SKHS Back to School Newsletter
Robert Mezzanotte, August 2018
From the desk of Mr. Mezzanotte...
We are very excited to launch several new initiatives this year- including a new block schedule and new career pathways. The purpose of this newsletter is to update our community on these initiatives, as well as communicate important information regarding back to school. If you have any questions please email me at rmezzanotte@sksd-ri.net. Enjoy!
New Student Laptop Distribution and Parent Orientation
The goals for the event are as follows:
- All new students will receive their laptops and protective cases
- All new students and parents will be made aware of our expectations for care of the device
- Parents/guardians will hear a message from school administration, our 9th grade dean of students, our Parent-Teacher Group and our Prevention Coalition Coordinators
In the interest of saving time, we are asking parents and students to print and sign the laptop user agreement and bringing it to this event. The user agreement is location on page 13 of the 1-1 Laptop Student Handbook, linked HERE.
Please note that a parent/guardian and student must sign the user agreement in order to receive a laptop. If you are unable to attend our event on the 28th, you may report to the guidance office with your child at 7:30 on the first day of school, September 4th, where you will be able to obtain the laptop. This is a change from a prior email, where I stated that parents would report to the Hazard Building. That is no longer the case.
If you have any further questions please email me at rmezzanotte@sksd-ri.net.
The First Day of School- September 4th
- Grade 9 and new transfer students will report to school at 7:30 and go directly to the auditorium for an assembly
- After the assembly the school will provide all new students with a complimentary breakfast
- Students will then report to the gymnasium, where they will locate their advisory room number and proceed to their advisory room, as escorted by the assigned student mentors
- They will spend some time in their advisory getting to know each other, reviewing our "How to Survive Freshman Year" pamphlet, filling in their schedule and checking their locker combination
- Following this, they will be given a tour of the school by their assigned student mentors
- After the tour they will reconvene in their advisory rooms
- All returning students in grades 10-12 will report to school at 10:45 am and go directly to their period 3 class
New Block Schedule
Please note that each Wednesday teachers have common planning time from 7:30 to 8:15 and students do not need to report until 8:15. Students who arrive to school early on Wednesdays will report to either the library, cafeteria, gymnasium or test make-up room.
Click HERE for a visual representation of the new schedule.
Career Pathways
For the upcoming year, we are offering pathways in the following areas:
- Computer Science
- Allied Health (CNA/EMT licensure options)
- Studio Art
- Carpentry
- Biomedical
- Business Finance
Enrollment in a pathway offers the following benefits for students:
- priority status for acceptance in elective courses that align with their chosen pathway
- opportunities to earn college credit and/or career/industry credentialing while still in high school
- a 3-course (minimum) sequence that aligns to a specific area of student interest
- embedded opportunities for hands-on, work-based learning that is connected to the identified area of interest
- opportunities to take part in internships and/or Senior Projects that are aligned to specific areas of interest
If you are interested in learning more, please click HERE or contact your child's counselor.
SKHS Vision for Student Learning
- Student-Centered Learning- ensuring that students are at the center of the learning every day, in every class
- Flexible Supports for Student-Centered Learning- ensuring that our support systems are designed with flexibility to ensure equity and and is supportive of the individual goals of each student
- Family and Community Engagement- ensuring that families and community organizations are essential partners
- Healthy Learning Culture- ensuring that our learning culture is supportive of the healthy growth and development of each student
New Staff at SKHS
- Kate Bubrick- math teacher
- Alexandra Braga- math teacher
- Mary Ellen Coppage- fine arts teacher
- Patricia Dewey Giarusso- administrative assistant
- Christine Giroux- nurse office secretary
- Michael Lobdell- science teacher
- Cynthia Notarianni- school nurse
- Dr. Agnes Pelopida, Assistant Principal for Humanities
- Stacy Zamperini- PE/Health teacher
Fall Important Dates
- September 4th- First Day for Students
- September date TBA- Club/Activity Fair during school day
- September 12th- District Professional Development (No School for students)
- September 13th- School Picture Day
- September 14th- Go For Gold Day (to support identified worthy charity)
- September 19th- No School (Yom Kippur)
- September 29th- Fall Clean Up Day
- October 3rd- Financial Aid Night
- October 4th- Parent Open House Night
- October 6th- Outdoor Movie Night
- October 8th- No School (Columbus Day)
- October 13th- Sadie's Football Game and Dance
Please click HERE for the school website, which contains additional information.
Opportunities to Get Involved
- Parent-Teacher Group (PTG)- This group meets Wednesday evenings once per month. The purpose of the group is to discuss school-related matters. Each month, we post an agenda and we welcome input from parents about matters that are important to them.
- School Improvement Team (SIT)- This group consists of teachers, administrators, parents and students. We typically focus on identifying a specific area of improvement, studying it, and developing action plans and goals. The SIT meets once per month on Wednesdays from 2:15-3:15.
- South Kingstown Alumni Association (SKAA)- This group meets monthly, typically on Mondays after school, to discuss alumni-related matters. Our group is currently planning the first-ever SKHS Hall of Fame Banquet in November.
If you are interested in joining any of these groups, please email me at rmezzanotte@sksd-ri.net.
Communication
It is also recommended that you visit our school website and our district Facebook page for school updates and information. Also the Rhode Island Interscholastic League website is a great resource for athletic schedules and information.
If you are on twitter we recommend following @rmezzanotte and @TerryT9Lynch for news and updates from the principal and athletic director, respectively. Also follow #umatteratsk for updates on all the fabulous things our students and staff do throughout the year.
You can always email me at rmezzanotte@sksd-ri.net with any questions. I try to respond to emails within 24 hours if at all possible.
I am thrilled to start a new year of learning at our awesome high school! Enjoy the rest of your summer and I look forward to working together on behalf of all of our students here at SKHS! Enjoy some videos courtesy of some of our current and former students about adjusting to life at SKHS.