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Police Officer Maddie Pirri checks Renesha Duncan for vitals during a mock DUI crash event staged outside Portsmouth High School in front of seniors last week. Duncan, a sophomore, was playing the part of a passenger who was killed after being ejected from a car operated by a drunk driver. Looking on at right is Anastacia Inman, another student who played one of Duncan’s friends. In the middle are Police Officers Amanda Weaver (left) and JeanMarie Stewart.

In Portsmouth: ‘This actually happens in real life’

PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth 911 — what’s your emergency? Hi, there’s an accident at the high school. It looks like there’s two cars. I can’t see too well; I was … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/24/22

Davis Lee of Portsmouth congratulates a classmate at the conclusion of Portsmouth Abbey’s commencement exercises on Sunday, May 28.

Abbey grad: Classmates ‘picked me up’ after failures

PORTSMOUTH — Catherine O’Hara told her fellow graduates at Portsmouth Abbey that she had “failed a lot” over her four years of high school, but nearly every time one of … more

6/7/22

McKee stops short of mandating masks in Rhode Island schools

PROVIDENCE — Governor Dan McKee, following up on updated recommendations made earlier this week by the Centers of Disease Control as the “Delta” variant of the coronavirus has … more

By Mike Rego | 7/29/21

Little Compton's Wilbur & McMahon Schools will be mask-optional Monday and will remain so unless the schools' positivity rate climbs above 15 percent. It is currently at less than one half of a percent.

Tiverton, Little Compton schools go masks optional

Students in Tiverton and Little Compton will officially be maskless Monday, after the school committees in each town declared masks optional just prior to the ending of the governor's executive order … more

By Ted Hayes | 3/4/22

Melville School Principal Elizabeth Viveiros has been named assistant superintendent of Portsmouth schools, effective July 1. (File photo)

Melville’s Viveiros named Portsmouth’s next assistant superintendent

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth School Committee Tuesday night warmly welcomed the appointment of Melville Elementary School Principal Elizabeth Viveiros as the district’s new assistant … more

5/20/20

Portsmouth High’s Joseph Murphy attempts to head a corner kick into the net during a 5-0 win over Mt. Hope on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

Portsmouth High shuts out Mt. Hope, 5-0 (photos)

The Portsmouth Patriots boys’ soccer squad overwhelmed visiting Mt. Hope in a league game last Wednesday, Sept. 28, shutting out the Huskies by a score of 5-0. more

10/3/22

Graduating senior Mackenzie Gill greets School Committee Chairwoman Emily Copeland as she receives her diploma Saturday morning at Portsmouth High School.

Portsmouth diploma pickup was full of pomp and circumstance

PORTSMOUTH — It was like a second graduation ceremony, and perhaps that was the point. more

By Jim McGaw | 6/9/20

Portsmouth schools being spruced up for opening day

PORTSMOUTH — When students and staff enter their respective school buildings this month, they’ll see some improvements the district has been working on over the summer. The … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/17/22

Deputy Superintendent Elizabeth Viveiros, who was principal at Melville School when the outdoor learning space was being planned and built, cuts the ribbon during a brief ceremony on Friday.

Portsmouth school celebrates opening of outdoor classroom

PORTSMOUTH — It’s almost as if Melville Elementary School knew what was coming. “We did this pre-COVID,” said Sara Churgin, manager of the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/13/22

Hathaway School students hand over their “Blankets of Hope” Monday morning to Heather Strout, executive director of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, for distribution to homeless people.

In Portsmouth: Dispensing hope, one blanket at a time

PORTSMOUTH — If a little kindness goes a long way, then Hathaway School students’ gesture this week should have a prolonged journey. The entire student body — 423 … more

By Jim McGaw | 3/10/22

These eight Portsmouth High School seniors are going on to service academies this month (from left): Colby Fahrney (USNA), Amory Kirwin (USNA but deferred for one year due to injury), James Andersen (USNA), John Maedke (USAFA), Garen Seibert (USAFA), Jack Pacheco (USMA), Maria Chytka (USMA), and Ethan Courville (USMA). This photo was taken after an informational session the seniors presented to younger PHS students.

These Portsmouth High graduates are at your service

PORTSMOUTH — Eight members of the Portsmouth High School Class of 2022 won’t have much time to celebrate their summer vacation after being awarded diplomas tonight, June 3. … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/3/22

Vanessa Reale hired as next Portsmouth High principal

PORTSMOUTH — Vanessa Reale, who has previous experience as a principal and headmaster, has been selected by Superintendent Thomas Kenworthy to be Portsmouth High School’s next … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/14/22

Portsmouth High’s Chris Vachon, Kevin Sullivan and Kaden Kluth (from left) run in a pack during the 1,500 meter run at Monday’s home track meet. Kluth would go on to win the event, and also set a new school record in winning the 3,000-meter run.

Portsmouth boys, girls both winners in track meet

Just two weeks after he shattered a 42-year-old Portsmouth High School running record, Kaden Kluth improved on another school best during a home meet on Monday. Competing against East … more

4/26/22

Portsmouth High’s Avery Pelletier blocks the net on Townie player during Friday night’s non-conference volleyball game.

Portsmouth High volleyball team falls to Townies, 3-2 (photos)

PORTSMOUTH — The Patriots’ varsity girls’ volleyball team lost a non-conference match against East Providence on the road Friday night, 3-2. The Patriots are now in fourth … more

9/26/22

Members of the Portsmouth High School girls’ lacrosse team celebrate after storming back to beat Cranston West in the semifinals on Tuesday.

Portsmouth girls storm back to win D-2 lacrosse semifinals

PORTSMOUTH — Down six goals with under 20 minutes to play? No problem for the Portsmouth High School girls’ lacrosse team, which came back to beat Cranston West in a wild semifinal … more

6/3/22

Portsmouth High’s Ronan Caufield chips onto the green while playing the back nine during the state team championships at Cranston Country Club earlier this week.

Portsmouth competes in state team golf championship

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth High School golf team qualified for the state team championships at Cranston Country Club earlier this week and had its first chance to play an 18-hole competitive … more

6/3/22

Gov. Gina Raimondo at her regular weekly Coronavirus briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 12.

It’s official: Opening of public schools pushed back to Sept. 14

PROVIDENCE — At her regular weekly press conference today, Gov. Gina Raimondo confirmed what she had already hinted at during media interviews earlier this week: The opening day for Rhode … more

By Jim McGaw | 8/12/20

Fourth-grader Keiley balances on the longboard during gym class at Melville School on Monday.

Coasting through class at Portsmouth elementary school

Ryan Soares was never good at skateboarding as a kid, but he never forgot how much he enjoyed trying it. Now the second-year physical education instructor at Melville Elementary School is teaching … more

By Jim McGaw | 5/16/22

Members of Portsmouth High School’s Class of 2022 throw their caps into the air at the conclusion of Friday night’s commencement exercises on the baseball field.

‘Be true to yourself,’ Portsmouth High graduates told

PORTSMOUTH — After joking about why anyone would want a math teacher to share inspirational and philosophical wisdom with graduating high schoolers entering their next journey in life, … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/6/22

Here are most of the recipients of the Presidential Environmental Youth Award, who were recently honored by the School Committee. Missing from picture is Tatum Brennan, Noah and Owen Sidewand, and Cameron Davis.

Portsmouth students win Presidential Environmental award

Fifteen students at Portsmouth Middle School have been won the Presidential Environmental Youth Award, which recognizes outstanding stewardship projects and positive community … more

6/16/22

Members of the Portsmouth High School girls’ lacrosse team celebrate after beating Burrillville, 14-4, to capture the Division II state crown at Cranston Stadium on Sunday.

Portsmouth girls’ LAX team ends dominating season with state title

CRANSTON — A semifinal scare may have been the motivation the Portsmouth High School girls’ lacrosse team needed Sunday afternoon to get back to what it did all season long: … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/6/22

Callum Corbishley, Parker White and Hunter Madril (from left) perform a science dance experience combined with kinesthetic learning while they enjoy Marvelous Marvin Novogrodski's program during Monday’s Arts for Life presentations at Hathaway School.

The arts come alive at Hathaway! (Photos)

PORTSMOUTH — On Monday, Hathaway Elementary School welcomed a magician, storyteller, musicians and others in celebration of its its annual Arts for Life Week. The day featured performances … more

4/5/22

Portsmouth High’s Morgan Casey won the gold medal in the high jump at the state outdoor track and field championships held Saturday at Brown University.

Portsmouth High’s Casey wins high jump at state track meet

Morgan Casey was the only East Bay competitor, girl or boy, to win a gold medal at Saturday’s Rhode Island high school outdoor track and field championships at Brown University. Casey, … more

6/6/22

“It’s been a wonderful ride,” said retiring Portsmouth High School principal Joseph Amaral.

Retiring Portsmouth principal: ‘My whole life has been around kids’

PORTSMOUTH — When Joseph Amaral’s family first came to the United States from the Azores, he was just 5 years old. “One month later, I was in first grade and didn’t … more

By Jim McGaw | 6/23/22

Portsmouth High pitcher John Mass hurls a fastball during the team's win over East Providence on Monday. The right-hander struck out 14 batters, allowing just one hit and no runs over six innings.

Portsmouth downs Townies as 2 pitchers combine for shutout

PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Patriots varsity boys’ baseball team defeated East Providence 5-0 on Monday, as two pitchers combined to throw a shutout. more

4/5/22