The Prout School presents Don Quixote, on Thursday, May 9 at 7pm, performed by students of the Prout School Dance Division and choreographed by Elizabeth Stackhouse in The Prout School Auditorium. Fifty dance students will participate in the 90 minute show which features dancers in all Prout classes and Theatre Director David DilLullo. Tickets are $5.00.

Oliver! to be performed by The Prout School Theatre Department  
Wakefield, RI – The Prout School Theatre Department presents the musical Oliver! April 26 & April 27 at 7:00 pm and April 28 at 2:00 pm.

The play will be performed by a cast and crew of over 55 students from the Prout School. The performance is directed by David DiLullo. This is David DiLullo’s final performance as Theatre Director at The Prout School. He has been at Prout for 22 years and has directed over student 500 performances during his career there.

Bethany Clarke serves as musical director and the play is choreographed by Elizabeth Stackhouse.    
    
Oliver! is a British musical, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. The show premiered in the West End of London in 1960. A successful Broadway production was launched in 1963 and further tours and revivals followed. It was made into a musical film in 1968. Major London revivals played from 1994-1998 and again from 2008-2011.

Tickets are $15.00 for general admission and $12.00 for students and seniors. They are available at Prout and at the door the night of the performance. They can also be purchased by calling the Prout School Theatre Hotline at 789-9262. Ext. 548.

The Prout School Theatre Department Presents “The Importance of Being Ernest” by Oscar Wilde 
'The Importance of Being Ernest” by Oscar Wilde is most likely the most famous of all stage comedies. The main plot revolves around the most ingenious idea featuring a case of mistaken identity ever put in to a play. The play premiered in London in February1895 and contains many "hints" of Oscar Wilde's autobiography with an unusual view of high society at the time.

Prout Theatre's unique take on this play has the audience sit on stage among the characters.  "The Importance of Being Ernest" is rarely done in high school as a trivial comedy, which makes this presentation particularly interesting. Oscar Wilde's satirical representation of social issues of the time such as manners and marriage still resonate very well with today's audiences. 

The play features Prout students; Dylan Winward,  Peter Williams, Alex Pollan, Matt Monjay, Miller Schneider,  Lauren Dennis,  Christine Rossi, Tiernan Chase and Devon Toro. As well as a Prout student crew handling sound, lights and staging. "The Importance of Being Earnest" will be presented on Saturday, March 23 only. There will be two shows that day at 2pm and at 5:30pm. Tickets are $5.00 and can be purchases at the door, in the main office at Prout or by calling 789-9262. Ext 514.  Advance ticket purchases are recommended as the unique presentation results in limited seating.

SAVE THE DATE: Spring Auction!:
The Prout School will be holding the 19th Annual Spring Auction on Friday, March 22 at 6pm at the Atlantic Beach Club in Middletown. Buffet dinner, raffles and exciting silent and live auction items. Join Prout families,  friends and alum for this very special evening. If you have any questions, contact Sharon DeLuca at sdeluca@theproutschool.org.  Click here for an RSVP form.

Prout Baseball Coach Mike LaBarbera named Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Male Coach of the Year!
Wakefield, RI – Prout congratulates Baseball Coach Mike LaBarbera as the RIIAAA Male Coach of the Year. LaBarbera was selected from nominees representing several other RIIL high schools for this prestigious award. The award was based on a number of criteria selecting “an exceptional coach who is viewed as a quality role model and leader of student athletes.”  The award did not just focus on success in winning championships, but helping student athletes develop their athletic ability as well as sportsmanship, ethics, integrity and professionalism. 
 
LaBarbera was nominated by Prout Athletic Director Mike Traficante for his success in growing the baseball program at Prout from a team of just 14 players and a 0-18 season in 2004 to winning six Division Championships and making five consecutive trips to McCoy stadium to participate in RIIL State Baseball Finals. In addition, LaBarbera has received three Sportsmanship awards in the last several years and every summer runs a successful baseball camp at The Prout School where he attracts over 100 young players to improve their baseball skills and their love of the game. 
   
“This is a tremendous honor that is a direct result of the hard work, dedication and success of the entire Prout baseball community. “ LaBarbera said. “I truly believe it is reflective of many, many years of our combined efforts as a program. To be recognized by Rhode Island's Athletic Administrators in this way is something that I would never have imagined for Prout baseball.  It deserves a huge thank you to the RIIAAA, and all of our players and parents through this unbelievable chapter for Prout Athletics.”    

The Prout School Hosts Renowned Author and Lecturer to Celebrate Year of Faith 
On March 1, renowned author and speaker Mike Aquilina will be at The Prout School in Wakefield discussing how people have been, and still are, able to live their faith heroically throughout the history of Christianity. The Martyr’s Cup lecture will be followed by an opportunity for Q & A. Aquilina has authored or edited more than forty books on Catholic history, doctrine, and devotion.  The lecture is at 7pm in the Prout Auditorium. It is free and open to the public.

Aquilina’s career in publishing spans three decades, and he has had hundreds of articles published in periodicals and journals in the United States and abroad. He is also co-host of eight series that air on EWTN. For many years he appeared as a regular panelist on “The Weekly Roman Observer”. In 2011 Aquilina was a featured presenter of the U.S. Bishops’ Diocesan Educational/Catechetical Leadership Institute, an online formation program co-sponsored with the National Catholic Education Association and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership.

He has co-led pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, and has keynoted major events, such as the Conference on Catholic Social Thought in Nassau, Long Island, the Aquinas Forum at Aquinas College in Nashville, Tennessee, and the annual retreat at Little Portion Monastery.

Mike is also a poet and song lyricist. His poems have been translated into Polish and Spanish and have appeared in First Things, Dappled Things, Plains Poetry Journal and Catholic Digest. His songs have been recorded by Grammy Award-winner Dion DiMucci.

For more information, please go to http://mikeaquilina.com/. 

The Prout School Holds Year of Faith Catholic Film Series
The Prout School will be holding a Year of Faith Catholic Film Series as educational outreach to The Prout School community and friends. The films are free and open to the public.
The first film, Bella, will be shown in the school library at Prout on Friday, February 8 at 7pm. All are welcome to attend. A discussion of the film will follow the showing.

Thank you! 
Thank you to everyone who participated in the second annual Prout 5K Road Race. We had almost 100 runners who braved cold temperatures to run the race. We had a number of students who placed well, as did faculty members, Mr. Edmonds, Mr. Bromley and track coach Mark Skinkle. Results are posted on the Prout School website. We are grateful for all our volunteers and those who donated water, and gift cards, which included students, many parents and faculty members. We are grateful for your support. A special thank you to Bagelz and Belmont for the food donations and special thanks to Pancho O’Malleys for donating their space for our event.

Prout Celebrates Innovation with New Apple iMac Computers for School Library    
Prout is proud to announce the arrival of 24 new iMac computers to update the Prout School Library. This technological improvement will provide students with the newest and most innovative capabilities available for research, presentations, spreadsheets and on-line resources. It will provide teachers access to state–of-the-art interactive educational tools. The computers will be on a wireless network and will be able to interface with any systems that students have at home. 
There will also be opportunities for extra-curricular clubs to use the library computers and students to use them for homework. The school librarian plans to provide after school educational opportunities for students and faculty to train them on this new technology, better preparing our students for their futures. 
“As more and more schools talk about moving to a 21st century curriculum, The Prout School is taking steps in that direction with the innovative use of the new Apple platform in our library and the installation of 24 new IMac systems, “  said Prout School principal David Carradini. “Prout students have the opportunity to develop fluency in both PC and Mac worlds. We are excited to offer these new opportunities to our students.”  

Prout Celebrate Homecoming with Day of Events on October 13.
Join Prout students, family and friends as we celebrate Homecoming 2012 on Saturday, October 13 starting at 11am.  Throughout the day there are Prout athletic events including girls and boys soccer and girls volleyball. At 12pm Prout alum Marybeth Reilly McGreen ’85, author of three books including the newly published Rhode Island Legends: Haunted Hollows and Monster’s Lairs will be on hand to talk about her books and her writing experiences. She will also have books available to purchase and sign. The day wraps up with the Homecoming Dance for students and special 21+ Prout alumni reception at Casey’s from 5-7 pm with cash bar and appetizers for $10.00.

The Prout School Weght Room Dedication
The Prout School was recently the recipient of a generous donation that will provide students, athletes and faculty a chance to stay fit and healthy. Wakefield resident Ken Gregory and his wife Heidi donated a fully equipped weight room and fitness facility to the school. Ken Gregory’s goal is to provide Prout student athletes the opportunity to be increase their competitive standing and be more resistant to  injury while participating on high school sports teams.  

Ken helps coach Track & Field at The Prout School. His daughter, Karly is a senior who long jumps and runs. She is a competitive athlete who has been extremely successful in her sport and last season represented Prout at the National Track & Field Championships in North Carolina.
 
“As a coach and the father of an athlete, I realized that we are asking our kids to compete on a very high level ; and we are providing this facility to prevent injuries through proper training,” said Gregory.  The space had been designed and planned for strength training for students as well as a space that can be used for athletes who are rehabbing from injuries.  After months of getting approvals, construction and the delivery of the equipment, the space is ready for use. “It makes me happy. To see that room open and see the kids there working out puts a smile on my face, he said.

The Prout School Crusader Fitness Room was dedicated by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin at a ceremony with the Gregory Family at following the Prout School’s Opening Mass and Installation of the new Prout School principal David Carradini on September 12.  

Prout School Students Successfully Earn IB Diplomas   
The Prout School is proud to announce that all six of the graduating seniors from the Class of 2012 who were diploma candidates in the International Baccalaureate curriculum have earned their diploma. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is an internationally recognized curriculum for high school juniors and seniors, with an emphasis on intercultural understanding and enrichment. It culminates in six rigorous subject exams. Similar to taking AP courses and exams, participating in an IB program is for students who are interested in academic challenges.

According to the IB website, an average of 80% of diploma candidates earns the diploma. Last year 9 of 12 (75%) Prout candidates earned the diploma. This year, 100% of The Prout School candidates were successful.  

The Prout School is the only high school in Rhode Island and the only Catholic School in New England to offer this academic opportunity. Tests taken at the end of the academic year are graded by an international committee and results are not released until the end of the summer after students graduate from high school.

“This is a testament not only to these students but the faculty here at The Prout School who prepare them so well for these academic challenges.” said Assistant Principal Michael Sweeney, Coordinator of the IB Program at Prout. “We are tremendously proud of our students. Both their accomplishments while they are here and the success they find in their educational pursuits beyond Prout because of the rigorous preparation they have received.” 

The Prout School students who earned the IB Diploma from the Class of 2012 are:
Casey Cavanaugh of Coventry
Cassidy Duncan of Warwick
Sean Matuszak of South Kingstown
Heather Pasquazzi of Narragansett
Crystal Peralta of West Warwick
Mary-Catherine Stockman of Ashaway

The Prout School Hosts Bishop Tobin for Installation of New Principal   
On September 12, Bishop Thomas J. Tobin of the Diocese of Providence will be visiting The Prout School to preside over their opening Mass and the installation of the school’s new Principal David Carradini.  The Mass will include almost 20 visiting priests from Rhode Island parishes, the largest number to ever serve with the Bishop at a Prout School Mass. It will also include all the school’s 600 students, the faculty and guests from other catholic schools, local community and government leaders and representatives from local non-Catholic churches. 

“We at The Prout School are proud to be citizens of South County, “said Principal David Carradini.  “We are hopeful that our region’s civic and religious leaders will join us as we take the next steps toward higher levels of engagement in our community and beyond.” The Mass will begin at 9:20 am in The Prout School Auditorium, followed by a brief reception in the North Commons for guests.  

Coffee with the Principal
Starting on September 4, 2012 at 8:15 am Prout welcomes you to join us for our Coffee with the Principal, in the lobby outside The Prout School auditorium. The coffee is offered every Tuesday to provide an opportunity for parents to meet with our Principal, David Carradini, in a relaxed setting, to learn more about the School, to share information, impressions, and ideas, and to make suggestions.  It is a time for parents and Principal to chat about how we are growing as a School family, and how we hope to grow in the future.  All parents are invited and welcome to come. Mr. Carradini looks forward to meeting you personally! 

The Prout School Boys Basketball Program Hires New Head Coach 
The Prout School is pleased to announce the appointment of our new Varsity Boys Basketball coach Jed O’Malley. O’Malley previously served as the Varsity Assistant for the Westerly High School boys’ basketball team from 2006-2011. He is currently a science teacher at Westerly High School where he has worked since 2005. O’Malley grew up in the local area and was a three-year Varsity basketball player at South Kingstown High School. He graduated from URI in 1998 with a B.S. in Zoology and received his teaching certificate from Rhode Island College in 2005.  While at URI, he participated in a work study program that provided him the opportunity to work with women’s basketball team. And since college he has continued to play in recreational leagues that have given him the opportunity to meet a number of local players and coaches.

O’Malley, his wife Alison and his three young children live in South County and he is thrilled that the opportunity for a head coaching position opened up for him in the area.

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to coach The Prout Schools boys’ basketball team.  I look forward to continuing the tradition of success that has been established at Prout.  The support from the school and community has been very positive and I am confident we will continue to build upon our strong foundation of academic and athletic success."

Prout Chooses New Athletic Director 
The Prout School in Wakefield, RI has named Michael Traficante, of Cranston, as the new Prout Athletic Director.  Traficante had served as the athletic director at Cranston East and West. He began his duties at The Prout School on July 1.

Michael Traficante was selected from a significant number of applicants who expressed interest in the position. He has been the athletic director for the Cranston Public School System for the past eleven years. He has been responsible for the athletic programs at both Cranston High School East and Cranston High School West which involves 84 athletic teams, over 85 coaches and 1,400 athletes. Traficante is currently the President of the Rhode Island Interscholastic Athletic Administrators’ Association; a voting member on the Principal’s Committee on Athletics and is the Chairman of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame.

Traficante attained CAA status (Certified Athletic Administrator) in 2008, was recognized as the 2005 Rhode Island Athletic Director of the Year and in 2010 received the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator’s Association’s State Award of Merit.