Ryan Durgin is responsible for all aspects of computer setup, installation, troubleshooting, service, upgrades and maintenance. Prior to joining our staff in December 2017, he served as IT support specialist for Neighbors Emergency Center and Optum Healthcare. Ryan holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from the University of Rhode Island.
1. What do you like doing outside of work hours? Any hobbies?
I like to watch TV, spend time with my two cats and homebrew beer.
2. What fictional family would you like to be a member of and why?
“The Simpsons”; I’ve always been a big fan. I was Bart’s age when I started watching and now I’m older than Homer.
3. What’s on your travel bucket list?
I’ve never been to Ireland, and I’d really like to go. My grandparents on my mom’s side grew up there and it seems like everyone else in my family has already been.
4. What’s your guilty pleasure binge TV/streaming service show?
Anything Marvel on Disney+. I’m watching “Moon Knight” right now and it’s great!
5. What is the first album/CD/digital download you bought?
Cassette tape: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince “He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper”
6. What is the last thing you read for fun?
“Experimental Homebrewing: Mad Science in the Pursuit of Great Beer” by Denny Conn and Drew Beechum
7. If you had to delete all but three apps from your phone, which ones would you keep?
Waze, Discord and Gmail.
8. What is your favorite time of day and why?
I like the morning; I can get things done without distractions.
9. Have you ever met anyone famous? What did you talk about?
I met comedian Artie Lange and he insisted I looked exactly like Babe Ruth.
10. What is your favorite part of your job?
I like being proud of the company I work for. I think we do great work and help a lot of students!
Students photograph specimens at the Rhode Island School of Design Nature Lab during Project Open Door over April vacation. We thank Taco/The White Family Foundation for providing funding for our students to explore the arts through this program.
Anything highlighted in blue below is a link to the registration form and more details for that opportunity! The information included in the registration is available in English and Spanish. If your child attends a district that is not listed, register them for the nearest district/bus stop.
¡Todo lo resaltado en azul a continuación es un enlace al formulario de registro y más detalles para esa oportunidad! La información de registración incluida dentro del enlace azul está disponible en inglés y español. Si su hijo (a) asiste a un distrito que no figura en la lista, regístrelo en el distrito o la parada de autobús más cercano a usted..
COLLEGE INFO DAYS 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Hosted at Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls
Monday, April 18 Providence Crusaders Afternoon trip: Battleship Cove
Tuesday, April 19 Central Falls and Pawtucket Crusaders Afternoon trip: Roger Williams Zoo
Thursday, April 21 Central Falls and Pawtucket Crusaders Afternoon Trip: Patriot Hall
Friday, April 22 Providence Crusaders Afternoon trip: Audubon Society
STEM DAY 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Hosted at Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls
Thursday, April 21 Cranston and West Warwick Crusaders Afternoon trip: United Skates of America
High School
Anything highlighted in blue below is a link to the registration form and more details for that opportunity! The information included in the registration is available in English and Spanish. If your child attends a district that is not listed, register them for the nearest district/bus stop.
¡Todo lo resaltado en azul a continuación es un enlace al formulario de registro y más detalles para esa oportunidad! La información de registración incluida dentro del enlace azul está disponible en inglés y español. Si su hijo (a) asiste a un distrito que no figura en la lista, regístrelo en el distrito o la parada de autobús más cercano a usted..
COLLEGE VISITS
Transportation and lunch will be provided.
Monday, April 18 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Grades 10 and 11 New England Tech
Wednesday, April 20 9:45 a.m. – 1 p.m. Grades 10 and 11 Emmanuel College
GETTING TO COLLEGE CONFERENCE
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Grade 11 Hosted at Rhode Island College (RIC) in Providence Transportation and lunch will be provided.
9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Grade 12/graduating seniors Hosted at Rhode Island College (RIC) in Providence Transportation morning snack and lunch will be provided.
Three-day program, Tuesday to Thursday, April 19 to 21
Planificando para la preparatoria y más allá para las familias de las escuelas intermedias
Planificando para la Preparatoria (Escuela Secundaria)
El trabajo que los estudiantes hacen durante la secundaria (grados 6 a 8) y la preparatoria es muy importante para establecer la dirección que tomará sus vidas adultas. Sus decisiones y acciones mientras asisten la secundaria afectará el trabajo que hagan en la preparatoria y las oportunidades que tendrán después.
Para prepararse para la preparatoria es importante que los estudiantes aprovechen al máximo su tiempo en la secundaria. Pero que temprano para planificar. ¿Cómo pueden ellos tomar mayor provecho de su tiempo durante la preparatoria? Cuando sea posible asegure que su hijo/a tome ventaja de las siguientes oportunidades:
Oportunidades para presentar una solicitud para o tomar la prueba para estar en las clases avanzadas o de honores (tales como matemáticas avanzadas)
Oportunidades para tomar cursos a nivel de secundaria mientras asiste la secundaria (tal como idiomas del mundo)
Actividades extracurriculares, deportes, y clubes
Oportunidades para explorar las oportunidades en carreras durante la secundaria y preparatoria
Las ausencias podrían ser una señal que un estudiante ha perdido el interés en la escuela, está luchando con el trabajo escolar, está lidiando con un abusón o enfrentando a otros desafíos serios. Al llegar al 9º grado, la asistencia regular es un mejor indicador de la tasa de graduación que los resultados de las pruebas de 8º grado.
Develación de Mitos
MITO: La planificación universitaria comienza durante el penúltimo año de la preparatoria.
REALIDAD: La escuela secundaria no es muy temprano para comenzar a pensar sobre la Universidad y una carrera.
____________________
Las universidades analizan las clases y las notas que los estudiantes tomaron comenzando del 9º grado en adelante.
Es importante que los adolescentes hagan un plan de largo término sobre las clases que ellos tomarán, el tipo de Universidad que desean asistir, y el tipo de carrera que quieren.
Recordatorios importantes
El Onward We Learn ofrece varios programas académicos para brindarles a nuestros estudiantes de la escuela intermedia la oportunidad de mejorar sus habilidades y confianza en varias áreas de contenido.
Cada semestre de otoño, primavera y verano lo alentamos a que registre a su hijo(a) para tener la oportunidad de trabajar en: habilidades de matemáticas y escritura, apoyo para la solicitud universitaria, apoyo para el examen (P)SAT, ¡y más!
Lista de verificación estudiantil
Lista de verificación familiar
Habla con tu consejero escolar y del consejero(a) del crusade sobre los cursos preparativos para la universidad, cursos con crgditos universitarios “Advanced Placement” (AP), y otros cursos a nivel de honores que podrías tomar durante la preparatoria (9º a 12º grado). Discuta la posibilidad de inscribirse en preálgebra.
Asiste regularmente a la escuela, estudia duro, entrega todas las tareas, y haz lo mejor posible para obtener notas buenas.
Anime a su hijo/a que salga bien en la escuela. Déjele saber a su hijo/a que usted espera buenas notas y asistencia. Pregunte sobre las tareas, exámenes y otras asignaciones.
Hable con los maestros y personal y consejer(a) de tu hijo(a) del crusade. Conéctese con la escuela durante las conferencias, casa abierta de la escuela, y actividades escolares y eventos. Considere servicio voluntario o ser un acompañante adulto durante una excursión.
¡No olvide inscribirse en nuestros futuros talleres de participación familiar!
High School and Beyond Planning for Middle School Families
Preparing for High School
The work students do in middle school and high school is very important in setting the direction for their adult lives. Their choices and actions today, while they are in middle school, will affect the work they do in high school and the opportunities they have after high school.
To prepare for high school, it’s important for students to make the most of their time in middle school. Talk about planning ahead. How could they make their time in high school count? Whenever possible, make sure your child takes advantage of the following opportunities:
Opportunities to apply for or test into advanced or honors courses (such as advanced math)
Opportunities to start high school-level courses while in middle school (such as world languages)
Extracurricular activities, sports, and clubs
Career exploration opportunities in middle school and high school
Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with schoolwork, dealing with a bully, or facing some other serious challenge. By ninth grade, regular attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than eighth grade test scores.
Myth Buster
MYTH: College planning starts in the junior year of high school.
REALITY: Middle school isn’t too early to start thinking about college and career.
____________________
Colleges look at classes and grades from a student’s ninth grade year on.
It’s important for teens to make a long-term plan about the classes they will take, the type of college they want to go to, and the kind of career they want.
Important Reminder!
The Onward We Learn offers multiple academic programs to provide our high schoolers with the opportunity to boost their skills and confidence in various content areas.
We encourage you to register your child in programs every fall, spring, and summer semester for an opportunity to work on math and writing skills, college application support, (P)SAT test support, and more!
Student Checklist
Family Checklist
Talk to your guidance counselor/Crusade advisor about college preparatory, Advanced Placement (AP), and other honors-level courses you should be taking throughout high school (ninth through 12th grade). Discuss the possibility of signing up for pre-algebra.
Attend school regularly, study hard, turn in all assignments, and do your best to earn good grades.
Encourage your child to do well in school. Let your children know that you expect good grades and attendance. Ask about homework, tests, and other assignments.
Talk to teachers and staff and your child’s Crusade advisor! Connect with the school during conferences, open houses, and school activities and events.
Don’t forget to enroll in our future Family Engagement workshops. New workshops are coming soon!
High school advisor Karol Ramirez graduated from the Academy for Career Exploration and earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish and sociology with a minor in psychology from the University of Rhode Island. Prior to joining the College Crusade, she served as an intern at Leviton Dual Language School in Providence, assisting students and teachers in a fourth-grade Spanish classroom.
What was your favorite pandemic purchase? My favorite pandemic purchase was an air fryer.
What activity or interest is a stress reliever for you? Going to the gym is a great stress reliever for me.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? As a kid, I wanted to be a lawyer because I knew my aunt was a lawyer and I wanted to be just like her.
What is your favorite food or meal? My favorite food is tacos.
What’s the best trip/vacation you’ve ever taken? When I went to Punta Cana with my boyfriend back in 2019. We did an excursion to “Isla Saona,” which is a small island in the Dominican Republic, and what was really awesome was that off the shore of the island, the water is waist-deep, so we were literally in the middle of the ocean just waist-deep. It was a great experience, they call it “a natural pool.”
If you had to delete all but three apps from your phone, which ones would you keep? I would keep Netflix, Instagram and Grubhub.
What was your favorite class in college? SOC 430 – Intimate relationships; we had the opportunity to design a dating app. We had to have a target group, what goals/outcomes we wanted this app to have, how accessible it would be to people, etc. It was a pretty fun class.
What totally out-of-character thing would you do if you had the time, guts or resources? A totally out-of-character thing I would do is go sky diving. I don’t have the guts to do it, and I am also afraid of heights but maybe one day.
What music is your usual soundtrack? Rap/hip-hop. Anything with Drake.
If you could listen to only one album for the rest of your life, what would it be? “Nothing Was the Same” by Drake.
We hear you have some hidden talents! What is one thing most of your co-workers might not know about you? Recently, I wrote a short film that debuted at my alma mater, UMass Dartmouth! It’s a very silly little film, but it was a lot of fun to write, and even more fun to get to watch people see and (hopefully) enjoy my work!
What’s on the top of your travel bucket list? I think I’d really enjoy spending time in Canada! Probably Toronto, but I’d also love to go to San Francisco or Greece.
If you could immediately gain one skill, personal or professional, what would it be? Photography/cinematography is my number one right now! I really love visual mediums, so I’d love to be able to take beautiful pictures or be able to shoot a movie on my own.
What fictional family would you like to be a member of and why? I would love to be a member of the Simpsons – maybe just a weird cousin, or the smart uncle or something like that, but I’d also happily be Bart Simpson for a few days.
What is your go-to karaoke or sing-in-the-shower/belt-out-in-the-car song? “You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon – it’s great! You get to say so many lovely poetic things!
What’s your guilty pleasure binge TV/streaming service show? For years, I watched a lot of MTV’s “Catfish.” I would sit and watch almost an entire season in one sitting, even though pretty much every episode is the same!
What is the first album/CD/digital download you bought? The first CD I remember buying was “American Idiot” by Green Day, in third grade! Probably not appropriate for an 8-year-old, but I seemed to enjoy it!
What is the last thing you read for fun? “The Curse of Camp Cold Lake” by RL Stine. It is a Goosebumps book, and very silly, but I’ve loved Goosebumps since I was a kind so it was a nice nostalgic experience!
What’s your favorite holiday or family tradition? Halloween is my favorite holiday, definitely! I love all things spooky and fall is my favorite season, so it’s a nice convergence.
If you could time travel, would you go back in time or into the future? Any specific point in time you’d like to explore? I would go back in time! I think I would thrive in the ’70s, probably in a smaller city like Baltimore or Seattle.
