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.

On Tuesday evening at the School Committee meeting, MPTG President Nicole Kowalscik proudly represented our Melville Parent Teacher Group by gifting our school community $7,000 to repair the basketball court.

We are incredibly grateful to our entire community. The fundraising efforts, volunteer hours, and unwavering support from our families make Melville the incredible school that it is. Thank you for investing in our students and helping create spaces where they can learn, play, and grow together. 🏀💙

As we head into the second half of the school year, the Parent Teacher Group is very excited to share that two of our biggest and most beloved events are coming up! We wanted to give families plenty of advance notice so you have time to mark your calendars and prepare.

Whale of an Evening – Parent Only Fundraiser

Friday, May 1, 2026
Green Valley Country Club

Our annual Whale of an Evening is a fun night out for parents and caregivers in the Melville community. This special evening will include dinner, a cash bar, and both silent and live auctions. We are grateful to host this event at Green Valley Country Club, a Melville family-owned business, and we thank them for their continued support of our school.

Just like last year, all silent auction items will also be available on our online platform, so everyone can join in on the bidding, even if you can’t attend in person.

One of the highlights of the evening is always our student-created class auction items. Each class will work together to create a unique piece that will be auctioned off during the event. These handmade items are always incredibly special and a favorite part of the night!

Melville Fun Run

Thursday, May 21 (Rain date: Friday, May 22)

The Melville Fun Run is truly one of the most loved traditions for students past and present. During this event, students run laps around the course while raising funds for our school.

Families will be asked to help students collect donations through an online platform, either as:
• A flat donation, or
• A per-lap pledge

Many families find success sharing their student’s fundraising page with family and friends or on social media to help support the effort.

What These Fundraisers Support

In addition to funding the many activities and programs we provide throughout the year, these two events will help us work toward several important improvements for our school:

• Repaving the blue-top basketball courts to create a much safer play area for students
• A new sound and projection system for the cafeteria
• And, if possible, a protective sun shade for the Outdoor Classroom so students can enjoy learning outside during warmer weather

We truly appreciate the continued support of the Melville community. Your participation helps us provide meaningful experiences and improvements for all of our students.

It’s never too late to get involved! If you are interested in volunteering, please stop by the front office and speak with Mrs. O’Brien or Mrs. Courville to make sure you are VIS (Volunteer in School) approved.

Thank you for helping make Melville such a special place for our children!

Warmly,
The Melville Parent Teacher Group

SURVEYWORKS - WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU !

The Rhode Island Department of Education is currently administering its annual SurveyWorks Family Survey, which is an opportunity for family members to provide feedback about our school community and our children’s opportunities to learn. The survey results are most useful when all families participate, so I am writing to ask you to participate in this survey.

Your views on matters like the safety of your child at school, the way students are taught, the condition of the school, and how connected you feel to this school are important. By taking this short survey, you can help our school leadership and school community to make improvements. Responses are anonymous and cannot be linked to any individual; no one can tie your responses back to you.

The short survey closes on April 10th. To take the survey, visit bit.ly/ridefamily and choose "Melville Elementary School" from the dropdown list.

Note: If you have more than one student at Melville, and feel that their experiences are vastly different you may complete the survey more than once.

LONGBOARDING IN PHYSICAL EDUCATION: https://www.eastbayri.com/stories/coasting-through-class-at-portsmouth-elementary-school,103594

• Starting Monday, May 4th - June 5th, we will begin Longboarding/Skateboarding/Scootering in Physical Education class.

• On March 3rd, a Release, Waiver, and Indemnification form will be going home with your student. Students MUST have the waiver signed and returned by Wednesday May 4th, 2026 in order to participate in Longboarding/Skateboarding in Physical Education Class.

• *If for some reason you have misplaced the form please reach out to me: soaresr@portsmouthschoolsri.org

• If your student has a helmet they use at home PLEASE have them bring it in on their PE days. If you do not have a helmet I have plenty to supply, but having their own will make things easier!

• I will also be providing students with elbow, wrist, and kneepads to ensure the safety of all students.

• This will be our 5th year participating in Longboarding/Skateboarding during Physical Education class and something ALL students have been looking forward to this school year!

Thank you,

Mr. Soares

We are excited to share that Arts for Life 2026 is coming to Melville Elementary on Wednesday, March 25, 2026!

We are looking for volunteers to assist with and lead creative career stations throughout the day. Students will rotate through stations in their classrooms and participate in fun, hands-on art activities, including:

• Decorating murals

• Creating paper chains

• Making paper puppets

✨ All materials will be provided.

If you are interested in volunteering, please note:
⚠️ You must be VIS approved in order to participate in this event. Please click here to begin this process if you have not done so yet this year (you will need to be VIS approved to Chaperone, work at Field Day, and the Fun Run-so now is a great time to do this.

If you are VIS approved, then CLICK here to VOLUNTEER!

If you have questions or would like to help, please contact Mr. Ryan Soares.

Thank you for helping make Arts for Life a meaningful and fun experience for our students—we truly appreciate your partnership!

Warmly,

Danielle Laurie
Principal, Melville Elementary

The Arts and Music Festival will feature Melville student artwork! The Show is on Thursday, March 19th from 5-7:30 and will take place at Portsmouth Middle School.

Click here for the March 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 #29 in the state for attendance on the State’s Attendance Leaderboard.

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

Cat Nap by Brian Lies is a picture book about a kitten chasing a mouse through art, time, and history. As the kitten starts to fall asleep it notices a mouse and runs after it through a framed poster on the wall. The reader and kitten are then taken on a journey through the galleries of an art museum. Is it a dream? That is up for the reader to decide. This book is great for children ages 4-8 (grades K-3rd).

March

18:

-One-hour early release for students-Dismissal will be from 2:15-2:30

- STEAM Night, 5:30-6:30

25- Arts for Life- Day

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)

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 - 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

1: Grade 4 visits Portsmouth Middle School

2: Grade 2 Field Trip to Biomes

5:

-Grade 3 Wax Museum

-Grade 4 Field Trip to the State House

- PHS Graduation

8: Pre K Graduation

9: MPTG/Volunteer Appreciation 6:00-7:00 - In the Melville Library

10: Field Day (rain date 11th)

12: Kindergarten Field Trip to Buttonwood Zoo

TBD -Grade 4 Stepping Up & Family Picnic

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

Dear Families,

As part of the Portsmouth School Department’s inclement weather plan, please review the information below regarding snow days and virtual learning expectations. This information was shared with you in late November as well.

❄️ Snow Day Overview (All Families)

• The first snow day was Monday, 1/26 and this was a traditional snow day and this day will be made up in June.

• Additional snow days will be virtual learning days. These days will count as school days and will not need to be made up, as long as participation requirements are met.

K–2 Families who indicated that they have a Device at Home

• Students will participate in one required Google Meet and complete assigned learning activities. Teachers will share all meeting links.

• Students using a device from home will access learning platforms using their Clever badge (see QR code below).

K–2 Families who indicated that they do not have a Device at Home

• Your child will receive a paper learning packet from their teacher in place of online work.

• Packets have been sent home as of Monday, December 8, so they are ready if a virtual snow day occurs.

• Completed work should be returned within 48 hours for your child to be marked present.

Grade 3–4 Families (Device Expectations)

• As of Monday, December 8, all Grade 3–4 students who have been issued a device by the Portsmouth School Department have been bringing their Chromebooks home each night.

• Students using a school-issued device will log in using their Google account. Assignments and meeting links will be posted.

• Students using a non-district device will access platforms using their Clever badge.

If your child has difficulty logging in on a virtual snow day, please contact their teacher promptly. A Clever login video is included and accessible via the QR code (see QR code).

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

• 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