Happy Friday, RMHS Students & Families,

What a week at RMHS! The 8th graders had a fantastic experience in Washington, DC as they explored the sites and made memories together that will last a lifetime. As they prepare to transition into high school in a few short weeks, our seniors continue their series of 'good-byes' as they celebrate and honor the culminating experiences they have shared through a variety of venues. This past week, the seniors who participated in the internship program hosted an 'Internship Fair' in the GYM. The presentations were phenomenal and a fantastic representation of the eclectic experiences our students were able to participate in this final quarter. The seniors blew us away at the Senior Showcase on Tuesday evening at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, highlighting the range of talents this group has brought to our school community throughout their time together.

This coming week is the official 'Senior Week' with mandatory graduation rehearsals for all seniors beginning on Tuesday, May 27th at 8am in the GYM. Attendance at the rehearsals is mandatory to participate in the RHS ceremony on Friday, May 30th. The Class of 2025 will be walking through the halls of RPS on Wednesday, May 28th around 10:30 for the annual 'Parade of the Graduates'. Please see below for more details on the Senior Week expectations for your planning.

Grade 8 students will participate in the Civics MCAS on Tuesday and Wednesday of this coming week. Please see below for more details and make every effort to be in school and on time to participate in the state-mandated exam.

The 6-11 Assembly block will be moved to 12:30 on Tuesday to accommodate an opportunity for music and ice cream on the field! 🍦🎶🎷🎤 To make up the time, we will swap F block with Assembly block that day.

Here's to a great week ahead 😎

-Ms. Rose

Monday, May 26th - Memorial Day - No School

Tuesday, May 27th - Friday, May 30th: RHS Senior Week! Please see below for mandatory Graduation Rehearsals and Senior Events

Tuesday, May 27th: RMHS Assembly @ 12:30 pm on the Ryan-Curley Field - Ice Cream & Music for All! 🍦🎶🎷🎤

Tuesday, May 27th: Spring Athletic Awards @ 6:00 pm

Wednesday, May 28th: Senior Banquet @ 6:00 pm at The Elks in Gloucester

Friday, May 30th: RHS Graduation @ 5:00 pm

Tuesday, June 3rd: HS Underclass Awards (Students only) - Extended Assembly (8:30 am - 9:55 am)

Friday, June 3rd: 7th Grade Field Trip

Tuesday, June 3rd: Incoming 6th Grade Family Event @ 6:00 pm (For Current 5th Grade Families)

Thursday, June 5th: 8th Grade Civics Fair @ 6:00 pm in the RMHS Cafeteria

Tuesday, June 10th - Friday, June 13th: RHS Final Exams

RHS Final Exam Schedule 2025

Wednesday, June 11th: 8th Grade Recognition/Dance

Friday, June 13th: 7th Grade Awards & Beach Trip

Monday, June 16th: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL 🎉🥳

Grade 9 Physics MCAS is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4th & Thursday, June 5th

Grade 9 Physics MCAS is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4th & Thursday, June 5th

Grade 8 Civics MCAS is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27th & Wednesday, May 28th

A few reminders as you prepare for these important dates in your educational career:

• MCAS is computer-based once again this year. Teachers have been having you practice during class. Please be sure you are taking advantage of this practice and asking questions if you have concerns about the platform.

• Please make sure to be in school and on time on testing days - Showing up is half the battle!

• Do your best work possible and come in with a positive attitude.

• Listen/read carefully to all test-taking directions and ask questions if any directions are unclear.

• Breathe, take your time and do the best you can. You have the skills you need to be successful on this exam so come in with a clear and open mind! I have full faith you will all do well

It is essential that you come to school prepared and ready to take the exam. If you have any questions about the MCAS subject matter, please contact your subject-specific teacher. If you have questions about attendance or other procedural aspects of the exam, please contact Ms. King.

Senior Week dates will be held as follows:

Tuesday, May 27th: Spring Athletic Awards Night @ 6pm

Wednesday, May 28th: Senior Banquet (Elks in Gloucester @ 6:00pm)

Friday, May 30th: RHS Graduation Ceremony @ 5pm (More details to come)

The Week of Monday, May 26th is Senior Week! 🎉🎓

Graduation Rehearsals are scheduled for:

• Monday, May 26th: Holiday

• Tuesday, May 27th: 8 am - 10:30 am

• Wednesday, May 28th: 8 am - 10:30 am (Caps and Gowns Distributed, only if Obligations fulfilled. RPS Parade of the Graduates at 10:15 am).

• Friday, May 30th: 8 am - 9:30 am

• Friday, May 30th: Graduation @ 5:00 pm

Please note that all seniors must meet their academic, community service, and financial obligations by Friday, May 23rd, in order to participate in the RHS Graduation Ceremony scheduled for May 30th, 2025. All seniors are required to attend all graduation rehearsals the week of Senior Week if they plan to participate in the ceremony.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As graduation quickly approaches, Friday May 30th, we are asking for donations from underclassmen families to make the traditional graduation reception successful and special for the graduates! Below is a link to the Sign Up Genius website with the requests for refreshments; food, drink, and paper products.

If you are willing and able to contribute, non-perishable donations can be brought to the school the day before, May 29th, anytime. Perishable food can be dropped off the afternoon of the 30th between 4 and 5 p.m. at RHS. (There will be signage)

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. We greatly appreciate your support now and always!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E4AA4A72BA6FD0-56783112-2025

"The Reception Committee,"

The Class of 2027 & Class Advisors -

Gerardo DiStefano

Cecilia Chadbourne

Naia Gibson

Ken Park

Thom Smoker

Andrea Zuis

The Rockport Middle High School music students are raising funds to help cover the costs of their 2027 trip to Croatia. To support this effort, we're partnering with Savers to collect donations—and if we hit our goal, it could mean a significant contribution toward the students’ expenses.

8th Grade Students are completing their Civics Action Projects and would love support for the following events:

FOOD DRIVE TO SUPPORT THE OPEN DOOR FOOD PANTRY (MAY 12-27)

• Canned and boxed items (no glass please)

• Items most needed: peanut butter, tuna, tomato sauce, healthy snacks

Good afternoon all,

As past, current and future Youth Exchange students and Host parents, I’m reaching out to all of you for some much needed help.

We have an incoming scholar for Rockport High School for the 2025-2026 school year. Her name is Dolores (goes by Lola)and she’s from Argentina. As her English seems quite good, she will probably be a Senior, as she turns 18 a few days before she arrives in Rockport.

Ideally we would like to have three host families lined up for her, but it is really essential that we get the FIRST HOST FAMILY in place ASAP to start the ball rolling.

The normal hosting schedule is:

#1 from arrival usually August 20-25 time, through Thanksgiving so you can share that special holiday of ours with the student.

#2 from early December through around mid-March, so you can share your Christmas/Holiday with the student

#3 mid-March through end of school year, so you can share Easter/spring and all the end of the year activities with them…prom,etc

These are suggested dates, but very flexible depending on the host parents wants and needs.

Please talk this over and brainstorm if you are able to help host this year, and especially help spread the word to all your friends and fellow students to get more families involved in this very enriching experience.

Please get in touch with me with any help, ideas,etc. I’m more than happy to meet with any interested host families. This notice will be going into the school weekly newsletter, and the guidance dept is also working on this, contacting the Spanish teachers at school.

Thanking everyone in advance,

Ingrid Brown

Rockport Rotary Youth Exchange Officer

Sophomore, Dakota Graham, was sponsored by our local Rotary Chapter to represent RMHS at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). RYLA is Rotary International’s leadership training program for rising young leaders. Dakota participated in a weekend of adrenaline-packed activities and connected with other like-minded young adults wanting to make the world a better place.

RMHS Where? What? When? Community Calendar

Hello students, teachers, and parents! Check out this new student created website! RMHS Where? What? When? is a student created website. Students can find it in the rpk12s.org bookmarks or use this link: wwwsite.rpk12s.org to get to the website.

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 above to help navigate the team available to support you.

Upcoming Community Service Opportunities!

• Volunteers are needed for the Memorial Day Parade on May 26th from 9:30 am to noon. Help set up and clean up, pour soda for the kids, and hand out ice creams at Spiran Hall. The parade starts at Back Beach at 10 am, and the entire parade is done by 11:45 am! Swing by Guidance for more information or contact: kendradagle@gmail.com or sblake0412@gmail.com.

• Please visit the Community Service page on the website for more opportunities and community service forms. Opportunities are also posted on the bulletin board outside of Guidance. Stop by!

Check out this upcoming FREE CGN (College Guidance Network) Webinar

• College Career Services: What to Look For? on Tuesday, May 20th, 7:30pm (ET).

Is college going to be worth it? Part of judging your future “return on investment” for a degree at any college should include a close look at their career services for students and graduates. Join to find out what top career services look like and how to compare them as you build your list. Register here

Check out COLLEGE COURSES for Summer & Fall:

• North Shore Community College is offering a FREE Early College course this summer from July 7th to August 16th. The class, MAT143: Introduction to Statistics, is being held in person on the Lynn Campus, Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9:00am-12:00pm. See Guidance for more information. Seats are limited!

• Salem State University is offering students the opportunity to enroll in Dual Enrollment courses with Salem State. Applications are available in Guidance or use the link to the program details, course availability, and application: Application for Dual Enrollment

• Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is offering a FREE Summer 2025 Dual Enrollment program for high school juniors who have 3.0+ GPA. MCLA’s Dual Enrollment program provides Massachusetts juniors with the opportunity to earn college credit completely free and take courses online. Explore Summer 2025 Dual Enrollment Courses. If you have any questions, please contact Madeleine McKeon at Madeleine.McKeon@mcla.edu. Two summer sessions: Session A starts on May 21 and Session B starts on July 7, 2025.

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:

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.

The school campus is closed to the public when school is in session and after 10:00pm nightly. This includes the use of the tennis courts, track, playgrounds, athletic fields and all other parts of the campus. This does not include families and community members attending school events in our schools or on our school grounds. We appreciate the community's understanding and support as we continue to prioritize the safety of RPS students and staff.

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.