Superintendent's Message

April 23, 2025

Dear Newport Schools Parents, Families, and Staff,

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a great spring vacation. We are far from done with this school year with another nine (9) weeks to go. That is why we still need our entire school community focused on Attendance Matters, Every Day, and supporting our students as they complete state mandated assessments this May in math and science, final exams, and final portfolio projects. We need everyone’s efforts in getting our students to school every day! We are on track to see another year of improvement in reducing chronic absenteeism, so let’s keep up the good work over the next 9 weeks.

I also want to encourage all of our parents and Newport Public Schools supporters to attend our Thursday evening FY 2026-2027 school budget presentation before the Newport City Council at 5:30pm in the Council chambers. We are requesting a full 4% increase from last year (approximately $1.1 million) and need your support. The more that attend, the better, just to show how much so many care about our school system. See our presentation HERE with our letter to the Council. Another helpful way to get involved with our schools is to sign up for the City regionalization committee. Share what you would like to see if we regionalize with Middletown in the future and learn about the potential benefits to our districts. Apply online at www.CityofNewport.com/TalentBank today.

More state mandated exams in science and math are in May for our 5th and 8th graders. We need all our students in school to take these important exams. Over at the high school, these last weeks of the school year are busy with final exams and portfolio projects. Once again, the best way to support your child is through a strong routine, making sure they get plenty of sleep before exams, and checking in every day to see how their school day and exams went.

Finally, I want to close out this week on a note of appreciation for the many professionals who make our schools run on a daily basis. I always want to give a shout out to all our staff- it is a true team effort each and every day in our schools. Yesterday was National School Bus Drivers Appreciation Day, today is Administrative Professionals Day, and this week is Volunteer Appreciation Week. So a BIG THANK YOU to our school bus drivers, dedicated administrative support professionals, and to all of our volunteers who support learning, athletics, and community service in our schools!

Have a great week of learning everyone!

Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Schedules and Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events and Things To Do

Spring Art, Music, Dance & Theatre calendar

April 23rd, Kindergarten Open House, Pell Elementary, 5:00pm
April 24th, City Council workshop on Newport Public Schools budget, 5:30pm at City Hall
April 28th, School Building Committee meeting at Pell Elementary at 5:30pm
April 30th, Unity In The Community Resource Fair, Thompson Middle School, 5:30pm
May 14th, Professional Development Day - no school for students

Athletics and School Committee Schedules:

Resources

Thompson Band Performs At “Wee Parade”

During the April break, our students and staff were on the move. Our Thompson Middle School Band did a great job performing at the April 12th “Wee Parade” from Thompson to the Old Colony House in honor of a visiting delegation from our sister city, Kinsale, Ireland. Our high school students were busy volunteering on tours and handing out flags during the many celebrations that week, along with our teachers there for support. Our guests from Kinsale enjoyed the many pieces of student art given as gifts, visiting with our Thompson students, and touring our new Rogers High School building- which the Mayor from Kinsale cited as the highlight of their visit. It was a great visit and wonderful for both Newport and Kinsale!

Parent & Community Volunteers Needed For Academic Integration Advisory Committee for Regionalization

The City Council is looking for Newport parents and community members to participate in a newly formed Academic Integration Advisory Committee for Regionalization. This group will help develop a plan for potential school regionalization with Newport and Middletown, focusing on educational excellence and community collaboration. Apply online at www.CityofNewport.com/TalentBank today.

New RHS School Building Update

Save the date-August 22, 2025 is the ribbon cutting ceremony for our new RHS school building. The project is winding down to its final stages and we are still on track to be handed the keys on Friday, June 6, 2025. During June, and over the summer, the new furniture will be delivered, teacher boxes will be unpacked and the final touches will be underway. Next Monday at 5:30 pm at Pell Elementary School, there will be another School Building Committee meeting. Come hear more about the project or tune in at newportpublicschools - YouTube . In the meantime, here is some information and pictures from the most recent report from Gilbane that was noted in our latest SBC monthly update. March 2025 update

College Unbound University Teacher Program

Interested in being a teacher or know someone interested? If you work for NPS you can now get your BA while you work or sign up as a community member dreaming of becoming a teacher! College Unbound’s Transformative Educator Pathway supports Newport Public Schools paraprofessionals and staff, as well as Newport residents, interested in becoming teachers and advancing their careers through BA completion. Interested in learning more? Reach out to debra.jonfelix@collegeunbound.edu to start a conversation.

Rhode Island Pre-K Lottery, Apply Today! It is that time of year!!

Attention Newport families: If your child is 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025 you are eligible to apply for a free seat in the RI Pre-K lottery. Click here to apply today: https://ripreklottery.ride.ri.gov/ - Applications are due by June 22nd.

Reminder: Kindergarten Open House, April 23rd At 5:00pm YES! It is already that time of year!!

All incoming Newport kindergarten families are invited to an informative evening at Pell Elementary on April 23rd from 5:00-5:30 pm. Please RSVP to kathrynmckeon@npsri.net.

Unity In The Community Resource Fair, April 30th At Thompson Middle School

Bike to School Day - May 7

Pell students, teachers, and staff are invited to participate in Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 7. Meet at the Bike Barn to join the "Bike Bus" to school.

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