Commissioner Infante-Green to Engage Students, Families and Educators in First Week in Rhode Island

Published on Friday, April 26, 2019

Public Calendar Includes Daily School Visits and Meetings with Key Community Leaders

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Angélica Infante-Green, the incoming Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, begins her tenure in Rhode Island Monday with a jam-packed schedule of school visits, public engagement, and meetings with a range of stakeholders and advocates that represent Rhode Island students, families, and educators.

Among the Commissioner’s top priorities is meeting directly with Rhode Islanders, and next Thursday, she will host a public forum with parents and families. The forum, which will include opening remarks, a facilitated discussion, and time for open Q&A, is being co-hosted by ProvParents, Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE), the Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN), and the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity (CLEE).

“I am ready to hit the ground running in Rhode Island, meeting as many students, families, educators, and other stakeholders as possible so I can hear more about the opportunities and challenges facing our school communities,” said Infante-Green. “I have done extensive research on Rhode Island’s educational system and student outcome data, but that tells us only one side of the story. Now, it’s time for me to engage with communities directly to get a more complete picture, and to build the relationships and partnerships that will help drive our education system forward and improve outcomes for all students.”

In her first week alone, Infante-Green will visit eight schools, host discussions with community groups like the English Learner Advisory Council and the Rhode Island Special Education Advisory Council (RISEAC), and meet with key stakeholder groups like the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association (RISSA), the Rhode Island Association of School Principals (RIASP), and recent Rhode Island Teachers of the Year.

Commissioner Infante-Green’s public calendar is as follows:

MONDAY, APRIL 29

What: Walking School Bus

When: 7:45 a.m.

Where: Meet at Harry Kizirian Elementary School, 60 Camden Avenue, Providence

Note: The Walking School Bus then moves into the neighborhood to pick up students and walk them to school.

What: Welcome Celebration for Commissioner Infante-Green

When: 9 a.m.

Where: Harry Kizirian Elementary School, 60 Camden Avenue, Providence

What: School Visit and Tour of Barrington Middle School

When: 10:15-11:30 a.m.

Where: 261 Middle Highway, Barrington

TUESDAY, APRIL 30

What: Meeting of the Rhode Island Children’s Cabinet When: 10-11:30 a.m.

Where: Meeting Street School, 1000 Eddy Street, Providence

What: School Visit and Tour of Meeting Street School

When: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Where: 1000 Eddy Street, Providence

WEDNESDAY, MAY 1

What: School Visit and Tour of Davies Career and Technical High School

When: 8:30-10 a.m.

Where: 50 Jenckes Hill Road, Lincoln

What: School Visit and Tour of Garden City Elementary School

When: 10:30-11:15 a.m.

Where: 70 Plantation Drive, Cranston

Note: This visit will be followed by a closed meeting with the RI Association of School Principals

THURSDAY, MAY 2

What: School Visit and Tour of Cole Middle School

When: 10-11:30 a.m.

Where: 100 Cedar Avenue, East Greenwich

What: Parent Forum with Commissioner Infante-Green

Who: Co-hosted by ProvParents, Parents Leading for Educational Equity (PLEE), the Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN), and the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity (CLEE)

When: 6-7:30 p.m.

Where: Providence Career and Technical Academy, 41 Fricker Street, Providence

FRIDAY, MAY 3

What: College Signing Day celebration with Governor Gina M. Raimondo

When: 12-1 p.m.

Where: Blackstone Valley Prep Charter School, 65 Macondray Street, Cumberland

These school visits and events are open to press. Media members that wish to attend one or more events are asked to notify Meg Geoghegan at Megan.Geoghegan@ride.ri.gov, in order for advance notice to be given to the respective schools.

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