Middle School Matters

The Mission of Portsmouth Middle School is to create a strong and safe learning environment: promote social, emotional and physical well-being and to provide opportunities for each student, to the best of their ability, to meet high academic standards, develop responsibility, and achieve the positive social values and behaviors to become productive citizens.

There is a change to the lunch procedure this school year. This year, students who are looking to purchase a lunch or snack can report to the line to make purchases upon entering the cafeteria. Students do not have to wait to be called up to get in line. There will be adults at the front of the line to assist with the logistics of moving through the line. This is meant to allow for uninterrupted eating time. If students want to leave their seat, they must still raise their hand to request to move about the cafeteria.

Last week, the school leadership team hosted welcome back assemblies for all grades. Please see the presentation that was reviewed with each grade level. We look forward to hosting families this week at our open house.

On Tuesday, September 17th from 5:30-7:00 P.M., we will be hosting grades 5 and 7 families. The schedule for the night is as follows:

Grade 5 families: At 5:30 P.M. will begin in the Little Theater for a presentation from the school leadership team. At 6:00 P.M., grade 5 families will go to the library for a meet and greet with the Unified Arts department and learn about our offerings for the school year. Here is a link to our Unified Arts teachers. At 6:30 P.M., 5th grade families will then report to their child’s learning center for a meet and greet with their team of teachers. Here is a link to the teams of teachers.

Grade 7 families: At 5:30 P.M., grade 7 families should report to the library for a meet and greet with the unified arts department. Here is a link to our Unified Arts teachers. At 6:00 P.M., grade 7 families should report to the Little Theater for a presentation from the school leadership team. At 6:30 P.M., the 7th grade families should then report to their child’s homeroom classroom. The teaching team will then share with you the schedule for the final 30 minutes of the night. Here is a link to our grade 7 team. We will share the presentation in the next edition of the Middle School Matters.

On Wednesday, September 18th from 5:30-7:00 P.M., we will be hosting grades 6 and 8 families. The schedule for the night is as follows:

Grade 6 families: At 5:30 P.M. will begin in the Little Theater for a presentation from the school leadership team. At 6:00 P.M., grade 6 families will go to the library for a meet and greet with the Unified Arts department and learn about our offerings for the school year. Here is a link to our Unified Arts teachers. At 6:30 P.M., 6th grade families will then report to their child’s learning center for a meet and greet with their team of teachers. Here is a link to the teams of teachers.

Grade 8 families: At 5:30 P.M., grade 8 families should report to the library for a meet and greet with the unified arts department. Here is a link to our Unified Arts teachers. At 6:00 P.M., grade 8 families should report to the Little Theater for a presentation from the school leadership team. At 6:30 P.M., the 8th grade families should then report to their child’s learning center for a meet and greet. Here is a link to our grade 8 team. We will share the presentation in the next edition of the Middle School Matters.

The middle school is aligning with all other district schools by utilizing an online form to report absences from school. The form is linked here for your convenience. It is also on our website.

The student handbook has been uploaded to our website as well. Here is a link to it. There have been updates to consequences related to suspension. If families or students have any questions regarding the student handbook, please do not hesitate to reach out to a coordinator of student life or the school administration.

School picture day for PMS is Tuesday, September 17th from 8:15-11:00 A.M. Pre-order online here https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001157406 by September 17th and your order will be delivered to the school. Orders placed after that date will be shipped home and may incur shipping charges. Here is a link to the flier.

You may qualify for free breakfast/lunch. To see if you do, please click the link here and apply. If you qualified last year, you will have to reapply again this year. Please have this complete by October 1st so that you do not get charged for a meal.

This week, students will be taking the STAR assessment for reading and math. This assessment takes place three times a year (fall, winter, spring). Students will also be taking an IXL diagnostic assessment. Some classes have already completed this assessment. All assessments should be finished by the end of the week schoolwide. Families will receive a parent report with results. Our intervention team will meet to review all the results and develop and groups/plans for students who may need tier 2 or 3 support.

Rhode Island Football Club Game and Fundraiser

Join the PTO on September 21st at 7:30pm for a match between Rhode Island FC and FC Tulsa. $10 from each ticket sale will go to the PTO. A fun way to enjoy some live soccer and support our efforts for PMS! Please see the link here to purchase tickets.

Fundraiser Letter

Please see the letter here that outlines the information for the fundraiser. Here is a flier with more information on the incentives associated with the fall fundraiser. Please be sure to sign up by 9/23 and we will kick off our fundraising on 9/26. There will be prizes for the top 3 fundraisers per grade!

Meetings

Thank you to all of the parents who were able to attend our first meeting of the year. We had a great turnout and appreciate your time. Mark your calendars for the next meeting on October 2nd at 6pm in the PMS Library.

Escobar Corn Maze

Our annual Escobar Corn Maze night will take place on Friday October 4th from 3:30pm-dusk (rain date is October 18th). We partner with Hathaway PTA and Melville PTG for this fun night and all our proceeds will go to help support the care of Holly, our PSD comfort dog. More info to come.

School Store Coordinator Needed

We are looking for a volunteer to be the coordinator for our school store! We need someone to help give the store a bit of a makeover as well as help coordinate volunteer shifts and keep things running smoothly. You must have a valid VIS approval. If you are interested, please reach out to portsmouthripto@gmail.com.

Clements Receipts

We are collecting Clements receipts this year - please send in receipts with your student in an envelope labeled “PTO” or drop off at the front office.

Volunteers in Schools

If you want to volunteer in Portsmouth schools, you must have a valid Volunteers in Schools approval. Please see the link here for instructions on how to complete your application.

Hi 8th Grade Families.

Can you believe our kiddos are in the 8th grade and leaving PMS? Seems like yesterday we were worried about 5th grade, getting their new schedules, planners, and if they would they get lost walking around PMS.
We would like to start an 8th grade parent committee that would help with some fundraising ideas, parent/student get togethers, eighth grade dance, and other activities throughout the year.
If this is something you are interested in being a part of please email us, liljenn12@gmail.com, and we will add you to the list.
Thank you for your time.
Look forward to making this a special year for our kids.
Best.
8th Grade Parents

Yesterday, Dr. Masterson attended the New England Patriots home game. Although the outcome was not what we had hoped for, we were particularly proud to see that there were representatives from the United States Navy base stationed in Newport who were recognized before the National Anthem and the subsequent flyer over. It was an excited moment and personal to us as we are a military connected community here in Portsmouth. We appreciate all military connected families for their service and sacrifice.

Fire drills occur on a regular basis. State law requires each school to conduct eleven fire drills, two lockdown drills and two evacuation drills each year. Shelter in Place drills are conducted throughout the school year. Children are given instruction on all procedures. Students are expected to behave in a calm, orderly manner during these exercises. Please review the importance of such exercises with your child and emphasize the need for appropriate behavior.

A lockdown is an alert to a school community that students and staff should not leave the classroom and should spread around the room until provided with further direction.

An evacuation requires all students and staff to exit the building and meet at a designated safe place.

A shelter in place is an alert to a school community that movement outside of classrooms is being restricted for a brief period of time. It is typically used when a student or staff member is requiring some sort of attention (sometimes medical) and the school is trying to keep that area clear and/or protect that person’s privacy. If there were a serious safety concern the school would not issue a shelter in place.

We will send notification of lockdowns, evacuations, and shelter in place drills and events via email.

Here is the presentation that was shared at a Parent Safety Forum that was hosted in conjunction with the Police and Fire Departments. The Run, Hide, Fight FBI philosophy guides our safety training.

The P3 Sandy Hook Promise Anonymous tip line is a resource that we encourage anyone to use if there is ever an immediate safety concern.

Get Back on Track with Routine Vaccines with the Vaccinate Before You Graduate (VBYG) Program

VBYG is a partnership between the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) and The Wellness Company (TWC) that provides vaccination clinics to RI middle schools and high school students. Students who are due or overdue for vaccines can be vaccinated during the school day, with no out-of-pocket cost regardless of their health insurance status. On-time vaccination is essential because it provides immunity before students are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Available to all students in middle and high school at no out of pocket cost.

• Clinics are convenient - all immunizations are administered during the school day.

• Immunizations reported to Rhode Island Child and Adult Immunization Registry (RICAIR) within 48 hours.

• Students can catch up on required or recommended vaccinations that they may need for school, college, or work.

• Thousands of vaccines administered annually. Individual school and statewide reports are available at Data on Vaccinate Before You Graduate | Immunization Data Hub Site (arcgis.com)

VACCINES OFFERED

REQUIRED: Hepatitis B, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Meningococcal, Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Td or Tdap) and Varicella (Chickenpox)

RECOMMENDED: Hepatitis A, MenB, Influenza and COVID-19 (ages 12+)

For information on statewide immunization requirements, visit https://health.ri.gov/immunization/for/schools/

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

Visit our website: Vaccinate Before You Graduate | The Wellness Company (thewellcomp.com) to view the current VBYG calendar, access the registration or check out important resources.

VBYG Announcements summarize the program and contain a QR code for easy access to the registration page: parent and student versions available (English and Spanish attached)

CONSIDER THESE OPTIONS FOR PROMOTION:

• School website

• Display posters in high traffic areas

• Daily announcements

• Newsletters

• Open house

• Health class

CONSENT - RIDOH requires a signed consent form for all vaccines administered. Verbal consent is not an option.

OPTION 1 (preferred): Register electronically at Vaccinate Before You Graduate | The Wellness Company (thewellcomp.com)

Students under the age of 16 will need consent from a parent/guardian. Students 16 and older can sign for themselves.

RIGL 23-4.6-1 “ (a) Any person of the age of sixteen (16) or over or married may consent to routine, emergency, medical or surgical care. A minor parent may consent to treatment of his or her child.”

OPTION 2: Submit a signed consent form to the school nurse. English and Spanish (attached), other languages available by request.

CONSENT DEADLINES: 4 business days prior to clinic

• Online registration submitted OR hard copies emailed or faxed to TWC at least 4 business days prior to clinic.

• Consents received after the deadline will be postponed until the next scheduled clinic. VBYG nurses are unable to make exceptions for last minute add-ons.

• Schools should indicate deadlines when sending out information about the program.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Rosters and Reports: Gen Plante, gplante@thewellcomp.com, 401-270-0299

Clinic scheduling, vaccination review and medical questions: Assigned VBYG Nurse Manager (VBYG Nurse Managers will be contacting all school nurses over the next 2 weeks).

Lesa Volpe, Immunization Program Manager, lvolpe@thewellcomp.com, 401-439-3545

Maria Bisono, RIDOH Adolescent & School Immunization Coordinator, maria.bisono@health.ri.gov, 401-222-4624

Portsmouth Youth Basketball (PYB), a non-profit organization, was formed in 2007 with the goal of teaching fundamental basketball skills to children in grades 2nd-8th in a positive environment of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Registration for the '24-'25 PYB season is now open. For those new to PYB, the recreation league practices one day a week, has games on Saturdays at the PHS field house, and will run from December to February. The divisions are broken down by school grade, Rookies are 2nd grade only and then it progresses to two-year groupings, NCAA 3rd-4th grade, Jr NBA 5th-6th grade, and NBA 7th - 8th grade. There are grade specific travel team opportunities as well. Please note that participation in the Recreation program is required to play travel. Travel is an additional program registration. For more details, please visit https://www.portsmouthyouthbasketball.com/ or contact info@portsmouthyouthbasketball.com. We hope to see you on the courts this winter!

Feel free to check out this flier with a sewing class opportunity.