Rockport Middle/High School
Viking News - The Week of 8/26/2024
The Week of August 26, 2024
Welcome Back, RMHS Students & Families,
We are so excited to welcome the students to the building on Wednesday 🙌 The summer has been a busy one as we've worked to continually reimagine and enhance our existing systems, structures and curriculum. Please take the time to review the resources that have been created to assist you as you navigate another school year. Your partnership and support are vital as we work together to raise and support our children.
RMHS Parent Resource: Guidebook 2024-2025
New Common Cell Phone Expectations Letter
Principal's Partnership Series & Assembly Themes
I hope you’ve had a great summer full of adventure and fun. We look forward to hearing all about it! 🎉
Here's to a fantastic 2024-2025 school year!
Amy Rose, Principal
The Seniors sailed into their final year of high school at the annual Senior Cruise this past week. It was a fantastic night to celebrate and honor this amazing group of students. Congratulations to students and families! 🎓
Here's a look at the Week Ahead...
8/28 - First Day of School for Students - Welcome Back!
8/28- Senior Breakfast for grade 12 students @ 6:30 am - Brackett's Oceanview Restaurant
8/30 - No School
Looking Ahead...
9/2 - No School (Holiday)
9/3 - First 'Weekly Assembly' (Grades 9-12) with Ms. Rose & Ms. Jylkka-King in the Auditorium (9:24-9:55)
9/19 - Open House (Grades 6-8) @ 6pm (Auditorium)
9/26 - Open House (Grades 9-12) @ 6pm (Auditorium)
Opening Day of School for Students
Students in Grades 6-11 will report to their A block at 7:35 am on the first day of school to receive their schedules and other important opening day materials. All seniors (grade 12) will report to the Auditorium.
Why Attendance Matters
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.
Important Phone Numbers & Contact Information
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.
Welcome to New RMHS Faculty & Staff
RMHS is excited to welcome the following new staff members to our team for the 2024-2025 school year:
Front Lobby Reception: Katie Elwell
Paraprofessional (Grade 9): Nicky Kern
1-Year English Teacher (9-12): Josh Hardin
Full-Time Substitute: Charlie Ruiter
School Counselor (6-8): Cristiana Stapleton
Student Schedules
Middle school schedules are available in Aspen and students will receive hard copies on the opening day of school. If you have questions about your child's schedule, please email Ms. King, Assistant Principal (aking@rpk12.org) and Ms. Stapleton, 6-8 Counselor (cstapleton@rpk12.org).
High School schedules were made available to students and parents in June through Aspen. You can continue to access your child’s schedule through Aspen at your convenience. Guidance counselors will hold add/drop periods starting in late August if you and/or your child would like to make a change to your existing schedule.
Please note that counselors will work diligently to respond to all scheduling requests. Due to the volume of requests, this may take some time. Students will have a two-week add/drop period once school begins in order to ensure all scheduling issues are resolved.
School Supplies
Middle school students who ordered supplies via the Shoptkits are all set! The orders will be shipped directly to the school and provided to your children on the opening days of school. For those families who missed the deadline or opted not to order through this vendor, I have included links to the school supply lists by grade level below:
RMHS School Supply List Grades 6-8: 2024-2025
High School students should come to school on the first day with a charged computer (if they have one), a writing utensil, and a notebook. Requirements for school supplies vary depending on your child’s teacher and classes. Teachers will spend the first two days outlining their specific class requirements and expectations. There is no need to buy school supplies in advance to avoid purchasing unnecessary items. We highly recommend that you wait until after the first two days to buy the appropriate supplies for your unique schedule.
2024 Summer Reading
Rockport Middle/High School requires students to participate in our summer reading program. Please be sure your child does this in order to be prepared for the opening day of school. The 2024-2025 summer reading list is available on our website under the “Resources” tab, “MS Summer Reading” or “HS Summer Reading”. If you have trouble accessing the list online, please contact Ms. Lucido in the main office by calling 978-546-1234. Students will be expected to participate in a faculty-led discussion about their book within the first few days of school.📚🙌
Counseling Connections
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:
RHS Student Technology Expectations
Students in grades 6-8 are required to use a school-issued device. Students will be given the device on the opening days of school and will be expected to take proper care of the devices throughout the year.
Students in grades 9-12 are expected to bring a computer to school each day for general use. Recommended devices include a Chromebook, MacBook, or Windows laptop, so that students can access the internet, Google Classroom, and complete writing and research assignments. Tablets and phones are not as effective at these tasks. All devices brought into the school network are visible to technology staff and must abide by the acceptable use policy, as do all school-issued devices. RMHS will supply any students with a Chromebook who are unable to or do not want to bring their own device. These devices will be issued in the first few weeks of school after acceptable use policies have been signed and returned. A student cannot receive their device without the acceptable use policy being signed. Students will be responsible for charging devices each night. Repairs will be dealt with on an individual basis.
If your child requires a school-issued Chromebook, they will have the opportunity to obtain one during the first two weeks of school by visiting the Tech Office.
School Breakfast
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.
RMHS Open House
Our annual open houses are scheduled to be held in September. Please save the dates on your calendars. The middle school open house will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 6:00 pm. The high school open house will be held on Thursday, September 26th at 6:00 pm. Both evenings will commence in the John Lane Auditorium after which parents will follow an abbreviated school schedule, enabling you to meet each of your child’s teachers and learn of curricular expectations at RMHS.
RMHS Parent/Guardian Communication
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.
Families of Seniors - Save the Dates!
Senior Breakfast – Wednesday, August 28th at 6:30 am - Brackett’s Oceanview Restaurant
Post-Secondary Planning Night (Grade 12 Students & Families) - Tuesday, September 17th @ 6pm (Auditorium)
RHS Graduation – Friday, May 30, 2025 at 5 pm-Ms. Rose