Dear PMS Families,

The leaves are turning the vibrant colors of autumn and the morning air is crisp. It’s October, one of the most beautiful months of the year especially in Foster and Glocester! It also means our school year is well underway and everyone is settling into their classes and schedules.

Your child should be doing homework, studying, or at the very least, reading every night. Families, please, use this month to help your child get organized by setting up a schedule at home to organize her/his/their school work and extracurricular activities. The goal is to find a comfortable balance in the amount of time spent on each activity and provide at least 8 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Decide when homework/studying will happen - right after school, the hour or two before dinner, or right after dinner before TV or game time. Where will homework be done in your home? A quiet place free from distractions (no phones, TV, electronics, games, etc.) is recommended. Setting up an “after school routine” now will ensure your child succeeds. Our young adolescents do better in school when their parents are involved in their lives and education works best when teachers and parents work closely with one another. If you would like more information about helping your child through the Middle School, feel free to contact your child's school counselor.

Warm Regards,

Pat Marcotte, Principal

Important Dates to Note for October

1 - School Committee

4 - Back to School Assembly - Find the Value, Lead with Love

9 - PTO (7 - 8 PM, room 150)

10 - PHS Open House for Grade 8 students & families

11 - Student of the Month Celebration

14 - No School/Holiday

25 - Halloween Dance (Sponsored by Girls Basketball Team)

27 - PTO Fundraiser (Chipotle)

29 - School Committee

Important Dates to Note for Future Planning

PMS Student activities Fundraiser - Sept 27 - Oct 27 at Haunted Gallows.

PD Days

Nov 4 - PD & Parent Teacher Conferences

Jan 31

Mar 14

Senior Projects - May 2 (No School for Grades 6 - 11)

Northwest SELAC (Special Education Local Advisory Committee) meeting schedule for the

2024-2025 School Year:

Dec 10, 2024
Feb 11, 2025
May 13, 2025

Meeting Location: Ponaganset Middle School, Room 150

Meeting Time: 6:00PM

Dances for 2024 - 2025

October 25 Halloween Dance (sponsored by Girls Basketball Team)
January 24
March 28

May 16
June TBD (8th Grade Dance)

Be sure to check the calendar on the website for other important dates and events.

The calendar may be added to your mobile device... click the "PMS Calendar" button/link at the bottom of the Newsletter.

October 1, 2024 is the mid-point of the First Quarter Grading Period. This is a good time to check Canvas to see how well your student is progressing in each of their classes. If you have any questions or concerns at any time, please be sure to contact your student's teacher(s).

First Quarter Grading/Marking Period: Aug 28 - Nov 1

Thank you for your support as our opening to the 2024-2025 school year has been very smooth!

Just a couple of reminders to ensure our students have a good day:

- Our students in the FGRSD are fortunate that all of them are registered to ride the bus. The more students riding the buses the less automobile traffic is on the campus especially during Drop-off which ensure students are on time in the morning.

- All school rules carry over to the bus in addition to the safety rules specific to the bus. Students not following the rules and/or endangering the lives of others on the bus may receive consequences.

- Students who are ill must be dismissed by the nurse. Seeing the Nurse ensures the student has been checked on to determine the seriousness of the student's condition.

Please read this information before the Dance on Oct 25.

School Dances - Family/Parent Information

Halloween costumes are welcome, no masks and/or weapon accessories are allowed.

PMS has partnered with Haunted Gallows in Burrillville to raise money for our students.

20% of every ticket sold using our unique promo code will be donated back to PMS at the end of the 2024 season. We encourage you purchase tickets online and using our promo code. This secures your preferred date and time and helps you skip long lines at the event.

Use the Buy Tickets Here "button" below to purchase tickets.

Thank you for your support!

The PTO is scheduled to meet on the second Wednesday of each month.

October 9 is the next meeting, 7:00 - 8:00 PM in Room 150 at PMS (lower level).

Volunteers are always welcome to help with the School Store, Dances, Field Trips. Please be sure to have an up to date BCI on file with the school. All state and national backgrounds are performed by the Rhode Island Office of the Attorney General at the Attorney General’s Customer Service Center located at 4 Howard Avenue (on the corner of Howard Ave and Pontiac Ave) in Cranston. For more information, please visit www.riag.ri.gov or call (401) 274-4400.

Chieftain Apparel/Spirit Wear can be purchased the the PMS PTO Online Store.

Visit https://looktoelitestores.com/ponaganset_middle_school/shop/home to place your order.

PTO Fundraiser on October 27 at Chipotle.

Great Idea for a Family Night - dinner at Chipotle then to Haunted Gallows for fun!

We're excited to announce our partnership with the Cook Center to bring you a Mental Health Awareness Month virtual series!

Throughout the month of October, we will be offering a variety of online workshops, designed to provide support, resources, and a safe space for everyone.

Whether you're looking to learn new coping strategies, connect with others, or simply take some time for yourself, we have something for everyone.

Here’s a sneak peak of the variety of topics the series includes:

• Bullying-Stop the Cyle 10/7 @ 7 or 9 P.M.
• Establishing Healthy Boundaries 10/8 @ 7 or 9 P.M.
• Parenting through Anxiety and Depression 10/9 @7 or 9 P.M.
• Social Media: Protecting Your Child 10/15 @ 7 or 9 P.M.
• Building Your Child’s Confidence 10/23 @7 or 9 P.M.

Register at this link or scan the QR code.

During the month of September, we've been building relationships, coming together as teams and came together as a student body during our PRIDE Assembly on Friday, Oct 4.

Find the Value, Lead with Love

Teams decided upon their names this year! Introducing...

Winter 2024-2025 is coming!

Registration is open: https://ponaganseths-ar.rschooltoday.com Registration closes 11/15/24

PMS season begins 11/18/24 and PHS season begins 12/2/24
Questions can be sent to Athletics@fgschools.com

Website: www.fg.k12.ri.us
Location: 7 Rustic Hill Road Glocester, RI 02857
Phone: 4017107500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ponaganset/
Twitter: @PonagansetMS