Superintendent's Update

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers of South Kingstown School District,

As we wrap up our first month of the new school year, I want to take a brief moment to celebrate the incredible start we've had. Our students, teachers, and staff have shown wonderful enthusiasm, effort, and dedication to learning, setting a positive tone for this school year. From our kindergarteners' excitement on day one, to our high school students (and parents) successfully navigating the changes that come with construction of a new high school, September kicked off a great start to this new school year.

As we head into October, I am sharing the following updates and resources with you for your consideration:

1. Hearing From Families at Open Houses & the First SELAC Meeting of SY 25/26

If you have attended an open house in September, you are aware that Assistant Superintendent Seger and I have been presenting/facilitating conversations on “Building Trust Through Authentic Partnership- Equity Audit Findings & Community Engagement”. We will look to continue these conversations at the remaining open houses in October (PDES & WKES). Even if you were unable to attend a session with us, please consider giving us your feedback on how we can improve authentic engagement with families by completing the survey found at tinyurl.com/EAOH25.

Also, this just in from The Office of Student Services- The first Special Education Advisory Committee (SELAC) meeting will be October 9th at 5pm in the Administration Conference Room, 307 Curtis Corner Rd. We hope to see you there.

2. Reminders for Returning Families, FYIs for New Families

• SKSD Shout Out Form- Last year we added a new feature on our district website to celebrate the outstanding achievements within our school community. Here you will find a link to our SKSD Shout-Out Form. This form allows you to highlight examples of excellence, kindness, innovation, and achievement that are happening throughout our schools and our district. Please use this feature to acknowledge the efforts of our students, teachers, coaches, secretaries, administrators, bus drivers, custodians, PTO members, and anyone else who contributes to making South Kingstown Public Schools an exceptional place to learn and grow.

• How to Access Skyward, the SKSD Student Data System- Skyward allows students and families to see schedules, grades, and attendance. Families can also set email notifications in Skyward regarding grades and see information on attendance. Please click on this link with screenshots on how to access Skyward and other features: https://www.skschools.net/resources/for_families/skywarlogintips. Additionally, here is a short video on quick tips for Skyward: https://youtu.be/DeSQGndBg5U?feature=shared

• Free or Reduced Lunch Application- A family’s application determines a child's eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch. Additionally, applications also help our schools qualify for important state and federal education funding, which has the potential to benefit all children. To see eligibility guidelines, access the application, or see the district’s links to all things food service, please click HERE. Please note that if your children are eligible for free/reduced lunch, only one form needs to be completed for your family.

3. Request- Verify Contacts and Preferences in Skyward

As a matter of beginning of the school year housekeeping, we are asking that parents and guardians take a moment to ensure that all information in Skyward is accurate and up to date. This includes information such as emergency contacts, contact information, addresses, as well as preferences regarding the sharing of student information and photographs. Additionally, this includes access to a new form in accordance with Mahmoud v. Taylor, which requires school districts to provide parents and guardians with notice about lessons involving LGBTQ+ inclusive materials and to allow them to opt their children out of those lessons based on religious objections.

4. Resources from Harvard Graduate School of Education: Making Caring Common Project

To start the year, SKSD educators focused on the importance of relationships on student and school achievement and how the district’s core values of “Trust” & “Respect” & “Voice” are fundamental to building those relationships with students and families. It is in the same vein that I share with you resources from Harvard Graduate School of Education: Making Caring Common Project

“Making Caring Common, launched in 2013 at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, supports parents, caregivers, and educators in raising children who care for others and for the common good. By innovatively combining research, theory, the wisdom of practitioners, and strategic communications, we bring fresh, energizing, and evidence-based resources and activities to schools and parents that develop in children empathy, self-awareness, a commitment to fairness, and other key moral and emotional capacities.”