Birch Meadow Update
September 20th, 2026
Thank you to all of our Birchie Bear families who came out for Back to School Night! We had such a tremendous turnout, and it was wonderful to see so many of you throughout the building. Our teachers were excited to share a little bit about what happens in their classrooms each day, and I know our students were especially proud to have you see their classrooms and the spaces where they learn, grow, and spend so much of their day.
Heather and I were so appreciative of the many families who joined us before heading to their child’s classroom. It was great to have the opportunity to introduce ourselves, share a little about the start of the year, and connect with so many of you. We are grateful for your partnership and for the time you took to be there.
And a special thank you to our PTO for arranging for the Queen Bean coffee truck to visit the next morning! Thank you to Sheila Bruzzese for being there bright and early to help set up and then walk throughout the building taking orders so our entire staff could enjoy a morning coffee. It was such a thoughtful way to thank our staff after a busy Back to School Night!
We are off to a great start, and we are so glad to have our Birch Meadow families as part of it.
We are Better Together 🐾
Warmly,
Lisa Azzarito
IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS
Next Monday September 28th School Picture Day
October 12th No School - Columbus & Indigenous People Day
October 13th No School - Staff In Service Day
School Hours & Attendance
School Hours are Monday through Thursday 8:15-2:45 and Fridays 8:15-12:45.
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 (after 8:25) you should walk them to the front door and ring the buzzer, then proceed to the front office to check them in.
From the Nurse
I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to the new school year! It was great connecting with so many of you at Open House. Below is some important information from the Health Office.
KINDERGARTEN VISION SCREENING: As part of the state-mandated health requirements, a school nurse will be conducting vision screenings for students during the school day in the next couple of weeks. These screenings are a helpful way to identify any vision concerns that may affect your child’s learning. If you prefer that your child not participate in the vision screening, please contact me by email to opt out.
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR CHILD HOME DUE TO ILLNESS: As always, we are working to keep both students and staff healthy at school. Please keep your child home for the following symptoms:
· Fever over 100° - students may return when they have been fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-reducing medication such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
· Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
· A contagious illness such as strep throat which has not been treated with antibiotics for at least 12 hours
Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's symptoms. We appreciate your support in encouraging good handwashing habits and proper cough etiquette to help reduce the spread of illness.
VACCINE CLINIC: The first vaccine clinic this fall will be held on Friday, September 25th at Coolidge Middle School from 2-5pm.
Peggy Costello, BSN, RN, NCSN
Birch Meadow School Nurse
781-944-2335 Ext 18205
From our School Adjustment Counselor
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to introduce myself as the General Education School Adjustment Counselor/Birch Meadow METCO Coordinator and to share important information about the support services I provide to our students. We are dedicated to fostering a positive and nurturing environment for all students, and I am here to ensure that each child has the opportunity to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
Role of the General Education Social Worker: My role involves working collaboratively with students, teachers, parents, and other school staff to address a wide range of concerns that may affect a student’s overall well-being and success. These concerns could include academic challenges, social interactions, emotional well-being, and coping with various life situations. My aim is to provide a supportive and safe space where students can express their thoughts, feelings and concerns.
Regular Check-Ins with Students: I routinely engage in check-ins with students to establish a strong rapport and to ensure that they are coping well with the demands of school and personal life. These check-ins provide an opportunity for students to discuss any challenges they may be facing, celebrate their achievements, and set goals for personal and academic growth. It is important to note that these check-ins are intended to support students’ holistic development and are not limited to addressing crises.
Parental Involvement and Consent: We highly value the partnership between parents/guardians and the school in nurturing the well-being of our students. As part of our commitment to transparency and respecting your preferences, we are introducing an option for you to decide whether you would like your child to have access to my support services during the school year, if you do not wish for your child to have access please click on the link below and return with your signature to the school’s main office by October 7th, 2026. Your decision will be respected and kept confidential. Please know that even if you choose not to have your child access my services, our commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment for your child remains unchanged.
Thank you for your partnership in supporting the well-being and success of our students. Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at cindy.marte@reading.ma.us or 781-944-2335.
Breakfast and Lunch
Kindergarten and Grade 1 Families: If your child would like or need breakfast, it should be ordered in advance and will be delivered directly to their classroom. Students in K and Grade 1 will not go to the breakfast carts to select breakfast items.
For All Families: Here are the instructions for setting up your LINQ account and see here for online ordering.
Join Reading METCO for our Salsa Night Thursday 10/15/26. This event is open to all Reading/Boston resident families and RPS staff. Sign up HERE
Hispanic Heritage Month Salsa Night
Date: Thursday, October 15 | 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Coolidge Middle School Cafeteria
Celebrate Hispanic culture with us!
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Enjoy Spanish-inspired food and mingle with students, parents, and faculty.
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Beginner-friendly Salsa dance class—no experience needed!
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'
Should you wish to receive our monthly newsletter, please email SEPACReading@gmail.com