The Knightly News

May 5-9, 2025, is Teacher Appreciation Week. The Reading School District would like to take this moment to thank all the amazing teachers in our schools. Your hard work, dedication, and passion shape the future and make a difference in every child’s life. We appreciate you today and every day for all that you do!

The Reading School District is facing a significant funding gap that could delay or jeopardize completion of its new RHS Innovation Academy.

The new facility is designed to reduce overcrowding at Reading High School and expand academic opportunities for students. On March 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education revoked more than $51 million in previously approved federal American Rescue Plan relief funds designated for the project.

Construction was already underway when the department reversed an earlier decision to extend the spending timeline for the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) funds. Located on North 9th Street, the RHS Innovation Academy is intended to reduce capacity issues while offering smaller, innovative learning environments that support student success.

“Our community has made tremendous progress, and this facility is critical to continuing that upward trajectory,” said Dr. Jennifer Murray, RSD Superintendent. “To lose these funds now would not only harm our students, but it would also reverse years of work to provide them with the opportunities they deserve.”

READ MORE HERE...

On April 23, 2025, the Castle Café proudly opened its doors during a ribbon-cutting ceremony just outside of Reading High School’s cafeteria. More than just a new spot for coffee and conversation, the Castle Café stands as a symbol of innovation and inclusion. A project initiated by the school’s special education department, the café was built entirely from the ground up to provide students ages 18 to 22 with hands-on, real-world job experience.

Made possible by approximately $140,000 in state grant funding aimed at improving graduation rates for special education students, the café is a testament to what can be achieved through vision and collaboration. Students are actively involved in every facet of the café's operations, from taking orders and preparing drinks to stocking shelves and managing inventory.

Beyond the daily operations, students played a major role in designing and decorating the café space, and even had a hand in creating their own uniforms. The Castle Café is now open to serve school employees each day from 8:30 a.m. to noon, offering not just refreshments, but a meaningful platform for learning, growth, and connection.

On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Reading School District hosted A Knight to Remember at the Reading Public Museum, a celebration of the incredible dedication of our staff. The evening recognized five exceptional employees who were nominated by their peers for their commitment and excellence. Congratulations to the honorees:

• Gregory Zelinske

• Dr. Joseph Andrieux

• Gary Smith

• Brooke Dower

• Renee Kirkland-Hinton

The event was attended by honorees, their families, district employees, administration, members of the RSD Board of Directors, and members of the community. Special thanks to the Reading Education Foundation for your support and generously sponsoring this memorable event.

On May 1, 2025, RSD celebrated School Principal’s Day and took a moment to recognize the incredible leaders in our schools. Thank you to all of RSD’s principals for your dedication, hard work, and commitment to student success. Your leadership inspires excellence every day, both in and out of the classroom. We appreciate all you do!

• A proclamation was issued in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month.
• A separate proclamation was presented in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Reading Public Museum.
• Certificates were formally presented to the Reading Public Museum on behalf of the RSD Board of Directors

• May 21, 2025 at 6 pm - RSD School Board Committee of the Whole

• May 28, 2025 at 7 pm - RSD School Board Regular Meeting

MAY

• May 1 - Staff Appreciation Event (First Energy Stadium)

• May 8 - Spring Concert (RHS Auditorium @ 7:00pm)

• May 8 - Family Engagement Literacy Night

• May 12-23 - Keystone Testing

• May 18 - Scholarship Ceremony (RHS Geigle @ 2:00pm)

• May 19 - RSD Art Show

• May 23 - Early Dismissal for Students

• May 23 - Senior Prom (Doubletree)

JUNE

• June 4 - Graduation (FirstEnergy Stadium)

• June 5 - Graduation Rain Date

• June 9 - Early Dismissal for Students (Last Day of School)

• June 10 - Schools Closed: Teachers on Duty

• June 19 - Schools Closed: Offices Closed

Home Access Center
School Menus
Employment
Student Registration
Transportation
Translation Services
Safe2Say
Volunteer
Board Policies

Graduation Information

We're thrilled to announce that three talented students from Reading Senior High School have advanced to the State Finals of the 2025 Pennsylvania Media & Design Competition! Congratulations to Aneleyshka Elian Rivera (Senior), Kaly Gonzalez (Senior), and Juan Jose Vasquez-Mesa (Junior) for their outstanding achievements at the regional level. Aneleyshka and Kaly will compete in Webpage Design, while Juan will showcase his skills in both Animation and Computer Programming, marking the first time our school will be represented in three separate categories at the state level. The finals will take place on May 20th at Elizabethtown College.

It is time once again for the annual Keystone Exams. These assessments are administered exclusively to high school students and cover the subjects of Biology, Algebra, and Literature. The Keystone Exams are a component of the Pennsylvania Act 58 graduation requirements. For the testing schedule and additional information, please visit our website here.

The road to graduation begins with registration. Your child’s education is the key to their future. We "R" ready to work together to meet your child’s educational goals. PreKindergarten and Kindergarten registration begins each year on March 15.

Students must be 4 years old by September 1 to start PreKindergarten and 5 years old by September 1 to start Kindergarten.

Before beginning the registration process, find your child's school and gather the required items, including important documents. If you have questions or need more information please check our Enrollment page under the Families tab on our website.

Fall Sports Physicals for the 2025 season will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in the Reading High School Geigle Gym.

Middle School Athletes:

• All middle school sports physicals will take place between 5:00 – 6:00 PM.
  
  

High School Team Time Slots:

• Girls Volleyball: 6:05 – 6:20 PM

• Girls Soccer: 6:20 – 6:35 PM

• Boys Soccer: 6:35 – 6:50 PM

• Field Hockey, Girls Tennis, Boys & Girls Golf: 6:50 – 7:05 PM

• Boys & Girls Water Polo: 7:05 – 7:20 PM

• Boys & Girls Cross Country, Cheerleading: 7:20 – 7:35 PM

• Football: 7:35 – 7:50 PM
  
  

Important Requirements:
All students must have Sections 1–5 completed on their Big Teams accounts in order to be eligible for the free physical. These sections must be completed no later than May 22, 2025.

Please do not attend if you do not have this completed.

The RHS Girls Wrestling Team, Coaches and Athletic Director were recognized at Reading The Fightin' Phils Staff Appreciation Night.

No cash? No problem! We’re excited to announce that Reading School District has teamed up with S2 Pass as our brand-new digital ticketing partner! As an option, you can now easily pay with your credit or debit card at any event, or by downloading their super handy mobile app from the Apple or Google Play Store. While this makes your ticketing experience smoother than ever, please note that each transaction will include a small fee, depending on the payment amount. For all the details on how to download and use the app, along with info on the fees, check out RSD’s Athletics page.

A huge congratulations to our talented student artists and this year’s BCIU award winners:

• Oil/Acrylic Painting – Honorable Mention: Arisleiny Espinal Fana

• Water Media – 3rd Place: Aiden Garcia

• Water Media – Honorable Mention: Joshua Arroyave

• Sculpture – Honorable Mentions: Yadriel Rentas & Skarlen Reyes

The awards ceremony took place on Sunday, April 13. Bravo to all the artists who shared their creativity and passion!

On May 1st, Haak Elementary held its annual Cardboard Arcade, a much-anticipated event that brings creativity and community together. Students designed and built a wide variety of games entirely out of cardboard, showcasing their innovation and problem-solving skills. They then hosted fellow students, staff, and community members who came out to play, support, and celebrate their efforts. It was a day filled with fun, laughter, and hands-on learning for all!

Huge congratulations to our amazing Reading High School students Zahavah Oliveras, Jendry Castillo, Adriana Gonzalez, and Azuleirys Francisco for being the four finalists in the Olivet Boys & Girls Club’s annual Youth of the Year contest! We are incredibly proud of these outstanding young leaders who continue to represent our school and community with excellence. As part of their recognition, they were honored with a special dinner at the DoubleTree and treated to an unforgettable shopping spree at Boscov’s!

Support the 10th and Green Elementary School's Fundraiser. Buy your T-shirt here: https://jerseyink.chipply.com/EveryoneisWelcomeHere/?action=viewall

Rachael from InMind Services brings you another Tip of the Week! The Power of Positivity – praise, positive feedback, and positive comments throughout the day have a powerful impact on our kids' mental health and behavior. Even small moments of encouragement can build confidence, strengthen relationships, and help children feel seen and supported. Let’s make positivity a daily habit! To receive free family coaching with InMind Services, fill out this form: https://forms.gle/J7twbGMtvM8p1v8y6

May 12th - 16th is Mental Health Action Week for the Reading School District. Join us in a spirit week to bring awareness to mental health.

• Monday, 5/12 - Moody Monday: Wear a color that coordinates with how you feel.
• Tuesday, 5/13 - Twin with your Teacher Day: Twin with your teacher in a special colored shirt.
• Wednesday, 5/14 - Red Knights Unite: Wear Red and Black to show you have each other’s back.
• Thursday, 5/15 - Thinking Cap Thursday: Wear your favorite headband or hat.
• Friday, 5/16 - Wear Green Friday - Green is the international symbol for Mental Health Awareness!

The Reading School District proudly offers a resource called the Knights Closet to help with basic needs. RSD Social Workers assist students and families in accessing essential items like shampoo, soap, toothbrushes, and school supplies. In recent years, we’ve expanded our support to ensure we’re removing barriers for our students. If you or someone you know needs assistance or would like to contribute, please reach out to your school’s social worker. For more details, visit: https://www.readingsd.org/Page/403

Make sure to check out all episodes of the award winning, Red Knight Radio which airs live on Albright Radio WXAC 91.3, then rebroadcast on the RSD YouTube channel. Our incredible hosts, Dorcas Ramos and Arleny Pimentel, along with various guests, dive into exciting topics focused on the Reading School District. Make sure to like, subscribe, and share! You won’t want to miss a single episode!

Donate to the Knights Closet:

We are in need of essential items to stock the Knights Keep shelves. Priority items include shampoo, conditioner, soap, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies, and gift cards. You can bring your donations to Central Middle School or the Administration Building.

https://www.readingsd.org/o/rsd/page/families-in-transition

Partner with Community Aid (5370 Allentown Pike, Reading, PA 19560):

We are excited to announce a new partnership with Community Aid. Donations made using our partnership code 50249 will provide credit to RSD, which supports our students and families. To make a donation, please visit: https://communityaid.org/

Volunteer Opportunities:

If you're interested in volunteering, please visit our website and follow the volunteer process. We will reach out as we begin to staff additional volunteer positions. For more information, visit:

https://www.readingsd.org/o/rsd/page/how-to-support-rsd

Thank you once again for your support and dedication to enhancing the resources available to our students. Together, we are making a significant impact!

Make sure to follow Reading School District's Human Resources Instagram page —your go-to spot for important updates, career opportunities, and behind-the-scenes fun! From job openings to team highlights, we’ve got it all. Stay informed, stay connected, and don’t miss out!

Follow us now: @ReadingSDJobs

#ReadingSD #WeAreRSD #JoinOurTeam #HRUpdates

Reading School District is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself on its recruitment and selection procedures and processes. Our Human Resources Department is instrumental in posting and advertising for open positions; the collection, screening, and processing of application packets; facilitating the interview process, and responding to applicant inquiries. The goal is to attract qualified applicants who will enhance the educational program for the District’s almost 18,000 students.

For more information on the Department of Human Resources or if you have specific questions regarding employment opportunities or benefits available to you as a Reading School District employee, please contact us at (484) 278-7000.

Please remove the old RSD app from your phone and download the new app for free in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Download for Android https://aptg.co/5-_jBF
Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/9nb7Sc