Narragansett Schools October Newsletter |
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A Letter from the Superintendent
Dear NSS Community,
Thank you for your support as we have reopened our schools and returned to what we love the most - working with the children of Narragansett on a daily basis. In these first weeks of school, we have been pleased with the efforts of students and staff to abide by the rules regarding masks, social distancing, hand washing, and symptom monitoring. While we are confident that we are following all guidelines from the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Education, we want to be as cautious as possible when addressing the health and safety needs of our students and staff. Therefore, you may see adjustments to our systems as we learn how to best operate in our current paradigm. While our planning over the summer resulted in a safe return to school, we are continuously updating our approach as it is informed by our experiences in schools and the research and public health data available to us.
We will continue to update you on a school by school basis should there be a case of the virus or other public health updates for our community. In the meantime, we encourage you to continue to communicate with your school nurse should your child not feel well. Our school nurse numbers are:
Additionally, we have launched a “screening app” asking each family to attest that they have screened their children for symptoms of COVID-19, and will not send a child to school if he or she is symptomatic. This information will help nurses and parents identify which children may be ill and facilitate communication between home and school. Screening at home is a requirement to attend in-person classes and we simply ask that you confirm a child has been screened.
This application is a part of our Student Information System and is guarded by the privacy protections in place for all student information. No information is being sent to parties or agencies outside the Narragansett School System.
Below is more information on this portal and directions to sign up if you haven't already.
Thank You,
Superintendent Peter J. Cummings, Ed.D.
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Remember to Screen Before School!
As a reminder, beginning TODAY, October 13, we have transitioned to the Frontline Screening App for daily screenings (no longer using the Google Form).
The question that is currently asked on the Google Form will be the same in the Frontline app. The Frontline app screening can be done using either a computer or by downloading the Frontline Health Portal app (available in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store).
If you haven't already, for complete instructions on how to download, please click below.
Please note that you will need the following pieces of information to signup:
Student Last Name
Student Date of Birth
Student School ID (six digit student number, your child will know this, also found on the bottom of their Chromebook or laptop)
Primary contact email provided to the District
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NES Named Blue Ribbon School
We are proud to share that Narragansett Elementary School has been designated an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing National Blue Ribbon School for 2020 by U. S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.
We are one of 367 schools in the nation and one of three schools from Rhode Island to be recognized in 2020.
The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
Thank you to our staff, parents and students who made this possible!
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Thank You for Your Service!
This month marks the end of service for School Committee members Rebecca Durkin and Frank White. They have been an integral part of our board, helping our district succeed in education and support while keeping strong focus on growth and exceeding expectations.
Rebecca Durkin began serving on the School Committee in 2016. All three of her children attended Narragansett Schools and serving on the committee was her way of giving back.
Rebecca shares, "As the election cycle was super tumultuous 4 years ago, I thought it would be interesting to see how government runs from the 'inside'. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with such a dedicated group of educators, administrators, parents, students, and the entire community who strive towards continually improving the Narragansett School System. I especially valued working as the co-chair of the Wellness Committee with the goal of looking to improve the emotional, physical, and nutritional needs of the student body as well as the teachers."
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Frank White started serving in 2009, right after his wife Jeanne passed away. He had previously served between 1972 and 1976. Frank was on the Board at the Narragansett Library and ended up being appointed the President along the way. He and his wife moved to Narragansett in 1964 and raised four daughters here. They were always active in the town through various ways and Jeanne was also the Chairperson of the Narragansett Art Festival.
Frank shares, "I was especially proud when we built the town's first high school, and it opened in 1975. That was my main goal when I was elected to serve on the School Committee the first time. In recent years, I have been proud of many of our Committee's achievements, especially the fact that we have been able to get personal computers for our students. I really enjoy the process of governing- things like setting the calendar, working on the budget, resolving disputes, and solving problems. What I will miss the most is all of the nice people on the Committee and being able to work with people like Peter and Lauren, and also Kathy and Susan."
Thank you Rebecca and Frank for sharing your passion for Narragansett, helping the district keep our schools evolving in programs and community supports!
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School Committee Meeting
Our dedicated School Committee members have been hard at work to ensure continued meeting operations while making it easy for the community to stay updated and connected.
Our next scheduled regular business meeting is Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 5:00pm.
To join on the night of the meeting, please use the information below to join.
Attend By Calling In:
- Phone: 1 929 205 6099
- Meeting ID: 814 3958 1930
- Passcode: 528644
Attend by Video:
- Link: CLICK HERE
- Meeting ID: 814 3958 1930
- Passcode: 528644
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REMINDER: COVID Prevention Training Video
Thanks to our entire school community for your continued practice of our safety and health guidelines.
As a reminder, please reference our training video as needed as it contain helpful tips about staying safe and healthy in our schools, all with some familiar faces!
This video is always available to watch on our website and is currently being played on our in-school monitors throughout the year to remind our staff and students of the importance of health and safety while school is in session.
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Flu Clinic
Flu shots are especially important this year and the district is hosting a flu shot clinic that all staff and students are invited to attend.
You must register online to schedule an appointment, which can be done by clicking below.
When: Wednesday, October 21st, 2020
Location: NPS Cafeteria
Time: 4:00 PM-7:00 PM
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Free and Reduced Online Application
Parents and guardians are now able to apply for Free and Reduced lunch benefits online.
We encourage those who may benefit from this program to fill out your application as soon as possible as the current funding for free meals could run out before December 31st. Having your application filled out, filed and approved would secure you a spot should that take place.
To do so, please click below to learn more and how to apply.
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A Note from the Curriculum Office
After a summer of project planning, our teams continue to work throughout the district to enhance programs and supports across the board.
Last year we reviewed and purchased high quality curriculum materials in Mathematics, Social Studies, and Preschool. This year our focus is ELA materials for the high school. We are partnering with the Rhode Island Department of Education and Edureports to review materials and make a recommendation to our School Committee.
To ensure all stakeholders are aware of our district's stance on new curriculum materials, we are providing below our beliefs.
We believe that:
- Selecting materials is a decision worthy of study and prioritization.
- Educator voice and expertise must be at the center of the decision making process.
- Local context and instructional vision should drive decision-making
- Professional learning and high-quality implementation of the materials play a critical role in the process from the beginning
We will continue to update the school community on our progress!
i-Ready Program Implementation
Thanks to the Curriculum Team, the district has been able to implement i-Ready within the district. i-Ready is an online program for reading and/or mathematics that will help your student’s teacher(s) determine your student’s needs, personalize their learning, and monitor progress throughout the school year.
Click below to learn more about the program and how to explore.
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A Reminder from Rebecca Angell
Hello Parents/Guardians,
Please reach out to me if you need assistance with school supplies and other daily necessities.
I can be reached at each building in the district or via email.
Rebecca Angell- District School Social Worker
Phone: 401-529-3361
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A Note from the Narragansett Prevention Partnership
The challenges COVID-19 has brought to our lives – both in terms of complexity and the sheer number of changes we’re juggling – has had a significant impact on the mental health of many people. Our children and teens are not immune to those mental health effects. In fact, maintaining social distance and only
socializing with a small, stable group seems to be the exact opposite of what it means to be a teenager. And wearing a face mask? That was not on anyone’s fashion wish list for 2020! It’s a lot to process.
As we navigate the challenging COVID world for ourselves and our families, NPP is pleased to provide you with this Special Fall 2020 Edition of Raising Healthy Teens from the RI Prevention Coalitions. This issue supplies parents with information about some dangerous trends that have emerged, as well as
important resources that can help if you witness any of these trends or other signs that your child or
teen is feeling especially stressed. We hope you’ll read on.
Wear your mask, keep your distance, but stay connected. Together we can all get each other through
this unprecedented time safely.
Be well!
Narragansett Prevention Partnership
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Narragansett Elementary School |
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Arrival and Dismissal Update
Below are some reminders about NES arrival and dismissal:
ARRIVAL K-4
- Grades K-4: Drop off will begin at 9:10 and end at 9:30 (Please do not come prior to the start time so we do not back up traffic.)
ARRIVAL Preschool
- If you have a child in another grade, we are going to allow preschool parents to drop their preschoolers off at the same time as elementary students at 9:10.They can walk in with siblings- we will not have the TAs available to help them in.
- If you have no other children in the school (only a preschooler) we ask that you drop your child at the 9:30 time.
DISMISSAL
- Preschool: Will be at 2:50-3:15.
- K-4: Will be at 3:20-3:50.
Please have your placard showing. Wait for directions from the adult staff member when to move up in line- we want to make sure safety of the students is attended to at all times.
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Reporting Illness, and Exposure
Please make sure to contact Principal Wilson and the school nurse 401-792-9420 if your child is being tested or has been identified as being in contact with someone who has COVID.
Please also note to let us know if your child has symptoms to ensure the safety of students and staff.
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Narragansett Pier Middle School |
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Notes from the Nurse
Dear Parents/ Guardians,
Please see below for some important reminders as we continue into the fall season.
- The Flu Season will be starting shortly and I urge you to have your family vaccinated especially with the continuing threat of COVID-19. Our Community Flu Vaccine Clinic will be held on Wednesday, October 21,2020 from 4:00-7:00 PM in the Pier School Cafeteria. It is free and open to everyone ages 3 years and up. You must register online at schoolflu.com for an appointment to ensure social distancing.
- The R.I. Department of Health requires that a report of a recent physical and updated immunizations be recorded on each 7th Grade student. If you have not done so, please send in the necessary paperwork as soon as possible. Call me at 401-792-9430 if you need assistance in obtaining services or have any questions or concerns.
- Please let me know if your child is home sick and any if they have any symptoms that suggest COVID-19 or any other communicable condition (for example Flu, pink eye, strep throat, etc.) This information is confidential and I appreciate your assistance so that I can monitor the rest of the students.
Thank you,
Peg Fair, R.N., C. S.N.T.
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The Latest on Pier School Sports
NPS Athletic Director Michael Millen shares that the school is awaiting word from the Rhode Island Principal Committee On Athletics (RIPCOA) before any signups or planning can take place for the Winter Season.
Once there are any updates, they will be shared with parents. Also, be sure to follow NPSSports1 on twitter for the latest on Pier School sports. |
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Recent Parent Letter on Survey and Schedule
Thank you for completing last week's survey regarding options for the high school schedule for the remainder of the 1st quarter.
While there was a range of responses, the majority of the community (both parents and students) indicated that a hybrid option of some form was preferable.
While we recognize that a hybrid schedule is not the right fit for every student, it does help us to continue to enforce social distancing and other safety measures, particularly in common areas.
Consequently, we will continue in a hybrid schedule (Option 1: red/white) at NHS for the remainder of the 1st quarter.
To give families predictability, we will follow the structure of red/white days used in September.
The results and full letter to parents and students from Superintendent Cummings including the schedule can be found by clicking the buttons below.
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PSAT/SAT Testing Updates
On Wednesday, October 14th, all Seniors will be taking the SAT in person at Narragansett High School.
This testing is to replace the SAT School Day that had to be cancelled last April due to COVID-19.
Additionally, all Juniors will be taking the PSAT/NMSQT on Wednesday, October 14th at NHS.
The Freshmen and Sophomores will all be distance learning on that day. It will be a day with no live teaching as the teachers will be helping to administer the SAT and PSAT at NHS. All 9th and 10th graders at home will be required to complete the assignments posted on their PSL for each period on 10/14.
PSAT/SAT Scheduling Reminder
On October 29th, all 9th and 10th graders will be testing.
- Grade 9 will take the PSAT 8/9
- Grade 10 will be taking the PSAT/NMSQT.
All 11th and 12th graders will be distance learning.
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High School Free Flu Clinic
NHS is offering a Free Flu Clinic for NHS students in the auditorium on the below dates:
Friday, October 23 | 8:30-10:30am
Monday, October 26 | 8:30-10:30am
Families must register online and can do so by clicking the button below.
For questions, please email kfield@nssk12.org or call 792-9400 ext 402.
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NHS Virtual Choir Performance
Each September, NHS Choirs participate in the AVoice4Peace movement, a world-wide peace awareness project to celebrate the International Day of Peace (9/21).
Although the NHS Chorus could not sing together in person as a full group this year, they were able to maintain their connection to each other through song, learning that moments of peace can be achieved through unity and the power of music.
Thanks to Sarah Kane and the entire Chorus for keeping our school year full of song and celebration.
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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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