School Committee Approves School Improvement Plans | Select Board Reviews ReCalc Survey

School Committee Approves School Improvement Plans

By Kevin Vendt

By a vote of 5-0, the School Committee approved the School Improvement Plans for the elementary and middle schools on Thursday. As Superintendent of Schools Thomas Milaschewski explained, the individual plans show consistency across the district, have an instructional focus, align with the district improvement plan, but also allow for some school-specific areas for growth.

Principal Caitlyn Shelburne of Joshua Eaton Elementary School shared some commonalities across the elementary schools, including the development and measuring of a sense of belonging using the new school adjustment/METCO counselors, who Shelburne referred to as “pivotal new additions to our schools.” She also shared about coherent instructional systems brought about through new curriculum initiatives in the district. The schools will utilize instructional leadership teams, similar assessment and data analysis, and learning walkthroughs that provide “teachers the spotlight to learn from others.” [Read More]

Select Board Reviews ReCalc Survey

By Kevin Vendt

Dr. Caitlyn Coyle from the UMass Boston Center for Social Demographic Research shared the results of the Reading Center for Active Living Committee assessment process with the Select Board on Tuesday. Coyle shared that her organization was hired to help guide a public engagement and planning process for how the community should be moving forward with future needs for a senior or community center.

The assessment had three components: three community forums, four focus groups, and a survey. The survey had 1,470 responses. Coyle reported that 26 percent of the community is over the age of 60, and that this is expected to grow to 29 percent by 2030. Eighty-one percent of those surveyed intend to stay in Reading long-term, but fifty percent cited affordability as their primary concern for staying in town. Twenty-five percent also indicated that accessibility and infrastructure issues were concerns as well. Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed prefer a seniors-only center, while 48 percent prefer an all-ages approach to a new center. Coyle did point out that the percentage of those surveyed who prefer a seniors-only center increases dramatically in those over the age of seventy. [Read More]

Kiara Mooney Salon and Spa

By Isabella Pastore. Photos by Kenan Cooper

Kiara Mooney Salon and Spa is a hair and beauty salon offering an experience that most do not: one that fuses the mind, beauty, and soul. Owner and Reading native Kiara Mooney has brought an immersive experience to her clients, who come from all over New England to receive it.

Mooney started doing hair and working in the industry at age 14 as an assistant in a salon. She quickly fell in love with the connections she made with people, not only making them look but also feel good.

She has always loved the creative aspect of the work she does and specializes in coloring. Mooney attended Middlesex Community College for her associate’s degree in Business Administration and then on to Suffolk for her bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Accounting.

Mooney admits that opening her own business was initially intimidating. It was challenging to combine the creative and logistical aspects of owning a business but she was hoping to establish a particular experience for her clients.

“While I worked in wonderful salons with wonderful owners, I still felt like I wanted to give my clients and myself the opportunity to provide a unique experience,” said Mooney. “I just felt like I couldn’t find a salon that offered the experience that my clients truly deserved.”

She recognized that a huge impact could be made on the community from her own business by seeing five or six clients a day. She opened her own salon at Sola Salon Studios in Reading in 2015, and as she expanded services, she realized that hiring out and finding a new space would be necessary. [Read More]

Reading Memorial Marching Band Rings the Victory Bell

The Reading Memorial High School (RMHS) Marching Band rang the Victory Bell on November 23rd to celebrate placing first in the New England Scholastic Band Association’s State Finals on October 30th. This is the second consecutive year the RMHS Marching Band has placed first in their division. The Victory Bell was installed in 2014 and dedicated to Michael Scarpitto, a long-time RMHS assistant principal and former English teacher who retired in 2015. It was Mr.Scarpitto’s vision that the bell is rung to celebrate the successes and accomplishments of the RMHS community. [Read More]

First ARPA Funds Given to Reading Food Pantry

$46,200 check presented on Tuesday will aid food storage, purchases, and space usage

With 13 new households utilizing the Reading Food Pantry this month, these ARPA funds couldn’t come soon enough. Town Manager Fidel Maltez, along with Select Board Chair Mark Dockser, Vice Chair Karen Herrick, and Secretary Chris Haley, presented the first ARPA funds for disbursement to the Food Pantry for $46,200.

The Town established the Reading ARPA Advisory Committee (RAAC) last year, comprised of members of the Finance Committee, Select Board, School Committee, and the Library Board of Trustees. The Committee conducted a community survey, reviewed applications for ARPA funds, and more, making a series of recommendations to the Select Board for approval. These funds to the Food Pantry are among the first to be paid out. [Read More]

Reading Animal Clinic Open House

By Kevin Vendt

Showcasing an open and inviting lobby and modern treatment spaces, the Reading Animal Clinic officially opened its new 10,959-square-foot facility at 1320 Main Street with an open house on December 4, 2022. Clinic owner Elizabeth Shurland thanked all involved with the new building, especially her staff, who had a hand in its development.

The new clinic features private exam rooms with soft music playing to aid in the relaxation of patients and owners alike. “I’ve been a client, and I know how scary it can be to trust others with your animal,” Shurland commented. The clinic also features an on-site pharmacy, private kennels for surgical patients, modern diagnostic spaces with ultrasound and x-ray equipment, fully functional lab facilities, and surgical suites with the latest monitoring equipment. Additionally, the clinic offers full dental services.

Shurland explained that each room is themed to bring awareness regarding animal species that are threatened by climate change. “No polar bears though . . . as they may scare the patients,” Shurland joked.

Select Board member Karen Herrick also pointed out that the new clinic is the first commercial building in town to use a geothermal heating and cooling system. Shurland intends to enhance this by adding solar in the near future. “I’d like to be as close to net zero as possible,” Shurland explained. The water used in the new heating and cooling system comes from a series of 1,500-foot-deep wells beneath the clinic’s parking lot.

“The most unique thing about Reading Animal Clinic is that we truly take care of our pets and owners from start to finish,” Medical Director Rose Flynn explained. “We love people, and we love their pets.” [Read More]

Local Residents to Perform in Northeast Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker

Twenty local residents cast in the highly anticipated production

Northeast Youth Ballet’s The Nutcracker is the enchanting journey of a young girl named Clara in 1835’s Germany who embarks on a journey through a winter wonderland to a palace of sugary sweets. Featuring the talents of more than 100 dancers who auditioned from the Greater Boston area, the full-length production will return to the J. Everett Collins Center for the Performing Arts in Andover, MA after a hiatus caused by the pandemic. Exquisite dancing, beautiful costumes, and lavish sets, with Tchaikovsky’s brilliant score, guarantee a magical holiday experience.

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary of The Nutcracker production, Northeast Youth Ballet (NYB), a non-profit ballet company since 1996 is known for producing quality ballet productions at affordable prices at home and abroad. Critics rave and past praises for NYB performances include The Boston Globe, The Medford Daily Mercury, WBZ Channel 4, The Lynn Item, and other local papers and cable channels. [Read More]

Reading Rotary Club Donates $6,000 to Support Community Garden Expansion New garden will benefit the Reading Food Pantry

At their meeting on December 5, the Reading Rotary Club was delighted to hear a presentation from Reading Community Garden steering committee member Cathy Zeek and Reading Food Pantry board member Simone Payment. The women shared plans for an expansion of the Community Garden at the Mattera Cabin site next spring. This large garden, which will produce vegetables dedicated to clients of the Reading Food Pantry, will be tended by local volunteers. All produce will be given away to residents struggling with food insecurity.

Reading Rotary Co-President Sheila Clarke says, “This is such an exciting project for Rotary to be part of. We are thrilled to have a meaningful impact on improving access to healthy, fresh food for all residents.” Co-President John Douglass agrees: “The Rotary Club not only plans to support this project financially to buy supplies and materials, our members will be out there this spring getting our hands dirty actually building the garden.”

At the end of the meeting, the Reading Rotary co-presidents presented the two women with a symbolic check for $6,000, representing the money the Reading Rotary Club has committed toward this project in spring 2023.

The funds will come from donations from local Rotarians and a district-wide grant. Jeanne Borawski, who spearheaded the grant writing, explains, “While the Reading Rotary Club focuses on local work, Rotary is an international organization committed to improving the world in seven focus areas: promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water and sanitation, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, and protecting the environment. Working with the Community Garden and Food Pantry is the perfect opportunity to act locally, while thinking globally.” [Read More]

1st Annual Town of Reading Menorah Lighting

Reading, MA – The 1st Annual Town of Reading Public Menorah Lighting will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022, at 5:30pm at Reading Town Common. The entire community is invited to join the Reading Jewish community and Chabad of the North Shore to experience the light and joy of Chanukah, the power of light, goodness, and kindness to counter the darkness.

Music • Crafts for Kids • Chanukah Treats • Glow Dreidels and much more!

Please dress warmly and bring a donation of shelf-stable food for the Reading Food Pantry.

with many thanks to our partners: Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce; Reading Rotary Club, the Coalition of US (CATO), Whitelam books, The Reading Clergy Association, and the Chabad of the North Shore. [Read More]

2023 RMLD Historical Calendars are Available

By popular demand, the 2023 RMLD Historical Calendars are here! You can pick up your free calendar at RMLD or at any of these locations. We hope you enjoy your calendar!