Newport Public Schools are making strides in improving student attendance rates, with Thompson Middle School showing a notable 2.6% increase in average attendance compared to the previous week.
The district’s efforts to boost student attendance were highlighted during a Newport School Committee Meeting on Tuesday, November 12 and in a press release from Governor Dan McKee and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green on Wednesday, November 13.
Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain reported during the Newport School Committee Meeting that attendance rates continue to improve from a year ago almost every day. Thompson Middle School, in particular, has been leading the charge with double-digit increases on a daily basis compared to the previous year.
“Today Rogers had 89% attendance, Thompson 92.5% and Pell 93.4% attendance,” Jermain said during the meeting.
The district is employing various strategies to address attendance issues. One such method involves using a software system called “nudge” that allows principals to text and send messages to families. These communications share the percentage of time students have been absent and highlight the relationship between attendance and academic performance.
“We’ve done those comparisons,” Jermain explained, referring to the correlation between higher absences and lower academic achievement.
The district is also considering adjusting the school calendar to address specific attendance challenges. Jermain noted, “Recently, right before the long weekend, we had a very poor attendance on that day and right after Halloween… We have had some preliminary discussions on maybe doing something like parent conferences or other things after Halloween because this is probably the third year in a row.”
The improved attendance rates in Newport align with a statewide focus on the issue. Governor Dan McKee and Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green have been recognizing schools with high attendance rates as part of the #AttendanceMattersRI campaign.
In a press release from the governor’s office, Thompson Middle School was specifically recognized for demonstrating the most improved average attendance rate among middle schools in the state, with a 2.6% increase from the previous week.
At the School Committee meeting, committee members expressed interest in receiving more detailed attendance data. Jermain committed to providing a daily chart showing the percentage increase from the previous year, starting the following week.
The focus on attendance comes as the district grapples with broader financial concerns. Ronald Gonsalves, Director of Administrative Services, warned of potential budget challenges in the coming year due to declining enrollment.
When asked about the possibility of condensing classrooms or reducing staff in the next school year, Gonsalves responded, “I believe it’s safe to say everything is on the table if we can’t forecast a balanced budget.”
On a positive note, Gonsalves announced that Newport Public Schools will now be eligible for community eligibility provisions, allowing every school to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to children. This change is expected to have minimal budget impact and will eliminate approximately $25,000 in annual meal debt.
