How do I enroll my child at Pell School?

You can find registration information on our website: https://www.npsri.net/o/pes/page/register-your-child-for-school

For Pre-K placement, please contact Nichole Bussiere:
nicholebussiere@npsri.net
401.619.3054

For K through 4th grade placement, please contact Jamie Meeks:
jamiemeeks@npsri.net
401.619.5562

Is there a resource for Spanish speaking families?

Our One Newport partner Conexión Latina is offering free assistance to any Spanish-speaking families.

Please contact Rebekah Gomez:
rgomez@clnewport.org
401.585.8165

Pell Elementary Translator: Zaida Humphrey:
401-406-0469
NPS English Language Learners

Is there a reliable resource for obtaining general school information

The Newport Public Schools "One Newport" app is a good resource for the school directory, calendar + contact details as well as the daily menu.

You can download the One Newport app from Google Play or iTunes:
Newport R.I. Schools App on Google Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.blackboard.community.newportrischools&hl=en&fbclid=IwAR1cLwq3NpQcJHrkUPA8ub-XpqPtjwSykN3KLyFTU2HfNjmdKvizFUAH1YQ&pli=1

Another useful resource and way to get quick answers from the parent community and Pell administration is the Pell school Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167018840027714

Additionally, there is information on the NPSRI website:
https://www.npsri.net/o/pes

What time does school start + end each day?

School begins at 8:30 am and is dismissed at 2:45 pm each day

Please do not drop your child off before 8:30 am. The building is not open and there are no staff on hand to support early drop-offs.

What if I need to pick my child up before the end of the school day?

You must send in a written note with your child at the beginning of the school day.

If you do not send a written note, your child will be dismissed as usual.

Please email Karoline Cranson with any questions or concerns about dismissal:
Karolinecranson@npsri.net
401.842.1928

What if my child is sick / if I need to report an absence or late start

Please call the absence line in the morning and speak with Karoline Cranson or leave a message:
401.842.1928

How do we know if school has been cancelled or delayed (due to snow or otherwise)?

Sign up to Ribroadcasters for alerts sent to your cell phone for school closures + delays: https://www.ribroadcasters.com/
Select "Newport Public Schools" from the options.
The school will also try to send out a "robo-call" to phones to alert them of any delays or cancellations.

What happens if there is a snow delay? Is there still a bus pick up?

Bus pick up is delayed by however much time school is delayed by.

What if there is an early release from school?

The school will notify parents in advance, and the buses will drop off students.

Is there before or after school care available at Pell?

Champion childcare provides before + after school childcare for interested Pell families.

AM childcare begins at 6:30 am and PM care is offered until 6 PM.

Details + enrollment forms can be found here:
https://www.npsri.net/o/pes/page/champion-childcare-home

Please email completed enrollment forms to the NFCOZ Director, Christine Arouth:
christinearouth@npsri.net

Is there any after-school or extra-curricular programming offered?

Newport Family Child and Opportunity Zone (NFCOZ) does offer after-school programming intermittently throughout the year.
https://www.npsri.net/o/pes/page/after-school-and-other-school-age-programs

Flyers will be sent home in your child's folder with details re: any upcoming after school programs.

Pick up from after school programming is at 4:45 pm.

What are the options for students to get to and from school each day?

Your child is welcome to walk or bike to school each day. There are bike racks in front of the school.

All kindergarten and first-grade students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Alternatively, you can drop off + pick up your child or they can take the bus (see below).

What are the school drop off + pick up protocols?

Two ways to drop off & pick up: 1. car and 2. walker: car stay in vehicle and walker walk your child to entrance and dismissal meet your child at crosswalk

Please do not drop your child off before 8:30 am. The building is not open, and there are no staff on hand to support early drop-offs.

Pell school uses iDismiss (this is NOT an app for parents to download) for student car pick up. The school will generate a car tag - which is registered to your child. Please hang on your rear-view mirror at pick up.

If you plan to pick up your child, please email Nicole Silvia - nicolesilvia@npsri.net - so that she can generate a car tag for you.

Please turn onto Dexter Street from Hillside Avenue. The car lane is in front of the school. There will be staff outside to direct traffic through the parking lot and into the pick-up lane.

What if I would like my child to ride the bus?

Please reach out to Frank Frisella at Ocean State Transit:
401.399.3229 or 401.388.5026
ffrisella@ridesta.com
https://oceanstatetransit.net/

Ocean State Transit will let you know where your bus stop will be as well as the approximate pick up and drop off times.

There is not currently an option / app to "track" the bus for arrivals nor dismissals.

Kindergarten and first-grade students MUST be met by a parent or guardian when they return home on the bus.

Your K or first grader will NOT be allowed off the bus without a designated person to meet them. This is for their safety and as per district guidelines.

If you decide to drive your child to school one day - rather than put them on the bus - there is no need to alert the bus company nor the school unless it is a change of dismissal.

What if my child requires medication during the school day?

The school nurse, upon written authorization of a healthcare provider, may administer over the counter and prescription medication.

We will administer medication in accordance with state regulations and with physician and parental approval.

What safety / security measures are in place at Pell?

Pell school and its' playgrounds are closed to the public during school hours.

Your child’s safety is extremely important to us. To help keep everybody safe, visitors must enter the school via the main entrance and show a photo ID.

All visitors must have an appointment with a staff member or a purpose for their visit.

Once granted access to the building, visitors may not hold the door open for a different guest entering the building.

Does Pell school allow visitors during the day?

We welcome parents and community members to be a part of our school community in many capacities (see: volunteering below).

For security reasons, we require all parents or other visitors to first sign in at the security desk and wear a visitor’s badge while in the school or on school grounds (i.e. the playground).

Visitors do affect the classroom environment, so we only allow authorized persons to come into our classrooms.

Is there a way to communicate with my child's teacher directly?

A fast and easy way to communicate quickly with your child's teacher is via the Class Dojo app.
You can download the app on your phone: https://www.classdojo.com/

Some teachers may also provide their NPSRI email address if you prefer.

How do we participate in school breakfast or lunch?

School breakfast is provided free of charge for all Pell students.

School lunch is $2.50/day (unless you qualify for free lunch).

Please email Nicole Silvia to determine whether you might qualify for free lunch:
nicolesilvia@npsri.net

If you are interested in purchasing school lunch, set up an account on myschoolbucks https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/getmain?requestAction=home

You can also download the myschoolbucks app to your phone and login to add money to your child's account.

The school lunch menu can be found on the OneNewport app (see above).

If sending your child to school with lunch, you should pack both a lunch AND a snack.

Are there rules pertaining to what we can / cannot pack for our child's lunch or snacks?

If there are children with food allergies in your child's classroom, you will receive a note home from the teacher listing those allergies.

Can we send snacks or treats to school for our child's birthday?

Due to the number of allergies, please do not bring in cupcakes or other desserts for birthdays and other celebrations.
Balloons can also not be brought in due to latex allergies.

We only allow Healthy/ Peanut Free Snacks for classrooms. That list will be included in the Principal's Update / email, or you can ask your teacher to provide.

Are there ways that we can get involved as parents?

VOLUNTEERING

Pell school is always in search of great parent and community volunteers to help out in many different areas of the school.

Classroom volunteers, recess help, craft prep, after-school program helpers, walking school bus escorts, and office help are all in huge demand. We even have many projects that can be done from home. There is an opportunity to fit everyone!

BCI Check:

All volunteers must submit and pass a local BCI check. We will provide that paperwork for you.

PTO

The Pell School PTO is a group of dedicated and enthusiastic Pell School parents, guardians, teachers, and staff. Everyone is welcome, and we are always seeking new members. There are many ways to be involved, and volunteers are always welcome.

Our fundraising provides educational and enrichment experiences for ALL Pell School students, covers needs from staff and teachers not provided for in the school budget, and much more.

There are many ways to be involved, and volunteers are always welcome.

If interested, please email Aly Oakley: azsurf1@yahoo.com

And you can find us on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167018840027714

School Improvement Team

The School Improvement Team also meets monthly and is a collection of parents, administrators, and teachers.

If you would like to be a part of the School Improvement Team, please email Nicole Silvia - nicolesilvia@npsri.net

Is there a resource for Pell parents to communicate with each other?
Please sign up for the Facebook PELL PTO page for immediate interface with other Pell parents and administrators https://www.facebook.com/groups/1167018840027714

Should we be providing school supplies for our child or their classroom?

The school supplies list can be found here: https://www.npsri.net/o/pes/page/school-supplies

What should I plan on packing for my child?

Your teacher will provide a list of school supplies you might want to consider packing for your child.

In addition to that: lunch, a snack, and a water bottle.

Details for First-time Pell Families / New, Incoming Students

First-time and incoming kindergarten students will have a "soft start" / orientation prior to the first day of school.

Soft start will give children a chance to see a typical classroom, and parents will get school details and have a chance to ask questions of the administration.

Invitations will be sent out (by USPS mail) to all families who are registered for kindergarten.

The soft start invitation will list your scheduled appointment and include a name tag for your child to wear.

At soft start, you will receive a red tag to tie to the outside of their backpack. This tag will have arrival and dismissal information.

These letters (and teacher assignments) often do not arrive until *just* prior (within a week or two) to the start of the school year.

What are the school colors?

The Pell school colors are red and white (with some black), and our school mascot is the "CHAMPION"!

Can I request a specific teacher for my child?

We do not allow teacher requests. If you have concerns about your child, feel free to reach out to the administration to discuss.