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🌱 Patch AM: How did Central Falls slash chronic absenteeism after the pandemic?

Coming up: Taylor Hollingsworth with Stev Delmonico and Rachel Jorgensen on the Central Falls Patch calendar

Wednesday August 19th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Central Falls! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How did Central Falls slash chronic absenteeism after the pandemic?
  • Which Central Falls athletes can now letter in girls flag football?
  • How many hidden homeless neighbors live around Pawtucket and Central Falls?

Also on today's calendar: Central Falls Girls Varsity Volleyball @ North Providence.

Today's riddle: What do evil hens lay? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: Very warm; fog in the morning, with a high of 87 and low of 65 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Humid; a p.m. shower possible, temps: high: 84, low: 61.
  • Friday: Partly sunny and less humid, with a high of 83 and low of 60 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Governor McKee, Infante-Green Announce 4th Consecutive Year of Declining Chronic Absenteeism Statewide, Resulting in 4.4 million Instructional Hours Recovered (ri.gov subscription) — Central Falls schools have sharply improved attendance, cutting chronic absenteeism to 22.2% for 2025–26, down 26 points from the pandemic peak. State leaders say this progress, alongside similar gains in Providence and across Rhode Island, has recovered millions of instructional hours and are launching the new Attendance Matters RI campaign to keep students in class consistently.
   

2. R.I. Interscholastic League officially recognizes girls flag football as varsity sport (woonsocketcall.com) — Central Falls High is among 16 schools set to field varsity girls flag football teams starting in spring 2027, after the Rhode Island Interscholastic League officially upgraded the sport from club to varsity status. The move, backed by support from Nike and the New England Patriots Foundation, opens new athletic opportunities for local girls as more schools are expected to join.
   

3. URI Study Measures RI's Hidden Homeless Population (upriseri.com) — New research estimates hundreds of people in the Pawtucket–Central Falls–East Providence area are experiencing "doubled‑up" homelessness, living temporarily with others because they can't afford housing. The URI study suggests thousands statewide in similar situations aren't counted in federal homeless totals, leaving many local families ineligible for key aid and underscoring the need for more affordable housing and flexible assistance.
   

4. Judge Weighs ICE Monitor as Wyatt Debate Continues in RI (upriseri.com) — Central Falls' Wyatt Detention Facility is back in the spotlight as a key example in a national court fight over independent monitoring of ICE detention conditions, especially for children. A federal judge in California is weighing outside oversight of family detention in Texas, and any ruling could shape how data and conditions are verified at Wyatt, which remains in bankruptcy but continues holding ICE detainees.
   

📸 Around Central Falls

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Burger King posted a job opening for Team Member in Central Falls. Apply here.
  • YMCA of Pawtucket posted a job opening for Day Camp Counselor in Pawtucket. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Central Falls here.

Ok Central Falls! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Deviled eggs (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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