Letters To The Editor

SK Schools Re-Affirm Emergency Protocols

SK Schools Superintendent Krsten Stringfellow shares the district’s emergency and lockdown policies in light of what happened at URI on Thursday.

The following letter was sent to the South Kingstown schools listserv. Crisis Response Plan Communication to Parents In light of the recent event at URI, we are taking this opportunity to review district crisis protocols with parents and staff. LOCKDOWNS Although yesterday the South Kingstown Police confirmed that there was no threat to schools and we did not need to “lockdown” our school buildings, there may be times in the future when a “lockdown” is necessary to help ensure student safety. We understand that communication from the media will most likely go “viral” before we can confirm the accuracy of the information and communicate to families. When parents hear about a crisis in or around schools they will certainly become concerned. …

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Whiz Kids

Famous Composer Visits, Conducts SKHS Band

According to Dr. Don Smith, famous band composer and arranger Robert Sheldon spent a class period with students from the South Kingstown High School band.

To the editor, On Monday, March 25, the SKHS music department had a visitor.  Famous band composer and arranger Robert Sheldon spent a class period with students from the SKHS band program to conduct and talk about the composition of three of the band students’ pieces that he had written and were performed at SKHS during the last two years.  Sheldon had been the Guest Conductor for the Rhode Island Music Educators All-State Senior Band over the weekend.  He currently serves as the chief editor for Alfred Publications while actively composing commissioned works from his home in Normal, IL.  He agreed to the visit as part of a "ride to the airport" from an old friend – myself, Dr. Don Smith, the director of instrumental music at SKHS.  …

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Student Charged With Possession at SKHS

A student is charged with possession of marijuana at the high school. South Kingstown police logs from February 26 and 27, 2013.

Unless otherwise noted, information about the following incidents was supplied by the South Kingstown Police Department. An arrest does not indicate a conviction. SKHS Student Charged With Possession at School Joshua Landry, 19, of 2445 Post Road, South Kingstown, was arrested at about 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 26 and charged with possession of marijuana. According to police, school officials received reports of a marijuana smell coming from the bathroom on the first floor of the Hazard Building. Police said that school officials looked at students who were out of classes at the time, and determined that Landry was likely the one in the bathroom. Police said that school officials searched Landry’s backpack, which revealed marijuana in a plastic …

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Weather Watches and Warnings

One Hour Delay for SK, Prout

Two local schools have delayed their start by an hour for Friday.

Because of icy and windy conditions, as of 5:30 a.m. Friday both the Prout School and South Kingstown public schools have delayed the start of classes today by one hour. Several other South County high schools – Chariho and Westerly – have also delayed by an hour. The Compass School is also delayed by an hour. Narragansett has not announced any delays as of 5:45 a.m. If there is a delay announced, we will do our best to update this article quickly. At least according to the Rhode Island Broadcasters Network, there are no other cancellations or delays of note. There are no local parking bans, and the University of Rhode Island is also on schedule for courses today.

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Boys’ Hockey Teams Advance In D-II, III Playoffs

Prout advances in the Division II playoffs over Middletown, and Narragansett will try to upset top-seeded West Warwick in the Division III playoffs.

Both the Narragansett Mariners and the Prout Crusaders have advanced in their respective playoff series, beating Ponganset and Middletown in the process. The Mariners, the No. 4 seed in the Division III boys’ hockey playoffs, swept No. 5 Ponagansett in their best-of-three series. On Friday, Narragansett opened the series with a 6-1 win, according to stats at Rhode Island High School Hockey. Goals by the Mariners – Robbie Pratt unassisted, Dylan Jardon from Pratt, Connor McKnight unassisted, McKnight from Jardon, Kurt Richardson unassisted, and McKnight from Pratt and Henry McGreen. In game two, Narragansett took a 1-0 first period lead, thanks to a goal from Brody Wise, with the assist by Richardson. In the second, Jardon had two goals, …

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Playoff Outlook for Hockey, Basketball

Looking for info on the hockey or basketball playoffs? Check here!

Boys’ Hockey Division II – No. 2 Prout Plays Tonight No. 2 Prout travels to St. George’s in Middletown for game two in their series at 7 p.m. Results from Prout’s first game with No. 7 Middletown were unavailable. If needed, game three will be Monday at a location to be determined. The semifinals start Friday, with the winners playing No. 3 North Kingstown or No. 6 North Smithfield. Boys’ Hockey Division III – No. 4 Narragansett Holds Series Advantage According to reader Paul Sahagian, the Narragansett Mariners took game one of their three-game series with No. 5 Ponaganset, 6-1, on Friday night. Narragansett, seeded No. 4, can take the series with a win tonight at the Levy Rink at 8:30 p.m. If a game three is needed, it would be on Monday …

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Prout Stuns Clippers; Rebels Play Tonight

In the Rhode Island high school boys’ basketball state tournament, Prout stuns the favored Cumberland Clippers.

Thanks to 23 points from wing Eric Ramieka, and 14 points and 14 rebounds from center Justin Bristol, the Prout Crusaders upset Division II champion Cumberland 61-57 in the Sweet Sixteen of the boys’ basketball state tournament. The Providence Journal has a small write-up and a box score on its website. The South County Independent also provided updates via its Facebook page throughout the game. With the win, No. 13 Prout will face No. 5 North Smithfield at 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Alumni Hall on the Providence College campus. It’ll be a Hoosiers-like story for either winner, with the “underdog” narrative in play for both the low-ranked Crusaders and the Division III Northmen. The winner between Prout and North Smithfield will play in the Final…

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Prout Girls Advance; Boys Play Tonight

The Crusaders advance to the quarterfinals, thanks to 16 from Maddie Hagerty and 14 from Olivia Hirst.

WAKEFIELD – Senior Maddie Hagerty and junior Olivia Hirst combined for 30 points Wednesday night as the No. 8 Prout Crusaders hit a slew of open shots in a 58-45 win against No. 9 West Warwick in a preliminary round game of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Division II girls’ basketball playoffs. Hagerty finished with 16 points, using a variety of head fakes, spins and drives to get free in the paint. The senior co-captain also had a block and a steal. Prout head coach Phil Quinn said Hagerty was a game-time decision following an injury suffered in the regular season finale. “I knew she would play, but I didn’t know how long she could play,” he said, likening her to an NBA player. As a result, he said they kept her out of most …

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Rebels Advance; Prout Plays Today, Tomorrow

South Kingstown pulls off a minor upset of Portsmouth, and the basketball playoffs start for Prout on Wednesday and Thursday.

Thanks to 17 points from Mary Eden, per The Providence Journal, the South Kingstown girls’ basketball team will play on in the Division I playoffs. Eden had three 3s, as No. 9 South Kingstown beat No. 8 Portsmouth 45-36. Maggie Buell had seven points, and Michaela Lawler and Stephanie Laraway each had six points. South Kingstown gets the privilege of playing No. 1 seed La Salle 6:30 p.m. Friday at Rhode Island College. (Note: This game time was shifted from an earlier article.) If the Rebels win in the quarterfinals, they play 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 5 at Rhode Island College. The Rebels were Division II second place finishers in 2000-01, and 2001-02, and Class C champions in 1990-91. The Rebels had three winning seasons from 2007 to 2010, …

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