Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for a successful opening to the school year! I think we are off to a great start with setting expectations in a way that communicates our respect for students, each other, and the entire community. Let's continue to reinforce that message this week. A simple, "How can I help you?" or "I can help you," goes a long way in creating a peaceful and supportive community.

I also want to thank you for your patience. The beginning of the school year comes with many challenges, especially the distribution of curricular supplies and technology. Please know that we are all doing our best to get these critical resources into your hands as soon as possible. In order to help us meet the logistical needs, I am asking that you complete a couple of Google forms in this memo, so apologies in advance!

This week, we are moving forward with routines, including Common Planning Time, Advisory goals, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and practicing safety drills. Please read on for more information.

Finally, I want to note that Mr. Schutte has accepted a position serving students with behavioral challenges at RWMS, so although he will not be serving Central students this year, "Once A Knight, Always A Knight"!

Wishing you a fantastic upcoming week!

Respectfully,

Gail

As you may know, RI law requires that schools conduct a minimum of 15 safety drills during the school year. Lockdown drills must be conducted in September and January. If you'd like to review any safety protocols with your students, please find the slide deck below. Please complete the room safety questionnaire form.

Please add announcements to the Google doc. Everyone has editing rights. We will use this method to keep our announcements in one place and provide an easy way to share information with the school community in the morning and afternoon.

RI General Law requires that the Pledge of Allegiance be recited in public schools. Students in the JROTC program will be leading the Pledge during the morning announcement. As noted in the law, participation is not compulsory. Students not wishing to participate may simply remain seated. We explained this to the students during the assemblies on Friday. Please take a minute to let us know if there is an American flag in your classroom.

We will begin to facilitate students' completion of Naviance tasks during Advisory. Please find the slide deck regarding Advisory here. For a quick-guide from the PPSD Guidance and Counseling team, please find the information below.

We will begin Common Planning Time this week. Per the CBA 8-4.2, the Principal may direct up to 4 planning periods per month. The topic this week will be the instructional model and reviewing the walkthrough tool. More to follow in terms of meeting areas.

Please plan to have your Canvas gradebooks set up to match your Skyward grading categories by 9.13.24. The image on the left is captured from our Canvas portal. If you need any assistance with Canvas, please know that in addition to the guides, PPSD pays for the live chat and help features.

Colleagues,

Thank you for your responses! Here is the Library calendar for next week. When signing up, please provide your name, your subject, and what services you need from me.

This is a reminder that PPSD no longer uses Lionbridge; instead, we are using Effectiff. Please r=find the directions attached here.

Please follow the 10 minute rule, meaning no passes the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of class. The feedback I received about the color coding of passes was that it was difficult to enforce, so let's use blue passes and see how it goes.

If a student insists they need to go to the main office, please call 0 and let someone know a student is on their way.

We are currently making the final changes to office assignments. Please reference this list until a hard copy is available.

Please do not send students to guidance. Instead, please have them scan the QR code to make an appointment. The code below works, and you received a flyer in your mailbox.

School Counselors divide the student roster by alpha as follows:

• A-C Clifton Peasley
• D-J Christina Yates
• K-Q Carla RIcci
• R-Z Jimps Jean-Louis

Bus passes will be available after school in the gymnatorium. Students are not allowed to leave class to get a bus pass. No exceptions. RIPTA is free for the first few days of school, so if a student does not get a RIPTA pass right away, they have some time to do so.

My understanding is that students were given Chromebooks and that they are expected to bring them to class charged. I'm wondering how this going. Please encourage students in grades 10-12 to bring any and all Chromebooks they have to school. Freshmen will receive a Chromebook after returning the acceptable use policy.

Please select the following administrators for disciple referrals by grade:

• 9th grade Renee Walker
• 10th grade Bianca Bevilacqua
• 11th grade will be Marcela Astudillo; select Gail DeCecco until Dr. Astudillo becomes available on Skyward
• 12th grade Matthew Buchanan