Dear PMS Families,

Spring has arrived! The days are beginning to be warmer and brighter not to mention longer. Students will soon have “spring fever” and begin to think it is the end of the school year and they don’t have to work. On the contrary, we are far from the end of the school year. This time of year is very busy as we begin to wrap up the school year and plan activities for our students. It is important to stress to our students that they must continue to study and complete their school work.

As we approach the Spring Break/April Vacation, it is a good time to check your child's grades and for you to contact your child’s teachers and/or school counseling office with any concerns regarding your child’s progress. It will be too late to help your child in May and June. We want all of our students to successfully complete the 2024 - 2025 school year.

Kind Regards,

Pat Marcotte

Important dates to note for April

2 - End of Third Quarter Marking Period

3 - Fourth Quarter Marking Period Begins

3 - State Choral Festival for Grades 7&8 (all day)

9 - Gr 8 Field Trip

9 - PTO Meeting (7 PM, Room 150)

10 - Music Concert for Grade 5; Grade 6 students perform (9:45 - 10:45 AM)

10 - Dance - Carnival Night (6 - 8 PM; Sponsored by the Music Dept.)

11 - Student of the Month Ceremony (8:45 AM)

14 - 18 - No School (Spring Break)

24 & 25 - School Store

30 - Grade 5 Parent Night (6 PM)

For Future Planning

May 2 - No School Grades 6-11 (Senior Passion Project Day)

May 19 - Grade 7 Boston Field Trip

May 28 - Grade 8 Whitewater Rafting Field Trip

We're very proud of our students! They are working diligently to "show what they know!"

Schedule - Testing Dates

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 know that prohibited electronic devices such as cell phones, smartwatches, Fitbits with internet connection, and earbuds are not allowed in the testing environment during the test sessions. Possession or improper use of such devices during the testing may result in invalidating the RICAS results for not only your child but all of the students and/or disciplinary action. Students should leave their electronic devices at home or the devices must be turned off and stored in their locker as per the Student Handbook.

The school will provide complimentary snacks on testing days to students before the tests are administered.

We appreciate your support in making sure your children are ready to participate in the state assessments by

• Ensuring a good night’s sleep

• Attending school each day

• Arriving to school on time with a fully charged Chromebook (charge overnight)

• A positive mindset, do your best and “show what you know”!

All PMS students have Physical Education in the Fourth Quarter Marking period. Students should be prepared to participate in PE with athletic footwear.

Cross, Uggs, slippers, backless shoes, shoes without laces, and sandals are all unsafe and may cause injury. Students without proper athletic footwear, sneakers, will not be allowed to participate in class that day and will have a limited number (three) of written make up assignments. Students continuing to not have the appropriate athletic footwear will receive no credit which will negatively affect their grade.

We recommend that students keep an old pair of sneakers in their school locker for days they forget to bring/wear appropriate athletic footwear.

The PMS Yearbook is in production and orders are being accepted until April 29, 2025.

See the information below.

Any questions, please contact Mrs. Black sblack@fgschools.com

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.

Congratulations to our Ponaganset 7th and 8th grade music students on their remarkable performances at this year's Middle School Music Festivals!

The band received an "Excellent" rating at the RIMEA Junior Band Festival and Chorus received a Silver Award at the Choral Festival.

Congratulations to our February Students of the Month - PMS PRIDE!

As the weather gets warmer in the fourth quarter of the school year, Ponaganset Middle School expects that all students will dress in a manner appropriate for attending school.

Therefore, for all students some guidelines are noted below:

Apparel that covers the torso, hips, back, shoulders and sides under the arms is appropriate.

Students are not allowed to wear caps, hats, hoods, bandanas or anything covering their faces or heads unless there are religious reasons.

Sunglasses may not be worn in school unless a medical reason exists, in which case clearance must be given by the administration.

Administrators reserve the right to make the final determination as to the appropriateness of student dress. Students who are dressed inappropriately will be subject to progressive discipline.

Please see the 2024-2025 Student Handbook for more information.

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