Woonsocket Education Department

Woonsocket Education Department

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Dear WED Community,

This morning Woonsocket High School was placed in lockdown due to a fight that occurred between two students in a hallway in the basement of the school. Later in the day, a video of the fight circulated on social media which showed a student throwing an object on the floor. Furthermore, people are stating on social media that a student was stabbed during this incident. After investigating the incident, the object that was thrown was a cell phone and NOT a knife, and at no time was anyone stabbed.

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent
Woonsocket Education Department's 2022-2023 School Year Calendar
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18QxOjTAjD61OrmepMK5IWdaSbgoGXP6G/view
March 4, 2022

Dear WED Community,

As a reminder, the wearing of masks for all students and staff in the Woonsocket Education Department will be made optional beginning on Monday, March 7, 2022. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released guidelines indicating that the wearing of masks is not mandatory on buses and vans operated by public or private school systems, including early day care and education/child care programs.

In addition to the above information, if an individual (student or staff) tests positive for COVID-19, the following guidelines will be implemented within the Woonsocket Education Department:

Isolate for 5 days and can return on day 6 with the option of wearing a well-fitted mask until day 10.

If someone is a known close contact at home or at school, recommend wearing a mask for 10 days and monitor for symptoms.

Continue to use the Monitor to Stay Program which includes the following procedures:

Students or staff have 2 or more symptoms of COVID-19, send home and recommend getting tested.

Isolate for 5 days and can return on day 6 if fever free and symptoms improve. If a student or staff tests negative, they can return when fever free for 24 hours and symptoms are improving.

If your test (antigen or PCR) is negative, you can return to school if symptoms are improving and fever free for 24 hours without medicine.

If an outbreak occurs in the class setting (3 or more cases in a class or group), a letter from the school will be sent home to parents.

Beginning on March 7th, state run COVID-19 test sites will only test asymptomatic people and people who are close contacts of positive COVID-19 cases.

Although mask wearing will be made optional beginning on March 7th, teachers and staff will not be expected to enforce mask wearing for students whose parents want them to continue to wear a mask but do not. Moreover, it will be the expectation at all levels that students and staff who choose to wear a mask will not be ostracized in any fashion. This is a very inclusive and accepting community and I am confident that we will transition very smoothly into this next phase. Again, thank you for your flexibility and patience over these past two years.

Should you have any questions regarding the guidelines, please contact your principal or school nurse-teacher.

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Dear WED Community,

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidelines regarding the wearing of masks on buses. Specifically, the CDC does not require wearing masks on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems, including early day care and education/child care programs. As such, beginning on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, students and staff are not required to wear masks on buses in the Woonsocket Education Department. Please remember, however, that the wearing of masks is still mandated in all schools and buildings in the Woonsocket Education Department through Friday, March 5, 2022.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Dear WED Community,

At the Wednesday, February 23rd school committee meeting the Woonsocket School Committee approved my recommendation of making the wearing of masks optional for all students in grades PreK-12 and staff in the Woonsocket Education Department (WED) beginning on Monday, March 7, 2022. This will include all schools and buildings within the WED. The following are the tenets of the recommendation:

1. The wearing of masks for all students (PreK-12) and staff in the Woonsocket Education Department will be made optional beginning on Monday, March 7, 2022.

2. All students and adults will continue to be required to wear masks on all buses as this is still a federal mandate.

3. The Woonsocket Education Department will reverse its decision to make mask-wearing optional should Governor McKee reinstate a mask mandate for PreK-12 schools in Rhode Island.
Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Dear WED Community,

​​​​​​​Please review the following updates regarding upcoming events in the Woonsocket Education Department:

Masking in School

Last week Governor McKee announced that the statewide mandate for wearing masks in schools will end on Friday, March 4, 2022. He also indicated that each school district will have the autonomy to decide whether or not to continue wearing masks in school.

Therefore, on Wednesday, February 23, 2022, the topic of continuing to enforce the mask mandate or not will be discussed and voted on by the school committee.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences at all elementary schools, including Kindergarten classes, will be held virtually on Thursday, March 24, 2022. Middle school and high school/WACTC parent-teacher conferences will be held virtually on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Soon, building principals and teachers will be sending information to families regarding the logistics and process to sign-up for the virtual conferences. I anticipate that Parent-Teacher Conferences during the 2022-23 school year will return to in-person meetings. Should you have any questions, please contact your building principal.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Dear WED Community,

As a reminder, and in reference to the Woonsocket Education Department's 2021-22 Academic Year Calendar, Monday, March 14th and Wednesday, May 11th have been designated as district K-12 Professional Development Days for all teachers and staff. Therefore, all students in grades K-12 will be utilizing asynchronous distance learning during both days. Pre-K students will not attend school on both days. Asynchronous instruction means that teachers will not be meeting directly with students through their Chromebook, however they will provide learning and assignments through Google Classroom and/or instructional slide decks on both days. Students are expected to follow their regular virtual school day schedule using their Chromebook. More information will be forthcoming from building principals as we approach the first PD Day. Should you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher and/or administrator.

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Dear WED Community,

Due to slippery conditions this morning there will be a 2-hour delay today, Monday, February 14, 2022 in all schools in the Woonsocket Education Department. Please be safe.

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Dear WED Community,

This week is National School Counseling Week. National School Counseling Week highlights and recognizes the immense impact school counselors have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career.

This week provides an opportunity to acknowledge school counselors who implement comprehensive school counseling programs which support students as they meet the challenges of the 21st century. Furthermore, school counselors are actively engaged in helping students recognize their abilities, strengths, interests, and talents as well as focusing on positive ways to enhance student's academic, career, and social-emotional development.

Therefore, please join me this week in recognizing the amazing school counselors in the WED for all that they do to support our students, families, and schools! We truly appreciate their hard work and dedication!

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee. Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Dear WED Community,

Due to the morning weather advisory predicting sleet and freezing rain, there will be no school in the Woonsocket Education Department on Friday, February 4, 2022. There will be no Distance Learning tomorrow. This will be the last "snow day" used for inclement weather this year. Should there be more cancellations due to weather this year we will begin utilizing our RIDE approved Distance Learning Days. Twelve month employees shall report. Please be safe!

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintedent of Schools
Dear WED Community,

Apparently, Channels 10 and 12 this morning have posted school cancellation listings for WHS/WACTC, Bernon Heights Elementary School, and Leo Savoie Elementary School today. There is school at WHS/WACTC, Bernon Heights, and Leo Savoie today. I have placed a call with the RI Broadcasters Association this morning to remove the incorrect posting from the sites. Again, there is in-person school in all Woonsocket schools today. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools
Dear WED Community,

In an effort to provide you with an update regarding today's in-person cancellation at Woonsocket High School/WACTC, Leo Savoie Elementary School, Bernon Heights Elementary School, as well as the early dismissal at the Pothier-Citizens' Campus, there will be regular in-person instruction tomorrow, February 3, 2022. As you may be aware, there was a gas leak at a business on Cumberland Hill Road yesterday which sent a strong odor of natural gas towards the aforementioned schools today. While there may be a lingering natural gas odor in the community tomorrow, we have received information that work crews have been on the scene to repair the damage. In addition, members of the WED Facilities Department has visited all schools in the district and there is no detection of odor in any building at this time. However, we will continue to monitor the situation in the morning and will notify you should anything change. At this time all schools in the district will be in-person tomorrow.

Finally, I would like to thank those students, parents, guardians, teachers, staff, and administrators for their assistance, cooperation and understanding today.

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

The Woonsocket Education Department will provide a dynamic, quality educational experience for each

Operating as usual

Photos from Woonsocket Education Department's post 06/12/2023
Photos from Woonsocket Education Department's post 05/06/2023

Come join us at Hamlet Middle School!

Photos from Woonsocket Education Department's post 05/06/2023

Come join us for the Mental Health Fair. The race begins at 10 am. With touch a truck later this morning!

05/05/2023

Please join us this Saturday, May 6th at Hamlet Middle School (60 Florence Dr) from 10am - 1:00pm for WED's Annual Mental Health Fun Run and Resource Fair. All registered runners will receive a Tee shirts! Free smoothies and lunch will be provided on a first come first serve basis to all attendees! There will be nearly 20 local agencies sharing information, student led-crafts, Touch A Trucks and Recess Rocks Games.

Meet 04/03/2023

Please join us for SELAC this coming Thursday at 6pm (virtually). As April is Autism Awareness month, Mrs. Morelle has arranged a presentation by the Autism Project for this month's meeting. The Google link can be found below. Hope to see you there!

Meeting link

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03/27/2023

March 27, 2023

Dear WED Community,

This morning at approximately 10:30am the Woonsocket Police Department received a "swatting" call from an individual who reported that shots were fired at Hamlet Middle School. There have been a number of these "swatting" threats that were made against schools in Rhode Island and New England today. The Woonsocket Police and Woonsocket Fire Department immediately responded to the middle school and Hamlet Middle School went into immediate lockdown. All other schools in the district were instructed to go into shelter-in-place as a precaution.

Upon arrival the Woonsocket Police Department swept the entire school and no weapons or intruders were found, nor were any shots fired in the school. All students and staff were safe as this threat and call was a hoax.

Please know that the safety and security of our students and staff are of utmost importance. I would like to thank the Woonsocket Police Department, Woonsocket Fire Department and school personnel and students for their preparedness and quick response to the threat.

I will share more information with you later today.

Sincerely,
Patrick McGee, Ed.D.
Superintendent

WED 2023-2024 SY Calendar - WSC Appr 3-22-2023.pdf 03/23/2023

Attached please find the Woonsocket Education Department's 2023-2024 School Year Calendar. This school calendar was fully approved by the Woonsocket School Committee on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

WED 2023-2024 SY Calendar - WSC Appr 3-22-2023.pdf

03/14/2023

Good morning,

Due to the impending weather, all after school activies will be canceled today, Tuesday March 14, 2023.

Sincerely,

Alfred Notarianni

Chief Operating Officer

03/11/2023

Good Morning Woonsocket:

Just a reminder today is Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year at Hamlet Middle School from 9 am - 12 pm.

We look forward to seeing you this morning!

Sincerely,

Woonsocket Education Department

03/09/2023
02/27/2023

February 27, 2023

Dear WED Community,

Due to the forecast of snow this eveining and tomorrow, all schools in the Woonsocket Education Department will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, February 28, 2023. This will be a snow day. All district activities will be canceled. All 12 month employees are to report. Please stay safe!

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent

01/25/2023

Dear WED Community,

Due to forecasted inclement weather conditions this afternoon and evening, all after-school and evening activities in the WED have been canceled today, January 25, 2023. The cancelation includes the Woonsocket School Committee meeting as well as the District Strategic Planning faculty and staff focus group meeting at 3:30pm this afternoon.

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

01/25/2023

Dear WED Community,
The Cox Communications phone service at Leo A. Savoie Elementary School is currently offline. A service call is being made in order to repair the issue. We apologize for any inconvenience and will keep you up to date on the service status.

01/23/2023

Good afternoon,

Due to the inclement weather, all afternoon and evening school activities have been canceled. If your child or children participate in a program such as CCF or Kids Klub, please reach out to the program coordinator for further information.

Sincerely,

Alfred Notarianni

Chief Operating Officer

Meet 01/04/2023

Please join us tomorrow evening at 6 pm for our monthly SELAC Meeting. The meetings are held virtually and the information to join is below.

Meeting link
meet.google.com/oyb-yhjw-zkh

Join by phone
(US) +1 513-468-1201
PIN: 349870370

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Meet 10/31/2022

There will be a virtual SELAC Meeting on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at 6 pm. The meeting information is below.

Meeting link
meet.google.com/stz-pwuv-uym

Join by phone
(US) +1 320-302-2753
PIN: 255803002

Meet Real-time meetings by Google. Using your browser, share your video, desktop, and presentations with teammates and customers.

Meet 10/05/2022

There will be a virtual SELAC meeting on Thursday, October 6th. Below is the meeting information:

Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/jut-gokk-xhq
Or dial: ‪
(US) +1 402-356-1282‬ PIN: ‪480 157 519‬ #

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Meet 09/06/2022

The Woonsocket Special Education Local Advisory Committee (SELAC) will be meeting virtually this Thursday, September 8, 2022, at 6 pm. Below is the link to the Google Meet:

meet.google.com/fub-ivez-bry

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S*x offender notification letter.pdf 08/30/2022

Dear WED Community,

Please see the attached notification from the Woonsocket Police Department. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:

Detective Lieutenant Matthew Oliver
Woonsocket Police department
Bureau of Criminal Investigation
[email protected]
401-767-8865

Sincerely,

Alfred Notarianni
Chief Operating Officer

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U4zh68We6bu32dOoYHD4JOdqpg_k5sH3/view

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yeGmiMQ-E1KDlsDc_0iV9m0Ai2lfge-d/view

S*x offender notification letter.pdf

08/29/2022

Dear WED Community,

The 2022/2023 bus routes will be posted tomorrow afternoon on our district page along with the district website. In addition, we will also send it out via SchoolMessenger.

Sincerely,

Alfred Notarianni
Chief Operating Officer

08/26/2022

August 26, 2022
Dear WED Community,
Cox Business has completed the phone service maintenance at the McFee Administration Building and our phone lines are now operational without disruption. Thank you for your patience.

08/25/2022

August 25, 2022

Dear WED Community,
Cox Business is currently performing maintenance on our phone service at the McFee Administration building. Due to this maintenance, there may be intermittent disruptions when calling the Administration building. We apologize for the inconvenience.

08/23/2022

Dear Parents and Families,

The annual Back-to-School Celebration will be held on Saturday, August 27th from 10am - 12pm at the middle school campus. Free backpacks and school supplies will be given away to families for the 2022-2023 school year. This will be a drive-through event. District staff will be in attendance to hand out supplies. We look forward to seeing you there! Please see below for the event flyer.

Sincerely,

Patrick McGee, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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108 High Street
Woonsocket, RI
02895

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
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