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Portsmouth Middle School
Safe - Respectful - Responsible - Ready to Learn
September 9, 2022
***REMINDER: NO SCHOOL TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13TH -
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT***
Please remember...
- Bring a charged Chromebooks
- Bring a refillable water bottle
- Check our monthly calendar often as items are updated as needed
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Good afternoon Parents / Guardians,
I have decided to place this informative piece about lockers in our newsletter this week as some of you are asking questions in regards to locker usage.
Our intent,and the intent of the School Improvement Team, is to create smaller learning communities. By doing so, monies were approved to create safe, flexible, and purposeful learning spaces for our children.
For a few years now, parents have had concerns with the transition from elementary school to the Middle school, being that it is a much bigger, physical space. We have addressed those situations by making our library a very inviting space, with lots of flexible seating, having learning centers with two teachers only ( with one exception) to further the relationship time with students and be able to dedicate more personalized time to the students. We also have brought into the classrooms personalized bins dedicated to the students for a much more organized situation with their belongings and much less interruption time at lockers. We have hired two Coordinators of Student Life to continually partake of such rich, inviting relationships and propel communications with the grade teachers, students, and their families.
Lastly, we have created a schedule that has been formulated to address student’s academic and social emotional needs individually and also be able to increase teaching time.
I hope that you understand, our plan as a school is to provide our children with a rigorous and safe learning environment as we develop responsibility and become lifelong learners.
I thank you again for inquiring and please let me know if I can clarify anything else.
Have a good night.
João P. Arruda
Principal
PHS Football Games
Dr. Reale, Principal of Portsmouth High School, has asked that we convey a message to our middle school community.
Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when attending the PHS football games.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Most of my classes participated in a Post It Masterpiece wall on the first week of school. It was a great chance to have some conversations with my students about their summer!
Ms. Cavaco
Art Educator 5-8
My School Bucks
UPDATE : OPEN HOUSE
- UA Open House 5:30 -7:00pm
- Grade 5 & 8 6:00-7:30
Wednesday, September 21th - Grades 6 & 7
- UA Open House 5:30 - 7:00pm
- Grade 6 & 7 6:00-7:30
PMS PTO ICE CREAM SOCIAL DATE CHANGE
Time: 5:30-7:00
Where: PMS Playground Area
Meet the PMS PTO, while the kids hand out, have a treat from Pete, and play yard games.
PAINT NIGHT
Time: 6:00-7:30pm
Where: Portsmouth Middle School
Please see flyer for sign up information. Paint Night
STUDENT COUNCIL
Join us
PMS STUDENT COUNCIL
A Feinstein School
WHAT: First meeting
WHEN:Thursday, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022
WHERE: Mrs. Alano’s room grade 8-D2-1
SOCIAL JUSTICE CLUB
Beginning Tuesday, September 27, 2022, Portsmouth Middle School’s Social Justice Club will be meeting after school from 2:45-3:45. If your child is interested in participating, please fill out the Google Form Sign Up. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Younkin (Grade 7 ELA; younkine@portsmouthschoolsri.org) or Mr. Spaltholz (Instructional Systems Coach; spaltholzk@portsmouthschoolsri.org).
MINECRAFT CLUB
The Minecraft Club uses “Minecraft Education Edition” to give students the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities in a virtual, collaborative environment. Students will be able to participate in free play, club challenges, and coding activities through the program.
Students will be provided with devices that are preloaded with the required software necessary for students to participate in this club. No devices may be used outside of the devices provided by the club. There are 25 devices, which will limit the size of our club. The 25 enrollment slots will be filled by the first 25 completed student Google Forms.
Meeting dates are broken into sessions by grade level to maximize student opportunities for participation across all grade levels.
Meets will take place on Wednesdays from 2:40pm-3:40pm after school. Each month of the school year is designated for specific grade level(s). Students are expected to sign up for the late bus or be picked up at 3:45pm.
Use this link to indicate your interest in participating in the Minecraft Club.
25 Students MAX per Grade Level. ALL COMPLETED STUDENT GOOGLE FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SEPTEMBER 29th.
Below are the months we are meeting by grade level.
Wednesdays - 2:40PM-3:40PM
October
5th Grade
November
6th Grade
December
7/8th Grade
January
5th Grade
February
6th Grade
March
7/8th Grade
April
5th Grade
May
6th Grade
June
7/8th Grade
Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm Club
Recently awarded the 2022 Presidential Environmental Youth Award, the Portsmouth AgInnovation farm started in 2020 and continues to thrive. It is a student-led farm where ideas are formed to better the quality of our community. This fall, students will finish up the harvest and start to shut down the farm for the winter.
Located .5 miles from the middle school, the program will run on Tuesday and Thursday from 2:30-3:45 pm. Students are transported from school to the farm and guardians can either pick students up from the farm or they can sign up for the late bus.
If you have any questions, please email Margie Brennan, Science Instructional Coach, K-8 at brennanm2@portsmouthschoolsri.org
Here is the link to sign up
Pickleball Club - Grades 7 & 8
What? Pickleball (all levels from beginners to advanced)
Where? PMS - blacktop courts. But first…Gr. 7 - meet in Ms. O’Neill’s room; Gr. 8 - meet in Ms. Donofrio’s room
When? Thursdays After School from September 22-October 27
- You can ride the late bus home at 3:45, or get a ride if needed.
Why? Because it’s fun & easy - and it’s the fastest growing sport in America!
How? We will teach you how! - We have the nets, the equipment, and the know-how.
Please click the link for the sign up form. Complete and return to school. Pickleball Club
Portsmouth Middle School
Email: arrudaj@portsmouthschoolsri.org
Website: portsmouthschoolsri.org
Location: 125 Jepson Lane, Portsmouth, RI, USA
Phone: (401) 849-3700
Twitter: @PmsPatriots