Professional Documents
Culture Documents
I am writing to you because we at RINI value the health and well-being of our students, staff and families. We work
throughout the year to promote healthy schools. Safety is always our priority.
As the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) share more information about COVID-19, or the coronavirus, we want you to
know that we are regularly in contact with the Rhode Island Department of Health. From fighting the flu to monitoring other
health concerns, we follow their guidance and CDC recommendations. Our school nurse works with them to plan and
respond. We are sharing this information so you are aware. There are no specific recommendations for schools from
Rhode Island Department of Heath related to COVID-19 at this time.
At this time, Rhode Island has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the risk to our residents remains low. At the same
time, the risk for the influenza virus is very high. There have been 650 flu related hospitalizations and 11 flu-related deaths
in RI this year. Rhode Island residents are much more likely to become sick with a cold, flu, or norovirus than to be
exposed to COVID-19. Many of the precautions that help prevent colds, flu, and norovirus can help protect against other
respiratory viruses.
The use of facemasks is NOT recommended. Facemasks are used to prevent someone who is sick from spreading the
infection to others.
Again, we are sharing this information so you are aware. As global and local monitoring continues, we will keep you
updated if need be.
Sincerely,
RINI is closely following instructions from the RI Department of Health and the CDC regarding the
Coronavirus (COVID-19). We are getting multiple updates every day from the Department of Health.
As of today’s, update, there are 2 people in RI who have tested positive for COVID-19 and one is
awaiting results from a test.
According to health officials, the best approach to preventing the spread of COVID-19 is to take the
same precautions that you would take regarding the flu.
The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from
respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional
recommends it. A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing
symptoms. This is to protect others from the risk of getting infected.
In addition, our custodial staff will sanitize all surfaces (desks, tables, countertops, doorknobs,
faucets, railings) and common areas daily.
We will continue to share information as we receive it from the Rhode Island Department of Health.
You may also access this information directly on the RI Department of Health website
at www.health.ri.gov.
Thank you
March 6, 2020
COVID-19 Information
Good afternoon,
Governor Gina Raimondo announced that the state has asked all employees who have been to
China, South Korea, Japan, Iran or Italy within the last two weeks to stay home until they have had 14
symptom-free days. She asked all employers in the state to consider similar measures. We at RINI
are following this request in an abundance of caution for our community. We are asking all families
who have traveled to any of these areas to notify us at RINI. We are further asking that any families
who may have traveled to these areas to keep their students’ home for 14 symptom-free days.
The RI Health Department of Health is also urging people who feel sick to not rush to the hospital or a
doctor. They should call their doctor or health care provider first and the Rhode Island Department of
Health to assess what to do. The Department of Health coronavirus hot line is 401-222-8022.
Thank you!
March 9, 2020
**LIGHT DINNER WILL BE SERVED PLEASE RSVP BY: Monday March 16,
2020
This afternoon Governor Raimondo and RI Health Director, Dr. Nicole Alexander-Scott, called on all Rhode Islanders to
not attend or organize events of 250 people or more for the next two weeks. Therefore, in an abundance of caution, we
are cancelling the RINI Parent Night scheduled for March 19th from 5-7pm. We are disappointed to do this but, feel this is
the right thing to do to contain the spreading of any illness. We will reschedule at a later date.
We have also learned that the University of RI (URI) has cancelled all classes for next week 3/16-3/20. Beginning 3/23,
they will offer virtual learning classes only. RINI students enrolled in these classes will take instruction from their
professors regarding their specific requirements. Dr. Clancy's college classes will continue at RINI instead of at URI.
College students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled RINI classes. At this time, only URI has made these
changes. We will keep you informed if CCRI or the other colleges make similar arrangements.
Currently, there is no recommendation for mass closures of public schools in RI. School closings are currently being
assessed on a case by case basis, only with evidence-based reasons for closure, and only with guidance and approval
from the RI Department of Health, the RI Department of Education and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The
decision would be dependent on the number of cases of students or staff in a school that are sick or have been exposed
to COVID-19.
To prevent infection with COVID-19, the CDC recommends frequent handwashing with soap and warm water; coughing
and sneezing into your elbow or a tissue; avoid touching mouth, nose, and eyes; and if you are sick, please stay at home.
For the most up-to-date information about COVID-19, visit RIDOH’s website (www.health.ri.gov) or please call RIDOH’s
COVID-19 Information Line at 401-222-8022, Monday-Friday between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. After those hours, the United
Way’s 2-1-1 call center can answer many frequently asked questions about the new coronavirus and can assist with many
other situations 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
We have links to this information on our website at www.rinimc.org and other important information happening at our
school to contain the transmission of COVID-19. We will continue to share with your information on this important health
issue.
Thank you!
Pam McCue,
RINI CEO
March 12, 2020
RINI has been sharing the most up-to-date information from the RI Department of Health (RIDOH) regarding the coronavirus. As per
the recent guidelines and recommendations, several of the activities and events that we are involved in have been cancelled until
further notice. Please refer to the list below for important information. College classes will be accommodated as listed below.
RINI continues to be vigilant and is monitoring the situation closely. We are cleaning and disinfecting the school as per RIDOH and
CDC regulations and we are asking that anyone who is ill to stay home. If there has been travel to an area of concern, or exposure to
an individual who has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus, please contact your healthcare provider for instructions. The state has
also set up a 24/7 public hotline — (401) 222-8022 — staffed with health care professionals for those with questions about the
coronavirus or how-to self-quarantine.
Regular handwashing, safe sneezing, and avoiding crowds are still the most important things we can all do to remain healthy and to
prevent the spread of disease. Please refer to the RIDOH and CDC information that is regularly updated on the RINI
website: rinimc.org
The field trip to URI on 3/17 for the URI Writing classes cancelled.
CCRI Pathways 3/26 field trip for grade 11 and 12 students cancelled.
CNA clinicals cancelled, arrangements for the current class will be determined as soon as possible.
URI and CCRI have suspended all in-person classes beginning this Monday March 16 until at least Monday April 6. Online
classes begin March 23 until further notice.
o **URI Stats - Fri March 13 - no class. Independent research, data collection and begin the data analysis. (I
cancelled this class last week to give time to begin this work.) Dr. Clancy will be available tomorrow (3/13)
afternoon for students who need help thinking of and designing a project. *** All other URI Stats classes
beginning on Fri Mar 20 will be held in the RINIMC boardroom on the first floor.
o **URI Anatomy/Physiology - Fri March 13 and thereafter, the BIO 220 and BIO 221 classes will be held in the
RINI building on the first floor board meeting room. As scheduled, tomorrow (Fri 3/13), there will be a quiz on
Joints / Articulations and Basics of Muscles. The BIO 221 lab will continue in Room 300 as normal.
o **URI Chemistry classes on Tuesday, March 24 and Thursday, March 26 and thereafter, will be held online.
Students enrolled in this class should make sure that they can log into their Sakai account AND be sure to know
how to use the SAKAI site. For the time being, they should assume that you will be expected to do
*EVERYTHING* on SAKAI for the lecture (CHM 103). Students must check emails often. We do not currently
know what will happen in the laboratory class (CHM 105) but that information will be communicated from Dr.
Ebersole and Dr. Clancy.
o **CCRI Oral Communications - classes are cancelled until March 23 and will resume online until further notice.
Students enrolled in this class should make sure that they can log into their Sakai account AND be sure to know
how to use the SAKAI site. For the time being, they should assume that you will be expected to do
*EVERYTHING* on SAKAI. Further information from the professor will be shared as it becomes available.
Students must check emails often.
Please feel free to contact the school if there are any questions, comments or concern.
Thank you!
Mrs. Hitchings
Per directive of the Governor and the RI Department of Health, all schools in Rhode Island, K-12
must move April vacation to next week, March16 - March 20. There will be NO SCHOOL March 16 -
March 20.
During that time, the school will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. School leaders and faculty will
also define and develop a plan to provide distance learning in coming weeks, if the situation demands
that schools remain closed. Students will be able to access education and instruction using
Chromebooks and cell phones. Please check your emails, the RINI website, rinimc.org, and have
students check their RINI emails often for more information and updates.
Next week is VACATION and no classwork will be provided. The information that will be forthcoming
in emails and on the RINI website is for further weeks if that becomes necessary.
Public health is of the greatest importance at this time, and the Governor has asked that all Rhode
Islanders do their part to ensure the safety of our community and its residents.
She has cancelled all large events and is asking people to maintain appropriate social distance.
She has asked that everyone refrain from travel and avoid crowds.
She has mandated that anyone who is traveling or has traveled out of the country be quarantined for 15
days
The guidance remains the same to avoid this illness: frequent handwashing, disinfecting surfaces,
coughing into sleeves, and staying home when feeling any symptoms of illness. Please refer to the
RIDOH and CDC information that is regularly at www.health.ri.gov.
Should there be concerns about mental health at this troubling time, the RI Department of Health has
established a hotline: 414-5465. Should there be illness serious enough to require medical care, the
directive is to call your healthcare provider or call the RI Department of Health.
RINI faculty and staff will be monitoring school phones and emails regularly. Please do not hesitate
to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this challenging time.
Colleen Hitchings
chitchings@rinimc.org
Free “Grab and Go” meals available next week for Providence Children ages 18 and under
Beginning Tuesday of school vacation week, Providence Public School District is collaborating with
Sodexo to provide students free “grab and go” meals at eight school sites. These sites will continue to
serve Providence children ages 18 and under until public schools in Providence reopen. To qualify for
meals, children must live in Providence and be personally present at the distribution site. No ID is
required.
These sites have been chosen geographically to be easily accessible to families throughout the city
and include:
Each site will be open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., beginning Tuesday, March 17. Service lines
will be located at the front entrance of each school—No families will be allowed into the
buildings. Sodexo staff will hand each student a packaged lunch and a breakfast.
Starting tomorrow, free "Grab and Go" meals are available for school children throughout Rhode
Island. All of these sites are operating on the same basis, which is that anyone aged 18 or under who
shows up gets a free meal. There are no ID or residency requirements, but the child must be
present; schools cannot give a meal to an adult on behalf of a child.
D’Abate Elementary School, Vartan Gregorian Elementary School and DelSesto Middle School
have been added as sites for Providence Public Schools’ Grab and Go meal program that
begins Tuesday, March 17.
In another change, Asa Messer Elementary will no longer be participating in this program.
Families in that area are recommended to pick up meals at D’Abate Elementary or
Providence Career and Technical Academy.
Each site will be distributing packaged lunch and breakfast meals weekdays continually from
11:00AM-2:00PM, beginning Tuesday, March 17. Service will be located at the front
entrance of each school—No families will be allowed into the buildings.
Thank you!
RINI Update March 18, 2020 DISTANCE LEARNING
This afternoon the Governor announced that virtual learning will begin 3/23 and extend for
2 weeks, through 4/3, with the "very likely" possibility of extending beyond that date. To summarize what we
know at this time, see the bulleted items below.
The next 10 virtual days WILL COUNT as regular school days and will not have to be made up at the end
of the year.
RIDE will constantly monitor and evaluate the successes and needs over these 2 weeks, and then will
determine if we need to "pause" and reset, or continue as per the district plans.
RINI will be sharing a detailed plan with all students and families as soon as it is approved by RIDE.
Please check emails often for updates and information.
RINI will be providing instruction and information that can be accessed by cell phones and by
Chromebooks. Most information will be centralized in a shared folder that we are creating. You will
receive information and access as soon as possible.
RINI will be in constant communication with students and families throughout this time.
All RINI staff will be issued a phone number and a Google Hangout meeting code so that they can be
reached directly. Teachers will have scheduled “office hours” that they will maintain in Google
Hangouts. The list of this information will be shared soon. In addition, the main number at the school,
680-4900 will be maintained and supported during this time. Please press 1 to leave a message.
If students have technology needs, it is essential that they contact us as soon as possible. Please email
Miss Lubo with any concerns or technology issues that arise. klubo@rinimc.org.
It is my pleasure to introduce RINI’s new Director of Culture and Community, Ms. Mimi Tsiane. She joined
the RINI community on Monday of this extraordinary week. She has been working with the leadership
team and is eager to support the RINI community in any way that she can. In the spirit of digital
community, please see the video attached. I am sure you will hear more from Ms. Tsiane soon.
In addition, the Governor announced the following supports that are available for all Rhode Islanders:
The United Way and the RI Foundation set up an emergency response fund and collected $1.5 million in
immediate response to the need. Financial support will be available to Rhode Islanders in need.
Thanks all for your continued support and flexibility during this situation that is unprecedented during our
lifetime! Stay safe, stay connected with RINI, and stay home if you are feeling sick or if you do not have essential
responsibilities!
Mrs. Hitchings
Distance Learning for all students will begin on March 23, 2020.
Please see the Comprehensive Plan (English) (Spanish) for all of the details.
Please see the Highlights of the Plan (English and Spanish included) for a quick summary of the
Plan.
There will be 2 Virtual Question and Answer Forums this afternoon, at 4pm and at 6pm. Please see
the login or call in information in either plan. Look for the dark blue text.
Thanks in advance for your engagement and support of this unprecedented initiative. It will take the
entire RINI Community to make this a success!
Mrs. Hitchings
Distance Learning Begins Tomorrow
Good Afternoon,
Tomorrow starts the implementation of RINI's Distance Learning Plan. Important information can be
found on the RINI website https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Au2j_NBe-
BbefcfL3g6M4jzm5p6fEwG4DbpReSct1Yw/edit
Information on school lunch sites during this time can be found at https://rinimc.org/school-lunch-food-
sites-for-children/
The Distance Learning will be new to ALL of us and it will take some time to adjust. We promise to
stay connected and keep you informed. We will work through this together as a RINI Community!
Thank you!
March 23, 2020 Update - First Day of Distance Learning
Thanks to the tremendous work of the RINI faculty and staff and the commitment of RINI
students and families, day one of the new Distance Learning initiative was a huge success!
Preliminary review of attendance data indicates at least 95% of students checked in today and
were engaged in online learning!
RINI will continue to offer a rigorous and aligned curriculum that will prepare students for college and
career in nursing and in healthcare.
Thanks to students and to families for their continued efforts to access the educational opportunities
provided in this very unique situation.
Remember, all assignments on today’s playlists are due by the end of day on Friday, March 27,
2020. Once assignments are handed in, teachers will be able to provide valuable feedback so that
learning can be maximized!
Distance Learning will continue for at least 2 weeks, and potentially for the foreseeable future.
Please be sure to contact us with any questions, comments or concerns.
Important information can be found on the RINI website.
Information on school lunch sites
New main contact phone number during Distance Learning: 401-206-4241
We will continue to monitor all messages left at the school number (680-4900).
Check out the new Distance Learning Hub where all important documents will be shared.
Google Hangout for families managed by a bilingual administrative assistant from 12:00 - 1:00 daily and
by appointment.
Email Mrs. Leiva for information.
RINI Supports Nurses and Healthcare Providers Working in the Time of Covid-19
To support RI's nurses and frontline healthcare workers, RINI donated some of our medical supplies
from the CNA lab. A significant number of boxes of exam gloves and surgical masks were delivered
to the RI Clinic and over 80 isolation gowns were donated to the RI Department of Health this
afternoon.
Our heartfelt thanks go to all of the healthcare and medical professionals who are working around-the-
clock with this dangerous situation in order to help the most vulnerable patients who are in need of
their care. We wish them safety, health, stamina and courage as they give of themselves to help
others in need.
Please do not hesitate to connect directly with me as needed. Thank you for your continued support.
Colleen Hitchings
chitchings@rinimc.org
March 30, 2020
Due to efforts to contain the COVID-19 virus, RINI Middle College continue distance learning through at least
the end of April. Following the RI Department of Education’s guidance, we will not hold distance learning on
April 9 and 10. This will be a long weekend for students and staff. Additionally, our teachers will use April 3
and 17 as planning days to prepare for distance learning lessons. That means that students will not have school
on the following days: April 3, 9, 10 and 17.
March 30, 2020
First, I would like to thank all students, parents, faculty, staff and the leadership team for coming together and
making our first week of distance learning successful. I know it has been challenging and I am so proud of the
RINI Community!
Today the Governor and the Commissioner of Education extended Distance Learning to continue through April 30, 2020,
and potentially for the foreseeable future. In addition, the following changes have been implemented:
All school districts will follow the same April School calendar. Please note this is different from the previous
calendar. Specifically, April 3rd and April 17th will be Professional Days for teachers. There will be no school
assignments for students on these days. Also, April 9-10 will be days off for all school members (students,
faculty, staff, etc.)
Reading Challenge
The Governor has issued a “Reading Challenge” for all of us to read every day for the month of April. We urge
the RINI Community to take this challenge and read every day!
Kids’ Link RI offers a free hotline for children in need of mental health support. It is available 24 hours a day,
seven days a week. Call 1-855-535-5465
The Governor’s press conference on April 2nd at 1pm will be dedicated to answering questions directly from
students. Students can submit questions up until 12pm on April 1st either online by google docs or by calling
the Governor's Office (401) 222-2080. Please include in your name, grade, school, town and your question.
Thank you.
Dr McCue,
CEO
April 2, 2020
I hope you are all doing well during these difficult times. As you know, we are breaking new ground with our
distance learning initiative. I am impressed, proud and grateful to the RINI Community for your dedication and
creativity in making this work.
Following the RI Department of Education’s guidance, we will not hold distance learning on
April 9th and 10th. This will be a long weekend for students and staff. Additionally, our teachers will use April
3rd and 17th as planning days to prepare for distance learning lessons. That means that students will not have
school on the following days: April 3, 9, 10 and 17.
Providence has made changes to their meal distribution program during April.
Beginning on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, meals in Providence will be distributed twice a week on Tuesday and
Friday. Tuesday distribution will include breakfast and lunch for 3 days (Tuesday-Thursday) and Friday
distribution will include breakfast and lunch for 4 days (Friday – Monday). The meals will be boxed and
distributed at 14 locations in Providence from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Click here for locations.
Multiple day breakfast and lunch meals will now be packed in boxes available for pickup on
Tuesdays and Fridays each week beginning April 7th, 2020. Each box is packed with enough
meals to carry students until the following pickup day. Pickup sites will not be open on any
other day of the week, please be aware of the new schedule.
11:00am-2:00pm
4:00pm-6:00pm
Please do not congregate at the feeding site and practice social distancing (stand at least 6
feet away from other people) while lining up to pick up meals.