LEARN365RI

In April 2023, Governor Dan McKee announced an out-of-school learning initiative, Learn365RI, designed to shift learning from the traditional 180 school days to 365 days of learning by supporting partnerships between municipalities, local education agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to expand high-quality, extended learning experiences.

Download Governor Dan McKee's Math Matters RI Coloring Activity Book

LEARN365RI initiative has a long-term goal of improving student learning outcomes and increasing three key metrics in participating communities:

  • Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS) mathematics and English Language Arts scores;
  • School attendance rates (chronic absenteeism);
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion rates.

In the initial 2023-2024 grant round, North Kingstown was awarded a $305,000 for innovative out-of-school learning opportunities to increase achievements for school-aged youth between September 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024.

In the second round of LEARN365RI funding, North Kingstown was awarded $189,124.06 for continuing and additional innovative out-of-school learning opportunities for school-aged youth from July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026.

To accomplish this, the Town of North Kingstown is collaborating with several community partners, education institutions and other community service providers to implement innovative youth-centered after-school and out-of-school growth and learning programs. 

For additional insight on our LEARN365RI programs to include details on our primary partnerships and collaborations, please use the links below:

NK SCHOOL DEPARTMENT, SUMMER CAMP AND RI’s LEARN 365 MAKING A PLACE AT THE TABLE

Through RI Governor McKee’s Learn 365RI Grant, the Town of North Kingstown and Recreation Director, Chelsey Dumas-Gibbs found a summer project that collaborated the efforts of Lydia Hanhardt with the School Department’s Office of Higher Learning, NK Parks and the summer campers, and in turn created an active,  community piece of art at each of the four summer camp locations.""

The Xtreme Summer Camp group during session 1 (ages 11-14), worked with the Recreation Parks Field Maintenance Division and built the first picnic table to be placed at McGinn Park. While working with the Parks staff, Dave Creta, Christian Eberle and Chris Cole - they learned some fundamentals on tool use and the mathematic fundamentals involved, as well as creating their own picnic table and enhancing recreational space in the community.  The Recreation Parks Field Maintenance Division built 3 more tables that were dispersed to the other 3 Playgrounds camp locations.

The Playgrounds campers, ages 6 – 11, then worked under the guidance of Ian Christian, a North Kingstown teacher, who assisted in each of the table designs that incorporated representations of North Kingstown and Rhode Island, from the camper’s perspective.  Ian is leading a multi-week mural initiative with students aged 9 and up, focused on designing a painted table for public donation. The McGinn Park group envisioned a design celebrating the North Kingstown community and chose to keep their table right at the park. After reviewing several design concepts, students created a collaborative sketch. They then primed the table and used acrylic paint markers to transfer their plan directly onto the surface.  Teachers assisted the campers with the priming process of each table, and as you can see in the photos, the campers are completing the final touches.  Each table will be sealed once completed and will be treated to public use at each location.   When relating to the project, Dumas-Gibbs stated, “through this project the kids will forever be a part of their community”.

Through Learn365RI and Math Matters RI initiatives, programs are taking place throughout the State with a focus on math for rising Kindergarten through 9th grade students.  The initiative supports partnerships between municipalities., local education agencies and community-based organizations to expand extended learning experiences.  As part of the 365 program, Hanhardt seeks to deliver high-quality extended learning and summer programs for school-aged children in NK. This summer we utilize Learn365 and Math Matters funds to deliver two programs: Summer Squad - a 6-week Summer Learning camp operated out of Quidnessett Elementary School; and Brain Boosters - a 5-week summer program operating out of all four playground sites once per week (also funded by the Learn 365 initiative).  Brooke Easton, a NK teacher, and Courtney Hughes a teacher in Coventry and NK resident, facilitated hands-on learning activities focused on math and science.  This week’s topic was about volcanos and dinosaur fossil creation, one of many exciting summer “lessons”.  While celebrating the success of the picnic table program with Town representation as well as Emily Ustach, a representative from RIDE, Jeremy Chiappetta, a senior advisor in the Governor’s office and Jan Mermin from RIDE were able to watch the campers create volcano scenes and then erupting them using baking soda and vinegar. The visitors were also witness to Lydia accepting the citation from the Governor’s office on behalf of her hard work on the summer leaning initiatives across North Kingstown.

Related Pages