, aby wybrać żądany język

• Korean: 뉴스레터 상단의 검은색 상자에서 뉴스레터 번역을 선택하여 원하는 언어를 선택하세요.

• Chinese: 在新闻通讯顶部的黑框中，选择“翻译新闻通讯”以选择所需的语言。

• Arabic: في المربع الأسود الموجود أعلى النشرة الإخبارية، حدد ترجمة النشرة الإخبارية لاختيار اللغة المطلوبة.
  fi almurabae al'aswad almawjud 'aelaa alnashrat al'iikhbariati, hadad tarjamat alnashrat al'iikhbariat liaikhtiar allughat almatlubati.

Please save my email address and reach out with questions, comments or thoughts. My door is always open!

Email: nicole.schwartz@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us/woodend/
Location: 85 Sunset Rock Lane, Reading, MA, United States
Phone: 781-942-5420

Wood End Resource Guide/Handbook

District Handbook