Melville Message Community Update
November 25, 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.
A Great Week at Melville
As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to share my heartfelt gratitude for you and your children. Our school is a special place because of the strong partnership we have with each of you and the trust you place in us every day.
I see it in the smiles and excitement as students enter the building each morning, in the small acts of kindness they show each other, in the celebrations of their achievements, and even in those quieter moments when life gets challenging.
Thank you for your partnership, your encouragement, and the countless ways you support your children and our school. We are grateful for our Melville family—today and every day.
Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, restful, and joyful Thanksgiving.🦃
Grade 4 Gaga Ball Night
Super Safety Recognition
Community Gathering
Grade 3 Students present Balloons over Broadway
Grade 4 Recorder Performance
Balloon Parade
Whaledone
Comfort Dog Holly T-Shirts For Sale
Click here to print the order form, if you need a form printed for you, then please email the Melville Main Office at meloffice@portsmouthschoolsri.org.
ATTENTION AQUIDNECK ISLAND BUSINESSES
ATTENTION AQUIDNECK ISLAND BUSINESSES: partner with PHS to help our students discover the incredible careers right here on the island! If you’re willing to connect, we’d love to add you to our career exploration directory.
Through a Department of Defense grant, Portsmouth High School is developing a new subset of the PHS website that will give students an easy way to explore local career options. This site will feature a directory of island businesses highlighting what they do, the skills they value, and potential opportunities for students to learn, shadow, or work with them. Your participation helps us build a resource that directly connects students with the many career paths available right here in our community.
Please click HERE if you would like to be included.
Winter Fun!
Picture Retake Day
If you would like your child to participate in Picture Retake Day on December 4th, then please compete the attached form.
Fruits and Vegetable Program
Are you moving?
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!
Safety First
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.
Safety Updates
Effective Monday, November 3, our district will fully implement the “I Love U Guys” Standard Response Protocol, which will standardize our approach to safety across all schools.
Attendance Matters
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 #84 in the state for attendance on the State’s Attendance Leaderboard.
Melville Parent Teacher Group
On Tuesday evening we had our monthly MPTG meeting. The school highlight this month was on RICAS 24-25 data. Please take a moment to review the slides presented and reach out should you have any questions.
Send in your Receipts from Clements
Earn money for Melville while you shop! All you have to do is send in your Clements Receipts.
Unified Arts
Art
This week in Art, grade 3 paint their favorite views of where they live. Their painting style is inspired by Impressionist painter, Monet. This artwork will be a part of the Aquidneck Land Trust's Art Contest.
Physical Education
Health with Mrs. Powell
Feeling grateful can help calm big emotions. Try a gratitude journal or a gratitude jar. Use these quick prompts to get started:
My favorite thing about myself is…
The bravest thing I’ve ever done is…
A place I love to visit…
Something that makes me laugh…
A time someone was kind to me…
A time I showed kindness…
I’m most thankful for…
Health with Nurse Trainor
Music
Kindergarten having fun playing songs with Boomwhackers
Library
This week in the Library students read books and watched videos to get them excited about Thanksgiving.
Important Dates
November
26 – 28: Thanksgiving Recess (No School)
December
4: Picture Retake Day
10:One-hour early release for students-Dismissal will be from 2:15-2:30
13: Merry Melville 10:00-12:00 (Chorus performs at 10:30)
17: Grade 2 Holiday Obstacle Course, 4:15-5:15-Students & Caregivers (must register)
15-19 Winter Spirit Week
22-31: Holiday Recess (No School)
January
1 - 2: New Year’s Day (No School)
5-9 Grade 3 works with NCB's Multicultural Program
13:MPTG 6:00-7:00 - In the Melville Library
14:One-hour early release for students-Dismissal will be from 2:15-2:30
15: Melville Student Art Show at Melville School 4:00-5:00
19: Martin Luther King Day (No School)
26-30: Scholastic Book Fair and Reading Spirit Week
28th: Family Shopping Night and visit our Support Staff Table
February
Family Teacher Conferences (Flexible, each grade level will notify families and find door support)
10: MPTG 6:00-7:00 - Library
16 - 20: Winter Recess (No School)
March
2nd-6th: Wellness Awareness Week
25th- Arts for Life- Day
Whale of an Evening-TBD
10: MPTG 6:00-7:00 - In the Melville Library
18: One-hour early release for students-Dismissal will be from 2:15-2:30
April
7: RICAS grades 3 and 4 ELA Session 1
8: RICAS grades 3 and 4 ELA Session 2
14: MPTG 6:00-7:00 - In the Melville Library
15th Purple Up on the Playground-Military Families
20 - 24: Spring Recess (No School)
May
Family Teacher Conferences (Flexible, each grade level will notify families and find door support)
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 - In the Melville Library
13: RICAS grades 3 and 4 math Session 2
20:One-hour early release for students-Dismissal will be from 2:15-2:30
21: Fun Run (Rain Date 22nd)
25: Memorial Day (No School)
June
5: PHS Graduation
8: Pre K Graduation
9: MPTG/Volunteer Appreciation 6:00-7:00 - In the Melville Library
10: Field Day (rain date 11th)
TBD -Grade 4 Stepping Up & Family Picnic
17 or 180th day: Last Day of School – All Students
Repeats & Reminders
MAKE NOTE-Change of Procedures
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
Feinstein Jr. Scholar Card
Thank you to the Feinstein Foundation for this incredible program.
MAIN OFFICE EMAIL ACCOUNT!
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.
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.
Securly Home
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!
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