Ponaganset High School
Back-to-School Newsletter 2023-2024
Welcome
Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at Ponaganset High School! I am very excited to begin the school year and partner with parents and students! I would like to extend a special welcome to all of our new students and families. In addition, I will be sending a communication out next week welcoming new faculty and staff to PHS!
Please know that the staff and I have been diligently preparing to make the 2023-2024 school year a successful one for all of our students. Communication to parents is key and this monthly newsletter is one method that I will use to keep parents informed. You can also visit our website at: https://fosterponaganseths.ss11.sharpschool.com/ for school-related information.
Here at PHS, we will strive to provide students with a top-notch education. We look forward to working with each of our scholars to help them reach their fullest potential. Your parental involvement, along with our best professional efforts, will help support this goal.
Sincerely,
Amanda Grundel, M. Ed. M. S.
Principal
Ponaganset High School
Back-to-School Letter 2023-2024
This newsletter highlights some important information. More detailed information, including the schedule for the first 3 days of school, can be found in the Back-to-School letter below.
Canvas
For Students: This course, Passport to Canvas, provides everything you need to know about using Canvas in your class(es). Canvas helps you:
- Keep track of the work you are assigned by your instructor, grades and feedback
- Organize all of the learning material your instructor has created
- Help you stay in touch with other members of your class
Click this link to access Canvas directions: https://fgschools.instructure.com/courses/12230
Here is another resource for students: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Contingency-Resources/Getting-Started-with-Canvas-as-a-Student-Videos/ba-p/256768
For Parents: Canvas, our learning management system, will house assignments, postings and grades for your child. Teachers and students regularly communicate through this system, so we encourage you to become familiar with this program.
Here is a link that can assist you with this process: Parent Information: Canvas.
Schedules
*If your student is incoming from PMS to PHS, the log-in for ASPEN remains the same.
* Please have your child log into ASPEN for his/her schedule (schedules will be available next week).
* Please be sure to read the message in ASPEN regarding schedule changes.
* Students will report to Homebase first on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. Homebase room numbers can be found on student schedules, and they will also be posted in the North and South building.
Attendance
* Students should not be dropped off at the high school before 7:30 AM.
* The first period begins at 7:48 AM.
* Dismissal is at 2:15 PM.
* Please understand that your child is required to be in school. In the event that your child is ill, you must notify the school (see student handbook which is attached in the Back-to-School letter (above) for Attendance and Truancy Court information). If you have any questions concerning attendance, please contact Ms. Karlene Murray, Associate Principal at kmurray@fgschools.com
Cell Phones
At PHS, we strive to create an environment that is conducive for learning. A main distractor from student learning is cell phone usage in class during lessons and at home during homework/study time. I would like to share some powerful research on this matter: A study in the journal Communication Education on the impact of mobile phone usage revealed that students who were not using their mobile phones during class wrote down 62% more information in their notes, took more detailed notes, and were able to recall more detailed information about the lesson, which resulted in scoring a full letter grade and a half higher on the assessment than their peers who were toggling between the listening to the lesson and their mobile device. Please be advised that at school, students are not permitted to use their cell phones during teaching and learning time as it is essential that our classroom environments are set up to promote maximum learning for our students. Parents can help grow their children into positive digital citizens and strong students by reinforcing this practice during homework/study time at home.
Again, please be advised that the use of cell phones by students during class time is not permitted and students will be asked to place their phones in their backpack or pocket during teaching and learning time.
Students may use their phones during times when a lesson is not taking place, such as passing time and in the cafeteria.
Student Dismissal and Parking Lot
Due to the increased traffic volume in the morning and afternoon, and to ensure the safety of our students, we will follow a drop off/pick up route for parents. Parents who are dropping off or picking up their students must do so at the north building entrance only. This is the side of the building near the fieldhouse.
We will be utilizing a staggered dismissal strategy again this year. Students who ride a Foster or Glocester bus as well as students who drive or get picked up will exit the building first.
All students who ride a Statewide bus will exit the building second and should wait in the front vestibule/cafeteria until their bus pulls into the circle.
The following safety measures must be followed in the parking lot by all:
Student drivers must have their parking passes displayed on their vehicles when in the school parking lot.
Students cannot cross between the buses.
Students must wait until the buses leave to cross over to their rides.
Parent and student drivers cannot drive past a bus that has a stop sign up nor should they weave between buses.
Laptop Distribution
Lunch Information
All students are welcome to buy a breakfast, lunch and/or snacks each day.
The Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program is available as it was prior to the pandemic. The program requires families to reapply each year. The Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program Application is available on the website https://www.fg.k12.ri.us/for_parents/food_services or you may visit/call the school for the application.
All students who buy lunch and/or any food items in the cafeteria must provide their student identification number as each student has an account with Sodexo Food Service. You may access this account through MySchoolBucks where you can deposit money and prepay for lunches, as well as keep track of what your child is purchasing for lunch, low balance alerts, recurring payment options, and review your child’s purchase history. You can find the link under Food Services on the district website: https://www.fg.k12.ri.us/for_parents/food_services
Athletics
The Ponaganset Athletic Department has an Online Registration for all high school and middle school athletes. ALL students interested in playing a sport must submit each form prior to participating. Please visit the school website for further details.
If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Athletics, Mr. Michael Joyce at MJoyce@fgschools.com
Calendar
All students and parents are strongly encouraged to regularly view the 2023-2024 calendar on our school website for updated information and upcoming events.
Here are some important upcoming dates:
* Wednesday, August 30th: First Day For Students
*Monday, September 4th: No School Labor Day
* Wednesday, September 13th: Back-To-School Night
* Monday, November 6th: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Back to School Night
Our Back to School Night is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from 6-8:00 PM. Save this date in your calendar as it is your opportunity to tour the school, meet your child’s teachers, and to learn about academic and extracurricular activities. There will also be an opportunity to get further assistance with setting up Canvas during this event.
Schedule for the First Three Days of School
*Will include a tour for all incoming 9th graders as well as all new students grades 10-12.
*Senior helpers will assist with getting new students acclimated
*Team building experiences for students
*Academic expectations
*Behavioral expectations
*Laptop distribution