High School Continues Full Accreditation Status

At the April 12 school committee meeting, Principal Gerald Foley presented a truncated version of the New England Association of Schools Colleges (NEASC) report at the school committee meeting last night.

In addition to renewing the high school's full accreditation status, NEASC praised the high school for its exemplary performance in:

• The creation and use of a graduation portfolio that allows students to utilize acquired skills and knowledge;
• Personalized instruction that allows teachers to help students reflect on their own learning;
• The "obvious overwhelming public support" of the community for the school’s efforts to further its mission and expectations.

Foley explained that the NEASC team would like to see a capital improvement plan for the long term – making updates to the auditorium and the athletic fields, and keeping equipment and technology current.

Also during the session:

• Representatives from the Student Law Academy made a presentation outlining the benefits of the Academy for students. The students shared their experiences in cultivating their leadership and communication skills through internships at the local police department and Rhode Island Training School, and learning more about the law in the Rhode Island court system. Students must apply through the guidance department and have successfully completed Criminal Justice, Law in Society and Forensic Sciences courses. They can also be eligible for course credits at Roger Williams University if they maintain an 88 average; create a satisfactory portfolio of their work; and write and defend and essay on a controversial legal or ethical topic with a group of Roger Williams professors.
• The school committee bid a reluctant farewell to Elizabeth Box, principal of the Early Childhood Center; Diana Burr, the Ferri Middle School art teacher; and Mary Jane Smith, teacher assistant at Thornton School. All are retiring at the end of the school year in June.
• Thornton Elementary School will be receiving new lockers through a grant-funded contract with the G.J. Sales Company.
• The board passed a resolution opposing R.I. House bill 2011-H5691. This proposed act would require binding arbitration for school districts and teachers unions that do not reach a contract agreement within a specified timeframe.

The next school committee meeting is scheduled for May 10 in the library at 7 p.m.