Last Day of School Set for June 16

School Committee finalizes calendar; updates shared on Children’s Cabinet progress, evolving math pathways, and summer learning opportunities

Reading, MA — By a 5-0 vote, the School Committee set the last day of school for the 2024-2025 school year as Monday, June 16. Superintendent of Schools Thomas Milaschewski, recognizing that ending the school year on a Monday is not ideal, reminded the committee that the district is required to have 180 days in school on its calendar. “I guess I should have called a snow day,” Milaschewski quipped.

Parent Coach and Educational Consultant Theresa Wiggins and Doctoral Resident Barbara Best updated the School Committee on progress with Reading’s Children’s Cabinet. Wiggins explained that the project is in its second year and has developed a group of 25 community stakeholders to help identify issues and places where gaps can be closed for children and families.

Wiggins further explained that two “buckets” of needs have been identified, the first being the ability to access resources. To aid with this challenge, the group will create a family closet known as “Reading Rethreads.” This will be a location for families to search out new or gently used clothing that has been donated to help those in need. The group is currently acquiring a location for the closet and intends to have it open initially once a month so that families can “shop” for what they may need.

Best explained the second identified bucket is creating school and community connections. This has involved listening sessions with high school students from across varying groups at Reading Memorial High School, including team captains and those involved in the arts. Best shared that all this will culminate in a Youth Town Hall in the near future. “Students want to be in relationships,” Best noted.

Milaschewski praised the Children’s Cabinet’s efforts, stating, “All of the work to support young people cannot fall on the schools.”

Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Sarah Hardy shared an update regarding math pathways with the committee. The goal of the math pathways work is to develop multiple ways for students to access higher-level math courses during their final years in high school. 

Hardy reported that continuing work has been done on the “on grade” math options for seniors, as well as continued professional development for teachers. She explained that in the coming school year, the “Financial Algebra” course will be replaced with “Advanced Algebra with Financial Applications.” The new course will be similar to the previous one, with more rigorous math applications.

Hardy also shared that the summer math modules for middle school students would return this summer with two different options for rising eighth graders: a complete review of seventh-grade math and an option for those seeking to take algebra in eighth grade. She also noted that the summer honors geometry course would be returning this summer. High school students who take this course can avoid having to double up on their math courses in tenth grade.

By votes of 5-0, the School Committee approved awarding $2,051 for the David Savio Scholarship and $400 for the Arthur L. Spencer Scholarship.

The School Committee adjourned at 8:00 pm.