Superintendent's Update

Dear Newport Schools Parents, Families, and Staff,

Next week is a short week due to Thanksgiving recess — school is in session only Monday and Tuesday. Looking ahead, the following Monday, December 1st is a no-school day for students due to family-teacher conferences at Pell, Thompson, Rogers, and NACTC from 12-5 p.m. Families should sign up and connect with teachers about their child’s progress. Students return to school on Tuesday, December 2nd.

Hot off the presses, the Rhode Island Department of Education’s new Attendance Leaderboard and Attendance Calendar Heat Map are now live with data for this school year and make one thing clear: every day in school matters. Check out the links and see the results. These powerful tools show in real-time how even a few absences can affect learning and achievement, including RICAS results. Newport Public Schools have improved chronic absenteeism this year, and we still have a lot of work ahead.

Our patterns for attendance in Newport do show as the weather gets colder and our first quarter of studies ends, we often see absences begin to rise. November and December already have fewer school days, so it’s essential that students are present and ready to learn whenever school is in session before our holiday break in December. Attending school is the most powerful way for students to begin their pathway to success. So let’s continue to make Attendance Matters, Every Day a priority for all our students and staff!

As we enter this joyful holiday season, we are reminded it’s a time of celebration and thanks. I want to celebrate our students for their leadership and our community for their support. Our students at all levels, whether it is being a Pell Champion at lunch or in the library, a TMS Warrior grade level leader working on policies or our RHS Vikings fundraising for special causes, supporting community food and clothing drives, or students chaperoning the TMS carnival last Friday evening are everywhere supporting so many. Our students are our pride and joy working throughout our schools and community emerging as future leaders. Thank you Newport Public School students for all you are doing - and to the teachers and parents/guardians who support these efforts!

This Saturday, November 22nd from 10am-3pm our students will once again work with our community partners, and hold the Annual Craft Fair in the new Rogers High School Student Commons. Come support our community artisans, student artists, your friends, and craftspeople for this amazing event. You can do your holiday gift buying all in one place and find some unique treasures to help support the Class of 2026. Thank you teacher Angela Johnson for all your hard work and commitment to our students.

So let’s make this week and every week strong days of learning —by being present, engaged, and ready every day to learn, study, and participate in all there is here in Newport Public Schools.

Due to the holiday break, our next regular newsletter will be published on Wednesday, December 3rd. Wishing everyone a joyful and restful Thanksgiving! We are grateful and thankful for everyone’s hard work, support, and the wonderful community we share. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Congratulations to Kevin Bolano who was recently awarded a STEM Teacher Grant from the East Bay Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). Mr. Bolano’s STEM activity will introduce chemical analysis techniques using Crime Scene Chemistry Kits. Students will perform tests to analyze and identify substances to solve a hypothetical medical emergency. AAUW Press Release

Thompson Middle School hit the streets for its 3rd Annual Turkey Trot, led by Principal Dr. Michael Browner—proudly dressed as a giant turkey—followed by the spirited TMS Band, led by Mr. Don Chilton, and the entire student body.

Big thanks to the Newport Community School, Newport Police and Newport Fire for keeping everyone safe while a flock of middle schoolers (and one very committed turkey) trotted through Newport. Gobble on, TMS!

TMS certainly has had a busy month. Last Friday the PTO launched a very successful fun-filled Fall Carnival. Students, parents, and teachers all had a blast. The money chamber, basketball dunk, soccer kick, and football throw were just a few of the exciting activities, along with jewelry making, and art making. WOW!!! Thank you TMS PTO for a fantastic Friday night!!!

Thank you to the Grade 5 Working Group. The team continued discussions on Monday evening and will now fill out a Google Form for each member to fill out and provide feedback for the School Committee to address this topic at their December meeting. On that evening, the Committee is scheduled to vote on whether or not Grade 5 should be placed at Pell Elementary School. Many thanks to Christine Arouth for all her hard work and efforts facilitating the group and keeping everyone on agenda and task over the past two months. Bravo Christine! We appreciate all your help and your partnership.

Ninth graders, don’t miss the Pathways Program—a partnership between Salve Regina University, Rogers High School, and local institutions. Designed for first-generation and low-to-moderate-income students, Pathways supports a strong pathway to higher education. Eligible students must be first-generation college-bound, qualify for free/reduced lunch, and be enrolled in at least one honors-level course in ninth grade. Applications open in December and are due in early March. Nominate a student here.

In this time of need for Newport families impacted by SNAP funding cuts, a group of Rogers High School students have stepped up to organize a food drive. Please donate what you can!

Rogers Junior Grace Muenter is starting a Diaper Bank initiative. Diapers can be expensive for new moms and families, so please consider making a donation to the Diaper Bank. Great job Grace for organizing this project and demonstrating community leadership skills!

The Seaside Cafe Thanksgiving Pie Sale is now open and taking orders! For those of you who are new to us, we hold a variety of annual sales including pies and other treats for Thanksgiving. The students make pie crust from scratch and use fresh pumpkin to make your pies. The menu is attached below. The deadline for orders is this Thursday, November 20. Pie pick-up is Tuesday, November 25th. Newport Public Schools are closed Wednesday, November 26 through Monday, December 1. We hope to be part of your holiday table or provide an easy hostess gift. Orders can be called in at 401-236-2655 or by return email, seasidecafe@npsri.net.

Participation in your child’s education is critical to his/her success, and one of the best opportunities to be engaged is to attend the upcoming parent/family-teacher conferences at Pell, Thompson, Rogers, and NACTC on Monday, December 1st from 12-5pm. Be sure to save the date as parent/family-teacher conferences are the first Monday following Thanksgiving recess. This will be a no school day for our students.

The winter sports season begins December 1st. Mr. Borgueta is holding meetings during CREW this week. If you have further questions or need any information please contact Mr. Borgueta at anthonyborgueta@npsri.net.

Gateway Healthcare and Bradley Outpatient Programs will offer two new Incredible Years parenting groups beginning in December in English and Spanish. These groups help parents connect with one another, gain support, and learn positive strategies for managing challenging behaviors at home.

• Spanish-speaking caregivers (children ages 6–9): Virtual group on Wednesdays, 9:30–11:00 a.m., beginning mid-December. Call 401-667-6713 to register.

• English-speaking caregivers (children ages 3–5): Virtual group on Wednesdays, 8:00–9:30 p.m., beginning early December. Call Lydia at 401-432-1119 to register.

• Thanksgiving Recess, No School, November 26th-28th
• December 1st, Parent/Family-Teacher Conferences
• Dec 4th - 4th Graders Trim a Tree @ the Breakers (time TBD)
• Dec 10th Newport Yacht Club Holiday Art Show 6-8pm
• Dec 12 and 13 RTC/ MHS "Deck the Stage" 7pm RHS Theatre
• Newport Public Schools Arts Calendar 2025-2026

• Rhode Island Department of Education School & District Report Cards
• Newport Public Schools Student Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Devices Policy
• Newport Public Schools Student Attendance Policy
• Newport Public Schools 2025-2026 School Year Bus Schedule
• 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