Ruby’s Pantries is a community initiative started by local student Ruby Weiner to help address food insecurity. These small, freestanding pantries offer free, nonperishable food to anyone who needs it, with community members encouraged to donate what they can and take what they need. On Thursday and Friday, JRMS Student Council representatives and TIGERS Leaders were invited to help paint the pantries—a wonderful opportunity to give back and support neighbors in need!  One pantry will be located in Redding, with the remaining pantries going to Wilton and Norwalk.

We have a lot going on next week!  Please see the following information.

The week of October 26 is a SPIRIT WEEK

The week of Monday, October 26 is ALSO our first round of Grade Level Socials

Monday, October 26 - 5th Grade

Tuesday, October 27 - 6th Grade

Wednesday, October 28 - 7th Grade

Thursday, October 29 - 8th Grade

COSTUME  GUIDELINES FOR UPCOMING SOCIALS

Costumes are encouraged but not required to attend the social. Students may wear costumes to school or change into their costumes at the end of the school day after bus dismissal if they prefer.  A student may choose to dress for the Spirit Days rather than dressing in a costume. Still others may want to dress as if it were a typical school day. We leave it to each student to decide what works best.

• Costumes must be comfortable (walking, sitting, quickly evacuating the building) for a full day of school (this may mean simplifying some costumes). Students should consider the temperature within the school building when deciding on a costume.

• The theme at school is to have a fun and relatively non-scary celebration; meaning costumes must be appropriate for school (no gore, no blood). 

• No costume masks during the school day, no props, no weapons, nor facsimiles of weapons.

• Any makeup should be kept to a minimum, as it has caused issues in the past. We need to be able to identify each student.

Friday, October 30, 2026

Friday, October 30, 2026 we will host Halloween walks by grade level.  These are meant for staff and students. Outside participants/viewers are not allowed.

8th Grade Walk - 9:40am

7th Grade Walk - 11:40am

6th Grade Walk - 12:30pm

5th Grade Walk - 1:40pm

There is a costume contest by grade level for the following costumes:

• Best Group Costume

• Most Creative Costume

• Funniest Costume

• Scariest Costume

• Best All Around Costume

Students will vote by Grade Level immediately after the walk and winners announced during the afternoon Halloween Pep Rally

AFTERNOON PEP RALLY

We will have a Halloween Pep Rally last period on Friday, October 30. Costume winners will be announced and games will be played. 

COSTUME  GUIDELINES FOR OCTOBER 30

Students may wear costumes, if they so desire, on October 30. JRMS will host an internal Halloween parade and a Halloween Pep Rally on Friday. All school rules apply. This means that students may not wear clothing that advertises alcohol or promotes smoking or drug use. 

• Costumes must be comfortable (walking, sitting, quickly evacuating the building) for a full day of school (this may mean simplifying some costumes). Students should consider the temperature within the school building when deciding on a costume.

• The theme at school is to have a fun and relatively non-scary celebration; meaning costumes must be appropriate for school (no gore, no blood). 

• No costume masks during the school day, no props, no weapons, nor facsimiles of weapons.

• Any makeup should be kept to a minimum, as it has caused issues in the past. We need to be able to identify each student.

Yearbooks are on sale for all of John Read Middle School. Order today, as the price will increase throughout the year.  

To order a yearbook, please use the link below or go to the JRMS website

Order Yearbook

Special note for 8th grade families only

8th Grade Recognition Ads:  Please consider purchasing a yearbook recognition ad.  Yearbook ads are a great way to celebrate student success, milestones, and reflect on the person your child has become. Show your pride and support your school at the same time. Ads can be purchased using the link provided below. 

Deadline to order a Recognition Ad is 12/1/2026

Baby Photos(Grade 8 Only): 

We are collecting baby photos of all 8th graders to go alongside their portraits in the 8th grade section of the yearbook. The DEADLINE to submit a baby photo is December 1, 2026.  Photos are collected through Josten's platform (Photoshare). To submit a baby photo, please use the following link or go to the JRMS website: 

Baby Photos

Please contact jcollentine@er9.org with any questions