ROCKLAND HIGH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
January 10, 2025
UPDATES
Dog Block on Thursday was as success with student groups engaging in various activities from doing puzzles, playing Uno, running a WRPS radio show, walking in a group, reading to students at Phelps, assisting PE classes at Phelps, making New Years cards for veterans, making friendship bracelets, playing basketball, and many more! The best part about Dog Block is students interacting with one another and with teachers in a non-academic setting. Some groups engage in valuable community service work which benefits the students involved and the community. Great stuff!
MIDTERMS
Midterm exams for all full-year and semester courses begin on Friday, January 17, and conclude on Thursday, January 23. Term 3 will begin on Friday, January 24, as Day 1. If a snow day occurs during the midterm week, everything will get pushed back a day.
Term 2 and midterm grades will be available for full-year courses by Thursday, January 30. For semester courses, term 2, final exam, and semester final grades will also be available by Thursday, January 30.
Midterm Guidelines:
Midterm exams will count 10% toward a final course average and will be displayed on the report card.
All students should be in school for an exam for all classes during midterm exam week, except when they have their scheduled directed study, senior privilege, or work study.
In between the exam periods is the lunch period. During lunch, students will report to a specific class for a directed study (see schedule). Students will have a directed study for this period (teachers may review for their exam with students during this time). Students will not be permitted to go to the gym or library for their directed studies on these dates. Students will not be dismissed for the directed study and then return to school for their afternoon exam (except in the case of an excused appointment).
Students who do not have morning exams because they have an assigned scheduled directed study may arrive at school late for an 11:00 AM start but are expected to report to the directed study during the lunch period for attendance. Any student arriving after 11:00 AM must check in at the main office for a pass. Students who do not have afternoon exams because they have an assigned scheduled directed study may leave after the lunch period at 12:30 PM. In rare instances, a student who does not have an afternoon exam may leave before 12:30 PM, and a dismissal note is required. No students are allowed to get dismissed and go out to lunch and then return for their afternoon exam.
Students should only be allowed to make up exams for an excused absence and with permission from an administrator. Students who have received permission will be issued a pass from an administrator to bring to the teacher and the make-up exam. Make-up Exams must be taken by Friday, January 24. The administrator will tell the teacher where and when the student will take the make-up exam.
UPCOMING DATES
1/13 - Poetry Out Loud, 6:30 PM, lecture hall
1/14 - Senate Leadership Council meeting, 7:30 AM
1/15 - Crisis Team meeting (rescheduled), 9:20 AM
1/15 - College Admissions Night, 6:30 PM
1/16 - Early Release PD Day, 11:25 AM dismissal
1/16 - Cocoa and Cram, 6:00 - 8:00 PM, library and cafeteria
1/17-1/22 - Mid-term exams
1/20 - No school, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
1/23 - Term 2 grades close, semester 1 ends
1/24 - Term 3 begins
1/25 - Midterm makeups 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
1/28 - Site Council meeting, 7:30 AM
1/30 - Term 2 grades available in Aspen (afternoon)
2/4 - Department Head meeting, 2:50 PM
2/6 - Early Release PD Day, 11:25 AM dismissal
2/11 - Senate Leadership Council meeting, 7:30 AM
2/12 - New Teacher Induction meeting, 2:50 PM
2/13 - Dog Block, 10:42 - 11:28 AM
2/17 - 2/21 - February Vacation
2/25 - Site Council meeting, 7:30 AM
ACADEMICS
DOG BLOCK 1/9/25
ATHLETICS AND ACTIVITIES
STUDENT GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
The student government council is hosting their annual "Cocoa and Cram" on Thursday, January 16th from 6-8pm in the high school cafe and library. This is an opportunity for students to study with friends and prepare for their mid term exams. Staff will be there to chaperone students and to distribute snacks and beverages. Please consider purchasing from the attached amazon wish list to help supply food and beverage for this fun event.
To ensure items are delivered on time, please ship to Rockland High School, 52 Mackinlay Way Rockland MA, 02370.
Also, Save the Date for student government council's second annual Polar Plunge on February 6!
We thank you for your consideration,
Student Government Council
DECA
Rockland DECA "Dogs", our first team to go to the District One DECA Competition was ready to compete on Tuesday, January 7. The conference was held at the Quincy Marriott Hotel and hosted over 800 local business- minded students from a variety of local high schools.
Our team did outstanding! Out of the five in attendance, two placed within the top ten in the categories. Congrats to Shannon Gustin and Anderson Dore!
Students - if you have a business interest in entrepreneurship, business administration, marketing, finance or hotel/hospitality/culinary - join the DECA Club! You get access to a wide variety of digital resources, scholarship opportunities, and the competitions are fun. It's a great way to meet and socialize with like-minded peers! Come to the next DECA meeting!
FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE
Juniors
Reminder that we are hosting College Admissions presentation next Wednesday night, January 15. This event is designed to help families of juniors prepare for the college application process.
Seniors
See the attached flyer for an application fee waiver program.
FROM THE NURSE
Norovirus is on the Rise
Norovirus is a highly contagious intestinal virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Illness usually lasts two to three days and happens after contact with infected surfaces or people. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health reported recently that there has been an increase in cases in the state.
What to do if someone in your home is sick with vomiting and diarrhea:
Isolate them and have as little contact as possible.
Wear gloves to clean up after them and then wash your hands.
Take trash outside to avoid contact.
Wash your hands with soap and water after contact. Hand sanitizer will not kill norovirus.
Continuous small sips of sports drinks to help prevent dehydration.
Reintroduce a mild diet when able. Think BRAT - bananas, rice, applesauce, toast
Wash laundry in hot water and dry at highest heat setting
Seek medical attention if they become dehydrated or dizzy
Norovirus can live on surfaces for days or weeks. The best ways to protect yourself are:
Clean high touch areas (doorknobs, phones, computer keyboards, bathroom fixtures) with sanitizing wipes or bleach solution.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water - before eating, after getting home from an outing, etc. Hand sanitizer will not kill norovirus.
Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose.
Students with vomiting and/or diarrhea should stay home until 24 hours after the last incident per district policy.
QUICK LINKS
FINAL THOUGHTS
Midterms begin next Friday. Please be sure to review the attached schedule and study for your exams. Remember that school will start on a delayed schedule with a 9:00 AM start time from January 17 through January 23 and we will operate on a different schedule those days. Good luck to all students taking exams, especially freshmen who are doing so for the first time. You've got this!
Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Schipper
Principal