Jo Eva Gaines, Chairperson: 227 Eustis Avenue, (401) 846-7222
Hugo J. DeAscentis, Jr., Vice-Chairperson: 388 Broadway, (401) 849-5673
Rebecca Bolan: 4 Channing Street, (401) 847-5842
Sandra J. Flowers, Ph.D.: 16 Keeher Avenue, PO Box 114, (401) 847-7271
Patrick K. Kelley: 57 Kay Street, (401) 847-2824
Robert J. Leary: 541 Bellevue Avenue, (401) 847-0273
Dr. Charles
Shoemaker: 96 Washington Street,
(401) 846-3388
Statement of
Philosophy
As a comprehensive School
System, Newport strives to serve the needs and
interests of every student by offering a variety of
programs, courses, and activities. Each student should
be enrolled in a program of studies designed to
accommodate individual needs, interests, and goals.
Moreover, Newport Public Schools believe that each
student shall have opportunities to pursue nonacademic
interests selected from a variety of school sponsored
activities. Newport Public Schools encourage each
individual to accept responsibility for assuming a
productive role within society by attempting to make
his/her school a microcosm of the community and a place
where opportunities for decision making and
participation are available.
Newport Public Schools recognize that each student
grows at a different rate in a variety of developmental
modes: intellectual, physical, aesthetic, social,
emotional, and philosophical. Newport Public Schools
facilitate such growth by providing a variety of
experiences, ranging from elementary to advanced levels
of difficulty and complexity. Newport Public Schools
believe that learning flourishes in a supportive
environment; therefore, it values the initiatives and
rights of its students. Every student is encouraged to
make decisions, express opinions, and develop personal
values. To assist in that development, Newport Public
Schools seek to provide a competent teaching faculty,
qualified support personnel, sufficient material
resources, and meaningful nonacademic experiences.
Newport Public Schools acknowledge its obligation to
help students assume a productive role in the
community, the nation, and the world. The security,
welfare, and progress of society depend upon the active
participation of each member. Accordingly, our
society's diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural
composition enriches the community's fabric. Newport
Public Schools encourage each member of the school
community to contribute to the greater community and
seek to foster in its students the recognition that
personal decisions have an impact upon the welfare of
the whole. As a reflection of its philosophy, Newport
Public Schools aspire to ensure that each of its
schools shall provide every student the following:
- An opportunity for each person to develop one's intellect and capacity to achieve maximum potential in the ability to think and proceed logically.
- An opportunity for each person to advance the dignity of humanity by learning to live cooperatively with other individuals, groups and organizations by developing an understanding of the past, an identification with the present, and an ability to cope with the future.
- An opportunity for each person to develop a feeling of positive self-worth, security, and self-assurance.
- An opportunity for each person to understand universal concepts and beliefs in order to develop moral and ethical values and goals.
- An opportunity for each person to cultivate an appreciation for beauty in all of its forms and to develop creative self-expression through various media.
- An opportunity for each person to develop an awareness of the requirements and opportunities related to the world of work, to be able to choose a career suited to his or her talents and aspirations, and to acquire the competencies to pursue that career.
- An opportunity for each person to create a healthier and more beautiful world by developing skills in the management of natural and human resources and man's environment.
- An opportunity for each person to understand and evaluate economic needs, values, and systems, to develop skills in order to function as an informed consumer; to enhance the quality of life; and to contribute to the common good of family, society, and state.
- An opportunity for each person to develop an understanding of and an appreciation for the obligations and responsibilities of citizenship.
To ensure progress toward the attainment of these educational goals, Newport Public Schools shall maintain a comprehensive curriculum, a competent staff, and a positive learning environment.
Based on extensive work with teachers, students, parents, and community members, Newport Public Schools have adopted the four identified core Student Learning Expectations which support the accomplishment of the district’s mission and are aligned with the Standards and Performance Indicators identified in district and school curriculum documents K-12.
These interdisciplinary expectations encompass academic, civic, and social outcomes and identify what a Newport Public School student should know and be able to do at all grade levels.
These expectations provide the underpinnings for all district curricula work:
Students will demonstrate the acquisition of a body of knowledge as contained in the academic expectations of each curriculum framework by:
- Integrating and applying acquired skills and knowledge
- Applying research skills
- Using a variety of technology tools
- Applying academic and career decision-making skills
Students will communicate effectively by:
- Writing clearly and concisely
- Listening for understanding in a variety of settings
- Speaking clearly
- Reading for understanding
- Using other forms of expression
Students will demonstrate the ability to think critically and to work cooperatively and independently to solve problems by:
- Defining the problem accurately
- Collecting, organizing and analyzing information
- Identifying and evaluating appropriate information
- Selecting, implementing, and evaluating a plan of action
- Drawing logical, substantive conclusions
Students will demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the rights and responsibilities necessary to learn, live, and work in a culturally diverse and democratic society by:
- Contributing to the well-being of the school and community
- Taking responsibility for personal and academic choices
- Exhibiting integrity and a high level of effort towards goal attainment
- Recognizing and respecting the diversity and individuality of others
Reference
Epistemological Foundations, Newport Public Schools Curricula
The Strategic Plan for Newport Public Schools, June 2001
History: AD, 1/2/73; JF 9/76