Superintendent's Update

Dear Newport Schools Parents, Families, and Staff,

We made it! This Friday is the last day of the 2025-2026 school year for students! I want to congratulate all of our students on their hard work throughout the year. I want to thank our teachers, administrators, and staff for showing up every day for our students. I want to thank our families for being engaged and supporting our efforts to improve student attendance. And I want to thank our One Newport community partners for the wonderful activities and mentoring programs that support our students. From sailing, to tennis, to biking, camping, first generation college bound students, water sports, reading and math clubs and our 365 learning initiative we are so appreciative of our community partners- Thank you!

This past Monday, I had the privilege of visiting Pell to honor kindergarten teacher Mrs. Diane McBrier on being named Newport Teacher of the Year. As a kindergarten teacher, Mrs. McBrier has helped shape the educational pathways of so many Newport students. Fellow teachers and her students all praise the welcoming, patient, and caring atmosphere she creates in her classroom. We are so lucky to have such a dedicated educator. Congratulations Mrs. McBrier!!

The FY 2027 budget for Newport Public Schools still has not been finalized. Unfortunately, the Rhode Island Department of Education rejected the School Committee’s request to allow the City to loan funding to our school district. As a result, we are still facing an approximately $2 million budget shortfall. Newport Public Schools are required to submit a balanced budget by July 1st, and the School Committee will be holding a special meeting tomorrow at 5pm at Pell Elementary School to set a budget, do teacher recalls, and consider a school start time change for Pell Elementary School from 8:30 to 8:45 and a new dismissal time to 3:15. The school start time change will enable all our buses to arrive in a timely manner, as well as allow the district to eliminate one bus route- saving the district some transportation costs. The NSC will review and vote on these items on Thursday.

As we close out the school year, I want to encourage our families to check out the many fun summer learning experiences our One Newport partners are offering. Please see several great summer camp options in the newsletter below.

Finally, this is my last newsletter as superintendent of Newport Public Schools. More than anything, I want to say thank you to our entire school community for the privilege of serving as superintendent for the last 12 and a half years. It has been an honor to lead this district. Together we have built new school buildings, implemented a rigorous new curriculum, developed a compelling “Portrait Of A Graduate” for the attributes we want our students to take with them into the world, provided our teachers with new professional development opportunities, opened up doors and opportunities through our community partnerships never had before and in some cases being one of the only or few school districts that offer such. Most importantly though, we’ve educated the next generation of Rogers Vikings. Remember “Once a Viking- always a Viking”.

Have a great summer everyone!!

Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Students and teachers had a blast celebrating the end of the school year at Pell Elementary’s annual Field Day. A great time was had by all!

Last evening, Thompson Middle School recognized this year’s National Junior Honor Society inductees. Congratulations to the following Warriors on achieving this impressive recognition of academic excellence!

Class of 2030 - Current Members: Liam Barahona, Dominic Beaudoin, Kailin Cawley, Emanuely Delfior Faustino, Lydia Dyer, Zachary Forgue, Emma Gardullo, William Kimes, Macklin Lewia, Benjamin Leys, Leo Loftus, Ariyah Nada, Carter Rosa, Adrianna Toribio

Class of 2030 - (Grade 8) New Inductees: Ingrid DeJarnett, Aeyoung Lee

Class of 2031 - (Grade 7) New Inductees: Addison Foster, Mackenzie Green, Jane Hammond, Katie Henry-Heywood

Many Rhode Islanders use multiple food programs to make summer easier. The summer food program guide can help find what works for you and your family. Click here to learn more.

SUN Bucks (also called Summer EBT) gives $120 of extra grocery benefits to children ages 6-18 years old over the summer. This program is for families who can use some extra support to buy food.

CCRI Newport is offering a great FREE summer camp opportunity for students in grades 7-10 interested in cybersecurity and robotics. Click here to register.

Newport Sings Summer Camp invites students entering grades 2–6 to discover their singing voices, express themselves through music, art, and movement, and collaborate together to perform for family and friends. Learn more and register here.

• THIS FRIDAY June 26, 2026: Last day of school

• 2026-2027 Newport Public Schools Calendar

• Rhode Island Department of Education School & District Report Cards

• Newport Public Schools Portrait of a Graduate

• Rhode Island Department of Education Assessment Portal

• Rhode Island Department of Education Attendance Leaderboard and Attendance Calendar Heat Map