snow day tomorrow

A message from READING SCHOOL DISTRICT

Good Afternoon,

This is Superintendent of Schools John Doherty with an important message.  Unfortunately, due to the additional significant snowfall accumulations that we will be receiving this evening and tomorrow there will be no school or extended day programs for the Reading Public Schools for Monday, February 9th.  

Have a great day and stay safe.

Science fun in 1st grade- thanks PTO and enrichment!

5th grade at BSO

Multi-talented Shining Stars

Some of our 4th grade students enjoy their snack-time, read aloud while honing their knitting skills.

PARCC presentation

The PARCC Presentation that will be presented by the Reading Public School building principals is now online at the link below. On February 4th, the Parker, Barrows, and Joshua Eaton Principals will be presenting at Parker to begin at 7:00 p.m.

http://www.edline.net/pages/ReadingPublicSchools/News/New_Edline_news__Public_School

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's building principal.

Excited to see you all tomorrow!

Enjoy the snow today - we're ready for you to come back tomorrow!

NO SCHOOL TUES 2/3

A message from READING SCHOOL DISTRICT

Good Evening,

This is Superintendent of Schools John Doherty with an important message. Due to the high volume of snow that we have received over the last 7 days, including today's significant snowstorm, there will be no school or extended day activities for the Reading Public Schools for Tuesday, February 3rd.

Thanks and have a great day.

PARCC Parent Presentations - TOMORROW & WEDNESDAY

From: READING SCHOOL DISTRICT [mailto:email@blackboard.com]
Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2015 7:11 AM
Subject: PARCC Parent Information Sessions in February
A message from READING SCHOOL DISTRICT

Good Afternoon,
This year, the Reading Public Schools will be participating in the PARCC Online Assessments for Mathematics and Literacy for Grades 3-8 during the months of March, April, and May. Since this is the first time that the district will be participating in this assessment, we will be holding parent information sessions on the following evenings:


Tuesday, February 3^rd, 7:00 p.m., Coolidge Middle School Multipurpose Room

Wednesday, February 4^th, 7:00 p.m., Parker Middle School Auditorium



Both sessions will be identical in content and will be presented by our elementary and middle school principals. Prior to the presentation, we will send out the power point presentation to all parents. These information sessions are open to all who are interested in learning more about the PARCC test, but will be especially informative for parents in Grades 3-8. PARCC testing schedules for March/April will be sent out in the next few days by your child’s building principal.



If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call your child’s building principal.

Building Independent Learners by Fostering Grit

By Starr Sackstein on January 19, 2015 5:12 AM

Grrrrrr. Teeth gnashed. Eyes focuses. Grit.
Imagery of football players and olympic athletes who put all they have into their performances. Day in and day out of practices and a real sense of commitment to their sports permeate their beings. It's beyond talent; it's passion.
Academic grit may conjure different images, but the amount of work it takes to develop the tenacity to be great at anything is substantial. And it is sadly lacking in many of our 21st century learners.
Perhaps things have come to easily. Perhaps they are all used to getting trophies for participation. Perhaps they don't see the value in putting in the effort.
Whatever the reason, it's a teacher's job, a school's job, a family's job to help develop children who can hack it in a world that won't be as forgiving.
So how can teachers contribute to this important lesson. Check out these possibilities:

• Students need opportunities to try and fail without anyone fixing it for them. It's okay to let them struggle. Know your students. Know how hard to push and when to lend a hand without enabling them.
• Model the behaviors you want students to emulate. Be willing to take risks and fail in front of students and then model how to pick yourself up and dust yourself off and try again.
• Remind students that grit is not an innate ability, it is the heart of what it means to practice and persevere. Grit takes work. Remind them not to be afraid of work.
• Learn with intention. Students shouldn't want to develop grit just to get better grades, they should want to develop it because it will make them successful people. Great working habits develop strength of mind and character and that is more important extrinsic motivation.
• Coach kids through hard times, don't do it for them. Regardless of how challenging a task is, never allow a student to quit. Remind them that there is no time limit on success and that it is in their best interest to push through the challenge. There is no accomplishment greater.

We all have difficulties we will face in life. School is usually a microcosm of those experiences. If students can achieve their goals even in the hardest times while in school, it is usually a precursor of things to come.

Box Tops!

The next submission for Box Tops is in March! Here's your chance to raise some easy cash for Barrows. Don't forget to clip, save, and send in your Box Tops.

You can also help out by creating an account at http://www.boxtops4education.com and participating in the bonus box tops daily activities. It's simple and fast and earns us cash!