NEXT MONTH! NHS Spring Open House

We know it's early, but we also know how busy it can be in the new year! Save the Date for Narragansett High School's Spring Open House on Wednesday, February 7th, 2024 | 5:30pm-7pm.

If your student is thinking about applying or you're a local family that wants to learn more about our school community and all NHS has to offer, we welcome you to join us for a fun and engaging night!

REMINDER! NHS Acceptance Process has Begun

We're pleased to share that the acceptance process for all of our Narragansett High School Career and Technical Education Programs (CTE's), has begun.

If you haven't had the chance yet, we encourage you to have your student(s) submit their application for any of the programs they might be interested in to secure your spot and to begin the process of onboarding once applications have been reviewed and approved.

***PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON MARCH 1ST***

If you need any more information about our programs, would like to schedule a shadow day, or would like to connect with any of our guidance counselors before you apply, please contact Joan Pratley at jpratley@nssk12.org or call 401-792-9406.

Every School Day Counts: Your Support Makes a Difference

Dear Parents,

We all want the best for our kids, especially when it comes to their education. But did you know that consistent attendance is essential to educational success?

When students miss school regularly, it affects not just their learning but also impacts the entire classroom.

Here’s why your help is crucial: every intervention, whether it's extra tutoring, updated lessons, or support for mental health, relies on students being present. It's not just about those who miss class; constant absences disrupt the learning environment for everyone. By ensuring our children attend school regularly, we’re giving them the chance to catch up on what they missed during the pandemic and thrive both academically and socially.

Let's join forces to set our students on the path to success. Your support in prioritizing regular school attendance can truly change the trajectory of their lives.

Thank you for being part of our school community and for your commitment to our children's education.

Local VFW Organizations honors Two in Narragansett

We're pleased to share some incredible accolades for Narragansett Schools Staff and Students!

Congratulations to NHS Teacher Mr. Dave Cannon, who is the recipient of the Citizenship Education Teacher Award given by the VFW Post 152 out of North Kingstown.

A big congrats also goes to NPS 8th Grader Danielle Whitworth, who was named winner of the Patriots Pen Essay contest for VFW Post 916 out of Wakefield, RI and then was selected as the District 3

winner. She will be recognized alongside the other district winners and the teachers at a banquet on Jan 20th. That winner then travels to Washington, DC to compete at the National level.

REMINDER: Special Education Advisory Committee Meeting

The Narragansett Special Education Advisory Committee (NSEAC) is comprised of parents of students who have IEPs in the Narragansett School System as well as educators, students, and community members interested in special education in our district. 

When: Wednesday, January 24, 6-7 pm

Where: Narragansett Pier School Library & virtual option on Zoom

This meeting will allow you to meet our new NSEAC leaders, as well as our directors Dr. Melissa Denton and Mrs. Jill Hague. You will be encouraged to provide feedback on special education services and learn more about how to become a NSEAC member.

Thundermist Resources

The start of a new year can be exciting to a lot of people, but not necessarily for every student. Does your child need support this year?

Our partnership with Thundermist allows Narragansett Pier and High School children to access counseling via telehealth during the school day.

Let us help your family start the new year off well! For more information or to set up an appointment, contact Community Health Worker Emma Brighton either via email at: ebrighton@nssk12.org or telephone: 401-450-2979.

Wellness Tips: Explore RI This Season

Our Health and Wellness Committee shared some great resources this month!

Looking for an outdoor activity to keep you and your children occupied and entertained during the weekends? How about a nice hike or two through beautiful places in Rhode Island you may not even know about? 

There are huge benefits to getting regular physical activity of course, but added benefits to getting it outdoors. Studies have shown that physical activity outdoors lowers a person’s blood pressure and heart rate, and can be an antidote to feelings of depression and anxiety. Fresh air also helps to alleviate insomnia - regular exercise and fresh air will help you to fall asleep and improve the quality of your sleep. And participating in activities together is a lovely bonding experience!

Check out the link below to learn more.

Winter Reminders from School Nurses

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

We hope you are well and able to avoid the many colds and illnesses going around, especially during winter break!

As expected at this time in the year, we are seeing a significant rise in illnesses with symptoms like sore throats, stomach aches, ear infections, respiratory problems (such as: asthma flare ups, colds and bronchitis) flu and Covid.

We ask that you monitor your children every day before school and over the weekends. Please keep them home if they are sick or not feeling well. It is always helpful for the nurses to know if your student has been sick, so we can keep a closer eye on them as they return.

As always, thank you for working with us to help keep our students and staff healthy. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.

Thank you!

Nurses Kris, Angela & Shannon

Easily Apply for Free & Reduced Lunch

It is extremely important to apply for free and reduced meals as submitting your application may give your student(s) access to additional benefits throughout the school year.

To get started, please follow the links and options below:

APPLY ONLINE

Click the button below and when prompted, enter your zip code and state and choose Narragansett when options come up

-OR-

DOWNLOAD AND PRINT

CLICK HERE to down the paper copy and return filled out to: Alissa Paglia at our Central Office, 25 Fifth St., 3rd Floor

If you have any questions, please reach out to Alyssa Paglia | apaglia@nssk12.org or 401-792-9450 x.5024 or click below for an easy tutorian on how to apply!

Upcoming School Committee Meeting

Our next scheduled regular business meeting will take place in-person on Wednesday, January 17, 2023 at 7:00pm.

Those who wish to attend can join the meeting in the Town Hall Chambers at 25 5th Avenue, Narragansett, R.I. on the 2nd floor.

As always, for meeting schedules, agendas, and School Committee related information, you can visit the dedicated webpage by clicking below.

Beach Blanket Bidding is May 2024

When: May 24th, 2024

This is the largest fundraiser for district-wide PTOs and we're looking for volunteers and sponsors.

Please consider volunteering for and/or donating towards this fantastic event. 

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Elizabeth Turco at eturco77@gmail.com or 508-783-4628.

The official flyer can also be found by clicking the button below.

Updates from Narragansett Prevention & Wellness

If you’re like most parents and child caregivers, you’ve had moments when you thought “Why don’t kids come with instruction manuals?” or “How do I handle THIS issue?!” When we ask parents what types of prevention resources they need, how to build parenting skills is the most frequent answer. And in the prevention field, we know that the best way to prevent an unwanted behavior is to reach kids before the age when they start experimenting with those activities.

In answer to parent's questions, the South County Prevention Coalition’s The Incredible Years program is offering a series of virtual parenting groups this spring. In these groups, which are free for parents of

children ages 6-12, parents will learn to manage difficult child behaviors, promote self-control and problem solving skills. Parents can leave the program feeling more confident and less stressed, while their children will build skills that will help them succeed in school and life. In addition to receiving social support from other parents, group participants receive gift cards for meal deliveries and a Providence Children’s Museum Membership ($225 value) upon program completion.

Interested? Scan the QR code on the flyer, which can be found HERE, for more information and registration options.

Here’s to a Happier New Year!

Narragansett Prevention & Wellness

January 15: NO SCHOOL | Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 17: School Committee Meeting | 7pm

January 25: NES Winter Concert | 7pm

Let's Celebrate Kindness

During the month of January, the theme that will be celebrated by NES is Kindness.

There will be a kindness spirit week with easy ways for students to participate. Additionally, 4th graders will be reading kindness stories to the younger classes.

Even our morning annoucements will be centered around this theme! Stay tuned for more information on spirit week and we encourage you to carry these conversations on at home to inspire the home and school connection.

Being kind everywhere will make a difference in all of our lives and community.

4-Star Rating for NES

We are excited to report that NES has been awarded a 4-star rating from the Rhode Island Department of Education!

This rating comes from a combination of scores regarding achievement results from state RICAS and Science testing results, our growth results from year to year, the number of students exceeding math and ELA expectations and student and teacher attendance.

We continue to strive to grow and do better each year. It is with your partnership that we have achieved the results that we have as we work to continue on an upward path!

January 15: NO SCHOOL | Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 17: School Committee Meeting | 7pm

February 7: NHS Spring Open House | 5:30pm (Great for 8th Graders!)

Transition Programming

Grade 8 to 9 Transition Programming has Begun! 

On Tuesday, January 9th, our 8th grade students had the opportunity to visit NHS. Students learned about the courses, CTE programs, athletic programs and student clubs offered at the high school. They also had the opportunity to hear from a panel of freshmen students about what to expect next year and took a tour of the building.

Save the Date for:

Jan. 23rd | 8th Grade Parent Night | 7:00 pm

The High School Counseling Department will host an informational Parent Night in the high school auditorium. This is a great night for parents/guardians to learn more about Narragansett High School.  

January 25th - Elective Course Selection

The High School Counseling Department will come over to the Pier School and assist eighth grade students with entering their elective course selections into PowerSchool. In addition to the information presented at both the Student Presentation and the Parent Night, please consult the High School’s Program of Studies to view course descriptions when selecting electives. 

February 7th, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

The high school will be hosting a second Open House for families to learn more about the high school, CTE programs and all that the high school has to offer. 

National Junior Honor Society Mid-Year Reminder

If your child is in 7th or 8th grade and is interested in applying to the Pier School's National Junior Honor Society, this is a reminder that applications are due on March 29th. 

Students should be working towards completing their 12 hours of community service and working on their applications. Mrs. Mezzanotte recently visited all 7th and 8th grade classrooms again to talk about NJHS and answer questions. 

For more information regarding NJHS and the application, please review the 2023-2024 NJHS Info Sheet and encourage your child to see Mrs. Mezzanotte regarding questions.  

January 15: NO SCHOOL | Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 17: School Committee Meeting | 7pm

January 23: NHS - 8th Grade Parent Night - NHS Auditorium

February 7: NHS Spring Open House | 5:30pm

Senior Hosts Royal Tea Party to Benefit NHS Theater Program

Join us for a Royal Tea Party benefitting the NHS Theater Program!

When: Saturday, January 27th

Tickets: $10 per person

Meet your favorite princesses and princes, enjoy crafts, refreshments, live performances, and more!

This NHS Theater program fundraiser is Senior Ava Irarragorry's senior project.

Tickets are on sale now by clicking below!

Digital Citizenship Lessons

This fall, students in grade 9 and grade 12 have been receiving digital citizenship lessons presented by our District Technology Integration Coach, Vanessa Miller, as part of their Mariner 101 and Mariner 401 Classes.

This Spring, grades 10 and 11 will be receiving similar lessons in their Mariner 102 and 103 classes, respectively. These lessons from Common Sense Media, have covered topics such as:

• Media Balance & Well-being
• Privacy & Security
• Digital Footprint & Identity
• Relationships & Communication
• Cyberbullying, Digital Drama & Hate Speech
• News & Media Literacy

Click the button below for Digital Citizenship Resources for Families!

NHS Students Accepted into RIMEA All State Ensembles!

Congrats to our Mariner Musicians who were recently accepted into RIMEA's All-State Ensembles. All-State students will perform at VMA in Providence in March 2024. 

All State Instrumental

Isabel Corson- French Horn, Senior Orchestra

Myles Harding- Drum Set, Junior Jazz Band

Myles Harding- Snare Drum, Junior Concert Band

Norah Hinds- Euphonium, Junior Concert Band

Ava Repucci- Euphonium, Junior Concert Band

Forrest McNamara- Mallets, Senior Concert Band

Gavin Seger- Clarinet, Junior Concert Band

Owen Seger- Trumpet, Junior Concert Band

Ethan Smith- Euphonium, Senior Concert Band

Karuna Lohmann, Violin, Senior Orchestra

Avery Sheely, Violin, Junior Orchestra

Choral

JJ Brindamour- Bass, Senior Mixed Choir

Calum Collard- Bass Senior Mixed Choir

Reagan Donnelly- Alto, Senior Treble Choir

Niamh Fogarty- Alto, Senior Treble Choir

Arianna Hughes- Alto, Senior Mixed Choir

Ava Irarragorry- Soprano, Senior Mixed Choir

Kaiya Kosut- Alto, Senior Treble Choir

Jaelin Lindsey- Alto, Senior Mixed Choir

Eric McInteer- Bass, Senior Mixed Choir

Brenna Reardon- Soprano, Senior Mixed Choir

The Athlete of the Month campaign highlights NHS students who exemplify sportsmanship, dedication, and standout participation in any sports offered at the school. Recipients receive a t-shirt as well as their picture featured on the wall in athletics for the entire month.

Congratulations to our athletes below!

Ethan Travis, Sophomore

Boys Ice Hockey

Sophomore Ethan Travis is not only leading the boys ice hockey team offensively, but is leading all of Division II in scoring. Ethan has 20 points in 6 games during the month of December. Ethan and the team went 2-2 in the league games during the month and played in 2 tournament games. Nariho continued to improve to 4-2 during the start of January. Their next home game will be 1/20/24, 8:15pm at Boss Ice Arena.

Grace Blessing, Junior

Girls Basketball

Junior Grace Blessing is leading the girls basketball team on the stat chart. During the month of December in just 3 games Grace has 36 points, 21 rebounds, 16 assists, 17 steals and 3 blocked shots. Grace and the team went 3-0 during the month of December and have continued their winning streak to 6-0 during the start of January. Their next home game will be 1/17/24, 5:30pm in the Narragansett High School gym.