August Narragansett School System Newsletter
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Narragansett Ranked #3 of Best Districts in Rhode Island
The 2019/2020 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.
The Narragansett School District was ranked the #3 district in the state!
Narragansett High School ranked #4 overall school in R.I., a 13 place jump from our 2019 ranking of 17th.
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.
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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.
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NSS Curriculum Academy
On June 17-19, teachers from across the Narragansett School System attended an engaging Curriculum Academy.
During the sessions, various projects were worked on including: Reading Tool-kits for new Reading Materials k-5, Social Emotional Standards Mapping, Computer Science draft curriculum plans, alignment of standards and units in Foreign Language, Social Studies, and Library Research. The session also was crucial in helping further map out our new CTE Pathway, Education Preparation.
The Curriculum Academy was created and is led by Superintendent Dr. Peter Cummings, the new Curriculum Director, Gail Dandurand, as well as Instructional Curriculum Coaches, Tracey McCallig and Emily Chartier.
To be a part of the academy, educators were asked to apply to the program. Once accepted, teachers were able to dive into projects that were evaluated on a rubric created by the Curriculum Department.
We look forward to sharing more about how this academy is helping shape each part of the school year and the student experience as a whole.
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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.
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Rebecca Menard, NHS Front Office Admin.
How long have you been working within the Narragansett School System and what do you do?
I have been part of the NHS family for 1 ½ years as the Administrative Secretary to Mr. Warner. I took over for Mrs. Kohler after her retirement (fun fact: she worked with my father-in-law at South County Hospital prior to coming to NHS in 1986. That’s South County for you!)
Where are you originally from?
I was born in Phoenixville, PA (just outside Philadelphia) and moved to RI in Preschool, (Ms. Sweeney and I attended the same preschool in Lincoln, RI.) I moved to South Kingstown in Kindergarten, attended URI, got married to the love of my life, a Narragansett native, and have lived here ever since. My 3 amazing kids, Sarah, 19, Drew, 15 and Timothy 12 who are my life, definitely keep me on my toes! It is such a joy to be a mom, I love every minute of it!
What is your favorite part about working at your school?
My favorite part of my job is being involved in this amazing community and to assist the teachers in the education of the children. Sometimes, it is just giving the kids a smile in the morning, but there is so much more that happens behind the scenes that most never get to see. We are here year-round to make sure every year is the best it can be for each student. I love that I can make a difference, no matter how small, in the lives of our students.
Do you have any hobbies outside of school that you enjoy?
When not working at NHS, I have a black belt in motherhood. I am a professional cheerleader at little league games. I have amazing skills as a chef, clothes mender, chauffeur, and wife. I have spent a considerable amount of my weekend time developing my skills as a beach bum...it is showing promise for future goals!
What is one thing that your students and staff may not know about you?
The one thing people don’t know about me is that I used to own my own tote bag company. I designed and constructed canvas tote bags and sold them throughout the United States while holding the full time job of motherhood.
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Narragansett Elementary School
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Save the Dates!
Below are some dates to keep on your radar for the fall. We we will update you with any changes as they near.
August 28: Kindergarten Parent Night
August 29: 4th Grade Parent Night
September 3:
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
September 12: Grade 3 and Grade 4 Parent Night
September 19: Grade 1 Parent Night
October 3: Pre- K Parent Night
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NES Work Featured in Book!
The book launched on July 15th, 2019 and has a goal of
helping librarians, educators, and their students develop the tools they need to understand media as well as our media now understand us.
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Parent Pick Up Information
As we get ready for the start to another school year, it is important that we are prepared and informed about procedures.
Dismissal is often a tricky time of day. Routine is best for everyone, and allows students a sense of security knowing where they are going each day. In order for us to make sure everyone gets to their right place at the end of the day, whether after school activities, the YMCA after school care, bus or pick up area, we have some important reminders and information to share.
Please review in full by clicking below. Thank you!
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Narragansett Pier Middle School
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Save the Dates!
Below are some dates to keep on your radar for the fall. We we will update you with any changes as they near.
September 3:
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
September 26:
NPS Open House
October 1:
PTO Meeting at Catarina's (7pm)
October 9:
School Pictures
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A Note From The School Nurse
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In preparation for the coming school year please, contact me with any medical conditions or health concerns you may have that would impact your child in school (daily or emergency medications, allergies, etc.)
As in the past, we have students in all grades that have Peanut and Tree Nut allergies. All classrooms are Peanut/ Tree Nut Free. Please do not send in snacks to the class that contain these products. There are
no
restrictions at lunchtime.
A reminder that 7th grade students are required to have a report of a recent physical and updated immunizations. I understand that insurances may restrict dates of yearly physicals. Please let me know if your child has an appointment later in the school year.
I look forward to working with you and your child to make this a happy and healthy school year.
Be well,
Peg Fair, R.N.,C.S.N.T.
401-792-9430
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NPS Fall Sports Updates
Sports Paperwork:
- All student athletes must be signed up, have a RIPCOA RISK form field out if they are new to PIER sports teams, and must have a current SCHOOL PHYSICAL on file with the school nurse. If in doubt, bring one on the first day of practice.
Soccer:
For the latest updates on all things NPS Soccer, please be sure you are signed up on FAMILYID.Com.
- Practice for both teams will start on Monday AUGUST 26, 2019.
- Boys start at 4-5:30pm.
- Girls start at 5-6:30pm.
- Please drop off and pickup on time and bring filled water bottles, soccer shoes, shin guards, and team spirit to the field.
Cross Country
- Cross-Country will start Monday, SEPTEMBER 9 through Thursday SEPTEMBER 12, from 2:45 to 4:30pm.
- Be ready to run and please bring a filled water bottle and healthy snack.
- You must be signed up on FAMILYID.com, have filled out the RIPCOA RISK form, and have a current school physical on file before taking to the field!
- Details for a Unified Cross-Country team will be determined by the number of signups. Athletes and partners will be contacted in school during the second week of school.
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Save the Dates!
Below are some dates to keep on your radar for the fall. We we will update you with any changes as they near.
September 3:
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
September 19:
Picture Day
October 3
: Back to School Night for Parents and Students
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Refreshed Computer Science Coursework and Classrooms!
Throughout the summer, our educators work hard to prepare for the school year ahead. This includes taking part in training to refresh our courses and add new curriculum to our already growing programs.
This past month, the head of our Information and Computer Technology Pathway, Mr. Chris Herz, has been preparing for big things this fall! He has been working with URI on training for a newly refreshed AP course,
Computer Science Principals
, which will be implemented for the new school year.
The AP course for 10-12th grade will now include the state-of-the-art code.org curriculum for a coding portion as well as introduce students to how the internet works.
To do this, Mr. Herz trained with 28 other RI educators (
pictured above
) on the first half of year of curriculum to bring to the school. This engaging and hands-on course is meant for students to think outside the box and have fun through 'unplugged' activities to help reveal how a computer works for those who may not yet be computer savvy.
Another wonderful benefit to this pathway is that students in the full program will have the opportunity to receive 12 full college credits to URI through the courses
Intro to Computers
, our newly refreshed AP course, and C
yber Security.
Our classrooms are also receiving a refresh with fresh paint and carpet. We look forward to welcoming our students back next month for an exciting year of technology and learning!
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High School Sports Updates
Narragansett High School would like to share that we have two new coaches leading our athletics teams!
Please welcome Allan Freedman, who will be our new girls tennis coach and Kevin Kennedy, our new boys soccer coach.
Upcoming Meeting Reminder!
This is a reminder for parents and student athletes that there is a
Fall Sports Player/Parent meeting TODAY, August 13th at 6pm in NHS Auditorium.
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Student Volunteer Opportunity
We invite Narragansett High School students to sign up as you can use your volunteer hours to meet your community service graduation requirement!
There are many areas of volunteering at this year's Festival. From general crowd and vendor management and answering questions, to helping keep the space beautiful and clean, there is something for everyone who may be interested. You will also get a commemorative t-shirt!
The shifts available are: 7am-11am, 11am-3pm, 4pm-7pm.
If you would like to learn more or know students looking for volunteer opportunities, please reach to John O'Brien
(
jjobrien@nssk12.org
) for information!
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NHS Teacher Joins
R/V Endeavor Journey
We are excited to share that NHS Science Teacher, Kathy Couchon, has been accepted to the 2019 Rhode Island Teacher At Sea (RITAS) program!
From September 13-15th, Mrs. Couchon will have the unique experience of joining a University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) scientific research team aboard the
R/V Endeavor.
The cruise departs and returns to the dock at URI Narragansett Bay Campus. These educator cruises have been designed with the sole purpose of giving as many educators as possible the chance to experience and therefore better understand the arduous yet fascinating process of oceanographic research.
This news comes at a fitting time as one of Mrs. Couchon's students recently returned from a
Students on Ice
expedition to the Arctic thanks to a scholarship for the trip and the support of Mrs. Couchon during the application process.
Congratulations on such a wonderful opportunity and a testament to all your hard work within our school and with
URI and the GSO over the years!
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Cyber Seniors Program Making Impact
This year, a new program will be launched at Narragansett High School, Prout, and South Kingstown High School that will help the senior citizens in our community better understand digital technology and how to use it to help increase their quality of life. The event is in collaboration with URI’s Engaging Generations Program and Rhode Island Assistive Technology Access Partnership (ATAP.)
The program began forming back in April as the search for Cyber-Senior Ambassadors began. Many tech-savvy high school students answered the call who were looking to earn community service hours and a chance to gain valuable experience that would enhance their college application or resume. It gives young students the opportunity to put their tech expertise to great use by mentoring older adults on how to navigate today’s technological gadgets and the internet.
Narragansett School System has been helping build the program by not only working with students who may be interested, but also donating 5 laptops to the community center for use by the elderly community.
The program will be launching with around 12 students from all three schools this fall. As the program grows, students who may be interested in being a part of it should reach out to the guidance department for more information on how to get involved.
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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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