Melville Message Community Update

In partnership with families and community, the mission of Melville Elementary School is to provide all students with a strong academic foundation through diverse and challenging instruction in a safe and nurturing environment enabling them to achieve their greatest potential while developing self-confidence, respect, responsibility, compassion and a love of learning.

Niche, an education analytics organization, released its 2022-2023 public K-12 school rankings in September. The organization uses a variety of data sources, including test scores, enrollment figures, civil rights data and surveys to compare the quality of local schools against one another.

Melville ranked #22 in RI's Public Elementary Schools and #1 in Newport County!

Read the full ARTICLE by CLICKING HERE!

I am writing to recognize and thank our Melville Parent Teacher Group and entire school family for an incredible Fall Festival.

The past few years of navigating the pandemic we have had to make adjustments to traditions. This year we were able to bring the annual Melville Fall Festival back to its full glory. Many of the parents volunteering their time for this event, had not previously attended a Melville Fall Festival, but that did not stop them. These parents led all tasks with love in their hearts and created a perfect day for our community.

Throughout the day last Saturday I stepped back to take it all in…what I saw were families with their children enjoying the day, I saw caregivers and staff working side by side filling popcorn bags, selling tickets, wrapping up cookies, running games, and so much more. Many of us brought our own families (children and spouses) along to help out and to be part of our Melville Family for the day! I saw our high school and middle school students return back to their elementary school to lend a hand. My heart smiled when I saw so many of them seek and find their own now much smaller handprints on our walls.

I can say with 100% certainty that events such as this one are what it is all about! There was not a moment that day that I did not hear laughter and joy from our children. I am so appreciative and grateful for our Melville Family and Community.

Thank you for all you do, for being you, and for having such great children!

All the best,

Danielle Laurie

Mrs. Walker's Class earned both the Art Recognition and the CLASS WHALEDONE! What incredible role models they were during the month of October.

At Melville School we use the Choose Love Social Emotional Curriculum and support the philosophy that, "When educators and students prioritize teaching and practicing essential life skills such as relationships building, emotional management, and coping skills it cultivates a sense of trust and security. This creates a connected and compassionate environment. When students feel a sense of belonging and psychological safety they are happier, more well adjusted, and more likely to seek help.”

On Wednesday afternoon the Tiger Theater company from Plymouth State University put on a Choose Love performance for our Melville Family and through skits and music they reinforced the Choose Love formula:

Please CLICK HERE to sign up for K-1 Family Disco Bowling Night! Space is limited. The form collects emails and Mr. Soares will email all those who signed up as it gets to closer to give you the information needed for the event.

We are approaching that time of the year where colds and flu symptoms are on the rise. Although at times these illnesses are unavoidable, there are several things you can do at home to help prevent sickness and keep everyone feeling healthy. Here are some tips to remember:

WASH, WASH, WASH YOUR HANDS! This is still the best defense against illness. Encourage your children to wash, especially before meals, using soap and warm water. To ensure they are taking enough time to adequately kill germs, have them sing the ABC song while scrubbing.

Get plenty of rest! School age children should get 9-12 hours of sleep each night. Grownups should try to get 8 hours.

Drink lots of fluids and eat a balanced diet - especially breakfast! Even a lighter breakfast of toast and fruit can help settle stomach aches during the morning hours of the school day.

Dress appropriately for cold weather. Please help your child choose warm, comfortable clothing for school each day, including socks. Please make sure they are wearing a coat and as the months get colder, you should consider a hat and gloves as well. Even in cool weather, our students need exercise and fresh air during recess. A student can always take off layers he/she does not end up needing.

Unfortunately, even with the best care, a virus can make us sick. Cold symptoms are best relieved with rest and fluids and may last for several days. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s physician if you have any concerns about the health and wellness of your child.

Please click on the link before for more information regarding viruses from the CDC. Here you will learn about some common viruses, such as the common cold, the flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Be on the lookout for symptoms!

https://www.cdc.gov/features/rhinoviruses/index.html

Please call if you have any questions or would like to discuss your child's illness. If you have a change in address or phone number, remember to contact the school office. It is very important to be able to reach you in the event your child becomes ill at school. Have a safe and HEALTHY fall and winter!

As we approach Halloween, please take a few minutes to click on the link below from the American Heart Association that shares some fun and creative ways to have a healthy Halloween! Stay safe and have fun!

Click here for HEALTHY SNACK IDEAS

The Newport Lions Club will be at Melville Elementary School on Thursday, 11/3/2022 and if needed on Friday 11/4/2022, to complete the required annual vision screening for students in Grades 2 - 4. Other grades will be screened at a different time. If your child wears glasses, please make sure your child has his/her glasses on these days. Students that wear glasses will be screened while wearing them.

Students who do not pass the vision screening will be given a referral form to bring to their health care provider or eye specialist for a more comprehensive evaluation.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our school nurse at trainora@portsmouthschoolsri.org.

We go outside as much as possible and we want our students to be warm and ready to play! Please help your children select weather appropriate clothing as we enter the colder months.

As mentioned in last week's newsletter a Melville student had a Golden Ticket from the Feinstein Foundation and Melville was granted $5,000 to support our community!

In addition to what Melville was granted the Feinstein Foundation asks the winning student which non profit they would like to donate $500 and Bennett chose Sail to Prevail!

Sail To Prevail is a nonprofit that improves the lives of more than 1,000 children and adults, each summer, through sailing in our fleet of specially adapted, 20-foot sailboats. Our programs encourage individuals with disabilities to be active participants in the sailing experience. They steer the boat, grind the winches, and trim the sails. The measurable outcomes demonstrate increased self-confidence and leadership skills.

Dear Families,

As we approach the holiday season, we recognize that this time of year creates added stress for many of our families. Portsmouth School District’s Caritas Fund, our parent groups, teachers and community organizations are able to offer some of the things needed to help make this a happy season for all.

If you need assistance with any of the items on the back of this letter, and are not planning on receiving assistance from any other organizations, please complete this form and send it back in a sealed envelope addressed to Nicole Pascoe or Donna Powell. If you have children in multiple schools, please only complete 1 form and send it in to the school of your youngest child. Forms need to be returned NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 28, 2022.

Due to the increasing need in our community, we are only able to provide gift cards up to $50 for each child. We are also partnering up with St. John’s Lodge again this year for food baskets. If you are in need of a food basket for either the November or December holiday, please contact them directly at 401-683-0231 as soon as possible.

The Caritas Fund supports our Portsmouth families year round with funds for clothing, food and other basic necessities. This fund is completely supported by the donations from our school department employees and the generosity of our community. Monetary donations and gift cards for this fund are always needed and greatly appreciated. If you would like to donate to help us continue our efforts, checks can be made payable to “The Caritas Fund” and these along with gift cards can be sent to school with your children in an envelope addressed to Nicole Pascoe or Donna Powell.

Sincerely,

Nicole Pascoe, School Social Worker: 683-1650 ext. 5050

pascoen@portsmouthschoolsri.org

Donna Powell, School Counselor: 683-1650 ext. 5050

powelld@portsmouthschoolsri.org

Melville's Picture Day is scheduled for Tuesday November 1, 2022 . Information was sent home, however you can order online at mylifetouch.com enter code: EVTFZRVQQ

In order to publish a yearbook, then we have to have parents parent support. We currently have an incredible yearbook coordinator, but this is her last year. We need a parent or parents of children K-3 who would be able to mentor this year and lead next year!

Having a yearbook means so much to the students-please consider lending a hand. If you are interested, then please email me at lauried@portsmouthschoolsri.org.

If you would like to order a yearbook then please do so by following this link and use the SCHOOL ID.

Yearbook Order: https://ybpay.lifetouch.com/

School ID: 12072423

If you do not pew order a yearbook, then we may not have enough available to purchase at the end of the school year when it comes out. We order a some extra, but the only guarantee is to pre order, so I highly recommend ordering one ahead of time.

If you have a child in grade 4 and need financial assistance to purchase a yearbook, then please email me directly at lauried@portsmouthschoolsri.org and we will make sure your child gets a yearbook.

We want our families to be partners in all we do. Please complete this Melville Committee Work Volunteer Form to join our teams.

2022-2023 School Calendar

If you are interested in volunteering or chaperoning this school year, then you will need to complete the volunteer approval process. Mrs. McEvoy in our office is a notary and can be of any assistance, so please do not hesitate to reach out!

In keeping with the spirit of giving, our Feinstein Jr. Scholars are excited to start an in-school food pantry that our students and families can donate to and access when needed.

Please help us as we continue to support our community by sending in food items with your child from time to time. Please email

Mrs. Powell: powelld@portsmouthschoolsri.org or

Mrs. Pascoe: pascoen@portsmouthschoolsri.org

if you would like to access our food pantry during the school year.

How to use AmazonSmile on a web browser:

1. Visit smile.amazon.com
2. Sign in with the same account you use for Amazon.com
3. Select your charity Melville Parent Teacher Group
4. Start shopping! Remember to checkout at smile.amazon.com to generate donations for your chosen charity.
   Tip: Add a bookmark to make it easier to shop at smile.amazon.com.

October

31st-Schoolwide Character Day

November

1st-School Picture Day

8th-Staff PD Day (No School)

9th-MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

11th-Veterans’ Day (No School)

14th--K-1 Disco Family Bowling Night in the Gym (Need to sign up to attend)

23rd - 25th-Thanksgiving Recess (No School)

30th-Ornament Night

December

14th-Early Release for Students (PD for Staff

14th-MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

21st-Grade 4 Holiday Concert 4:30-5:00

23rd - 31st-Holiday Recess (No School)

January

2nd-New Year’s Observance (No School)

11th-Early Release for students (PD for Staff)

11th-MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

16th-Martin Luther King Day (No School)

February

–In School Book Fair

8th-Early Release for Students (PD for Staff)

8th--MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

20th - 24th-Winter Recess (No School)

March

8th-MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

13th-Statewide PD Day-Distance Learning Day

April

7th-Good Friday (No School)

12th--MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

10th-14th – Spring Recess (No School)

26th-Early Release for Students (PD for Staff)

May

10th--MPTG Meeting 6:00 PM

23rd-Melville Fun Run

26th-Staff PD Day (No School)

29th-Memorial Day (No School)

June

7th-Early Release for Students (PD for Staff)

9th – PHS Graduation (Tentative Date)

14th-MPTG Meeting-Volunteer Appreciation 6:00PM

19th – Juneteenth (No School) 20 or 180th day

Email: lauried@portsmouthschoolsri.org
Website: https://www.portsmouthschoolsri.org/Domain/11
Location: 1351 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI, USA
Phone: 4016831650
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009159177892
Twitter: @MelvilleSchool