RES Weekly Buzz

Spring has officially arrived, and the RES community has renewed energy with the warmer temperatures and frequent visits from the sun. Our students have been filling a hallway with their ideas of how to be kind and scattering sunshine in our school. We have loved reading their ideas, but more importantly, seeing acts of kindness carried out every day. I witnessed a student saying, "Great job!", after a peer presented some work to the class. Walking down the hall, I overheard another student ask a peer if they wanted to join them during their basketball game at recess. These moments are so important for our students to participate in as we promote kindness and respect here at RES. Our students truly do embody both.

Have a wonderful long weekend.

• April 11th & 12th: ELA MCAS grades 3-5
• April 14th: 1/2 day for Staff and Students
• 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

All of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders will be taking the ELA MCAS test next Tuesday, April 11th and Wednesday, April 12th. Session 1 will take place on Tuesday and session 2 on Wednesday. Each session is scheduled to begin in the morning and is untimed, although they must complete their work each day. It would be extremely helpful if every effort is made to ensure that the students are present and on time both days.

HELPFUL TIPS:

Parents and families can do several things to help their children prepare for MCAS testing and to foster a positive experience.

• Have your child bring a reusable water bottle to keep at their desk
• Make sure your child gets enough sleep the night before a test.
• Make sure your child eats breakfast the morning of the test. Breakfast is available here at RES.
• Ensure that your child arrives to school on time.
• Encourage your child to take their time and put in their best effort.
• Encourage your child to always check their work.
• Talk about the test in a positive way.
• Ensure your child that their teacher has provided them with excellent strategies to help them be as successful as they can be.

You are a key component in your child's success in school and life. Your interest and support let them know you believe in them and you value their education. We value our partnership. Thank you!

Future MCAS Dates:

• May 2nd-3rd: Math MCAS grades 3-5
• May 16th-17th: Science MCAS grade 5

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

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!

Literacy: The Lead for Literacy Team continues to work on a Literacy Action Plan for RES. It will be presented to DESE and leadforliteracy.org in April and will be finalized in June. All RES Staff took part in a professional development opportunity on The Science of Reading and its alignment with our current reading practices this month. Through this lens, they are currently reviewing several new curriculum programs for grades K-5 ELA to assess them as research and evidence based resources. The RES Literacy Review Committee will be meeting in April to discuss the staff's feedback from this process.

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) Please send in an ***updated copy of your child's most recent annual physical*** if you have not done so already.

3) If your child has borrowed any clothes from the RES Health Office, PLEASE wash and return them promptly.

4)Ticks usually start to come out in mid-April. Ticks can be in the grass, in leaves, on branches and can fall out of the tree tops. PLEASE remember to check your children very thoroughly, from their scalp to their toes, if they have been doing any outdoor activities. Please make sure to check your pets as well, as pets can carry ticks inside your home.

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 Chamber of Commerce Annual Easter Egg Hunt Pre-K-1 April 8, 2023
• 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 at https://www.rockportartassn.org/youth-and-teens before 5/1 to receive reduced tuition. See flyer here
  

• Gloucester Little League Registration

RPS Employment Opportunities

• 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