In the Middle

We’ve just completed our second week of school, and things are off to a great start! Students are settling into their routines and actively engaging in their learning. We appreciate your ongoing support in ensuring they are prepared and ready each day.

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We look forward to a productive year ahead!

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September 10th - No School (State Primary Day)

September 17th - Open House 6:00 - 8:00 pm

September 25th - PTO Meeting 7:00 - 8:00 pm

We're thrilled to share that Spartan Shout-Outs started this past week. This is our positive behavior initiative where students are recognized by a staff member for going above and beyond our expectations.

Brand new Scituate Middle School gear has been brought to you by the SMS PTO! Shop from the link below to take advantage of 30% off and free shipping over $75! All orders will ship directly to you. This store will last all school year but the sale won't! Shop today.

Evacuation drills are held regularly throughout the year. At the sound of the alarm, each class leaves the building immediately through the exit designated for that particular location, and proceeds to a specific location outside the building. Each student should know the exit and passing routes designated for the various rooms in which he/she is scheduled throughout the day.

Emergency drills will be age and developmentally appropriate. Scituate will implement trauma-informed practices wherever possible, and drills will include all school personnel, including school mental health professionals and substitute teachers.

Per state law, a lockdown drill will be conducted each September and January and an evacuation/fire drill will be conducted each month of the school year. School administrators could choose to replace one fire drill per year with an evacuation drill at their discretion.

Each student should walk as rapidly as possible, showing general courtesy and serious attitude toward the drill. This results in the school being cleared in the shortest possible time. Students must return to the building when so directed over the PA.

If an evacuation occurs during passing time, students must report to the location for their next period class / teacher. In the case of an evacuation during lunch, all students in the cafeteria will report to the front of the building and teachers will meet them there.

Lockdown drills will also be held to experience safety procedures to protect against threats from in or outside the building. Although procedures are not detailed herein, students and faculty must respond according to established protocols and follow directives designed for the protection of all involved.

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 purpose of the Scituate School Department (SSD) Attendance Policy is to bring students and teachers together so that learning can take place. Attendance at school is a serious matter and time lost from class, including tardies and early dismissals, is irretrievable. Studies show that attendance is directly related to a student's success in school. Attendance records are also part of a student's permanent record, which may be passed on to any organization seeking references. Rhode Island state law (RIGL 16-19-1) requires all students between the ages of six and sixteen years to be registered in and attend school regularly.

1. All absences, tardies and early dismissals are recorded and reported as unexcused until an appropriate excuse is provided in writing.

2. A parent/guardian is required to call the school to report their student's absence. The school will attempt to contact the parent/guardian regarding absences if the school has not been notified. This contact does not imply that such absences are excused. Parent/guardian permission, in and of itself, is not recognized as a legitimate excuse for absences.

3. Teachers shall take daily attendance and class period attendance at the secondary level. Teachers shall notify administration when a student is not in class and not listed as absent on the daily attendance sheet.

4. A list of absent students will be generated for each school day.

5. Any combination of six(6) tardies and/or early dismissals shall be considered one unexcused absence.

6. Following four (4) unexcused absences, which may include tardies, and/or early dismissals, the school will contact the parent/guardian to notify them of the attendance concerns and provide a copy of the attendance policy for their review.

7. Following eight (8) unexcused absences, which may include tardies, and/or early dismissals, the school will contact the parent/guardian in writing requesting a meeting. A referral may be made to the Attendance Officer.

8. Following ten (10) unexcused absences, which may include tardies, and/or early dismissals, a referral will be made to the Attendance Officer and/or Truancy Court.

9. The timelines indicated in 6-8 shall be proportionally adjusted for students who are enrolled for less than one hundred and eighty (180) days.

10. Appointments with doctors, dentists, and other healthcare providers. should be made at times other than during the school day when possible.

11. Students with any unexcused absence, tardy and/or early dismissal on the day of a school-related activity ( e.g., dance, play, athletic event/practice) may not attend that activity.

Reduce the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) after mosquitoes tested positive for the diseases. WNV is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito, and mosquito season in Rhode Island runs from summer through fall. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk, in the shade, and when temperatures are above 55°F.

Here are some precautions that everyone can take to reduce the risk of WNV:

• Use protective clothing

• Have students wear long-sleeved shirts and pants.

• Use bug spray

• Use an EPA-approved bug spray with DEET (20–30% strength), picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or paramenthane. Don't use bug spray with DEET on children under two months old.

• Maintain screens

• Ensure that window and door screens are in good condition and don't have holes or be loose.

• Reduce standing water

• Remove standing water from containers like buckets, pots, wheelbarrows, boats, and pools.

• Clogged rain gutters and puddles on tarps can also support mosquito larvae.

The meeting schedule for the 24/25SY are listed below. The meetings will take place at Ponaganset Middle School, Room 150 at 6:00 pm.

Dec 10, 2024

Feb 11, 2025

May 13, 2025

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.