Spelling Bees, School Dances, Planetarium, Student-Faculty Basketball, NAEP Testing and More

Yes, it's already that time of year to order graduation caps and gowns. Aside from that, Middletown students of all ages, faculty and parents have quite a busy week ahead. Here's a look at the week ahead in Middletown schools:

General Announcements

• Today is the final day to register for the Middletown Public Schools Vacation Enrichment Program for the February school break from Feb. 22 to Feb. 25. Students in grades K-8 are eligible to participate in the program which will be held at the Gaudet Middle School from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on those days. To register, fill out the attached registration form and deliver it to “MPS Vacation Program” Gaudet School, 1113 Aquidneck Avenue, Middletown, RI 02842. See attached registration form.
• Planetarium Family Fun Night is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Krupowicz Planetarium at . Attendees will enjoy the "Oasis in Space" full dome show which takes the audience on a voyage through the universe in search of liquid water. Tickets are $3 per person or $2 for those 8 and younger. No one under the age of 4 will be admitted. Space is limited to 60 people and is on a first come first served basis. The box office opens at 6:30 p.m. For more information email Renee Gamba at rgamba@mpsri.net.
• The new Zumba Class at Gaudet Middle School that has been canceled the last two weeks due to winter storms will make another go at it this Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. and will run through Wednesday, Mar. 9. The program is open to the public for ages 18 and older. The classes will be taught by Johanna Lovelace, and the cost is $20 for the four week session or $7 per drop-in. For more information, contact Carmela Greer at 418-0071 or cgeer@mpsri.net.

• Driver’s Education classes for Middletown students will be offered at from Monday, Feb. 7 to Thursday, Mar. 3 or Monday, Mar. 7 to Monday, Mar. 21. Registration forms can be picked up in the main office at MHS.
• MHS will hold 90-Minute Mentors and 9- Minute Café sessions on Tuesday, Feb. 8 and Thursday, Feb. 10 from 1:45 to 3:15pm which allow students to have access to the library and cafeteria in order to prepare for mid-terms and work on homework. The sessions are free and open to all MHS students.  Adult volunteers to monitor the program are wanted.  For more information, contact Carmela Geer at cgeer@mpsri.net or 418-0071.
• Cap and gown packets are being distributed to seniors and are due back to Mrs. McIntosh no later than Friday, Feb. 11. Please be sure to include payment. Name verification forms for diplomas also need to be corrected, signed and returned to school as soon as possible.
• The MHS Junior Dance will be held on Friday, Feb. 11 from 8 to 11 p.m. and will have a Mardi Gras theme. Tickets are $8 and can be purchased in advance at school lunches only.

• The Builder’s Club will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. This community service program is presented by the Kiwanis Club in an effort to teach students the benefits of giving back to their community. This after school program is free and open to GMS students in grades 5 through 8. For more information, contact Carmela Geer at cgeer@mpsri.net or 418-0071.
• Grade 4 students will be participating in the National Assessment Educational Progress (NAEP) Testing on Wednesday, Feb. 9.
• GMS will hold its school wide spelling bee on Thursday, Feb. 10 at 8:30 a.m. in the cafeteria.
• Friday, Feb. 11 has been declared to be Spirit Friday at GMS with a theme of Rainbow Day.  Grade 4 will wear orange, grade 5 will wear green, grade 6 will wear pink, grade 7 will wear purple, and grade 8 will wear red.
• There will be a student faculty basketball game sponsored by the GMS physical education staff on Friday, Feb. 11 at 2:30 p.m. in the GMS gymnasium. The winners from the class knockout contest from the recent Hoops for Heart fundraiser will compete at half-time to be named Knock Out Heart Disease Champion. Admission is a $1 donation with all proceeds going to “hoops for heart.” All students, staff and parents are welcome. For more information, contact Mr. Almeida at dalmeida@mpsri.net or 846-6395.

• The Aquidneck School Parent-Teacher Group is scheduled to meet Thursday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 p.m. All Aquidneck School parents and teachers are welcome.
• The Aquidneck School Pop and Shop will be open on Friday, Feb. 11.

• Circle of Friends, a parent group for military parents with students at the Forest Avenue School, will meet to discuss school transitions at the Oliphant Administration Building on Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 8:45 a.m.
• Wednesday, Feb. 9 is Banking night at the Forest Avenue School. Students from all grades can come into the school, sign into the computer lab, and deposit funds into their account. Prizes are given for every deposit made.
• The Forest Avenue School Store will be open on Friday, Feb. 11.
• The Forest Avenue School Valentine’s Social, sponsored by the Parent-Teacher Group, will be held on Friday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Forest Avenue School cafeteria. This family friendly event is open to all Forest Avenue families and will include a cake walk, dancing, food and other fun activities. A canned food donation is requested to support the school’s spring food drive.
• Tickets are now being sold for Forest Avenue School Night with the Providence Bruins. The game will be held on Friday, Mar. 4 versus the Charlotte Checkers at 7:05 p.m. All friends and family of Forest Avenue students are welcome. Tickets are $14 each and each student will receive a free Providence Bruins hat. Tickets need to be purchased by Friday, Feb. 18. To order tickets, click here. 

• The ASA Boys Basketball team will play against St. Michael’s School White Team on Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 4:15 p.m. at The Hut in Newport.
• The ASA Girls Basketball team will play against St. Michael’s School on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 3:15 p.m. at St. Michael’s School in Newport.
• The ASA Valentine’s Dance will be held on Friday, Feb. 11. There will be a dance for pre-school through grade 4 students from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the dance for grades 5 through 8 will be held from 8 to 10 p.m.