Thompson Recess Area Will Be Ready for School

Outdoor recess space will be ready for fifth grade students at Thompson Middle School come this fall.

The School Committee's Facilities Subcommittee chair, Hugo DeAscentis Jr., announced at the committee's meeting Tuesday that the district has been working this summer on plans to remove the six parking spaces in the back lot and section off that blacktop area for play.

"We had a meeting with some parents and staff to do the best we could to develop that area in the back as a suitable recess area," he reported.

Providing recess to students at the fifth grade level is required under the state's Basic Education Plan. But last year when Newport moved fifth graders from the elementary schools into Thompson, recess was one activity that got dropped in the transition.

The issue rose to the surface at the School Committee's June 8 meeting when Kerry Clougher, a parent of a fifth grader, raised concerns about why the children weren't being given time during the day to let off steam.

DeAscentis said the facilities subcommittee met this summer to discuss the issue and that "everybody decided there's a little bit of space that can be used."

A chain will be put up to block the area off from vehicles, DeAscentis said, and cement posts there will also be removed. Play equipment, including items such as balls, jump ropes and hula hoops, will be provided to students. Those supplies come at a minimal cost, around $2,500, paid for using funds from a grant that the Sullivan School Family Center had, DeAscentis said.

"I believe some instruction also goes along with the equipment," he noted.

Fifth graders will have time scheduled into their school day to use the space, but it will also be utilized in the morning hours as a waiting area for fifth and sixth graders. Seventh and eight graders will wait out front.

DeAscenstis said that while turning the area into a full-blown playground would be extensive and expensive, there is talk of continuing to improve that space for the students. Basketball hoops and benches have been discussed.

"I'd also like to see us utilize that wall back there, so that students can throw the ball up against it and whatnot," he said.

Another big change coming to Thompson this fall is the redesign of the school's truancy, tardiness, behavior and instructional policies. The School Committee officially approved a resolution for the Thompson Middle School Redesign Plan (detailed here) at its meeting Tuesday. That plan was first introduced by Superintendent John Ambrogi earlier this summer.