2011-2012 Year in Review

The following is the list of accolades and accomplishments in its entirety...

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Accolades for Our Elementary Schools

Community Public Service and Outreach

• Each year 4th graders at one school participate in the city’s Arbor DayCelebration by reading poems and planting trees while students at another school plant flowers to commemorate Veteran’s Day.  

• Pennies for Patients collected almost $4,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation in three of our schools.

• Numerous Food Drives throughout the year have collected over 1,200 items at one school and 2,000 items at another school for the Stop & Shop food drive and the EBCAP Food Pantry.

• Student Council at one school organized Grocery Bingo, collecting donations for the prizes.

• Two “Giving Trees” at Christmas provided gifts to over forty (40) needy families in one school – ten (10) more than last year, and provided new clothing and toys to thirty-eight (38) needy children in another school.

• Students and staff at one school collected clothing, art supplies and books and sent them to Haiti with a student teacher who was going there.

• Students at one school sent letters to service members in Afghanistan to cheer up the troops.

• Students raised money for the Potter League at one of the schools.

Community Support for Academics

• Twenty seven (27) community volunteers (in addition to the fifty SalveRegina University volunteers) are trained in literacy strategies and work in classrooms in every school as Books Open Life’s Doors (BOLD) volunteers.

• ABC 6 meteorologist, Chelsea Priest, visited and participated in our “The Weather Channel” program.

• The Island Moving Company presented “Mother Goose” as part of a Reading Week Celebration.

• The Aquidneck Island Mentor Program has seven (7) community mentors working with students at Cranston Calvert, two (2) community mentors at Coggeshall, one (1) mentor at Sullivan, and five (5) community mentors at Underwood. They meet with students at least once per week.

• Raytheon Engineers (12 men and women) work one on one with students, who have been identified as truant, in the area of mathematics support.

• Gina Bernier, a community volunteer, works with several 4th grade students on an innovative program she created for math fact memorization through visual presentation of an algorithm embedded within a photographic image.

• Guest speakers like Patrick Kennedy and Alan Shawn Feinstein bring the larger community into the schools.

• Every class in one school is working with Annie Guinan in the Community Garden.

• Incorporated the Library Book Mobile at one school to increase the book selection for K-4 students.

Grants/Award Recipients

• One of our schools was selected this year as a partner with BJ’s in their Adopt-a-School Giving Plan.

• Last year, one of our schools was recipient of the NAESP “Sharing the Dream” grant, one of only 25 grants awarded in the country. It received $5,000 for our “Connecting Families around the World” project and took 4th grade classes to the United Nations in New York City.

• Newport Public Education Foundation Teacher Excellence Grants, totaling $10,515, were used to extend learning activities that support the academic  programming across all schools.

• Holly Minuto, a first grade teacher, was selected for the Exxon-Mobil Science and Math Institute this summer.

• Sue Moore, a fourth grade teacher, is a nominee for the Presidential Award for Math and Science Teachers (PAEMST).

• Dale Blaess, a kindergarten teacher, was selected as an Early Childhood Author for Brain Quest.

Student Leadership

• Students earn “Starbucks” for their good behavior in one school and incentives for good behavior like “Caught in the Act” or “Terrific Kids” in other schools.

• Student Council runs the School Stores in the schools.

• Reading Buddies programs in all schools encourage older students to read and mentor younger students once a week.

• Michael Phelps, a Cranston Calvert student, who is one of the 3 member team won 1st place for 3rd graders in Double Dutch tournament in Boston.

• Safety patrol duty is provided by 4th graders in one of our schools. These students help take care of the playground and the bus lines.

• A Student-led project at one school gathered and mailed Care Packages to our troops in Afghanistan.

Academic Outreach

• Family Science Night, one school’s first time, was hugely successful with 12 different stations facilitated by teachers and Salve students.

• Each school had a Family Math and/or Literacy Night facilitated by teachers and 21st Century staff.

• Each school is hosting parent nights aimed at reducing truancy through parent education and involvement.

Partnerships with Higher Education

• There are partnerships with Roger Williams University, University of Rhode Island, and Salve Regina University for placement of Pre-service Teachers in methods, practicum, and student teaching assignments.

• Over fifty (50) Salve Sophomores are trained in literacy strategies and work in classrooms in every school as BOLD volunteers.

• There is a strong instructional partnership in one of our schools between Grade 4 and the Salve Regina University Science Department – a hydroponics project using inquiry method, science majors and science department facilities.

Extended Learning Time

• Successful February and April Vacation camps at two different schools included visits from the fire departments, police department, post office, Potter League, and a trip to visit the hospital.

• Favorite Afterschool Programs at one school are Lego’s, Kid’s Yoga, the Weather Channel, Tae Kwon Do, Show me the Time and Money, and Wreck, Tinker, and Fix.

• Students visited “The Art of the Brick” Lego Exhibition at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River. Since then, the Lego Afterschool Club has expanded.

• The Newport Art Museum partners with us in Afterschool Programming.

• Girl Scouts of RI hold meetings in our schools.

• A garden committee at one school is getting the garden prepped for the Garden Group Afterschool Program.

• Raytheon, Ballard Park, and NUWC support our science Afterschool Programming, as well.

Accolades for Our Middle School

 Community Public Service and Outreach

• Correspondence from President Obama: Fifth grade teacher Keyla Hernandez asked her students to write to President Obama during an instructional unit about the branches of government. Within a few weeks, the class received correspondence in return!

• Colin Davis Fundraiser- Fifth grade students, in coordination with Junior Student Council, organized a faculty/student basketball game that raised funds for a fifth grade Gaudet student undergoing treatment for cancer. This was a remarkable display of the compassion of our students here at TMS.

• Kinsale Letter Exchange: This is a new program in which sixth, seventh and eighth grade students engaged in a letter exchange with students from the Summercove National School in Kinsale, Ireland. Letters from TMS students were delivered by members of the Newport City Council. In March, Principal Kathleen Lane of Summercove visited TMS and met with our students. The program was coordinated by Brenda Bachman with Rachel Andrews, Lisa Olaynack, Kacie Gallo and Stephanie Sullivan assisting in the student letter writing.

• Shimoda Letter Exchange: TMS fifth grade students are currently in the process of writing letters to their peers in Shimoda, Japan. This program will closely resemble our Kinsale Letter Exchange. Letters from our students will be delivered to the students in Shimoda by a Newport delegation in mid-May.

• Black Ships Festival Art Exhibit: Works created by TMS students Amy Yang, Henry Rayner and Gavin Livingston were selected to be sent to Shimoda, Japan as part of the Newport presentation in May.

• The TMS Green Team- With a strong collaborative effort of the students in grade 6, especially three prolific grant writers, Sofie Trapp, Meg Turner and Allie Gordon, we were able to secure our first grant of $400. Our next step is to plan and organize the TMS Community Garden and plant seeds. Soon, our garden will bear fruit and vegetables for the Saint Vincent dePaul soup kitchen next door at St. Joseph’s church. Lisa Olaynack is the advisor to the Green Team.

Community Support for Academics

•  Books Open Life’s Doors (BOLD)- Three (3) community volunteers are trained in literacy strategies and work in fifth grade classrooms as BOLD volunteers.

• TMS Rhody Squash Team- The TMS Rhody Squash team was assembled in early October after a tryout of over sixty Thompson students. Twelve students were selected to participate on the team. Students meet at the Newport Squash facility on Freebody Street three times per week for two hour sessions. One hour is dedicated to academic/tutoring support while the second hour is for squash training.

• Aquidneck Island Mentor Program (AIM) – AIM has thirteen (13) community volunteers and four (4) Salve Regina University students mentoring twenty-five (25) middle school students at least once per week.

 Grants/Award Recipients

• Laura Caster NPS 2012 Teacher of the Year: Laura Caster, a TMS special educator, was named district 2012 Teacher of the Year for Newport Public Schools.

• Barbara Walton-Faria 2011 State Level Awardee for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching: Barbara will be honored on May 9th at Aldrich Mansion in Warwick, RI for her exceptional work and outstanding contributions in support of math and science education.

•  Crystal Apple Award Winners: During this inaugural year of the Crystal Apple Award, three members of the TMS faculty and staff were selected by their peers as being exemplary members of the Thompson community. This year we honored Sue Genga, Justin Buffman and Jennifer Robinson for their contributions to our school. Recommendations were made by the faculty and staff and final winners were selected by the TMS administration.

• Best Youth Band Award- 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Presented to the TMS band director Ian Gollub by Newport This Week. Honors Division 2012 Police Parade, RIMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival – Emily Boucher and Raven Ferri, Music Enrichment trip to Boston Conservatory for clinics and tour May, 2012. Band enrollment has more than doubled since school year 2009/2010. The number has grown from 35 students to 81 currently enrolled.

• TMS Black History Bowl: The TMS Black History Bowl team won for a 3rd consecutive year. The team of 7th and 8th graders received recognition from the Newport School Committee. TMS social studies teacher Michael Browner coached this team with the help of Elizabeth Gibbs and Lee Russell.

• Martin Luther King Day: The District continues to host the NAACP Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Celebration at Thompson Middle School.

• Silver Key Award Winner: Josiah Panjetti, a 7th grade TMS student, was presented the Silver Key Award at the Rhode Island Scholastics Art Awards. His design, chosen from hundreds of applicants, was put on display at the Antone Academic Center at Salve Regina University. Josiah’s art teacher at TMS is Nicolle Icart.

• Winners of the Providence Performing Arts Scholarships: Thompson Grade 8 students Abby Wasylean and Kyle Mello-Pires have been awarded Providence Performing Arts Scholarships. These competitive scholarships award the students with up to $500 for summer arts study. They will be honored along with the other 28 statewide winners in a ceremony on the PPAC stage on Monday, April 30.

• Winner of the Annual City of Newport Holiday Card: Patrick Kirwin, a 5th grade student, was named the winner of this year’s holiday card design competition. His rendering was printed on over 1,000 cards sent out by the City of Newport.

• RIMEA All-State Festival- Three TMS students selected: Pearl Emerson in Grade 7 for treble chorus, Michael Garvey in Grade 7 for junior orchestra and Ian Chase in grade 8 for junior orchestra.

Student Leadership

• STAR Students Recognized: Over 60 TMS students were recognized by their teachers as being positive contributors to the school culture. These students were recognized by TMS administration and teachers at Barnes and Noble in December 2011.

• National Junior Honor Society: After a very successful inaugural year, we look forward to our ceremony in June for the newly inducted members of this prestigious honor society. Entry into NJHS is based on four qualities- scholarship, leadership, character, and citizenship (community service). In terms of scholarship, students must have a cumulative average of 90 (all classes included) for the first three quarters of the school year to qualify for membership. Students must complete a minimum of 12 hours of community service on a minimum of 2 projects. Students should also be exemplary members of our Thompson Middle School community. Laurie Sullivan is the advisor of the National Junior Honor Society.

• Inaugural Year of Junior Student Council: Thompson Middle School has begun its first year with a 5th Grade Junior Student council. The council has done some wonderful fundraisers for our community including: Colin Fundraiser Basketball games raised $200 for Colin’s family; Necessity Drive for Saint Lucy's Food Shelter Potter League in the amount of $300; The Junior Student Council advisors are Margie Brennan, Kara Leary and Keyla Hernandez.

• TMS Public Celebrations of Art: Recently, TMS has publicly promoted the fantastic work that is being done in Steve Schreiner’s art classes. As we have moved through instructional units, student work has been submitted to all local news outlets and has been carried by two of them. (1) The first submission was by Carolyn Craft as she worked on her “Picasso Stocking Sculptures.” Students explored the work of Cubism artist Pablo Picasso while they created a cubistic inspired sculpture using a wire hanger, stockings, wood, and acrylic paint. The unit focused on the following elements and principals of art: balance, color, shape and pattern. (2) The second submission celebrated the work of fifth grader Infinity Jones. Her sculpture, based on the artwork of Alberto Giacometti who was renowned for his tall, gaunt, figurative sculptures that were extremely expressive yet simple.

• Dan O’Donnell’s Certificate of Merit from the Narragansett Council Boy Scouts of America: Dan, a sixth grade student, was awarded a Certificate of Merit for his “quick, independent thinking and compassion in committing a selfless act.” On October 13th, Dan was participating in a TMS cross country meet. A student from another school collapsed and fell. Dan stopped, checked him, and found him unresponsive and in medical distress. As other runners passed them and continued in the race, Dan ran to locate another adult and explained the situation. The adult stayed with the other student while O’Donnell ran to the finish line to alert the coaches and get help. Dan was disqualified from the race, but acted in a selfless manner helping another runner in need! This is another example of the type of student that we embrace at TMS.

Academics/Academic Supports/Outreach

• NECAP Scores on the Rise: TMS showed great gains in reading on the NECAP assessment. Grade 8 improved by 11 percentage points, Grade 7 improved by 12 percentage points, Grade 6 improved by 9 percentage points and grade 5 improved by 1 percentage point. Gains were also seen in mathematics in three of the four grades. This is great progress for student achievement at TMS.

• Study Island Math Contest: Students from grades 6-8 participated in a math contest on Study Island during April vacation week. Study Island is an online math resource and enrichment program. Students completed NECAP like test questions. The student who completed the most correct for each grade span (middle school for us) will receive a $100 gift card to Amazon.com. The winner has not been announced yet, but the students who participated from TMS completed over 1250 questions with an 80% accuracy rate. This type of activity shows us a glimpse of the future of blended learning with the support of technology. The use of Study Island allows our students to engage in more hours of math instruction and assessment outside of the classroom.

• Family Fitness Night - In December, the TMS Physical Education staff held its first Family Fitness Night for all students and parents/guardians. The evening was packed with fun filled activity stations including aerobics, yoga, kickboxing, rope jumping, and much more. Organizations within the community took part in the evening’s events and were on hand to present their programs and provide information. This inaugural event was a way to promote the importance of a healthy lifestyle for all members of our school community as well as take advantage of the fitness opportunities here in Newport.

• As part of our second year of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) TMS implemented a series of school-wide celebrations of positive behavior recognition. Students earned raffle tickets for meeting expectations in the POWER matrix. Bi-weekly drawings were held throughout the year with 8 students recognized every other week. The prizes included gift cards to local businesses and restaurants in the Newport area. Additionally, we had our inaugural mid-year celebration at the Jane Pickens Theatre where close to 300 TMS students were invited to the theatre to watch a film with popcorn provided. The event was acknowledged on the Jane Pickens marquee and was covered by Newport This Week. The celebration took place on May 10 as hundreds of TMS “positive students” attended a Paw Sox game.

• TMS College Days: Teachers and students donned college gear Friday during Thompson Middle School’s second official “College Day.” Throughout the day, teachers shared websites, photographs, diplomas, and stories about their higher education experiences. Students wore tee-shirts and sweatshirts commemorating universities their family members have attended, or institutions they dream of attending. The celebration’s goal was to encourage students’ future plans and to expose them to a rich array of higher education locations, degrees, and experiences.

Extended Learning Time

• New TMS Theatre Club- Sixth grade teacher Lisa Olaynack has organized a theatre troupe for TMS. Currently, the group meets on Fridays Afterschool and is planning a production called TMS Tales. Recently, the students were invited to visit the ongoing renovation of the Opera House with Dominique Alfandre from the Island Moving Company.

• Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) & Newport Community School – Bullying rap song written, performed, and recorded at a recording studio, by Ian Gollub’s afterschool choral group was conceived as a result of a grant from the RIPIN to address the effects of bullying. A poster depicting this project was on display and the music played at The Bully Walk in Providence, on Saturday, May 5, 2012.

Accolades for Our High School

Career & Technical Center

Community Public Service Outreach

• Each year two blood drives are held at Rogers in conjunction with the RI Blood Center.

• Cosmetology students have been providing manicure services to area senior citizens at the King Center.

• A Night of Beauty fundraiser to benefit The Adolescent Leadership Council (TALC) of Hasbro Children’s Hospital was hosted by Cosmetology students.

• Horticulture students participated in a memorial tree planting at Morton Park. The tree was planted in memory of Mr. Simpson who was a former Newport Tree Forester.

• Horticulture classes recently participated in the Bare Root tree planting program in Newport. The students helped in planting 14 new trees on the RHS campus.

• The music department is helping to save the environment this year by making guitar picks out of used gift cards, IDs cards, and credit cards.

• A premiere screening of “Give Me a Shot of Anything: House Calls to the Homeless” by Jeff Schwartz was presented by Michael O’Connell as a component of his senior project. This documentary film provided the RHS community with an exclusive look into the world of the homeless and the doctors who care for them. All proceeds from the screening went to St. Joseph's Church Soup Kitchen.

• A fundraiser was held by senior Devon Gomes to raise both awareness and money to address the problem of teen homelessness that exist within our own school community. As part of this project we have collaborated with the MLK center to create a food bank within RHS to address our own students’ needs.

• Senior Chris Cudworth organized a firefighters’ chili cook-off and information dissemination on fire safety held at the Elks Lodge. Proceeds were donated to the Newport Fire Department for equipment purchase.

• The RHS award winning Green Team continues to collect recyclables every third day of the RHS schedule.

• Science teacher Scott Dickison has established a collaborative relationship with Save the Bay to address storm water runoff on our campus and lessen its impact on the lily pond and the local marsh environment.

• Students of Dave Connell’s Advertising – Design and Media program have annually carved pumpkins for Ballard Park Jack-O-Lantern night.

• Ninth grade English classes participate in cross age tutoring with first graders at Sullivan and Underwood.

Community Support for Academics

• The Aquidneck Island Mentor (AIM) Program has two (2) community mentors working with students at least once a week.

• The fifth annual Food and Wine Expo was held at Oceancliff to raise funds for the music department at Rogers. Entertainment was provided by RHS music ensembles.

• Biology Students from Rogers High School in collaboration with Save the Bay participated in an environmental studies field trip to Prudence Island. Students have been studying environmental conditions at Gooseneck Salt Marsh in Newport. Save the Bay sponsored a trip out to Prudence Island for these students to compare pristine salt marsh conditions to those of their local marsh which was recently undergone an extensive restoration project.

• RHS hosts the annual Black History Day assembly in which both a community member and an RHS student are recognized for their service to the community.

• The annual Winter Concert was held in the RHS auditorium. This concert featured the RHS chorus, orchestra and band with special guests the Navy Band Northeast Wind Quintet and Brass Band.

• RHS students participated in “A Pathway's To Jazz” workshop with Jon Faddis which was held at Ochre Court on the Salve Regina University Campus. The topics included demonstrations and the insights derived from world class, seasoned musicians were of value to all students wishing to learn more about jazz.

• The 17th Annual Nutmeg and Mistletoe Concert took place in December. This event is in memory of Matt Quinn who started this concert as a celebration of the holidays. All proceeds benefitted the Mathew Quinn Scholarship Fund at Rogers High School which supports promising student musicians from Thompson and Rogers with scholarships, lessons and additional support.

• As a part of a Physical Education/Health project, sophomore Josie Chaves has arranged for Chris Herren to speak at Rogers. Chris Herren is a former Celtics basketball player who struggled with substance abuse most of his basketball career. Chris has been sober since August 1, 2008 and presently runs basketball clinics and shares his inspiring life story with audiences all over the country.

• RHS is a member of the New England Secondary School Consortium which develops, supports and promotes bold educational initiatives. As part of this membership, Rogers is seeking to create innovative ways to incorporate technology into the classroom.

• On May 22, 2012 AP Chemistry students will be competing in a statewide chemistry competition at URI.

• Rogers High School students participated in art exhibits at the Elms and the Newport Art Museum.

• RHS students have participated in the annual “Impressions of Newport” art exhibit at the Newport Yacht Club, and the annual Rough Point art exhibition, the All City Choral Performance and the All City Strings Performance as well as the RIMEA Solo and Ensemble Festival in May.

•  Community members serve as judges and mentors for both National History Day and Senior Project.

• Rogers High School students participate in paid internships with the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Technology Apprentice Program during the summer.

• The annual RHS Arts Showcase will feature internationally acclaimed musicians Bernard Purdie, Greg Abate, and the What Cheer Marching Band. The showcase includes workshops and clinics in theatre, music, art and dance.

Grants and Award Recipients

• Valedictorian, Tiphanie Fuentes, was awarded a full four year scholarship to Harvard University. She will be dual majoring in Computer Science and Linguistics.

• Colleen Hermes, Social Studies Department Chairperson, was selected as the Newport District 2013 Teacher of the Year. The Emerging Artist Show, an exhibition of regional high school art at the Portsmouth Arts Guild, awarded first place honors to junior Kelsey Gowen.

• Winners of the annual George Washington Letter Essay Contest, sponsored by Ambassador John Loeb of the Loeb Visitors Center at the Touro Synagogue were announced and included sophomores Nick Kreis (third place winner), Allison Thompson (second place winner), and Jesennia Zamora (first place). US History students crafted essays on the history of religious freedom in America and researched historical background of the 1790 George Washington Letter to the Touro Synagogue.

• Junior, Lydia George, will be studying abroad in Thailand in August of this year. In return, Rogers High School will host, Julianne Chaves Ferreira from Sao Luis, Brazil. This international exchange program is sponsored by the Newport Rotary Club.

• Sophomore, Hannah Davis has received a scholarship to attend school next year in Germany through the Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange program. She is one of 250 students nationwide to receive this award and opportunity to live abroad with a host family. The U.S. State Department funded Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program (CBYX) is for motivated high school students who want to fully immerse themselves in German culture by living with a host family and attending a local high school. No previous language experience is required. Initiated in 1983, the Congress- Bundestag Youth Exchange program was created to strengthen ties between Germany and the United States through citizen diplomacy.

• Seven teachers participated over the summer in workshops sponsored by the Rhode Island Foundation and Rhode Island Council for the Arts dedicated to incorporating the arts into the core curriculum. Projects implemented as a result of attending smART schools include a collaborative relationship between music and English.

• The English Department held their annual Shakespeare competition in January. Seven students participated and senior Tiphanie Fuentes went on to the state-level competition sponsored by the English Speaking Union in Providence.

• Mr. Patrick Largy, English Teacher, has been awarded a scholarship by the English Speaking Union to study literature in Scotland this summer.

• Senior Michael Finn was a finalist in the US Senate Youth Program. He was the only student from Aquidneck Island public or private high schools to receive this honor.

• Fifteen Rogers High School Juniors participated in the RI National History Fair at Providence College. Nine students received awards including Lydia George (RI Labor History Award), Myranda Fuentes (3rd place in historical papers), Fiona Heany (3rd place website), Gabrielle Hermes (3rd place documentary). Chase Ceglie, Will Chilton, Devon Mello (2nd place group performance), Clare Brown and Elizabeth Rudd (1st place group exhibit) will be travelling to Maryland to compete at the National History Day national level.

• The AOIT program swept the Technical Computer Applications contest at SkillsUSA. This is both a school first and a program first.

• At the annual SkillsUSA program, Fiona Heaney won the gold medal in Technical Computer Applications for the second year in a row. (Students of the AOIT program have won the gold medal for four straight years. The silver medal this year went to sophomore, Erik Sola. The bronze went to sophomore, David Richards.

• In the Web Design contest, the silver medal went to the senior team of Michael O’Connell and Alex Bronk.

• In the field of Prepared Speech, the silver medal went to senior, Alyssa MacKinnon.

• In the field of Extemporaneous Speaking, the bronze medal went to sophomore, Hannah Deen.

• Culinary student, Courtney Ferreira, a junior received a Bronze medal (third prize) in the Commercial Baking & Pastry Competition.

• Ben Wyatt was a gold medal winner in the SkillsUSA Advertising Design competition and passed a National PrintEd exam with one of the highest scores ever achieved by a RI student.

• Jose Sola and Steven Stefanac were winners of the 2012 AAA/Ford Auto Skills state competition and will be flown out to Dearborn, Michigan to represent Rhode Island in the National contest.

• Trevor Morgera was awarded first place in a state-wide design contest for the Battle of the Bands at Ballard Park.

• Junior, Chase Ceglie, will be featured and perform a solo with the RIMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble in the Newport Jazz Festival this summer.

• The RHS Jazz Ensemble won first runner up for best youth band in St. Patrick's Day Parade.

• Six Cosmetology students took the Rhode Island State Board of Cosmetology license exam.

• In its inaugural season, the Unified Basketball Team will be competing in the State playoffs.

• The RHS Football Team was the Division 3 League & State Champion. Reeyon Watts, Divon Bailey, & Cody Platt were selected to the Providence Journal All-State team.

• The Boys Basketball team honors include: the Freshman State runner-ups, JVs Division 2 State Champions, Varsity Division 2 East Champions and Final Four participant in the State Open championship.

• Girls Basketball won the Varsity Division 2 South Champions (first time since 1997).

• Girls Indoor Track & Field senior Grace Janes was named a 1st team All-American in the Weight Throw.

• Boys Ice Hockey sophomore Connor Rubin was recognized as  Student-Athlete of the Week.

• Rogers High School was ranked #8 in RI by US News and World Report based on our AP participation by students of poverty and our increase in the number of students a score of 3 or more.

• Lee Rabbitt, Lee Rabbitt, Director of Technology, Newport Public Schools was honored with the Making IT Happen award provided by the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for her dedication to education and successful integration of technology in the classroom. During the award ceremony, Lee Rabbitt was described as a leader with a passion and commitment to making sure that IT happens. She has been a leader in educational technology in RI for over 20 years supporting innovative applications of technology at the classroom, district and state level. She is currently serving on the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) Data Team responsible for navigating the intensive system and data requirements associated with successful implementation of the $75 million federal Race to the Top grant. In addition to her role as technology director, Lee serves as the RI Lead Education Agency (LEA) representative on the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) National Forum and chairs the NCES working group writing the NCES Teacher Course Student publication. She has also been involved in writing several publications for NCES including Data Ethics, Forum Guide to Decision Support Systems and Forum Guide to Ensuring Equal Access to Education Websites.

Student Leadership

• Members of the National Honor Society continue to distinguish themselves by achieving in scholarship, leadership, character and service commitments.

• Ten students attended the Student Leadership Conference at Providence College. Focus was on the characteristics of leadership and tools to be an effective leader in the school community.

• Sophomore Allison Thompson is attending the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Academy in Brewster, Massachusetts. Senior Hanna Horan will be returning this year as an alum and student leadership mentor.

• Freshmen are attending a leadership summit at the Pell Center of Salve Regina University.

• Twelve RHS students attended the annual Rhode Island Interscholastic League Wellness Conference “Are You Ready to Compete” with workshops on nutrition, concussions, and injuries/rehabilitation.

• Senior Michael Finn and junior Sophia Waugh attended the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Student Ambassador Program. These students serve as liaisons to the student body and school community in various RIIL initiatives.

•  Team Building activities for the entire student body were conducted in conjunction with the Rhode Island National Guard.

• Twenty-five students will be attending the SCORE Program at the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, to help at risk students develop better and appropriate decision making skills to aid in dropout prevention.

• Fifteen students participated as student leadership mentors through the DARE Program, working with fifth graders as positive role models in helping students make good decisions.

• The JROTC cadets participated in the annual leadership retreat.

• A Leadership Advisory is being created in which upperclassmen will mentor ninth grade students as they transition to high school.

Academic Outreach/Extended Learning Opportunities

• Incoming ninth graders attend the Rogers 101 Program to help in their transition to the high school.

• The Newport Community School provides Afterschool tutoring, remedial and enrichment opportunities.

• The Credit Recovery Program continues to run both during the summer and throughout the school year and provides opportunities for all students to be successful and stay on track for graduation.

• Students participated in the Virtual High School program taking courses in Mandarin Chinese, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science, AP Government and college-prep electives.

• The Alternative Learning Program (ALP) for at risk students continues to offer multiple pathways to graduation.

• The Physical Education/Health Department offers after-school wellness programs such as kickboxing, Zumba and walking club to provide additional health and fitness opportunities for student and staff.

• Bi-annually the RHS Theatre Company produces both a drama and a musical production that welcomes the general public. Recent performances include: Annie, Our Town, and Beauty and the Beast.

Partnerships with Higher Education

• The annual Financial Aid Night was held in conjunction with Salve Regina University’s Financial Aid Director, to assist students in completing financial aid paperwork for college.

• Junior Jesse Sullivan will be completing her senior year at the Community College of Rhode Island as a Running Start Program participant.

• URI Peer Advocacy Group presented a school-wide assembly on Teen Dating Violence in conjunction with RHS Health Program.

• Up to 25 juniors will be participating in the Bridge to Success Program with mentors from Rogers Williams University, who will work with students academically and help them through the college application, financial aid and scholarship process.

• Many students participate in the University of Rhode Island (URI) Talent Development Program which prepares students for the college experience.

• The RHS Administrative Team is working with Salve Regina to write a grant to fund a cooperative partnership that will develop a dropout prevention program for Rogers High School.

• The Guidance Department, in collaboration with the Salve Regina University Admissions Officers, are working together with the RHS English Department to have all grade 11 students complete the Common Application and a college essay in May 2012. All work will be scored twice by admission counselors and classroom presentations will be given in June, 2012, with personal feedback to each student from the Salve Admission Counselors. Salve will be providing contact information for further individualized discussions concerning college applications and essays.

•  AOIT teacher, Monica Awde has brokered an articulation agreement with Bristol Community College, earning AOIT students 6 college credits should they choose to matriculate there. A similar agreement exists with New England Tech. An agreement with CCRI is in process.

• Salve Regina University regularly sends students to mentor students in the Alternate Learning Program (ALP).

• An Early Enrollment Program partnership with Rhode Island College continues. This program allows students to earn college credits for certain courses taken at Rogers High School.

• RHS participates in the Community College of Rhode Island’s (CCRI) enrichment program allowing high school junior and seniors to take college courses concurrent with their enrollment at Rogers.

2012 ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

Adrian College

Arcadia University

Assumption College

Barry University

Boston College

Boston University

Bristol Community College

Bridgewater State University

Brown University

Bryant University

Campbell University

Castleton State College

Coastal Carolina College

Colby Sawyer College

College of Charleston

College of the Holy Cross

Community College of RI

Curry College

DeSales University

Drexel University

Endicott College

Emmanuel College

Fairfield University

Flagler College

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Southern University

Furman University

Green Mountain College

Harvard University

Iona College

James Madison University

Johnson and Wales University

Johnson State College

Keene State College

Lasell College

Louisiana State University

Mercer University

Mt. Ida College

New England Tech

Nichols College

Northeastern University

Plymouth State College

Providence College

Rhode Island College

Rollins College

Roger Williams University

Sacred Heart University

Salve Regina University

Simmons College

State University of NY Binghamton

Stetson University

St. Anselm’s

St. Leo’s University

St. Louis University

Stonehill College

Suffolk University

Susquehanna University

Transylvania College

Tufts University

University of Albany

University of Hartford

University of Maine

University of Miami

University of Mississippi

University of New Hampshire

University of New Haven

University of North Dakota

University of Rhode Island

University of South Florida

University of Southern New Hampshire

University of Vermont

Wentworth Institute of Technology