RES Weekly Buzz

We welcomed our preschool and kindergarten students this week and are excited to have them join RES! This is an exciting time for many students but also a nervous time for some. As your students settle into their new routines at school, please rest assured that they are well supported by all the teachers. Our staff works diligently to ensure that all our students feel safe and happy while at school, understanding that transitions can be challenging. Throughout the year, but especially over the next few weeks, teachers will work with students to help them settle into a daily school routine and build strong relationships as they become immersed in the school community. They will thrive this year, and I am excited to see them all flourish and grow!

Please mark your calendars for our RES Back To School Night on Thursday, September 12th. This is an event for caregivers, providing an opportunity to meet classroom teachers and specialists and to gain a deeper understanding of your child's learning journey this year. Please see the link for more information. Back To School Night Information

Have a wonderful weekend,

Amy

• September 12th: Grade 1-5 Open House 6-7:30pm
• September 24th: 1/2 Day of School
• September 25th: RES Picture Day

2024-2025 RPS School Calendar

Good afternoon,

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.

Thank you!

Amy Waterman, Principal
Rockport Elementary

Students should be dropped off at 8:45 am when they can proceed to their classrooms. Students can enjoy breakfast in the cafeteria beginning at 8:30 am. Students can enter the building at 7:30 for the YMCA before-school program or at 8:00 am to attend any RES before-school programming.

RES Drop-Off Procedures

Parents/guardians should drop students off in the “drop-off lane” located on the right, curbside, at the front of the elementary school. Pull your vehicle up as far as possible so other vehicles can join the drop-off line. Please pull over to the right and allow a staff member to assist your child exiting your vehicle. Stay to the right, as traffic may pass you in the left-hand lane. Please remain in your car when dropping off your child; there is no parking in the drop-off zone. When pulling away from the school, please look to your left; other cars may already be in the traveling lane.

RES Pick-Up Procedures

Students who take the bus will be dismissed immediately at 3:00 pm. The buses will be in front of the school, please do not idle, park, or block the pick-up lane, as buses have the right of way at school dismissal time. Students who are “walkers” who walk home or are being picked up at school will be dismissed at 3:03 pm from the following areas:

• Kindergarten and Grade 1:
• East side doors (F3) near the RES gymnasium.

• Grades 2 and 3:
• East side recess doors (F8) near the basketball court and the school playground, closest

to the 2nd grade classrooms.

• Grades 4 and 5:
• North side doors (H2) at the rear of the building, closest to the 5th grade classrooms.

Classroom teachers would appreciate if you use this Transportation Form to help guide your child in the right direction at the end of the school day. If you are unable to print, a note with the requested information is great!

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.

School pictures will be taken on

Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Click here to order.

Rockport PTO wishes everyone a wonderful, fun, safe summer!

Upcoming Events:

• Rockport PTO is planning a calendar raffle for fall. Parents who wish to donate an item can find a signup genius link here

PTO Membership Form

WELCOME BACK FROM THE RES HEALTH OFFICE

If your child needs a medication, inhaler, or Epi-Pen in school for the 2024-2025 school year, new forms are required to be filled out. The Medication Administration form, Authorization To Treat form, and Asthma Action Plan form (for inhalers) are all available under the Health Services link on the rpk12.org website.

If your child had their annual physical over the summer, please remember to turn in a copy when the new school year starts.

Please remember that NO PEANUT OR TREE NUT FOODS ARE ALLOWED IN SCHOOL. Because many students have food allergies, please also remind your child that they should not share their meals or snacks with peers.

Make sure your child brings a water bottle to school every day.

Have your child wear sturdy athletic shoes during the school day (please NO flip flops or sandals) to prevent slips, falls, and injuries.

If you have any questions or need any forms sent home in your child's backpack, please call the RES health office at 978-546-1223.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has extended free school meals for all students through the 2024-2025 school year! This means that breakfast and lunch will continue to be served at no cost to all students.

Please note that even though meals will be free for all, it is essential for families to complete still the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2024-2025 school year. You can view and complete the application here: CLICK HERE FOR THE ROCKPORT FAMILY PORTAL. We strongly encourage ALL families to submit this form as it allows us to establish eligibility for P-EBT summer benefits, discounts on Athletic fees, Transportation fees, and Testing fees (SAT, ACT, and AP), discounts on utilities and internet connection fees, and to aid us in serving our families most effectively.

What if my child doesn't want to eat school lunch? Why should I fill out the form?

Even if your child chooses to bring their lunch, filling out the form is very important! It ensures that Rockport Public Schools gets all the funding and benefits available to support teachers and students. Also, even if your child does not eat school lunch, students who qualify for free lunch can receive other benefits like:

• Summer EBT eligibility
• Free or discounted Bus Pass fees and Athletic Fees.
• Discounts for your family on utilities and internet service.
• Reduced fees for SAT and ACTs and college applications

In addition, please consider applying for SNAP, the federal nutrition program that provides eligible residents with monthly financial assistance to purchase groceries. More SNAP information can be found at getsnap.org1-877-382-2363 or by calling Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.

The food and nutrition department at Rockport Public Schools thank you for your patience in awaiting this historic news! As always, we are grateful for the opportunity to provide nourishing and healthy meals to all Rockport students so please reach out to us with any questions or concerns at 978-546-1243 or via email at dnokes@rpk2.org

Best regards,

Deborah Nokes

Director of Food Service

Rockport Public Schools

978-546-1243

dnokes@rpk12.org

• 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.

Click the links below to access the various resources:

• RPS Community Flyers
• Cape Ann Youth Chorus
• Hispanic Heritage Day Activities
• 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 Museum
• Cape Ann Youth Lacrosse
• Power of Produce-The Power of Produce! Rockport Farmers Market is very excited to be offering the POP Club (“Power of Produce”) program at the Rockport Farmers Market this year! The POP Club program seeks to empower your children, ages 5-12, to make healthier food choices while supporting local farmers and local food producers. Children will receive 3 POP Dollars at every Saturday market they attend to use to purchase produce from our local vendors, encouraging your children to actively engage with their produce suppliers and to make nutritious choices. Through its innovative approach, the POP Club program inspires families to prioritize fresh, local foods and cultivates a lifelong appreciation for healthy eating habits in children. The Rockport Farmers Market opens this season at Rockport’s Harvey Park on Saturday June 15 and runs every Saturday through October 12 from 9 AM to 1 PM. All children must be accompanied by a parent to sign up and participate in POP Club. You can download the attached signup sheet and bring it to the market or sign up at the market when you arrive. Check out our website for updates and more information: rockportexchange.org.
• Gloucester Youth Football and Cheerleading