ROCKLAND HIGH WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
January 30, 2026
UPDATES
We made it through the most significant snowstorm in years! A tremendous thank-you to the Rockland Public Schools maintenance and custodial teams who—along with the Rockland DPW—worked tirelessly to clear walkways, parking lots, and entrances so students and staff could return safely. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and hard work.
Term Updates
Term 2 has now concluded, and Term 3 began on Wednesday, January 28. This adjusted timeline reflects the two snow days earlier in the week. Please note that Term 2 report cards will also be posted one day later than originally anticipated, on February 3.
VoG Dog Block
On Thursday, we held our second Vision of the Graduate Dog Block, and it was a highly productive session. Students in grades 9–11 met with their advisors to review Vision of the Graduate expectations, ask questions, and upload at least one artifact into their online portfolios. Teachers pre-identified assignments aligned to the five Vision of the Graduate skills - Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Personal Responsibility - allowing students to work efficiently with guidance and feedback. Overall, the block provided meaningful, dedicated time for students to make progress on their portfolios. Materials shared with students are available for families who wish to review them.
Video
VoG FAQ Questions
Upcoming ELPAC/SEPAC Joint Event
We invite families to attend a joint meeting of the English Learner and Special Education Parent Advisory Councils:
- Date: February 25
- Time: 6:30 PM
- Location: RHS Cafeteria
- Topic: Navigating the IEP Process – Home and School Information
We look forward to seeing you there!
UPCOMING DATES
FEBRUARY
February 3 - Term 2 Grades posted in Aspen
February 5 - Early Release Professional Development Day, 11:25 AM dismissal
February 10 - Senate Leadership Council meeting, 7:30 AM
February 11 - Crisis Team meeting, 9:20 AM
February 11 - Rockland's Got Talent, 7:00 PM
February 12 - Dog Block, 10:42-11:28 AM
February 24 - Site Council Meeting, 2:45 PM
February 16 - 20 - Winter Break
February 25 - ELPAC/SEPAC event, 6:30 PM, RHS cafeteria
CLUBS AND ATHLETICS
TRAVEL CLUB
The Travel Club will host an informational meeting for those interested in signing up for a future tour on Wednesday, February 25, at 7 p.m. We will share information about the April 2027 trip to Germany, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, as well as the April 2028 trip to Spain and Portugal. Please RSVP at this link for the meeting or for more information: https://bit.ly/4pQCNiy
SGC
On Saturday, January 24th, members from our student government attended the Special Olympics Bocce Tournament at Duxbury High School. Students attended as Fans in the Stands, where they went to cheer on other schools and teams participating in the event. Our members had a great time supporting students and athletes of diverse abilities and coming together to promote teamwork and inclusivity.
Candy Grams:
Candy Grams will be sold for $1 each during all 3 lunches from February 2 through - February 11. Students can purchase a candy gram for their friend(s). Candy grams will be distributed during C block on Friday, February 13.
FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE
JUNIORS
Counselors visited Junior English classes today. today. We briefly discussed the School Day SAT being given at RHS on 3-24 (the deadline to register is February 12th). Students can also choose to take a Saturday SAT exam and would register through the College Board.
We also reviewed the RHS college/campus visit policy and information related to campus visits - how to set them up, when to go, what to ask, etc… Although not currently included in the campus visit policy, we would also excuse a visit to meet with a military recruiter and/or take the ASVAB exam, and for a job interview for potential full-time, post-high school employment (not for part-time jobs during high school).
Please reach out to your/your student’s guidance counselor with any questions
SENIORS
Congratulations if you have applied to college! Hopefully, you will receive acceptance letters and financial aid awards soon. Here are some tips & resources to help you navigate the next steps:
6 Things you should do after submitting a college application - helpful article on next steps!
Check your email frequently (the email you used on college applications and the FAFSA)!
If you have not submitted your FAFSA yet, this should be done as soon as possible. Resources on the FAFSA can be found here. After you file your FAFSA, you will receive:
FAFSA Submission Summary - an overview of the report. Your FAFSA Submission Summary is not an aid offer. Aid offers will come directly from schools you’ve listed on your FAFSA form and have been accepted to.
Student Aid Report (SAR). Your financial aid reports are based on the information in your SAR, so the information must be accurate and up to date. Here is a Breakdown of the Student Aid Report and a brief video on reading your SAR.
We know students are excited to commit to a college, but it’s best to wait until you receive all your financial aid awards! As you begin to receive financial aid award letters and packages, it is important to read them thoroughly and compare them closely. Here are some resources to help:
What You Can Expect to see in a Financial Aid offer (podcast)
MEFA Webinar - “What to Expect When you Receive your Financial Aid Offers and Guidance on Paying the College Bill” slides from the webinar can be found here.
Understanding your financial aid award letter - step-by-step guide from the Office of the Attorney General in Massachusetts.
Financial Aid Award Letter Comparison Tool - this article by Scholarship 360 also defines key terms in financial aid award letters.
Upcoming Financial Aid Events:
Jodi Conway, our senior financial aid night presenter, is offering the following webinars for our senior families:
Understanding your financial aid award letters: Financial aid award letters are not
standardized; some colleges provide a detailed breakdown of the award offer and your out-of-pocket costs but most colleges fail to clearly communicate this crucial information. Attend this webinar for a detailed breakdown of the various components of your financial aid award letters and how to calculate your out-of-pocket cost at each school. Tuesday, February 3rd 6:00-6:45pm - register here.
Appealing merit and need based awards: You must approach merit and need-based appeals differently. There are specific financial situations that warrant need-based appeals while merit appeals require a different focus. We’ll discuss how the two differ and tailoring your approach to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Choose from the following two options:
Thursday, February 12th 6:00-6:45pm - register here.
Tuesday, February 24th 6:00-6:45pm - register here.
Attendees will receive a copy of the webinar slide deck. Feel free to submit questions to Jodi in advance: jodi@conwaycollegeaid.com.
Don't be afraid to ask a school for more money or communicate changes in your financial status. Once you compare your financial aid awards, contact the school you hope to attend to see if there is any flexibility in the aid they can offer. In addition to attending one of Jodi’s webinars on appeal, you can read these tips: Appealing for More Financial Aid; Communicating Special Circumstances to a Financial Aid office
RHS will host a zoom meeting with Gina Rigby of Citizens Bank in Norwell - Paying the College Bill/Understanding the Student Loan Process on Tuesday, March 31st at 7:00. A meeting link will be sent to seniors and families in March.
If you have questions about a financial aid award, we recommend you reach out directly to the financial aid office at that school - they should be able to answer any questions you have.
FROM THE NURSE
10th grade screenings
In the coming weeks we will be conducting the state mandated screenings for grade 10 students. This includes hearing, vision, BMI and SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, Referral to Treatment).
Vision and Hearing
Screening is the first step in identifying children who may have an undetected vision or hearing problem that requires evaluation by a doctor experienced in diagnosing and treating children. Parents will be notified if their child does not pass the screening.
BMI
All students in grade 10 will have their height and weight measured. BMI data collected for all students will be gathered and reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as a combined number.
SBIRT
The screener will ask students in a private setting about alcohol, nicotine, tobacco, or other drug use over the past year. Staff will then talk with each student about how to support their overall health, safety, and success in school. If the student needs more assessment or support, health staff may work with the student and/or their parent/guardian.
Please note:
• Screening results are recorded. No information that could identify a student is kept (for example, name or date of birth).
• Screening results will not go into the student’s school record.
• Screening results will not be shared without the permission of the student or their parent/guardian. However, results may be shared in the case of an immediate medical emergency or when required by state law
More information can be found here.
Parents and/or legal guardians can request in writing that their child not participate in any of the screenings. Please contact me via email at fdavis@rocklandschools.org or by written note if you wish to opt out. Please feel free to call with any questions or concerns at 781-871-8411.
QUICK LINKS
FINAL THOUGHTS
As we move into Term 3, we are grateful for the flexibility and positive energy shown by our students, staff, and families during this unusual weather week. Thank you for your continued support as we adjust schedules, post grades, and keep learning moving forward. Wishing everyone a smooth transition into the new term and a safe and restful weekend. Stay warm!
Sincerely,
Cheryl Schipper
Principal