Hello, NMS Families & Community!
🎉Congratulations to our newest Students of the Month! On Thursday, November 29, the NMS student body and staff gathered in the Safka Auditorium to celebrate our latest group named Students of the Month! These students, selected by staff members, are chosen because they exemplify the core values of Be Nice, Work Hard, No Excuses, and Good Choices, which are the foundation of NMS's Shared Expectations. Through these building-wide expectations, students learn positive decision making and build skills in successful participation in classrooms and common spaces, which create spaces where students can thrive, unimpeded, academically. Congratulations to (back row, left to right) Bryce O'Malley, Ethan Martin, Jack Melvin, and Victoria Dodge; (front row, left to right) Aubrey Kelley, Cameron Gould, Olivia White, Gwen Dupuis, and Hannah Longley-Martines. Congratulations to all of our Students of the Month and thank you to the faculty / staff for taking the time to identify students deserving of the recognition!
🎼❄️ Don't miss our annual Holiday Concert! Join us next Thursday, December 7 for this combined middle and high school event! The show starts at 6:30 in the Safka Auditorium and the Music Boosters will have snacks for sale in the lobby before the show. We look forward to seeing everyone at this fun and festive event!
💉🏥A COVID Vaccine clinic has been scheduled for Thursday December 7, 2023 2:30-6:00 PM in the Narragansett Middle School Cafeteria. This clinic is open to anyone age 12 and up who wishes to be vaccinated. Please CLICK HERE to sign up.
☃️ It's holiday time, and we have several charitable drives underway. Please consider donating to one, or all, of the following:
- 🧸The Leo Club is sponsoring a TOY DRIVE until December 12! New, unwrapped toys
can be brought in and dropped in the Leo Club collection boxes found in both the NMS and NRHS lobbies.
- 🥫Student Council is collecting food for the Templeton Food Pantry: please bring in a non-perishable food item between now and December 20. All items can be dropped off in the main lobby.
- 🧥 Student Council is also sponsoring a COAT DRIVE until December 20! New or gently used outerwear for children or adults can be brought to the collection box in the NMS main lobby.
🏀Upcoming family fun! You will not want to miss The World Famous Harlem Wizards when they return to Narragansett in February, 2024! Last year's event sold out and was a fantastic show--don't miss your window to order tickets, which opens on Monday, December 4! The Wizards will dazzle the crowd as they play against a team of 'Gansett school community members on Thursday, February 1! Set a reminder: Harlem wizards tickets go on sale here starting Monday!
A recurring, favorite spirit day around our district is Blue & White / 'Gansett Gear Day! Need to update your 'Gansett Gear wardrobe? Perfect timing for holiday gifting,because NMS has 'Gansett Gear on sale! Click here for the order form, which you need to print out and bring in along with a check made out to NMS BY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8TH!
A peek inside NMS:
We are very fortunate to have a deep artistic talent pool here at NMS! And we are lucky that we get to see so much of their artwork throughout the year! Check out the latest display, above, from Mrs. Dupuis' art students, and the excellent graphic describing the benefits of art education for all! Below, students in Mrs. Medlicott's Spanish classes created ofrendas as part of their study about the cultural significance of the major holiday celebrated in many Latin American countries, "Dia de los Muertos"! Ofrendas are memorials created to honor and celebrate loved ones, and have traditional objects and materials involved in their creation. Check out the description of Dia del los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, below: "Students were given the opportunity to create a memorial for a loved one, pet, celebrity, fictional character, or even an object that was meaningful to them and is no longer a part of their lives." These personal, and clearly meaningful creations are on display in the NMS lobby.
Attention Skiers and Snowboarders! There is still time to join 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!
Congratulations to our ongoing Money Calendar Winners! So far:
🧥Missing a jacket, sweatshirt, book, water bottle or other item? Check out the rapidly filling lost and found! We have a large supply of abandoned items that have been collected from the gym, cafeteria, classrooms, and other places around the school. Any items that are in good repair will be donated if not collected by December 22, so don't delay in checking it!
📝 Progress Reports for Term 2! Progress Reports for Term 2 will be available on the School Brains portal after 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 15. The School Brains portal can be accessed easily from the NMS website by selecting the "Parent/Student Portal" link under "Parents & Students" in the drop down menu on the top right side of the page. Please be sure you are checking the portal regularly for information on student progress. If you have any questions on student progress in any class, please contact the teacher directly. Contact information can be found in School Brains. When do terms start and end? When do grades close? The schedule for the year's progress reports and report cards can be found here.
Stay Connected! Download the NRSD app and sign up to receive alerts for a specific school, or the district as a whole! Go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) to get the NRSD app and search "Narragansett Regional SD, MA"| 😁 Getting Involved: NMS Extracurriculars |
| Activity | Advisor / Faculty Leader | Meeting Dates |
| After-school Band
2:30 - 3:30* | Mr. O'Connor
(NMS Music teacher) 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
(NMS Art teacher) jdupuis@nrsd.org | Thursdays (as announced) |
| Leo Club (Volunteers) | Mrs. Dupuis
(NMS Art teacher) jdupuis@nrsd.org | Tuesdays (as announced) |
| International Club | Mrs. Medlicott
(NMS Spanish teacher) jmedlicott@nrsd.org | Thursdays |
| Intramurals New to Intramurals? Click here for the NMS Intramurals Permission slip. All students new to intramurals must submit a signed permission slip before attending. | Ms. Eaton (NMS PE/Health teacher) aeaton@nrsd.org & Mrs. Caouette (NRHS PE/Health teacher) lcaouette@nrsd.org | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday |
| Science / STEM Club | Mr. Dufour
(NMS PLTW teacher) cdufour@nrsd.org | Tuesdays |
| Student Council | Mrs. Wheeler
(NMS teacher) gwheeler@nrsd.org & Mrs. Parker (NMS 6th grade Math teacher) lparker@nrsd.org | Every other Thursday (as announced) |
| Theater Guild | Mr. Schlundt (NMS 7th grade Social Studies teacher) gschlundt@nrsd.org | Mondays |
| Yearbook | Mrs. Rivard (NMS 6th grade Social Studies teacher) drivard@nrsd.org | Mondays (as announced) |
| 📣 Important Dates & Reminders |
| Thursday, December 7 | Holiday Concert, 6:30 p.m.! Don' t miss this combined middle / high school event! |
| Covid Clinic--NMS Small Cafeteria (see above for details) | |
| Friday, December 8 | Term 2 Midterm grades close! |
| Friday, December 15 | Term 2 Midterm Progress Reports on School Brains after 3:00 p.m. |
| Thursday, December 21 | Half Day of School--Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. |
| Friday, December 22 - Monday, January 1 | Holiday Vacation |
| Tuesday, January 2, 2024 | School Re-opens; Happy New Year! |
| Thursday, January 11 | NRSD Special Education Parent Advisory Committee Winter Meet & Greet, 5:30 - 7:00, NRHS Library (see flyer, below) |
| 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, January 19 | Term 2 grades close |
| Friday, January 26 | Term 2 Report Cards on School Brains after 3:00 p.m. |
| Friday, February 2 | Half Day of School--Dismissal at 11:10 a.m. Afternoon Professional Development for staff |
| February 19 - 23 | February Vacation |
| Wednesday, February 28 | Term 3 Midterm grades close |
| Wednesday, March 6 | Term 3 Midterm Progress Reports on School Brains after 3:00 p.m. |
| 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 |
| Monday, April 1 | Term 3 Grades close |
| Friday, April 5 | Term 3 Report Cards on School Brains after 3:00 p.m. |
| 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, December 4 | Tuesday, December 5 | Wednesday, December 6 | Thursday, December 7 | Friday, December 8 |
| G Day | A Day | B Day | C Day | D Day |
| Sloppy Joe Sandwich | Nachos w/beef | General Tso's Chicken & steamed rice | American Chop Suey | Assorted Pizza |
| or the salad bar | or the salad bar | or the salad bar | or the salad bar | or the salad bar |
NRSD Food Services Department
| ❤️🩹 Nurse Notes |
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 Health & Wellness Department
| 👟 Athletics |
Winter Sports Registration is OPEN! (except for Cheer!)
Athletics-related questions?
Contact the Athletic Director:
Brad Bond ● gansettathletics@nrsd.org ● 978-939-7325
NMS Athletic Schedule (clickable link)
Shared Expectations! 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!
📲 Did you need to contact someone at NMS? Click here for our new phone tree!