Reading Public Schools Discusses Preschool and Kindergarten Options

School Committee Chairman Karen Janowski has released the following statement on behalf of the Reading School Committee and Reading Public Schools.

Reading Public Schools, Austin Prep Closed Tuesday

Schools will be closed due to the winter storm passing through Massachusetts.

Tell the kids they can roll over and go back to sleep: Reading Public Schools and Austin Preparatory School will be closed today, Tuesday, March 19 due to the winter storm. The latest National Weather Service forecast for Reading calls for snow before noon, then snow and sleet between noon and 1 p.m., then rain and snow after 1 p.m. A total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches is possible, with a high temperature near 37.

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Reading Public Schools Closed Friday

It's another snow day for the students of Reading.

  The snow days just keep piling up. Reading Public Schools will be closed Friday. For breaking Reading news as it happens, sign up for Reading Patch email alerts.

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Reading Public Schools Closed Friday

Schools are closed due to the storm.

According to Superintendent Doherty, Reading Public Schools will be closed on Friday, February 8. Schools will be closed due to the blizzard headed our way.

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Reading Public Library Receives $5.1M for Renovations and Addition

Two other prospective projects for the Killam School and creating additional space in Reading's elementary schools may also need debt exclusions.

Finally, Reading officials received the word they’d been hoping for: the state has awarded the town $5.1 million toward a $12 million public library "gut" renovation and 8,000-square-foot addition project. Library Director Ruth Urell laid out the details Wednesday night at a town financial forum. The forum brings together the Finance Committee, Board of Selectmen, School Committee and library Board of Trustees to discuss town finances. "Major structural repairs and substantial renovations are required," according to a handout about the library project, "to comply with current building codes." Library trustees commissioned a study in 2010 to determine library needs "in the light of steady growth in service and multiplying facility …

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Your Turn: Mass. Gets Waiver From No Child Left Behind—Good or Bad?

Do you agree with the state no longer having to have every student test as proficient in reading and math by 2014? Or should the standard be kept in place?

President Barack Obama granted a waiver to Massachusetts and nine other states from the No Child Left Behind law last week, in exchange for promises of higher standards and more creative ways to measure what kids are learning, according to a report by the Associated Press. The news follows the Bay State’s request last October to opt-out of the requirement that all students demonstrate proficiency in reading and math by 2014. The presidential waiver grants that request, while requiring each state to submit plans showing how they will prepare students for college and careers; set new targets for improving achievement; reward the best performing schools and focus on schools performing poorly, according to the AP. The federal No Child Left …

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School Committee Hears Proposed FY13 Budget

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Doherty presented his recommended Fiscal Year 2013 budget to the School Committee last night at Reading Memorial High School.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Doherty presented his recommended Fiscal Year 2013 budget to the School Committee last night at Reading Memorial High School. After three consecutive years of stagnant funding—there has been a net budget increase of 0 percent during that span—the budget presented to the School Committee last night contained the most significant increase seen in several years. Doherty’s recommended budget contains a 2.9 percent increase over FY12, an additional $1,047,980 above what was approved last year. “The last three fiscal years have been extremely challenging for the Reading Public Schools,” wrote Doherty in an advance copy of the budget. “A reduction in state aid, coupled with rising health insurance costs have led…

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Deck Your House and Win $100,000 for Reading Public Schools

Get out the lights and holly. Your decorating could net $100,000 for our schools. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to win a $100,000 gift to the Reading Public Schools. Patch.com is launching a nationwide contest to find the best dressed home in its Pa

Here’s how the contest works. Beginning on Dec. 8 and continuing through Dec. 26, you can nominate your home by uploading a photo to the contest entry form on the site. During that same time period you and your neighbors will also be able to vote for your favorite festive home. The winning entry will be forwarded to a national Patch judge that will select 24 finalists. Each finalist will receive $500 that they can apply to their December electric bill. From Dec. 30 through Jan. 8 you will be able to vote for the Best Decked House in all of Patch. The grand prize winner’s school district will receive a $100,000 check from Patch. So, get out your lights and ladders (and your competitive spirit)! Whether your style is sophisticated or silly, …

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