Social Work Newsletter/ September 2025
Maureen McEntee, MA CCC-SLP, MSW LCSW [email protected]
Welcome Back to School
The start of the school year is just around the corner. We are starting the school year with some exciting changes to the building. The new colors in the courtyard and gym are a great change. And we welcome Mr. James Zanfini as our new Principal at CIP.
I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself to those of you who do not know me, and reintroduce myself to those of you who do. I am Ms Maureen McEntee the School Social Worker and Speech -Language Pathologist here at CIP. I hope you and your family had a good summer, and everyone is getting ready to start the new school year.
I am always available to support the families and children in the CIP community. I’m looking forward to a great year and welcoming the new faces and the faces of those returning. Hope you all have a good year, and please reach out to me if you have any questions
Summer Concerns
I have been in touch with a few of you over the summer, and have run into others enjoying different summer activities or just “around town”. As happens every year, I know there have been some changes for some families, as well as some challenging events for families. If your child has experienced anything that may impact their ability to focus on learning, or if you feel they may need extra support, please feel free to reach out. I would like to be able to support your child in whatever way possible. It would also be helpful to share at least some of this information with their teacher as you see appropriate, or just to let their teacher know they should be handled with care. Please feel free to reach out to me prior to the start of the year, or at any time during the year if your family or child need support. Please contact me at 647-5100, or email me at [email protected] or through your child’s classroom Dojo.
Handle With Care
Children come to school with a variety of experiences and interactions on their minds before they even enter the school. From something that happened the day before, the night before, that morning, on the bus or ride to school, to things that have happened in the past, they often carry these issues into school and into the classroom. Children often have big emotions.
Please let me know if I can provide any support If your family has experienced or is experiencing difficulties that you feel may impact them at school. Please reach out if I can provide any support to you, your family or your child(ren). I understand that you are not always want to or are able to share details. That’s ok. If your child is coming to school after a difficult night, morning or weekend, please feel free to reach out to me or their classroom teacher (by Dojo, email etc) and just put “handle with care”. Nothing else needs to be said or asked. This will let us know that your child may need extra, time, patience, or support during the day.
Changes to Support Networks
As you may know, there have been changes to the supports provided to families through federal and state programs, most notably SNAP (https://dhs.ri.gov) and Medicaid (healthyrhode.ri.gov) . If you have any questions or concerns, or need assistance with navigating the system please let me know. I can provide you with information and referrals to local agencies.
If you need assistance with your child’s social or emotional well-being you may reach out to CIP. Kids’ Link RI connects parents and caregivers with referrals to a variety of providers. It is free and confidential, and is available24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help connect children and youth in need of mental health services and refer them to treatment providers. They can be reached at 1-855-543-5465.
School Supplies
Thanks to Foster Social Services for again collecting school supplies to Foster’s school-aged children. If you need assistance with supplies please reach out to FSS at 392-9208, or contact me at CIP (647-5100). Foster Social Services also provides a food bank as well as other support for Foster families.
Please be aware that the Free and Reduced Meal forms must be completed every year and returned to the office.
Wishing you and your family and children a wonderful 2025-2026 school year !