Week 2 Update
September 11, 2023
Dear Hood School Families,
It’s hard to believe we are kicking off our second week of school. We are pleased to see that the children have made a smooth transition into the school year. Our teachers have established their classroom routines and the school is abuzz with great energy and laughter.
North Reading Public Schools Elementary Handbook: Please review our Elementary Student/Family Handbook as it provides important information about our school, especially information about school routines and resources. In the event that you are looking for information not included in this parent handbook, please contact the main office.
Please take a moment and complete our acknowledgment form. By completing this form you acknowledge that you have received, read, and understood the J. Turner Hood School Student/Parent Handbook and discussed the information with your student. Please submit the form for each student attending the school. This form is due by Friday, September 22, 2023.
https://forms.gle/hY2Teow5aU9znKxf6
Back to School Night: It will soon be the staff’s pleasure to welcome you back to the J. Turner Hood School.
Open House on Thursday, September 14th from 5:00 to 7:15 PM.
5:00 to 5:45 PM PreK, Kindergarten & Grade 1
5:45 to 6:30 PM Grade 2 & Grade 3
6:30 to 7:15 PM Grade 4 & Grade 5
This Open House will serve as “Back to School Night” and will provide an opportunity for the staff to introduce themselves, familiarize you with the goals and procedures of our school, and outline the grade level curriculum, materials, and expectations. This is an adult only event. This is not intended for conferencing with teachers. Formal conferences will take place at the end of the trimester in early December.
School Council: I am pleased to share that our School Council team has completed the annual task of creating our school goals for the upcoming school year. We were fortunate to have a dedicated team working on this task. A sincere thank you to our members, Mrs. Gorman (Grade 4 Teacher), Mrs. Mayuski (Grade 1 Teacher), Mrs. Heffernan (Grade 5 Teacher), Mrs. Taylor (Parent), and Mrs. Alimonti (Parent). This document will be posted to our school website once approved by the North Reading Public Schools School Committee. My presentation (along with my colleagues from the other schools in district) is scheduled for September 26, 2023 (previously scheduled for today).
Social Emotional Learning: We are excited to announce that we have Ms. Aleksa here in a larger capacity this year. Ms. Aleksa is in her third year as our school adjustment counselor. Ms. Aleksa will be visiting each classroom weekly and focusing lessons on topics related to SEL. Our school (along with the E. Ethel Little School) was able to increase time for social emotional learning at each school through a combination of efforts that were supported by the central office administration. We are very happy to have Ms. Aleksa on site more frequently.
Calendar Updates: I have previously shared a link to the district calendar. At this time, I would like to remind everyone that the school-based calendar is on a google link that you can access via the school website. As the year moves forward, all of the school events are posted here. The link is located on the Hood School Home page. Please know that you are also able to subscribe to the link and integrate it into your family calendar.
Procedure Reminders/ Updates:
Switching Buses: We have had a few requests for “bus switching.” This is simply a request we cannot honor. Please make alternate arrangements such as live line or Aspen Road Pickup.
School start time/ Morning arrival: This year, our school hours at the J. Turner Hood School are from 8:00 – 2:15. It is very important to note that students may not be dropped off before 7:50 AM, as there is no morning supervision.
Aspen Road Pick Up: Aspen Road Walkers are dismissed via Door 9 (near grade 2). The staff members responsible for that dismissal area have respectfully requested that parents utilizing this dismissal please make their way to the door and not on the path to the door. It is very important that we dismiss this group of students directly to their caregivers.
Live Line Drop Off and Pick Up: We are doing an excellent job with both the morning and after-school arrival and pick-up procedures. Some minor items in order to prompt efficiency and safety.
Please continue to pull up as far as possible within our space.
Please do not open or close the driver's side doors. Everyone should remain in the car.
All students need to enter and exit via the passenger side.
Please be reminded we have alternative places for drop off and pick up if need be. Please let us know how we can help.
Our students have been amazing, our routines are in full swing already and we are looking toward another great week. We have had a seamless opening and I want to thank our teachers and staff for their hard work behind the scenes to make our opening look and feel effortless.
Dr. Glen S. McKay, Principal