November 2022 Newsletter
November 2022
Superintendent's Letter
Greetings,
This is a wonderful time of year to pause, reflect, and give thanks for all that we have. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and may this upcoming holiday season bring you special time to spend with family and friends.
Dr. Cheryl McWilliams
Agnes Little Elementary School New Principal
The Agnes Little Interview Committee has selected Samantha Stringfellow as the new Principal for Agnes Little Elementary School.
Ms. Stringfellow started her career almost eight years ago in Pawtucket working as an ESL teacher at Baldwin Elementary before assuming the Assistant Principal position in Providence Public Schools. She has a Master’s degree in School Administration, a second Master’s degree in ESL and a Bachelor’s in Human Science and Services in Early Childhood. Join us in giving Samantha Stringfellow a warm welcome back to Pawtucket!
Red Ribbon Rally Winners!
Red Ribbon Week concluded on Friday, October 28, with a Red Ribbon Rally, where each school was invited to perform on this year’s theme, “Celebrate Life - Live Drug Free.”
Trophies were awarded to the most creative in each level: Elementary, Middle and High School, as well as Best School Spirit.
The 2022 Winners Are:
Elementary School Division:
Cunningham for their play "Cobra Kai: Celebrate Life, Live Drug-Free," a takeoff on the movie "Karate Kid," about a student who was having trouble fitting in, and was encouraged to take drugs to feel better, but, he did the right thing and remained strong, choosing instead to be strong and drug-free.
Middle School Division:
Goff for their play about a young addict trying to push pills onto an innocent student, but two friends arrive and implore her not to take them, telling her drugs will ruin her life.
High School Division:
Shea for their performances of soliloquy, dance, and song chastising the choice of choosing drugs over living free and loving life. They ended with the Beatles song "Come Together."
Best School Spirit (Pictured above):
Curvin McCabe for their drumming performance utilizing large "balls" of the drums to simulate "bad" & "good" choices.
Henry J. Winters Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
The Official Opening of Henry J. Winters Elementary School was celebrated with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, October 28.
Superintendent Dr. McWilliams served as emcee, with featured speakers, Governor Daniel J. McKee, Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, Mayor Donald R. Grebien, Senator Sandra Cano, Representative Karen Alzate, School Committee Member Joanne Bonollo, and Pawtucket Teacher Alliance President Ron Beaupre. Thank you to all who made this state of the art school possible!
Baldwin Groundbreaking Ceremony
The Pawtucket Community joined together on Monday October 31, for a groundbreaking celebration of Baldwin Elementary School. Speakers included Daniel McKee, Governor, Dr. Cheryl McWilliams, Superintendent, David Moran, City Council President, Kimberly Grant, School Committee, Wilder Arboleda, Mayor’s Office, Ron Beauprete, President Pawtucket Teachers Alliance.
Designed to be welcoming, safe, and community oriented, the new facility will provide students with over thirty classrooms as well as dedicated Art, Music, Special Education, Speech, Multi-language Learning, OT/PT, Health, and Maker Spaces, each with state-of-the-art technology and plenty of natural light. Three ‘Learning Commons’ are spread over the buildings’ two floors, each designed to support large group and cross-grade collaborative learning. Smaller spaces, including breakout and sensory rooms, are available at every grade level. Baldwin will also be home to a full sized gym with 6 basketball hoops and a stage to expand the schools’ theatre program.
The school is being built to the NorthEast Collaborative for High Performing Schools (NECHPS) benchmarks for energy efficiency and sustainability. Outside, the site configuration calls for multiple inclusive and age-appropriate play areas, community gardens, outdoor classrooms, and ample green spaces.”
The demolition and construction will begin to take place in the upcoming weeks, and a brand new school will open its doors for Baldwin’s 800 students in 2024. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible.
Senator Reed Visits Baldwin Elementary
Senator Reed visited Baldwin Elementary School at the Annex to announce $100,000 in federal funding for the Audubon Society to support an Environmental Education Urban Schools Initiative. This will allow the Audubon Society of Rhode Island to give our 3rd grade students hands-on learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Students and Senator Reed were treated to a visit by special guest, Serena, a four year old Barred Owl!
Thank you to Senator Reed and the Audubon Society for giving our students the opportunity to participate in environmental education programs.
JROTC Celebrates the 247th Birthday of the Marines
The Tolman MCJROTC celebrated the 247th Birthday of the Marine Corps on Wednesday, November 18 in the Tolman Auditorium. Sgt Major Scott Smith USMC (Ret.) narrated the event, which included the Presentation of Colors, the playing of the National Anthem by Cadet Jeremy Torres, and the traditional Cutting of the Birthday Cake. In tradition with the ceremony the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance get the first piece of cake.
This year in attendance was the Guest of Honor and Oldest US Marine present Sgt Augustino LaScola. Sgt LaScola, a 1965 graduate of Tolman High School served three tours in Vietnam and was awarded The Bronze Star with “V” for Valor, three Purple Heart Medals and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.
The youngest US Marine present was Private First Class Josue Diaz, also a Pawtucket native.
PFC Diaz joined the Marine Corps in December 2021 and currently serves with the 4th Marine Division.
Thank you to all who participated and made this celebration a great success!
HERE ARE NAMES OF THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS:
Colonel Jeff Richardson Senior Marine Instructor Tolman MCJROTC
COLOR GUARD:
Cadet Victoria Bertenshaw
Cadet Ethan Torres
Cadet Ryan Minasian
Cadet Tiana Tavares
CAKE ESCORTS:
Cadet Juan Restrepo
Cadet Raissa Lima
Cadet Lourdes Holguin
Cadet Kiara Pena
RI Women in Trades Speaks with 11th and 12th Grade Girls
RI Women in the Trades, in partnership with the City of Pawtucket, and the Pawtucket School Department, hosted a panel presentation and discussion for 11th and 12th grade girls at all three high schools, in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week. They discussed their experiences in the trades, the paths that led them to their profession, as well as the trade opportunities and pathways available to our students in the future.
Speakers included:
Sandra Cano, RI Senator, Chairwoman Senate Committee on Education
Dr. Cheryl McWilliams, Pawtucket Superintendent
Anita Bruno, Founder/Director, RI Women in the Trades; Carpenter Local 330
Tara Freeman, Founder, Lady Luck Construction
Linda Weisinger, Executive Director, Pawtucket Central Falls Development Corporation
Lori Caron Silveira, Executive Director, RI Bridge and Turnpike Authority
Amy Leclair, CAD Coordinator, Plumbers Local 51
Hasba-Aliya Hakim-Flynn & Chandra Dash, RI Women in the Trades Students
Thank you to all who made this possible for our students!