BRRRRR….We are experiencing a cold and stormy winter since our return from the Holiday Break. This more excessive than usual winter inconvenience has resulted in 2 no school days and several opening delays, something that I do not like to have to do as every day in school is so important! I pledge to you my best efforts and careful decision making so that a school cancellation is the last resort when facing difficult mornings in the next few months. A delay does allow us to count the school day, so that will be our default position whenever possible.
When your children do get to school, it’s game on each day! Students at both schools have been taking the middle of the year assessments which indicate growth or areas of need in reading and math. Scaling up or remediating will be the result of those tests in the coming weeks. As a reminder, quarter 2 ends and report cards will be ready for parents on February 14. History Day is getting started at Lawn School and a fun egg drop activity was held recently. Winter brings indoor after school activities such as girls and boys middle school basketball, robotics competitions, the start up of the spring production of “Willy Wonka.” At Melrose School the Kindness Club is meeting, Gr. 4 Leaders are making their mark on the school and signs of spring are in the air with Garden Club planning. Get ready for a floor hockey tournament at Melrose to kick off our February break!
This is also the time of Budget Preparation and vote by our School Committee before presentation to the Town Council for funding. Please join us at the Town Hall on February 1, 8 and 15 at 6 p.m to hear our details for supporting the Jamestown schools and students. Your support at the Town Council in March and April, at dates yet to be announced, will also be very important. Our new Superintendent search will be starting soon, with an anticipated beginning date of July 1, 2024. We continue to improve our facilities at both schools, as we have recently completed an upgrade of electrical fixtures in all classroom and large spaces; improved the sound system at Lawn School thanks to the Jamestown Education Foundation and the PTO ; and started the construction of the outdoor classroom at Melrose, funded by a RIDE grant. It may be cold outside, but we are very busy in our schools and very proud of our programs. Our recent Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment scores (RICAS) and STAR Accountability ratings have us in the top tier for performance (both Melrose and Lawn) and 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for Lawn and 3 ⭐⭐⭐ for Melrose. Thank you for your continued support and confidence in our schools!
Katherine Sipala
Interim Superintendent of Schools
