Birch Meadow Update

It’s been another exciting week at Birch Meadow! We welcomed our high school drama students, who performed scenes from their upcoming musical SpongeBob, and our K–2 students participated in enrichment activities with Ooch. We also came together for an all-school assembly, where our fifth graders shared their Let It Grow challenges. They are taking on a new challenge each month this year, and it was wonderful to hear them share their experiences with our school community!

There is so much great learning happening in our classrooms, too! Students are bringing their ideas to life through writing, creating everything from poems to stories built around a central theme and conflict. During phonics and word study, students are listening carefully for sounds in words, recording the sounds they hear, and applying spelling patterns and rules to become more confident writers. In math, students are building their understanding of fractions and strengthening their addition and subtraction skills. Throughout the school, students are immersed in books, reading independently, sharing their thinking in small groups, and working with teachers to deepen their understanding.

There is so much to celebrate at Birch Meadow each and every day! We continue to learn and grow Better Together!

Warmly, Lisa

ALL FAMILIES: Please take a moment to log in to PlusPortal and make sure all three forms have been completed for each of your children. These need to be updated EVERY YEAR for each child.

One of these forms is our Technology Agreement, which must be signed before students can use school devices. We take online safety seriously and want to make sure all students understand how to use technology safely and responsibly.

The deadline to complete the Technology Agreement is October 30th. Students who do not have a signed agreement on file by that date will not be able to access school devices in the classroom, library, or other school settings until the form is completed.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to complete these forms and helping us ensure all students can safely access the technology they need for learning!

As we continue through the school year, I’d like to share a reminder about the importance of sleep. Adequate sleep plays a key role in helping children learn, grow, and feel their best each day. When children get the recommended amount of sleep, they are better able to:

• Focus and learn in school

• Manage their emotions and handle stress

• Stay healthy and support their growing bodies

Recommended Sleep Amounts

• School-Age Children (ages 6–12): Need 9–12 hours per night

• Teens (ages 13–18): Need 8–10 hours per night

Supporting healthy sleep habits at home can help children feel rested, ready to learn, and prepared for a successful school day.

Avoiding Head Lice

We have seen a few cases of head lice at school. Head lice are a common occurrence among elementary-aged children and can be found in any school setting. While they can be frustrating, they do not spread disease and are typically spread through direct head-to-head contact. They need a host to survive and do not live on surfaces for long. To help prevent the spread of lice:

• Remind your child not to share hats, hairbrushes, headbands, barrettes, or other hair accessories.

• Another way lice can be transmitted is through close head-to-head contact while taking selfies with friends.

• For students with long hair, it is recommended that their hair be worn up or tied back in a ponytail or braid.

• Get into the habit of checking your child’s head for nits and lice, especially if you notice that they are exhibiting behaviors such as scratching or complaining of itchiness.

If you do find any evidence of lice, please know effective treatments are available. Please contact your child's healthcare provider for guidance on appropriate treatment options. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. Additional information is available in the links below.

Here is the National Association of School Nurses' guidance on head lice in schools

Here is information about head lice from the American Academy of Pediatrics

Stay well,

Peggy

Everyone's favorite is BACK! Join us TONIGHT in the staff lot from 5-6:30pm for our Annual Trunk or Treat Celebration.

PURCHASE RAFFLE TICKETS BEFORE TONIGHT - with amazing prizes from: Boston Red Sox, Aines, Bunratty, Encore, Fat Larrys, and more!! We will have a booth for purchasing tickets, but click the button below to view and pre-purchase!

Fam-favorite Calareso's gift certificate sale is BACK! Birch Meadow receives 25% of all sales and you get a gift certificate that NEVER EXPIRES!

The fundraiser will run from 10/26-11/13. Payments and forms must be received by 11/13. Forms will be sent home in backpacks. ORDER ONLINE HERE!

On Friday, October 30, classrooms may have fall celebrations, and teachers will share specific details with families. Students in Grades 2–5 are welcome to wear school-appropriate costumes that day.

Our Kindergarten and Grade 1 Costume Parade will take place from 8:40–9:00 AM. Students will parade outside around the school building, and families are welcome to line the route and cheer them on! To help our youngest students know what to expect, we’ve created a Costume Parade Preview that families can read together before the big day!

For any students wearing costumes, please make sure they can participate fully in learning and school activities and that faces remain visible (no masks or face coverings). Weapons or weapon-like accessories, blood, gore, and violent themes should be left at home.

The 5th Annual Turkey Trot fundraiser is on November 23rd. All students will participate and we are asking parents to REGISTER ONLINE - we're aiming for 100% student registration! Track our progress towards the $25,000 fundraising goal. Parent volunteer sign ups are also appreciated! 🦃

RAIN DATE IS TUES. NOV. 24TH

Weekly Fundraising Prizes

• Week 1 — $4,000: Silly Sock Day
• Week 2 — $8,000: PJ Day
• Week 3 — $12,000: Silly Hair Day
• Week 4 — $16,000: Reading Spirit Day
• Week 5 — Trot Week!

Total Fundraising Milestones

• $15,000: Character Day
• $20,000: Extra Recess
• $25,000: New England Patriots Fan Day (including Mrs. Azzarito!)

Individual Prizes

• The top three students may each choose one of the following prizes:

  • Principal for the Day
  • Ride to school in a police car
  • Private tour of the fire station

🏫 Top Grade - Officer Rusty Classroom Visit

On Tuesday, July 28, the Reading Select Board voted to place an operational override of $6.5 million on the state election ballot, held on November 3, 2026. If approved, the override would take effect for fiscal year 2028 (which begins on July 1, 2027).There will be multiple opportunities between now and the election for the community to learn more and ask questions.

To learn more, please visit the Town’s website. There's LOADS of info there, including a tax calculator tool.

Election Day is Tuesday November 3rd at RMHS, and early voting is at Town Hall October 17th-30th.

Fri. Oct 23rd - TRUNK OR TREAT! 🎃 Rain date 10/24

Mon. 10/26 - 5pm - Inclusion Mtg ZOOM

Mon. 10/26 - Fri 11/13 - Calareso's Gift Certificate Sale

Wed. Oct 28th - 1pm. Final Override Info Session - VIRTUAL ZOOM REG. LINK

Fri. Oct 30th - Kindergarten and Grade 1 Fall Costume Parade 8:40am

Tues. Nov 3rd - 7am-8pm ELECTION DAY at RMHS Fieldhouse

Wed. Nov 11th - No School - Veterans Day

Sat. Nov 14th - METCO Bowling Event (details below!)

Mon. Nov 16th - Report Cards Sent Home

Mon. Nov 16th - Picture Retake Day

Thurs. Nov 19th - 12:45 Early release, Teacher Conferences

Fri. Nov 20th - NO SCHOOL Teacher Conferences

Mon. Nov 23rd - TURKEY TROT 🦃 Rain Date Tues 11/24

Wed. Nov 25th - 11:00am Early release

Thurs Nov. 26 - Fri. Nov 27th - NO SCHOOL Thanksgiving Break

Sat. Dec 5 - Sun. Dec 6th - REF Festival of Trees

Wed. Dec 23rd - District Wide Early Release 11:00am

Thurs. Dec 24 - Mon. Jan 4th - Winter Break

Mon. Jan 18th - No School MLK Day

For over 30 years, the Adopt-A-Family program has anonymously matched donors and recipients for Thanksgiving dinner ingredients, holiday dinner ingredients, and/or holiday gifts for children 18 and under. Recipient families must live in Reading or have a child in the Reading Public School System. This program is coordinated by Reading Cares and the Rotary Club of Reading.

Deadline for Thanksgiving applications is 10/31. Holiday applications due by 11/12.

https://www.readingma.gov/790/Adopt-A-Family

Join us for a FREE Reading METCO family event! All Reading families are welcome!

Date: Saturday, November 14, 2027
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Boston Bowl
820 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester, MA 02122

The first 100 families to RSVP will attend for FREE! RSVP Here

Your free admission includes: Pizza, beverages, an arcade game card

Come spend time with our Reading METCO community, connect with other families, and enjoy a fun day together!

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'

Oct 26th - 5pm-7pm Inclusion meeting by Inclusion Specialists Jackie Pelusi, Emma Costigan, and Ashley (Dennis) Golden! Via Zoom PLEASE CLICK HERE to get Zoom link

Join other SEPAC parents/caregivers for a back-to-school grownup gathering at the Kiely family's backyard. BYOB. Email sepacreading@gmail.com for the address and to RSVP. Reservations are requested for food planning purposes but are not required. Hope to see you there.

Saturday, November 14th 4pm-7pm.

Open call for SEPAC Board Candidates and SEPAC School Liaisons

• Drop off your donations of clothing and textiles to the two large bins to the far right of the main entrance on Arthur B. Lord Drive. Birch Meadow earns funds through Helpsy, a for-profit company that offers local non-profits like our PTO this easy, no-cost fundraising program!