ROCKLAND HIGH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

The RHS Drama production of SpongeBob the Musical was a success! Outstanding performances made for an entertaining show. Huge congratulations to the very talented cast and crew who worked so hard to prepare. Kudos to Mr. Bergman (director), Mr. Piazza, and WRPS staff for their coordination.

MCAS ELA testing for grade 10 students went smoothly on Tuesday and Wednesday. Students and staff navigated a new online testing platform with minimal issues. The next round of testing will be grade 10 math on May 20 and 21 and grade 9 science on June 4 and 6. More details regarding schedule, etc. will be shared closer to those dates.

On Wednesday, the Harlem Wizards visited the RHS gym for a faculty versus the Wizards basketball game. It was an outstanding fundraising event planned by the RHS Athletics Boosters. Students and families from across the district had a blast watching their teachers compete with the pros. Mr. Anzalone and Mr. Lordi represented Rockland High School well! Thank you to the boosters for their hard work and enthusiasm in planning such a wonderful event to benefit our athletics program!

APRIL

4/3 - Term 3 closes

4/3 - Senior Class meeting, 8:45 AM

4/3 - Early release PD day, 11:25 AM dismissal

4/7 - Department Head meeting, 2:50 PM

4/8 - Senate Leadership Council meeting, 7:30 AM

4/9 - Crisis Team meeting, 9:20 AM

4/9 - New Teacher Induction meeting, 2:50 PM

4/10 - Term 3 grades posted in Aspen

4/10 - Massasoit Campus visit

4/10 - Rockland's Got Talent, 7:00 PM

4/14 - Bridgewater State University visit

4/16 - Massasoit on the Spot Admissions event

4/18 - No school, Good Friday

4/21-4/25 - No school, April Vacation

4/29 - Site Council meeting

4/30 and 5/1 - RPS Arts Festival, 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Congratulations to the following RHS art students for their participation and recognition in this year's Congressional Art Show:

Drawing:

Amelia Harrington - Cat Portrait

Collage:

Honorable Mention - Madison Lorgeree – Me as a Kid – Self-Portrait

Painting:

Honorable Mention - Jaycee Comeau – Family Portrait

Honorable Mention - Angelina Fallavollita – Self-Portrait

There will be a reception on Friday, April 4 from 5:30-7:00 PM at the Plymouth Center for the Arts, 11 North Street, Plymouth. Awards will be handed out that night. Great job to everyone!

JUNIORS

See below for great financial aid resources and upcoming National College Fairs:

The Federal Student Aid (FSA) YouTube channel shares step-by-step videos of information and resources related to the financial aid process. All information comes directly from the U.S. Department of Education. https://www.youtube.com/@FederalStudentAid.

Use this link to register for the Providence College Fair on April 3.

SENIORS

Congratulations if you've applied and been accepted to college. Great news, but your work isn't done!

Here is a helpful article with the next steps. Please note #3 - After you have decided and accepted your offer of admission at the school you will attend, please notify other colleges and decline their offer of admission. This will allow the college to accept students from the waitlist or who were deferred (which may be you at another school!).

April is Autism Acceptance Month

1 in 44 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, totaling over 5 million young people and adults.

Autism can be difficult to understand. Opening up the conversation with your children about autism can bring clarity for them, and aid their compassion for others.

More recently you may hear a term called Neurodiversity or Neurodivergent. Neurodivergence is the term used for individuals whose brains “diverge” from the “norm.” This typically includes people with diagnosed neurological disorders and learning disabilities and is used to explain why an accommodation is needed. The neurodiversity movement argues that we should be celebrating the incredible diversity of how brains function.

(Autism Speaks, 2021)

(Paulsen, 2023)

What is it like to have autism?

A child with autism might have difficulty:

• communicating with others

• social interactions

• dealing with changes (new foods, routine or environment)

• dealing with loud noises, bright lights or crowds

(Nemours Kids Health, 2019)

(Rudy, 2021)

Resources

Amazing Things Happen - by Alexander Amelines

Let's talk about Autism : An Autism awareness video for parents

CARDIAC SCREENING

Updated stories are available in The Veritas.

School Website

Aspen Student & Family Portal

Arbiter Live- Athletic Schedules

Breakfast & Lunch Menus

It is hard to believe that term 3 ends next week on Thursday, April 3. Third term report cards will be posted in Aspen in the afternoon on April 10. Please log into Aspen and locate the published report card on the main page.

See the flyer below regarding a fun community service opportunity for students on April 26. And save the date for the upcoming annual RPS Arts Festival on April 30 and May 1!

Have a great weekend.

Sincerely,

Cheryl Schipper