
RES Weekly Buzz
February 7, 2025
You know you live in New England when it’s 45 degrees one day, and a few days later it’s cold and snowy! The snow has been delightful for the kids, especially during recess. They’ve been busy building tiny snowmen, creating miniature “slush houses,” and pretending to be penguins as some slide down a gentle slope on their stomachs. I’m glad they are enjoying and making the most of the snow!
Global Play Day was a big success at RES this week! Many thanks to our teachers, who adjusted their daily schedules to allow for a combination of work and play in creative ways. Global Play Day is a tradition we celebrate yearly, and I look forward to continuing it!
This week, our teachers participated in an afternoon of professional development led by colleagues from the district. They could choose two sessions from a wide array of offerings. Based on the feedback, it was a successful afternoon that provided our teachers with new knowledge and ideas to enhance their practice.
We concluded our week by celebrating the 100th day of school! There is much to celebrate across all grades for the excellent learning that has taken place, the friendships formed, and how our students have grown. Here’s to the next 80 school days, and may they be just as successful as the first 100.
Enjoy the weekend and the snow!
Amy
Important Dates
February 14th: 1/2 Day for staff & students
- Pre-K dismissal 11:30am
- K-5 Dismissal 12pm
February 17th-21st: Winter Vacation
March 4th: 1/2 Day for Students
- Pre-K dismissal 11:30am
- K-5 dismissal 12pm
K/1 Enrollment for Rockport Residents
This is for new enrollments only, current kindergarten and grade 1 students do NOT need to enroll again.
News from Student Services
SAVE THE DATE -April 30, 2025
“Save the date for the 4th annual Northeast Region Assistive Technology Fair! This free event on April 30 is your chance to learn about a range of assistive technology products from 30 vendors and to see how assistive technology enables people to live productive, meaningful, and dignified lives.
The event will take place at Liberty Tree Mall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. We are thrilled to partner with the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services on this great event.
Visit the event site to register: https://ow.ly/yszw50UKpCF “
Rockport Integrated Preschool 25/26
Rockport Public Schools Annual Art Show
Mark your calendars!
Volunteers needed to help set-up and take down the RPS Art show. Sign up here
Rockport Public Schools Art Show
Wednesday, February 26 – Sunday, March 9, 2025
Reception: Thursday, March 6, 2025, 5:30-7:00 PM
Sign-Up Genius for Refreshments at the Art Show Reception Night.
Viewing Hours:
Wednesday – Sunday, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Rockport Art Association
12 Main St, Rockport, MA 01966
*note: free, fun, and includes PK-12 students (all elementary students represented)!
Gallery Expectations:
1. WALK safely!
2. Indoor voices
3. Stay as long or short as you would like (Open House)
4. Please accompany elementary students as they tour the gallery
Reminder:
Students need a nut free snack everyday, including 1/2 days of school.
Juggling Club is held on Thursdays from 8-8:45 am in the RES gymnasium for grades 2-5. If you want to sign up your student(s), you can Sign up here.
If you have any questions, please email Ms. Canniff, ecanniff@rpk12.org
Please use this link to sign your child up to ride the school bus for school year 2024-2025. Routes will be posted on the website and sent to families this week. There have been some changes made to the routes from last year.
Before & After School Programs
Students should be arriving no earlier than 7:55am for an 8am morning class.
RES Morning Music
24/25 Music Department Calendar
If you have any questions, please reach out to the following faculty:
Orchestra
Mr. Cohen ncohen@rpk12.org
Band
Ms. Weaver dweaver@rpk12.org or Ms. Shaw-Reese kshaw@rpk12.org
Notes from Nurse Warren
If your child is displaying symptoms of illness, please keep them at home. Click on the following link to review RES Illness (which goes over symptoms) and COVID-19 Protocols for this school year. To keep our school healthy, it is important to follow school guidelines. All students are also strongly encouraged to receive their flu and COVID-19 vaccines.
Winter temperatures are very cold right now. It is important that students dress appropriately for the weather each day. Please make sure your child dresses warmly and brings a jacket, hat and gloves to school. If there is snow on the ground, students should have boots and snow pants.
Make sure your child brings a water bottle and snack to school every single day. Snacks and meal items must be nut-free.
Please remember that card exchanges for Valentine's Day should NOT include any food items.
The District is in need of Substitute nurses. Apply here
The Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the U.S. Postal Service has reopened COVIDtests.gov as of today, so that households across the country can order four additional over-the-counter COVID-19 tests for free. These tests are intended for use throughout the 2024 holiday season to detect currently circulating COVID-19 variants. Clear instructions are included on how to verify extended expiration dates
If you have any questions, please call the RES health office at 978-546-1223.
Summer Fun 2025
2025 Rockport Summer Fun!
This program will provide your child with an enriching summer activity! They will enjoy playtime with their friends in a familiar, safe and fun environment. Children will be grouped by age and will rotate through the playground for recess, the gymnasium for indoor movement activities, and other rooms for games, Legos, arts & crafts, and snack time. There may be weekly themes, visiting special guests and welcome surprises to keep things fresh and engaging! All students who are entering Grades K-5 are eligible to participate; including Rockport residents, grandchildren of Rockport residents, children of town employees, and school choice students enrolled at RES. This program is brought to you by the Town of Rockport, and hosted at Rockport Elementary School. Please email recreation@rockportma.gov with any questions.
NEW THIS YEAR, PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY:
- $25 late fee for registrations received after 12 noon on Friday, May 30th.
- Registration will close at 12 noon on Friday, June 13th.
- Payment plans can be arranged with the Town Administrator's office
Click here for registration form-Hard copies will also be available at Town Hall and Rockport library Youth Services room.
RES Yearbook
Calling all photographers!
If anyone has photos of RES students participating in after hours, school based activities and would like to submit them for consideration in the yearbook, please send them to Mrs. Collins
Cape Ann Savings Bank at RES
The “Saving Makes Cents” Program with the Cape Ann Savings Bank is back at RES, and they will be at school on Thursdays from 8:30-8:45 in the RES Foyer for Grades 3-5.
Important School Reminders
Click on pictures for more information.
Rockport PTO
Thank you to everyone who has joined as members! We are always welcoming new members via our membership form and looking for new board members as well. Please email ptorockport@gmail.com with any questions.
Upcoming Events:
- March 6th: RPS Art Show Reception Night- Sign-Up Genius for Refreshments at the Art Show Reception Night
- April 3rd: Family Arts & Crafts Night- Hi Families! In the coming weeks, we are looking to collect your old Arts & Crafts items- a bin will be located at the RES office (2/24-2/28) to collect them.
- May 17th: Vikings Donuts at Brothers Brew
February Menus
RPS Employment Opportunities
- Any elementary, middle, or high school positions that are open in Rockport Public Schools are posted here.
- Click here or scan our QR code to see all available positions.
Parent Resources and Local Events
Click the links below to access the various resources:
- RES 24/25 Staff
- RPS Community Flyers
- Massachusetts Partnership for Youth
- Rockport Public Library-Visit the Rockport Public Library for some great offerings for both children and adults.
- Pathways for Children
- Open Door Programs
- Rockport Youth Soccer
- Cape Ann Youth Chorus
- Rockport Music- Visit the Rockport Music website for upcoming show information and discounted options for students of RPS.
- K-8 Rockport Youth Basketball
- Cape Ann Youth Hockey-Developmental Skating & Hockey Programs
- Cape Ann Youth Lacrosse-2025 Spring registration
- Cape Ann Museum
- Gloucester Youth Football and Cheerleading