Birch Meadow Update
August 30th, 2026
Hello Birch Meadow Families, Guardians and Caregivers,
The doors of Birch Meadow are almost ready to open, and we can’t wait to welcome our Birchie Bears back!
This summer, we’ve been busy getting classrooms, hallways, and all the little details ready for a new school year. We’re especially excited to have our new Birch Meadow banner welcoming students at our front doors - a special gift from last year’s fifth grade that now has a new home for all of us to enjoy. It feels like the perfect way to welcome everyone back through our doors!
As we get ready for the first day, please take a few minutes to review the important school information included below. In particular, please be sure to review our Arrival and Dismissal procedures so that everyone knows what to expect during these times. Familiarizing yourself with these routines ahead of time will help us get the year off to a smooth and safe start.
We know that the first days of school bring lots of excitement (and sometimes a few butterflies!), and we are looking forward to making those first days welcoming, joyful, and comfortable for every child.
We’re ready, Birch Meadow and we can’t wait to see you!
Warmly,
Lisa Azzarito
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
September 2nd - First day of school Grades 1-5
September 2nd & 3rd - Kindergarten orientation
September 4th & 7th - No School
September 8th - First full day of Kindergarten
The First Few Weeks of School
There is something special about the first days of a new school year. A new year brings excitement, new friendships, new learning, and lots of opportunities to grow. It can also bring some butterflies - and that’s okay! Whether your child is eager to walk through the doors or feeling a little unsure, we are ready to welcome them exactly where they are. Our goal during the first days is simple: help every child feel comfortable, connected, and ready to learn.
Here’s what you can expect as we begin the year:
- A little extra support. You’ll see additional adults helping students throughout the building, with particular attention to arrival, dismissal, transitions, and our youngest students.
- Lots of practice. Teachers will spend time showing students how our school routines work and giving them opportunities to practice until they feel familiar and comfortable.
- The Birch Meadow Way. We’ll begin the year by revisiting what it means to be Present, Safe, Kind, Responsible, and Respectful. These shared expectations help us create a school where everyone can learn, play, and feel that they belong.
- Building our classroom communities. Getting to know one another is an important part of the first days. Students will have time to make connections, learn about their classmates, and begin creating a classroom community where everyone feels welcome.
- A tired kiddo is a normal kiddo! The first days require a lot of energy. Your child may need some extra rest, quiet time, or simply a chance to unwind when they get home.
- A little patience goes a long way. New routines take time to become second nature. Arrival and dismissal may move a bit more slowly at first, but we’ll get into our rhythm together.
Above all, we want your child to know from the very beginning that they belong here. We will be there to listen, encourage, reassure, and celebrate them as they find their way into a new school year.
We can’t wait to see our Birch Meadow students in the building. Here’s to a wonderful year of learning, growing, and being better together!
Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival Procedures
Students should arrive at school no earlier than 8:10am. The front doors and classroom doors open at 8:15am. Before the first bell, students should wait on the playground or in front of the school to enter the building.
A student arriving after 8:25am is considered late. If your child arrives after 8:25am, you should walk them into the office and sign them in.
In the event of bad weather conditions, students who arrive after 8:10am. and before the 8:15am bell can proceed to the cafeteria to wait for the 8:15am bell.
Rolling Drop Off Procedures
- Please pull all the way up in line. Do not exit your vehicle.
Children must be able to exit the vehicle independently or with staff help on the right-hand side. Parents are asked to stay in their vehicle at drop off.
- Traffic should be in a single line. Do not pull out around other cars or the buses. Please be mindful of this at all times.
- When walking with students, use designated crossing areas.
- Remind your student(s) who ride bikes that the expectation is that they walk bikes once they are on school property.
Dismissal/Pick Up Procedures
- Dismissal is at 2:45 pm Monday - Thursday and 12:45 pm Fridays.
There is no general pick-up or parking in the traffic circle at dismissal. School buses, school vans, after-school program vans, or those who have made special arrangements with the principal are the only vehicles allowed in the driveway at dismissal.
Kindergarteners are dismissed one by one to parent/guardians/caregivers at the modular classroom doors.
Written notification/email is required to release your student to someone other than designated individuals.
If you are delayed getting to the school at dismissal time, please notify the main office at 781-944-2335. Your student will wait in the office until you arrive at school.
Safety Reminder: The staff parking lots are for staff only. We respectfully ask that caregivers park along the street for drop-off and pick up. Parking is not permitted in the staff parking lot, in the drop off circle, and in crosswalks. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.
Plus Portal Access
As a parent guardian of a child in the Reading Public Schools, you have access to the Parent PlusPortal. EVERY YEAR parents/guardians MUST log into to ensure all necessary and important contact information is up to date for each child. The Portal will be used throughout your child’s academic career as it is where you update your child’s emergency contact information, view report cards, and beyond elementary school, see your child’s grades in real time. It also acts as a communication portal between you and your child’s teacher where oftentimes, different academic links, notes, or activities are shared.
If you are a returning parent, your account is still active. If you are a new parent/guardian you should have received a separate email with your PlusPortal login information. This is a confidential portal that is linked to your email account. You have 48 hours to activate your Portal account using the temporary password supplied through the email. Once you login, you can update the password and personal information. If you have not received access, please reach out to our school administrative secretary, Di Owens at di.owens@reading.k12.ma.us.
Attendance
Report absences/tardies to BMeabsences@reading.k12.ma.us OR call (781) 944-2335. Please give your child's name, teacher, reason for absence and expected date/time of return.
If your student arrives late you should walk them to the front door and ring the buzzer, then proceed to the front office to check them in.
Breakfast and Lunch at Birch Meadow
The Food Service Department continues to offer breakfast to all elementary schools! All first meals, including breakfast and lunch, are free for all students!
Kindergarten & 1st Grade Families - PLEASE READ
At Birch Meadow, our Kindergarten and 1st grade students enjoy breakfast a little differently—meals are ordered ahead of time through our online ordering system and served right in the classroom. This helps start the day with a healthy meal in a calm, social environment with classmates, setting a positive tone for learning. You will receive directions from Food Services to set up your account and order online.
For All Students in Grades K-5
If your child would like a second breakfast or lunch, these are available for purchase at $1.50 for breakfast and $2.75 for lunch. Additionally, our cafeterias offer a variety of snacks and a la carte items that can be purchased separately. Our Department looks forward to a fantastic year filled with fresh new foods and the energy from a healthy start to the day! We are excited to serve this incredible community and ensure every student has access to nutritious meals throughout the upcoming school year.
All Reading Public School students are assigned a PIN number that they must use to get breakfast, lunch, or snacks. Please help your child memorize their PIN number. Although we provide free breakfast and lunch to all students, we ask that families send in a healthy snack for their students each day.
It is also important for families that may need financial support including but not limted to our food services to complete the following forms on this page: https://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=1701802399965&page=lunchapps
If you have any questions about meals, accounts, or ordering, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Food Service Team: Food Service Director - catherine.franzetti@reading.k12.ma.us, Julianna Moccaldi, Food Service Admin Assistant - julianna.moccaldi@reading.k12.ma.us
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 support). Reading SEPAC IS OPEN TO ALL parents/caregivers, not only families who have a child with special needs as we offer various opportunities to connect with other families and provide learning experiences. To learn more about Reading SEPAC, please visit our website: Reading SEPAC Website'
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