🌱Anonymous Gift Helps Girls School+Bike Units Are Back In Providence

Welcome back, Providence! Here's everything you need to know to get this Wednesday started off right.

First, today's weather:

Rain at times. High: 57 Low: 47.

Here are the top stories today in Providence:

1. The Rhode Island Museum of Science and Art (RIMOSA) has announced that it will be closing its doors on Westminster Street in Providence on June 1. Its educational outreach program will be absorbed by the Rhode Island Computer Museum (RICM) and courses will continue to be delivered as “RIMOSA Workshops Powered by RICM” from the RICM Learning Lab. (What'sUpNewp)
2. Should Providence grading policies be revisited? Monday night, the Senate Oversight Committee questioned Education leaders about Providence schools' grading policies, especially the one that turns failing grades into incompletes. Reportedly, Sen. Stephen Archambault of Smithfield said teachers are resigning because they are being forced to give students credit for work they haven’t completed. (The Providence Journal)
3. Rental asking rates are up a reported $400 to $500 a month compared to 2018 and renters are being priced out of the state. Apartments are scarce and rents are soaring, making it harder than ever to find an affordable place to live. According to an article written by WPRI.com the real estate website Zillow shows rent for the typical apartment in the region was nearly $1,800 in March, up from just under $1,400 three years ago, that is a 24% increase since before the pandemic. (WPRI.com)
4. Bike units are back in Providence thanks to increased staffing and funding. Recently, with funding from the Providence City Council, the Providence Police Department received five new bicycles that will be used for patrol units throughout downtown Providence.(WPRI.com)
5. A 2-million dollar gift, by an anonymous donor has been made to the Sophia Academy, a private middle school for girls from low-income families. This gift, the largest the school has ever received, will be used twofold; to form the foundation of the school’s 20th anniversary campaign and the school’s endowment, providing support to continue Sophia Academy’s mission. (The Providence Journal)

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Today in Providence:

• Drawing Wild: From The Collection - Roger Williams Park Conservancy (10:00 AM)
• Drawing Wild-From the Collection - Providence City Hall (10:00 AM)
• Virtual City Service Meeting - Providence City Hall (10:00 AM)
• City Service Meeting - Providence City Hall (10:00 AM)
• Wednesday Morning Book Club - Community Libraries of Providence (10:30 AM)
• PVD Young Makers - Community Libraries of Providence (2:30 PM)
• Libraries Launch Lives - Middle School Maker Program (3:00 PM)
• Providence Community Acupuncture - Community Libraries of Providence (5:00 PM)
• GED/COMPUTER - Community Libraries of Providence (5:30 PM)
• Community Preparatory School invites you to Taste of Community! (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Norman Prince Spine Institute: New comprehensive spine center offers options to people with back pain (Turn to 10)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Pleasant Valley: "Lost black cat! - Our black cat named Quasi has not returned since Saturday night, April 30, Last seen on Sharon St. heading for Rankin. If people on Rankin, Jastram and Sharon could check their garages that would be a great help! Pleas..." (Nextdoor)
• Adoption Rhode Island: "The beautiful Rhode Island State House dome is blue to recognize May as foster care awareness month." (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Hire A Pro To Tackle Mom's To-Do List (May 8)
• Women at the Helm - Women Balancing Career & Family (May 9)
• West Bay RI Strides for Independence 1K/5K Walk (May 14)
• The Greene School Challenge with BoldrDash (May 22)
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Announcements:

• Dennis McGuire named to Forbes 2022 Best-in-State Wealth Advisors (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed! I'll see you around.

— Karena Garrity

About me: I am a URI graduate and I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love Providence and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Providence Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com