Week Ending May 26, 2017

We are heading into a very busy time for our seniors and their teachers and advisors. This past week we have had the departmental awards and the senior athlete banquet. Coming up this next school week Chromebooks will be collected from seniors, then Honors Night Thursday evening which is followed by Class Day next Friday. That day will be the last time our seniors will officially come to school for daily classes. The time is flying by for all. As we move through the next few weeks of school remember to breathe and enjoy the students, the end is almost here.

Memorial Weekend is upon us. It is time to honor and remember those who have served in the armed forces and lost their life while in the military. The annual parade to honor the nation’s fallen will begin at 10 am from Wilson Park, through Wickford and will end at the High School. Enjoy the day.

Health & Wellness

From Karen D’Abrosca

May 26, 2017

This week’s Wellness tip is about “TINY TWEAKS”.  We think we need to make big sweeping changes with areas in our life not working or flowing as smoothly as we’d like.  Therefore, we procrastinate and often do nothing.  Tiny Tweaks make a big difference in how you feel.  What small change can you make in your yard, kitchen, bathroom, school routine, car or classroom?  What would make the experience flow a bit easier?  Organize, buy flowers or pick what’s in your yard!  You’ve got an extra day this weekend to do it.  Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Upcoming Events/Important Dates

May--Reflection

29 No School - Memorial Day

June - Pride

1 Honors Night

2 Class Day

5 Senior Banquet

6 Graduation Rehearsal

  Senior Prom

8 Dialogues in Democracy

11 Graduation (12pm Ryan Center)

13 School Committee Meeting

Good News!

The Democracy teachers were surprised on Wednesday in front of their advisory classes in the auditorium with a visit from the League of Women Voters to recognize them for their outstanding work in their democracy classes. Below is a section of a letter sent to the school informing me of their award.

Congratulations!  It is a great pleasure to inform you North Kingstown High School’s History/Democracy teachers Christopher Carty, Liam Mooney, David Avedisian, Serena Mason, David Lopes, Larry Verria, and Damon Lindsay are the 2016-2017 Susan B. Wilson Civic Education Merit Awards' Grand PRIZE of  $1,000.00.  

The League of Women Voters of South County bestows this award, through funding from the LWVRI Education Fund, to honor Rhode Island's school teachers who enrich their students' understanding of civic rights and responsibilities; encourage their students' civic participation; bring context and relevance to crucial events affecting governmental institutions within the United States; and/or have promoted understanding and appreciation of individuals who have played pivotal roles in such events.

Christopher Carty, Liam Mooney, David Avedisian, Serena Mason, David Lopes, Larry Verria, and Damon Lindsay provided an extraordinary contribution to civic education that reflected in the knowledge their students’ attained – as identified by a Wilson Award judge:  “The students learn two important qualities of leadership that will impact their lives and the lives of others:  1. The power of influence to change human behavior. 2.  The power of data to support change.  Students learn how to collect data and how to influence others.”

The teachers have been invited to an awards reception at the Statehouse on June 7, 2017 at 4:30 pm in the Governor’s Reception Room. Congratulations.

The Skipper Pride winner is Carol West, who was chosen from the last winner, Cindy Normand

From  Cindy to Carol:

Carol,

It is with great pleasure that I nominate you for the Skipper Award for Excellence.  We have known each other for many years and I treasure both the professional and personal relationship we have formed and maintained over the past twenty-five years or so.  All who work closely with you know that you are one of the most kindest, compassionate, hardworking, intelligent, and classiest gals in the building. Gosh, even on dress down days, you look fabulous in your crisp ironed shirt and perfectly pressed designer jeans! One would never guess your age as you are filled with such positive energy day in and day out.

You put in so much time and effort to your job and can often be seen working into the late evening getting all your work done as most of your day is chairing special education meetings. I am in awe of how well versed you are with all the special education laws yet you manage to find the balance of making parents feel they have been heard.  I have been at many meetings with you at the helm and some of these have been contentious; you show empathy and keep yourself composed at all times which is not an easy feat!

You treat every student and staff member with respect. I truly believe you do not have a bad bone in your body.  Patience is your second name and as such, you have such a calm demeanor. You support teachers, parents and students with such care.  Although you do not have a case load, you are an incredible teacher to all who surround you.  Carol, your words of wisdom carries so much weight as we all hold you in such high regard.

Your generosity is second to none; you are the first person to donate money to help anyone in need and will pitch in to any cause.  You are so talented when it comes to crafting. I have seen you assist students with their senior project, staff members who are trying to finish a project they should not have started (yes, that would be me) and you offer your crafting services to anyone who asks!

You make us all laugh with your sense of humor. We all love listening to you talk about the love you have for your family, especially your latest addition, sweet Will. I am so excited for you as you enter the next stage of your life-RETIREMENT! Words cannot express how much we will all miss your presence in our wing. It just won’t be the same without you Carol.

Teaching and Learning

On May 23rd Susan Eriksen, John Daneau and Richard Sweetman took their chemistry students to URI. There they were able to compete in a contest and also have a tour of the new Chemistry and Forensic Science building which the students got to tour.  The students in the picture are in front of a large Periodic Table. Very cool.

The next day Dr. Reukberg, professor at URI, emailed Mr. Daneau to let him know that

“Your Division I Team and your Division II Team both scored in the Top 5 teams in their divisions.”

The students involved in the contest are listed below. If you see them give them a hand shake.

Division 2 Students (Students with more than 1 year of chemistry)

Ian Wyllie (II)

Josh Johnen (II)

Grace Castillo (II)

Erin Corcoran (II)

Erica Smith (II)

Caroline King (II)

Harrison Elleman (II)

Kaitlin Young (II)

Division 1 Students (Students with less than 1 year of chemistry)

Alex Norris (I)

Jack McCormack (I)

Elisa Quinones (I)

Meredith Thibeault (I)

Kimberly Cameron (I)

Melanie Fournier (I)

Gordon Gray (I)

Zach Wilson (I)

.

Tech Tip

From Mark DeLucia:

Week Ending May 26, 2017

Read&Write

I saw this extension being utilized in a life skills classroom in another district and left blown away.  Read&Write provides literacy support for students with learning difficulties.  Students can hear words or even whole passages read aloud to them or even see the meanings of words explained with text or pictures.  For my World Language and ELL colleagues-- it also functions in other languages and has supports for ELL students.  It features speech-to-text, and makes outlining easier, enabling students to highlight text and then cull the highlights into a separate Google Doc.  In addition to web pages, it's compatible with PDFs, Docs and ePubs (for those using e-readers).  These features are free for 30 days, however teachers are able to continue the premium subscription for FREE by clicking here and registering their version.  Get it here.

Food for Thought

"Only the dead have seen the end of war." -- Plato

Until next time, Think, Create, Innovate...Denise