BW Update - January 22, 2024

Winter has arrived! With the winter weather that is upon us for the next few months, please make sure our students stay safe and warm by dressing appropriately for the colder temperatures.

If there is a weather related delay or cancellation for school, we will notify families via Blackboard-Connect and the email/phone call/text will be sent to the landline, cell phone, and email that is currently on file with the district.

In addition to the email/phone call/text message, the announcement will appear on our website, www.bwrsd.org, and on local news channels. You can sign up for alerts on school closing through the RI Broadcasters Association via this link.

There will be times when school is not canceled, delayed, or dismissed early and the weather is still inclement. Those days will feature slower travel for buses and cars, but will not necessarily require a change in the normal schedule.

Congratulations to 7th grade student Emma Sorrentino on her acceptance into the string section of the RIMEA Junior All-State Orchestra as a cellist!

This spring, she will have the opportunity to perform alongside other top ranking music students from across the state. Emma is receiving these All-State honors in only the first year that she was eligible to audition!

The Kickemuit Middle School Solve for Tomorrow team has recently been chosen as one of only five state finalists from Rhode Island to advance to phase 2 of the 2023-24 Samsung "Solve for Tomorrow" competition!

Solve for Tomorrow is a community service science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) competition hosted annually by Samsung. The goal of the competition is to help teach students how to apply STEM concepts to real-life problems that they notice in their local communities, and then develop prototype solutions to aid in solving those problems.

The problem and solution that KMS submitted for the competition is to develop an accessibility device for people who have had joint replacement or, for other reasons, are unable to lift heavy objects. The team currently has two students who would directly benefit from their potential solution, as well as one coach who has recently undergone a double hip replacement. Due to this, the KMS team feels their problem is very timely and that their solution could be truly life changing for people who face those physical challenges.

KMS was the only middle school selected as a state finalist out of the 300 applicants in the state of Rhode Island! On January 30th, they will be competing against four Rhode Island high schools for the title of Rhode Island State Champions. If the team becomes state champions, they will then advance to the national tournament in New York City where they will compete against the state champions from the other 49 states for a $100,000 grand prize!

On Thursday, February 15th, from 6:00 - 7:00 PM, Mt. Hope High School will be hosting a CTE Open House! Students are encouraged to attend if they're interested in learning more about any of the 5 RIDE accredited CTE programs that MHHS has to offer.

RIDE Accredited CTE Programs Offered at Mt. Hope High School

• Business & Finance
• Architecture & Construction
• Engineering PLTW
• Audio & Video Production
• Graphic Communication Design

For more information, please contact:

Maureen Gauthier

CTE Coordinator

maureen.gauthier@bwrsd.org

401-254-5980 x 3013

Wayne Lima

Associate Principal

wayne.lima@bwrsd.org

401-254-5980 x3022

We hope to see you there!

As the Community Action Program which serves this region, EBCAP remains committed to providing a wide array of essential health and human services to low-income families and individuals. While the information listed below highlights just a few of our high-demand and/or new services, a full description of all the agency’s services can be found at www.ebcap.org. For general inquiries, please email contactus@ebcap.org.

Heating Assistance

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a seasonal program, running this heating season from October 1, 2023 to May 1, 2024. LIHEAP helps income-eligible clients meet the ever-increasing cost of heating and reduce energy burden. To apply for LIHEAP, individuals may either complete our online application or call 401-437-1000, ext. 6606 to apply over the phone.

Upcoming Tax Season

EBCAP’s Volunteer Tax Assistance program (VITA) provides free tax preparation assistance from IRS trained volunteers to East Bay residents who make less than $60,000 per year. Our tax preparation sites are in Bristol and East Providence. Appointments are required and can be made by calling EBCAP's Office of Volunteer Services at 401-435-7876, ext. 1137. To learn more, visit VITA - East Bay Community Action Program (ebcap.org).

Food Pantry Assistance

EBCAP currently operates three food pantries, located in East Providence, Newport, and Tiverton. East Bay residents in need of food assistance may access one of these pantries twice a month. There is no appointment needed to visit, but we do ask that individuals bring a photo ID and complete a brief application upon arrival. For a list of our locations and operating hours, please visit Food Pantries - East Bay Community Action Program (ebcap.org).

Career Closet

EBCAP’s Career Closet provides free work-appropriate clothing to individuals who are currently seeking employment or who are in job training. Our Career Closet is typically stocked with business casual pants, suits, polos, long-sleeved shirts, blouses, skirts, shoes, and socks. Individuals must make an appointment to visit the Career Closet. To learn more, please call 401-435-7876, ext. 1134.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Safe Zone Certification

EBCAP is pleased to share its designation as a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) certified LGBTQ+ Safe Zone organization. EBCAP is the first community action program in Rhode Island to receive this certification, which recognizes the agency's commitment to delivering safe, inclusive, and affirming care to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Pay for Success Permanent Supportive Housing Pilot Program

On Friday, December 15, EBCAP helped launch Rhode Island’s Pay for Success Permanent Supportive Housing Pilot Program (PFS-PSH) at a press conference held at the Rhode Island Foundation in Providence. RI’s Pay for Success is a four-year public-private partnership whose goal is to reduce persistent homelessness in Rhode Island. EBCAP is among four local providers who will begin enrolling eligible individuals in the program and provide them with supportive housing as well as vital wraparound support services. The programs’ other providers are Crossroads RI, House of Hope, and Open Doors. For more details about RI’s Pay for Success program, visit https://www.rihomeless.org/ri-pay-for-success.

Website: www.bwrsd.org
Location: 235 High Street, Bristol, RI, USA
Phone: 401-253-4000