Dear North Smithfield Families and Staff,
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With the rapidly unfolding news and concerns about the spread of the Coronavirus, I wanted to follow up on my message from last week with some additional information and assurances that we are receiving regular updates from the RI Departments of Health and Education, as well as the CDC, and we continue to follow their guidance and recommendations. 

We pride ourselves on all the renovations and improvements you see throughout our schools. This pride includes cleanliness. Our custodians have expanded their already thorough cleaning procedures to include more extensive disinfecting practices such as: 
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• Disinfecting daily all high traffic areas and high touch surfaces (door knobs, table tops, handrails, etc). 
• Disinfecting high touch surfaces associated with evening and weekend public and athletic events such as last Sunday's cheerleading competition.  
• Additionally, our transportation provider will also be disinfecting high touch surfaces on buses (seats, handrails, etc) in addition to their regular cleaning schedules.

It is important that we all remain informed and that we work together to prevent the spread of diseases. We remind everyone to take the same measures that healthcare providers recommend to prevent the spread of flu and other similar viruses: 

• Get your flu shot and encourage the people around you to do the same. 
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Germs spread this way. 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
• Stay home when you are sick. 
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.

Attached is a letter from the Rhode Island Departments of Health and Education with additional information. 

We will continue to share information and practices with the North Smithfield school community as we work together to ensure that our students, families, and staff remain healthy and safe.  


Michael St. Jean, 
Superintendent

Congratulations North Smithfield! Today the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) released the 2019 results of school accountability where every school in the state was assessed across multiple measures and rated on a 5-star system.

Based on 18-19 data, NSES, Halliwell, NSMS, and NSHS all earned 4 out of 5 stars and, with the exception of a measure or two, were close to 5-star overall ratings.

We are proud of our students, teachers, families and school community, a community dedicated to excellence.

Included below are snapshots illustrating where our schools stand across the state and across each measure.  Full results are at https://reportcard.ride.ri.gov/201819/DistrictSnapshot…
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With the publishing of the statewide RICAS results, we can now assess our student’s performance for the 18-19 school year to affect changes in 19-20 and beyond.  

North Smithfield remains strong in English Language Arts as we consistently rank near the top in the State. Math is problematic state-wide. In comparison to the rest of the state, North Smithfield presents itself admirably in Mathematics rankings. 

However, The RICAS is a very rigorous series of assessments and, even though we are well above the state average for the % of students Meeting or Exceeding the Expectations in both ELA and Mathematics, there is still much work to be done. 

We attribute our strength and growth to the instruction and systems of supports developed between our classroom teachers and our ELA and math Interventionists. 

Analyzing the Data:

While this summary data presents a snapshot of where we stand in the state, it is the supporting data we are most excited about. With the full range of data provided by these assessments, we are better able to identify our strengths and weaknesses across multiple standards and skills, at the school level, grade level, and even at the individual student level. 

Our teachers are analyzing the data and adjusting the curriculum and instruction to ensure continuous improvement.

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The NSPS District Strategic Plan outlines the following Annual Assessment Process:  “In September of each school year, the Superintendent will present the year’s upcoming focus areas, goals, priorities, and initiatives. All school and district focus areas and initiatives will directly connect to the Strategic Plan’s overarching Strategies, Priorities, and Goals.”

19-20 Superintendent Priorities and Goals

​1.   High Standards, Quality Instruction, Curricula, and Student Success:  All students will achieve high standards, annual growth, and graduate college- and career-ready as independent, creative, and contributing members of society.

• Implement new elementary English Language Arts instructional program. 
• Establish 5-8 English Language Arts Program Evaluation Committee.
• Refine K-8 math pacing guides and units of study.
• Update English Language Arts and Health curriculum guides.
• Develop new High School to Workforce Pathway.  
• Expand community, industry, and academic partnerships.

2.   Safe and Supportive Schools:  All students will learn in environments that embody a culture and climate of excellence, mutual respect, and safety.

• District-wide social/emotional learning series 
• District-wide ALiCE training and revised safety and security protocols.
• NSES and NSMS, new grade levels and staff.
• NSHS and NSMS, take advantage of new unified schedule.
  
  

3.   Quality Staff:  All students will benefit when staff has ongoing access to quality professional development, professional learning networks, and time to work, meet, and plan collaboratively.

• Expand faculty opportunities to participate in Professional Learning Communities and Communities of Practice.
• Refine and expand new teacher mentor program.
  
  

4.   Communication and Community Engagement: All students will benefit from increased family and community engagement that builds resources and opportunities for their success.

• Implement next phases of Communications Planning to include systems, branding, awareness, and customer service.
• Expand community outreach and support.
  
  

5.   Effective, Efficient, Responsive Operations and Facilities:  All students will benefit from school and district operations, practices, systems, and facilities that are aligned to supporting quality learning and work environments.

• New science labs and renovations at NSHS.
• Boys locker room renovations at NSHS.
• Additional classroom renovations and modernization across all schools as budget allows.
• Responsive, student-centered budgeting, cost savings, and efficiencies.
• Review and update School Committee Policies for new Policy Handbook.
• New Employee Handbook.