Monthly Update
South Kingstown School Department
New Year. Same Incredible Schools.
Find Out What's Happening
We started out 2023 with some inspiring events, engaging lessons, thoughtful planning and so much more. This month's newsletter includes a peek into a school committee meeting where we explore our strategic plan, a trip around the school district, an invite to what is sure to be a tony award level musical and a bit more. Scroll down to check it out.
School Committee Update
Strategic Plan Work Session
On January 24th, 2023 the School Committee, administration, teachers, and community members sat down to take a look at the strategic plan for South Kingstown Schools.
In what was a thoughtful and engaging session, the discussion centered around equity, excellence in teaching, and engaged and informed decision-making. There were some fantastic takeaways from this discussion that will inform the four meetings coming up in the future to put these plans into action.
Strategic Plan Work Session
Mark's Introduction
Breakout Session
Kindergarten Information Sessions
Want to know more about our Kindergarten program here in South Kingstown? We're currently holding information sessions all about Kindergarten in South Kingstown.
Remaining Dates:
When: February 9th from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Administration Building
When: February 27th from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Where: Champagne Heights Community Room
Sports Schedule
Sports Schedule
With swimming, indoor track, basketball, gymnastics, hockey, and more all having multiple games this month this section could get a bit overwhelming. Below is a link to the Rhode Island Interscholastic League calendar for our school district, feel free to take a look whenever you'd like!
Rhode Island Black Story Tellers Present: Harriet Tubman by Janice Curtis Greene
Her depiction of Harriet Tubman was an enthralling and historically accurate retelling of a true American hero. Through the use of song, emotion, humor, and audience engagement Janice put on quite the performance. We are truly grateful for the partners who helped put this together.
February Break is Coming!
What On Earth Will I Do with the Kiddos?
February break is fast approaching 2/20 through 2/24 there will be no school. The Superintendent came up with a great idea for the newsletter. We know Winter Break is coming up, and a lot of parents still have to go to work. He mentioned we should include something for parents to send their students to during February Break from the South Kingstown Recreation Department.
We're Getting Social
See What Is Happening
We decided to give this social media thing a try and we're starting with the big three; Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. No, we haven't jumped on the latest TikTok trend...yet.
Click the buttons below to follow us on social.
Congrats to the CNA crew from the High School CTE Program
The CTE program at the high school gives back to the community in so many ways. This crew will be spending time at The Elder wood at Scallop-shell for over 40 hours. They'll earn a ton of valuable experience and will give back to the community through their work. At the end of this experience, they'll be able to take and hopefully pass the CNA state licensing exam!
Apologies for the goofy picture but we must follow the rules!
Pictured: Lia S. Goff, Brailyn N. Grenier, Savannah G. Grenier, Page A. Hedde, Kylee A. Walkinshaw, Keasia C. Williams, Lily A. Manfredi, Jillian E. Vellone
Not Pictured: Samantha Kimber
Congrats again!!
High School STEAM Fair
The High School STEAM Fair was held on January 12th at 6 PM in the cafeteria and library. It was filled with so many awesome experiments and projects it was super exciting! There were a ton of participants and parents at the event. Big shout out to the organizers and students for putting on such an incredible event!
Goat Soap
The students at South Kingstown are next level. This group created a product that looks good and turns out to be great for dry skin. They used goat milk and my goodness they could sell it and make a few bucks!
Hockey Sticks
You learn something new every day. I learned that you put wax on hockey sticks, which may just help you control your puck. This student did inform me that it may take some time to get used to.
Paint Remover
This student had a wonderful project all about removing paint from wood. She tested different solvents on the same paint a learned what took it off the quickest and easiest. Which one worked the best? Wouldn't you like to know?
South Kingstown Tops Reading Charts!
The students at all of our Elementary schools have a voracious appetite for reading. It shows in the monthly report for RISOCKS, they track how many books are checked out on SORA a reading app many schools take advantage of. We clearly take advantage of the app the most! Shout out to all those readers and educators who share their love of reading!
A Trip Around the District
Italian Culture Day at High School
Italian Culture Day at the High School was a huge hit. Students explored the culture through food, music, games, and traditions.
Students took selfies in front of the leaning tower, and a Vespa and were transported to a different land. The vibes were fun, and students learned a ton in a hands-on experience.
Broad Rock Hands on Learning
Students in Ms. Fizzano's Geometry class at Broad Rock did some hands-on learning with regard to 3D shapes.
Students learned what the shapes were, learned how to calculate the area, volume, and more.
Then they legit made them. Doesn't get more hands-on than that!
Matunuck STEAM Fair
The students over at Matunuck showed off their Science Tech Engineering Art and Math skills during their STEAM Fair this past month. There were solar-powered robots, hand-made lava lamps, presentations on electromagnetism, and the classic exploding volcano.
Not only did students perform experiments and collect data they also worked on their communication skills throughout the day with other grade levels and in the evening when all the parents made their way through.
West Kingston Geometry
They learned about shapes and then used them to create monsters. Now that is cool.
Peace Dale Sings at the URI Basketball Game
They sang their rendition of the National Anthem beautifully and showed great poise in front of such a large crowd. Now we'll have to have a vote, who sang it best, the fourth graders or the eSKape choir?
Curtis Corner Concert
Curtis Corner is hosting a concert and if you want to see some All-State and future All-State musicians in action, stop by and check out this fantastic concert. Jazz, Pop and Orchestra? Doesn't get any better than that!
Event: CCMS Pops! Concert
Who: CCMS Jazz Band, Pops Band, and Orchestra
When: Tuesday, February 7, at 6pm
Where: CCMS Cafeteria
Preschool Pics
The South Kingstown Preschool is filled with caring, fun, awesome educators and staff. They are always coming up with such fun projects for the students to take part in. From lovely paintings to coffee filter snowflakes, there are always fun projects going on in that program.
A reminder that the SKP lottery is open for the remainder of the 22-23 school year, until spots are filled. Feel free to pass the information along to any families interested in preschool for their little ones.
School Building Committee
The School Building Committee has resumed meeting on February 2nd to continue their work.
Find the agenda for that meeting by clicking below.
Find More Info Here
South Kingstown's All-State Musicians Make Headlines
The music program in South Kingstown is second to none. We want the world to know, so we partnered with the local newspapers to put together a story about this impressive crew.
It's not every day you see a positive story in the newspaper...but we think it should be.
The Rebel Theatre Group Presents:
Get Your Tickets Now!
Quickly make your way to the website below to get your tickets before they sell out!
Local Business Partnerships
Give Students Valuable Experience
South Kingstown School District is looking for local businesses to partner with to help provide job experiences and career exploration for students with varying abilities. They are students learning about various transitional skills, including daily living and vocation. The partnership has benefited all involved. Some partnerships include Pow Science, Phil's, Perennial's, SK's Recreation Center, Bess Eaton, The Center, Old Mountain Lanes, Jonny Cake, and T's restaurant. Please feel free to contact Amber Horton-Lambert if you have any questions or would like to meet to discuss this wonderful opportunity.
Contact Info:
Amber Horton-Lambert
Administrator Alley
Black History Month Book Recommendations
Chip McGair - Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped with the Space Race by Margot Lee
Elizabeth McGuire - Change Sings by Amanda Gorman - Read Aloud
Amy Hubertus - Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students by Zaretta L. Hammond
Mark Prince - The Contender by Robert Lipsyte
Angela Christina - Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson
Kim Komocar - Magnificent Homespun Brown by Samara Cole Doyon
Ryan Borden - Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Jennifer Enck - Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
Brooke Degidio - You Matter by Christian Robinson