Superintendent's Message

Dear Newport Schools Parents, Families, and Staff,

I am pleased to share that Pell, Thompson, and Rogers are all on track to improve attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism over last year. That’s a big win for our students. As I have said many times in this newsletter, it’s hard to learn when you’re not in school. So let’s continue our focus on Attendance Matters, Every Day over these last four weeks of school and close out the year strong!

Our schools have so many fun end of year activities and celebrations on tap. Tonight, Rogers will be hosting their National Honor Society induction ceremony at 5:00pm. Congrats to our Rogers Honor Society inductees who have demonstrated an impressive combination of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Rogers athletics teams are also showing their talents on the field with the lacrosse, golf, baseball, girls’ softball, track, and tennis teams all notching impressive recent victories. Go Vikings!

Spring concerts kick off next week with RHS on Tuesday evening at 6:30. This concert will take place in the Thompson Middle School Cafeteria. The schedule of upcoming events is listed below -- please be sure to check for additional updates from your child’s school.

Over at Pell and Thompson, our students have been exploring Newport Harbor and marine trades career opportunities through our One Newport community partnership with Sail Newport.

Our new, state-of-the-art Rogers High School is nearing completion, and Rogers teachers and administrators are busy packing up materials, books, desks, furniture, etc. to be moved into the new building. We can’t wait for our entire Newport Public Schools community to join us on August 22nd as we officially cut the ribbon on the new Rogers High School!

In budget news, the Newport City Council has tabled the FY 2026 budget discussions. So at this time the school department is still waiting to hear the City allocation. This is a very challenging budget year for our schools. Due to a combination of declining enrollment, necessary restructuring and changes in the state’s school funding formula, we have had to make many difficult decisions.

A reminder that there will be no school on Monday as we celebrate the Memorial Day holiday to remember the sacrifices of those who died while serving our country.

Have a great week of learning everyone and enjoy all the fun end of year activities our schools and One Newport partners have planned!

Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Last Friday, the Rogers cafeteria hosted 9th grade students participating in the Climate Resiliency Exhibition. Students were challenged to create solutions to help Newport and the greater Rhode Island area with the impacts of climate change. Many students shined through with solutions to air and water pollution and rising sea level. Congratulations challenge winners:

3rd place Kaia Cutter and Charlotte Rochelle with their Ocean Proximity Housing Rules

2nd place - Gabriel Borges and Hunter Bost with their Oyster Breeding Farm Solution

1st place- Kelly Pullar with her Hydroelectric Filtration Building (The H.E.F. building)

Thank you to teachers Bethany Borgueta and Beth Letourneau for organizing the exhibition, and to all who came out to judge and view these projects, including Aquidneck Land Trust for funding the materials and speakers for the event!

Best of luck to our NACTC Cosmetology seniors who are taking their practical exams this week to become licensed Rhode Island cosmetologists!💇✂️

Through a grant provided by the Newport Community School, Rogers GSA students decided to use the funding to do a community service project for the Haus of Codec, Rhode Island's homeless shelter dedicated to queer youth ages 18-24. At this time federal funding has been severely cut for this important organization and our kids wanted to do something to help, providing underwear, deodorant and Pride Care packages for the 16 residents containing toiletries, snacks, stickers, self-care items and personal notes of encouragement. Great work Rogers GSA students!

Cell phone free Fridays are continuing through the end of the school year at Rogers. Students have been enjoying fun challenges and rewards for putting away their cell phones for the day. Great practice for next school year, when cell phones will be prohibited in the new Rogers High School.📵