ROCKLAND HIGH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

PSAT and in-school SAT testing took place on Wednesday, October 16 and went smoothly. Friday we prepared for homecoming by having a pep rally. Students and advisors did an amazing job decorating the hallway (seniors) and gym (all grades) in preparation for the rally. Mr. Kimball and the SAAC students worked hard to plan the rally. Photos of the rally will be in next week's newsletter but I have included some pre-rally photos here.

OCTOBER

10/23 - 8th Grade Open House, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

10/23 - Picture Retake Day

10/26 - Project Pumpkin, 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM

10/29 - Site Council meeting, 7:30 AM

10/30 - AP Online Payments due

NOVEMBER

11/1 - Term 1 grades close

11/5 - No school, Election Day, Professional Development for teachers

11/7 - Early Release Parent Conferences, 11:25 AM dismissal, conferences 12:30-3 and 6:30-8:30

11/8 - Term 1 grades posted in Aspen

11/8 - 11/9 - Fall Play, 7:00 PM

11/11 - No school, Veteran's Day

11/21 - Early Release PD Day, 11:25 AM dismissal

11/25 - Powder Puff Game, 6:00 PM

11/27-29 - No school. Thanksgiving Break

I want to take a moment to explain the exceptional performance of Rockland High School students on this past year's AP tests. We currently offer 14 AP courses which culminate in a test at the end of the school year. Students are awarded a score of 1 through 5. Scores of 3 or higher are considered "passing". Many colleges and universities accept a passing score for college credit, which can save students (and families) time and money.

As you can see from the chart below, Rockland High School has made AP courses accessible to all of our students and many are taking advantage of the opportunity. The level of rigor in these courses is considerable and the workload is challenging. For our performance on the 2023-2024 tests, Rockland High School has been awarded a Silver Award by the College Board based on three categories: College Culture, College Credit, and College Optimization.

College Culture

52% of Rockland High School students have taken at least one AP course during high school.

College Credit

34% of Rockland High School students earned a passing score on at least one AP exam.

College Optimization

14% of Rockland High School students have taken 5 or more AP courses in high school with at least one in 9th or 10th grade.

Further, we have received an AP Access Award for making AP courses available to all students.

The number of students taking AP exams has increased in recent years. Last year, 287 courses/exams were taken. That number is projected to exceed 300 this year.

Following a dip during covid, the percentage of passing scores has increased. It is very significant that from 2022-2023 to 2023-2024, the passing rate increased from 46% to 70%. This is an exceptional improvement.

Congratulations to all students for their incredible performance. Huge shout out to the AP teachers who planned and prepared and pushed their students to achieve these amazing results. Outstanding!

Congratulations to Girls' Varsity Basketball coach and Rockland High School Physical Education teacher and department chair on being named 2023-2024 MIAA Coach of the Year. Coach Newcomb will be recognized at an MIAA awards ceremony on December 11.

See the attached QR code for work submission for the Images webzine.

The guidance department hosted Financial Aid Night on Wednesday the 16th. A representative from Bridgewater State University presented to students and families about planning for college. The event was informative and well attended.

Please see the attached fire safety tips.

This short week flew by since we had no school on Monday, PSAT/SAT testing on Wednesday, an early release professional development day on Thursday and a pep rally on Friday! This is Homecoming Weekend so it should be a memorable one!

Students - there are only two weeks left in term 1. Stay on top of your academics, put effort into your assignments, and make sure all of your work is turned in! Teachers are available to help, but don't leave everything to the last minute!

Have a great weekend.

Respectfully,

Cheryl Schipper