In the Middle

March 28th: PTO's Spring Dance (all grades)

April 1: Quarter 3 Closes

April 4th: Spring Choral Festival (grade 7), Barrington Middle School, during the day

April 4th: Dodgeball Tournament, 6:30-8:30 pm

April 14th: Spring Recess

April 21st: Classes Resume

April 23rd: PTO Meeting, library media center, 7:00 pm

May 21st: PTO Meeting, library media center, 7:00 pm

June 10th: 8th Grade Celebration

June 11th: 6th & 7th Grade Concert

June 11th: PTO Meeting, library media center, 7:00 pm

June 13th: NJHS Ceremony, auditorium, 6:30 pm

June 17th: Last day of school 1/2 day

This year we are dedicating a few pages in the yearbook to our special 8th graders. We will be doing "a look back" at their younger years. Please send any photos (solo or group) from elementary school that you would like to see included in the yearbook to

sms_yearbook@scituateschoolsri.net

Ms. Norton will be creating the middle school yearbook this year. If you have photos that you would like to see included in the yearbook, please email them to sms_yearbook@scituateschoolsri.net This includes photos from all of our SMS Athletic Teams.

Mrs. Santiago's students spent time reviewing math problems with one another in preparation for RICAS.

In social studies, Mr. Dunne's students are writing an essay answering the question: How did the events between 1763 and 1776 transform the Colonists from loyal subjects into patriots ready for revolution? Part of the revision process involved using AI to give feedback on their essays. Magicschool.AI gives each student grade appropriate feedback on what they did well, what they can improve on, and feedback on their writing mechanics. Mr. Dunne can't be everywhere at once, but using AI can help students identify writing needs.

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. All links are in our Linktree below

Don't forget to get your tickets for our spring dance, Sneaker Ball! Friday, March 28th, we will be dancing the night away with our SMS favorite DJ, Anthony Carsetti! Tickets available online through link or in the main office: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/2025-sneaker-ball-4. Don't forget to grab a permission slip in the office, even if you have bought tickets online. PDF of permission slip attached as well.

Parents, guardians, staff! You can chaperone by signing up with this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948ACAB28A7FEC70-55500527-smssneaker Please be sure to have a current BCI on file in the school office. Link to the BCI form is in every SMS Newsletter.

Please see each content area for more information about the curriculum, resources, and Curriculum Overview documents per grade level. In Scituate, we strive to make educational decisions based on our students and their unique needs. All information is subject to revision and is meant to serve as guidelines for staff and families.

The Curriculum Overview documents are based on the recommended scope and sequence provided by vendors, departments, or teams. As teachers implement and progress monitor their students, some topics may take longer or shorter than what has been recommended. We use these Overview Documents to reflect on our practices, ensure that our students are exposed to the most important standards, and make instructional decisions when needed.

We pride ourselves on 21st-century learning experiences for all our students. We continue to strive for excellence in teaching, instructional strategies, and differentiated plans to reach all learners.

The school department utilizes learning walks as a means to gauge instructional models, set vision, and determine areas in need of collective improvement.

You may see SSD administrators and teachers in classrooms visiting; we have highlighted many areas of strength in our staff.

Professional learning is another way that our staff stay up-to-date with new requirements and mandates. Most importantly, we model lifelong learning by offering staff and administrators relevant and meaningful learning experiences that are tailored to their individual interests and align with our School Department goals and initiatives.

Learning is a process for continuous improvement. Not only does assessments give the student and families information regarding mastering content but also educators use this data to reflect on their instruction and plan accordingly. There are multiple modes of assessment used in Scituate Schools. See below on what tools are used at each level and the purpose of each form of assessment.

Several parents have reached out to inquire about access to SmartPass to monitor how much time their child is out of class. SmartPass offers a parent account. Please email me for your child's unique access code.

Late buses are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Buses typically arrive around 3:45-4:00, depending on when the elementary runs are complete. Parents and guardians picking up their children should wait in the high school's main parking lot. Students will exit those doors and not the middle school doors; they would usually get picked up at normal dismissal time.

Tuesdays

• Detention
• Agriculture Club

Wednesdays

• Detention
• Math Support
• TSA Club

Thursdays

• Detention
• ELA Support
• Linus Club

Teen depression is a topic often clouded by misconceptions. As parents, caregivers, and advocates, understanding the truth about this condition is crucial for supporting our teens. Let’s tackle some common myths and uncover the facts behind this important issue.

ParentGuidance.Org (a project of The Cook Center for Human Connection) is a new resource for RI schools designed to foster a positive, proactive, and productive culture around Mental Health and Wellness by increasing parent/caregiver engagement. Their portfolio of supports include free and contracted services.

Free services include On-Demand Courses on a variety of topics (anxiety & depression, bullying, body image, technology, grief & loss, meditation & mindfulness, and more) and an Ask A Therapist feature; both from leading mental health experts designed to educate and empower parents/caregivers. Contracted services include Parent/Staff Coaching, Mental Health Family Seminar Series, and Professional Development.

The Scituate School Department has partnered with Unite Us to streamline the process of applying for free and/or reduced lunches.

Please click the link which will take you to the meal benefit application on the State of Rhode Island Department of Education website.

https://ride.ri.gov/child-nutrition/unite-us-electronic-school-meal-benefit-application

Please fill in all fields. Be sure to select Scituate Public Schools in the field “Select the school district that your child will receive school meals from”.

If you have any questions, please call: Jennifer Carnevale, Executive Finance Assistant at 401-647-4100 option 2, then option 3

The Write Rhode Island Creative Institute is a summer camp offered to students in grades 7-12. With only 8-15 campers per session, students receive individualized attention and thrive in a supportive, collaborative environment. This year the Write Rhode Island Creative Institute will host two sessions: July 28-August 1, 2025, and August 4-8, 2025. Students can attend one or both sessions - both include creative writing and visual art classes. Program information which includes a full class list with descriptions can be found here.

• A Teen Creative Writing Group: An informal afterschool writing group where students get prompts and encouragement. Open to students grades 9 through 12. Meets at School One on Thursdays from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM and begins March 20, 2025. Attendance is free but registration via this form is required.
• Virtual Make Your Own Comic: Draw and make your own comic book! Learn the basics of storytelling, character design, panel layout, and dialogue writing. By the end, students will leave with a completed comic and the skills to keep creating. Open to students grades 7 through 12. Meets online for four weeks beginning March 17. Registration via this form is required.
• Graphic Novel Book Group in April: Teens in grades 7 through 12 can join the free Graphic Novel Discussion Groups to explore autobiographies, fantasy, and historical fiction. Read MEXIKID with Marlon Carey on April 9 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Registration via the event page is required. Educators who want to give extra credit to students should contact Diana at dianac@school-one.org.

RIDE and the Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) are excited to host the return of virtual Conscious Discipline® workshops in 2025! These workshops are an opportunity to learn proven strategies to support your child's social and emotional development. The training will be presented in Spanish on March 19, 2025, and families can register here. Families can register for the English presentation taking place on March 26, 2025, here.

• $600 Need-Based Scholarships
• For Rhode Island Middle School Students
• To Enroll in Summer Art Experiences of THEIR Choice (music lessons, camps, art classes, etc.)
• Applications Due March 20, 2025.

Details and application at http://ppacri.org/scholarships.

The Scituate School Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, race, religion, national origin, color, creed, political affiliation or disability in any of its educational programs and activities, and in employment and application for employment, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1965, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and other federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Equal Employment Officer, P.O. Box 188, North Scituate, Rhode Island 02857, Telephone: (401) 647-4100; Email: EEO@ScituateSchoolsRI.net. You may also direct inquiries directly to: Office for Civil Rights (Boston Office), U.S. Department of Education, 8th Floor, 5 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02109-3921, Telephone: (617) 289-0111; Facsimile: (617) 289-0150; Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov. If you require an accommodation to attend a meeting or program at a school, call the Equal Employment Officer at least two business days in advance of the meeting or program.