Wood End Wildcat News

This Week's schedule:

Monday: Full Day

Tuesday: No School in honor of Veterans Day

Wednesday: Full Day (conferences after school)

Thursday: Early Release at 12:45 pm (conferences in the afternoon)

Friday: No School-reserved for conferences

Disability Awareness Curriculum Feedback Sessions: For over 40 years, Understanding Disabilities has been a valued partner in helping Reading students build empathy and inclusion. As the organization closes this chapter, we’re excited to continue its important mission through the development of our own disability awareness curriculum, created by our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) working group. This new curriculum will be seamlessly woven into our SEL lessons at the elementary level. We invite families and community members to share feedback during one of two upcoming sessions, led by Inclusion Specialist Jacquelyn Pelusi and Program Coordinator Kelly DiCato. See below to learn more about session dates and share your interest in joining!

For over 30 years, the Adopt-A-Family program has anonymously matched donors and families in need of extra help over the holidays. The program is coordinated by ReadingCares and the Reading Rotary Club, with support from several Town of Reading departments. Please direct any questions to ReadingAAF@gmail.com. Click here to access the donor letter as well as participation form, wish lists and more.

Veteran Guests

On Monday, November 10th, Wood End will be holding their annual Veteran’s Day All School meeting. This year we would love to invite veteran guests from our Wood End community to attend. If you are a veteran or have a grandparent, uncle, aunt, cousin, etc. that is and would like to attend our All School, please fill out the form below. In addition, there is an opportunity for some of our guests to help read a story to the school about veterans day and share what their role was in the armed forces. There is space in the form for those interested in doing this portion as well. The Veteran Guest Form for those interested in sharing about their service is linked here. Please complete the form by Wednesday, October 29th.

Hats Off to Vets

Additionally, on Monday, November 10th, students and staff have the opportunity to donate $1 and wear a hat to school to support the “Hats Off to Vets” fundraiser. All the money raised will go to the Home Base Program. This is an organization that helps veterans and their families. Learn more about this amazing organization here. Thank you in advance for your support!

If you have any questions please reach out to our library media specialist Miss Norcross at lisa.norcross@reading.k12.ma.us.

2025 FESTIVAL OF TREES

Kick off your holiday season on Saturday and Sunday, December 6th and 7th by visiting Reading Education Foundation’s (REF) 23rd annual Festival of Trees! The Festival features a winter wonderland of decorated holiday trees donated by local families, organizations, businesses and schools that Festival visitors can win for themselves! This signature REF fundraising event, held at Reading’s Parker Middle School, is a magical and memorable community holiday tradition for adults and children of all ages. This event offers fun for all ages, while raising the money that REF uses to fund teacher-initiated grants for Reading Public Schools. There is local entertainment throughout both days including live performances by school choruses, bands and local groups. Food trucks will be outside selling items at the event. Lucky winners of tree raffles will be selected at closing on Sunday night.

Tree Donations

REF has a goal of 100 donated trees this year – please consider donating one! We welcome trees from PTO’s, grade levels, groups and staff. This is a great way to showcase the creativity and curriculum of the Reading Public Schools. You don’t need to spend a lot on a tree – just a fun theme and a few gift cards or small tokens (especially from our local businesses) are all you need. Remember, you don’t even need a tree as we’ve seen hockey sticks, bookcases and other items serve as a “tree”. If you are interested in donating a tree please email us at reftreedonor@gmail.com and include the following:

- Name of Tree Donor

- Contact information & phone number

- Tree Name

Advanced Ticket Sales Are Open

Raffle tickets purchased in advance will be preprinted with the purchaser's raffle number on the back, saving patrons the time and hassle of entering their personal information. Visit readingef.org to purchase tickets.

REF, non-profit foundation, is committed to supporting innovation and excellence in the Reading Public Schools. REF’s goal is to enhance and increase educational opportunities for all Reading students by providing funds for projects that go beyond the scope of traditional classroom learning. To learn more about REF, advance sales, opportunities to donate a tree, and see a schedule of events, visit the REF website at www.readingef.org.

Save the Date for Coats for Kids!

Are you starting to clean out closets to make room for winter clothes? Don't get rid of any of those old winter coats! Wood End will be holding our annual coat drive for Coats for Kids through Anton's Cleaners. We will be collecting both children and adult winter coats. Collection bins will be in the lobby starting November 12th-December 22nd. More details to come when the dates get closer.

This winter, let’s come together to keep communities warm! Wood End is organizing a Hat and Glove Drive to collect new or gently used hats and gloves for those in need. Your contributions will be donated to The Wish Project and will help ensure that everyone stays cozy and warm during the cold months ahead. Collection bins will be in the Wood End lobby starting November 12th-December 22nd. See attached flyer for more details.

• A School Improvement Plan outlines goals, strategic objectives and initiatives paired with outcomes for a school incorporating district goals.

• School Improvement Plans make school goals visible and promote a process of continuous improvement.

Principal Schwartz will be presenting the School Improvement Plan at our next PTO meeting held in person on November 19th at 8:15am in the school cafeteria.

Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every November to honor the culture, traditions, and contributions of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. The month-long observance was officially designated by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and serves to raise awareness about Native peoples, their history, and the challenges they continue to face

We respectfully ask you to partner with us by reminding your student that all student smartwatches (GizmoWatch, etc.) & cellphones must be powered off and remain in backpacks or teachers' desks during the entire school day. Students always have access to call home with the permission of their classroom teacher in case of an emergency. We want to help our students learn that we have many caring adults here during the day to help them navigate challenges and solve problems together.

School’s and state’s expectations around attendance and why it matters so much for every student:

Why is attendance so important?

• Building strong connections with peers. Missing multiple days can make it harder to come back, as students feel they’ve missed out on social and academic opportunities.
• Providing the best opportunities for academic success. From core instruction to interventions, research shows a direct correlation between poor attendance and academic challenges.
• Establishing good habits for the future. Consistent routines now build lifelong responsibility.

It’s absolutely okay for students to come to school with a mild cold. Students should stay home if they have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea (fever-free for 24 hours before returning).

A few reminders:

• If your child will be absent, please notify the main office by calling or emailing.
• If your child misses school for an appointment, please send in a doctor’s note.
• If a child is out sick for five or more days, a doctor’s note is required.
• Please avoid planning vacations during school days. We are fortunate to have many breaks built into the calendar, including one of the longest winter breaks in recent years. You can find the full calendar here: RPS District Calendar 25/26

To support your child’s energy and focus throughout the school day, we kindly ask that you send a snack with your child each day. Please avoid any allergens as they relate to your child's classroom (notice from Nurse Kristin went out if there are any classroom restrictions). Thank you for helping us promote healthy habits and a positive learning environment!

All five elementary schools in RPS dedicate a weekly 30-minute block to Social Emotional Learning (SEL). This year, with guidance from an RPS multidisciplinary curriculum team, we are excited to launch updated SEL lessons. This flier gives families a snapshot of what SEL looks like in grades K-5.

SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

Free School Meals for All Continues: We are excited to share that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has extended the Free School Meals for All program into another school year! This means that all students in grades K–12 will receive a free school breakfast and lunch every day, and our full-day Pre-K students will also receive a free lunch at no cost to families. Our Food & Nutrition Services team is thrilled for a new year with fresh menus and new offerings. Monthly menus are posted online, where families can also view allergens and nutrient information. Please note: newly enrolled students must register in our food service payment portal. The link can be found on the Food & Nutrition Services page or directly at LINQ Connect. For any questions or assistance, please contact Julianna Moccaldi or Catherine Franzetti.

PIN #s for Breakfast, Lunch, and purchasing snacks.

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

Students need new medicine orders for each new school year. The summer is an ideal time to start this paperwork. Families can use this attached form for parent permission and doctor's orders. We also accept medication orders that a doctor writes on their own form. If you think your child would occasionally need Tylenol or Motrin, we need a doctor's order to give this in elementary school. For medicine safety, a parent or guardian needs to bring the medicine directly to the nurse to sign it into school. Please do not send medicines in their backpack.

School Medical Policies below!

PTO General Meeting Schedule

• November 19 @ 8:15 (In person)
• January 7 @ 7pm: LINK HERE
• March 18 @ 7pm: LINK HERE
• May 13 @ 7pm: LINK HERE
• June 3 @ 8:15 (In Person)

We have some amazing parents who have taken on leadership roles to keep our very active PTO up & running. We are so grateful for their willingness to provide our community with many opportunities to volunteer and support our students and families. Our PTO has been involved in coordinating fundraising events, book fairs, enrichment programs, school supplies, teacher appreciation events, flamingo flocking, and restaurant nights, just to name a few, to make Wood End the special community it is today. If you are interested in becoming more involved in our PTO, please reach out to any of our board members @ woodendpto@gmail.com .

BOARD MEMBERS

Linda Liang, President

Linda Liang, Treasurer

Courtney Bell, Secretary

Hilary Quinn, Events and Fundraising Coordinator

Sarah Henic, Enrichment Coordinator

Steff Keilty, Room Parent Coordinator

Celebrating SEPAC Awareness Month: Join Reading Public Schools and the Town of Reading in celebrating SEPAC Awareness Month throughout November! SEPAC improves outcomes and wellbeing for ALL students by fostering relationships, helping identify unmet needs, and providing valuable input on the development of programs, services and policies. Show your SEPAC pride by wearing a teal ribbon or teal clothing, and consider attending SEPAC’s free movie screening of In a Different Key on November 6 as part of this month’s celebrations. Click here to read the SEPAC newsletter and learn more.

SEPAC WEBSITE!

Click here for the NEW, IMPROVED READING SEPAC WEBSITE, an incredible resource for parents/caregivers of all children, especially those with diverse learning profiles. We strongly urge you to visit it soon, and often. Short on time? Here’s a very brief video to give you a sense of what’s there in just over one minute.

About Reading SEPAC

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 supports).

SEPAC WEBPAGE

Join SEPAC's mailing list

Follow SEPAC on Facebook

Follow SEPAC on Instagram

"Since its founding during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, the METCO program has enrolled tens of thousands of Boston students of color in predominately white school districts, creating the opportunity for those districts to experience the advantages of learning and working in a racially and ethnically diverse setting."

November

10: Family Feedback Session #2 (see above)

11: Veteran's Day; No School

13: Early Release; Family-Teacher Conferences

14: No School for Students; Family-Teacher Conferences

26: Early Release @11am

27-28: No School; Thanksgiving

December

23: Early Release

24-Jan 1: Winter Break; No School

Reading Public Schools Calendar 2025-2026

The Dickens Holiday Marketplace and Craft Fair is a fantastic community event which takes place at the high school on Saturday, Dec. 13. It offers over 50 vendors, entertainment, refreshments and fun for all ages! This year, through our annual bakesale, we will be offering delicious and fun holiday cookie decorating kits that can be pre-ordered and picked up at the fair!

Every cent raised will go directly to support the RMHS drama club and the great work that our students do! We will have two different types of kits (traditional and "paint-your-own" cookie kits) with your choice of seasonal, Christmas and/or Hanukkah themes.

QUANTITIES ARE LIMITED SO PLEASE PRE-ORDER YOUR KITS TODAY! Scan the QR code on the flyer or go to bit.ly/rmhscookies

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Parents Supporting Student Theater, The Dickens Holiday Marketplace and Craft Fair team and the RMHS Drama Club!

• https://readingpl.org/healing-kits/

• At the Reading Public Library, there are 10 different kits that address different needs that people in the community may experience (e.g. Grief, anxiety, trauma, etc.). You can request a kit through the online library catalog or check it out in person. Kits contain a variety of materials that are accessible to kids, teens, and/or adults, as well as a resource packet with lists of community resources and activities. Each kit also contains a notebook where others who have used the kit can leave words of support.

In the box at the top of the newsletter, click on Translate to pick the desired language.

• Portuguese: Na caixa preta na parte superior do boletim, selecione Traduzir Boletim informativo para escolher o idioma desejado.

• Spanish: En el cuadro de Negro en la parte superior del boletín de noticias, seleccione Traducir Boletín de escoger el idioma deseado.

• Vietnamese: Trong hộp đen ở đầu bản tin, chọn Dịch bản tin để chọn ngôn ngữ mong muốn

• Polish: W czarnym polu u góry biuletynu wybierz Przetłumacz biuletyn, aby wybrać żądany język

• Korean: 뉴스레터 상단의 검은색 상자에서 뉴스레터 번역을 선택하여 원하는 언어를 선택하세요.

• Chinese: 在新闻通讯顶部的黑框中，选择“翻译新闻通讯”以选择所需的语言。

• Arabic: في المربع الأسود الموجود أعلى النشرة الإخبارية، حدد ترجمة النشرة الإخبارية لاختيار اللغة المطلوبة.
  fi almurabae al'aswad almawjud 'aelaa alnashrat al'iikhbariati, hadad tarjamat alnashrat al'iikhbariat liaikhtiar allughat almatlubati.

Please save my email address and reach out with questions, comments or thoughts. My door is always open!

Email: nicole.schwartz@reading.k12.ma.us
Website: http://www.reading.k12.ma.us/woodend/
Location: 85 Sunset Rock Lane, Reading, MA, United States
Phone: 781-942-5420

Wood End Resource Guide/Handbook

District Handbook