Ponaganset Middle School
PMS PRIDE
February 1, 2024
Dear PMS Families and Friends,
Can you believe we are half way through the school year? We continue to be very busy as we move into the second half of the school year. This is a good time to talk with your children about how they are doing in school. It is important to stress to our students that they must continue to study and complete their school work; it could affect their placement for next year or cause them to attend summer school. Please be aware that children may not be promoted to the next grade level without passing their present grade level. It is a good time for you to contact your child’s teachers and/or school counselor if you have any concerns regarding your child’s progress. We want all of our students to successfully complete the 2023 - 2024 school year.
The students have been very patient as they spend more and more time indoors in school and at home during the winter months, and we still have six more weeks of winter. It’s a great opportunity to spend time with them – watch movies, play board games, enjoy some outdoor activities such as skating or sledding, perhaps hiking or a winter walk; they won’t be this age for long!
We invite you to take part in RIDE's SurveyWorks. The Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (RIDE) conducts annual surveys of students, parents, teachers, and staff as part of a coordinated effort to improve schools. Each survey is tailored to the stakeholder group. The survey topics were selected by a broad cross section of focus groups across Rhode Island including teachers, school counselors, parents, and students. PMS has found the information gathered by SurveyWorks to be helpful in setting goals to improve the school’s culture, climate and academics. Please see the informational letter sent directly to you through School Messenger; it is also included in this Newsletter.
Again, we are at the halfway point of the school year. It is a great time to find out what’s going on with your child. Take the time to sit down and discuss your child’s motivation level and work together to develop a good work ethic, a quality needed to successfully complete the school year.
Enjoy the winter recess!
Kind Regards,
Patricia Marcotte
Principal
News to Use
Important Dates and Future Planning
Important dates to note for February
1 & 2 - PMS Musical, Newsies! (Click on the photo below)
2 - Gr 8 Visit to PHS (information directly emailed to families)
6 - School Committee Mtg
7 - PTO Meeting
8 & 9 - Gr 9 Course Selection for Gr 8 Students
9 - Student of the Month Ceremony (January)
13 - NWSE SELAC Mtg (at PMS, 5:45 PM)
15 - Women in STEM Conference and Career Fair (PMS Students only at PMS)
19 - 23 - NO SCHOOL (Winter Recess)
26 - School Resumes (Day 6 of Schedule Rotation)
28 - NAEP Testing (Grade 8)
29 - It's a Leap Year!
Please note, this school year, there will be a full week off in February. The Winter Recess is scheduled for the week of February 19. School resumes on Monday, February 26, 2024.
Future Planning
March - State Assessments start
March 11 - No School, Professional Development Day for Staff
2024 Spring Athletics
Spring 2024 Registration is OPEN: https://ponaganseths-ar.rschooltoday.com
The PMS season begins 3/25/24.
Questions can be sent to Athletics@fgschools.com
SurveyWorks - Closes March 31, 2024
4 Easy Steps to Complete Your Family Survey
Step 1: Visit bit.ly/ridefamily
Step 2: You have now accessed the family survey. There is a drop-down menu in the top left-hand corner: select English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
Step 3: Click where it says select and look for your child’s school in the drop-down menu. Once you find the school, click on “Take this Survey.”
Step 4: For each question, select the answers that best apply to your experience and beliefs. Once finished, click “Submit,” and you are done!
Thank you very much for your participation!
Health and Wellness
Grade 6 Prepare for Grade 7 Immunizations
In accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Health Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Immunization and Testing for Communicable Diseases (R23-1-IMM), all children entering the 7th grade are required to have the following immunizations:
Ø One (1) dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine.
Ø Four (4) doses of Polio vaccine.
Ø Two (2) doses of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella).
Ø Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.
Ø Two (2) doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine received or a statement signed by your child’s doctor stating that your child has a history of chickenpox disease.
Ø One (1) dose of Meningococcal Conjugate (Meningitis) vaccine.
Ø One (1) dose of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
All children entering 7th grade are required to be up-to-date on their immunizations as well as have a physical exam. The new year is the perfect opportunity to review your child’s immunizations with the doctor to ensure your child is protected from all vaccine-preventable diseases and schedule appointments.
PRIDE Spotlight
PRIDE in our ABCs - Academics, Behavior, Community
Academics: Prepared, Responsible, Independent, Determined, Effort
Behavior: Positive, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Excellence
Community: Partners, Recognition, Inspiration, Distinction, Enthusiasm
Congrats to Grade 8 Winter Athletes
Both teams are heading to the playoffs!
National School Counselors Week
Celebrating our school counselors - Ms. Robertson, Mrs. Dingley, Mrs. Vigneau, Mrs. Flowers. Thank you for helping our students each day!
Contact and Connect
Website: https://fosterponagansetms.ss11.sharpschool.com/
Location: 7 Rustic Hill Road, Glocester, RI, USA
Phone: 4017107500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ponaganset/