Melville Message Community Update
December 12, 2025
Melville Mission
In partnership with families and community, the mission of Melville Elementary School is to provide all students with a strong academic foundation through diverse and challenging instruction in a safe and nurturing environment enabling them to achieve their greatest potential while developing self-confidence, respect, responsibility, compassion and a love of learning.
Visiting Melville
Dear Melville School Community,
As many of you are aware, in accordance with Portsmouth School Department policy, Melville Elementary School has a new visitor system in our vestibule. This system is used to sign guests into our building by scanning a driver’s license and verifying your identity with a comparison photo.
Please note that any person that is entering our school building for a meeting or an event is REQUIRED to sign in.
In order to expedite the sign in process, we are strongly encouraging all families to download the app and create your profile today. You may do so by scanning the QR code below or by visiting the App Store or Google Play Store and searching for Raptor Safe.
For any questions or for assistance contact the main office. Thank you for your help in keeping our school safe.
At Melville Elementary, we are committed to every student’s success, and regular attendance is key! Did you know that students who miss two or more days a month—about 10% of the school year—are considered chronically absent?
Attendance Matters
We know that attendance plays a huge role in student success, and your support is key to improving it. Melville is currently ranked #32 in the state for attendance on the State’s Attendance Leaderboard.
Recommendations frpm Katherine in Grade 4!
Molly's Story: A Puppy Tale by W. Bruce Cameron is a fictional story about a clever dog named Molly who bonds with a girl named C.J. C.J. is very careful to hide Molly in her basement because her mom is not fond of dogs. Molly and C.J. learn many things from each other during their adventures together. I recommend this book because it was told from Molly, the dog's perspective.
Art
In Art this week fourth graders are using shapes to draw their favorite animals! They are drawing these critters on huge paper. This project will be the fourth grade Legacy Star Project, where each student displays a piece of artwork at Melville for the ages to come.
Physical Education
Holiday fun in the gym!
Health with Mrs. Powell
Health with Nurse Trainor
Grade 3 students considered the idea of being safe and considered a series of questions around safety. Learners discussed how many often take risks because they believe that nothing bad will happen and students learned about the importance of thinking about safety ahead of time.
Music
Grade 4 percussion ensemble
Library
This week in the Library the 4th graders continued with their unit on the Culper Spy Ring. They wrote secret coded messages in invisible ink using the Culper Code.
Melville Attendance Form
If your child is going to be absent, or it is absolutely necessary to make a dismissal change, then please complete the: Attendance Notification Form. Please bookmark this form or you can find it on our website. Dismissal changes must be made by 2:15
Mystic Aquarium Feinstein Jr. Scholar Card Spotlight
Feinstein Jr. Scholars are allowed two free visits with an adult guest to Mystic Aquarium per year with their 2025-2026 Jr. Scholar Card, but you must reserve a timed-ticket online prior to visiting!
Here’s the link for timed ticket reservations with a
Feinstein Jr. Scholar Card: https://www.mysticaquarium.org/visit/tickets/discounts-and-promotions/feinstein-junior-scholar-discount/
Help us to Celebrate our Students!
Our Food Pantry is Always Open!
In keeping with the spirit of giving, our Feinstein Jr. Scholars are excited to start an in-school food pantry that our students and families can donate to and access when needed.
Please help us as we continue to support our community by sending in food items with your child from time to time. Please email
Mrs. Powell: powelld@portsmouthschoolsri.org or
Mrs. Pascoe: pascoen@portsmouthschoolsri.org
if you would like to access our food pantry during the school year.
Melville Elementary School
Email: lauried@portsmouthschoolsri.org
Website: https://www.portsmouthschoolsri.org/Domain/11
Location: 1351 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI, USA
Phone: 4016831650
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009159177892
Twitter: @MelvilleSchool