The Weekly Update #4

We had a busy but wonderful week at Killam! Wally helped us kick off our Readathon, and the excitement from students was contagious. It was a joyful way to launch a week focused on reading, community, and a little bit of friendly competition.

On Wednesday, our staff participated in professional learning and collaborative planning with colleagues from across the district. Teachers engaged in a thoughtful presentation on artificial intelligence and emerging technology in education. While we explored new tools and ideas, the central focus of our work was how to ensure elementary schools remain human-centered, developmentally appropriate, and safe spaces for students as technology continues to evolve.

Looking ahead to this week, we will have our PTO meeting on Tuesday, March 10 at 7:00 PM. We hope to see many of you there. If your child signed up for the Stuffy Sleepover, please remember that stuffies should come to school on Tuesday morning.

Warmly,
Lindsey Fulton, Principal

This Week:

Tuesday, March 10th- PTO Meeting & Stuffy Sleepover!

Wednesday, March 11th- Mathnasium Night

Thursday, March 12th- Grade 1 Enrichment

Next Week:

Wednesday, March 18th- Grade 4 Field Trip

Friday, March 20th- Report Cards published

Our middle school transition events are around the corner! You will be hearing from the middle school principals soon about all of the different events and activities that are in place to support a smooth transition to middle school. In the meantime, we wanted you to have a heads up to "save the date" for the first informational meetings at each school, which will be:

• Coolidge: March 25 for students & families (6:00 informational meeting in the Coolidge Cafeteria; 6:30 - 7:45 optional "Family Fun Night")

• Parker: April 1 for parents & caregivers (6:00 in the Parker Auditorium)

We wrapped up a very exciting and strong first week of our Killam Readathon. Our students are doing a wonderful job reading and logging their minutes. Many more exciting things to come over the next two weeks!

Do you still need to register? It's not too late, use this link to sign up.

Want to come into your child's class as a mystery reader? Sign up here!

Other ongoing PTO Events:

• Mathnasium Night is 3/11 from 6:30-7:30. You can register your child here, and we also need volunteers to help run this event. Parents, high school, and middle school students are all welcome to sign up to volunteer (NHS credit can be provided). Please use this link to sign up to volunteer.

• Killam's second annual musical, The Wizard of Oz, is coming up on 3/27 and 3/28. This production is a large expense and is fully funded by the PTO. If you would like to help support the musical for this year and for years ahead, we would appreciate your support via Venmo (@KillamPTO).

• Did your student enjoy our Wally the Green Monster kickoff assembly? You can see him again at Killam Red Sox night on 6/2 and 6:45PM versus the Baltimore Orioles. Use this link to purchase your tickets by 3/30.

Killam Families,

It was such a joy to visit school Friday and share the journey of The Cheerful Chip with your children. During our time together, I talked about how the book came to be, the publishing process, and, most importantly, the heart of the story: you don’t have to change who you are to fit in.

I encouraged students to continue the conversation at dinnertime, which is the very same setting where The Cheerful Chip story first began in my own home. Your child may have also brought home a sticker showing Chip’s “original” look as a reminder of that message.

If your family preordered a book, it will be distributed by your child’s teacher. If you would still like to purchase a copy, I’m happy to share that I will continue to honor the a discount code at checkout. The discount will be free shipping "freeship" at checkout.. This code expires Monday, March 23.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share my story, my work, and The Cheerful Chip with your child. Please feel free to share the book, and my availability for school visits, with others in your community.

With gratitude,
Sarah McKinnon

sarah@southieot.com

www.smalltotsbooks.com

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.

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 01906