Raymond C. LaPerche Elementary School

During writing time in first grade, students write their own Frog and Toad stories with a beginning, middle and end. LaPerche first graders are published authors!

Today was the first day of Start with Hello Week, a national call to action week dedicated to making new social connections and creating a sense of belonging among youth. At LaPerche, we celebrated with meet and greet Monday. Students used table talk cards to spark a conversation and learn something new about their classmates. Students had a chance to ask a question and connections were being made. We want every LaPerche student to know that they belong in our community and we value them. #Startwithhelloweek

Fourth graders are discussing expanded form versus standard form. Understanding place value is so important. Every student has an individual whiteboard that they use to show their thinking. Show red when ready!

Flexible seating and partner reading were in full force and Mrs. Harrison's third grade class at LaPerche today. Students reread a chapter of their book to deepen their understanding and find answers to comprehension questions. Students used inflection as they switched off reading and discussing the text. Focused learners everywhere!

Exciting News! I’m beyond thrilled to share that a former LaPerche student, Petros Lemme, has been named a semifinalist in the 2024 Breakthrough Junior Challenge – a global science competition where students explain complex scientific concepts through short and engaging videos. Out of thousands of entries worldwide, Petros’s video on the microbiome and the mind/gut connection landed him in the top 30! Now it’s the popular vote stage, and this is where we need your support. Winning the popular vote will secure him a spot in the finals, and we’d love your help to get him there! How you can help: Please vote by watching and liking his video on YouTube and/or Facebook between September 5th and 20th.The entry with the most combined Likes and positive reactions between both platforms will move directly to the final round. YouTube: https://youtu.be/IEewjw5lAJ0?si=AGlEFaE4aMvvVO3d Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/s9m7Niowzy62j3Q8/ For the past two years, Petros has been researching this topic with great passion, and he spent countless hours scripting, animating, and editing to create a 2-minute video that presents the science in an engaging and understandable way. Your vote could help Petros move one step closer to the grand prize – a $250,000 scholarship and the chance to bring a $100,000 science lab to Smithfield High School, if he wins! Let’s show how the power of community can help achieve this incredible goal! Thank you all so much for your support! #breakthroughjuniorchallenge #microbiome #lifestyle #healthyliving #proudmom #STEM #rhodeisland #newengland #VoteForPetros

Thank you, Representative Gabe Amo for hosting a state wide symposium on Artificial Intelligence at the Smithfield Public Schools. Ava, a senior at SHS, was the student representative along with a panel of delegates including the Department of Education, Brown U professors, SHS teacher leaders & our district leadership. This symposium was hosted by Rep Amo & our Supt at SHS. Rep Amo is co-sponsoring legislation that will support partnerships between K-12 schools & higher education.

Thanks to several grants we have received, new gardens like this one at Old County Road School are being implemented for the entire school to enjoy.

Students, community members, & volunteers from Bryant University spent a morning beautifying areas outside of SHS before the first day of school. Thank you to all for the awesome work - Classes of 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, and even 2029!

Welcoming new students to SHS & GMS. Thank you to our student volunteers, administrators, faculty, & staff .

We are nearly ready to open the new athletic field @smithfieldschls on Aug. 30. Community members, families, alumni, & businesses are invited to purchase an engraved brick for the entranceway.

Welcome to our new teachers, paraprofessionals & secretaries to the Smithfield Public Schools. We are happy to have you join our SPS family.

Please join us on the Day of Service, August 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at SHS. We will be revitalizing the front area of the high school. Stay tuned for communications from SHS and the district office. Donations of planters and plants for each SHS Class are welcome. Please contact SPS if you have any questions. Thank you!

Great to see so many families joining us at @SmithfieldSchls today for the 3rd annual Summer STEAM Showcase featuring musical performances, an art gallery, robotics, movie making, & Brown U summer math program.

To kick off inclusion week at LaPerche, the Special Olympics of Rhode Island joined our third, fourth, and fifth graders for an assembly about what it means to be a Special Olympics athlete. We heard from our guest, Maryellen, who works for Special Olympics and is a Special Olympics athlete. She shared about the challenges she faced in middle school and high school, as well as how Special Olympics helped her overcome them. Special Olympics helped her stand up against bullying and to become more confident and become an Upstander for others. LaPerche students asked excellent questions such as what hardships she has faced, who inspires her the most, and how far she has traveled. They encouraged the students to come out and support the athletes during Summer Olympics Games Weekend May 31-June 2. Thank you to Special Olympics for teaching us about accepting and loving others for who they are.

Join us at Chalk the Walk this Saturday, May 18th, outside of Gallagher MS! All are welcome & supplies will be provided.

Join us for the Smithfield High School music and art show on Thursday from 6:00-8:30 PM dedicated to Ms. Katherine Young .

Nemo was a huge hit @ Gallagher Middle School with a standing room crowd. Congratulations to our middle school actors and thank you to our teacher and parent directors! @SmithfieldSchls

Congratulations to our talented students at Pleasant View in the production of Willy Wonka! Excellent production. Thank you PVES PTO for your vision and support of theater in our elementary schools.

As we conclude Teacher Appreciation Week, a thank you to our dedicated faculty and staff @SmithfieldSchls!

Vin Zibelli is a social studies teacher at Smithfield High School and the advisor for the National Honor Society. "One of the best parts of working at Smithfield High School is how members of our community are so quick and willing to support, partner and work with the students of Smithfield High." Thank you, Mr. Zibelli! #TeacherAppreciationWeek