Terry Moreau, one of Ocean State Transit's longest serving school bus drivers, began by saying that it was her experience at the Maher Center that opened her up to working with children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. She attributed where she is today to her work there more than 30 years ago. The Maher Center is an organization in Middletown that strives to develop “community alternatives for people with disabilities." Moreau turned around to point behind us. “Right down the street here is the Maher Center where I worked. I was the bookkeeper there for five years. At …

Joshua Beagan speaks of teaching like you would hope any teacher would. His words are passionate, caring, and eager. His vision, wide-eyed. As an enthusiast of the math and sciences, he hopes to grasp the interest of his students, while also meeting the expectations of his superiors, “I look forward to the challenge of a new position.” As many schools are making cuts in their budget, the Gaudet Middle School has made a major push for the STEM department by bringing on Beagan. For the last nine years he has been involved with RITES (Rhode Island Technology Enhanced Science) to develop the STEM…

Aquidneck Island residents who are struggling to find a job, would like to open up new career doors or just improve their skills have the opportunity today to learn about many new programs now available right here in Middletown. The Aquidneck Island Adult Learning Center (AIALC) will hold an Open House today from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at their new location at 740 West Main Road in Middletown, the old John F. Kennedy Elementary School. Many of the Adult Learning Center's programs are free of charge to students, including the high school equivalency course (GED), English as a second language (ESL) …

Middletown Patch recently caught up with Josie Brennan-Corey, the Middletown Education Collaborative's "Educator of the Year" to find out how she recharges the batteries over the summer, gets ready for the year ahead and keeps learning exciting for her second grade students at the Aquidneck Avenue School. Patch: How do you manage to stay focused as an educator?Brennan-Corey: As with any focused activity, well defined goals and frequent reexamination of the goals are necessary. In school, the progress and needs of the children are the primary guides. I work with an amazing group of educators …

In rain slickers, boots and under the cover of umbrellas, Middletown Public Schools' new and returning students headed back into the classrooms Wednesday morning for the 2011-2012 school year. Many parents and young students at the Aquidneck Avenue and Forest Avenue elementary schools shared the experiences of their big day with Middletown Patch. See the image gallery above.

Students at the Gaudet Middle School will return back tomorrow to shiny floors, freshly painted walls and sparkling clean classrooms, a product of the custodial staff’s hard work at back-to-school preparations, even through Hurricane Irene.  “We are getting ready for back to school all summer,” said Rick Ford, the school’s night supervisor.  “Although any parent knows the clean walls and shiny floors don’t last long,” he said with a wink. Ford said although the preparations were set back by Hurricane Irene, which tore off a roof hood and splashed muddy, saltwater on all of the freshly cleaned…

PAPER FOR A PENNYDeal: A ream of Hammerill Copy Paper is being sold for one cent at Staples. That’s a lot of school papers that can be printed for next to nothing.Good Through: September 10 BOGO GOLDFISH Deal: Stock up on school snacks with buy one, get one free Pepperidge Farm Goldfish at Shaw’s this week.Good Through: September 8 40-PERCENT OFF AT MICHAELSDeal: You choose the sale item with the printable coupon from Michaels.com that offers 40 percent off any one regularly priced item in their store.Good Through: September 10 $5 STORAGE BINSDeal: Whether you’re packing up your summer gear …

All school buildings remain on track to welcome students back this Wednesday, Sept. 7, after Hurricane Irene last week caused only minor disruptions in the School Department's annual back-to-school readiness operations. Middletown Public Schools Superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger said the school buildings “did not suffer any damage. Phones were out as well as internet, but both were restored quickly. New student registration was delayed the day after the storm but we already made those appointments up.” School Facilities Director Ed Collins attributed the minimal damage to advance preparations …

The Middletown Public Schools District has released its school bus schedule for the 2011-2012 academic year, scheduled to begin Sept. 7. Print or view the PDF of the school bus schedule from the image gallery at right. Important transportation phone numbers Got transportation questions or concerns? Keep these numbers handy this year: Ocean State TRANSIT Contact Information: 401-619-4711 Middletown Public Schools: Director of Facilities Ed Collins, Middletown Public Schools: 401-849-2122.

80-PERCENT OFF GLUE STICKS Deal: Forgot the glue sticks? Pick up a 3-pack of them at Staples for only 50 cents.Good Through: September 3 20-CENT FOLDERS Deal: CVS is offering 2 pocket Calibur folders at five for a dollar when you use your CVS card.Good Through: September 3  FREE BOLOGNA Deal: It doesn’t get much more American than a classic bologna sandwich in the lunch box. Buy one pack of Oscar Meyer bologna at Stop & Shop and get the second package free.Good Through: September 1  NO. 2 PENCILS FOR PENNIESDeal: There are few things that scream back to school more than the No. 2 pencil and …

The Middletown Public Schools District on Thursday night unveiled the two new administrative teams to lead Gaudet Middle School and Middletown High School. At Middletown High School, Associate Principal Gail Abromitis has been named as Interim School Principal with Christopher Savastano stepping into the position as Interim Associate Principal. Savastano has served as MHS's Director of Fine Arts and Applied Arts. Abromitis was promoted and the vacancy was created to fill her position due to the recent unexpected late-summer departure of former MHS Principal Steven Ruscito, who is leaving to …

The first official day of school for students of Middletown Public Schools is Sept. 7. But the big day will be here before you know it, so bookmark these important dates and web links to help make back-to-school go as smoothly as possible: New Student Orientation Dates The following orientation programs are intended for newly registered students only: Forest Avenue School: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 30. Gaudet Middle School and Learning Academy: 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 31. Families are asked to meet in the cafeteria. Please enter at the Turner Road entrance of the building. Aquidneck School…

ENDS TODAY! BOGO HALF OFF SHOES Deal: Olympia Sports is currently offering "Buy One Get One Half Off" on a wide selection of athletic and casual footwear from brands like Teva, Crocs, Nike and more. Good Through: August 23 SCHOOL UNIFORM DEALS Deal: Save up to 25 percent on school uniform pieces such as polos, oxfords, shorts, skirts, pants, dresses, sweaters and more at Old Navy.Good Through: N/A 30 TO 50-PERCENT DISCOUNTS AT GROOVY GATOR Deal: There are still many warm weather days ahead so pick up shorts, tees, and dresses from summer collections at 30 to 50-percent discounts at the Groovy…

Eight years ago Megan Larcom decided to bring to Middletown what she had seen first-hand in other states, a Safety Town program, which teaches soon-to-be kindergarten students basic safety principles at school and at home while introducing them to a school environment.  This year over four days, 64 young students met firefighters, police officers, learned basic road safety rules and other general safety principles, all in a colorful and fun environment run by older student volunteers led by the Larcom family.   “The program teaches the young students everything from how to memorize important …

After eight years as principal of Middletown High School, during which time the school's rating soared from 22nd to 6th in the state, Principal Steven Ruscito is moving on to Westerly High School when his contract expires Aug. 31. Patch: What prompted you to make a change? Principal Ruscito:  I think one of the things I looked at is the work that we have done here in Middletown. I have been here eight years, and looking at what we have accomplished during that time, I had to ask myself the question, is my work done here or is there more to do on the list?   Patch: What do you consider your …

40-PERCENT OFF STORAGE BASKETS Deal: Whether it’s for under the bed, on a closet shelf or to organize a desk, every dorm room needs plenty of storage baskets and Michaels Crafts is offering their entire stock of them at 40-percent off.Good through: August 20 DORM MESSAGE CENTER FOR UNDER $10 Deal: Get a dry-erase and cork board combination that includes slots for three 4-inch by 6-inch pictures for memories of home at the Christmas Tree Shops for only $9.99.Good through: While supplies last. BED-IN-A-BAG STARTING AT $33 Deal: Choose from a wide selection of colors and patterns of complete …

The Town of Middletown has launched a drive for back-to-school supplies. Beginning this week, donations may be dropped at Middletown Town Hall in a drop box in Town Council Chambers or at the Town Clerk's Office, according to Town Council member Richard Cambra. Last year, the town's school supplies collection gathered hundreds of items that filled several carloads. The donations benefitted students at all of the town's four public schools, according to Middletown Public Schools Outreach Director Carmela Geer. About 35 donated backpacks were filled with school supplies and were distributed to …

Middletown Public Schools are looking into new ways to handle students with chronic truancy problems. The first step has been taken with the School Committee’s dismantling of the old system, which had utilized the state’s controversial Truancy Court for the previous 12 years. Under that system, parents of Grade 7-12 students were required to attend the court proceedings with the students and parents also were held accountable to court requirements. The Middletown School Committee voted unanimously on Wednesday to no longer use the state’s Truancy Court system at the recommendations of school …

It’s official—after an eight-year term at Middletown High School, Steven Ruscito is leaving the blue-and-white Islanders for the blue-and-white Bulldogs at Westerly High School. In a unanimous vote Wednesday night, the Westerly School Committee appointed Ruscito as the new principal at Westerly High School beginning with the 2011-2012 school year, according to administration staff at the Westerly School District Central Office. According to a Westerly Sun report published Tuesday, Ruscito described the appointment as a key career move that would place him at a larger high school and might …

$1 SCHOOL SUPPLIES Deal: Staples has launched their back-to-school promotions and this week you can get pencils, markers, glue sticks, highlighters, folders, notebooks, dry-erase boards and more for only $1. Good through: July 23 DISCOUNTED ALL-IN-ONE COLOR PRINTER Deal: Speaking of school supplies, don’t start the new school year without a good printer. Best Buy is offering a $30 discount on the HP Photosmart All-in-One Printer with LCD Screen.Good through: July 23 30% OFF SCHOOL UNIFORMS AND MORE Deal: Save 30 percent on all school uniform pieces, backpacks, messenger bags, and lunch boxes …