Cultivating A Community

Dear WED Community,

TransPar Transportation Planning Update

The Woonsocket Education Department, in collaboration with TransPar and the Transportation Subcommittee, is continuing to plan for the district’s new grade configuration and transportation system for the 2027–2028 school year.

Currently, the district and TransPar are reviewing current school attendance boundaries, exploring potential redistricting options, and establishing priorities to guide recommendations. In November, the team will evaluate walking zones and continue developing and assessing potential attendance boundary scenarios.

Once boundary options are developed, the district and TransPar will explore adjustments to school start and dismissal times and revise transportation routes to improve efficiency. Following the selection of preferred scenarios, an implementation plan will be developed and shared to support a smooth transition for the 2027–2028 school year.

Key goals of the planning process include:

• Increasing school bus ridership and improving on-time arrivals and dismissals.

• Coordinating start times for Grades 5–6 Upper Elementary School and Grades 7–8 Middle School.

• Exploring the possibility of moving the high school start time approximately 15–20 minutes later, while considering ways to minimize impacts on athletics and other after-school activities.

• Supporting enrollment at the new PreK–4 Nasuti Elementary School, which is expected to serve approximately 1,100 students, while evaluating the potential impact on transportation needs and bus capacity.

• Determining the need to close Citizens' Elementary School.

These efforts will help the district evaluate attendance boundaries, school schedules, and bus routes to improve transportation efficiency and support the successful implementation of the district’s new grade configuration in 2027–2028. Planning will continue in collaboration with district administration and the Redistricting Subcommittee, with additional updates shared as decisions are developed. Our next meeting with TransPar is scheduled for the end of October/beginning of November.

In partnership,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent

On Saturday, October 3, 2026, approximately 30 Woonsocket educators participated in the Rhode Island Teachers of English Language Learners (RITELL) Conference at Rhode Island College. Educators had the opportunity to attend Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld’s keynote, “The Power of Collaboration in Support of Multilingual Learners,” along with a variety of engaging breakout sessions.

These professional learning opportunities provided educators with valuable strategies and insights to strengthen their ongoing work in supporting our Multilingual Learners. Participation in the conference reflects Woonsocket’s continued commitment to building educator capacity and ensuring that MLLs have meaningful access to grade-level instruction and opportunities for success.

Recently, WHS/WCTC students Calleigh Messer and Marianna Orellana Degracia obtained their Fema ICS-100 (Introduction to the Incident Command System ) certificates as part of their graduation requirements in the new Criminal Justice program at WCTC. This course is an introductory course on emergency response management.

Both students fulfilled their requirement in their Sophomore year. The certificates are part of a three-certificate program that will be built into the program, although only ICS-100 is required.

Congratulations to Calleigh and Marianna on their impressive accomplishments!

Congratulations to Feinstein Golden Ticket winner, grade 2 student Nayala Perez and the entire Globe Park community!

As a result, Globe Park Elementary School will receive a $2,000 grant from the Feinstein Foundation as part of the Golden Ticket winning package to benefit their school community! Globe Park will also be awarded a $500 check because Nayala and her family chose to give back to Globe Park!

The entire WED and Globe Park Elementary School community appreciates their thoughtfulness!

Recently, Peer Mentors from Villa Nova MS attended a field trip, where they learned about anxiety, depression, and suicide awareness. They explored how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and how to support a friend or classmate by connecting them with resources and a trusted adult.

I’ve also attached two photos from PTC. We distributed 40 bags of food and hygiene supplies from our Feinstein Food Pantry and Caring Closet to Villa Nova MS families. Our peer mentors played an important role at Parent-Teacher Conferences by helping families locate classrooms, distributing supplies, and setting up activities to keep younger siblings engaged.

We are so proud of our Peer Mentors and their compassion, leadership, and willingness to support our Villa Nova MS community.

On Friday, October 23rd, Coleman Elementary welcomed Peter Cournoyer, Captain of the Woonsocket Fire Department, and JacQuan Stanley, Woonsocket EMT, who discussed fire safety and prevention with all classes. Students learned about things like the importance of smoke alarms and early detection, home and school escape planning and what kinds of emergency actions to take.

Coleman is grateful for the expertise of Captain Cournoyer and Mr. Stanley. The students had fun learning ways in which they can stay safe at home and at school.

On Thursday, October 22nd, Coleman Elementary hosted the Chartwell's Catering Company for their Mood Boost Tasting Event. Each grade got to sample a yummy pumpkin crumble recipe as a treat to enjoy during their lunches.

WCTC Engineering & Robotics students dove into the world of advanced manufacturing at the Polaris MEP Manufacturing Day! Our students toured the Steel Yard and JARC facilities, gaining hands-on insight into specialized programs like Welding, CNC machining, and Jewelry-making. They also connected directly with top industry leaders, including Electric Boat, Tiffany & Co., and IRYS, to discover exciting, high-demand career pathways. It was an inspiring look at how high-tech skills can build a powerful future!

Please see the Chartwells October Newsletter below.

On October 8th he Woonsocket Career and Technical Center hosted Future Student Night for incoming 8th Graders. The event was a great success as many students and their families attended to learn more about the world-class programs that the WCTC offers.

If you were unable to attend and would like more information, email WCTC Director, Janine Napolitano at jnapolitano@woonsocketschools.com. You may also use the QR Code below to access the application for the WCTC.

See the flyer below to learn about job opportunities in the WED.

We invite parents, caregivers, teachers, and staff to share stories, experiences, or words of appreciation about the SLPs who have supported students in our schools.

SHARE HERE!

Thank you for taking the time to recognize and celebrate our amazing SLP team!

As shared in previous newsletters, by now all students should belong to a team in each of their classes. Each team should have established team norms, or shared agreements about how members will work together to help everyone learn.

Working with others is a skill students will use throughout their lives. Whether collaborating on a school project, playing on a sports team, or working alongside colleagues in a future career, people need to listen, contribute, navigate disagreements, and take responsibility.

Team norms also help students develop our Problem Solver Competency for Success, one of the competencies students must demonstrate proficiency in to graduate. When challenges arise, students practice identifying the problem, considering possible solutions, and deciding what they can do differently. They learn to use their norms to work through difficulties and reflect on whether their solutions are helping the team.

Attendance matters for team learning, too. Every member brings strengths, ideas, and perspectives that help others learn. Being present each day gives students opportunities to contribute their thinking and benefit from the thinking of their teammates. Every student is a valued member whose contributions make the team stronger.

Try asking your child:

• What are your team’s norms?

• Why did your team choose those particular norms?

• What does following those norms look and sound like?

• Can you share an example of how a norm helped your team work or learn together?

• When your team faces a problem, how do your norms help you find a solution?

• What strengths do you and your teammates bring to the team?

• Is there a norm your team needs to strengthen or change? Why?

These conversations help children recognize that being part of a team means contributing to their own learning and supporting the learning of others.

For additional early childhood information, please call the Early Childhood Office at 401-768-3899

WMS Students' Perform in Autumnfest Parade

WHS Cheer Team at Autumfest

Girls Soccer Senior Night vs. Hope High School

WHS Girls Tennis Senior Night

See the flyer below to learn more about Free RI Pre-K.

• Wednesday, October 28th - Woonsocket School Committee Meeting (7 p.m. @ HMS)