RES Weekly Buzz
We were lucky in Rockport to have had a beautiful sunny day for the solar eclipse on Monday. All of our students and staff were able to head outside to view a bit of the amazing sight with their ISO certified solar eclipse glasses. There were groups of students all around campus, on the basketball court, the playground, and the grassy areas in back of the school. At dismissal time, students either left to catch their rides with their glasses in hand or stayed on the playground with their families to watch the 90% totality. It was a very high energy and exciting day here at RES.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders took part in MCAS exams in English Language Arts. The students were well prepared and worked very hard for the duration of testing. You should let them know you are proud of their efforts; their teachers were very happy with their focus and attention to the test. Next up with be the math MCAS on April 30th and May 1st.
On Thursday, Maritime Gloucester's Ocean Explorers program was here working with the 3rd grade teachers and students. They provided more hands-on marine and physical science activities to help expand our students' science vocabulary and encourage them to make connections between their content learning and the real world. We are very grateful for their commitment to support our science instruction.
As we close out the week with a half-day of school, we wish you all a happy and healthy vacation week that is filled with family time.
- April 15th-19th: Spring Vacation
- April 30th & May 1st: Math MCAS Grades 3-5
- May 14 & 15th: Science MCAS Grade 5
- May 18th: Motif #1 Day 5K
- May 27th: No School - Memorial Day
- May 31st: 1/2 Day of School
All of our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders are now taking part in MCAS assessments this month and next month. Please review the testing dates below. It would be extremely helpful if every effort is made to ensure that students are present in school and arrive on time on all MCAS test dates.
- April 30th & May 1st: Math MCAS - Grades 3-5
- May 14th & 15th: STE MCAS - Grade 5 ONLY
DESE MCAS Resources for Parents/Guardians
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.
Reminder: Students attending a before school activity should not be dropped off at school before 7:55am.
Spring Session of Before/After School Class Sign up
- Weekly Schedule Spring Session-Starts after April vacation
Grades 3-5 at RES on Thursdays 8:30-8:45am (RES Cafe)
Spring Run Club: Starts March 25th, ends with Motif #1 Day, 5/18/24
Grades 2-5 at RES on Thursdays, 8-8:45am (RES Gym)
Open to ALL 5th Grade Students!
Meetings will be held from 3:00 - 4:00 pm in room H215 on:
• May 1, 2024
• May 8, 2024
• May 15, 2024
Any questions should be directed to to: Mrs. Collins (scollins@rpk12.org) or Mrs. English (lenglish@rpk12.org)
The Motif #1 Day 5K and 1 Mile road race/run/walk is set to take place on May 18th. This exciting event aims to build community spirit and support health and wellness initiatives at Rockport Public Schools. To participate, simply click on the registration link. If running isn't your thing but you still want to contribute, a donate link is available. Your support is invaluable in fostering health and wellness at RPS – thank you!
THANK YOU TO THE RPS PTO
for providing funding for the upcoming First Grade field trip to the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. We appreciate all of the support that the PTO provides to the staff and students at RES!! 💛
Upcoming Events:
- Watch for upcoming events
Enjoy a wonderful Spring break! Please remain diligent about monitoring your child for signs/symptoms of illness, especially if you are traveling. Please see chart below for illness symptoms to monitor for. If your child has any cold symptoms, such as a cough, please test them with an at-home rapid COVID-19 test. Free COVID-19 test kits are available from the Town of Rockport. Please also review the updated COVID-19 guidance below as well.
*** Updated COVID-19 Guidance from the
Massachusetts Department of Public Health ***
- If your child develops symptoms (fever, cough, congestion, etc.) of a respiratory virus, such as COVID-19, please keep them home until they are feeling better. For most respiratory illnesses, symptoms generally begin to improve after 72 hours.
- Your child may return to school as soon as they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours (without the use of medications like Tylenol/Ibuprofen) AND once any symptoms have improved.
- Your child is no longer required to stay out of school for a full 5 days. However, if they are still within the first 5 days of the onset of respiratory symptoms and/or testing positive for COVID-19, your child should wear a mask at school and keep some distance between themselves and others.
- Please remember that masks should fit well and cover both the mouth and nose.
- If you have a child who is unable to wear a mask, please consider keeping them home until their symptoms have fully resolved.
- Follow good hygiene measures, such as frequently handwashing/sanitizing, covering coughs/sneezes, and disinfecting high-touch surfaces and common spaces.
- If your child is exposed to someone with COVID-19 or another respiratory illness, they do not need to stay home as long as they remain asymptomatic. Please do an at-home rapid COVID test if they do become symptomatic or 5-7 days after initial exposure.
- Remember to get your child vaccinated annually for both COVID-19 and Influenza.
- Free rapid COVID-19 test kits are available from the Town of Rockport.
PLEASE remember to send a water bottle with your child to school every single day!
For any questions or to report your child's illness, please call the RES health office at 978-546-1223 or email rwagner@rpk12.org .
- Any elementary, middle, or high school positions that are open in Rockport Public Schools are posted here.
- Click here or scan our QR code to see all available positions.
This program will provide your child with an enriching summer activity- they will enjoy playtime with their friends in a familiar, safe and fun environment. Children will be grouped by age and will rotate through the playground for recess, the gymnasium for indoor movement activities, and other rooms for games, Legos, arts & crafts, and snack time. There may be weekly themes, visiting special guests and welcome surprises to keep things fresh and engaging!
All students who are entering Grades K-5 are eligible to participate.
The program is Monday, June 24th – Thursday, August 1st. at RES. No program on July 4th.
The program is Monday – Thursday, from 9am – 12 noon. Pack a snack and water each day.
Cost: $400 for the season, $325 for each sibling after first child (please fill out one form for each child).
Summer Fun will follow the strict food allergy policy guidelines in place at Rockport Elementary School – NO NUTS.
Click here to print a sign up form.
Please drop off or mail the registration form to:
Town Administrator Office, 34 Broadway, Rockport, MA 01966.
Forms can also be dropped off at the mail slot at the back door of Town Hall.
Please make check or money order payable to:
Town of Rockport.
Payments to the Summer Fun Program are non-refundable. You will receive an email confirmation of
your child’s enrollment and further information before the start of the program.
Please email recreation@rockportma.gov with any questions!
Looking forward to a great summer!
Click the links below to access the various resources:
- RES Staff 2023-2024
- RPS Community Flyers
- K-8 Rockport Youth Basketball
- January - May 2024 offerings at Cape Ann Museum
- Cape Ann Youth Lacrosse
