Cultivating A Community
March 24, 2024
Superintendent's Message
Dear WED Community,
In an effort to promote the Learn365RI and school attendance initiative, there will be a basketball game between the Woonsocket Police and Woonsocket Fire Departments as well as a free throw shooting competition between Governor Dan McKee and our own Mayor Chris Beauchamp during halftime. The game will be held on Thursday, March 28th at Savaria Gym at Woonsocket High School from 3:15pm - 5:15pm. Food will be provided to those who attend. We hope to see you at what we are sure will be a very entertaining event on Thursday! Don't miss out!
Students' success in school is directly related to regular attendance. Research shows that chronic absenteeism is associated with a number of negative consequences for students, including lower achievement, disengagement from school, course failure, and an increased risk of dropping out.
Please click on the link below to access the Learn365RI Attendance Matters for more information on this exciting event.
For many years, the WED, in collaboration with our community-based partners, has been proactive in supporting students and their families to improve student attendance.
In April 2023, Governor Dan McKee announced a new out-of-school learning initiative, Learn365RI, which is designed to shift learning from the traditional 180 school days to 365 days of learning by supporting partnerships between municipalities, school districts, and community-based organizations (CBOs) to expand high-quality, extended learning experiences.
The $4 million Advancing Learning Beyond the 180-Day School Year grant program is part of the Governor’s Learn365RI initiative, with the long-term goal of improving student learning outcomes and increasing three key areas:
Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) mathematics and English Language Arts scores
School attendance rates (chronic absenteeism)
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates
Learn365RI programming in Woonsocket will focus on engaging students in English and math to improve skills and concepts, as well as improving school attendance.
Sincerely,
Patrick McGee, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Novans In The News
WHS musicians performed beautifully at the Festival Concert
On Thursday, March 21st the WHS Band and Chorus students performed beautifully at the WHS Music Department's Festival Concert at WHS. Congratulations to our wonderfully talented music students and WHSs Choral Director Abby Mills and Band Director Ed Mudrak for their direction!
WACTC students remain busy in the field
On March 18th, students from WACTC visited WJAR Studio 10.
On March 21st, students in grade 9 P-TECH visited the CVS Headquarters.
WMS hosted family night
Woonsocket Middle Schools recently hosted an Academic Teaming Family Night last week.
Families learned about how Academic Teaming works in our schools while engaging in some hands-on activities. Families enjoyed working with each other to problem solve, work cooperatively, and practice using the Academic Teaming Conversation Mats. The Middle School Innovation Specialists Beth Wheeler, Peter Swan, and Kara Nierman worked hard to make this event a success! Thank you to our Parent Liaison Holly Remeika for all of her help to make this event a success!
WHS continues to produce all-american student-athletes
Please click on Valley Breeze article below to read more about WHS two-time all-american Shamrock Thoun.
WMS Unified Basketball Team makes the WED proud!
The photo below comes from the most recent Unified Basketball game for Woonsocket Middle School. The students played against Burrillville Middle School. They played a great game with their head coach Amilicar Toj cheering them on. Way to go Unified Novans!
WHS alumni news
Please click on the Valley Breeze article to learn more about WHS alumna Brooke Cooper. Brooke is yet another example in a long line of successful WHS graduates.
District News
WHS/WACTC Parent-Teacher Conferences March 28th
Parent-teacher conferences at Woonsocket High School/WACTC will be held on Thursday, March 28th from 4-7pm. Parents/guardians, please look out for information from your child's teacher(s) regarding scheduling your conference.
Research shows that students whose parents and families are actively involved in their education are more successful academically and are more likely to graduate from high school. Parent-teacher conferences are a great opportunity to share academic progress and growth based on classroom observations, testing data, assessments, and class assignments. Furthermore, parent-teacher conferences provide parents and families important information regarding their child's progress and helps to communicate to parents the areas that their child is accelerating in and gives them specific ideas of how to improve upon their child's performance in school. Other benefits include building positive relationships with the teacher and school as well as creating open lines of communication that support students academic and social-emotional growth.
The following are some goals of parent-teacher conferences:
- Share how and what the student is learning.
- Share assessment information.
- Share information regarding the student's transition to a new school, grade, or level.
- Strengthen relationships with the teacher and school.
- Share resources that families can use to support learning at home.
The following are some questions that parents may ask their child's teacher during the conference:
- Is my child's progress developmentally appropriate?
- What do you see as his or her strengths?
- How could he or she improve?
- Can I see examples of my child's work?
- Can I see rubrics used to assess my child's work?
- How will my child be challenged and supported?
If you are unable to attend your child's parent-teacher conference, please contact your child's teacher(s) to schedule a phone conversation or to schedule a meeting after March 28th. We hope to see you on Thursday, March 28th!
WED to share new statewide high school graduation requirements
On Tuesday, March 26th at the Woonsocket High School Auditorium from 6-7pm the WED will host an informational session for all class of 2028 families and their students reviewing the newly adopted high school graduation requirements. These new graduation requirements will come into effect for the class of 2028. The class of 2028 are current 8th graders. These new requirements are statewide. We strongly encourage all families of our current 8th grade students to attend as very important information will be disseminated.
Sodexo Food Services news
Please click on the link below to access Sodexo Food Services Fall/Winter Newsletter.
WED Competencies for Success
Hamlet and Villa Nova Middle Schools recently hosted a family event featuring teaming activities that incorporated the use of the WEDs discussion cards. During the cup challenge activity, a mother utilized the discussion card language to tell her son "I respectfully disagree with your strategy..."
As the evening concluded, families used the discussion cards to engage in a thoughtful conversation about the connection between the teaming skills they used during the activities.
One student shared," I could see this being important in your job if you have to work on a project with other people. It's important to be able to communicate effectively." Parents also acknowledged needing these skills in their every-day life.
WED Early Childhood Information
Basics
Learn & Grow with your child. Visit the The BASICS website https://thebasics.org/Brain-Boosts/ or sign up for the BASICS INSIGHTS APP to receive free messaging about your child's development. This app is FREE to all Woonsocket families. Scan below to register.
Play & Learns
Join our early childhood educators for a free play and learn series for children ages 3-4 and their families. Our spring Play & Learn sessions have been scheduled. Morning sessions will be offered at the Karen Bouchard Center and afternoon sessions at Gov. Pothier Elementary School on Thursdays beginning on May 2nd. Please use the QR code on the flyer below to register.
Passport to Kindergarten
Our first Passport to Kindergarten event is scheduled for this Monday March 25th from 5:00-6:30! If your child will be turning 5 before September 1, 2024, they are eligible to register for kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year. Please plan to attend your home school events and register with the following QR code! Enjoy an opportunity for your child to come and visit their school, engage in kindergarten activities and fun. Your soon to be kindergartner will receive a bag full of kindergarten goodies!
Kindergarten Registration
WED held their first of 2 in person opportunities to register incoming kindergarten students for the 24-25 school year. Families who came to register their child received a kindergarten story book, workbook, pencil and crayons. Please plan to join us on Saturday May 11th from 9-1. Kindergarten Registration will be available at our district Mental Health Resource Fair & Fun Run.
If your child is turning 5 before September 1, 2024, he/she is eligible to register for kindergarten for the 24-25 school year. Two dates have been scheduled for opportunities to come in person to register your child. Registration will also be available at the Passport to Kindergarten events as well.
First 10 Community
WED and the Woonsocket Head Start have continued their collaboration committed to being a First 10 community. The First 10 Community initiative supports community partnership in building on families strengths and improving outcomes for children. This partnership was showcased during a national First 10 meeting. Here is more information about the early childhood initiatives presented.
Community Partners News
Woonsocket Fishing Derby
Do you or your child(ren) like to fish? The Woonsocket Elks Lodge 850 and Woonsocket Parks and Recreation Department will be sponsoring a fishing derby for all children ages 12 and under at Cass Park. Children can register at Pete’s Bait and Tackle on 325 Burnside Ave., Woonsocket or at the park on the morning of the event. Please click on the link below to access more information.
Woonsocket Harris Public Library
Please click on the link below to learn about upcoming Woonsocket Harris Public Library upcoming events.
Upcoming District Events
- Tuesday, March 26th - Class of 2028 New RI High School Graduation Requirements Information Session (6-7pm @ Woonsocket High School Auditorium)
- Wednesday, March 27th - Woonsocket School Committee Meeting (7pm @ Hamlet Middle School)
- Thursday, March 28th - Learn365RI Basketball Event (3:15pm - 5:15pm @ WHS Gym)
- Thursday, March 28th - WHS/WACTC Parent-Teacher Conferences (4-7pm)
- Friday, March 29th - Good Friday (No School)