In the Middle
Scituate Middle School Weekly Update - 09.11.23
Open House ~ Wednesday, September 13th
Scituate Middle School extends a cordial invitation to all parents/guardians to attend our Annual Open House on Wednesday, September 13th. The program begins at 6:00 PM in the auditorium.
The evening is an opportunity for families to get to know teachers, staff, and administrators. You will also gain an understanding of the various curricula used in middle school. Most importantly, we welcome families to continue the partnership with school and home.
The Scituate Middle School Community looks forward to meeting with you!
As always, thank you for your continued support in your child's education.
The night at a glance…
6:00 - 6:40 pm Presentation for all grades
6:50 - 7:20 pm Team Presentations
6th Grade - MS Cafeteria
7th Grade - HS Cafeteria
8th Grade - Auditorium
7:30 - 7:50 pm Visit Individual Classrooms
Free / Reduced Lunch Information
The Scituate School Department has partnered with Unite Us to streamline the process of applying for free and/or reduced lunches. Please click the link which will take you to the meal benefit application on the State of Rhode Island Department of Education website.
https://ride.ri.gov/child-nutrition/unite-us-electronic-school-meal-benefit-application
Please fill in all fields. Be sure to select Scituate Public Schools in the field “Select the school district that your child will receive school meals from”.
If you have any questions, please call: Jennifer Carnevale, Executive Finance Assistant at 401-647-4100 option 2, then option 3"
Weekly Spotlight
Grade 7 Receives New Chromebooks
Students received their new Chromebooks last week. Special thanks to Mr. Mikkelsen and Mr. Hattayer for coordinating a smooth process
From the Technology Department...
Middle School Device Insurance for NEW Devices only (grades 6 & 7)
Worth Ave. Group is the insurance provider for the student-issued Chromebooks. Families can choose to insure their Chromebooks for 1-3 years, with each year of coverage costing $28. The terms of the coverage are available on the enrollment page, but please note that the charger & case are not covered as part of this term. The deadline to register is September 17th, 2023. Please note that enrollment is OPTIONAL - if a device without insurance is damaged, we will perform the repair in-house & the family will be billed for any parts necessary to get the device back to working condition.
If you have an 8th, 11th, or 12th-grade student that would like to insure their device, please reach out to technology@scituateschoolsri.net. If the device is in great condition with no pre-existing damage, something may be able to be arranged.
Athletics Update
Cross Country
Here's the weekly schedule. Students will bus to Manning every day, as usual.
Monday - Manning pickup 3:45
Tuesday - Manning HOME MEET
Wednesday - Manning pickup 3:45
Thursday - Manning pickup 4pm
Friday - Manning pickup 4pm
Spartan Shout-Outs
Spartan Staff Updates
Welcome Back Ms. Hackett - MS/HS School Psychologist
Hello everyone! Some of you may recognize me as a Scituate alumni myself or as an intern from last school year. I am very excited to join this community again as your official middle/high school psychologist. A little about me: I am a Disney fanatic and enjoy watching all Boston sports! You can usually find me in my office in the guidance suite or coaching after school. I encourage everyone to reach out or come visit me with any concerns or just to chat! I look forward to supporting Spartan students and families this school year! emma.hackett@scituateschoolsri.net
Welcome Back Ms. McGovney - New MS/HS Special Education Department Chair
Hi! My name is Katie McGovney. This is my 7th year teaching in Scituate Schools. I have worked as a special educator at the High School and also as a 3rd grade teacher at North Scituate Elementary School. I am very excited to rejoin the Middle and High School as your new Special Education Department Chair!
I live in Warwick with my husband and our daughter, Addison. I spend my free time chasing my two year old around all of our favorite places: the zoo, the beach, and Target! I also love being with friends and family, trying new gluten free recipes, Zumba, and all things Disney.
Welcome to SMS/SHS Mr. Pecoraro
Welcome Mr. Pecoraro to our World Language Department! He comes to us with experience from Chariho middle and high school and is excited to meet you all!
Our Chorus Teacher, Ms. Norton, Wins a Teacher Giveaway
Ms. Norton was one of the $500 winners for the Marshall Building and Remodeling 2023 Teacher Giveaway. At Marshall, they love to support the arts. From supporting the PPAC each year to believing in the surprise and delight mindset that programs like yours help kids uncover. Stay tuned for what Ms. Norton has in store!
New this Year... WIN Block
The WIN (What I Need) block is an opportunity for students to receive academic support in math and/or reading. Students were selected for WIN based on Star math and reading screening assessment results. Students with scores below the benchmark for their grade level will work on reading and/or math skills twice per week, and their progress will be monitored throughout the quarter. Student progress and data will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Bus Information
All students, parents/guardians should be able to view their bus info in PowerSchool. Should you have any questions, please reach out to First Student by emailing Wendy.Lacombe@firstgroup.com
Locker Information
Students will be assigned a locker by their team of teachers. Students are required to provide their own locks. Each student is to only use the locker to which they are assigned. Sharing lockers with other students is not permitted. Lockers are provided for the storage of books, backpacks and coats during the school day. Lockers should be locked at all times. The lockers are school property and may be opened by the administration/Dean for emergencies or when there exists reasonable suspicion for a search of the contents, consistent with school committee policy. Students are responsible for the condition of the locker assigned to them and the cleanliness of the contents. The cost of repair or repainting locker damage caused by writing on painted surfaces, affixing non-removable stickers, or bending metal parts will be charged to the student. Students are financially responsible for any articles or books lost or stolen from their lockers.
News From North West Special Education (NWSE)
Hello! Below are the meeting dates for the Northwest Special Education Local Advisory Committee for the 23/24SY. All are welcome to attend!
September 26, 2023 at 6:00pm at Ponaganset Middle School, Room 150
November 14, 2023 at 6:00pm at Ponaganset Middle School, Room 150
February 13, 2024 at 6:00pm at Ponaganset Middle School, Room 150
April 30, 2024 at 6:00pm at Ponaganset Middle School, Room 150
Parking is available in the rear parking lot behind the building; entry at the rear entrance of the building.
Student Support Services
Thanks to a wonderful donation from the Scituate Rotary Club, we have school supplies available to be distributed to our students in the Middle and High School!
Supplies include: Backpacks, Stationary and Art Supplies, Gift Cards (limited amount)
Please fill out the Backpack Request Form below if you are interested/ in need of school supplies for your child/ student(s)!
All requests are confidential and will be handled by our School Social Worker, Jennifer Ricci, LCSW.
Student Assistance Counselor Available at SMS
Scituate Middle School, along with 79 other Rhode Island secondary schools, is implementing a Student Assistance Program based on a national model called Project SUCCESS. The program is provided by Rhode Island Student Assistance Services (RISAS) and is funded by the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health and the school department.
The goals of Project SUCCESS are to prevent and reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and to improve school performance. To accomplish these goals, the program provides school-wide awareness programs, classroom presentations and individual and small group sessions to teach about substance use and skills to resist pressures to use substances. Parent meetings and workshops will also be available to assist you in prevention efforts.
Abbigayle Coria, our Student Assistance Counselor, will be responsible for implementing and coordinating the Project SUCCESS prevention and education activities at Scituate Middle School. She works full-time and has some evening hours available to see parents and make presentations to community groups. Ms. Coria has a Master’s Degree in Counseling, previous experience working with adolescents at Scituate High School and specialized training in prevention and early intervention strategies. The Student Assistance Counselor is an employee of RISAS and is supervised by RISAS and the school.
Ms. Coria is available to see students who are using alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, or have personal, school or family problems that could lead to substance use or other unhealthy behaviors. If you are worried about your child’s behavior and would like to speak to the Student Assistance Counselor and/or have the Student Assistance Counselor, see your child, please call them directly at the school. All calls will be confidential.
This program has helped many students make responsible choices, has educated students about the dangers of drug use, and has helped others get outside help for related problems. In order to e valuate the effectiveness of the Student Assistance Program/Project SUCCESS and to make continuing improvements, the state requires us to collect data from students who participate during the school year. No names are on any collected data.
If, for any reason, you do not want your son or daughter to be seen by the Student Assistance Counselor, please contact me or contact the Student Assistance Counselor abbigayle.coria@scituateschoolsri.net directly. We are very pleased to offer this valuable program to the students in our school.
Also, please feel free to call if you have any questions about the program.
Sincerely,
Dana S. Morel
Important Dates Ahead
Sept. 13th - Open House 6:00-8:00 PM