Happy Friday, RMHS Students & Families,

It has been a fantastic week with weather to support the array of athletic and outdoor activities Fall brings 🍂🍁 The students continue to bring positive energy and ideas to the new systems and opportunities available to them. The middle school hosted Student Council elections this past week. Kudos to everyone who was brave enough to run for these important roles and congratulations to our new leaders!

RHS kicked off their first FLEX Explore earlier this week. All students in grades 9-12 will spend one block per 6-day cycle in self-exploration with guided and explicit instruction by teachers and counselors who will provide a glimpse into the opportunities that exist within each subject area. All students will cycle through the four exploratory offerings over the course of the year. Topics include: Post-secondary/Future Planning & Readiness, Performing Arts, Visual Arts & Health/Wellness. It was fantastic to see our students and staff coming together to explore areas outside their comfort zones.

This week, we will continue to cultivate the culture and common expectations we seek to create through RMS Assembly, RHS class meetings and more! We hope to see families of senior students (grade 12) at the Post-Secondary Planning Night on Tuesday and the RMS families at the Open House this coming Thursday. Please see below for more details on the upcoming family events below.

I look forward to a great week ahead! 🎉

-Ms. Rose

Amy Rose, Principal

Saturday, September 14th: DECA Car wash @ Advance Auto Parts (Eastern Avenue near Shaws)

Monday, September 16th: RMS Assembly in the Auditorium (9:24-9:55)

Tuesday, September 17th: RMS Summer Reading Groups (9:24-10:15)

Tuesday, September 17th: RHS Assembly will serve as Class Meetings (9:24-9:55):

• Seniors: Health Room (D210)

• Juniors: Cafeteria

• Sophomores: Gym

• Freshman: Auditorium

Tuesday, September 17th: Class of 2025 Post Secondary Planning Night for Seniors and Families @ 6 pm (Cafeteria)

Wednesday, September 18th:-School Picture Day

Thursday, September 19th: Open House (Grades 6-8) @ 6pm

RMS Open House Agenda

9/24 - 1/2 Day for Students (Dismissal at 11am)

9/26 - Open House (Grades 9-12) @ 6pm (Auditorium)

RHS Open House Agenda 2024

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.

Class of 26 bake sale on September 21, at the Rockport Transfer Station. Sign up sheet is located on the Junior class board.

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.

This year’s Greater Cape Ann College & Career Fair will be held at Ipswich High School on Tuesday, October 1st, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm in the Lower Gymnasium, 134 High Street, Ipswich. All students and families are welcome, and we strongly encourage our juniors and seniors to attend. If you need transportation, contact Guidance. Please note the traditional fair hosted in Gloucester will not be held this March.

Seniors - Class of 2025:

• Post Secondary Planning night will be held in the RHMS Cafeteria on Tuesday, September 17, from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Bring your questions for the counselors!

• College admission representatives will be visiting RHS Guidance starting on September 19th. 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: UMASS Amherst, Bentley, University of Southern Maine, URI, UVM, 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.

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 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.

A reminder to students and families to hand in your first day packets to the Main Office as soon as possible. If you have questions about the packet or need assistance with its content, please see Ms. Lucido & Ms. Quirk in the front office.

Juniors/Senior

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

Armed Services Form

Student and Family District Handbook

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.

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.

Post-Secondary Planning Night (Grade 12 Students & Families) - Tuesday, September 17th @ 6 pm (Cafeteria)

Prom - Friday, May 16th

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