Dear Parents,

There are a few more weeks to the winter season according to the calendar. We are all anxious for signs of spring – warmer temperatures, green grass, and blooming crocuses. The Third Quarter Marking Period continues throughout the month of March, a sure sign that spring is on the way. Spring is traditionally the season of renewal and cleaning out. Take the opportunity to spend some time with your children cleaning out their book bags, checking to see that they have and are still using their Agendas, and to organize or replace any school supplies needed to get through the last months of school. It may not feel like spring yet, but it’s not too early to prepare for your children’s successful finish to this school year.

Historically, the spring is a very busy time of year especially in schools as we begin to prepare for the end of the current school year and prepare for the new school year. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of a very important meeting that takes place this month, the Foster-Glocester Regional School District Financial Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the high school auditorium. There is a public hearing on Tuesday, March 4, 2024 at 8:00 PM, during the monthly school committee meeting where the school committee will present the budget and the thinking that went into it. I urge you to attend the meeting on March 18, to support the 2025 - 2026 budget so that we can continue to bring the best educational practices to our students.

Please don’t forget to participate in Surveyworks - more information below. It takes about 10 minutes to provide feedback to us. Your valuable feedback, along with our students and staff feedback, will be used as part of our School Improvement planning. Again, your continuous support of the middle school and our programs contributes to our success and is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,

Patricia Marcotte

Principal

Students getting a ride home at 3:05 PM are to be picked up at the back of the school.

Students riding the late bus at 3:05 PM are picked up at the front of the school, when there is a late bus available.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support in helping to keep our Drop-off and Pick-up Procedures running smoothly!

The last date to complete SurveyWorks is March 31, 2025.

Your feedback is essential to our student and school success. Your views on matters like the safety of your child at school, the way students are taught, the condition of the school, and how connected you feel to this school are important. By taking this short survey, you can help our school leadership make improvements to our school. The survey is voluntary. Responses are anonymous and cannot be linked to any individual; no one can tie your responses back to you.

4 Easy Steps to Complete Your Family Survey

Step 1: Visit bit.ly/ridefamily

Step 2: You have now accessed the family survey. There is a drop-down menu in the top left-hand corner: select English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

Step 3: Click where it says select and look for your child’s school in the drop-down menu. Once you find the school, click on “Take this Survey.”

Step 4: For each question, select the answers that best apply to your experience and beliefs. Once finished, click “Submit,” and you are done!

Thank you very much for your participation!

Important Dates to Note for March

3 - 7 - Reading Week

4 - School Committee Mtg & Public Hearing of 2026 Budget

5 - SurveyWorks (Students during CORE)

5 - PTO Mtg (7 PM Room 150)

12 - Chorus Concert (7 PM, PHS Auditorium)

13 - Chorus Concert (7 PM, PHS Auditorium)

14 - PD Day (No Students)

18 - Gr 7 Algebra Readiness Assessment

18 - FGRSD Financial Meeting (Budget Vote)

19 - Lifetouch Spring Pictures (not all students)

19 - Gr 7 Algebra Readiness Assessment

19 - Band Concert (7 PM, PHS Auditorium)

21 - Student of the Month Ceremony

27 - Gr 7&8 Band to Music Festival

28 - Dance (Sponsored by PMS Music Dept.)

Important Dates to Note for Future Planning

April 14 - 19 - No School (Spring Break)

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

All upcoming events can be found on our website > Parents > Calendar... the calendar is updated regularly.

Celebrate Reading during Reading Week, March 3 - 7!

Spirit Week

MONDAY- Wear sneakers & work-out clothes because reading JOGS our minds.

TUESDAY- Wear your favorite college gear or colors because reading makes our futures bright.

WEDNESDAY- Wear a shirt that has the name of a location because reading can take us places.

THURSDAY- Wear only black and white to dress in the colors of a newspaper.

FRIDAY- Wear your Ponaganset shirt or school colors because reading gives us spirit.

In addition to Spirit Week, students will have many opportunities to celebrate reading through various activities such as recommending books, creating a book cover for one of their favorite stories, writing their own children’s book.

We are promoting reading for a number of reasons - cognitive development, vocabulary expansion, empathy and understanding, stress reduction, improved focus and concentration, entertainment, and personal growth. We value reading not only in instructional classes but in all aspects of our lives!

Spring is here and our spring sports start soon!

Please see our website for the most recent information regarding Middle School Sports.

Spring 2025 Registration is OPEN: https://ponaganseths-ar.rschooltoday.com

Registration closes on March 10. PMS season begins 3/24/25.

We look forward to a fantastic spring season. We appreciate your support of athletics!

As part of RIIL's partnership with Dick’s Sporting Goods, the RIIL is proud to share the news of their RIIL Spring Sports Weekend. By using the coupon shown below all RIIL athletes and their families will save 20% at any Dick’s Sporting Goods Store when gearing up for the new spring sports season.

Valid March 7-10, 2025.

Picture Day Date: March 19, 2025

Picture Day ID: EVTXDSXQS

Not all students will be photographed. Only students that pre-order Spring photos will be photographed on Picture Day. All orders must be placed by Wednesday, March 19.

March 4 is the Mid-Quarter Checkpoint for the Third Quarter Marking Period. Be sure to check Canvas next week for your child's mid-quarter grade and be assured, teachers will communicate any failing grades. If you have any concerns for your child's grades, please contact your child's teacher(s) or their school counselor.

RI Department of Education State Assessments begin at the end of this month. All students are expected to participate in State Assessments. A letter will be sent later in the month with more information.

Students will need to be sure their school issued ChromeBooks are charged; turning it off and plugging it the night before will ensure the charge lasts throughout the testing session. Each subject area has two testing sessions.

ELA

Gr 7 - March 25 & 26

Gr 8 - April 1 & 2

Gr 6 - April 8 & 9

Math

Gr 8 - April 29 & 30

Gr 6 - May 6 & 7

Gr 7 - May 8 & 9

NGSA

Gr 8 - May 13 & 14

Please note - No electronic devices other than the school issued Chromebooks are allowed in the testing rooms as per RIDE Regulations. All Cell phones and any smartwatches that have texting/calling capabilities (Smart Watches/Fitbits/etc.) are not permitted and should be left at home. These items will be taken from students in order to ensure the fidelity of the state assessments administered at PMS. Parents may pick up the items at the school.

The best preparation for state testing is to get a good night's sleep, eat breakfast, arrive to school on time prepared to take the assessments.

We ask that students do their best... PMS PRIDE - show what you know!

In accordance with the Rhode Island Department of Health Rules and Regulations Pertaining to Immunization and Testing for Communicable Diseases (R23-1-IMM), all children entering the 7th grade are required to have the following immunizations:

Ø One (1) dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) vaccine.

Ø Four (4) doses of Polio vaccine.

Ø Two (2) doses of MMR vaccine (Measles, Mumps, Rubella).

Ø Three (3) doses of Hepatitis B vaccine.

Ø Two (2) doses of Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine received or a statement signed by your child’s doctor stating that your child has a history of chickenpox disease.

Ø One (1) dose of Meningococcal Conjugate (Meningitis) vaccine.

Ø One (1) dose of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

All children entering 7th grade are required to be up-to-date on their immunizations as well as have a physical exam. The new year is the perfect opportunity to review your child’s immunizations with the doctor to ensure your child is protected from all vaccine-preventable diseases and schedule appointments.

Our Grade 7 students are being screened for Scoliosis. Please refer to the letter sent to you by Nurse Razukiewicz.

Wash Hands Often

Stay Hydrated

Do NOT Share Drinks, Food or Utensils with others

Prioritize Sleep

Cover Your Cough and Sneeze

Wednesday, March 5 at 7 PM in Room 150

Your support of our students and staff by participating in our Charleston Wrap Fundraiser is greatly appreciated!

Congratulations to our Students of the Month for January!

PMS Competitive Cheer Squad 2024-25

Why cook dinner and clean up? Take a night off and support our Grade 8 Class!

Chipotle on Saturday, March 1 in Smithfield.

Thank you!

As we head into the spring of the school year, we have 3 important reminders regarding electronics:

1. All personal electronic devices should not be brought to school. If a student must bring an electronic device to school such as a cellphone or smartwatch, it must remain locked in their locker.

2. ChromeBooks are the property of the Foster-Glocester Regional School District and are not for personal use.

3. Dissemination of sexually explicit content or the mere possession of such content on an electronic device of any kind in school is against RI state law.

Reminder: Cell phones and any watches that have texting/calling capabilities (smart watches/Fitbits/etc.) are not permitted throughout the school day. Also, no headphones/earbuds are allowed during the school day. They must be kept in lockers. All students have been assigned a locker. The school is not responsible for materials/devices that are brought to school and not stored in their lockers.

If used inappropriately cell phones and other electronic devices that access the internet or take pictures can pose a security risk to your child and others. Cameras or cell phones are prohibited in school. Dissemination of sexually explicit content or the mere possession of such content on an electronic device of any kind in school is against RI state law. Any violation will be reported to the police and may constitute a crime. Cell phones, electronics, and games that are not being used for academic reasons with teacher permission will be confiscated and held until the parent can come to school to pick them up. Paging devices are prohibited by state law. Lasers are dangerous and will also be confiscated."

(Full Policy is in the Student Handbook.)

Website: http://fosterponagansetms.ss11.sharpschool.com/
Location: 7 Rustic Hill Road, Glocester, RI 02857
Phone: (401)710-7500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ponaganset