BACK-TO-SCHOOL

Superintendent Dias-Mitchell has provided regular updates on the planning process for the 2021/22 School Year. These updates are shared via ParentSquare with the school community. Below are links to each of the updates for your reference.

Superintendent's Update #6
Superintendent's Update #5
Superintendent's Update #4
Superintendent's Update #3
Superintendent's Update #2
Superintendent's Update #1

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Below are links to some of the updates from the 2020/21 School Year for your reference.

​Community Update #11 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process​​​
Community Update #10 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process
Community Update #9 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process
Community Update #8 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process
Community Update #7 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process
Community Update #6 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process
Community Update #5 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process
Community Update #4 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process
Community Update #3 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process
Community Update #2 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process
Community Update #1 - LCSD's 2020/21 School Year Planning Process

REOPENING RESOURCES

Rhode Island Department of Education
Back to School RI: Reopening Frequently Asked Questions
RIDE COVID-19 Updates & Resources
Back to School RI Guidance Document
LEA Reopening Planning Template

By Age Group:

Early Childhood:

Books:

• Help Your Kids Find Books With Diverse Characters

• 30 Books to Help You Talk to Your Kids About Racism

• Best Sellers in Children's Prejudice & Racism Books

• Books About Racism and Social Justice

Websites:

• Age By Age Guide - How to Talk to Kids About Racism

• Embrace Race

• Raising Racially Conscious Children

• Anti-Racism Project

• Talking to Children About Racial Bias

• How to/Not to Talk to Your Kids About Racism

Elementary:

Books:

• Help Your Kids Find Books With Diverse Characters

• 30 Books to Help You Talk to Your Kids About Racism

• Best Sellers in Children's Prejudice & Racism Books

• Books About Racism and Social Justice

Websites:

• Age By Age Guide - How to Talk to Kids About Racism

• Embrace Race

• Raising Racially Conscious Children

• Social Justice Resources - All Ages

• How to Talk to Kids About Race and Racism

• Anti-Racism Project

• Talking to Children About Racial Bias

• How to/Not to Talk to Your Kids About Racism

Films/TV Series:

• See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix

• Black History Movies for Kids

• Family Films That Discuss Racism

Middle School:

Books:

• Help Your Kids Find Books With Diverse Characters

• 30 Books to Help You Talk to Your Kids About Racism

• Best Sellers in Children's Prejudice & Racism Books

• Books About Racism and Social Justice

Websites:

• Age By Age Guide - How to Talk to Kids About Racism

• Embrace Race

• Raising Racially Conscious Children

• Social Justice Resources - All Ages

• How to Talk to Kids About Race and Racism

• Anti-Racism Project

• Talking to Children About Racial Bias

• How to/Not to Talk to Your Kids About Racism

Films/TV Series:

• 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

• American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix

• Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix

• See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix

• Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent

• The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax

• Black History Movies for Kids

• Family Films That Discuss Racism

High School:

Books:

• Books About Racism and Social Justice

• Teen & Young Adult Fiction About Prejudice & Racism

• Barnes & Noble - Teen Fiction Prejudice/Racism

• Exploring Racism - Children & Teens

Websites:

• Age By Age Guide - How to Talk to Kids About Racism

• Social Justice Resources - All Ages

• Resources for White People to Learn and Talk About Race and Racism

• Anti-Racism Project

• How to Talk to Kids About Race and Racism

Films/TV Series:

• 13th (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

• American Son (Kenny Leon) — Netflix

• Dear White People (Justin Simien) — Netflix

• I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin doc) — Available to rent or on Kanopy

• If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins) — Hulu

• See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol) — Netflix

• Selma (Ava DuVernay) — Available to rent

• The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.) — Hulu with Cinemax

• When They See Us (Ava DuVernay) — Netflix

• Black History Movies for Kids

• Family Films That Discuss Racism

Articles to read:

• ”My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonio Vargas | NYT Mag (June 22, 2011)

• “Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi | Atlantic (May 12, 2020)

Books to read:

• Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins

• Beyond the Golden Rule by Dana Williams

• Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon

• How To Be An Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi

• Raising Our Hands by Jenna Arnold

• Redefining Realness by Janet Mock

• Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde

• So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

• The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

• The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

  by Michelle Alexander

• The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century

  by Grace Lee Boggs

• The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

• This Bridge Called My Back: Writings by Radical Women of Color by Cherríe Moraga

• When Affirmative Action Was White: An Untold History of Racial Inequality in Twentieth-Century America by Ira Katznelson

• White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD

Resources for Educators

Resources for white educators to expand knowledge of anti-racism in schools:

Articles to Read:

• How Ibram X Kendis Definition of Antiracism Applies to Schools by Katrina Schwartz, MindShift, December 2019

• Becoming Upended: Teaching and Learning about Race and Racism with Young Children and Their Families - Journal: Young Children, May 2018 Vol. 73, No. 2

• What White Colleagues Need to Understand by Clarice Brazas and Charlie McGeehan | Tolerance Magazine (Spring 2020)

• Books to Read:

• White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD

• Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? By Beverly Daniel Tatum

• So You Want to Talk About Race By Ijeoma Oluo

Websites:

• Zinn Education Project’s teaching materials

• Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom

ARCHIVE

Dear Wilbur McMahon Families,

Per Governor Raimondo's announcement today, Rhode Island's school buildings will be closed to students for the next two weeks (March 23, 2020 to April 3, 2020). As a reminder, all district-sponsored extra-curricular activities and non-essential meetings are cancelled until further notice.

In place of brick and mortar schools, the state-wide expectation is that all staff and students attend distance learning during these 10 days -- which will count towards the state minimum of 180 days of instruction.  Learning provides a structure and focus for our children during these uncertain times, and family support will be essential. Virtual or distance learning is new to all of us; however, we have taught our students to be self-directed learners and quality producers, so we are ahead of the game.  

As we embark on this new virtual journey, we will monitor and assess implementation and make adjustments as needed. We anticipate there may be bumps in the road, but know that the Wilbur McMahon community has a growth mindset, and we will all figure out this "new normal" together for as long as it lasts.  

While the doors to our building remain closed, the Little Compton School Department will continue to support all students and families. For instance, during the next two weeks, starting Monday (March 23rd), we will offer, to families who responded in the affirmative to the "lunch" question in the survey, free “grab and go” breakfast and lunch packages to Little Compton students, 18 and under, Monday through Friday between 9:00am and 11:00am. Respondents may pick up these free meals at the front entrance of the school building.  Chartwells staff will be available to pass out the packaged breakfast/lunch to each family, and WMS staff will be making deliveries if needed. WMS will be (confidentially) reaching out to all families who "signed up" and reminding them to drop in each morning. 

Recently, I have been in contact with Susan Sisson of the Little Compton Wellness Center (115 East Main Road) – an organization that epitomizes the culture of generosity that defines the town. To that point, Wilbur McMahon families who are experiencing financial strain and food scarcity during the state’s shutdown are welcome to visit the center this Friday or Saturday – from 9:00am to 10:00am to pick up bags of groceries for their families. Ms. Sisson will be expecting some new faces at the Food Bank. In order to receive free groceries, no documentation is required except proof of residency. Please note: after Saturday, the food bank will be closed for a few weeks due to COVID-19 protocols. However, if you reach out to WMS Counselor/Social Worker Mary Elizabeth Miller (mmiller@lcsd.k12.ri.us), we will be able to access the pantry on your behalf to meet your family’s needs. 

As we shift from face-to-face instruction and pivot to virtual learning, I want to stress that our school is much more than bricks and mortar. Wilbur McMahon School is about relationships, learning, and inspiration so all can thrive. It sure does take a village -- now more than ever.  

Before the end of this week, you will be hearing from your child's teachers and other staff members -- and so the shift to virtual schooling will begin.  Once again, be well and well cared for, and care for the well being of others -- but at a distance! 

Below, please see a listing of additional organizations and descriptions from their web sites that Ms. Miller has organized for your perusal. 

East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) -  People come first at East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP). We are a private, non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. We are mission-driven. When a resident walks through our doors, we get to know them personally. Then, we connect them with the right services, at the right time.

The services we offer help make sure everyone can reach their full potential. This may mean solving immediate challenges, like access to food or housing. Or, it may mean getting and staying healthy for life. There’s medical and dental care, behavioral health care, human services and community programs. We help children, youth, families, adults and elders. EBCAP has over 20 services. And all from one place!

Getting started with EBCAP is easy. Our EBCAP’s Community Programs and Children & Youth Services directories make it simple to find the right starting point. And, every door is the right door at EBCAP. Any staff member will help connect a client with the help they need.

Let EBCAP help you find medical, dental, behavioral and social services. If you live in East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton, Little Compton, Portsmouth, Middletown, Newport or Jamestown, we’ll care for, and about you! To find a Primary, Behavioral or Dental Health Center near you, click here.

BH Link - https://www.bhlink.org  -- is a behavioral health facility designed to provide immediate assistance to a person in crisis by providing innovative crisis intervention services, and connecting people to ongoing treatment and care. Services are provided by our professional team of registered nurses, counselors, psychiatrists, phone screeners, and peer specialists. Our clinicians will listen to clients’ concerns and take the necessary steps to get people through their crisis, and help make connections to longer term services if needed.

Primary components:

• BH Link Hotline, (414-LINK; 414-5465): a one-stop, statewide 24/7 call-in center that connects people to appropriate care and resources, when they or someone they care about is experiencing a behavioral healthcare crisis
• BH Link Triage Center: a 24/7 community-based walk-in/drop-off facility where clinicians connect people to immediate, stabilizing emergency behavioral health services, and long-term care and recovery supports 

Kids’ Link RI™ - is a hotline for children in emotional crisis. A program offered in collaboration with Gateway Healthcare, Lifespan, Hasbro Children's Hospital and Bradley Hospital, Kids’ Link RI is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for children suffering from behavioral problems or psychiatric illness.

Call 1-855-543-5465 if your child is:

• Feeling excessive anger or sadness
• Lashing out at siblings, friends, and adults
• Having behavior problems at school
• Having severe worries
• Hurting himself/herself or others

The free hotline, 1-855-543-5465, connects parents and caregivers to children’s services in Rhode Island, and helps parents determine the best place to go for treatment and counseling.

With this confidential hotline, parents and caregivers can dial a toll-free number, to speak to an experienced clinician.

Newport County Community Mental Health Center (NCCHC)

Children and Adolescents:
Your child deserves a happy and healthy future. With our evidence-based, person-centered approach, NCCHC will help your child reach his or her potential. We serve children and adolescents with emotional, and behavioral challenges, such as anxiety and depression, substance abuse, and more by using a variety of therapeutic approaches, including dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).Our team of therapists, psychiatrists and support staff work with family members along with your child to achieve a sustainable recovery. We provide individual, family and group therapy, along with Weekday Walk-In. (No appointments or referrals required).
WEEKDAY WALK-IN M-F (9-2)
24/7 CRISIS HOTLINE: 846-1213

Adult:

NCCMHC’s team of therapists, psychiatrists, and support staff work together to help you 

determine your own unique path of recovery. We believe that recovery is a collaborative journey, where you work with our team to choose your own unique path of recovery based on your particular needs and lifestyle. That’s why NCCMHC helps you from the moment you walk into to our Weekday Walk-In with no appointments necessary from 9-2 Monday through Friday. We also work with existing centers in the area to get you the personalized care you deserve. We provide individual, family, and group therapy.

For those needing more support, NCCMHC teams work together with clients with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorders. Also NCCMHC is always available 24/7 to help you by calling our crisis hotline.We will help you through any crisis and provide on-going treatment and support on your road to recovery. In addition we have a variety of housing options and vocational support available to help you through your journey toward a happier and healthier life.
WEEKDAY WALK-IN M-F (9-2)
24/7 CRISIS HOTLINE: 846-1213

Regards,
Laurie
Dr. Laurie Dias-Mitchell
Superintendent of Schools
Little Compton School Department
28 Commons
Little Compton, RI 02837
Office: 401-592-0363
Cell: 401-542-1116
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LCRISchoolNews
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilburSchool/

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr. 

No subject is off limits -- well, maybe the superintendent's age and ....  ;-)

Thursday, March 19 at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, April 7 at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, May 26 at 3:15 p.m

Dear Wilbur and McMahon School Community,

SY 2018/19 SUMMARY OF INITIATIVES

SAFETY

Choose Love Training, all staff - grades 7 and 8

Open Circle,  training for specialists and support staff

Additional Walkie Talkies and Centralized Charging Station

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training for Support Staff

Upgrade of Fire Stop Materials throughout the school facility

Upfront Funding for Renovations/Safety Upgrades to the building  (40% reimbursement)

Water System Consultant - Completion of an Operations and Maintenance Plan (EPA funded)

Youth Mental Health First Aid Course (8 hours)  offered to staff and community members (Bradley Hospital)

BOKS Pilot (Building on Kids Success)

$50,000 Grant Long-Range Capital Improvement Plan

Upgraded Dismissal Procedures (safety protocols in place)

Logistics Module activated and populated in ASPEN

Locked Doors at All Times (all entrances and classrooms)

Main Office Reconfiguration for ease of access /improved work-flow

Building-Wide Emergency Communication System put into place

Blackout Shades/All Interior Glazing

AED Signs Throughout School

All Staff CPR/First Aid/AED Certified, including many substitute teachers and assistants

Restorative Practices Training for Counselor/Social Worker

Investigation Training for WMS Admin Team

Title IX Training/Certification HR Director

Chains/stanchions added across WMS exterior access points on east and west side

Active-shooter training continuation (ALICE) with LCPD and LCFD

Choking protocols signage added to cafeteria

Blackboard Connect Texting Feature for real-time communicaion with stakeholders

ENGAGEMENT

Principal's Weekly Update for Families

Updated Website (Curriculum Central, Scoop.it)

One School, One Book for all staff: The Power of Our Words by Paula Denton

Island Moving Company Partnership: Nutcracker performance

Island Moving Company Partnership: Text into Movement

Island Moving Company Partnership: Math into Movement

Master Gardener Course at URI - Two WMS Staff members/Oasis Committee members completed the course

CORE Partnership: Who Am I

CORE Partnership: Art Courses

Superintendent's Monthly Coffee & Conversation gatherings for stakeholders

Newport Gulls Partnership (health/wellness program and camp scholarships for students)

Principal's Daily Update for Staff

WMS PST Incorporated on state level

BoardDocs implementation

School Garden Mentor (URI Master Gardener)

ACHIEVEMENT

National Geographic Geo Bee and Scripps Spelling Bee participation

Professional Development for teachers across the content areas

Numerous guest speakers/trips in the field for students in all grade levels

ZAP - Zeros Aren't Permitted implemented in our middle school 

Food Service Dashboard (Expedited Eligibility); good nutrition means better learning

Addition of Sonic Steamer to food services program (grant funds and local funds) 

International Baccalaureate Research Phase - three site visits (parents, staff, administrators, School Committee)

Approval for WMS Leadership Team:

  (Coaches/Coordinators in ELA, Social Studies, Math, Science)

ASPEN Scheduling Module activated and populated (automated scheduling of students/staff)

High School Transition for 8th Graders, College/Career Counselor

Participation in Lion's Club Educator Recognition Program

Chromebooks for All Support Staff (and training)

Staff serving as Senior Project Judges at Portsmouth HS, Class of 2019

REAP Grant (Chromebook cart for WMS Library)

FUSE RI Partner District - Cohort 5 (Our teachers are loving the FUSE framework!)

 

Regards,

Laurie

 

Dr. Laurie Dias-Mitchell
Superintendent of Schools
Little Compton School Department

28 Commons

Little Compton, RI  02837

Email: ldias-mitchell@lcsd.k12.ri.us
Office: 401-592-0363

Cell: 401-542-1116