Superintendent's Message

Dear Newport Schools Parents, Families, and Staff,

This week is a week of dreams and accomplishments. I want to start off this week highlighting the power of what our One Newport community partners can do with a dream when they work in collaboration with Newport Public Schools to support our students. For the last three years, Salve Regina University has partnered with Rogers High School through their Pathways program, designed to shepherd first-generation students and their families to high school graduation and college enrollment. Students apply to the program in their sophomore year and participate in after school and out of school activities on college discovery. They review and explain the application and enrollment processes so that students and their families become familiar with these often-daunting tasks. I am so excited to share that after participating in the program, which was a dream of former school committee members Aida Neary and Ray Gomes to build for RHS, along with the partnership of President Kelli Armstrong, and lots of work and effort of our own RHS AP Mike Monahan and many others at RHS, ALL students in the first Pathways cohort have been accepted to 4 year colleges and universities!!! WOW!! and WOO-Hoo!! Congratulations to our Roger seniors for completing the Pathways program and getting accepted to college. And thank you to our amazing One Newport community partner Salve Regina University for your dedication to supporting our students through the Pathways program!

RHS accomplishments continue as February is Black History Month and Rogers High School continues its proud tradition of hosting the longest running black history celebration of its kind in the nation. Last Friday, Rogers hosted the 54th annual Rev. Robert L. Williams National Black History Assembly celebrating the contributions of African Americans to our Newport community and awarding outstanding student and community leader awards for their accomplishments. A big congratulations to Rogers senior Adriyonna Lockhart on being awarded this year’s Dr. Marcus F. Wheatland Award and Scholarship, Rogers senior Bryanna Pierre on being awarded the moderator’s scholarship, and Butler Basketball Club founder Randolph “Randy” Butler on receiving the George T. Downing award! You can read more about the black history assembly in the Newport Daily News and Newport This Week.

There will be no Superintendent’s Update next week due to winter break (February 17-21).

Have a great week of learning everyone and enjoy a well deserved winter break!

Colleen Burns Jermain, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

All Thompson Middle School and Rogers High School student report cards are now out or on their way. Parents, please use report cards as an opportunity to check in with your child. Ask how they are doing in each of their classes, which ones they are enjoying, and which ones they may be struggling with. Please remember that our principals and teachers are eager to hear from parents if there are any issues or concerns. They will work with you on a plan to support your child’s learning. Supporting our student’s growth and achievement is a team effort. Let’s work together!