Friday, May 20, 2016

May 20, 2016


Superintendent's Blog
#ewgrsd

This week, Exeter-West Greenwich can be proud of two amazing recognitions. First, Junior High School Social Studies Teacher, Mr. Andrew Wallace, was recognized by the Commissioner of Education, Channel 10 News and Hasbro as the recipient of the Golden Apple Award for outstanding teachers. Mr. Wallace was completely surprised when members of the band, followed by administrators and his family paraded into his classroom with news cameras, Patrice Wood from Channel 10 and Commissioner of Education Dr. Ken Wagner for the official announcement.
 
The segment aired on Channel 10 last evening (5/19/16), and a link is provided below:
 

Student Dominic Vincent nominated Mr. Wallace, and he was sitting in class when the recognition was announced. Congratulations to Mr. Wallace for a VERY well-deserved honor!




Mr. Wallace and Dominic
 Mr. Erinakes, Principal Slattery and Mr. Wallace



















Last evening, the Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District's Visual Arts Department was recognized as the 2016 recipient of the "Gift of Art to the State of Rhode Island." The award recognizes our district for its commitment to the arts, and the incredible teachers that make the magic happen. Ms. Beaulieu, Mrs. LaFrenaye, Mrs. Ray, Ms. Pichette and Ms. Lind were recognized at the official ceremony, along with the artists who created the nine works that will be forever displayed at the URI Feinstein campus/Department of Education building in Providence.
 
Several of the artists and their families were present for the ceremony, and we should be so proud of all of them! All of the works of art, representing students from grade Kindergarten through 12, can be viewed by clicking on the link below:



 Mrs. Ray with her student artist, Ryan Lagasse
The Gift of Art Award presented to the district













Congratulations for being amazing!
Mr. Wallace, congratulations for being AWESOME!

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

May 2, 2016

Superintendent's Blog
#ewgrsd

There are many impressive events to report in this blog, starting with an update on the status of the EWG Junior High School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Park. A message from Science teacher Beth Brocato is below:

We are very excited that the development of the EWG JH STEM Park is well underway. We have finished the initial stages of the project and the seats and tables are to be installed within the next month. It is now time to outfit our STEM Park and we can use your help.

If you have started organizing your own gardens and find that you have extra perennials, or are splitting larger
perennials such as hosta, daylilies (especially heirloom varieties), daffodil bulbs, bee balm, cone flowers (echinacea), native edible berry bushes, sumac and ferns, we would welcome any donations.

Please put plants in containers/bags and please include a label so we will know what type of plant it is.

We are also in need of the following:
· New and gently used garden tools: garden rakes and metal leaf rakes, shovels, bulb planters, trowels, spades,    work gloves (especially smaller sizes), stakes, tomato cages bamboo poles, snow shovels (for moving mulch), etc.

· Pallets in good condition that have not been treated with Methyl Bromide
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-determine-if-a-wood-pallet-is-safe-for-use/

· Home Depot/Job Lot gift cards

You are welcome to drop off donations at any time behind the JH, near the STEM Park.

You can get even more information about the EWG JH STEM PARK PROJECT on our
Beth_brocato@ewg.k12.ri.us
Hollice_emery@ewg.k12.ri.us
Donna_lico@ewg.k12.ri.us


Recently, some EWG students took part in a student steel drum ensemble at the Rhody Center for World Music and Dance, located in Pawtucket, RI. These students are: Thomas Carroll (grade 7), Ben Gurnon (grade 9), and Chad Tower (grade 12). Mr. Charest was the assistant director of the ensemble.
The students learned how to play the steel drums (which are originally from Trinidad and Tobago), and how to also play in the "Engine Room" (the rhythm section of a steel band). Chad Tower and Ben Gurnon also performed in the Engine Room for the Adult Ensemble.



 
A very grateful thank you extends to Principal Mary Slattery, Assistant Principal James Alves, and Principal Melissa Marino for their tremendous presentations last week at the URI Education Program event for prospective teachers. EWG remains a strong supporter of URI and our state's future educators.





Last week, I had the opportunity to join Metcalf sixth graders at AMGEN to see them working closely with their science mentors as they prepared a final project for a community showing later this month. This is the first year that our school has partnered with AMGEN for this amazing opportunity. Our students have been very engaged in various experiments where they have worked with experts to see science in a real world context. Thank you to Mrs. Fish for her organization of this partnership and to the outstanding mentors who have worked so hard with our students. EWG looks forward to continuing (and expanding) this partnership next year!
























Please join us for the very first Unified Theater production this Wednesday at the JSHS. The entire production is student-run.... writing, directing, acting, etc. This should be a very worthwhile event!



Please look for my next post in mid-May.