The mission of the Warwick Public Schools, working cooperatively with families and the community, is to provide challenging learning environments that enable all students to develop skills and knowledge necessary to become self-directed, life-long learners, highly productive responsible citizens, and contributors to a technological and diverse society.
(Warwick Public Schools Mission Statement, 2001-)
Superintendent, Richard D'Agostino, Ed.D.
IMPORTANT
Background Checks Now Required for School Volunteers
The governor has signed legislation last week to require any individuals who are current or prospective volunteers of a school department and who may have direct or unmonitored contact with children or students on school premises to undergo a state criminal background check.
If you are planning on volunteering at your school for the 2013-14 school year, please obtain your BCI check soon!
VOWS and 2 school PTAs will be holding state criminal background check clinics in the month of June.
Please click here for more information!
From the Desk of the Superintendent
June 2013
It’s hard to believe that school will be wrapping up for the summer in a few weeks. Without a doubt, this has been a memorable year: from the uncertainty of Hurricane Sandy and a fierce winter blizzard to the challenges of adapting to new mentoring guidelines, coping with declining enrollment and funding, and state initiatives like the Rhode Island Model Evaluation System and Common Core.
Persevering through any one of those challenges would have required enormous effort and teamwork, which is why I’m so proud of all of our Warwick Public School employees. From custodians to directors, everyone has demonstrated their dedication to providing a safe learning environment – and great instruction – for all of our students.
This is the time of year when we get to enjoy the fruits of those efforts by attending concerts, honor nights, award ceremonies, proms and our upcoming high school graduations. These events are about the students and their achievements and they make our hard work worthwhile. I have also been heartened by recent school committee meetings where students and staff at all levels – elementary, junior high and high school – have been recognized for their incredible, diverse accomplishments.
As we look ahead and begin planning, we see more challenges on the horizon including budgetary issues and possible school consolidation. These issues will require careful examination and sacrifices to make sure that we continue to provide quality support and the best possible instruction for our students. Yet together, with support from the community, we will continue to strive to make Warwick Public Schools the best school district in Rhode Island. For two years now, we have been moving quickly and I know that it’s been demanding for our teachers and administrators. Improving the quality of observations and feedback our educators receive is the most important thing we can do to elevate instruction in our schools and help all students learn.
Thankfully, we’re moving ahead to a differentiated process next year that will focus our efforts where they are needed most. I’m confident these changes will alleviate some of the stress around evaluations. While the number of required observations will be reduced, it will give administrators more time to continue to deepen their skills as instructional leaders who are engaged in all levels of teaching and learning. Ultimately, it’s that spirit of teamwork and cooperation that has helped us come through so many challenges this year – and will guide us in the future.
For all that and more, I have been proud to serve as your superintendent, and I look forward to the start of our next year together. In the meantime, I wish you a safe and pleasant summer.
Sincerely,
Richard D'Agostino
Superintendent