Cunningham Star News

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Dear Cunningham STARS,

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! It has been a joy to meet so many of our students and families already, and I’m incredibly excited to begin this new chapter with you as the principal of M. Virginia Cunningham Elementary School.

The start of a new school year brings energy, optimism, and opportunities to grow together as a learning community. Our students have arrived eager and ready to learn, and our dedicated staff has been working hard to create welcoming, structured, and engaging classrooms where every child can thrive.

This year, we are focused on three key priorities:

• Academic Growth: With a continued focus on literacy and math, we are committed to helping every student grow through small group instruction, targeted supports, and rigorous learning experiences.

• Positive School Culture: We are building a strong foundation of respect, responsibility, and kindness. Students are learning what it means to be a proud Cunningham STAR!

• Family Partnership: Families are an essential part of student success. We encourage open communication, regular engagement, and collaboration throughout the year.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to Mrs. Jennifer McCaughey for her leadership and support during this transition. I am grateful for the solid foundation she has built and honored to carry the torch forward.

Please be on the lookout for upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved through our family and volunteer initiatives. As always, feel free to reach out with questions, ideas, or just to say hello—I’m here to listen and partner with you.

Here’s to a great school year filled with learning, laughter, and success!

Warmest Regards,

April L. Flowers

Principal

The school day begins at 9:00 am. Students should be here at designated arrival areas before 9:00 am each day. Morning adult supervision begins at 8:40 am, so students can arrive well before the school day begins.

The school day ends at 3:10 pm. (Early dismissal ends at 2:45 pm.)

All Areas of the Cunningham Campus are CLOSED until 3:05 PM.

At dismissal, please collect your child(ren) and exit the campus. The playfround will be closed during dismissal and lngering will not be allowed. Anyone who is not picking up, must remain outside of the school grounds. (These procedures ae intended to keep our students safe during dismissal.)

• September:
• 1 - Labor Day
• 9/15 - 10/15 Hispanic Heritage Month
• 915 - 10/15 Chocolate Fundraiser
• October
• 8 - Community Flu Clinic
• 13 - Columbus Day/Indigenous People's Day
• TBD - Annual Title I
• 21 - Fall Picture Day
• TBD - Trunk or Treat
• 10/27-31 Red Ribbon Week
• November
• 11 - Veterans' Day
• TBD - BINGO
• 11/21 - Turkey Trot
• TBD - RICAS/NGSA Breakfast
• 26 - 28 - Thanksgiving Recess

From WJAR Channel 10:

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — The Rhode Island Department of Education is implementing a new policy next school year that could keep kids back a grade level if they miss too many school days.

It's an update to the Attendance Matters initiate implemented statewide. “Kids need to be in school," said Rhode Island Department of Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. Infante-Green told NBC 10 News the new attendance retention policy is on the horizon.

It has three criteria. A student risks not moving to the next grade if:

• The child is chronically absent, missing 18 or more days of school.
• The child is struggling with literacy
• The child is struggling with math

Checking all or several of those boxes means families will get a letter saying the child may be held back. “If we promoted to the next grade, we’re setting them up for failure and we cannot continue to keep doing that," said Infante-Green.

News Link: https://turnto10.com/news/local/parents-beware-new-attendance-policy-takes-effect-across-rhode-island-next-school-year-grade-level-retention-held-back-exceptions-absenteeism-may-28-2025