Community Corner
🌱 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
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!)
- 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
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Central Falls
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Taylor Hollingsworth with Stev Delmonico and Rachel Jorgensen →
The Parlour Providence, 1119 N Main St, Providence
8:00 pm
Monday August 24
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Central Falls Girls Varsity Volleyball @ North Providence →
North Providence High School, 1828 Mineral Spring Ave, North Providence
6:30 pm
Friday September 11
📣 Central Falls Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Ordinance Sub-Committee →
Cumberland, RI Calendar Cumberland, RI 02864
5:30 pm - Parent University: How to stay informed, involved and empowered with your school community →
Providence Public Schools Providence, RI 02903
5:30 pm - Freshman Roar
Lincoln Public Schools Lincoln High School, 135 Old River Rd, Lincoln, RI 02865, USA
6:00 pm - Parent University: Prepare your child for PreK and learning about the Special Education process →
Providence Public Schools Virtual
5:30 pm - Municipal Court →
Lincoln, RI Calendar Lincoln, RI 02865
6:00 pm - ESOL Class (BVCAP) →
Cumberland, RI Calendar, The Amaral Building 16 Mill Street, Cumberland
6:00 pm - Paint Nite: "Majesty" →
BattlegroundZ, 100 Higginson Ave, Lincoln
7:00 pm - Collective Soul →
Bally's Lincoln, 100 Twin River Rd, Lincoln
8:00 pm - Magnetic Magic (Mad Science) →
Cumberland, RI Calendar, The Amaral Building 16 Mill Street, Cumberland
10:00 am - Probate Court →
Lincoln, RI Calendar Lincoln, RI 02865
8:45 am
Wednesday August 19
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Monday August 24
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 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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