WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

It was a smooth opening as we welcomed students back to school this week. Students have done a wonderful job adjusting to their new schedules and getting back into the swing of things.

Grade-level assemblies were held on the first day of school and Ms. Paulding, Mr. Damon and I met with all students to welcome them and review expectations. The presentation covered is attached. Also attached is the student handbook which has been shared with all students. Students are expected to review and sign off on receipt of the document.

One point that we are really focusing on is keeping phones away during classes. A preponderance of research is emerging about the damaging effects of cell phone use on education. Distracted students find it difficult to access the curriculum. While phones are allowed in school, we expect them to be off and away during classes. They are allowed in the cafeteria. Thank you in advance for your support in helping us maintain a focused learning environment for all students!

RHS was the lucky recipient of new cafeteria tables this summer. We now have ovals, round high tops and rectangular high tops for students to enjoy. See the photos of our fresh new set up below.

On Friday, August 30 we had a successful first fire drill. Students and staff did an outstanding job exiting the building in a swift and orderly manner.

SEPTEMBER

9/2 - No School - Labor Day

9/3 - No School - Election Day, state primary

9/6 - School Picture Day

9/10 - Senate Leadership Council meeting, 7:30 AM- 8:00 AM (Library)

9/11 - Crisis Team meeting, 9:20 AM

9/11 - New Teacher Induction meeting, 2:50 PM

9/18 - Back to School Night, 6:30 PM

9/19 - Early Release PD Day, 11:25 AM dismissal

9/24 - Site Council meeting, 7:30 AM

OCTOBER

10/1 - Progress reports posted in Aspen

10/2 - Crisis Team meeting, 9:20 AM

10/3 - Early Release PD Day, 11:25 AM dismissal

10/7 - Department Head meeting, 2:50 PM

10/9 - New Teacher Induction meeting, 2:50 PM

10/10 - Dog Block, 10:42-11:28 AM

10/10 - College Essay Workshop

10/14 - No School, Columbus Day

10/15 - Senate Leadership Council meeting, 7:30 AM

10/16 - In-school PSAT Testing for grades 10 and 11

10/16 - Financial Aid Night, 6:30 PM

10/17 - Early Release PD Day, 11:25 AM dismissal

10/18 - Homecoming Game

10/18 - Ask Faculty About College Day

10/19 - Homecoming Dance

10/22 - In-school SAT Testing for grade 12

10/23 - Open House, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

10/23 - Picture Retake Day

10/26 - Project Pumpkin, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM

10/29 - Site Council meeting, 7:30 AM

10/30 - AP Online Payments due

On Monday, August 26, we welcomed new students for orientation. Trained mentors led tours around the building. Students also attended an activities fair in the cafeteria. Student volunteers shared information about clubs and organizations and encouraged students to get involved. Meanwhile a group of student panelists answered questions for families in the auditorium.

Big thanks to all of the mentors, student volunteers and student panelists who helped make the night informative and purposeful (and hopefully a little fun) for students and families.

The drop/add period for Semester 1 electives is closed.

The PSAT/NMSQT exam will be given at RHS on Wednesday, October 16th. Information will be emailed soon.

The School Day SAT will be given to seniors at RHS on October 16th. Seniors must sign up with Guidance no later than September 17th.

Rockland Public Schools is participating in a district-wide spirit day on Friday, October 4th to honor the Jimmy Fund. The fundraiser is being hosted by the RHS Student Council.

Join us in the fight against cancer by purchasing spirit day shirts. Proceeds from shirt sales will benefit the Boston-based Jimmy Fund Walk on October 6th, where RHS students will be walking to raise funds for cancer research at the Dana-Farber Institute.

Purchase your shirt online by Wednesday, September 11: https://www.customink.com/fundraising/rockland-walks

Shirts will be distributed on the following dates and times at the Rogers Middle School cafeteria:

• Monday, September 30th from 3:00-4:30 and 5:00-6:00

• Tuesday, October 1st from 3:00-4:30 and 5:00-6:00

Students and families who do not purchase a shirt are asked to wear NAVY in solidarity with bringing awareness to the cause for the district-wide spirit day on Friday, October 4th.

Let's come together as a community to make a difference! Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

RHS Student Council Fundraising Committee

Welcome back for the new school year! I am excited to see familiar faces and meet our new students!

Here is some guidance on when you should keep your student home for illness:

• Fever: A fever of 100.4 F or higher. Children may return to school when fever free for 24 hours (WITHOUT use of fever reducing medications).

• Vomiting/diarrhea: Any unexplained vomiting episode. May return 24 hours after the last episode. Diarrhea which is three or more unexplained episodes of watery or loose stools in 24 hours. May return 24 hours after the last episode.

• Cough: Serious, sustained coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing.

• Rash: Any new rash accompanied by fever. May return after the rash goes away or clearance given by a health care provider.

• Skin Lesions: Drainage from a sore that cannot be contained within a bandage or sore that is increasing in size or new sores are developing day-to-day.

• Infections: Strep infections of any kind, ringworm, conjunctivitis, or impetigo. These are all contagious infections and must be treated with medication for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Rockland Public Schools are following Massachusetts state guidance on precautions for respiratory viruses (Covid, Flu, RSV, etc). Please see the full details here. Covid absences will be treated as all other absences. They will be excused only with a note from a doctor.

For all respiratory illnesses, students may return to school when they have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication AND symptoms are improving.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Fleur Davis MBA, RN, BSN

fdavis@rocklandschools.org

781-871-8411

Please refer to the links below for your convenience.

School Website

Aspen Student & Family Portal

Arbiter Live- Athletic Schedules

Breakfast & Lunch Menus

It has been an outstanding first week of school here at Rockland High School! It is so great to see smiling faces around the building.

Please complete back-to-school paperwork and encourage your student to return the forms to their A block teacher. Picture Day is next Friday, September 6. All students will taking photos during the school day so we can maintain up-to-date student IDs. Please see the attached order information.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Respectfully,

Cheryl J. Schipper