Associated Press

KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Javonte Brown had 17 points in Rhode Island’s 91-53 victory against Charleston (SC) on Sunday.

Brown added seven rebounds and four blocks for the Rams (5-0). Jamarques Lawrence shot 6 for 11, including 4 for 8 from beyond the arc to add 16 points. Sebastian Thomas shot 5 for 10 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 2 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points.

AJ Smith finished with 10 points for the Cougars (4-2). Derrin Boyd added nine points and four assists for Charleston (SC). Deywilk Tavarez also had nine points.

Rhode Island took the lead with 19:31 left in the first half and did not give it up. Brown led his team in scoring with 10 points in the first half to help put them up 45-16 at the break. Rhode Island outscored Charleston (SC) by nine points over the final half, while Lawrence led the way with a team-high eight second-half points.

NEXT UP

Both teams next play Wednesday. Rhode Island plays Detroit Mercy and Charleston (SC)plays Northern Kentucky at home.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Since the pandemic, student absenteeism has skyrocketed across the country, sending education departments and school districts searching for solutions. It is a priority with the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) and every school district in the state. And, while results haven’t been dramatic, they are moving in the right direction.

Statewide, pre-pandemic absenteeism in Rhode Island schools was about 19 percent. It ballooned to more than 34 percent in 2021-22, dropping the following year to 28.9 percent, and in 2023-24 it was 24.7 percent. 

The same pattern is reflected in Aquidneck Island area schools. The Rhode Island Department of Education publishes a daily report on absenteeism for the more than 270 Rhode Island public schools, and certain patterns are clear. Wealthier communities have fewer absences, and it appears that greater absenteeism occurs in high and middle schools.

Newport Schools superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain says students in poorer communities face challenges of family responsibilies, housing and transportation issues. All three are recognized as significant issues nationally by Panorama Education, which says some students from “low-income families may need to stay home to care for younger siblings or work to support their families.”

Chronic absenteeism national is defined as missing 10 percent of school days, or the equivalent of about two days. The consequences, says Panorama, range from health, dropout, social and behavioral, along with a negative impact on academics.

RIDE publishes a daily attendance tracker. Here’s a look at area schools, as reported in the November 25 attendance tracker, and listed by state rankings.

• Howard Hathaway Elementary School, Portsmouth, with 412 students, ranked 25 with projected chronic absences of 31 (7.5 percent), a reduction of 2.9 percent from last year.
• Melville Elementary School, Portsmouth, with 320 students, ranked 26 with projected chronic absences of 25 (7.8 percent), a reduction of 4.9 percent from last year.
• Jamestown Middle School, with 189 students, ranked 36 with projected chronic absences of 31 (7.5 percent), a reduction of 2.9 percent from last year.
• Portsmouth Middle School, with 607 students, ranked 42 with projected chronic absences of 58 (9.6 percent), a reduction of 2.9 percent from last year.
• Aquidneck Elementary School, Middletown, with 302 students, ranked 44 with projected chronic absences of 29 (9.6 percent), a reduction of .3 percent from last year.
• Wilbur and McMahon Elementary and Middle School, Little Compton, with 219 students, ranked 68 with projected chronic absences of 23 (10.5 percent), a reduction of 1.3 percent from last year.
• Portsmouth High School, with 787 students, ranked 114 with projected chronic absences of 105 (13.3 percent), a reduction of 1.3 percent from last year.
• Fort Barton Elementary School, Tiverton, with 133, students, ranked 98 with projected chronic absences of 16 (12 percent), an increase of .9 percent from last year.
• Forest Avenue Elementary School, Middletown, with 300 students, ranked 112 with projected chronic absences of 40 (13.3 percent), a reduction of 1.6 percent from last year.
• Tiverton High School, with 424 students, ranked 140 with projected chronic absences of 60 (14,2 percent), a reduction of 1.6 percent from last year.
• Pocasset Elementary School, Tiverton with 31 students, ranked 150 with projected chronic absences of 31 (14.7 percent), a reduction of .4 percent from last year.
• Gaudet Middle School, Middletown, with 434 students, ranked 181 with projected chronic absences of 31 (7.5 percent), an increase of .7 percent from last year.
• Middletown High School, with 521students, ranked 209 with projected chronic absences of 107 (20.5 percent), an increase of 1.5 percent from last year.
• Claiborne Pell Elementary School, Newport, with 662 students, ranked 221, with projected chronic absences of 147 (22.2 percent), a reduction of 2.4 percent from last year.
• Frank E. Thompson Middle School, Newport, with 495 students, ranked 225 with projected chronic absences of 115 (23.2 percent), an increase of .6 percent from last year.
• Tiverton Middle School, with 500 students, ranked 234 with projected chronic absences of 119 (23.8 percent), an increase of 11.3 percent from last year.
• Rogers High School, Newport, with 600 students, ranked 246 with projected chronic absences of 183 (30.5 percent), a reduction of 5.7 percent from last year.

North Kingstown, R.I. – A Rhode Island man is facing a disturbing charge.

According to police, on Friday at approximately 4:00 p.m., the North Kingstown Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an incident of indecent exposure. The caller, a 17-year-old, reported that a male subject drove up her on Prospect Avenue, asking for directions to the North Kingstown High School while completely naked. The suspect was driving a silver Subaru, registered in New Hampshire. The vehicle was last seen traveling towards Fairway Drive. 

Officers immediately responded to the area from different directions to contain the vehicle and investigate the report. The vehicle was located and stopped on Lantern Lane. The driver/sole occupant was identified as David C. Palmer of East Providence. After further investigation, Palmer was taken into custody and charged with Disorderly Conduct – Indecent Exposure. 

Palmer was later arraigned at the station before a Justice of the Peace and released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bail. He is scheduled for formal arraignment at the 3rd Division District Court on December 6th.