Rockport Middle/High School
Viking News - The Week of 8/26/2024
We are pleased to inform you of Rockport’s participation in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy for the 2024-2025 School Year. The Seal of Biliteracy is offered to any student who demonstrates proficiency in English and any other language, whether they speak or sign the language other than English at home or learned it at school or in the community.
The State Seal of Biliteracy aims to:
Encourage students to study and master languages;
Certify attainment of biliteracy skills;
Recognize the value of language diversity;
Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills;
Provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for attainment of high-level skills in languages;
Prepare students with skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society;
Strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community.
In order to earn the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy, students must:
Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in English by earning a score of 472 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS,
Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in a world language by attaining a minimum score equivalent to Intermediate-High on an assessment approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education,
Satisfy all other graduation requirements.
The Seal of Biliteracy with Distinction is available to students who:
Earn a score of 501 or higher on the Grade 10 ELA MCAS
Demonstrate a proficiency level of Advanced Low or higher on a Department-approved assessment
Satisfy all other graduation requirements.
We will be administering the ELA MCAS on March 25-26, 2025. A Google form gauging interest in earning the Seal of Biliteracy will be sent out to eligible students in early/mid December. We will be administering the AAPPL (The ACTFL Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages) in late February/early March to interested students. The cost for the assessment is $20. Financial assistance is available for those that qualify.
We look forward to honoring the language expertise and diversity in our district through this initiative. If you have any further questions, please contact Lilliam Duffy at lduffy@rpk12.org or Martha Cox-Stavros at mcoxstavros@rpk12.org.
Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy Participating Colleges & Universities
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.
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.
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.
