Melville Message Community Update

In partnership with families and community, the mission of Melville Elementary School is to provide all students with a strong academic foundation through diverse and challenging instruction in a safe and nurturing environment enabling them to achieve their greatest potential while developing self-confidence, respect, responsibility, compassion and a love of learning.

During the week of December 5-9 the Melville community will be celebrating Hour of Code Week! Hour of Code started as a world wide event that introduces students to the computer sciences. Here at Melville students will be participating in various plugged (computer based) and unplugged activities to explore computer science, STEAM and coding concepts. In Physical Education, students in grades K and 1 will be programming an unplugged dance party where students who use code to create a dance that their teachers and classmates can perform. In grades 2-4, students will be designing a maze using materials found in the gym and developing a code for their friends to get through the maze. During Music, grade 3 students will be using the Scratch platform to make their own songs. In Art class, Grade 4 students will be designing their own creative Google site logos using the Scratch application. Library classes will be exploring various Code.org applications including Kodable and Scratch Jr. In addition, children in grades 1 and 2 will be doing an “unplugged” activity where they listen to a story and then code the events using their own designs. In addition to all of the amazing activities happening in our unified arts classes we will have a special guest presenter on December 7th. Lego Master contestant, Christine Blandino will be leading one hour Lego workshops for all grade levels. Students in Grades K and 1 will be participating in a speed building challenge and grade 2-4 will be building bridges that can withstand movement and weight. We cannot wait to see the creativity and learning that happens during this week!

Please take a moment to read the Melville Unified Arts Newsletter 2022 to learn about all the awesome things happening in our UA classrooms.

This week you will be receiving your child’s first trimester report card via the ASPEN portal (directions below on how to access this information). We want to make you aware of changes in regards to how your child is being assessed on their report card. Due to the district’s recent adoption of Wonders, our new comprehensive literacy curriculum, it is important that our report card match the work that is currently being done in classrooms.

The grades earned by your child reflect their current mastery of end-of-grade level standards. For example, if your child is in second grade they are being assessed on the standard that is expected of a student exiting second grade. If your child receives a 4, this means that they are currently performing above grade level for that particular end-of-grade level standard. Earning a 3 indicates that your child is currently meeting the end-of-grade level standard. If your child is working towards meeting the standard, then they will receive a 2. It is common for most students to receive 2’s during the first trimester now that we are switching to reporting out on end-of-year standards. Receiving a 1 means that your child is a year or more behind the standard. An N/A means that this standard has not yet been taught.

For our Kindergarten students if your child receives a B (beginning) this means they are beginning to show progress toward the end of year standard. Receiving a D (developing) means they are developing the end of year standard. If they receive an S (secure) they are secure in the end of year standard. An N/A means that this standard has not yet been taught.

Please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s report card.

Accessing the Report Card on ASPEN:

Your child's Report Card will be available on ASPEN via the Family Portal on December 9th. The ASPEN link can be found on the PSD home site and then click on the ASPEN button. If you have any issues logging in, then please email familyportal@portsmouthschools ri.org.

Dear PSD Parents & Guardians,

On behalf of Portsmouth Police Chief Brian Peters and Fire Chief Paul Ford, I would like to invite you to a PSD Parent Safety Forum on December 14th. Portsmouth public safety representatives and school and district leaders will be on hand for an overview of district safety procedures to be followed by a question and answer period. I hope you can join us for this conversation on these important topics.

Tom Kenworthy

Thomas W. Kenworthy, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Save the Date - Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Portsmouth High School Auditorium

7:00-8:30pm

www.providencebruins.com/MelvillePTG

INSTRUCTIONS: Please go directly to the link listed above to purchase your tickets. Once purchased you will receive an email in regards to how to access your mobile tickets through your mobile device.! If you have any questions or concerns please call Matt Long with the Providence Bruins at 401-680-4753 or email him at Long@pseagency.com

School picture day photos have arrived and will be distributed between today and early next week.

If you would to have your child's photo retaken, then our retake day is December 8th!

When you enter the Melville parking lot you may have noticed our Planet Aid Bin. If you have clothing to donate please consider using this bin!

2022-2023 School Calendar

According to General Dental Health Screening Requirements outlined by the Rhode Island Department

of Health (RIDOH) and School Health Programs, Melville Elementary School will hold dental screenings for your child(ren) on Thursday, December 8, 2022. Dr. Marian Royer will be performing the screening. To screen for hard tissue disease (tooth decay), soft tissue disease (gum disease) and urgent treatment need, the school dental screening will consist of a non-invasive inspection of your child(ren)’s mouth using the RIDOH’s standardized screening form. Equipment to perform the screening requirements will include a mirror, tongue depressor, a light source, and non-latex disposable gloves. Gauze may also be used.

When Grades K and Third are screened, these results will be submitted to the RIDOH Oral Health Program upon screening completion. Please keep in mind, however, that all grades, including preschool, are scheduled for this screening - not just K and Third. The RIDOH may also request results from other grade levels as well. These results will help the oral health program staff provide programs to RI children so that they have healthier teeth and gums. We do not use children’s names in reports.

Good oral health is important to your child’s ability to learn and do well in school. Dental screenings are scheduled in your child(ren)’s school every year as required by Rhode Island state law.

Please note that dental screenings are not to take the place of your child(ren)’s scheduled dental visits.

According to 216-RICR-20-10-4, students who are screened by private dentists/dental hygienists and who provide written documentation containing information outlined by RIDOH of the screening being performed at the intervals prescribed by Section 4.17.1(A)(1) are exempt from the requirements and may elect not to be screened. If you do not want your child screened, please reach out to the school nurse. Otherwise, your child will be screened for dental.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to Nurse Trainor at

trainora@portsmouthschoolsri.org or you can call (401) 683-1650, Option 2.

Thank you for your cooperation.

We go outside as much as possible and we want our students to be warm and ready to play! Please help your children select weather appropriate clothing as we enter the colder months.

In order to publish a yearbook, then we have to have parents parent support. We currently have an incredible yearbook coordinator, but this is her last year. We need a parent or parents of children K-3 who would be able to mentor this year and lead next year!

Having a yearbook means so much to the students-please consider lending a hand. If you are interested, then please email me at lauried@portsmouthschoolsri.org.

If you would like to order a yearbook then please do so by following this link and use the SCHOOL ID.

Yearbook Order: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/

School ID: 12072423

If you do not pew order a yearbook, then we may not have enough available to purchase at the end of the school year when it comes out. We order a some extra, but the only guarantee is to pre order, so I highly recommend ordering one ahead of time.

If you have a child in grade 4 and need financial assistance to purchase a yearbook, then please email me directly at lauried@portsmouthschoolsri.org and we will make sure your child gets a yearbook.

We want our families to be partners in all we do. Please complete this Melville Committee Work Volunteer Form to join our teams.

Do you like hiking, camping, learning new skills and knowledge, or doing fun activities with kids your own age? If you answered YES, then scouting may be for you!

Portsmouth’s Cub Scout Pack 1 and Scouts BSA Troop 1 are always looking for new boys and girls that are interested in Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts. Students entering grades K thru 5th in the fall are eligible to join cub scouting, while those who are 11 years or older are eligible to join boy scouting. Currently Cub Scouts meet at the church hall at St. Barnabas on Thursday evenings at 6 pm, while the boy scouts meet at The Portuguese American Citizens Club on Power St, on Tuesdays at 6:30pm. You do not need to live in Portsmouth to join, but you are welcome. There may be a pack or troop closer to you that is more convenient.

Questions on cub scouting please contact Amy Nicodemus at beachgirl627@hotmail.com or for boy scouting Steve Benner at bennersm@cox.net

If you are interested in volunteering or chaperoning this school year, then you will need to complete the volunteer approval process. Mrs. McEvoy in our office is a notary and can be of any assistance, so please do not hesitate to reach out!

In keeping with the spirit of giving, our Feinstein Jr. Scholars are excited to start an in-school food pantry that our students and families can donate to and access when needed.

Please help us as we continue to support our community by sending in food items with your child from time to time. Please email

Mrs. Powell: powelld@portsmouthschoolsri.org or

Mrs. Pascoe: pascoen@portsmouthschoolsri.org

if you would like to access our food pantry during the school year.

How to use AmazonSmile on a web browser:

1. Visit smile.amazon.com
2. Sign in with the same account you use for Amazon.com
3. Select your charity Melville Parent Teacher Group
4. Start shopping! Remember to checkout at smile.amazon.com to generate donations for your chosen charity.
   Tip: Add a bookmark to make it easier to shop at smile.amazon.com.

December

14th-Early Release for Students (PD for Staff)

21st-Grade 4 Holiday Concert

23rd - 31st-Holiday Recess (No School)

January

2nd-New Year’s Observance (No School)

11th-Early Release for students (PD for Staff)

11th-MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

16th-Martin Luther King Day (No School)

February

–In School Book Fair

8th-Early Release for Students (PD for Staff)

8th--MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

20th - 24th-Winter Recess (No School)

March

8th-MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

13th-Statewide PD Day-Distance Learning Day

21st- Grade 2 Field Trip

April

5th- In School Arts for Life

7th-Good Friday (No School)

12th--MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

10th-14th – Spring Recess (No School)

26th-Early Release for Students (PD for Staff)

May

10th--MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

23rd-Melville Fun Run

26th-Staff PD Day (No School)

29th-Memorial Day (No School)

June

7th-Early Release for Students (PD for Staff)

9th – PHS Graduation (Tentative Date)

14th-MPTG Meeting-Volunteer Appreciation 6:00PM

15th- Grade 1 Field Trip

19th – Juneteenth (No School) 20 or 180th day

Email: lauried@portsmouthschoolsri.org
Website: https://www.portsmouthschoolsri.org/Domain/11
Location: 1351 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI, USA
Phone: 4016831650
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009159177892
Twitter: @MelvilleSchool