RHS Summer Update

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer vacation. The office staff has been busy preparing for the upcoming school year, many teachers have been participating in professional development, and our custodial staff has been busy getting the building ready for the upcoming school year. It has been great to see students this summer in Summer School and those athletes who have been participating in the Summer Fitness Program.

We are very much looking forward to seeing our students return for in-person learning on Monday, August 30th for the first day of school.

This year, Rockland High School's start of school and end of school times have been slightly adjusted. The school day will begin at 7:55 AM and end at 2:25 PM. On early release dates, the school day will begin at 7:55 AM and end at 11:20 AM.

We plan to make student schedules for the 2021-2022 school year available on the X2 Aspen Student Portal in mid-August. We will send a separate email when these schedules are available.

Guidance Counselor Assignments

Please review the guidance counselor’s caseloads for the upcoming school year. All guidance counselors have an alphabetical breakdown, allowing them to work with the same students for four years. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Guidance Office at 781-871-8410.

Guidance Counselor Students with last names:

Margie Black A – B

Chris DeVine C – G

Casey Morrison H – N

Jill Delaney O – Z

2021-2022 Student Academic Schedules (Not Yet Available)

To access a student schedule in X2, please do the following:

1. Log-in to X2: https://ma-rockland.myfollett.com/aspen/logon.do

2. Go to MY INFO Top Tab.

3. Select CURRENT SCHEDULE on the left Side Tab.

Every effort was made to schedule students into elective courses of their choice; however, graduation requirements need to be a priority. Students may be scheduled for electives they did not request because those were the classes that were available and accommodated the academic needs of the student.

If a student needs/wants to make a request for a schedule change, guidance counselors will be available on August 23rd and August 24th.

We strongly suggest calling to check your counselor’s availability and/or schedule an appointment.

Please note the following:

• Academic class changes (including course or level) require written parental consent.

• Electives are limited. We cannot change academic courses to accommodate an elective change.

• No classes will be changed based on teacher preference.

• Students will need to see their assigned counselor for the 2021-2022 school year for schedule changes.

• We strongly encourage students to request schedule changes before the first day of school.

• The final day to make any schedule requests is September 1st.

For a listing of course descriptions in the Program of Studies, please click here.

August

8/16-8/18 Student Government Council Camp

8/18-8/20 Band Camp

8/18 Freshmen Mentor Training 5:00-7:00 PM

8/20 Football begins

8/25 Other Fall Sports Begin

8/25 New Student Orientation 6:30 PM

8/30 First Day of School for Students

September

9/3 No School Labor Day Weekend

9/6 No School Labor day Weekend

9/9 School Picture Day

9/10 Senior Assembly- Naviance & College Process (2nd Period)

9/11 Saturday School 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

9/15 Back to School Night for Parents 6:30 PM

9/20 College Bootcamp for Seniors 6:15 PM

9/24 Pink-out Day for Breast Cancer Awareness

9/25 Saturday School 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

9/26 Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

9/27 Spirit Week Begins

9/27-9/29 Dicennial NEASC Accreditation Visit

October

10/1 Term 1 Progress Reports Available

10/1 Pep Rally

10/1 Homecoming Football Game

10/2 SAT Testing @ RHS

10/2 Homecoming Dance

10/8 No School- Staff Professional Development

10/11 No School-Columbus Day

10/13 PSAT Testing for Gr. 10 and Gr. 11 Students (Late start for Gr. 9 and 12 students)

10/13 Financial Aid Night 6:30 PM

10/15 Ask a Faculty Member About College

10/16 Saturday School 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM

10/20 Gr.8 Open House 6:30 PM

10/21 School Picture Make-Up Day

10/21 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

10/23 Project Pumpkin

November

11/4 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

11/4 Term 1 Closes

11/4 Mr. Rockland 7:00 PM

11/9 Credit for Life Fair for Gr. 10 Students

11/11 No School Veterans Day

11/12 Term 1 Grades Available

11/12 AP Payments due

11/13 Saturday School 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

11/17 Parent-Teacher Conferences (Early Release) 12:30-2:30 PM; 6:30-8:30 PM

11/18 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

11/20 Saturday School 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM

11/22 Powder Puff Football

11/24-11/26 No School Thanksgiving Day Break

11/25 Thanksgiving Day Football Game Home v. East Bridgewater 10:00 AM

December

12/2 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

12/2-12/4 Fall Play 7:00 PM

12/10 Term 2 Progress Reports Available

12/11 Saturday School 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM

12/15 Choral Holiday Concert 7:00 PM

12/16 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

12/16 Concert Band Holiday Concert 7:00 PM

12/20 Spirit Week Begins

12/22 RHS Music Tour to Elementary School & Senior Center

12/23-1/2 December Vacation

January

1/3 School Reopens

1/5 PSAT Results Assemblies

1/6 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

1/8 Saturday School 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

1/12 College Admissions Presentation for Parents 6:30 PM

1/17 No School- Martin Luther King Jr. Day

1/19-1/24 Midterms

1/20 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

1/24 Term 2 & Semester 1 Ends

1/31 Term 2 & Midterm Grades Available

February

2/3 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

2/5 Saturday School 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM

2/10 Broadway Night 7:00 PM

2/17 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

2/18- 2/26 Estimated Dates for Belize Trip

2/19-2/27 No School February Vacation

March

3/3 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

3/4 Term 3 Progress Reports Available

3/5 Saturday School 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

3/9 Grade 12 Scholarship Assembly

3/17 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

3/19 Saturday School 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

3/24-3/26 Musical 7:00 PM

3/31 Nets for Nets Basketball Fundraiser

April

4/1 Senior Class Meeting- Preparing for Graduation

4/5 Term 3 Ends

4/7 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

4/9 Saturday School 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

4/12 Massasoit Community College On The Spot Admissions

4/12 Term 3 Grades Available

4/14 Quincy College On The Spot Admissions

4/15 No School- Good Friday

4/16-4/24 Estimated Dates for Appalachia Trip

4/18-4/22 No School April Vacation

4/30 Saturday School 9:00 AM-12:00 PM

May

5/2 AP Chemistry Exam 12:00 PM

5/3 AP Psychology Exam 12:00 PM

5/4 AP Literature Exam 8:00 AM

5/4-5/5 Art Festival

5/5 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

5/5 AP Seminar Exam 12:00 PM

5/5 AP Statistics Exam 12:00 PM

5/6 Term 4 Senior Progress Reports Available

5/6 AP US Exam 8:00 AM

5/6 AP Microeconomics Exam 12:00 PM

5/7 SAT Testing @ RHS 7:30 AM

5/9 AP Calculus Exam 8:00 AM

5/9 AP Computer Science Principles 12:00 PM

5/10 AP Language & Composition Exam 8:00 AM

5/11 AP Biology Exam 12:00 PM

5/12 AP Physics Exam 12:00 PM

5/13 Term 4 Progress Reports Available for Grades 9-11

5/14 Saturday School 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM

5/19 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

5/20 Junior & Senior Prom

5/24 Last Day of Classes for Seniors

5/25 Senior Final Exams

5/26 Senior Issues 8:00 AM- 1:00 PM

5/27 Senior Issues 8:00 AM- 1:00 PM

5/30 No School Memorial Day

5/31 Graduation Practice for Seniors @ 9:00 AM

June

6/1 Senior Parade to Elementary Schools & RMS

6/2 Early Release @ 11:20 AM for Staff Professional Development

6/2 Senior Banquet 7:00 PM

6/3 Graduation Practice for Seniors @ 9:00 AM

6/3 Graduation 7:00 PM

6/4 Saturday School 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM

6/8 Underclassmen Award & Hall of Fame Ceremony 7:00 PM

6/9-6/15 Final Exams **If No Snow Days**

6/15 Last Day of School **If No Snow Days**

6/20 No School Juneteenth

6/23 Last Day of School With 5 Snow Days

Any RHS incoming Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 students are encouraged to sign up for Student Government Council Camp on August 16th, August 17th, and August 18th. No experience is required! A permission slip is located here. Please submit the permission slip this week to the main office!

RHS Band Camp is held on August 18th, 19th, and 20th. If students are interested in Concert Band and would want to sign-up for the Band Camp, please email Mr. Piazza (jpiazza@rocklandschools.org). Beginners are welcome!

Anyone who is interested in a bus for the 2021-2022 school year must complete and return this form this week. For the 2021-2022 school year we are pleased to provide transportation for any student grades k-12, free of charge.

During the school year, parents should drop students off at the West Entrance near the gym. No students should be getting dropped off by the main office entrance where the buses drop students off. Students may park in the student lot, located near Veterans Memorial Stadium. This year students will be receiving parking stickers for any cars that will be parked on campus.

All incoming freshmen and any new students to Rockland High School are encouraged to attend New Student & Freshmen Transition Night which will be held in the Rockland High School Auditorium from 6:30-8 PM on Wednesday, August 25th. During the course of the evening, each incoming Grade 9 student and their family will be presented with an overview of the high school experience from the student’s perspective as well as have a chance to tour the building with their schedule for the upcoming school year. Grade 9 students will also meet their upperclassmen mentor.

Any student who would like to compete in a fall sport may still do but should complete this registration form this week. All student-athletes participating in football will begin the practice season on Friday, August 20th. Other student-athletes participating in fall sports will begin on Wednesday, August 25th.

Rockland High School offers the following fall sports:

• Football

• Cheerleaders

• Soccer (Boys and Girls)

• Volleyball and Golf

• Cross Country (Boys and Girls)

As we get closer to the start of fall sports, please remember that no athlete may participate without the following.

1. Use Fee (One-time user fee of $ 200.00 per year, Family Max is $400.00 per year). The User Fee is non-refundable. Cheerleading is an activity, and the fee will be $50.00. All checks must be made payable to: The Town of Rockland. Families may also pay online now by clicking here.

2. Academic (Eligibility)

3. Physical (within the last year)

4. Discipline (any hours owed need to be resolved before you get a blue card)

Below is the contact information for our fall varsity coaches:

Cheerleading

Ms. Jeanine Reardon

jreardon@rocklandschools.org

Boys Cross Country

Mr. Robert Murphy

rmurphy@rocklandschools.org

Girls Cross Country

Ms. Melissa Harris

mharris@rocklandschools.org

Football

Mr. Nicholas Liquori

nliquori@rocklandschools.org

Golf

Mr. Matthew Vincenzi

mvincenzi@rocklandschools.org

Boys Soccer

Mr. Daniel Kimball

dkimball@rocklandschools.org

Girls Soccer

Ms. Marcia Beatty

mbeatty@rocklandschools.org

Volleyball

Ms. Emily Adams

eadams@rocklandschools.org

The best way to stay connected is to download the MIAA app on an electronic device as you can have real-time updates to game schedules.

This year, the Athletic Department is sponsoring a Summer Fitness Program. Any student is welcome to come by the fitness center when it is open and work out, led by our staff coaches. It's been great to see so many students here on campus this summer promoting physical fitness!

There is no cost for school breakfast and lunch this year.

The cafeteria is open for breakfast service in the morning from 7:30-7:50 AM. Students may bring food into school in the morning for consumption in the cafeteria. When the 7:50 AM bell rings, students need to report to their first class of the day.

The breakfast and lunch menus are located on our website under the “Students and Families” Tab under the School Lunch Program or by clicking here.

Rockland High School does not post general supply lists in advance of the start of the school year like they do at the elementary and middle school level. Each teacher will provide students with a list of needed supplies for the class. The student's Chromebook, Chromebook charger, a pencil/pen, notebook, and folder are perfect for the first day of school.

Please visit our Summer Learning Resources here to see if there are any assignments that need to be completed over the summer.

Students and families are strongly encouraged to review the 2021-2022 Student Handbook. The handbook is located electronically here.

Below are a few important reminders about our school attendance policy.

• Students arriving after 7:55 am must report to the main office and receive a tardy slip before they will be allowed admittance to their assigned classroom.

• A student who accumulates 7 or more days of unexcused absences from school for a semester class and/or 14 or more days of unexcused absences from school for a full-year class will lose academic credit for those classes. Grades earned from the course are not affected by a loss of credit. The course grade will appear on a student’s transcript but without credit. A student is eligible to participate in a Credit Recovery Process to receive the credits.

• Please note a student is considered absent in a particular class after 20 minutes from when the period begins. The administration may assign a Saturday detention for any students who exceed 5 unexcused tardies per term.

• Medical notes need to be provided to the main office within one week of the date of the absence.

• Absences, Tardies, and Dismissals are excused for the following reasons:

• Medical Situations - physician’s note

• Bereavement – parental contact

• Religious observance – parental contact

• Professional appointments that could not be scheduled outside the regular school day (i.e., court appointments) -parental contact

• Field trips or other school-sanctioned event/activity

• College visits approved ahead of time by guidance

Please be sure to review all school-wide policies.

On the first day of school, the administration and faculty will review procedures with students regarding fire evacuations, stay in place, lockdown, and ALICE procedures. If anyone has any questions, please contact our School Resource Officer Ethan Schnabel, Assistant Principal Kathy Paulding, or Principal John Harrison.

Students should be reminded at the home of the importance of not opening the doors for anyone and never propping a door open during, before, or after school.

We do not allow student dismissals over the phone. Dismissal notes need to be provided in the morning the student is being dismissed. If there is an illness, the dismissal must be coordinated through the school nurse.

In addition, student tardiness and dismissals should be limited. Students should come to school with all of their belongings as parent drop-offs lead to interruptions into the classroom as well as frequent entrances into the building. Last year, we had a few Dunkin Donut iced coffee deliveries which we could not deliver!

As I am entering my sixth year as the principal of Rockland High School, I am so proud of our students and I feel fortunate to work alongside such a caring and dedicated staff. On behalf of the faculty and staff at RHS, we are very much looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks. Let’s make this our best school year ever!

John M. Harrison

Principal

Email: jharrison@rocklandschools.org
Website: https://www.rocklandschools.org/o/rockland-high
Location: 52 Mackinlay Way, Rockland, MA, USA
Phone: 781-871-0541
Twitter: @RocklandHS