Superintendent's Update
Newport Public Schools | November 12, 2025
Dear Newport Schools Parents, Families, and Staff:
The approaching holiday season is right around the corner. As Superintendent, the best gift ever for all of us would be improved attendance. This is the gift that will keep on giving as our students learn and grow to fulfill their future dreams. We want every day all our students and staff here to support each other to grow and learn. At this time of year, as the days get colder, we start to see a small dip in daily attendance rates at Pell, Thompson, and Rogers. Due to the holidays, we have a limited number of school days in November and December, so we need to make all of these days count. A great education is one of the most important gifts we can give to our children, and one that will last a lifetime. Remember Attendance Matters, Every Day.
Last Friday, the Rhode Island Department of Education released annual “report cards” for Pell, Thompson, Rogers, and Newport Public Schools as a school district. These report cards give stars based on accountability results for RICAS exams, attendance (YES attendance), student growth, and a number of other indicators. I encourage everyone to take a look at RIDE Report Cards.
Next week, Thompson and Rogers parents/families can expect to see report cards in our Aspen Parent Portal. You will receive a notification via email when they are available. If you do not receive a notice by Thursday, November 13 for RHS students or Monday, November 24 for TMS students, first check your SPAM and then contact your child’s school.
So, the second quarter is now underway and we need our students focused on what’s ahead. Here is a quick “what should my child be focused on now”.
- Seniors: Should be on track for graduation, working on future career pathways whether it is an internship in a local company or industry, local jobs, completing college and career school applications, or talking with guidance counselors about possible future plans.
- Juniors: Keep on top of your classes and grades, take those SATs if you are thinking about college, study and explore the CTE programs at NACTC and study what is available for after high school options. Like all other grade levels - participate in sports, clubs, and other activities RHS has to offer. NOW is the time to start to focus on what you want/like/or wish to continue after high school.
- Sophomores: Buckle down on your classes and grades. Push yourself to improve, get involved in sports, clubs or activities at RHS - even if you never had tried the sport or activity - NOW is your time to explore, explore, and do more.
- Freshmen: Your first quarter is over. How did you do? Check those grades. Is there anything you, your teacher or guidance counselor can help you with to improve? Have you spoken to your counselor about all the different opportunities available to you? NOW is the time to do this and get on track with your grades. Let’s try to get in the top 10 for your class!!! You can do it.
Let’s not stop there- especially since this Saturday our NACTC at RHS will be hosting an Open House for grades 8 and 9 at 9:30am. All students in grade 8 and 9 with their families should take the opportunity to visit NACTC’s information session this Saturday from 9:30-10:30 to learn about all of the amazing in-demand career pathways available to pursue. Why not graduate high school with a skill that can last a lifetime?? Take advantage of all the options RHS has.
I want to end this week with a big shout out to our students who are demonstrating emerging leadership skills. At Thompson, Principal Browner reports that Principal’s Advisory Council students are doing empowering work updating the school’s mission statement. In addition, at Rogers, students are stepping up to start a food drive and a diaper bank to support Newport area families in need. Now that’s leadership- and we are so proud of all our students leading the way from Pell to RHS. Great job!
Have a great week of learning everyone!
Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Thompson Middle School and Rogers High School 1st quarter report cards will be available next week via the Aspen Parent Portal. You will receive an email notification from your school when report cards have been posted. If you have not received a notification by Thursday, November 13 for RHS students or Monday, November 24 for TMS students, first check your SPAM folder and if you still have not received a notification contact your child’s counselor or building principal.
Participation in your child’s education is critical to his/her success, and one of the best opportunities to be engaged is to attend the upcoming parent/family-teacher conferences at Pell, Thompson, Rogers, and NACTC on Monday, December 1st from 12-5pm. More details to come in our next newsletter. Be sure to save the date as parent/family-teacher conferences are the first Monday following Thanksgiving recess. This will be a no school day for our students.
