After a year and half of hybrid in-person and online classes, almost all K-12 students in Rhode Island are returning to school buildings together for the new school year.
John Bender
Reporter
John Bender was the general assignment reporter for The Public's Radio for several years. He is now a fill-in host when our regular hosts are out.
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Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts cope with the remnants of Hurricane Ida, after historic rainfall
In Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts, the remnants of Ida brought heavy rains, flooding, sewage overflow, power outages and road damage Wednesday night and Thursday. The region remains under a flood warning until 6:30 pm tonight. Aquidneck Island experienced some of the heaviest rainfall and flooding. In Portsmouth, a road partially collapsed from the force […]
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Universal mask requirement will stand in Glocester, despite local vote
Masks will be required for all students, staff and visitors inside Glocester’s two elementary schools. The announcement was sent to Glocester families in an email on Thursday from school administrators. The policy overrides the vote to allow parental objections to mask mandates by the local school committee Monday evening. The Glocester schools comprise two elementary […]
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Foster School Committee commits to mask mandate
This story has been updated. The Foster School Committee voted Tuesday 2-1 to include masking requirements for the fall reopening of the town’s one elementary school. On Monday, the Glocester school committee voted to allow parental objections to masking requirements in schools. It also voted to explore litigation over the state mask mandate. Parents in […]
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Interim Superintendent in Providence will lead schools this year
Dr. Javier Montañez will stay on as acting superintendent in Providence for the 2021-2022 school year. Montañez was originally installed as head of the city’s schools this spring, after the resignation of former superintendent Harrison Peters. Peters left after a top deputy he hired was accused of assaulting a minor. Montañez has served in an […]
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Gov. McKee to require masking in schools this fall
Governor Dan McKee announced Thursday that he is issuing an executive order to require mask-wearing for students and staff in K-12 schools this fall. The announcement comes after several weeks of mounting pressure on McKee to issue a masking requirement as COVID-19 cases increase and the September start of in-person classes draws nearer. “As Governor, […]
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Body cam footage shows violence during police arrest of teens in Providence
The city of Providence has released some eight hours of footage from a July 9th vehicle pursuit that resulted in the arrest of three teenagers, and the suspension of two officers. The two officers, Domingo Diaz and Mitchel Voyer, are now under investigation for excessive use of force by the Rhode Island Attorney General’s office. […]
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RI Education Council votes to reject school plans without mask mandates
The Rhode Island Council on Elementary and Secondary Education voted unanimously Tuesday to direct the Rhode Island Department of Education, or RIDE, to reject local school reopening plans that do not include mask mandates for students and teachers. The council is part of the state Board of Education. Earlier this summer, the state education department […]
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Providence School Board President to leave post this week
President of the Providence School Board Nick Hemond says he will step down from his position as head of the body Wednesday, before the end of his term this winter. Hemond’s decision was first reported by the Boston Globe. This summer marks a decade on the board for Hemond, who was first appointed by then-Mayor […]
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Top law enforcement officials push for greater support during special Providence City Council meeting
Providence Police Chief Hugh Clements told Providence City Councilors Tuesday that the number of officers in the city was “critically” low. Clements was among four people invited to speak before the City Council Tuesday night, during a special meeting convened to address the recent spate of violence in the city. The others were Public Safety […]
