Narragansett School System August Newsletter
August 8, 2018
Chad O'Brien Funds To Help NHS

Narragansett High School has recently been awarded funding through the impactful Chad O’Brien Memorial Scholarship to help further ongoing suicide prevention work in the school’s community. The funding will be used to ensure the school system has an in-district certified suicide prevention trainer on staff. Currently, the school’s social worker also serves as a certified trainer in the QPR approach to suicide prevention.  

On August 15th, a check presentation will take place at the monthly School Committee meeting to signify the start to new work in the community.

The Chad O'Brien Memorial Scholarship was originally founded in memory of NHS graduate, Chad O’Brien, who passed away in 2006. Student scholarships were established to serve as a tribute to O’Brien’s life while reminding students of how valuable life is. The funding from the organization will support Narragansett’s mental health and suicide prevention efforts for the foreseeable future. 
Meeting Summaries

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 sharing this great information through a  School Committee Summary . To view our most recent summary, please click below.
Updated Calendars

As the new school year nears, below are updated calendars to make note of. These can also be found on our website, which is updated regularly.
Town Banner Contest Winners!

Over the past few months, the Town of Narragansett and the Narragansett School System hosted a contest for high school students to help design the next town banner series that would adorn our beautiful streets come spring 2019.

Congratulations to Christina McPhillips and Shannon McNeiece, whose designs were voted as the winners!

Over the next several months, their designs will be used by the town as inspiration for the newest banners that will hang consecutively throughout the town. They will also have the opportunity to be a part of design meetings to help the process along. We will keep you updated on the unveiling as well as what the final banners will look like. Thanks to all who participated and voted!
Christina McPhillips
Shannon McNeiece
Narragansett Ranked Top 20 of Best Schools

The 2018/2019 best schools list was recently released after rankings were finalized by  Niche.com . The findings came from looking at data from the U.S. Department of Education as well as test scores, college data, and ratings collected from Niche users.  

Narragansett High School ranked 17th best overall school in R.I.!

These numbers give us even bigger milestones and goals to hit as we increase our student base as well as the programs we offer in each school. Check out the full listing below.
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.
Jennifer Lubic - Reading Specialist, NES

How long have you worked in Narragansett and what's your role?
I have been teaching in the Narragansett School System for 19 years as a Reading Specialist at the elementary school.

Where are you originally from?
I am originally from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. I came here when I was sixteen and actually attended NHS for my junior and senior years. We moved here as a result of my father's job transfer. I fell in love with the area and vowed to find a way to stay. I went to the University of Rhode Island and graduated with a degree in Secondary Education and English. After a few years teaching English, I realized I could not reach a certain population of my students who could not read well and could, therefore, not fall in love with James Baldwin or Steinbeck. I returned to URI and pursued my Master's Degree in Reading Education. Upon completing my Masters, I was fortunate enough to obtain a 0.6 position at Narragansett Elementary School.

What is your favorite part about teaching at your school?
My favorite part of teaching my students is seeing the light shine in their eyes when they begin to master a skill or concept that they previously thought was unobtainable. I push my students and myself with an equal measure of high expectations and humor. The work they are attempting is difficult and I try my best to respect where they are and compassionately challenge them forward. My more personal favorite part of teaching is the incredible joy I feel when collaborating with my colleagues. I have the utmost respect for the teachers at NES and I feel fortunate if I can help them out in any way possible .  

Do you have any hobbies outside of the school day that you like to enjoy?
I am very passionate about my hobbies. My first love is reading and I have to read every day or I feel a bit lost. My favorite genres are realistic fiction and mystery. In the summer, I try to read at least one Pulitzer Prize winner. I also absolutely love to garden and take care of my beehives. When the sun is on my back and my hands are in the soil, and I am aware of the life all around me; it's as close as I can come to tranquility. My final hobby, which isn't actually a hobby, is being a spectator at my children's soccer and lacrosse games. I have sat through more games than one would think possible, but with my last child starting her junior year, I am trying to enjoy my time in the stands because it is coming to an end.

What is one thing that students and staff may not know about you?
One thing that students and staff may not know about me is that I love to play board games and Mario Kart. I will literally drop everything to play Scrabble, Yahtzee, Connect 4, etc., you get the picture.
Narragansett Elementary School
A Look Ahead- Fall Dates

August 22: Pre-K and Kindergarten Student Screening 9:00am
August 29: Kindergarten Parent Orientation 6:00pm
August 29: NSS Convocation- ALL STAFF 8:00am
August 30: 4th Grade Parent Night 4:30pm
September 4: First Day of School
September 14: 2nd Grade Parent Night 5:00pm
September 17 : 3rd Grade Parent Night 6:00pm
September 23 : PTO Sundaes on Sunday 1:00pm ( Rain date 9/30 )
September 27 : 1st Grade Parent Night 5:30pm
October 4: Pre-K Parent Night 5:30pm
NES Principal Search Update

We would like to share a note from Superintendent, Dr. Peter Cummings on the ongoing search for a new Elementary School Principal.

"We have gone through a first and a second round of interviews and, unfortunately, have not yet found a candidate who fits the leadership profile we would like to have in place at our school. Mrs. Dandurand has agreed to return to NES for the first half of the school year and beyond if necessary.  We have said all along that we will be thorough and extend the search to find the right person for this critical role, and are fortunate to have Gail available and willing to continue her terrific work at the elementary school. We will re-open the search later this year, with a focus on attracting the right candidates with a longer application window and through some targeted recruiting. I am confident we will find the right person with this longer application window and by conducting the search at a different time of year. "

-Superintendent Dr. Peter Cummings
Our Garden is Growing!

Our NES Garden is flourishing this summer! Thanks to our wonderful volunteers, this garden was created as a beautiful space for all to enjoy.

Parents, students and staff got together in June to dedicate the garden, which now hosts many different varieties of plants.

Thanks to all who made this project possible through time and fundraising.
2018-19 School Supply List

Please click below for the latest School Supply List for the upcoming school year.




Narragansett Pier Middle School
A Look Ahead- Fall Dates

August 23: 5th grade laptop distribution 10-3pm
August 27: Continued 5th grade laptop distribution 12-6pm
August 29: NSS Convocation- ALL STAFF 8am
September 4: First Day of School
September 20: Open House 6pm
September 28: NPS Welcome Back Dance 7pm
IMPORTANT Schedule Change/Tardiness

This year at NPS we are instituting a minor schedule change that will impact when students are considered tardy to school. 

In an attempt to get the most out of our first period classes, we are eliminating the need for students to attend homeroom on a daily basis. Students will report to homeroom on the first day of school and then only as needed for the remainder of the school year.  

Instead of homeroom, students will report directly to their first period class where attendance will be taken and morning exercises (pledge of allegiance and brief announcements) will be observed. 

 School opens at 8:05am and morning exercises will begin promptly at 8:10am. Due to this change, students will now be considered tardy if they arrive after  8:10am.  Parents who drop their children off at NPS in the morning should be particularly aware of this change and should plan to leave home a few minutes earlier than they have in the past. Thank you for your cooperation in this change!
Sports Sign Ups Reminder

Fall 2018 sports at the Pier School is here! Please note that ALL Student Athletes need to be signed up on FamilyID.com and have a current RI school physical on file with the school nurse before practice and play is allowed. You will receive an email confirmation once you have signed up. All other required forms and important information can also be found on the Family ID site and school website on the athletics page. This page also contains information on the Booster Club.

Soccer tryouts start the first day of school at 3pm on the Pier School soccer field. Be sure to bring water bottles to practice. Cross Country will also start the following week. In-school announcements for all additional Cross Country details will continue to take place as well as through communications such as these.

Please note that the Pier school is still looking for a Boys Soccer Head Coach and Assistant Coaches. All who are interested must be completely certified in Rhode Island to coach. Check out  schoolspring.com  for complete details listed under Narragansett.

Parents can also stay connected to the latest sports news and scores by following our athletics twitter account by clicking HERE or visiting our Pier sports web page HERE .
2018-19 NPS School Supply List

Please click below for the latest School Supply List for the upcoming school year.
Pier Plays Update from the Committee!

The Narragansett Pier Middle School community needs your help to build an outdoor space where the NPS students can be creative, have fun and be more active!

The Estimated cost of the NPS recreational/Pier Plays facility is $77,000.

Thanks to the dedicated Narragansett Community who came out to the beautiful Dunes Club on Friday, June 1 for Beach Blanket Bidding, the Narragansett Schools' PTO raised $ 20,765 for each of our three schools. We're also happy to report that through the generosity of those who took part in the auction, an additional $14,650.00 was raised specifically for the Pier Plays project! That brings our total raised to date $35,415.

A combined effort of the money raised from Beach Blanket Bidding, budgeting, grant writing, and a team of volunteer installers have helped us to NEARLY reach our goal so that our current and incoming students can enjoy healthy, physical activity and play for years to come.

Visit our  website  to learn more about this important project, its progress, and how you can help us achieve our remaining goal of approximately $20,000 to make Pier Plays a reality for our students.

Thank you!
The Pier Plays Committee
Cheryl Butler, Chair
Save the Date: Wear Orange on Unity Day

NPS is taking a stand against bullying and inviting the community to do the same during the new school year.

Mark your Calendars: Wednesday, October 24, 2018

What is Unity Day?
It's a day where everyone can come together – in schools, communities, and online – and send a message of support, hope, and unity to show that we are together against bullying and united for kindness, acceptance and inclusion. Individuals across the nation, and even world-wide, participate in Unity Day.

How to Show Support
To show your support for safe and supportive schools and communities, we're asking students to wear the color ORANGE on Unity Day. They will also be invited to sign a banner to show their support. Stay tuned for more information on activities as the date nears!
Narragansett High School 
A Look Ahead- Fall Dates

August 29: NSS Convocation- ALL STAFF 8am
August 30: Teacher Orientation 7:30pm
August 30: Freshman Orientation 9am
September 4: First Day of School
September 5: "A" Day Schedule
September 18: Senior and Freshman parent information night 7:30pm
September 20: Back to School night 6:45pm

Edge of Leadership Conference

Late last month, four Narragansett High School students (pictured here) were chosen to take part in a unique experience that would make an impact on the rest of their lives. They traveled to the High Five Adventure Learning Center in Brattleboro, VT for The Edge of Leadership Conference .

This is the first time that NHS has attended the Edge of Leadership (EOL) Conference, where individuals develop empowering leadership skills that can be used to help others, set positive examples, effect change, and make a difference. It focuses on helping students (and their teachers) connect and communicate in new and positive ways to improve school culture. In the true spirit of adventure, Edge of Leadership is based on the belief that students, given the right encouragement, tools, and opportunity, are a powerful resource for bringing innovation and positive influence to the school community and to the lives of others.

Thanks to a sponsorship by Collette Vacations to fully fund tuition costs for students to attend, Physical Education and Health Teacher, Jennalee Lopes worked with additional educators to select four students to attend the program based on the strength of their application. Congratulations to Jason Sweet, Michael Ward,   Julia Highcove  and Gabby Adamo, who attended the program and wonderfully represented our school's leadership and passion for making a difference.

The students offered some wonderful reflections on the experience and on how their definition of leadership has changed after attending EOL. Student Jason Sweet shared "After my experiences at the EOL program, my definition of a leader has 100% changed. As of now, my definition of a leader is someone who steps up and makes sure everyone has an opportunity to be heard, learn, and empowered. The activity that changed my definition was our experience on the ropes course. Cheering people on and having the support from the other participants throughout the whole camp gave me the new definition of leadership."

You can read more reflections as well as a little about the attending students by clicking the links below. You can also view pictures of the conference by clicking HERE .
SAT Information
 
Click below to view the 2018/19 SAT schedules as the beginning of the school year nears. This link also provides registration information.

We like to share with our students helpful resources to prepare them for the SAT's and encourage them to take advantage.

For tutoring in math and test preparation, students can take a class at  Math Advantage in Wakefield, (more info  HERE .) 
 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
Stay Connected!