BACK TO SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
September 1, 2023
WELCOME TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR!
Welcome to all of our new 5th grade families and new-to-Rockland families! We are off to a great start! Opening day went smoothly. Students met their teachers, got assigned lockers, ate in the cafeteria, and reconnected with friends. Dismissal with late buses was a challenge for sure. The opening of Phelps elementary combined with first day newness definitely created significant delays. Students and teachers were incredibly patient and handled the delay well. We will continue to work on getting on schedule. Until then, your patience is so appreciated!!
The start of school is such an exciting time for students and staff alike. My favorite part of the new year is that everyone gets a fresh start. That was part of my message to students on the first day: if last year wasn't your best, set your intention to make it a better year! We can all continue to improve every day if we set our minds to it!
Back to School Night for grades 6 through 8 is Wednesday, September 6 at 6:00 PM. Upon arriving, please follow the order below:
grade 6: start in classrooms, then move to auditorium
grade 7/8: start in auditorium, then move to classrooms (7) or lecture hall (8)
More detailed information will be shared by email next week.
UPCOMING DATES
September 15: Spirit Day - Maui Awareness - wear Hawaiian gear
September 22: Spirit Day - Inclusion Awareness - wear purchased shirts (see attached flyer) or color (TBD)
September 27: Picture Day
BACK TO SCHOOL PHOTOS
BACK IN CLASS!
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY
Students in grades 7 and 8 who are academically eligible to apply for NJHS membership will be receiving a letter in late September. Information sessions will be held in October and applications with be due in November after term 1 report cards have been issued.
Questions about NJHS can be directed to NJHS advisor Jessica Carpine at jcarpine@rocklandschools.org.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT COUNCIL
SGC is a club open to all students in grades 5 through 8 who are interested in making their school and community a better place and having fun! Meetings are typically held on the second Wednesday of the month. Information about meetings will be shared with students in homeroom.
At-a-glance:
- 8/21-9/10: RPS Walks for Inclusion online t-shirt sales open
- 9/19-9/20: Walks for Inclusion t-shirt distribution in RMS cafeteria
- 9/22: RPS Spirit Day to support the Walk for Inclusion
- 9/23: Walk for Inclusion - 8am-12pm at Veterans Memorial Stadium (open to the public)
- 10/9-10/26: RMS Candy Donation Drive to support Project Pumpkin
- 10/28: Project Pumpkin at RHS
- 11/1-11/14: RMS Turkey Trot Donation Drive to benefit Rockland Food Pantry
- 12/18-12/21: RMS Spirit Week - themes will be announced in December
September:
Rockland Walk for Inclusion
- RHS SGC has organized a fundraiser walk that will benefit the Special Olympics. T-shirts will be sold online starting August 21 and ending September 10. See attached flyer.
- Shirt distribution will be on Tuesday 9/19 (3-4pm), and Wednesday 9/20 (3-4pm, 5-6pm) in the RMS cafeteria.
- The walk is scheduled for Saturday, 9/23 from 8am to noon at Rockland Veterans Memorial Stadium.
- RMS students will help with advertising t-shirt sales, helping with organizing the walk on the day of the event, and they will participate in the walk.
- RPS will hold a combined spirit day on Friday, 9/22 for the event (wear the t-shirt they purchased, or wear a certain color [TBD] to show support).
SGC questions can be directed to advisors Kirsten Bartoloni (kbartoloni@rocklandschools.org) or Jacqui Gervais (jgervais@rocklandschools.org).
FROM THE HEALTH OFFICE
My name is Leigh O'Donoghue and I am the new nurse at Rogers Middle School. With the help of Ms.Cora, the Health Office is already feeling like home! We are off to an exciting start and I look forward to a fun 23-24 school year!
We can be reached at lo'donoghue@rocklandschools.org and scora@rocklandschools.org.
FROM THE SUPPORT STAFF
The middle school years can be a tricky maze for students and parents. Students are changing socially, emotionally and academically all at once. For some, it can be a roller coaster ride sometimes. Communication between home and school is an important part in helping our students navigate their way through middle school.
Our support staff focuses their skills, time, and energy on direct and indirect services to students. Direct services are in-person interactions between school counselors and students to support academic, social and emotional growth. This includes classroom lessons and counseling in small group or individual settings. Indirect services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the support staff's interactions with others including referrals for additional assistance, consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, administrators and other educators.
We are here to support you and your students throughout the year. If you have any questions or concerns, our contact information is below. We look forward to working with all of you throughout the year.
Elizabeth McDonald
Grade 6 & 8 Counselor
Kristen Collins
Grade 5 & 7 Counselor
Lawrie Donovan
School Adjustment Counselor
Colleen Regal
School Psychologist
FROM THE MAIN OFFICE
From the Main Office:
Absences/Dismissals: Please call 781-878-4341 or email rmsabsences@rocklandschools.org to report an absence or let us know your child will be late.
Dismissals/Meetings/Nurse: Please remember to bring your up-to-date photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, green card) into the office when picking up your student for early dismissal, coming in for a meeting, or dropping off something to the Nurse. One of these forms of ID is required each time in order to pick up a student or to come in for a meeting or to see the Nurse. If one of your contacts is picking up your child for early dismissal, please let them know they need to bring one of these forms of ID into the office.
Chromebooks/Chargers: It is very important that your child brings both their Chromebook and charger to school everyday. Please be sure they have them before they leave for school each day.
CORI checks: If you plan to chaperone an RMS field trip or volunteer for an RMS event, you must have a valid CORI on file. Please come in to the Main Office with your driver's license or US passport and fill out the form. It can take a week or so for the CORI to come back. With field trips starting to be planned, please come in as soon as possible so you will be all set for when the field trip or event happens! If you are unsure if you have a CORI on file, or if your CORI is still current, please call the office at 781-878-4341 and we will look it up.
Withdrawals: If you are withdrawing your child from Rockland Public Schools, please be sure to complete and return a withdrawal form. You can come in to get the form, or email pdriscoll@rocklandschools.org for one to be emailed to you.
Change of Address or Phone Number: Have you moved and need to update your address? Please call the school at 781-878-4341 or email pdriscoll@rocklandschools.org and we can let you know what documents are required for proof of residency. Please also let the office know if your phone number has changed so we can update our records.
Bus Reminder: students cannot take a bus that they are not assigned to. This includes going to a friend's house after school. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact buses@rocklandschools.org.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Please encourage your child to use their school-issued agenda book for keeping assignments and notices organized. This is a great tool for home-school communication!
We are all excited for the new school year! Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns at cschipper@rocklandschools.org. Let's work together to support your child(ren) and make it their best year yet!
Respectfully,
Cheryl Schipper
Principal
