Hello Gansett Parents and Guardians,
I hope you had a wonderful summer, sneaking ice cream while the kids were napping, family vacations, dodging monsoon-like rain storms, and barbecues. But alas, the time has come to return to missing backpacks, forgotten homework, getting up way too early, and lost retainers. The struggle is, in fact, real. Despite the reality of another summer ending way too fast, we welcome you back to a new school year filled with possibilities and endless opportunities for growth!
To our returning students and families, it's fantastic to have you back! Your enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to learn inspire us every day. We can't wait to see how much you've grown and the amazing things you'll achieve this upcoming school year.
To our new students and families, we extend a sincere Warrior welcome! We know starting at a new school can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but rest assured, you are now part of our Warrior Family. We strive to ensure Narragansett is a district where you will find our staff to be as supportive as they are welcoming, and we look forward to meeting you!
I acknowledge the crucial role you, the parents and guardians, play in your child's education. Your support, involvement, and encouragement are invaluable to their development. We are committed to maintaining open lines of communication and working together as a team to provide the best possible educational experience. Please keep an eye out throughout the school year for several short surveys that we will be sending out to help us better understand our district families' needs and how we can best address them.
Below, you will find important information and links to resources to help ensure a smooth transition into the new school year, including a slight change in our morning drop-off routine at the Middle and High schools.
As always, we look forward to seeing our students on August 28th!
Sincerely,
Dr. Christopher Casavant
Superintendent of Schools
NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
MS/HS Student Morning Drop Off
In keeping with last year's routine, all buses will utilize the rear parking lot of the Middle School for both morning and afternoon runs. Given the traffic we experience during morning drop-off, we are now allowing students to be dropped off no earlier than 7:15 am at their respective school entryways. Students will be allowed to enter the building, where they will be supervised by school staff until the first bell rings at 7:40 am. Middle School students (grades 5-7) will gather in the large cafeteria, and High School students (grades 8-12) will gather in the main lobby of the High School.
The 2023-24 School Year Calendar can be accessed here.
Free School Lunch
School lunches for all students, regardless of their family’s economic status, will be free again this year! However, we ask that you please fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch form, as this information will be used to help determine grants at the State and Federal levels.
New Look for the Cafeteria
Over the years, MS/HS students have advocated for healthier food options in our cafeteria, as well as an improvement to the overall appearance. We are happy to be able to give them what they’ve asked for! This year we have added a new salad bar to our lunch menu options and have also made several aesthetic changes. The cafeteria has been freshly painted - long gone are the “institutional” drab yellow walls we all remember growing up with. The walls have been repainted with bright, vibrant colors that will most certainly get our students' attention! A much-needed upgrade to the student seating has also been added.
New Faces
Adding new employees is standard practice for School Districts during the summer months, and this year was no exception for Narragansett. We welcome several new administrators, teachers, and staff who come to us with great enthusiasm and experience. Please help us welcome:
Marci Rasmussen - Vice Principal at Templeton Elementary
Rachel Howard - 3rd Grade Teacher
Kristina Frisella - 3rd Grade Teacher
Valerie Corso - 4th Grade Teacher
Kara Childs - 4th Grade Teacher
Laura Cosentino - 6th Grade Teacher
Jennifer King - 7th Grade Teacher
Amber Eaton - MS Physical Education
Gregory O'Connor - MS Music Teacher
Victoria Flood - 8th Grade Science Teacher
Catherine Ellis - HS Life Skills Teacher
Crystal Briggs - HS Counselor
Elicia Edwards - Paraprofessional
As a reminder, our new website is up and running and should always be your first stop to find any information you need. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to download the Narragansett App to receive up-to-date notifications and information on all things ‘Gansett!
Links to Additional Information