Middle School Matters

The Mission of Portsmouth Middle School is to create a strong and safe learning environment: promote social, emotional and physical well-being and to provide opportunities for each student, to the best of their ability, to meet high academic standards, develop responsibility, and achieve the positive social values and behaviors to become productive citizens.

Congratulations to the girls basketball team who gave their best effort in the state championship against Westerly. Westerly was a very seasoned team and ultimately prevailed. The girls represented PMS and all of Portsmouth extremely well. It was nice to see girls from the youth league at the game, looking up to our players, hoping someday to be them when they are in our school.

PMS Kindness Week was a huge success! We raised $1025 for a family in our community in need of our support through bracelet sales. Thank you to all who donated!

Conversations continued during our school-wide advisory on Monday, 2/26, about trusted adults, where we are continuing to focus on creating a positive social school culture. One of the characteristics that helps students identify their school as a safe one is being able to identify a trusted adult, especially one in the school building. This also helps to create a highly personalized learning environment and ensures every child has an advocate.

As we shared in our last newsletter, students discussed the following:

• What is a trusted adult?
• Key features of a trusted adult
• Examples of trusted adults (at home, at school, and in the community)
• Ways trusted adults can help

By identifying a trusted adult and making the connection with that adult, we are continuing to build a positive and supportive environment for our students.

Finally, during advisory on 3/4, students will complete a Trusted Adult survey. The survey will ask students to identify up to three adults in the building who they consider trusted adults. We will use this information for further support students and to ensure all students have at least one trusted adult they can identify at PMS.

Portsmouth Middle School in collaboration with the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition, will be hosting a viewing of the film “Screenagers” on Tuesday March 5th from 6:00-8:00 P.M. followed by a Q&A with a panel of experts.

The panel will include A detective from Portsmouth police department’s internet crimes against children (ICAC) unit, Dr. Randy Kulman PhD, and a member of the Portsmouth Prevention Coalition.

Screenagers is an award-winning film that probes into the vulnerable corners of family life and depicts messy struggles over social media, video games and academics. The film offers solutions on how we can help our kids navigate the digital world.

The event is open to all parents in the district, as well as children in grades 5-12.

Ms. Naron is available to answer any questions and can be reached at naronm@portsmouthschoolsri.org

We have seen an increase in unexpected behavior on the school bus. Although there have been consolidations as well as substitute drivers, we expect our students to behave as if they are in the classroom with their teachers. Dr. Masterson met with the bus company on the Friday before school vacation to review the common issues that have occurred over the previous two weeks. This list consists of bags in the aisle, students switching seats, and talking excessively loudly to name a few. Please review the following school department policies with your child. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s coordinator of student life or Dr. Masterson.

EEAC- School Bus Code

EE-Transportation Services

EEB-School Bus Operation

Currently, we are seeing deliberate damage taking place with Chromebooks (broken keys, pulled keyboard grid, cracked screens, etc). Due to these behaviors (not accidents), we now have a shortage of loaners. In the event a student caused deliberate damage to their Chromebook, they may not be guaranteed a loaner.

FEMA seeks to recruit young leaders with a passion for preparedness to join the Youth Preparedness Council (YPC).

The YPC offers opportunities for teens to share their ideas and feedback with FEMA, grow their leadership skills and work with like-minded peers to help strengthen preparedness and resilience across the country. Members will also participate in a biennial summit in Washington, D.C. with FEMA leaders and other professionals to network and learn more about the field of emergency management.

Click here: Youth Preparedness Council Information for details and links to apply.

Students in grades eight through 11 are eligible to participate. Applications are due March 4th.

Their webinar is Tuesday, February 27th. To register, click here: Register for the webinar

Please see the flier here for a parent workshop on supporting children who live with anxiety.

Patriot Pillars is built on a framework of creating a positive social culture for our students.

Our goal at PMS is to build a positive learning environment where all students feel safe and connected because we know this is how children learn best. As a staff we are focusing on making connections with our students.

Patriot Pillars is a system of reinforcing expected and positive behaviors, aligning student expectations to our school core values: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Ready to Learn.

Ask your child if they have earned any Patriot Pillars this week.

We have two spring athletic openings: head coach and assistant coach for softball. If you are interested or know someone who would be interested, please have them reach out to Dr. Masterson directly.

We also have an (2) openings for RBT's/paraprofessional (registered behavior technician). The job ID is 4487130 for schoolspring.com.

Please see the form linked here to sign up for Unified Basketball. If you have any questions, you can contact our head coach, Ms. Tara McCarthy, mccarthyt@portsmouthschoolsri.org.

The Island rugby football club is looking for 2nd-12th grade boy and girl participants to join their club for the spring/summer season. The sport of rugby has a long-standing tradition of encouraging physical fitness, camaraderie, competitive spirit, and most importantly, FUN! Rugby is face paced, exciting, and one of the most popular team sports in the world. If your child is interested in playing rugby this upcoming season click on the flyer for more details! Additionally there is a FREE winter rugby camp in North Kingstown during February break, hosted by Ocean State Rugby. For more information on that, you can follow this link provided.

The PTO is sponsoring a Family Skate Night! It will take place on March 16th from 4:00-6:00 P.M. The sign up sheet is linked here

Please see the flyer for upcoming events planned with administrators at PMS.

If you would like to volunteer in school or help on a field trip, please use this form going forward to become VIS approved.

Please see the letter linked here from the PTO regarding board openings for next school year.

We are excited to announce that we will be hosting a Family STEAM night on Thursday, March 7th from 5:30-7:00 pm. It will be a fun-filled evening with various STEAM challenges and demonstrations that both our students and their families can explore and engage in together.

We are also looking to add tables of professionals who are experts in the STEAM world and are interested in showcasing their STEAM profession. This is an excellent opportunity to expose students to a wide range of career possibilities. If you are working in a job that falls under STEAM and have something that you can either demonstrate or have small activities, and would like to participate in, please send an email to Margie Brennan at brennanm2@portsmouthschoolsri.org.

Please see the February newsletter here.

Portsmouth School Department has opened up Kindergarten registration. Please see the flier linked here.

Please see the flier here for offerings from Aquidneck Athletic Advancement.

Please see the flier here for more information on the job opportunities within the district for our food service company, Chartwell

Portsmouth Little League has opened registrations for the spring season. Please see the linked flier for more information.

When students arrive at 7:45, they are meeting our core value of "Be Ready to Learn". Thank you for helping your child be a responsible Portsmouth Patriot!

Mrs. Heffernan's Grade 6 Digital Media students have been busy filming their Stop Motion videos. Students worked in small groups to create storyboards, scenery, props, and clay characters to capture a 2 minute original film using ipads and tripods. Students incorporated the four pillars of the National Visual Arts Standards by Creating, Presenting, Responding, and Connecting their work to the world around them. We are having so much fun!