<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3KSUuF_1GnoJMuk00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3KSUuF_1GnoJMuk00" width="324" height="475" ><figcaption>Dr. Peter Sanchioni&nbsp;</figcaption></figure>With almost six months serving Newport Public Schools and on the cusp of working with a new school committee, it seemed like a good time to check in with Dr. Peter Sanchioni, Newport’s interim schools superintendent.In his superintendent’s message last month, he addressed one of the district’s challenges, which is the recently released 2025-26 assessment results that make it clear student achievement in Newport Public Schools is not where they want or expect it to be. “We recognize the challenges before us and are committed to confronting them directly, using the data to guide meaningful improvements in curriculum, instruction and student support,” he said. “I am confident in our educators, our leadership team and our collective ability to make the difficult but necessary educational decisions that will improve student outcomes.”“We know where we stand. We know we must do better, and we are determined to make that happen.”After advertising for the position in April, the school committee received 17 applications and interviewed four candidates.Sanchioni served as Tiverton’s superintendent for seven years before retiring last year. Before that, he was superintendent of public schools in Natick and Millis, Massachusetts, for a combined 13 years. He has also worked as a principal for a decade. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College, a masters from Bridgewater State University and a doctorate from Boston College.Colleen Burns-Jermain, a Newport native and Rogers High School graduate, held the post as superintendent since January 2014, making her among the longest-serving superintendents in the district’s history.As the interim school leader, Sanchioni will be paid $175,000 for a one-year period. His contract expires on June 30, 2027.What is one of your main goals during your time with the Newport schools?First and foremost, we must ensure that our schools are safe, welcoming environments where established safety protocols are consistently followed. Beyond that fundamental responsibility, I believe the most important work of a superintendent is to continually evaluate the quality of education students are receiving and identify opportunities to improve educational outcomes. My goal is to establish systems and practices that will have a lasting, positive impact on student learning, well beyond my time in Newport. Are there any unique issues or problems that Newport schools are encountering that you haven’t dealt with before?This is my 21st year serving as a superintendent, so I have had the opportunity to experience and navigate just about every challenge that a school district can face. While every community has its own unique characteristics, many of the challenges facing public education are remarkably similar. Newport, like most communities, must balance limited financial resources with the growing and changing needs of its students. One of the greatest challenges for any superintendent is developing a budget that provides the programs, staffing and resources necessary to make the greatest difference in students’ lives, while remaining fiscally responsible to the community. Ultimately, it comes down to making thoughtful decisions about where our resources can have the greatest impact on student learning. If you could wave a magic wand or be Santa for the kids at Pell Elementary School, what would you give them to make their early years more enjoyable?I would want every student to come to school excited about learning and leave each day looking forward to returning. I often remind educators that we need to prepare students for their future, not our past. That means thoughtfully integrating technology, creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences, and providing opportunities for students to explore, create and collaborate. Of course, technology alone is not the answer. It must be coupled with high-quality teaching, something I have already seen plenty of in Newport. For me, the equation is simple: greater engagement leads to greater enjoyment, and greater enjoyment creates more opportunities for learning. Being a pre-teen is tough. Any advice for parents?Having served as a middle school principal for 10 years, I have a special appreciation for this age group. The middle school years can be some of the most challenging years for both students and their parents. I once gave an address at a middle school promotion ceremony and asked the parents in the audience a simple question: “If you could go back to any time in your life, how many of you would choose to go back to middle school?” Not a single hand went up. I think that tells us everything we need to know about how difficult those years can be. I can remember countless occasions when parents would come into my office frustrated over their child’s behavior at home. Yet, when we reviewed the student’s discipline record or spoke with their teachers, we often found that the student was doing just fine at school. One thing I always reminded parents is that children often save their most challenging behavior for home. It’s where they feel most comfortable expressing their frustrations, testing boundaries and navigating the emotional changes that come with adolescence. My advice to parents is simple: Be patient, maintain clear expectations, keep communicating, and don’t take every challenging moment personally. Your child is trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world. Most importantly, remember that you are not alone. Stay connected with your child’s teachers and school administrators. We are partners in helping your child navigate these important years. And when things get particularly challenging, just remember that there’s a reason nobody raised their hand when I asked who wanted to go back to middle school. Which was your favorite class or teacher in high school?My favorite classes in high school were history courses, primarily because of the teacher. I was fortunate to have the same history teacher for all four years of high school. What made him special was that he took the time to get to know me as a person, not just as a student. He knew my hopes and dreams, understood my interests and was genuinely interested in the activities I participated in outside of school. He even attended a couple of my athletic games. As I entered the field of education, I carried that experience with me. It taught me that one of the most important things an educator can do is establish meaningful relationships with students. When students know that their teachers care about them as individuals, it creates an environment where they feel valued, supported and motivated to learn. Is there a space in the new Rogers High School where you particularly enjoy seeing students?I could never identify just one space. The new Rogers High School is an extraordinary facility, and there are so many wonderful spaces designed to support student learning and interaction. For me, what makes a space special is not necessarily the architecture, furniture or technology, it is what is happening within that space. </div></body>

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With almost six months serving Newport Public Schools and on the cusp of working with a new school committee, it seemed like a good time to check in with Dr. Peter Sanchioni, Newport’s interim schools superintendent. In his superintendent’s message last month, he addressed one of the district’s challenges,...

This weeks Conversation with Dr. Peter Sanchioni

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With almost six months serving Newport Public Schools and on the cusp of working with a new school committee, it seemed like a good time to check in with D

This weeks Conversation with Dr. Peter Sanchioni

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