ATTENDANCE MATTERS: Nationwide, September is Attendance Awareness Month, but in our opinion, every month is Attendance Awareness Month. We know how important it is for our students to be in school every day that they are well and we hope that our families understand that attendance is important too. Stressing that importance to our students in school and our children at home, helps them to see that we all prioritize attendance. Children who miss 10% or more of the school year are considered chronically absent and are referred to our school-based attendance teams for support. Are you having trouble getting someone to school? You can reach out to our district Dean of Students and Attendance by email at [email protected] or by phone at 401-440-5216. Not sure what time you need to be there? Click here.
Cranston Public Schools Mission Statement: The Mission of the Cranston Public Schools is, through collaboration with the entire community, to deliver a high-quality, aligned and evidence-based instructional system that is accessible and responsive to diverse learners, which is supported by finances and facilities for the 21st Century and promotes student achievement and success through active learning and personalization.
Cranston Public Schools Vision Statement: The vision of the Cranston Public Schools is to continue to build and support an educational community that:
*Reflects the diversity of all stakeholders including students, families, educators, as well as civic and community partners. *Allows students to direct their own learning, monitor progress and set goals. Implements high-quality aligned and evidence-based curricula which meets the needs of all learners through personalization. *Provides facilities that are flexible, clean, safe, and conducive to an aligned instructional system and responsive to the needs of diverse 21st Century learners. *Works together in order to instill a sense of pride and purpose in our students, in schools that instill a sense of belonging and excitement.
Social Media Policy for Site Visitors: Our Social Media Policy for Site Visitors can be found on our district website here. Please be sure to take a look.
Come Work With Us! If you would like to join our Cranston Public Schools community you can find job opportunities here. We are hiring a wide variety of positions. You can also visit SchoolSpring for a more comprehensive list of openings. Come and be a part of building Cranston's Future, one child and one school at a time.
News from our student journalists: One of our favorite sections of the newsletter has returned! Thanks to our students at East and West for their contributions to our district news. Thunderbolt Sports Media (TSM) at East, and the West Wind and West Watch at West, are up and running. This week, TSM also announced the start of their new podcast on Spotify, so be sure to check that out. Our featured TSM article this week is about the boys soccer team's win against Westerly. Read that here. This week, the West Watch features the NASA watch party event that took place last week. You can watch that report here.
School Construction News: #ICYMI: This is such an exciting time for us! Our school construction projects are moving along and we have many things going on at once. However, we are frequently asked when there will be more school construction done to make more 21st century schools, or why the particular schools we chose were chosen and why other schools were not. We've put together an information sheet that explains the factors that went into our original decisions and things that have played into the process along the way. You can see that information sheet here in English and in Spanish.
Additionally: If you're wondering, "Where are all the small, square classrooms and rows of desks?"
Learn more: Did you know that our building projects website is full of photos and construction project updates and presentations? Visit the site to see regular updates about all of our construction projects here.
EXCITING NEWS FROM AES: Our third high school, formerly the New England Laborers' Cranston Public Schools Construction and Career Academy, has undergone a rebranding and has a new name! The Apprenticeship Exploration School, or AES is our public charter high school. AES students have the opportunity to have a comprehensive high school academic program in a small school setting, while being trained and prepared to work in heavy highway construction or to enroll in our travel and tourism CTE program. Our students are ready for an apprenticeship, a career, or their college experience upon graduation. We will soon be showcasing the new logo and name, so be on the lookout! Check out the website here.
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Yom Kippur, No School
9/25/2023
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HOW CAN WE HELP YOU? Check out all of the links to resources you might need in the list below. Don't see something you need? Reach out to your teacher or building administrator and let them know so that we can direct you to the help you need.
Affordable Internet: Is your family in need of affordable internet? "The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps to ensure that families can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month towards internet and eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 towards the purchase price." Learn more here.
Adult Education: Are you or someone you know in need of adult education? You can find programs all over the state here, and note that we have an adult education program here in Cranston. You can find it on the list by clicking the link.
Looking for a tutor: You may not be yet, but as time goes on, you may be looking for some extra help for your child. Check out tutor.com for free tutoring options made possible through our partnerships.
Clothes for school: Clothes to Kids RI is offering qualifying families in need from grades K-12 or working toward their GED the opportunity to shop for free clothes. Families who are in crisis due to natural disaster, poverty, homelessness, or displacement can qualify. Each child will receive 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 5 new underwear, 5 pair new socks, a pair of shoes and a coat. For more information, hours, guidelines and eligibility, click here.
STAY IN THE LOOP! If you've read this far down in the newsletter, that means you are utilizing one of our many means of communications here in Cranston Public Schools and we are grateful to you! This Family Message goes out each Friday afternoon, recapping our week and giving you a heads up to anything coming up on the horizon. Additionally, you can check out our newly designed website, our mobile app, and find us on social media ( NEW: LinkedIN, Instagram, ( X(formerly Twitter), and Facebook). We always encourage you to look to us for your news in order to make sure that the information you are getting is correct.
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September 22, 2023
Dear parents and guardians,
This has been a particularly exciting week for us here in the Cranston Public Schools! On Tuesday, we received official notification from the US Department of Education that our very own Woodridge Elementary School has been chosen as one of just 353 US Dept. of Education's 2023 Blue Ribbon Schools in the country! ( Learn more about what it means to be a blue ribbon school here.) We have always known that our educators in Cranston deliver a top-notch education to our students, and we have always been proud of that fact. Now, however, we have the blue ribbon to prove it! Woodridge was specifically chosen as having exemplary achievement as a "gap-closing school," which is described by the US Dept. of Education here: " Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students. Nominated schools also complete an extensive narrative application describing their school culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures, and parent and community involvement."
On Tuesday afternoon, Woodridge Elementary School principal Marisa Jackson announced this news first to her fourth and fifth-grade faculty and students who thought they were attending an assembly about running for the school's student council. Many of those students were in kindergarten the year Ms. Jackson started as principal of the school. See photos of her surprise announcement here.
Mark Your Calendars:
- September 25 No School in observance of Yom Kippur.
- The schedule of upcoming flu shot clinics is here. CLICK TO REGISTER HERE or scan the QR code on the fliers found in English and Spanish here.
- The Cranston Hall of Fame induction ceremony is October 13, 2023! See the flier for more information and ticket sales here.
- Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC): Are you the parent or guardian of a student with special needs? Are you a parent, educator, or community member who wishes to learn more about local resources for special needs students? If so, join our SEAC meeting in person or online (click on dates for virtual links) on the following dates (flier here):
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- Please read and be sure you understand the Student-Family Handbook (Spanish here) guidelines for being able to participate in school events. Remember that there are academic, attendance, and behavioral expectations that are upheld all throughout the school year in order to be able to participate in any of the special events taking place. We do not ever want anyone to miss out!
- Security Protocols: Although we cannot disclose the specific details of our security measures to the public, we cannot emphasize enough how important it is for our families to embrace and follow our security protocols every day, all year long, even if you may think they are inconvenient to you or to those picking up your children. We have them available here for you to read here. Familiarize yourself with our procedures, be ready to follow them, and be sure that your emergency care cards are up to date and accurate. Make sure that anyone listed as being allowed to pick up your children on your emergency care card is ready to follow them as well. Without exception, no one will be allowed to pick up a child if they are not listed on the emergency care card.
- #ICYMI: Have you seen our back-to-school slideshow? Our newest slideshow is on our district website! Be sure to take a look under News and Announcements below!
District Communication Reminders
- The Friday Family Community Message comes out every Friday (or on Thursday if there is no school on Friday) at 3pm.
- We have four social media platforms you can follow: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn. *See "Stay in the Loop" in the left sidebar to click on each platform and follow!
- Our district website and mobile app both have announcements and alerts
- Email (be sure that Cranston Public Schools is in your contacts)
- Robocalls in emergency situations
Sincerely,
The Cranston Public Schools Leadership Team |
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Easy online School Lunch Application
Be sure to fill yours out now!
Read More...
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NEWS FROM RI DEPT. OF EDUCATION:
ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A...
We hope you've been studying! This week's question is a fifth-grade math, selected response question. It's a little bit tricky, so think carefully before choosing your answer!
Opportunities for students:
September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month: Our Cranston Public Libraries have so much to offer our community. If you don't already have a library card, you can sign up online here, showing identification as a student such as a report card or student ID for example.
Check out all of the activities and services (including our partnership with tutor.com-see more in the left sidebar of this newsletter) our Cranston Public Libraries offer for Cranston kids by visiting the CPL Kids' page here.
Celebrating Cranston Fire Department's 100 years of service: This event will be held on Saturday, September 23, from 11 am - 3 pm behind City Hall. The event is free and will include food and fun for all.
Cranston's Fall Festival: This event will be held this weekend on Sunday, September 24, from 10 am - 5 pm in Itri Square, and will include vendors, local businesses, entertainment, food and fun. Visit the website here for more information.
Gammbassadors (Youth Ushers) Program Kicks Off Second Year at The Gamm TheatreAre you a high school student who loves theater? If so, you can learn about professional theater and see shows for FREE — plus earn community service hours. It's easy and fun! For details, click the link below. Gammbassadors must be aged 16-18 and willing to fulfill the same roles as any other usher: scanning tickets, directing patrons in the lobby and the theater, stuffing and/or passing out programs, seating patrons, and answering patrons' questions. In return, you have the option to earn community service hours and see Gamm productions for free! Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, Lauryn Sasso at 401-723-4266 x 163 or [email protected] with any questions and to let us know if you want to earn community service credits. Performance Dates: Topdog/Underdog Sept 7 - Oct 1, 2023, Hangmen Nov 2 - 26, 2023, It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play Dec 9 - 24, 2023, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Jan 25 - Feb 18, 2024, Twelfth Night Mar 21 - April 14, 2024, Doubt: A Parable May 9 - June 2, 2024. More information available here: https://www.gammtheatre.org/youthushers
Bradley Hospital Youth Sleep StudyBradley Hospital researchers are seeking children ages 10-13 for research studies of sleep. These studies are enrolling children with or without family history of Alzheimer's Disease.These studies involve: following a sleep schedule at home; 3 nights and 1 day at the Sleep for Science Lab; 1 MRI Scan at Brown University.All participants are paid for their time and effort. For more information, call Betty at (401) 421 – 9440 or click here.
GOOD NEWS!
We look forward to spotlighting all of the good news that happens throughout the year. This section becomes one of our longest sections of the newsletter as the school year goes on!
Congratulations to: the Cranston High School West community who participated in last week's NASA watch party! This exciting event was almost a year in the making. Students from around the state took part, watching as astronauts aboard the International Space Station answered questions live on camera that had been submitted. TWO of our CHSW students had submitted questions and they were answered during the broadcast. See photos here.
Congratulations to: the CHSW boys soccer team whose recent successes were spotlighted in this week's Cranston Herald article. Special congratulations go out to this week's Cranston Herald Athlete of the Week, Sam Naiefeh! Read all about why he was this week's pick, here.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
We look forward to being able to spotlight our recent grads in the news all throughout the year!
WELLNESS CORNER
As the end of the first month of school begins to draw to a close, so does that initial period of back-to-school excitement that our students feel in those first weeks. The great start to the year may start to slow down a little. This article shares some strategies that you can use all year long to help kids stay motivated throughout the school year. .
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR
FAMILIES OF KIDS UNDER 18
Kids’ Link RI™ is a behavioral health triage service and referral network. A program offered in collaboration with Gateway Healthcare, Lifespan, Hasbro Children's Hospital and Bradley Hospital, Kids’ Link RI is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help triage children and youth in need of mental health services and refer them to treatment providers.The free, confidential phone line, 1-855-543-5465, connects parents and caregivers to an experienced clinician that can help them access children’s services in Rhode Island, and determine the best place to go for treatment and counseling.
Contact Kids’ Link RI™ if your child is:
Feeling excessive anger or sadness.
Lashing out at siblings, friends, and adults.
Having behavior problems at school.
Having severe worries.
Hurting himself/herself or others.
Mental Health and/or Substance Abuse
Resources for anyone 18+
WHAT IS BH LINK?
• A comprehensive program intended to serve those individuals 18+ who are experiencing behavioral health
crises (mental health and/or substance use) by establishing a community-based, 24/7 hotline and triage center.
WHY BH LINK?
• Provides immediate access to behavioral healthcare in a community-based, 24/7 facility
• Ensures stability, provides seamless transfer to ongoing care, and reduces unnecessary use of hospital-based services
• Delivers better, more cost-effective behavioral healthcare in Rhode Island
• BH Link Hotline, (414-LINK; 414-5465): a one-stop, statewide 24/7 call-in center that connects people to appropriate care and resources, when they or someone they care about is experiencing a behavioral healthcare crisis
• BH Link Triage Center: a 24/7 community-based walk-in/drop-off facility where clinicians connect people to
immediate, stabilizing emergency behavioral health services, and long-term care and recovery supports.
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