June 10, 2026

Dear Little School Families,

I can't believe there are only 9 school days left in the school year!

While these final weeks can feel a little chaotic, they are also one of my favorite times of the year. It's a chance to celebrate all of the growth, learning, and accomplishments our students have achieved since September. It is truly amazing to see how much they have changed and matured over the course of the year. There is nothing better than seeing the joy on their faces as they participate in all of the fun activities and special events we have planned.

This will be our final newsletter of the school year. You can expect a brief update from me in July, and then I'll be back in August with all of the information you'll need as we prepare for another great school year.

As I wrap up my first year as principal, one of my goals is to gather feedback from our school community. Our teachers and students are currently completing surveys, and I'd love for our families to do the same. Please take a few minutes to share your honest feedback. I am always looking for ways to grow and improve, and your thoughts will help guide my planning for Year 2 at the Little School.

Finally, be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of this newsletter! There is lots of important information about end-of-year events, celebrations, and reminders as well as information for the 2026-2027 school year.

Thank you for a wonderful year. I hope you enjoy these final days of school, and I wish all of our Little School families a fun, relaxing, and well-deserved summer!

Warmly,

Julie Fahey

1. Field Day Schedule:

8:15-10:15 PreK & Kindergarten

8:30-10:30 First & Second Grade

10:30 - 11:00 First Lunch (K- 2nd)

11:00 - 11:30 Second Lunch (3rd - 5th & PreK)

11:30 - 2:30 Third through Fifth Grade

2. Little Laps Schedule:

8:30-9:30 Grades 3 and 4

9:30-10:30 Grade 5

12:00-1:00 Grades 1 and 2

1:30-2:00 K and Pre-K

3. Lunch:

I have discussed the lunch items with Nurse DiSpena and we are aware of many children with restrictions. Please note: If your child does not want/or cannot get the Field Day lunch, they will have the option of bringing a lunch from home).

Food Service will be offering:

Beef hot dog with white roll (or gluten free rolls for students that require them).

Lay's Potato Chips

Sliced watermelon

Lemon or watermelon Italian Ice

Bottled water

The PTO will be offering the following snacks during Field Day:

Goldfish (cheddar)

Scooby Doo snacks (sunflower oil free)

Lays Potato Chips (gluten free)

Please contact Nurse DiSpena (ndispena@nrpsk12.org) or me (jfahey@nrpsk12.org) to let us know if there are any dietary restrictions that we aren't aware of, or if you have concerns about your child eating the school-offered lunch or PTO-offered snack.

4. Sunscreen:

This is a reminder that nurse DiSpena can not apply sunscreen to students. If your child requires sunscreen during the school day, it should be applied in the morning before coming to school. This will be especially important to remember on field day. I will send a reminder again before that fun filled day!

5. Water:

Don't forget to send plenty of water with your student!

6. Class Shirts

All students are invited to wear their grade level shirts for field day.

7. Water Games

It might be a good idea to pack extra clothes as Mrs. Dispena will be unable to provide clothes to students if they are wet/undomfortable from the water games.

All library books were due back June 5th. Please return any books you have at home ASAP. There is no fee for unreturned books, however, we would appreciate if all books could make their way back to our library for students to enjoy for years to come!

Please note that the YMCA afterschool program will be closed on Thursday 6/11 and Friday 6/12. These are REGULAR school days. Please be sure to communicate your child's dismissal plan for those two days to Mrs. Tavoletti at ltavoletti@nrpsk12.org.

Don't forget that the calendar on our website is the most up to date. Lisa and I update this in real time!

I will be on maternity leave this summer. The office will be closed from June 25th-July 9th. Mrs. Tavoletti will be in the office daily (with some vacation days sprinkled in!) Emails to jfahey@nrpsk12.org or ltavoletti@nrpsk12.org are the best way to get in touch if you need something during this time.

Be on the lookout for reading and math opportunities for summer learning coming home with your child in the last few days. Ms. Fleck is working on a reading challenge and Mrs. Rago will be sending information about math learning!

The PTO is excited to partner with 1st Day School Supplies to offer easy one-stop shopping for next years' school supplies! Pick your students' grade/s for the 26-27 school year (not this current school year!), add to the cart, and purchase. Your child's kit with the exact supplies that the teachers require will be waiting for them in their classroom on the first day of school in September! The deadline to order is July 1.

Shop here: www.1stdayschoolsupplies.com/gs/48693

Any questions, please email e.ethel.little.pto@gmail.com!

In addition to these school supplies, our teachers have requested some supplemental supplies. They have also included a school supply list if you choose not to order from 1st Day School Supplies. You cna find both of these lists here. They will also be posted to our school website.

After the budget vote on June 1, 2026, we were able to restore a classroom position at the Little School and hire a replacement for Mrs. Brown’s retirement. We are excited to welcome Ms. Erin Kodis and Ms. Kennedy Lopez as full-time teachers for the 2026–2027 school year. In addition, we were able to secure a full-time adjustment counselor position with Mrs. Veronica Rogers and add a part-time interventionist position. This is all wonderful news for our school community and will strengthen the support and opportunities available to our students.

All students will meet next year's grade level team (not their specific teacher) on the last morning of school, Wednesday, June 24th. Teacher assignments will be emailed home in July.

Here's the starting lineup for 2026-2027:

Pre-Kindergarten: Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Michaud

Kindergarten: Mrs. Nickerson and Miss Kelly

Grade One: Mrs. Duchesne, and Mrs. Elwell

Grade Two: Ms. Brennan, Ms. Fabian, and Ms. Lopez

Grade Three: Mrs. Kleinpeter, Mr. Lynch, and Mrs. Pessotti

Grade Four: Ms. Gates, Ms. Kodis, and Mr. Milone

Grade Five: Mrs. O'Brien and Mrs. Polcari

June 10- PTO Meeting (Virtual)

June 11- Field Day/ Little Laps

June 11- Kindergarten Screening

June 12- Field Day Rain Date

June 15- Grade 3 Field Trip (Concord Museum)

June 19- No School- Juneteenth

June 23- Grade 2 Talent Show

June 23- Grade 5 Award Ceremony

June 24- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.) --- The Y is open!

Julie Fahey, Principal

Email: jfahey@nrpsk12.org

Website: https://www.north-reading.k12.ma.us/little-elementary

Address: 7 Barberry Rd. North Reading, MA 01864

Instagram: @principalfahey