To the editor:

A weeks ago the last of our four children graduated from East Providence High School, bringing to a close seventeen fantastic/amazing years of K-12 education for our family in EP Schools. With overwhelming gratitude, we wish to direct this, our letter of appreciation, to the truly outstanding teachers and staff of the East Providence School Department.

Over the course of our children’s collective enrollment at Myron J. Francis Elementary, Edward R. Martin Middle School and East Providence High School, there have been numerous principals and administrators who served their students with pride and dedication while leading the way/charge for/at their school. Each principal, vice-principal and house leader fostered a school environment which empowered all teachers to work their magic. We appreciate the dedicated service of Mr.Traverse, Ms. Harris, Mrs. Leddy, Mr. DeVall, Ms. Wallace, Mrs. Forrand, Mr. Pyros, Mr. Prew, Mr. Elmasian, Mr. Vinhateiro, Mrs. Spencer, Ms. Sheehan, Mr. Messier, Mr. Tsonos and Ms. Deblois are just a few of the long list. Through difficult financial times and increased emphasis on standardized testing, these leaders kept the real focus on education, preparation and opportunity for all students.

Our children have also been blessed with having outstanding athletic and extra-curricular activities to help them grow outside of the classroom.

The arts (which unfortunately are always at the top of the list when budgets continue to shrink) have played a significant role in their total education.  Our children have participated in superior art classes, chorus (Ms. Lasorsa), band (Mr. A, Mr. Rappa, Ms. Pimentel), student government, National Honor Society, the Partners program, Pre-Engineering curriculum to name a few.

They all competed as part of numerous athletics teams with outstanding dedicated coaches (who also battle decreased budgets and salaries). The list of coaches and sports is just as long as the extra-curricular list to include basketball (Mr. Butler and Mr. Solitro), cross country and track (Mr. Duarte, Mr. Traverse, Mr. Lyons, Mr. Almeida, Mr. Petsch, Mr. Hopman), swim (Mr. Gorham and Mrs. Rose), volleyball (Mr. Butler and Mr. Martinous) and so many other assistant coaches and middle school coaches who continue keep the fire alive and push our athletes to want to compete as Townies. Also, thank you to athletic trainer Amanda Moran, absolutely fantastic addition to EP Athletics. Our children have competed for state championships and have been on teams with losing records; have made teams and been cut; have started and been on the bench as reserves; and have excelled and struggled. They have always been treated fairly, and their talents and hard work have been valued by the coaching staffs.

All of the above have played significant roles in our children’s successful years in EP schools; but the greatest praise and admirations goes to the myriad of classroom teachers who worked with our children (and ALL children) without the public praise and reward that is truly deserved. The dedication, hard work, determination and devotion of the EP teachers is truly the most valuable asset of the entire system.

This following list of names is by no means complete but we want all of those teachers to know how much we appreciate their efforts. Here are a few superstars who need to be mentioned: The Guidance Department at EPHS who patiently assisted our children through course selections and the college application process to include Mrs. Almquist (who is retiring this year and will truly be missed), Mr. Traverse, Mr. O’Brien, Ms. Newman; Mrs. Vinateiro, Mrs. McCarthy, Mr. Basler, Mrs. Kizee, Mr. Higginbothom, Mr. Currier, Ms. Albanese (who had three Monagles!), Mr. Chapman (and special shout out to ALL of the Math Department at EPHS), Mrs. Nelson, Mr. Stringfellow (and the AP Phys Ed class), Mr. Amore (who has a special place in teacher heaven having taught all four Monagles!), Ms. Maini, Ms. Laliberte, Mr. Swan, Ms. Reese, Ms. Nelson, Mr. Martinous, Ms. Carlotti and Ms. Serowick.

However, the faculty and staff at EPHS and the schools our children have attended, did not only work hard for our children. Throughout the district, the professional staff works tirelessly serving all children of the city of EP. And these students continue to ACHIEVE. One example is the Valedictorian of this EPHS years graduating class who had to choose between Yale, Harvard and Brown for her college choice!. Congratulations to her and her family for such a great accomplishment, one that we surely would stack up to any school in the state (private and public).  The listing of colleges and universities that the class of 2015 (and all previous EPHS graduating classes) were accepted to always compares to any school in the state! That success starts at the elementary schools, continues though the two outstanding middle schools and through EPHS.  This does not happen without motivating students from they day they walk into any EP school.

THANK YOU to all who have worked with our children over the years. And thank you to the entire faculty and staff throughout the entire East Providence School Department. In one of the most increasingly demanding and difficult professions, you continue to do great, great things! Enjoy your well deserved summer break! Come back rested and motivated to continue your great work. It does pay off! You have the Monagle’s humble and heartfelt appreciation!

Kevin and Marthe-Anne Monagle

Rumford