Jamestown School Department Home

The academic year started with tremendous energy at both schools, first with our teaching staff and teacher assistants on Aug 26 and 27 and then with our 390  students (210 at  Melrose Pre K-4 and 180 in Grades 5-8 at Lawn)  on August 31. Sixty two (62)  of our students are from military families and we welcome them with enthusiasm and interest in where they have come from. The transition from the slow pace of summer to a busy schedule at school seemed easy for all and students were quickly involved in meaningful learning activities. Welcome to all!!

The summer saw renovations and building improvements at both of our schools. We can’t wait to show off the newly refurbished Lawn School Gymnasium, the Weather Station atop the school and a new Library/Maker space and 5th grade wing.  At Melrose, new exterior doors were installed; HVAC improvements completed in the Library, and Art and Music Rooms; and we continued the process of new furniture, fixtures, carpeting and paint in Grade 3 to match the coordination begun a few years ago in the earlier grades.  All of these improvements are creating better teaching and learning environments for your children and their instructors.  Look around when you visit at Open House on September 29th  at Lawn School and October 1st at Melrose School.  

At the district level, I am working with the School Committee to select a model for the future leadership of the schools.  The Committee has determined to continue a part time model and we are speaking with a neighboring district about the possibility of sharing a superintendent. More on that project in the near future. Another exciting project is the Facilities Project.  We are working with an architectural firm to assess several plans and will eventually select one to adopt and guide our future building improvements. Our new district Strategic Plan, developed last year with community, parental and teacher input, is being rolled out this year with a focus on the Portrait of the Learner.  It is an ambitious 5 year plan which builds on the successes of the former Plan to bring more project based learning to our students. 

Finally, both of our schools were recently recognized by the Rhode Island Department of Education for achieving among the highest student attendance rates in the state. You, our parents, are great partners in this effort and we ask for that continued diligence this year as well.  

Let’s all have a great year!