*Money will support student learning, job training in high-demand industries*

**BOSTON –** House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), State Representative Richard M. Haggerty (D-Woburn) and State Senator Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester) joined with Reading school officials to announce that Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) has been awarded a $75,000 Innovation Pathways Implementation and Support Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Innovation Career Pathways (ICP) allow students to take courses and gain valuable hands-on experience in high-demand industries such as information technology, engineering, healthcare, life sciences and advanced manufacturing. The targeted state grants provide resources to designated Innovation Career Pathways to support program implementation.

Reading’s grant award comes just five months after RMHS received its official ICP designation from DESE in recognition of its approved pathways of Advanced Manufacturing (Engineering) and Information (Computer Science and Digital Media). The funding will help support these programs by funding students taking advanced coursework of dual enrollment classes through higher education partners such as UMass Lowell, and Advanced Placement assessments, in addition to enrichment opportunities outside of the classroom to include field trips and speakers. RMHS staff instructing ICP courses will also benefit from grant funding in the areas of more robust curriculum, supplies, equipment and compensated time for professional development.

According to DESE, innovation pathways programs are based on five guiding principles, including Equitable Access, Guided Academic Pathways, Enhanced Student Support, Connection to Career, and Effective Partnerships. Through this program, schools develop and maintain strong partnerships with local employers to help enhance students’ career awareness and work-based experiences; offer a defined series of courses providing instruction in specific industries; and help guide students to post-secondary education and training.

“The Innovation Career Pathways program offers invaluable classroom instruction and hands-on learning opportunities for students to explore and evaluate their future career options,” said Representative Jones. “Congratulations to Superintendent Milaschewski, RMHS Interim Principal and Director of Academic Achievement Callanan, and the teaching staff at Reading Memorial High School for securing this grant award and for doing such an outstanding job to prepare students with the skills they will need to succeed in the workforce after graduation.”

“I'm extremely pleased to see Reading Memorial High School receive this grant funding from the state to support their Innovation Pathways program,” said Representative Haggerty. “The program will open tremendous learning and career opportunities in the future for RMHS students by allowing them to gain firsthand, real-world skills and experiences. I commend the administrators, educators, and partners who worked hard to make this program a reality for Reading students and securing this grant funding.”

“After receiving their Innovation Career Pathway designation earlier this year, I’m pleased that the state will continue to support Reading Memorial High School with funding to help establish this new programming for students to explore and consider different career options,” said Senator Lewis. “I’m thrilled that we are able to provide students the opportunity to explore hands-on working experience in collaboration with industry partners.”

“As the Interim Principal and Director of Academic Achievement at Reading Memorial High School, I would like to extend my appreciation to the staff, higher education and community partners that worked diligently throughout last school year to make earning DESE Innovation Career Pathway designations and grants possible, said Jessica B. Callanan. “Without the commitment and vision of this group neither accomplishment would be possible.”

“We are thrilled about the receipt of a $75,000 Innovation Pathways Implementation and Support Grant,” said Reading Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Thomas Milaschewski. “Our continued development and implementation of innovation pathways will open doors of access and opportunities for so many students in our community. We truly appreciate the leadership at Reading Memorial High School, particularly RMHS Interim Principal Jess Callanan, in making innovation pathways a reality in our district. We are also deeply thankful for the continued support of our community and local leaders House Minority Leader Bradley Jones, Jr., State Representative Richard Haggerty and State Senator Jason M. Lewis.”

Reading Public Schools

Reading Memorial High School awarded $75,000 Innovation Pathways Implementation and Support Grant

Reading Public Schools will be participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or the School Breakfast Program. As part of this program, Reading Memorial High School, Parker Middle School, Coolidge Middle School, Barrows Elementary School, Birch Meadow Elementary School, Joshua Eaton Elementary School, Killam Elementary School and Wood End Elementary School will offer healthy meals every school day. The Massachusetts legislature has provided funding to make meals available at no cost to all students during school year 2023-2024, regardless of household income. However, families should still complete a Meal Benefit Application as this provides data for key funding for academic resources and may also connect families to additional benefits. This data will also support the additional funds provided by the Commonwealth for this pilot.

Household size and income criteria are used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits if the household does not receive assistance or the children are not in the other categories mentioned above. Children can get free or reduced-price meals if the household’s gross income falls at or below the limits on the Federal Income Eligibility Guideline chart.

Click [**here**](https://readingps.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/SchoolBlocks/Edam-aVwBLlFp-zyPu7phUUBGZn04wxtML8p7I7zPtaYJg?e=ZgptpO) to read more!

Reading Public Schools Offers Another Year of Meals at No Cost for Students

Reading Memorial High School students and teachers received some well-deserved recognition for their talent in the visual arts program! Some highlights include: 



*   Student Rose Clark: A “Gold Key” winner for the national Scholastic Art and Writing awards competition for her photo entitled “One for Every Occasion”. The work was also featured in the Boston Globe and was awarded a Gold Medal by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers (the non-profit that manages the annual Scholastic Art and Writing Awards competition).
*   Teacher Kathy Dailey: Rose Clark’s AP Photography instructor who celebrated with Rose at an awards ceremony held in NYC’s Carnegie Hall. Ms. Dailey was the teacher of four other silver and gold award winners prior to Clark’s winning photo. In class, Ms. Dailey arranged for students to experience “tintype” photography, a Civil War era photographic technology as part of the class’ historical contextualization of advancements in photographic technologies.
*   Student Emily Bass: A student of Ms. Dailey’s that received two honorable mentions for her photographs entitled, “Rainbows Light Up our World” and “The Crossover”.
*   Student Jackie Cole: A student of Ms. Dailey’s that won Gold Key awards for her photos “Betrayal” and “Living in a Shadow”.
*   Student Khalen DePalma: A student of Ms. Dailey’s who won a Silver Key for a photo entitled “Shadow Box”.
*   Student Jonathan Nazzaro: A student of Ms. Dailey’s who won a Silver Key for a photo entitled “Perro Fantasma”.
*   Student Hannah Rigney: A student of Ms. Dailey’s who won a Silver Key for a photo entitled “BARBed Wired”
*   Student Mina Willander: A student of Ms. Dailey’s who won a Silver Key for a photo entitled “Window Shopping”
*   Student Christian Cha: A student of teacher Jane Cunningham who received an Honorable Mention for a short story entitled “The Untethered Balloon”
*   Student Amanda Frechette: A student of teacher Michael Radvany who won a Gold Key for the drawing entitled “Bundled Up”.
*   Student Sara Leclaire: A student of Michael Radvany who won a Gold Key for the painting entitled “Bullwax”.



**Click** [**here**](http://homenewshere.com/middlesex_east/article_b375d856-1cc8-11ee-b946-9f07c81ee6db.html) **to read more!**

RMHS Visual Arts Program Recognition

Reading Public Schools has been selected as a 2022-2023 District of Distinction for its use of Imagine Learning Illustrative Mathematics. Illustrative Mathematics is Reading’s core curriculum resource utilized by grades K-6. Reading Public Schools is one of only 18 districts nationwide recognized as a District of Distinction for their use of Illustrative Math curriculum resources

Reading Public Schools STEM Coordinator, Heather Leonard celebrated the distinction, “This recognition is well deserved, as a way to celebrate the significant efforts our educators have undertaken to adopt and implement our Illustrative Mathematics curriculum. Our RPS math classrooms are full of excitement and shared learning, student engagement, rigorous problem solving, and rich dialogue. It is exciting to see the joy of mathematics in our learning spaces.”

The recognition is granted by Imagine Learning who uses multiple measures, including usage and implementation data, to designate top schools and districts for the Imagine Nation Awards. The Imagine Nation Award is presented to schools and districts that demonstrate outstanding commitment to effective implementation of an Imagine Learning program throughout the year. Based on rigorous research, Imagine Learning has found that meeting program usage and implementation goals is directly associated with increased student success and academic growth. The Imagine Nation Awards are part of the Imagine Learning motivational program, igniting engagement and strengthening confidence for all learners. More than 21,000 schools and districts throughout the U.S. were eligible for the Imagine Nation Award.

Usage was reviewed for the current school year, and our district met the rigorous usage standards required for a District of Distinction designation. Imagine Learning shared their recognition; “We congratulate you on achieving this high honor through your consistent use of Imagine Learning Illustrative Mathematics and welcome you as a citizen of Imagine Nation. The entire Imagine Learning family congratulates you on your high level of commitment, enthusiasm, and perseverance.”

Superintendent Thomas Milaschewski shared; “This recognition reflects the hard work and dedication of our many administrators, teachers, staff, and students.  We are excited about how these efforts are translating to improved student outcomes and successes in math classrooms across our district.”

**About Illustrative Mathematics**

IM K–12 Math is a problem-based core curriculum built on the principle that all students are capable learners of grade-level mathematics. Students learn math by doing math. They are encouraged to use their current understanding of math, their lived experiences, and the world around them as resources for problem solving. By starting with what students already know, teachers invite all students to contribute to mathematical learning, centering student thinking, and being responsive as students develop conceptual understanding.

**About Imagine Learning**

Imagine Learning provides digital-first PreK–12 solutions for core instruction, supplemental and intervention, online courses, and virtual instruction. Our mission is to ignite learning breakthroughs with forward-thinking solutions at the intersection of people, curricula, and technology. We serve over 15 million students — partnering with over half of districts nationwide. Imagine Edgenuity™ is our flagship courseware solution, complemented by Imagine Instructional Services’ virtual teachers. Our core portfolio includes Imagine Learning Twig Science®, Illustrative Mathematics®, and EL Education®. Additionally, a robust supplemental and intervention suite provides personalized instruction for ELA, SLA, math, coding, and more.

Reading Public Schools Recognized for K-6 Math Curriculum

School Choice Applications for the 2023-2024 School Year are now available! [Click Here to apply!](https://readingps.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/SchoolBlocks/EcM9l9B1NZNKrY5xM9vfc3kBvZeR7OkJiV6SHlGakTNWHg?e=YwTvA1)

[](https://readingps.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/SchoolBlocks/EeQAP4mC3\_BOjzdYJnjUH4oBTew5Ic5qnfPl0xE9GqjkFA?e=BDjnIQ)

[Click here](https://readingps.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/SchoolBlocks/EeQAP4mC3\_BOjzdYJnjUH4oBTew5Ic5qnfPl0xE9GqjkFA?e=BDjnIQ) to learn more about School Choice Guidelines for the 2023-2024 School Year.

**Deadline for Application to be Submitted: Friday, June 2, 2023, at 3:00 pm**

School Choice Applications are Now Available for the 2023-2024 School Year!

2022-2023 Kindergarten Enrollment is Now Open! Please visit https://t.co/adWJY76xNG to register.

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