Ponaganset Middle School Newsletter

Dear PMS Families,

Welcome to Ponaganset Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year! I am very excited to welcome students new to our community and the sixth grade students to their new school and to welcome back our seventh and eighth grade students.

Please know the staff and I have been diligently preparing to make the 2026-2027 school year a successful one for all of our students. Communication with parents is very important to us. This monthly family letter, with important information to keep you updated, will be sent home each month through School Messenger, our electronic communications system and posted to the Middle School page on the district’s website. Check our webpage on the district’s website where the calendar is updated, information is posted, and forms are accessible regularly. In order to ensure you receive this Monthly Newsletter and any other communications we send to our families, it is essential that you keep your contact information updated within Aspen, our student information system.

There is quite a bit of information included in this Newsletter to help you and your children with the day to day expectations such as drop off and pick up, schedules, and athletics. Please take the time to read through this Newsletter and read the Student Handbook with your child.

We will continue to do our best in educating our students as well as venture forward to bring them new challenges through personalized learning. There are wonderful teachers and sound programs in our school and we are always working to improve teaching and learning. We are looking forward to working with you to ensure our students are successful in achieving their academic and personal goals. We know that in order to be successful in school, our students need support from both home and school. Our partnership with you is important to your child’s education.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call and we will do our best to assist you. Looking forward to a great school year with you!

Warmest Regards,

Patricia Marcotte

Principal

All the students have been given a schedule. At this time, no changes can be made to schedules as we work to finalize all student schedules based upon enrollment and staffing needs.

Student schedules will be available on Aspen next week to Grade 7 & 8. If you are unable to log in to Aspen because you don’t remember your login, do not email or call the school for your login information. Teachers will have Class Lists with them on the blacktop in the morning on the first day.

The Master Schedule has been changed for the 2026-2027 school year. There are alternating Green Days and White Days and no period rotation. There is a Green & White Alternating Days Calendar, click the links below to see this Calendar. It will also be posted on the PMS webpage.

Your patience is greatly appreciated as we find a suitable schedule for each of our students.

At PMS our core interdisciplinary teams include teachers of English/language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science. Special education teachers are frequently included. Ideally, the same teachers have the same cohort of students during the same periods of the day. Teaching teams are key to achieving the full potential of a dynamic middle school, one that truly responds to the unique physical, intellectual, and social-emotional developmental needs of young adolescents.

The benefits of teaming include,

• Sense of belonging - When students transition to middle school, they adapt to a larger school, new teachers, new expectations and a complex schedule. Being on a team gives them a “home base,” a common group of teachers and students.
• Consistent, clear expectations - instead of having many different teachers, each with his/her own rules, students can expect clear guidelines concerning behavior, homework, etc., from the team teachers.
• Tracking student progress - because all team teachers have the same students, they are able to get a view of the students’ abilities and progress.
• Helpful communication with parents and guardians - the team can contact parent/guardians when needed and relay information related to the student’s progress in all four classes.

This year, PMS has three teams in grade 6. Each team has two teachers. This means that students are scheduled as if they went to one of three “small” schools. Students on a team go to only the teachers on their team for their core subjects. With the smaller teams, the better the probability of strong relationships, good instruction and successful students. Each team has about 50 students each.

There are three teams for grades 7 and 8. One team has both grade 7 and grade 8 students on it, "split team". There is one team of grade 7 students and one team of grade 8 students.

Students have classes “on team” and then have classes, “off team.” The “off team” classes are typically the Unified Arts classes or "specials", and it is during this time, when the students are in their “off team” or in "specials", that the team teachers are able to meet and discuss the students, the data, the curriculum, and strategies for helping students succeed.

Please know we have worked hard to continue our scheduling model based upon our student population. The curriculum for each grade level is consistent within the teams.

ATTENDANCE

Please note that school starts at 7:20 AM when the doors open. Any student arriving at or after 7:35 AM must report to the Main Office to sign and receive a pass to their class. Students are considered tardy when arriving at or later than 7:35 AM. Dismissal is at 2:00 PM. Any student requiring an Early Dismissal should be dismissed by 1:30 PM.

All student absences, late arrivals (tardy) to school, and early dismissals should be reported to the school by calling the school. The telephone number is 401-710-7500 extension 2 for PMS and option 1 to leave a voice message for attendance; you can email documentation such as doctor's notes to pmsattendance@fgschools.com.

PMS participates in the Truancy Court in the Schools Program through the RI Family Court System. This year, Truancy Court may be held in the Middle School or High School. Please understand that your child is required to be in school. In the event that your child is ill, you must notify the school (see Student Handbook for Attendance Policy). If your child has excessive absences from school, we will be referring her/him and family to the Truancy Court. If you have any questions concerning attendance, please feel free to call the school.

LOCKERS

STUDENT/FAMILY INFORMATION UPDATES

Your child is bringing forms home to be updated and/or filled out with important personal information. Many of the forms ask for a telephone number, please include a cell phone number as well as your home and work telephone number if it is the best way to contact you. It is important to confirm or update your contact and emergency contact’s information whenever it changes. The information is updated in Aspen and used to contact you by email and telephone. We encourage you to read the Student Handbook with your child regarding policies and procedures then sign and return the Acknowledgement Form, along with the other forms, to the school with your child within the first week of the opening of school.

504 PLANS

We are in the process of re-evaluating any/all 504 Plans. If your child had a 504 Plan during the 2025-26 school year, you may receive a communication with regards to updating the 504 Plan if needed. If you have any questions or concerns please call your child's school counselor at the school.

SCHOOL LUNCH/BREAKFAST

PLEASE NOTE, Lunch/Breakfast will not be free to all students. All students are welcome to buy a lunch/breakfast each day.

The Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program is available to qualifying families. The program requires families to reapply each year. The Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program Application is available on the website and at the link below or you may complete and return the application your child brings home.

All students who buy lunch and/or any food items in the cafeteria must provide their student identification number as each student has an “account” with Sodexo Food Service. You may access this through MySchoolBucks where you can deposit money and prepay for lunches as well as keep track of what your child is purchasing for lunch, low balance alerts, recurring payment options, and review your child’s purchase history. You can find the link under the Students and Parents tabs, then Food Services on the district website or use the link below.

The Foster-Glocester Regional School Committee approved two new policies in accordance with state law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-43) related to technology in schools.

To find these full policies, please click on the following:

1. Artificial Intelligence Policy

2. Personal Electronic Device Policy #JICJ

It is important to note that personal devices include any device that can connect to the internet: ear pods, smartwatches, etc. Students are only permitted to use their district issued Chromebook. Please review the polices as progressive discipline will be used in accordance with the 2026-2027 student handbook. This handbook is linked above and will be posted to the Ponaganset Middle School website.

PMS is very proud of our inclusive culture and leading role students play in establishing this culture within the school. We will be spending time during the first month of school building relationships, connecting within our teams, and coming together as full student body during our Welcome to PMS Assembly on September 25!

Our purpose is to start the school year off positively with a strong foundation of belonging and value. We teach the values of positivity, responsibility, integrity, dedication, and excellence in our academics, behaviors, and community - PRIDE in our ABCs.

Students and child care workers are required to be vaccinated against certain diseases in Rhode Island. These requirements are based on recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and healthcare providers in Rhode Island.

Please understand, 7th grade students must have the proper immunizations to attend school as per RI state law. The school must have record of your child’s immunization or an exemption. Seventh grade students needing such records will be sent home with important information.

Requirements for students entering 7th grade

A student entering 7th grade must have met the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten immunization requirements, plus:

• 1 dose of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine
• 1 dose of Meningococcal Conjugate (MCV4) vaccine
• 1 dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine

Requirements for students entering 8th grade

A student entering 8th grade must have met the 7th grade immunization requirements, plus:

• 2 doses of HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine

If you have a confirmed appointment scheduled with your child’s pediatrician within the first month or so of this school year, please let the school Nurse know and your child will not be sent home. Following this appointment, please forward your child’s immunization record.

*Please note: students who do not receive the HPV vaccine will not be kept out of school. More information and exemption forms are available on the RI Department of Health website and the link is below. Contact Nurse Hildebrandt if you have any questions.

Ponaganset Middle School is once again implementing the Student Assistance Program based on the nationally recognized Project SUCCESS model. Coastline EAP/Rhode Island Student Assistance Services (RISAS) provides this initiative, which is funded through several sources, including the Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Health.

The goal of the Student Assistance Program is to prevent and reduce substance use and to enhance academic performance. The program offers school-wide awareness initiatives, classroom presentations, and individual or small group sessions designed to educate students about substance use’s effects and develop skills for resisting peer pressure. It does not hold itself out as providing substance use diagnosis, treatment or referral for treatment.

Allison DePetrillo, our Student Assistance Counselor, will implement this program at Ponaganset Middle School. Mrs. DePetrillo has been implementing the program for several years now. Please read the attached letter and respond if you prefer that your child not participate.

FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL

Wednesday, August 26 - Grade 6 Orientation Day

Thursday, August 27 - Grades 7 & 8 First Day (ALL students, grades 6,7,8, are in school)

Important dates to note for September

1 - School Committee Meeting

7 - No School, Holiday/Labor Day

9 - No School, State Primary Day

10 - Back to School Night (6:00-8:00 PM)

15 - School Pictures by Lifetouch (all students)

25 - Welcome to PMS Assembly (for students)

Future Planning

Professional Development Days for teachers (half day of school; students dismissed at 12:00 PM)

Sept 28

Oct 26

May 17

Parent & Teacher Conferences - Nov 2 (no school for students)

Be sure to check the calendar on the website for other important dates and events.

The calendar may be added to your mobile device... click the "button"/link below.

All PMS Fall Athletics will officially begin once school starts. Fall sports include Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, and Cross Country. Announcements will be made each morning and afternoon regarding practices, games, any information shared with you from the coaches.

The Ponaganset Athletic Department has an Online Registration for all high school and middle school athletes. ALL students interested in playing a sport must submit each form prior to participating. Click the button below to complete the required registration forms.

The RI Interscholastic League oversees middle school sports. Please be sure to read the information from RIIL to ensure you understand the policies/guidelines pertaining to middle level sports.

Handbook: RHODE ISLAND INTERSCHOLASTIC LEAGUE MIDDLE SCHOOL 6-8

The PMS season officially begins Monday, August 25 Questions can be sent to Athletics@fgschools.com

Go Chieftains!

Since all students in the Foster-Glocester Regional School District are entitled to ride the bus, we strongly suggest that students ride the bus to and from school. For those occasional days where you may need to drive your child to school, the front entrance opens at 7:20 AM. Please be aware of the morning drop off and afternoon pick up procedures for those occasional days where you may need to drive your child to school.

The procedure for morning drop off: All automobiles will enter the second driveway on the right off of Rustic Hill Road. Automobiles (parents dropping off students) will bear right to the front entrance of the building; students will enter through the main entrance at 7:20 AM. Students will proceed to their team suites/homeroom. All traffic continues one way in front of the building to exit the other driveway. This is a "drop and go" lane, no parking is permitted in the lane at the front of the building.

The procedure for afternoon pick up: All automobiles will enter the second driveway on the right off of Rustic Hill Road. Automobiles (parents picking up students) will continue on the driveway to the back of the building and keep right in the driveway, parking next to the curb starting behind the School Buses after the cross walk. Automobiles that DO NOT make it into the school driveway (off Rustic Hill Rd) need to go into the parking lot at the back of the building then follow the line of cars to pick up students. All students will exit through the back/lower entrance and remain on the black top. Once the buses move, automobiles will move up to pick up their students at the bottom of the blacktop.

No students are to leave the blacktop and/or walk around the building or through traffic.

Automobiles will follow the busses along the driveway to exit the school property. All traffic continues one way at the back of the building to exit the other driveway. NO AUTOMOBILES ARE ALLOWED TO PASS THE BUSES as per state law.

Buses

Busses will drop off and pick up students at the rear entrance to the building.

All of the buses will be at the middle school for dismissal. The buses will proceed to the high school to pick up those students. NO MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO GET OFF THE BUSES AT PHS. Students participating in sports will be allowed to get off the buses if they have a “Sports Pass” and meet the coach at PHS.

Bus Routes are located on the website, please click the button below.

These traffic patterns are designed to keep everyone safe and are planned in partnership with the Glocester Police Department. It is important that we all abide by these procedures.

Your patience and cooperation are appreciated!

First Meeting - Wednesday, September 16, 2026. 7 PM in Room 150 at PMS.

Any one wishing to volunteer in our schools for any reason, most commonly to chaperone field trips or dances, needs to have current background check on file with the Foster-Glocester Regional School District. The BCI is only good for a year and must be submitted to the Business Office.

All state and national backgrounds are performed by the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General at the Attorney General’s Customer Service Center located at 4 Howard Avenue (on the corner of Howard Ave and Pontiac Ave) in Cranston. The new Customer Service Center provides plenty of free parking and direct RIPTA access.

Background check services will no longer be performed at the Attorney General’s main office in Providence or at the local police departments. For more information, please visit www.riag.ri.gov or call (401) 274-4400.

Website: https://fosterponagansetms.ss11.sharpschool.com/
Location: 7 Rustic Hill Road, Glocester, RI 02857
Phone: 401-710-7500 2
Facebook: facebook.com/PonagansetMiddleSchool