RISE Newsletter

Dear RISE Preschool Families,

How is it already Memorial Day Weekend? It feels like just yesterday we were welcoming students back and settling into new routines, and now we are heading into the final stretch of the school year. Time truly flies when days are filled with learning, laughter, growth, and community.

As we head into the holiday weekend, we also take time to reflect and remember the meaning of Memorial Day by honoring and thanking those who have served and sacrificed for our country. We hope your weekend includes both meaningful moments and opportunities to relax and enjoy time together.

We also have several exciting updates and upcoming activities to share:

• RISE Picnic: We are looking forward to gathering together for our annual RISE Picnic on June 2nd! See below for information as well as pre-order information.

• Kindergarten Screenings: Screening appointments are underway, and the elementary schools are excited to begin welcoming their newest learners and families into the community.

May 28 - Kindergarten Screenings at Birch and Barrows Elementary School

June 3 - Kindergarten Screening at Killam Elementary School

• The New Playground is Open! Students have been thrilled to explore the new playground space. See below for some fun pictures.

• Updated Occupational Therapy Ideas for Home: Be sure to check out Linda Boyages' newest OT resources and activity ideas to support fine motor skills, sensory regulation, and everyday independence at home in fun and simple ways.

• End-of-Year Celebration:

Mark your calendars! On Tuesday, June 2nd from 4-6PM, we will be having our amazing end-of-year picnic at the new playground behind the MODS. On Thursday, June 11th starting at 8:30 AM, Ms. Elena will lead us in our year end concert and graduation march at RISE at the high school location. You won't want to miss this as we wrap up a fabulous year and get ready to head into summer! More details will be coming soon!

Enjoy this long weekend!

Alanna Shone

Here is a QR Code with a preview of the "End of Year" Picnic social story. This is cell phone accessible with audio. It was created by Michaela Wood-Suvak.

• May 25 - Memorial Day - no school
• May 28 - Kindergarten Screenings at Birch and Barrows Elementary School
• June 2 - RISE Picnic from 4-6 PM
• June 3 - Kindergarten Screening at Killam Elementary School
• June 11 - Preschool at RMHS "End of Year Concert" with Ms. Elena and graduation ceremony for those transitioning to kindergarten
• June 19 - Juneteenth - no school
• June 22 - Last day of school - Dismissal at 10:30 AM all RISE locations

Student Drop-Off Line at RMHS

Updated Arrival Information - Please read

Families may begin lining up for drop-off no earlier than 7:50 AM. Staff will start unloading students from vehicles at 8:AM. If you are in the drop off line in the morning, please DO NOT exit your vehicle. Please put Placard signs in your car windows. It is also helpful to place preschool car seats on the passenger side of the car for a smooth drop off. If you choose to walk your child to his or her teacher at the 8AM drop off, please park at the PAC at the top of Oakland Road and walk down.

Please review the attached map below.

• For students in Janelle Boutin, Maureen Deligianidis, Erin Joyce, Tracey Tomkins, and Alison Nugent’s classrooms (RISE inside the high school building):
  Please enter from the top of Oakland Road (near the high school PAC). Pull over to the right-hand side of the road and remain in your car until staff come to assist your child. (This line is similar to last year's drop-off.)

• For students in Ann Marie McGrath and Kathy Whelan’s classrooms (RISE modular classrooms):
  Please begin the drop-off line from the bottom of the hill near the field house (this means you will enter the property near the football field and drive around the back of the gymnasium). Pull over to the right-hand side of the road, heading uphill, and remain in your car until staff come to assist your child.

A few important reminders:

• The first car in each line should not block the crosswalk

• Please wait in the line and do not pass other cars. The car line usually takes 10 minutes or less

• Families who prefer to park and walk their child in are absolutely welcome to do so. This is a completely acceptable option. Parking is available up the hill near the PAC, and families may then walk down to their child’s teacher

• Handicap parking will be available in the Central Office lot

• There will be no parking access in the RISE teacher lot near the modular classrooms (MODS)

• If walking, please use designated white crosswalks at all times

• The orange speed bump is NOT a crosswalk

We truly appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work through the start of the year together. Our shared goal is to make drop-off safe, smooth, and stress-free for everyone. After the first couple of weeks, we will share an update to confirm the ongoing plan or outline any necessary adjustments.

During drop-off and pick-up at Wood End, spaces are available in the front of the school. Please be aware that the elementary students have a placard drop-off line there, and their arrival time is 8:15 AM with a dismissal of 2:45 PM. You do not want to arrive too early in the morning, or you will get caught in the elementary placard drop-off line. The preschool parents walk students in the front doors of Wood End where teachers will be waiting.

As mentioned above, the safety of our students, families, and staff are of the utmost importance. Please use crosswalks to keep everyone safe!

Dear RISE Preschool Families,

On behalf of the Reading Public Schools Food Service Department, welcome to our community! We are excited to support your family and provide nutritious, kid-friendly meals as your child begins their Pre-K experience.

We’re happy to share that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is continuing the Free School Meals for All Program this school year. This means that every student will receive school meals at no cost—a wonderful benefit for our families.

Here’s how meals work for our full-day Pre-K students:

• 🍎 Lunch is served directly in the classroom each day.
  
  

• 📅 We offer a rotating monthly menu with tasty, balanced options.
  
  

• 🖥️ Families pre-order meals online through our ordering platform (instructions attached).
  
  

• ⏰ Please place orders at least two days in advance.
  
  

To get started, you’ll first need to:

1. Set up a LINQ Connect Account - https://linqconnect.com/main

2. Create your Online Ordering Account
   
   

Our online menu provides ingredients, nutritional information, and allergen details for every meal.

We also want to assure you that our menus are designed with student safety in mind:

• ✅ No peanuts, tree nuts, or sesame are included.
  
  

• ✅ All breads are sourced from Calise Bakery, a nut-free and sesame-free facility.
  
  

• ✅ Pre-K menus follow the same protocols as our elementary schools.
  
  

We look forward to serving your child delicious and nutritious meals each day. Thank you for being part of the Reading community—we’re excited for a wonderful school year ahead!

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.

Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have questions. If you require a student ID to access lunches, please contact Catherine Franzetti at Catherine.Franzetti@reading.k12.ma.us or Julianna Moccaldi at Julianna.Moccaldi@reading.k12.ma.us.

The Reading Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) improves the outcomes and wellbeing for ALL students. SEPAC fosters relationships, helps identify unmet needs, and provides valuable input on the development of programs, services, and policies. Our council is open to all parents and caregivers and is not limited to just families who have children with special needs. We offer various opportunities to connect with other families and provide learning experiences for all.

To learn more about Reading SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council), please visit our website: Reading SEPAC Website

Should you wish to receive our monthly newsletter, please send an email to SEPACReading@gmail.com

⭐ Registration Now Open: BOWLING MEET-UP

@ Kings Bowling, 510 Market St, Lynnfield

May 15 (Fri) 2-4pm for Middle & High School Families (May 7 RSVP Deadline)

May 29 (Fri) 1:30-3:30pm Pre-school & Elementary Families (May 21 RSVP Deadline)

Just a reminder that our bowling meetups and registration deadlines are coming up. We would love to have you join us. It is a great opportunity for the whole family (both kids & adults) to meet, connect, and have fun!

Registration:

• Scan the QR code or visit https://forms.gle/uSU1Bd5UKaEw2rEN7 for more information.

• RSVP by May 7 for Session 1 and May 21 for Session 2.

• Advanced registration is required.

⭐ SEPAC ANNUAL SURVEY: Your Voice Matters!

May 11 (Mon) Submission Deadline

We want to hear from you! Please take a moment to share your feedback via our brief, anonymous survey by May 11, 2026 (Mon).

As we look ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, your input is essential. Tell us what’s working, where we can improve, and what topics you’d like to see covered. Your responses ensure we are effectively representing our community in our meetings with RPS district leaders and help shape our community programming to better serve your family.

• Time commitment: Less than 5 minutes.

• Impact: Helps shape the future of special education support in Reading.

• Deadline: Survey closes on May 11 (Mon)

Take the Survey here

Direct url here: https://forms.gle/ssUZM6eEqF34Z8kV9

Email: alanna.shone@reading.k12.ma.us

Website: https://rise.reading.k12.ma.us/
Location: 62 Oakland Road, Reading, MA, USA
Phone: 781-942-9179