Superintendent's Message

April 30, 2025

Dear Newport Schools Parents, Families, and Staff,

As we enter the month of May tomorrow and the final eight weeks of the 2024-2025 school year, I want to give a shout out to our parents, teachers, administrators, and community partners who have been emphasizing the importance of Attendance Matters, Every Day. Let’s keep our attendance up and finish strong. We have made improvements- yet we still have a long way to go- so let’s work together for our students to be successful.

A big part of the improvement we’re seeing in reducing chronic absenteeism is thanks to our dedicated principals. May 1st is National School Principals’ Day, and I want to give a big thank you to our amazing principals: Traci Westman at Pell, Dr. Michael Browner, Jr. at Thompson, and Jared Vance at Rogers High School. Thank you for your dedication to our students, to supporting our teachers, and for everything that you do for our schools!

With nice weather finally arriving, spring sports are in full swing. It is also great to see our students engaged in learning outside of the classroom with our One Newport community partners. Check out this great video of Pell students participating in Sail Newport’s Science & Sailing Program and this wonderful video of Bike Newport teaching bike skills to preschoolers, Pell, Thompson, and Rogers students.

Speaking of Bike Newport, next Wednesday, May 7th is Bike To School Day for Pell students and families. We look forward to seeing a parade of Pell students on bikes arriving with big smiles and ready to learn! 🚲

Finally, thank you to everyone who came to support Newport Public Schools at last Thursday’s City Council budget meeting. In case you missed it, you can watch a recording of the meeting here. We will be watching the City budget process closely and hope that our 4% school budget increase request is accepted.

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

TONIGHT, Unity In The Community Fair, Thompson Middle School, 5:30-7:30pm
May 7th, Bike Newport Bike To School Day, 7:45am at the Big Blue Bike Barn
May 14th, Professional Development Day - no school for students
June 8th, Newport Sings Fundraiser, 5:30-7:30pm, Common Fence Point Community Center
June 12th, Rogers High School Graduation, details to follow
June 20th, Last day of school

Athletics and School Committee Schedules:

Resources

RHS Cell Phone Free Fridays

Cell Phone Free Fridays began last week at Rogers High School. Every Friday for the remainder of the school year, RHS students and staff have been challenged to go cell phone free. Principal Vance has created incentives, a survey to get feedback, and class challenges for all participants. This is in preparation for our new high school and our new policy of no cell phones during the school day. More information on this will be forthcoming. So come on everyone- let’s take the challenge and go cell phone free on Friday!!

Friday, May 2nd Is National School Lunch Hero Day

Friday is National School Lunch Hero Day and an opportunity to thank all of our Chartwells school meal workers. Between preparing healthy meals for Newport students, adhering to strict nutrition standards, navigating student food allergies, and offering service with a smile, our school meal professionals are true heroes! Thank you!

May 8th Virtual Coding Night

The University of Rhode Island is offering 1st through 8th graders a fun Virtual Coding Night learning opportunity on Thursday, May 8th. See the flyer below to register.

REMINDER: 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.

Save The Date: New Rogers High School Ribbon Cutting, August 22nd At 10:00 AM

May 14th Professional Development Day, No School For Students

Wednesday, May 14th will be a district-wide day of professional development for our teachers. There will be no school for students.

Newport Sings fundraiser “Sing Me a Song”, Sunday, June 8th

Our One Newport community partner Newport Sings has a fun “Sing Me a Song” fundraiser scheduled for Sunday, June 8th. See the flyer below for more information. Tickets are $75/person with sponsorship opportunities available. Space is limited; RSVP by May 23. For more information and for tickets, visit https://www.newportsings.org/event-details/sing-me-a-song.