Hello, NMS Families & Community and Happy Friday!
Concerning Statements: school is no place to joke about threats!
Please have a serious conversation with children about the importance of appropriate language and the very real dangers of referencing--even joking about--school violence. Schools are charged with maintaining a safe environment, and that means physically, emotionally, psychologically, and academically. As such, we will not tolerate threatening language or any statements that explicitly or implicitly threaten, or in jest reference threats to, the safety of our students, staff, or school environment. Per district protocols, reports of threatening language, weapons, or language that refers to any type of safety concern will be referred to the appropriate law enforcement agency immediately. Please understand the ripple effects of such statements and how it affects the ability for us to focus on the importance of social and academic progress. One person's comments, even "joking", can detrimentally affect many people in the school community and beyond, as these events--even when investigated and deemed to be not an actual threat--propagate on social media and detract from the very good work going on. These distractions, while seemingly "no big deal" to some, have significant adverse effects on our school community. Please remember that what is expected in school may differ greatly from what is allowed to be discussed, seen, or done at home. Schools and law enforcement cannot afford not to take all threats--seen or heard--seriously. Help us to build a safe, secure environment free from unnecessary distractions by teaching children what is and is not appropriate for discussions about or references to at school.
And please, as part of a discussion on the importance of school safety, encourage your children to speak up if they hear or see something of a threatening nature! We all have a stake in keeping NMS safe! We thank you for your support!
Winter Sports Registration is OPEN! Click HERE!
Students interested in playing basketball or indoor track should register ASAP
IMPORTANT: ATTENDANCE PROTOCOLS / CALL OUT PROCEDURES
NRSD attendance protocol is driven by Massachusetts State Law, NRSD School Committee policy, and the NRSD Handbook. Narragansett Middle School’s protocol combines all three of these considerations. The NRSD district will excuse absences with medical documentation for each date of absence, such as a note from a medical professional. For example, a written note from (for example) "Dr. XYZ" from "ABC Medical Group" that states that the student has been absent from school on dates 10/2/23 - 10/5/23 (for example; specific dates would be required) due to asthma, high fever, COVID-19, etc., is required for the district to excuse a student's absence.
The law, school committee policy, the NRSD handbook, and the school's established protocol require the school to act upon student attendance proactively and consistently. The school informs parents of the absences in writing, meets with parents (by phone, online, or in-person) to help support a child's regular attendance at school, meets with students to provide support, and helps establish plans to support a child's return to school after extended absences. Our goal is to collaborate with families to support students’ regular attendance as much as possible. While federally-governed 504 plans can, in some cases, exist to support students academically when absences present barriers to progress, they do not serve to excuse absences and documentation is still sought in order to consider absences excused.
In an effort to ensure all students are accounted for each day, and so that timely notification of unaccounted-for student absences can be sent, parents/guardians should contact their child's school to notify the of the absence.
Please CALL the Attendance Secretary, Mrs. Ann Lyons, at 978-939-5928 and select 1 from the automated menu (leave a voicemail if necessary). Absent notifications should not be directed to Mrs. Melanie Murphy in the NMS Main Office.
It is important when you are reporting a student absence that you call the Attendance Line (NOT EMAIL) as these email messages can go unretrieved should Mrs. Lyons be unavailable, whereas the telephone system can be accessed by multiple staff. If you are calling before the school is open for the day, you are able to leave a message on the Attendance Line voicemail.
Thank you for your assistance in keeping our students safe and helping strengthen our protocols for tracking and maintaining accurate attendance records.
Please be sure you are checking for the correct stop for the late bus! All students taking the late bus must obtain a pass from the teacher they stayed with, and must know which stop they will be using.
Upcoming Health Clinics: Flu and Covid Vaccines!
Vaccine clinics have been scheduled for November. A link to sign up for one or both of the vaccines are below. These clinics are open to anyone who wishes to be vaccinated and is able to get to the school, so share the links as much as you would like.
Please note that October 26th's FLU Vaccine Clinic will be held in the Templeton Elementary School Cafeteria for the convenience of the TES Staff.
- CLICK HERE to sign up to receive a FLU Vaccine Thursday October 26, 2023 at Templeton Elementary School.
Did you miss picture day on September 12, or just want a new photo taken?
Here comes PICTURE RETAKE DAY!
Students who were absent need a form if they want to order pictures; these can be picked up in the main office. Students who just want to new photo taken must bring their original photo package with them when having their new photo taken.
Attention Skiers and Snowboarders! It's time start thinking about SKI CLUB
Anyone interested in joining the NRSD Ski Club should check out the details here: Ski Club Information. This six-week program starts in January, but because space is limited, you need to act NOW if you want to be part of the fun! Transportation to and from Wachusett Mountain is available but also limited, so don't wait!
Click on the Turkey Trot poster to access the registration form!
Shared Expectations
It's been a fantastic first month of school, and we want to thank all our NMS families for their obvious preparation as students arrived ready to go! We will be continuing our calibration of school expectations and the return from summer vacation to help students meet the expectations of being back in school socially, behaviorally, and academically. This means reviewing, teaching, and consistently reinforcing behavioral expectations first, so that distractions are minimized and an environment where academic success can flourish is created and maintained. When asked “Why?” by a student in response to a redirection about voice level, running, or roughhousing, we often need to remind them of the fact “We’re in school.” In an effort to help our students, NMS focuses on four
basic shared expectations that our core values are rooted in: Be Nice, Work Hard, No Excuses, and Good Choices. Teachers have been teaching and reviewing these concepts in preparation for a rigorous academic return to school in order to have a successful year. As students are shown and explore these expectations, they are also learning to acknowledge the consequences of poor choices, including the progressive disciplinary actions that may result. Our goal is to keep families informed, and of how the system works (click here or on the thumbnail). The chart explaining what to expect, so that we can all work together for the best outcomes, is shown (left). We look forward to working together and having an amazing year!
| 😁 Getting Involved: NMS Extracurriculars |
| Activity | Advisor / Faculty Leader | Meeting Dates |
| After-school Band 2:30 - 3:30 Sign up for after-school band HERE | Mr. O'Connor goconnor@nrsd.org | Tuesday: 5th Grade Band Thursday: 6th Grade Band (Band runs 2:30 - 3:30. Students riding the late bus are welcome to attend after-school band until 2:55!) Any 7th student interested--see Mr. O'Connor! |
| Art Club | Mrs. Dupuis jdupuis@nrsd.org | Thursdays (as announced)
Next meeting 10/19 |
| Leo Club (Volunteers) | Mrs. Dupuis jdupuis@nrsd.org | Tuesdays (as announced) |
| International Club | Mrs. Medlicott jmedlicott@nrsd.org | Thursdays |
| Intramural Dodgeball | Ms. Eaton aeaton@nrsd.org & Mrs. Caouette lcaouette@nrsd.org | Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays |
| Science / STEM Club | Mr. Dufour cdufour@nrsd.org | Tuesdays THERE IS NO MEETING ON 10/17! |
| Student Council | Mrs. Wheeler gwheeler@nrsd.org & Mrs. Parker lparker@nrsd.org | Every other Thursday (as announced)
Next meeting 10/19 |
| Theater Guild / Drama Club | Mr. Schlundt gschlundt@nrsd.org | Mondays |
| Yearbook | Mrs. Rivard drivard@nrsd.org | Mondays as announced (two meetings per month)
Next meeting 10/16 |
| 📣 Important Dates & Reminders |
| Wednesday, October 18 | School Portrait RETAKES! |
| Thursday, October 26 | Students of the Month Assembly! |
| Tuesday, November 7 | No School for Students Full Day Professional Development for staff |
| Friday, November 10 | No School--Veterans Day Observed |
| Monday, November 20 | Half Day of School for Students—Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. Teacher Conferences--Afternoon and Evening Sessions (details forthcoming) |
| Tuesday, November 21 | Half Day of School for Students—Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. Teacher Conferences--Afternoon Sessions Only (details forthcoming) |
| Wednesday, November 22 | Half Day of School |
| November 23 & 24 | Thanksgiving Break |
| Thursday, November 30 | Students of the Month Assembly! |
| Thursday, December 21 | Half Day of School--Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. |
| December 22 - January 1 | Holiday Vacation |
| Tuesday, January 2 | School Re-opens; Happy New Year! |
| Friday, January 12 | Half Day of School--Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. Afternoon Professional Development for staff |
| Monday, January 15 | No School -- Martin Luther King Day |
| Friday, February 2 | Half Day of School--Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. Afternoon Professional Development for staff |
| February 19 - 23 | February Vacation |
| Friday, March 8 | Half Day of School--Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. Afternoon Professional Development for staff |
| Thursday, March 28 | Half Day of School--Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. Afternoon Professional Development for staff |
| Friday, March 29 | No School--Good Friday |
| Wednesday, April 10 | Half Day of School for Students—Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. Teacher Conferences--Afternoon Sessions Only (details forthcoming) |
| Thursday, April 11 | Half Day of School for Students—Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. Teacher Conferences--Afternoon Sessions Only (details forthcoming) |
| Friday, April 12 | Half Day of School--Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. Afternoon Professional Development for staff |
| April 15 - 19 | April Vacation |
| 🗓️ Next Week @ NMS: Daily Schedule and Lunch Menu |
| Monday, October 16 | Tuesday, October 17 | Wednesday, October 18 | Thursday, October 19 | Friday, October 20 |
| D Day | E Day | F Day | G Day | A Day |
| Hamburger / Cheeseburger & Fries | Chicken Patty Sandwich | BBQ Rib Sandwich | Pasta Day: Chicken Broccoli Alfredo | Assorted Pizza |
NRSD Food Services Department
| ❤️🩹 Nurse Notes |
See above for information on upcoming Flu and Covid Vaccine Clinics!
Contacting Nurse McKinnon JUST GOT EASIER:
Text 978-939-6326 to reach the middle school nurse. Please feel free to use this text line for quick questions as well. Please save this number in your cell phone because Nurse McKinnon sends out reminders/updates this way.
🎉
Upcoming Health Screenings this school year:
- Postural Screens for 5th, 6th, and 7th
- Vision, hearing, height/weight/BMI, and SBIRT for 7th only
If you would like to opt out of any of the screenings listed above, PLEASE email/call me ASAP. I will not be rescreening any student who had screenings completed during their yearly physical.
With cold and flu season fast approaching, please remind your students to wash hands FREQUENTLY, bring a water bottle THAT SEALS to school, and to NOT touch their face and mouth.
Health office FYI- Both viral and bacterial strep has been on the increase recently, so please keep that in mind. Also, please be mindful of our exclusion policy, if anyone has any questions about that, please text/call Nurse McKinnon!
Narragansett Middle School Nurse:
Alyssa McKinnon ● Email: amckinnon@nrsd.org
Phone: 978-939-2113 ● Fax 978-939-8634 ● **NEW** Text: 978-939-6326
NRSD Nurse Leader:
Myriah Zwicker ● Email: ezwicker@nrsd.org
Phone: 978-652-0201 ● Fax: 978-939-8634
NRSD Health & Wellness Department
| 👟 Athletics |
Winter Sports Registration is OPEN!
Athletics-related questions?
Contact the Athletic Director:
Brad Bond ● gansettathletics@nrsd.org ● 978-939-7325
Next week's sports (Week of October 16th)
(please check the updated online schedule regularly--link below--frequently as changes occur constantly due to weather or conditions)
Winter Sports Registration is OPEN!
Here's the Recap in case you missed it....
| 📞 NMS Phone Tree |
1. Attendance line/Attendance Secretary, Mrs. Lyons
2. NMS School Nurse, Ms. McKinnon
3. NMS Adjustment Counselor, Mrs. Ambrozy
4. Athletics, Mr. Bond
5. NMS Main Office, Mrs. Murphy to reach the building administration (Mrs. LaFreniere or Ms. Smith), leave voicemails for staff, or for any questions not related to a line above).
To reach the NRSD Central Office, the phone number is 978-939-5661.
| 🫂 School Council |
Narragansett Middle School will be looking to elect two Parent / Guardian representatives to the NMS School Council. Elections will be announced when candidates are identified. From the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education webpage:
What is a school council? A school council is a representative, school building-based committee composed of the principal, parents, teachers, community members and, at the secondary level, students, required to be established by each school pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 59C.
What is the reason the Education Reform Act calls for establishing school councils? Teachers, parents, and community members can become more committed to improving the schools and more supportive of the public school system when they enjoy the opportunity to serve or be represented on a school council that has a role in shaping the policies and programs of the school.
If you are interested in being a candidate for election to the NMS School Council, please contact Principal Mary LaFreniere at mlafreniere@nrsd.org.