Parents praise North Kingstown staff and partners for calm response during Dec. 13 robotics tournament lockdown
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Summary
Parents of North Kingstown High School robotics students publicly thanked district staff, mentors, school leaders and police partners for their immediate and organized response to a Dec. 13 lockdown at a statewide robotics tournament, and noted follow‑up mental‑health supports provided to students.
Parents of students on the North Kingstown High School robotics teams used committee public comment time on Jan. 13 to thank district staff, event volunteers and outside partners for their response to a Dec. 13 statewide robotics tournament lockdown.
A parent speaker said the district response "was immediate and thoughtful," praising tournament official Tom Rishworth and North Kingstown mentors Mallory Shields and Rick Powell for calm leadership that "helped everyone remain cooperative." The speaker said Miss Shields and Mr. Powell coordinated communication with families, worked with principal Finkelstein and Superintendent Duva, and provided reassurance that allowed students to remain composed during the lockdown.
Speakers thanked the transportation department and a bus driver (Kurt Hancock was specifically named) who remained in Providence to bring teams home, and noted that Duva and district counselors organized individual check‑ins and follow‑up mental‑health resources the following Monday. The parents said the availability of mental‑health first aid and individualized follow up demonstrated the district's commitment to student well‑being.
Committee members acknowledged the thanks and the work of staff. The comments were taken as public recognition; no formal action was required.