February Narragansett School System Newsletter
Important Budget Dates Reminder

Budget Presented at School Committee Meeting: 2/27/19 | 7:00pm
1st Budget Workshop for School Committee:  3/6/19 | 5:30 pm
2nd Budget Workshop for School Committee:  3/11/19 | 5:30 pm
3rd Budget Workshop if needed 3/13/19 | 5:30pm
School Committee Budget Vote at Regular School Committee Meeting:  3/20/19 | 7:00pm
Town Council Meeting- Public Hearing on Budget:  TBD April 2019

For any questions or concerns, please contact Superintendent Dr. Peter Cummings by email.
School Committee Summary

Each month, our School Committee gathers at Town Hall to discuss the current year, future goals, and initiatives taking place in our school system.

We are pleased to share this great information through a  School Committee Summary . To view our most recent summary, please click below.
New Visitor Sign In

All of our schools have recently launched a New School Visitor Management System in an effort to keep security a priority with our students and staff. 

This system now requires anyone visiting or needing to get into the school to present a driver's license, which will be scanned at our new check-in kiosk in the front office. You will also be asked to share information such as your name, date, time of check-in, reason for visit, and where you're going. Once all of the information is entered, a screen is completed before a temporary badge is then printed out for you to wear for the duration of your visit.

If you do not have a driver's license on hand at the time of your visit, another form of photo identification will be required. 

We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this as we continue to evolve our security measures to ensure the safety of you and your child in our school community. If you have any questions, please reach out to the main office of your school.
Don't Forget SurveyWorks!

If you haven't already, we invite you to join in and help our schools by completing SurveyWorks before the March 31 deadline.

Using your school specific code you received from the front office, click the link below to begin. Students will be given the opportunity to participate in the survey during school. Thank you for your support.
New Registrations Now Open
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION

Preschool registration is now open for the 2019/2020 school year! We invite you to easily apply online and to learn more about the curriculum by visiting our website.

Rolling admissions will continue throughout the year on a first come, first serve basis. Please click below to learn more and register. For additional questions, you can explore our FAQ Page or connect with  Leslie Brow , the Director of Student Services.
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Kindergarten registration officially opened and parents and guardians can easily register online by using THIS link or by clicking the button below. If you do not have a computer, you are welcome to use the one available in the Narragansett Elementary School main office.

Please note that there are some documents we will need that you may either scan or bring into the office, such as proof of residency and immunization records. Please reach out to the NES office with any questions.
Narragansett Educator Highlight
Each month, we are happy to share a little more about one of our educators here at our schools. We hope this will help better connect you with the wonderful individuals who work hard to give our students the best experience each year, while learning fun facts about them.
Erin Hohl, NHS Special Education

How long have you been working within the Narragansett School System and what do you do?
I have had the pleasure of working at Narragansett High School since 2008 as a special education teacher. For the past several years, I have mostly worked with students in the senior class in my role as special educator in a collaborative English and Civics class as well as teaching Study Skills. Despite the fact that I work mostly with students with IEPs, my door is open to anyone who may need help whether they have an IEP or not. I have worked with countless seniors over the years who have needed just a little encouragement to finish up their graduation requirements and get themselves over that graduation stage.

Where are you originally from?
I grew up just one town north of Narragansett in North Kingstown and even though I have embraced becoming a Mariner, I will always be a Skipper at heart!

What is your favorite part about working at your school?
My favorite part of working at the high school is that beautiful night in June when I have the chance to sit back in my seat at the graduation ceremony at the Ryan Center and watch all of the seniors I have worked with throughout the year. I know in my heart that I played some little part in helping them reach their goal of graduating. With the rigor of high school and graduation requirements these days, it is an incredible accomplishment when our students graduate either on time or at a later date. I take great pride in watching them receive their diplomas!

Do you have any hobbies outside of the school day or during the summer that you like to enjoy?
I adore and cherish my time away from school with my dear husband, Harvey, of almost 15 years and my 3 amazing children - Jackson (11), Finley (9) and Harvey IV (almost 6). I absolutely love going to see my children’s sporting events and am their biggest fan in the stands! My family and I spend a large amount of our time in the summer enjoying everything our beautiful Narragansett Town Beach has to offer. I also love to run, paddle board and have taken up heated yoga classes. I love to go hiking, especially in New Hampshire and Vermont.

What is one thing that your students and staff may not know about you!
I am a huge fan of Wes Anderson films and never miss watching the reality series Survivor . I absolutely love going to see live music. This year I am hoping to make it to the Boston Calling festival…fingers crossed no sporting events that weekend!
Narragansett Elementary School
Important February NES Dates

11: 100th Day of School Celebration
12: Grade 4 Kids Heart Challenge
12 & 26: Bank Days
13: Grade 3 Kids Heart Challenge
13 - Box Top Submission Deadline
15-18: No School Winter Recess
20 - PBIS Backwards Day
25 - NES PTO TIDES Enrichment Registration ( begins March 5th)
27: School Committee Meeting | 7pm Town Hall
Recess Rocks Student Video

We love sharing the projects our students work hard on throughout the year.

With the help of Library Media Specialist, Brien Jennings, NES media students helped produce a video on the Recess Rocks initiative that took place this past October.

Here, students share their love for recess and explain why it's important to them. Enjoy!
NAEP Testing

On February 14th, Grade 4 will take part in National Assessment of Educations Progress (NAEP) testing.

A detailed letter was sent home with your student a few weeks ago as well as shared within a recent NES Digital Newsletter.

NAEP the only assessment that measures what U.S. students know and can do in various subjects across the nation, states, and in some urban districts. Also known as The Nation’s Report Card, NAEP has provided important information about how students are performing academically since 1969.

Learn more about NAEP by clicking below.
New Courtyard Door Installed!

We are excited to share that the project of installing a second door out to the courtyard has been completed, enabling us to now use our courtyard during school!

This allows our teachers to safely use this area as an outdoor teaching and recreational space that is safe and protected.

Thank you to all who helped make this possible and we look forward to warmer weather where our students can enjoy the outdoors.
Narragansett Little League Registration Open

Registration is now open for 2019 Narragansett Little League (NLL) Baseball and Softball. To register, click the button below to be directed to their website.

Registration is for ages 4-14yrs old.
Cost: $125 for first player, $100 second player, $75 third player and T-ball-$75.  

There will be only one in person registration opportunity coming up :
When : Saturday February 23 | 9am-12pm
Where : Narragansett Elementary School

Please note that all registrations will include a fundraising fee. The NLL will be conducting a cash drawing at Opening Day, along with weekly cash drawings each week of the season and a grand prize drawing at the end of the season. For more information on NLL, please contact eric@lighthouseri.com .
NES Kids Heart Challenge

Parents, it’s time for your child to show heart! This year, the NES PE Department is launching the Kids Heart Challenge . It’s your child’s chance to be a Heart Hero by learning about heart health, spreading the word, and raising funds to save other children.

Have your child go to THIS WEBSITE  so they can join our school team and take one of the three challenges. There is also information to email family and friends to ask for support through fundraising. Students and parents can also download the app by searching Kids Heart Challenge in your phone’s app store.

The in school Heart Challenge will take place on two different days for each involved grade:

February 12: Grade 4 Kids Heart Challenge
February 13: Grade 3 Kids Heart Challenge
 
It’s not too late to contribute to our school’s efforts to fight the No. 1 killer of Americans: heart disease. We are so proud of our 3rd and 4th grade students for learning how to stay healthy, gaining confidence and helping others by raising money for the American Heart Association. Thank you for supporting the physical and emotional well-being of our students and the American Heart Association.
Narragansett Pier Middle School
Important February NPS Dates

5: PTO Meeting | 7pm Catarina's
12: 8th Grade Parent Night | 7pm NHS
13: Hoops 4 Heart | 2pm NPS Gym
15-18: No School Winter Recess
27: School Committee Meeting | 7pm Town Hall
Talent Show Auditions

Auditions for the Pier School's 2019 Talent Show, "Mariner Madness," will be held in the Pier School cafeteria the week of March 4th.

Get your songs, dances, special talents, comedy skits and more ready to showcase to the 8th grade enrichment class who is planning this event!
Spelling Bee Winner!

Congratulations to 7th Grader Annie Butler who won the NPS Spelling Bee on January 29th and and runner up 5th grader Ethan Smith! The winners will represent Narragansett in the State-Wide Spelling Bee to be held on Saturday, March 16 at 10:00 am at Lincoln Middle School.

Annie held on to her title as she was last year's winner as well. This event was wonderfully coordinated this year by Mrs. Melissa O'Neil and students from all four grades competed. Brenna Reardon led with the Pledge of Allegiance with Superintendent Dr. Peter Cummings as our Spelling Bee Pronouncer. A special thanks to our judges Mrs. Hackett, Mr. Lanz, Mrs. Loiselle and Mrs. Pesante. Congratulations to all those who tried out and competed!
Yearbooks are now on sale with forms available in the office or by ordering online.

The deadline to order yearbooks with a personalized cover is  March 29, 2019 .

If you would like to order online, please click below and enter Yearbook ID Code #11927119.

If purchasing by check, please make payable to NPS with your student's name in the memo section. Remember there are only a limited amount of yearbooks available so order yours today .
Use Power School All Year Long

We're pleased to continue offering our school community a service making it easy to keep track of grades and attendance for your child.

Power School access codes are available to all students and their parents. If you are still in need of yours, please call the office and one will be mailed home. If your child needs theirs, they may go to the office or guidance.

Second Quarter ended on January 25th and report cards were sent home on Friday, February 1st.
DATE CHANGE: National History Day 2019

Please note that there has been a date change for both the contest and preview night. The Pier School's Annual School-Level National History Day Contest will now be held on Wednesday, February 27th 2019.

The new date for parent night, where you can view the student websites, documentaries, historical papers, exhibits and performances before the official unveiling will now be on Tuesday, February 26th from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Pier School. If you have any questions, please reach out to Vanessa Miller at vmiller@nssk12.org.
AD Michael Millen Recognized

Congratulations to NPS Athletic Director, Michael J. Millen Sr, for being recognized by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators as a Certified Athletic Administrator!

The organization shared that to earn this distinction, Michael has demonstrated the highest level of knowledge and expertise in the field of interscholastic athletic administration. Michael is now one of an elite group of interscholastic athletic administrators nationwide to attain this level of professionalism.

Read the full story by clicking below!
NPS Sports Update

Wrestling : This year, the entire NPS wrestling team came alive at the RI Futures after a 7 and 2 regular season. Of 12 wrestlers, all but 2 in a tournament for the first time, 8 came back with medals for their two days of work. Drew Giannetto, 6th grade, RI Middle Futures Champion at 75 pounds. Cyrus Hotchkiss, 6th grade, 3rd at 88 pounds. Ke'Asia Williams, 8th grade, 3rd at 140 pounds. Ray McConnell, 7th grade, 4th at 106. Jack Giannetto, 6th grade, 5th at 106 pounds. Luke Williams, 6th grade, 6th at 70 pounds. Matt Timpson, 6th grade, 6th at 88 pounds. Darin Price, 7th grade, 8th at 133 pounds. Captains Collin Morgan finished 5th in the State while Ke'Asia Williams and Victoria Ransom finished strong at the Middle School Varsity States.

Basketball : Boys basketball season came to an end in the quarter finals against Park View at the end of January after finishing 2nd in the hard Southern Division. 
Narragansett High School 
Important February NHS Dates

7: Blood Drive | 9-2pm NHS Gym
12: 8th Grade Parent Night | 7pm NHS
12: Graduation Portfolio Night | 7pm Media Center
15-18: No School Winter Recess
27: School Committee Meeting | 7pm Town Hall
Principal Warner Receives New Lease on Life

On December 10th, Narragansett High School Principal Dan Warner received a life-saving kidney transplant. It was thanks to selfless donor, Dan Wagner, who was also his former colleague in Colorado.

ABC 6 News followed their inspiring story of friendship and strength.

Click below to read the story that went live on the morning of January 21, 2019.

Wishing both Dan and Dan and their families well as they continue their journey and we can't wait to welcome Principal Warner back to our school!
NHS Teams Win Big in January

During the last weekend of January, two teams from Narragansett High School took first place in intense competitions.

Robotics
The NHS robotics team, Welcome to the Machine, competed at New England Institute of Technology  and qualified for the State Championship! The team had 4 out of 5 successful winning runs and also came in 2nd for the Connect Award.
They are now preparing for the Championship on February 9th at New England Tech Automotive

Ethics Bowl
Our NHS team won the state championship at the 2019 RI Ethics Bowl. T his was the first time a team from our high school competed. NHS student Mollie Melnick coached the team for her senior project and did a phenomenal job. The  National High School Ethics Bowl  (NHSEB) promotes respectful, supportive, and rigorous discussion of ethics among thousands of high school students nationwide. We're so proud of our students and how wonderfully they represented our school district.
PTO Meetings Reminder

This is a brief reminder that we have NHS PTO meetings scheduled for the remainder of the 2019 school year. The dates are as follows:

March 7th, and May 9th

Meetings are held at 7PM in the NHS Media Center, unless otherwise announced on the NHS PTO Facebook page or in the monthly NHS Newsletter. 

You can always explore the NHS PTO web page for more information on events, fundraisers, and updates. Click below to be directed there.
NHS Music News

Our talented NHS musicians attended the Berklee Jazz Festival in Boston on Saturday January 26th and did a fantastic job. We are so proud of our students and how hard they work to prepare for each performance.

Click below to listen to a sampling of their performance!
 Narragansett Elementary School
55 Mumford Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 792-9420

Narragansett Pier Middle School
235 S Pier Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 792-9430
Narragansett High School
245 S Pier Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882
(401) 792-9400
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