February E-Update - Chariho Regional School District

 February 2015 E-­‐Update Chariho Regional School District From your Superintendent… “There is no substitute for hard work.” I believe that when students exhibit strong effort, anything is p ossible. The challenge is to figure out how to encourage hard work. For some students, it’s accountability. For others, it’s encouragement. For all students, it’s high expectations. Through policy, we have attempted to encourage hard work and the production of a high quality work product. Please insist that our students are challenged, stretched, and encouraged to struggle through obstacles. Grit matters! We are through the first-­‐phase of the budget development process with the completion of budget workshops. At this time, the 2016 budget calls for an increase in expenses of .61% and a decrease in contributions from Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinton of $625,960. This is largely possible because of a larger than normal surplus. I have cautioned the School Committee and Town Councils that it is likely that the surplus will be substantially smaller next year and that they should plan accordingly. I’m looking for groups of talented students, employees, parents, bus drivers, or anyone else connected to the District to video a school closing ‘message’. Get your creative juices flowing! The video should be no longer than two minutes and make it clear that the Chariho Regional School District is closed for the day. The best message(s) will be used when we need to close, with credit to the ‘performers’. Send videos to me at barry.ricci@chariho.k12.ri.us. We’ll be administering the new state Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessments in mathematics and English Language Arts. PARCC will replace the NECAP assessments. PARCC has two separate testing periods, with one in mid-­‐March and another in May. The results of these assessments help us to measure the effectiveness of our curriculum and our programs. Watch for specific information in the coming weeks. Take care. In the News… With winter weather here, please be reminded that ‘no school’, ‘delay’, and ‘early dismissal’ announcements are made via twitter (@CharihoRegional), local radio and television stations, on our web page and phone system, and by an automated call at approximately 5:45 AM. In the event of an unexpected ‘early dismissal’, all parents and guardians should have a back-­‐up plan. You can sign-­‐up for text alerts on local media websites. The Local Advisory Committee on Special Education is always looking for new members, especially parents. Information about the LAC can be found at http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/sped. Director of Special Education Jennifer.Durkin@chariho.k12.ri.us should be contacted to join. We are now accepting applications for Chariho Area Career and Technical Center programs. These programs are open to sophomores and to students in their second year of high school from Block Island, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Jamestown, Narragansett, North Kingstown, Richmond, South Kingstown, West Greenwich and Westerly. Applications are due by th
February 15 . Requirements, information and an on-­‐line application may be found at http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/ctcapp
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2 irritation; headaches; and neck or back pain. The good news is that these vision issues can be alleviated with some simple adaptions to your work routine. look into the distance for 20 seconds to allow eyes to refocus. 4. Special non-­‐prescription eyewear with anti-­‐reflective coatings can offset symptoms. Follow these simple recommendations: 1. Adjust brightness, contrast and font size until you find the best settings for your vision. Computer screens are best when viewed between 15 to 20 degrees below eye level and 20 to 28 inches from the eyes. 2. Position reference materials on a holder beside the monitor so that you don’t have to move your head and eyes up and down. 3. Rest your eyes for 15 minutes after 2 hours of continuous computer use. For every 20 minutes of computer viewing, Health and Wellness News You Can Use… Computer Vision Syndrome Have you worked at your computer and felt your eyes starting to strain, a headache creeping in, and some tension in your neck. Approximately 70% of computer users deal with blurred vision; double vision; dry, red eyes; eye Congratulations! Savannah Dube and Aberdeen Taylor
Winners of Top Prizes in the
2015 Scholastic Art Competition
and Phyllis Penhollow for assembling these articles!) To join the Health and Wellness Subcommittee, contact George.Abbott@chariho.k12.ri.us or Kevin.McGreevy@chariho.k12.ri.us. Health and Wellness Subcommittee Meeting Schedule 4:00 PM Administration Building Conference Room March 3 & May 5 NOMINATIONS FOR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH DUE ON Michelle Tebbets
RI 2014 Lacrosse Coach of the Year
High School Wrestling Team
Winners of Griswold Midseason Invite and
Mountie Invitational
Members Julianna Golas, Amy Mead, FEBRUARY Tyler Hartshorn
Recipient of
RISK TAKER – DREAM MAKER Award
Heidi Fee
Recipient of WJAR Golden Apple Award
(Special thanks to Subcommittee FEBRUARY 6TH!
VISIT ‘HOT NEWS’ ON THE CHARIHO
WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Thank You! United Builders Supply Co. Inc. Donation of Lumber to Construction Technology Program First Baptist Church of Charlestown Donations to Assist Students and Families in Need Anonymous Donation of $5,000 for Marine Technology Scholarship(s) Mark Your Calendar! February 3 Career and Technical Center Tech Night for New Students February 10 School Committee Meeting-­‐Budget Approval February 12 Early Release Thursday February 16-­‐20 Winter Recess http://www.chariho.k12.ri.us/sites/default/files/2014-­‐15_chariho_school_calendar.pdf