Melville Message Community Update

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.

The Portsmouth Arts Guild show was held over last weekend. We wanted to share the Melville award winners and the juror comments! Melville had the most entries and we were highly praised by the Guild and the juror.

First Place-Rachel Z.

Second Place- Aurelia Z.

Third Place- Molly H.

Honorable Mention: Chris Filloramo-Smith

Honorable Mention: Kinsley Muller

This week the Potter League visited our Pre K Classrooms to share about animal care and safety.

Teacher/Support Staff of the Year

• The Teacher of the Year award is presented to an NEA member (Teacher, Mental Health Support, Coordinator) who demonstrates exceptional dedication, knowledge, and skill. This educator inspires students of all backgrounds and earns the respect of students, parents, colleagues, and administrators. The selected Teacher of the Year will have the opportunity to represent Portsmouth at the state level and participate in valuable professional development and leadership opportunities. Nominate a Teacher of the Year Here
• The Support Professional of the Year award recognizes an outstanding individual who works in the best interest of our students and district. This award honors a Council 94 member (Clerical, RBT, Custodian, Tech, Security Officer) who exhibits exceptional competence, continually seeks to improve their skills, and consistently goes above and beyond their job responsibilities. Their dedication and commitment make a lasting impact on our school community. Nominate a Support Professional of the Year Here

Please take a moment to consider nominating a colleague who exemplifies these qualities. Nominations are open until May 1, 2026.

SELAC Awards

SELAC (Special Education Local Advisory Committee) Award Nominations: We are now accepting SELAC award nominations. Please take a moment to submit a nomination for someone who deserves to be recognized. This could be a student, parent, colleague, bus personnel, or anyone who has made a difference for a student this year!

Have a minute? Grab a postcard and send some good news! Get ready to see the smile on their faces when they arrive to tell you they received something from you in the mail!

Please feel free to use this template for Tuesday-to write a note to your teacher!

We are excited to share that our Melville Elementary School Fun Run is coming soon!

During this school-wide event, students will run laps and collect donations to support the Melville Parent Teacher Group, which provides funding for programs and experiences that benefit our students. There will also be prizes for top runners and fundraisers!

Event Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
Rain Date: Friday, May 22, 2026

Each student will receive a FREE Fun Run T-shirt, but we need your help to make sure we order the correct size.

Please complete the T-shirt form for EACH child (Grades K–4) attending Melville Elementary School.

Order Form Deadline: Friday, April 17
(T-shirt orders will be submitted first thing Monday morning.)

If you have not yet completed the form, please take a moment to do so as soon as possible to ensure your child receives the correct size.

Thank you for your support, we can’t wait for this fun and exciting event!

Warmly,
Your Melville PTG

Portsmouth Free Public Library -Summer Reading Poster Contest

Click here for the April Fun FFVP Food Facts

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 #15 in the state for attendance on the State’s Attendance Leaderboard.

Now that we are approaching warmer temperatures here in Rhode Island, please be on the lookout for ticks. There are many transmittable diseases, including Lyme Disease, that ticks can pass along so it is very important to practice prevention techniques to prevent tick bites on you, your child(ren), and your pets.

Here are some simple steps to help protect yourself and your family from ticks:

• Avoid tick-infested areas and sitting directly on the ground. You can find ticks in various environments, but most often they are in, or near, wooded areas. They hide under leaves, in the grass, and on branches and right now, there are several leaves on the ground!

• Avoid sleeping with pets and allowing pets on your furniture.

• Perform an entire body (and clothing) check after being outdoors, even if you are just in your own yard.

• Remove ticks before they adhere to the skin as this prevents transmission of infection.

Please review this link for more information about ticks. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to our School Nurse at trainora@portsmouthschoolsri.org or please call (401) 683-1650, Option 2.

Earn money for Melville while you shop! All you have to do is send in your Clements Receipts.

The Overthrow book series by Kenneth Oppel is a middle grade fantasy trilogy about three friends who realize that they’re half alien. They are completely immune to the black grass. These friends must find out how to stop the invasion before it becomes too late. I would recommend this book because the author makes it seem like it could really happen, and now I believe it could! It is an amazing story and always keeps you wanting to read more.

April

20 - 24: Spring Recess (No School)

May

Family Teacher Conferences (Flexible, each grade level will notify families and find door support)

1: Whale of an Evening

7: Grade 3 MIndfulness with our Support Staff, 4PM-5PM-Students & caregivers (must register)

12:

RICAS grades 3 and 4 math Session 1

MPTG 6:00-7:00 - Library

School Committee 7:00 - Town Hall

13: RICAS grades 3 and 4 math Session 2

18:

-4T Performance and UA Celebration with Families-10:00-10:30

-3B & 3E visits the AGInnovation Farm Field Trip

19:

- 4R Performance and UA Celebration with Families-10:00-10:30

--3K visits the AGInnovation Farm Field Trip

20:

-4S Performance and UA Celebration with Families-10:00-10:30

-One-hour early release for students/Staff PD 2:30-4:30

21: Fun Run (Rain Date 22nd)

25: Memorial Day (No School)

26: School Committee 7:00- Town Hall

June

1: Grade 4 visits Portsmouth Middle School

2: Grade 2 Field Trip to BIOMES

4: Kindergarten Celebration wit h Families, 3:30-5:00

5:

-Grade 3 Wax Museum -schedule will be shared with grade 3 families

-Grade 4 Field Trip to the State House

-PHS Graduation

8: Pre K Graduation, 11:30-12:00 (all lunches in classrooms)

9:

MPTG/Volunteer Appreciation 6:00-7:00 - Library

School Committee 7:00 - Town Hall

10: Field Day (rain date 11th)

12:

- Kindergarten Field Trip to Buttonwood Zoo

-Chick and Duck Open House (after school, families invited)

15:

-Grade 4 Stepping Up & Family Picnic 10:00-11:30

-Grade 1 Field Trip (parent volunteers only)

17 or 180th day: Last Day of School – All Students

19: Juneteenth (No School)

23: School Committee 7:00 - Town Hall

• Please ensure your child's Chromebook is connected to your home wifi.
• Click here for a help video on how to login to Clever.

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

If your family will be moving during the 25-26 school year - please print this form, fill it out, and return to Melville, so we can help make your move a smooth one!

Effective Monday, November 3, 2025 PSD fully implemented the “I Love U Guys” Standard Response Protocol.

Thank you to the Feinstein Foundation for this incredible program.

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/

Going forward please use meloffice@portsmouthschoolsri.org to notify the main office of changes to your child's dismissal routine or of your child's absence.

We love to celebrate our students. If they have special news that you would like us to share, e.g. State Wrestling or Cheerleading Championship accomplishments, then please email me at lauried@portsmouthschoolsri.org and we will be sure to include their recognition in our morning announcements.

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.

Securly Home is an app that allows parents to monitor their child’s Chromebook activity at home and add rules for home use. Please take some time to review the slideshow from the informational parent meeting hosted for families.

We encourage you to sign up now for Securly Home!

Google Slideshow

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