RES Weekly Buzz

Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders did an AWESOME job on their ELA MCAS tests this week. The efforts of all grade level teams showed in how the students were reading, planning, writing, and taking their time to ensure that they did the best work that they could. It was a great start to the spring testing season.

The students and the staff were all flexible with our schedule changes; and each grade level helped, so we could make sure everyone was able to enjoy their recesses and specials each day. We are truly proud of everyone's support.

We hope that everyone has an amazing break and comes back next week recharged and ready to enjoy the remaining months of this school year.

Reminder: The next newsletter will be out Friday, April 28, 2023

• April 17th-21st: Spring vacation
• (RES office closed Monday 4/17)
• May 2nd-3rd: Math MCAS grades 3-5
• May 10th & 11th: RES Book Fair
• (more info to follow)
• May 13th: Motif #1 Day 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run
• May 16th-17th: Science MCAS grade 5
• May 19th: 1/2 Day for Students
• May 29th: No School - Memorial Day

2022 - 2023 RPS School Calendar

RPS Music Calendar

2023-2024 RPS School Calendar

Every year at Rockport Elementary School we engage all students in planting, harvesting, and eating a spring salad and fall crop as part of our RES school garden program.

As we head into our spring season, we are asking for volunteers to assist with planting, harvesting, and tasting.

Please note that all school volunteers must have a CORI check completed in the office.

Check the sign-up for available dates and time slots for volunteering throughout the spring. Please note that each slot is for 1 hour and the class names are listed for those who would like to volunteer during their child's class.

Also, we are looking for families who would be willing to look after the garden during the summer. Sign up for one or more weeks to water and weed the garden and take care of our growing fall crops.

For questions contact Darlene Trumbour (dtrumbour@rpk12.org)

Happy Spring

Rockport Elementary School has just completed a curriculum review process to choose high-quality, research and evidence based core instructional materials for literacy learning in grades K-5.

We would like to thank our Lead for Literacy Team for developing a literacy action plan for RES, focused on connecting improved literacy instruction and a multi-tiered system of supports. They helped us to prioritize this need for a new core curriculum at RES. Lead for Literacy Team: Bridget O’Connell, Bridget Sheehan, and Michelle Notte.

We are also extremely happy to announce that RES has been awarded federal funding through DESE’s Accelerating Literacy Learning and High-Quality Instructional Materials Grant. This grant will cover 50% of our three-year digital subscription purchase and 100% of our initial professional development session for new K-5 English Language Arts programming.

THANK YOU to ALL STAFF who used their time to put several top rated programs through a rigorous review process and provided us with input as to which programs were best suited for Rockport students and staff. Our RES Literacy Review Committee presented each grade level team’s findings to help us narrow down our top choice. RES Literacy Review Committee: Bridget O’Connell, Stacey Twombly, Julie Raftelis, Jess Rice, Beth Zerilli, Bridget Sheehan, Sharyn Perrotti, Anne Clifton, and Michelle Notte.

Rockport Elementary School is excited to announce that we will be implementing Into Reading from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt as our core curriculum materials for ELA/Literacy for grade K-5 beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. You can find more information about the program and how it is rated here:

• HMH Into Reading

• CURATE Reports Into Reading 2020 (HMH)

• EdReports 2020 Into Reading K-2

Rockport is proud to announce that one of our third graders has qualified for the Nationals round of the International Geography Bee which will be held in Virginia in June. He has worked hard to study on his own, passing the written round to enter the competition and qualifying for the Nationals at the Regional Competition, which was recently held in Newton, MA.

CONGRATULATIONS TYLER!!!!!

During the week of Tuesday, May 16, 2023, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Rockport Public Schools. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil right regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP), Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.

Click here for full letter. All links will be available in future communications.

All questions should be directed to Martha Robinson, Director of Student Services mwright@rpk12.org

Pictures needed for this year’s yearbook. Been to any RES events this year and have pictures? Send them to Mrs. Collins scollins@rpk12.or or Mrs. English lenglish@rpk12.org for consideration.

School choice enrollment is now live on the website! Visit rpk12.org click the gray Enrollment button on the District website and scroll down for instructions and to complete the form.

Motif # 1 Day 5K and 1 Mile takes place on Saturday, May 13th, 2023! Let's hope for great weather!

To register, use the following link:

https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Rockport/Motif1Day5K

To sign up to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C45ABAE22A6FC1-motif1day

Volunteers may register a friend or family member at no cost. We look forward to a wonderful community event to promote Health and Wellness! We hope you can make it!

1) Please see the charts below in order to review symptoms and guidelines for student illnesses. (You can also refer to the COVID guidelines here: RPS COVID Protocols 2022-2023).

Any absences related to illness can be excused if a doctor's note is provided to the school.

2) Free COVID test kits are available from the Town of Rockport. Reach out to the Board of Selectmen's Office at Town Hall during their business hours.

3) Ticks usually start to come out in mid-April. PLEASE remember to check your children very thoroughly, from their scalp to their toes, if they have been doing any outdoor activities.

4) All students and their families are encouraged to participate in Rockport's Motif #1 5K or 1 Mile Run on May 13th. It's fun and a great opportunity to exercise and be active!

Please reach out to the nurse's office with any questions at 978-546-1223.

Run Club: Sign up here

Before/After School Activities:

• Winter session 2, check the Weekly Schedule here.
• Spring session sign ups were sent home 3/29/23. Click here if you didn't receive it.
• Any questions email Mrs. Gale ngale@rpk12.org.

Homework Club for Gr 3-5 in room G132 with Ms. Gale (sgale@rpk12.org). The schedule is as follows:

• Monday and Thursdays 3-4pm
• Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8-8:45am

Click on the pictures to see the current RES menus. You can look for other information and/or forms at our RPS Food Services webpage.

Summer Fun is Back! This program is designed to provide your child with an enriching summer activity. Children will enjoy playtime with their friends in a familiar, safe and fun environment. Children will be grouped by age and will rotate through each station: the playground, the gym for games and activities, and the cafeteria for crafts, Legos, and snack time. There will be weekly themes, visiting special guests and surprises to keep things fresh and engaging!

All students who are entering Grades K-5 are eligible to participate.

The program begins

Monday June 26th and runs through Thursday August 4th. Note: There is no program July 4th

For all students, the program is Monday through Thursday, from 9 am - 12 noon

Cost: $400 for the season, $325 for siblings after first child (please fill out a form for each child) Summer Fun will follow the strict food allergy policy guidelines in place at Rockport Elementary School.

Please mail the registration form to Board of Selectmen, 34 Broadway, Rockport, MA 01966.

Forms can also be dropped off at the mail slot at the back door of Town Hall.

You can also email the form and mail/drop off check. Form will be processed once payment arrives.recreation@rockportma.gov

Click the links below to access the various resources:

• Cape Ann Museum Vacation offerings
• Motif #1 5K and 1 mile Fun Run May 13 2023, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
• RES Kindergarten/Grade 1 Registration-Rockport Residents, New students only, registration is ongoing
• Cape Ann Museum offerings for Feb-May 2023

• Savings Makes Cents program offered by Cape Ann Savings Bank for Grades 3-5.
  
• Savings Makes Cents Account Form
• RPS Community Flyers

Please help us spread the word on the upcoming session of Positive Solutions for Families beginning Wednesday, May 17th here at Pathways for Children from 5-6:30 pm for 7 sessions. This is a very popular workshop focused on handling the everyday challenges of parenting young children and understanding of the meaning of challenging behavior. Attached please find the flyer. If you have any questions please reach out to Amy Larsen.

Warm regards,

Amy Larsen

Phone 978 515-5320

alarsen@pw4c.org

• Rockport Recreation Summer Fun is back!
• Summer Programs at Pathways
• Summer is just around the corner and that means RAA&M's children’s programs are too! Make sure to register here before 5/1 to receive reduced tuition. See flyer here
• Teen Programs at Rockport Art Association
  

• Gloucester Little League Registration

RPS Employment Opportunities

• Admin Assist to HS Guidance: School Spring ID: 4216529

• District-Wide Board Certified Behavior Analyst(BCBA): School Spring ID: 4210922

• HS/MS Choral Director: School Spring ID 4161821
  
• HS Chemistry : School Spring ID: 4196863
• HS/MS School Psychologist: School Spring ID: 4198243
  
• RPS Cafeteria Staff and Cafeteria Substitutes
• Call or email Deborah Nokes at 978-546-1234 or dnokes@rpk12.org

• Substitute Teachers, All Levels; School Spring ID 3807059 or click here