Happy Friday, RMHS Students & Families,

This past week, we spent time with students in grades 6-12 talking about our social media use and reflecting on the impact it has on all of our lives. We are excited to welcome a guest speaker on Thursday, November 14th at 6pm for families to engage in this important discussion (more details on that to come). We encouraged students to be aware of their screen time and the impact it has on our overall health and wellness; guiding the conversation with love and awareness versus shame and guilt. Social media is a part of all of our lives and we hope to cultivate a community of awareness so we can together make informed decisions that promote healthy relationships, and positive connections within our school and the greater community.

I hope you enjoy the long weekend ahead! A reminder that there is no school this coming Monday and Tuesday for students. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Wednesday, October 16th.

-Ms. Rose

Amy Rose, Principal

Monday, October 14 & 15th: No School for Students

Friday, October 25th: APUSH Field Trip

Friday, October 25th: MS/HS Music Field Trip to Shalin Liu

Thursday, October 28th: Picture Retake Day

Friday, November 1st: End of Q1 - Grades Close

Friday, November 1st & Saturday, November 2nd @ 7:00 pm and November 3rd @ 2:00 pm - RHS Drama Presents Chicago

Friday, November 8th: Report cards available in Aspen

Monday, November 11th: No School (Veteran's Day)

Tuesday, November 19th: Career Day 8:00-10:30

Thursday, November 21st: Orchestra Summit Finale Concert - 6:30pm AUD

Wednesday, November 27th: 1/2 Day before the Thanksgiving Holiday

Tuesday, December 3rd: 1/2 Day for Students

Wednesday, December 11th: RHS Winter Concert - 6:30 Aud

Tuesday, December 17th: RHS Jazz and Small Ensemble Concert - 6:30pm Shalin Liu

Friday, December 20th: 1/2 Day before the Winter Vacation!

Thursday, January 2nd: Welcome Back!

School Safety Reminder:

The school campus is closed to the public when school is in session and after 10:00pm nightly. This includes the use of the tennis courts, track, playgrounds, athletic fields and all other parts of the campus. This does not include families and community members attending school events in our schools or on our school grounds. We appreciate the community's understanding and support as we continue to prioritize the safety of RPS students and staff.

We presented the wide variety of student extracurricular offerings at this past week's Assemblies. I've included the slideshow in case students have questions about who to talk to about each club. We encourage families to review the opportunities with their child/ren to encourage them to get involved with something!

RHS Extracurricular Offerings 2024-2025

RMS Extracurricular Offerings 2024-2025

Being in school and on time are extremely important to your child's success. When students attend school regularly and arrive on time, they stay engaged in their learning, build strong relationships, and develop solid study habits. Please help us by making sure your child gets to school on time each day. The cafeteria and library are open at 7:00 am and free breakfast is available in the cafeteria for all students. The main hallways and classrooms open at 7:25 am.

We understand that the transition to a middle/high school this coming year comes with a shift in contact information. To simplify the process for families, we have streamlined all communications to run through the RMHS Main Office. Please use the main number for routine inquiries: 978-546-1234. For a more detailed chart of counselors, and other support personnel, please use the chart below to help navigate our new team of people and systems.

FREE PSAT/NMSQT in school on October 23, 2024, for sophomores and juniors.

• The Educational Foundation for Rockport (EFR) continues to invest in our students’ futures! Get involved in the EFR: rockportedfoundation.org

• All tests are in a digital format. To learn more about PSAT: satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt/preparing/practice-tests

• Juniors are eligible for national scholarships and will be tested separately from sophomores.

Community Service Opportunities!

Community service is a graduation requirement for all students. Check out your Class Board or Aspen account to see how many community service hours you have earned. Please check the bulletin board outside of Guidance!

Seniors - Class of 2025:

• College admission representatives continue to visit RHS Guidance. The number of students attending so far has been amazing. All Seniors and juniors are welcome, please check with your teachers before attending. The college calendar is posted outside of Guidance. Sign up in Naviance to secure your participation. Coming soon: URI, WPI, UMass Boston, UNH, Mass College of Pharmacy, Stonehill, and many others!

Juniors - Class of 2026:

• Please check your emails to set up your Naviance Registration. A temporary password and link are in your email. Please follow the instructions.

ELECTION NIGHT POSITION:

A great way to earn $85 on Tuesday, November 6th, and be involved in the Electoral process!

Contact jmacklin@edisonresearch.com and please see attached Flyer!!!

Please see the chart below for a breakdown of counseling assignments at the high school level. The alphabet breakdown is based upon student last name:

The Rockport HS DECA chapter is planning Career Day for 11/19/25 from 8-10:30 AM

We are looking for some more presenters and could use any/all career types/Retirees welcome

If interested, please fill out this Google form

https://forms.gle/tsEgDPap4Yr6rf838

Contact Scott Larsen, DECA advisor with questions --slarsen@rpk12.org

Also, the DECA online store closes at the end of this weekend

Shop now before it closes! DECA gets a percentage of every sale

https://rockporthighschoolfall2024.itemorder.com/

The Rockport SEPAC is in need of a revitalization and looking for new members. The SEPAC is a self-governing public body which creates its own by-laws and operational procedures. A SEPAC is different from other parent groups in a school district such as a PTO or School Council – a SEPAC does not represent families from one school, but represents all families of children with disabilities from the entire school district. If you are interested in holding a Board position: Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer or a Board Member at Large position, please send me an email. Just want to be included ? Reach out to be a building representative. Contact Ann-Marie Luster, Interim Director of Student Services to sign up or find out more at aluster@rpk12.org.

Juniors/Senior

Please fiil out the Armed Services form if you would like to opt. out .

Armed Services Form

In an effort to be more environmentally friendly and to cut down on the paperwork that families need to complete at the beginning of the school year, Rockport Public Schools has revised our school handbooks into one updated online Student and Family District Handbook. This new version is published on our website and allows for easy access to an organized list of procedures, practices, and important information.

Please read and review the handbook using this link: Rockport Public Schools Student and Family District Handbook.

Parents and guardians will need to acknowledge that they have read the handbook through this form: Acknowledgment of Receipt of RPS Student and Family Handbook. This form is also available on the Handbook page of our website. Please complete ONE FORM FOR EACH child you have attending Rockport Schools. For 6th through 12th grade students, you will also be prompted to have your child sign this acknowledgement form.

The Rockport PTO welcomes back all students, families & teachers and hope the year has gotten off to a great start. Please use the membership link below to sign up and pay annual dues. Funds raised by PTO are used for student field trips, teacher requests, PTO events for elementary and middle/high schools and scholarships for graduating seniors.

PTO is also running a Calendar Raffle fundraiser and we would love your support in purchasing raffle chances and selling them! Please see the links below to both the calendar which shows the prizes and instructions on how to purchase and enter the raffle. Thank you for your support!

Link to PTO Membership form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18cvk1Plsa20URoAttdeRwISHaxSXESxTLGF7AMRACpg/edit

Link to PTO Calendar Raffle Doc

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KpHHpKBSLTuit0-zZ0a0kiiOdRtgvnDA/view?usp=drive_link

Link to PTO Calendar Raffle instructions

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KOwRwZGaesQ-r_g5uVqOtHcUEx8olQ_j/view?usp=drive_link

Thank you,

Alyssa Teixeira

Treasurer, Rockport PTO

Breakfast is an important way to start a productive day. We encourage all students to arrive early enough to get breakfast before school begins if possible. For those students not able to get to school early on any given day, we will provide a set time in the morning to be sure breakfast is accessible to all. Breakfast and lunch continue to be free for students this year.

• In order to strengthen the home/school partnership at RMHS, we will be providing a number of resources for families to keep you informed of important information and events. Resources will be available on the website by late August and include:

  • The Principal’s page on the RMHS website.

  • The Parent Resource Guidebook that provides answers to the most commonly asked questions.

  • The “RMHS Viking News” emailed to all students and families beginning the first week of school.

  • Your child’s Aspen account and Google Classroom pages for the most up-to-date information within individual classes.

  • Routine email communication for parents to guide and inform important upcoming events, school-related expectations, and/or happenings.

Prom - Friday, May 16th, 2025 @ Spinellis

Senior Showcase: Tuesday, May 20th, 2025 @ Rockport Music Shalin Liu

Senior Banquet - Wednesday, May 28, 2025 @ The Elks at Bass Rocks