The Dolphin Dispatch
Agnes E. Little Elementary School Newsletter Jan 2021
IMPORTANT- ACTION REQUIRED! Schools Reopening Message from Superintendent McWIlliams:
This is Dr. McWilliams, Superintendent of Schools. I am calling with some very important information. As you know, at the December 15th School Committee, the Committee voted to prepare for an in-person learning for PK, Kindergarten, and special populations in their home schools beginning on January 19th, contingent on the community spread of the virus. As we prepare, we need your assistance to let us know if you are choosing to opt-out of in-person learning for your child(ren) when the phase in of in-person learning starts for your child(ren) at his/her grade level or specialized class. This information is important to us to prepare. If you do not want your child to return to in-person learning, you will opt-out by completing this survey by January 3, 2021. If you opt-out of in-person learning, this means that your child will remain on distance learning for the remainder of the school year.
There are two ways in which you can opt-out of in-person learning. The easiest and most efficient way is to use Skyward if possible. To do this, simply log into the parent portal of Skyward found on www.psdri.net from any device and indicate your preference on the online form. The second option is to call our call center at 401.305.3787 to speak with a call center employee and indicate your preference. If you choose the Call Center, where an employee will take down your preference. If you leave a message, please state your name and phone number and your child’s name and a call center employee will return your call to record your response.
Please note that your choice will be for the remainder of the 2020-2021 school year. Your response is needed by January 3, 2021, otherwise your child will automatically be assigned to return to in-person learning, based on the gradual, phased in approach and contingent on the community spread of the virus and when the School Committee deems it appropriate. We will unfortunately not be able to have students switch back and forth between in person and distance learning due to staffing and busing requirements.
Your assistance is greatly appreciated as we prepare.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Dr. McWilliams
School Committee Reopening Plan Meeting
Details including date/time, agenda and meeting link are TBA and will be shared via school committee website. The community is welcome to tune in to the virtual meeting.
Free Food Distribution 12/23 @ Shea HS
Save the Date- Survey Works!
Survey Window: Tuesday January 19- Tuesday March 30
Take it early and get it done! Be on the look out for the online survey link to be posted. We appreciate your participation and feedback!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of RI Clothing Donation Bin
Did you notice the new donation bin located near our school playground on Ashton Street? It's never been easier to donate your gently used clothes to a great cause!
See full article hereRecap- Parent Teacher Conferences
On the School Calendar
School Meals Menu 12/21- 12/27
Agnes Little Front Door
Monday- Friday
11:30 am - 1pm
*Wednesday 12/23 includes 5 days of meals (no meal pick up service 12/24 or 12/25)
**Meal service will resume on 12/28
Winter Recess
MLK Jr. Day
First Semester Ends
February 3, 2021
Report cards to followA BIG Thank You
We are thankful to have you part of our school community!
In It To Win It
Nominate an Agnes Little Educator
New Elementary Educator Recognition: Alan Shawn Feinstein Award Application
RIDE, in partnership with the Feinstein Foundation, is seeking applications for the first annual Alan Shawn Feinstein Award (ASF). The ASF Award honors an educator at an Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary school who effectively models acts of kindness and good deeds within the classroom and community, and whose students are involved in or lead good deed initiatives because of this educator’s influence. The ASF elementary education teacher selected will be awarded $15,000 AND the ASF elementary school where the winner is employed at the time of the application completion will receive an award amount of $10,000. Applications are due January 29, 2021.
If you have questions about the Alan Shawn Feinstein application, please contact Mary Keenan at mary.keenan@ride.ri.gov or 401-222-8497.
Poster Contest for 5th Grade Students
National Missing and Exploited Children Center’s 5th Grade Poster Contest
We urge all 5th grade students to participate in our poster contest. The artwork should reflect the theme “Bringing Our Missing Children Home.” The deadline for submission is January 29, 2021. The theme may be depicted in the student’s artwork through one or a combination of illustrations. Digitally produced images, collages, cutouts, and stamping will not be eligible for consideration. The finished poster must measure 8½ x 14 inches. The poster must be submitted with a completed application, which includes a description of the poster and a brief biography of the artist, either typed or written legibly.
https://ojjdp.ojp.gov/events/missing-childrens-day/poster-contest
Contact the RI State Contest Manager.... jonathan.elliott@risp.gov for further information.
Essay Contest K-12
RWU Law Presents: How has Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg (RBG) Inspired me? Essay Contest RWU Law Announces RBG Contest for K-12 Students - Rhode Island elementary, middle and high School students are invited to submit drawings, essays on how iconic U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has inspired them. Details may be found here. Contest Deadline: Friday, January 15, 2021 by 5:00 PM ET. Questions may be directed to RBGessay@rwu.edu.
Siblings Spot- Information & Opportunities for Older Siblings (Middle & High School)
Attention Middle and High School students! XQ wants you to create an Original Song!
Music is a tool that educates and inspires. @XQAmerica is inviting students (ages 13-21) to enter the first #MakeASongChallenge for a chance to work with the Oakland-based quartet SOL Development. All they need to do? Create an original song about issues that are important to them. Share this challenge with a teen you know and spark their creativity: The prizes are as follows:
- Top 5 upvoted submissions will receive home studio equipment
- First 100 submissions will receive iTunes gift cards for $20
- Top 20 upvoted submissions will receive special interviews, amplification, and a response video from SOL Development
Learn more about the challenge and sign up here.
High School Seniors- Apply for College Financial Aid
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Update
As of 11/20/20- Rhode Island is at 25.7% completion. We have set a goal of 70% completion. statewide, at every high school, by the end of June 2021. Now more than ever it is important to ensure that all students are completing their FAFSA to have a chance at financial support for their post-secondary education plans. Rhode Island is ranked 4th highest nationally for the average debt load for College Graduates in 2018-2019. Completing the FAFSA can give more Rhode Island students a chance at grants and work-study opportunities to lower their debt load.
There are many resources available to support students and families through the process of completing the FAFSA. The College Planning Center offers support for any family in Rhode Island in completing the FAFSA.
To schedule, an appointment with the College Planning Center call 401-736-3170, Text "FAFSA” to 24000, or go to CollegePlanningCenter.org Districts are encouraged to reach out directly to the College Planning Center to help support their completion efforts. There are multiple resources including the FAFSA completion dashboard, FAFSA Portal, and the FAFSA toolkit (available in Portuguese and Spanish). More information about all of these resources can be found on the PrepareRI website.
Schools can help support this effort by reaching out to families and sending out the FAFSA Toolkit, along with information about the College Planning Center to help families complete the FAFSA! To see how your school is doing visit the PrepareRI website to check out the FAFSA dashboard.
Write Rhode Island is Open for Submissions (Grades 7-12)
RI students in grades 7-12 can submit one original work of fiction, 2500 words or less, incorporating Rhode Island in some way. Winners will be selected in February 2021 and will receive publication, prizes and awards. Visit School One's website for guidelines and a link to submit. Submitting is free. www.school-one.org.
Middle School Science Bowl
Looking for a free enrichment opportunity for your most enthusiastic STEM students? Register a team of 5 students by Friday, December 11: Middle School Science Bowl Registration | High School Science Bowl Registration. The U.S. Department of Energy National Science Bowl® is a nationwide academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics. Self-paced practice questions and study guides are available to all teams. This question-and-answer event will take place virtually on February 27, 2021 (Middle School) and between March 1 – 13, 2021 (High School). Please contact Middle School Lead Coordinator ashley.orcutt@uconn.edu or High School Lead Coordinator jan.tyler@science.doe.gov with any questions you may have.
Agnes Little Elementary School
A Proud Title I School
A Feinstein Leadership School
Email: mallozzie@psdri.net
Website: http://pawtucket.little.schooldesk.net/
Location: 60 South Bend Street, Pawtucket, RI, USA
Phone: 401-729-6356
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AgnesLittleElementary